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DMV to Internet-less New Yorkers: Get in Line
By Jared Chausow
By Katie Toth
By Elizabeth Flock
City Hid Facts From Feds About Rikers
By Albert Samaha
Flood Wall Street Gets Pepper Sprayed and Arrested
By Anna Merlan
By Jon Campbell
Report Sheds Light on Anti-Muslim Bias
By Jon Campbell
Rikers Island Lawsuits Over Diabetic Care
By Albert Samaha
BEST CONCEPT VIDS: In this age of reality TV, the hilarious Cooking With Porn Stars (Eclectic) introduced us to celebs actually worth knowing: pot-smoking, gang-banging, underground feminist role models (pick scene's starlet: Houston). Cock-Crazy Quickies (Subvision) countered porn's biggest pitfall?the reliance on rote, extended scenes displaying each sex act in turn. (Sheryl Dynasty). Specs Appeal 5 (Kick Ass) proved the power of mild fetishes, specifically, women with glasses (Avy Scott, incomparable as always).
CHEESIEST: If white-trash fetishizing indie filmmaker Harmony Korine shot a porn, it would likely resemble Zach Miles's Cream of the Crop 9 (Xtraordinary). Of course, I can't imagine Chloë Sevigny getting double-teamed like cubic-zirconia-in-the-rough Victoria Kelly does. Oh wait, I can.
Cock-Crazy Quickies
Specs Appeal 5
Kick Ass
Cream of the Crop 9
View Movie Now
Shut the Fuck Up and Blow Me Volume 8
Digital Playground
Seymore Butts' Female Ejaculation Review
Seymore Butts
Wild Party Girls 13
More Dirty Debutantes Volume 179
Teen Sensations
View Movie Now
CLASSIEST: Barely coherent, hopelessly ambitious, and a poor sequel to Blade Runner (as it's intended to be), Japanese sci-fi porn I.K.U. (Eclectic, directed by video artist Shu Lea Cheang) ricochets merrily from one dazzling Technicolor scenario to the next, bending gender convention at every turn.
BEST BLOWJOB: Shut the Fuck Up and Blow Me Volume 8 (Digital Playground) promises "more suck 4 your buck" and, indeed, you do get more blow for your dough?20 slurpees in all, from Honey-I'm-Home to My-Hot-Tub's-Broken. Pick moment: Lolita's panty shot as she swings expectantly in a hammock.
BEST SQUIRT: One could complain that Seymore Butts' Female Ejaculation Review (Seymore Butts) relies on too few actresses, but one never tires of central starlet Alisha Klass's sincerely hysterical dam breaks, and nary a moment is wasted with anything other than the Squirt.
SICKEST: Of the 47 movies on Bangbus.com, I've seen two: uncomfortable Isabelle's and pliant, accented Sasha's. Picked up, as always, by three men in a minivan and convinced to fuck in the course of an hour and a half of relentless hectoring, the two might've actually enjoyed what they wound up doing, if ringleader Dirty Sanchez weren't primarily concerned with humiliating them.
BIGGEST RIP: Modern marketing, the most effective propaganda the world has yet seen, sells few products more useless than Girls Gone Wild-style flashing vids (such as Wild Party Girls 13, DreamGirls). The drunken women go unpaid, the voyeuristic viewer remains unsatisfied, and some jackass hyper-capitalist buys a jet.
JOHNNY'S PERSONAL FAVES: Each of these previously unreviewed flicks have given me hours of pleasure and could not come with a higher recommendation. The prolific, icky, not unfriendly producer-actor-interviewer Ed Powers fondles and kisses his off-the-bus women so gently, so ecstatically that you might be more creeped out than turned on. But in More Dirty Debutantes Volume 179 (4-Play), he meets his match, Charisma Lordes, a glamorous but girly hourglass topped by a bob of white-blond curls with long brown roots who begs to be spanked until her ass glows an angry red. Teen Sensations (DVSX) could get by on Aurora Snow's coy blowjob or Marie's punkish, rack-accentuating outfit alone, but it is Julia, Sandy, and Maria?pristine Swedish blonds playing innocent tourists?who vault the disc into classic status. Stalked in some ruins by a pair of English-speaking men, Johnny's angels agree to pose for a couple pics; some mischievous blouse-lifting later, the ladies have shed their cutely hip clothes and revealed a taste for gratuitous double-penetration.
BEST ACTORS: For a male viewer, it's enough that there's a big, hard dick standing in for him. For the ladies, it's a lost cause?the day porn producers start hiring halfway attractive studs is that day pot gets legalized in this country. Like a medical marijuana initiative, Tony Pounds offers a shred of hope. A young, in-shape skateboarder type, he goes about his business quietly and with respect (Euphoria, Vivid; Skate Trixxx 2, Video Team). Lexington Steele injects not only hot beef but also humor into his scenes, and gets absolutely giddy over a fat ass (Nice Rack #9, Anabolic; many others).
BEST WRITING BY READERS: An amateur myself, I love to hear from my loyal readers. Some, like "Frank," flatter me too much: "Love your writing style . . . really hot and a fuckin' turn on. Keep it cumming and make it even hotter." Others, like Lost Heinie (VCA) star "Hamilton," appreciate how I've complimented them: "Hello, I'm Hamilton S----- and I just wanted to thank you for mentioning me in your review. Although you didn't really comment one way or another on our performance I appreciate the comment about being 'long dicked.'" "Lou in NJ" offered a suggestion: "I think it would be rather humorous if you'd review porn movies that feature Asian women, mostly Chinese or Japanese, with oversized breast implants. I always thought that the very sight of them was funny, for as all men know, they are not large bosomed." "Camille" wondered if my mother knows what I "do" (actually, Mama Maldoro doesn't), and wrote this arch response when I asked whether or not I could quote her: "Well it's nice to see, Mr. Smut Promoter, that you have no shame. I can't believe you're allowed to do what you do. Sure you can re-print my mail."
Sponsor Content


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She's no stranger to high-profile parties, and last night (December 1) Marion Cotillard was the belle of the ball at Christian Dior's bash in Marrakech.
The "Inception" starlet stunned the folks at the 13th Marrakech International Film Festival in her gunmetal-colored dress featuring floral accents and a black skirt.
Scoping out another new movie, Marion Cotillard attended the premiere of "A Thousand Times Good Night" during the Marrakech International Film Festival in Morocco on Saturday (November 30).
The "La Vie en Rose" star and jury member for the fest looked adorable in a Dior sleeveless, multicolored striped dress with strappy heels as she posed for photos outside.
Stepping out for a swanky affair, Marion Cotillard arrived at the opening ceremony of the Marrakesh International Film Festival in Morocco on Friday (November 29).
The "Dark Knight Rises" star looked pretty in a sleeveless long black and white patterned gown as she posed for pics on the red carpet.
Stepping up to support a cause she believes in, Marion Cotillard joined protesters outside the Palais Royal in Paris, France on Friday (November 15).
The "Dark Knight Rises" starlet locked herself in a mock prison cell to demand the release of 30 jailed members of Greenpeace's Arctic Sunrise boat crew, who are being held in Russia.
Coming out with a new trailer for her upcoming drama today (October 26), Marion Cotillard stars in "The Immigrant," in which she plays a new Polish arrival to the United States in 1921.
The mystery-romance finds Marion's character, Ewa Cybulski, as she eventually becomes torn between lovers, portrayed by Joaquin Phoenix and Jeremy Renner.
Making for one of the most jaw-droppingly beautiful red carpets of the year, some of the finest ladies in Tinseltown headed out for ELLE magazine's 20th Annual Women In Hollywood Celebration on Monday (October 21).
Glamming up the Four Seasons Los Angeles was "Water for Elephants" actress Reese Witherspoon, who stunned in a red, strapless Calvin Klein Collection frock as she posed for photographs before heading in for the main attraction.
Stepping off the set, Marion Cotillard and Naomie Harris scored cover spots on ELLE magazine's Women in Hollywood issue.
It's no secret that celebrities need good people around them to keep the pesky press at bay, but Marion Cotillard's publicist went too far during the premiere of "Blood Ties" at the Toronto Film Festival.
In a newly-released video clip, Bryna Rifkin shows her true colors while verbally sparring with reporter Catherine Beauchamp.

subset: commoncrawl


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The Magazine
The Colorado Model
The Democrats' plan for turning red states blue.
Jul 21, 2008, Vol. 13, No. 42 • By FRED BARNES
As for the 2008 race, that confidential memo, dated January 23, fell into the hands of a Republican activist and was first reported on January 29 by Lynn Bartels of the Rocky Mountain News. It had been drafted by Democratic strategist Dominic DelPapa and sent to Al Yates, the guru of the rich liberals. They downplayed its significance, though it memorably declared the plan would "define Schaffer/foot on throat." At the very least the memo showed the magnitude of the effort to drive Republicans deeper into the minority in Colorado.
And that effort draws powerful support from a liberal infrastructure that conservatives aren't close to matching. For years, the Independence Institute, founded in 1985 by John Andrews and headed by Tom Tancredo before he was elected to the U.S. House, stood alone as an influential intellectual and political force in Colorado. (Later Andrews was Republican leader of the Colorado senate.) In 1999, Rutt Bridges started the Bighorn Center for Public Policy, and a year later the Bell Policy Center was created specifically to counter the Independence Institute--prompting the institute's Caldara to quip, the Bell center should be called the Dependence Institute.
That was only the beginning of the buildup. Eric O'Keefe, chairman of the conservative Sam Adams Alliance in Chicago, says there are seven "capacities" that are required to drive a successful political strategy and keep it on offense: the capacity to generate intellectual ammunition, to pursue investigations, to mobilize for elections, to fight media bias, to pursue strategic litigation, to train new leaders, and to sustain a presence in the new media. Colorado liberals have now created institutions that possess all seven capacities. By working together, they generate political noise and attract press coverage. Explains Caldara, "Build an echo chamber and the media laps it up."
First, there are the think tanks such as Bighorn and Bell and supposedly nonpartisan political advocacy groups like the Colorado clone of MoveOn.org called ProgressNowAction.org, founded in 2005. Another clone, this one a local version of Media Matters known as Colorado Media Matters, was created two years ago to harass journalists and editorial writers who don't push the liberal line.
There's a "public interest" law firm, Colorado Ethics Watch, established in 2006, plus an online newspaper, the Colorado Independent, with a team of reporters to ferret out wrongdoing by Republicans, also begun in 2006. And there's a school to train new liberal leaders, the Center for Progressive Leadership Colorado, as well as new media outlets with bloggers and online news and gossip, including ColoradoPols.com and SquareState.net. That covers all seven capacities. Count them.
It's unclear exactly who is funding these outfits, since they don't have to disclose their donors. But the band of rich liberals are assumed to be the biggest contributors. And that's part of the problem for conservatives and Republicans. They don't have a cadre of what Caldara calls "super spenders" to tap for money, and Republicans have lacked the gumption and foresight to build a comparable conservative infrastructure.
To their distress, Republicans have discovered how skillful the liberal collective is at bedeviling them. It works quite simply. The investigative arm uncovers some alleged wrongdoing by a Republican candidate or official or plays up what someone else has claimed. Then Ethics Watch steps in and demands an official investigation, and ProgressNowAction.org jumps on the story. This is synergy at work. It spurs political chatter. Finally, the mainstream media are forced to report on it.
Republican secretary of state Mike Coffman was hounded for months by Colorado Confidential, now the Colorado Independent, for allowing a state employee to run a side business and not reporting a supposed conflict of interest too microscopic to be worth explaining. The mainstream media eventually picked up the story, and Colorado Ethics Watch filed a formal complaint. Later, an official audit found no wrongdoing, but only after Coffman had been publicly pilloried. The episode didn't help his current campaign for a U.S. House seat.
Caldara, too, has been targeted by the liberal groups. He used the phrase "bitch slapped" on his late-night talk radio show. Colorado Media Matters complained, and Caldara says ProgressNowAction.org sought to get advertisers to drop his show. "They tried to find a way to Imus me," Caldara says. He's still on the air.


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Fodor's Shanghai, 2nd Edition
By Stephanie E. Butler
(Fodor's, Paperback, 9781400008216, 272pp.)
Publication Date: April 7, 2009
List Price: $18.95*
* Individual store prices may vary.
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Visit Fodors.com for more ideas and information, travel deals, vacation planning tips, reviews and to exchange travel advice with other travelers.


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Mokuleia Wall (or the Moke as the locals know it) is a basalt cliff on Oahu with sport routes 40 to 90 feet tall. In June of this year, a 12 year-old girl was critically injured at Mokuleia while participating in a summer camp climbing event sponsored by a local YMCA camp. The girl had to be flown out by helicopter, and the following day the State posted signs along the trailhead closing the area indefinitely.
Concerns raised by the accident at Mokuleia caused the Department of Hawaiian Homelands to close another crag, Makapuu, which sits on Oahu's windward (east) side. Liability appears to be the main concern in both closures. Both crags are important resources for Hawaii climbers, and the Access Fund is working with a group of local climbers and business owners on short- and long-term options for re-opening both crags. Big thanks to all of our Hawaii members who are helping out with this effort.
Stay tuned to Access Fund e-news for updates.
In the latest Vertical Times, we reported that the Santa Fe National Forest and local Pueblo are concerned about climbing impacts at Jemez Cave (aka Crystal Cave) in New Mexico. Access Fund Affiliate the New Mexico Climbers' Resource and Advocacy Group (NM CRAG) worked with local climbers to take proactive steps to address these concerns, removed all the fixed draws from the cave, met with the Forest Service and local Pueblo, and got the word out to the local climbing community.
We just got word that the Forest Service plans on issuing a temporary closure of Crystal Cave in October in order to perform an archaeological survey. Impacts to the cave's nationally significant archeological resources are the major concern. NM CRAG held a public meeting with the local climbing community yesterday to review the current status. While the official closure date is projected to be mid October, NM CRAG and the Forest Service are requesting that climbers voluntarily refrain from climbing at Crystal Cave at this time. The Access Fund continues to work with NM CRAG, local climbers, and the US Forest Service to address this issue.
Visit Mountain Project and watch e-news for future updates.
Back in February of this year, we reported that the BLM issued an emergency closure at Trout Creek, Oregon's premier destination for pure crack climbs, due to golden eagle nesting activity in the area. After discussions with Access Fund, Friends of Trout Creek, American Alpine Club, Mazamas, and Crag Law Center, the BLM agreed to change the emergency closure to a voluntary closure and use local climbers in a monitoring program. We are happy to report that climbers complied with the closure, and local climbers helped monitor nest sites.
However, we are sorry to report that the nest site failed—through no fault of climbers. Access Fund Regional Coordinator Eric Sorenson was asked by the BLM to rappel into the failed nest to collect information that the BLM used to gain a better understanding of golden eagle mortality. The voluntary closure has been lifted, and climbers are once again able to access Trout Creek. A huge thanks goes out to local climbers who showed restraint by respecting the closure and volunteering as monitors, which helped to facilitate a solid working relationship with local BLM officials. The Access Fund continues to work with the BLM while an environmental assessment is developed, to determine the best strategy for managing climbing access and future golden eagle nest sites.
For local updates, visit Friends of Trout Creek facebook page.
Climbing Resource Advocates for Greater Sacramento (CRAGS) and the Access Fund are excited to announce the successful negotiation of an agreement with California's Auburn State Recreation Area to lift a 9-year ban on rock climbing at the Cave Valley Climbing Area (the "Auburn Quarry"). Although the agreement must be approved by the California Department of Parks and Recreation, CRAGS anticipates that approval is imminent. Climbing access is now contingent on CRAGS providing critical services in the area to offset climber impacts. CRAGS and the Access Fund are working to raise $9,520 to provide these services and restore climbing access early next month! Please visit www.accessfund.org/auburn to make a contribution--100% of your donation will support the climbing area.
Photo by Jerry Dodrill
The Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department (VFWD) is currently considering a rule that would ban climbing on all of their managed lands. We need your help to convince VFWD to add climbing as an authorized activity!
Take Action Now!
The Access Fund and American Alpine Club (AAC) are pleased to announce that the iconic Hueco Rock Ranch will stay in climber-friendly hands with new ownership by the AAC. The Ranch is the primary lodging facility and guiding headquarters for climbers visiting the stunning bouldering and climbing of Hueco Tanks State Park & Historic Site outside of El Paso, TX.
The Hueco Rock Ranch has a long history—it was originally built as a personal residence by Todd Skinner in the mid-nineties with friends John and Carol Gogas and climbing stars such as Scott Milton and Fred Nicole. Rob Rice took ownership of the Ranch in 2000 and became the first commercial guide under the new set of climbing requirements, beckoning in a new generation of climbers to enjoy this historic climbing mecca. "The place was built by climbers—for climbers—and has been a hub for the climbing community since day one," says Rob Rice.
Last fall Rice, now living in Arkansas full-time, reached out to Access Fund for assistance in finding a climber-friendly buyer who could manage the Ranch onsite. Working with Rice and fellow landowner Scott Rohde, Access Fund reached out to the AAC whose vision of supporting the climbing way of life by providing lodging facilities and logistical support seemed a perfect fit for the Rock Ranch.
"Not only is the Hueco Rock Ranch important historically, it has played an important role in climbing access to Hueco Tanks," says Access Fund Executive Director Brady Robinson. "Through the Ranch, climbers have fostered and maintained a positive relationship with Texas State Parks. Maintaining strong climber management of the Ranch is important for all climbers, even those who choose to stay elsewhere during their visit."
Staff from the Access Fund and AAC worked closely together to make the purchase of the Rock Ranch possible. The Access Fund provided leadership and acquisition expertise, as well short-term funding from the Access Fund Land Conservation Campaign. Access Fund went under contract to purchase the Ranch in May, and at closing, assigned the properties to the AAC for long-term ownership and management.
"Lodging options within walking distance from great climbing supports the climbing lifestyle we all enjoy—and this purchase of the Hueco Rock Ranch can only expand the types of climbing that we're able to support," says AAC Executive Director Phil Powers. "We hope to create a facility that meets climbers' needs and adds opportunities for climbers to gather and share their stories."
This project has been a great partnership between the Access Fund and American Alpine Club. "Preservation of the Hueco Rock Ranch uniquely fits the missions of both organizations and we are glad to share this victory with the local, national, and international climbing community," says Joe Sambataro, Access Director at the Access Fund.
The AAC is undertaking improvements to the Ranch this summer—committing over $15,000 to completely clean and renovate the structures and tent camping facilities. An AAC staff member will be onsite overseeing these improvements. Future plans include additional renovations and new structures like a shower house and community cooking pavilion in the style of the Grand Teton Climbers' Ranch (GTCR) and New River Gorge Campground (NRGC). The AAC will also hire an onsite Hueco Rock Ranch Manager. The hiring process will begin this summer with the Job Description posted on the AAC's Jobs page.
The Rock Ranch is also closely tied to Route Fitters (RF) guiding operation, which holds a concession to operate trips in the park. For the foreseeable future, Rob Rice and RF are prepared to continue operations out of the Ranch. The AAC plans to complete its improvements by early autumn of 2012. Campers will be able to make reservations online, and walk-in campers will always be welcome at the Rock Ranch. Both AAC and Access Fund members will receive discounted rates.
The Access Fund, the national advocacy organization dedicated to protecting America's climbing, is pleased to announce that Sterling Rope has just unveiled a special edition rope to benefit Access Fund and the American Alpine Club (AAC). The green 9.8mm Velocity rope from Sterling's Evolution series is the company's best-selling, high performance rope.
This special edition rope features a unique color pattern of bright green, gray, and black (colors of the Access Fund and AAC) to celebrate the two organizations that support the American climbing community, raising awareness and money to support their missions. The special edition ropes are available in both 60- and 70-meter lengths.
A long-time supporter of the Access Fund, Sterling will donate $10 from the sale of each special edition rope to both the Access Fund and the AAC. The ropes are available for purchase at www.accessfund.org/shop or form www.sterlingrope.com, as well as at participating retail stores.
"Sterling Rope has been a long-time supporter of both the Access Fund and American Alpine Club and believes strongly in the great work they do," says Sterling Rope Marketing Director John "JB" Branagan. "Offering this special edition product form our top selling Evolution Velocity 9.8mm rope is a perfect way to support these organizations, helping to raise awareness of their dedication to the climbing community and to their complimentary missions."
The Access Fund is pleased to announce that New Hampshire lawmakers today passed legislation that bolsters landowner protections for people who open their property to climbing.
After a concerted advocacy effort by New Hampshire climbers, House Bill 1551 was signed into law today, expressly naming rock climbing as an activity protected under the state's recreational use statutes affording landowners a measure of liability protection.
New Hampshire climbers became aware that HB 1551 passed the House of Representatives in May without climbing specifically named as an activity afforded protection. New Hampshire law previously protected landowners who opened their land "for hunting, fishing, trapping, camping, horseback riding, bicycling, water sports, winter sports, snowmobiling, hiking, sightseeing, or removal of fuel wood" from getting sued if someone was injured on their property. However landowners who opened their property to technical climbing were not explicitly protected.
Local climbers rallied to submit letters and make phone calls to their Senators, asking them to amend the bill to include technical climbing before passing it. With leadership from Access Fund NH Regional Coordinator, Erik Eisele, climbers were able to secure a time to provide testimony at a Senate hearing on HB 1551. Local climber and community leader Tim Kemple Sr. provided the testimony, advocating for the amendment. The Senate responded and passed HB 1551 with the climbing amendment on June 1.
And today it was signed into law by Governor John Lynch. "This is an important piece of legislation for climbers," says Eisele. "With landowners protected from liability if someone is injured while climbing on their property, it makes it much more likely that a landowner would consider public access to climbing."
The Access Fund is excited to announce that it has combined forces with the East Idaho Climbers Coalition (EICC) to offer joint membership. The EICC works to build grassroots support for climbers' concerns and promote outdoor recreation and environmental stewardship in eastern Idaho. By combining memberships, you can support climbing on both a national and local level as well as receive benefits from both organizations for the cost of one.
Membership starts at just $35!
Join today!
Already an Access Fund member in Eastern Idaho?
Renew as a joint member today!
The Climbing Resource Access Group of Vermont (CRAG-VT) made their final payment last week on their Access Fund Land Conservation Campaign (AFLCC) loan.
The loan, given in July of last year, was for emergency stewardship action to repair the access road to major local crags (including Bolton Quarry, 82 Crag, and the recently acquired Carcass Crag) after it was washed out in a spring flood, blocking climbing access. The Access Fund amended its AFLCC loan policy last summer to allow for emergency stewardship funding, and CRAG-VT was the first organization to benefit from this amendment.
CRAG-VT is the fourth organization to fully pay back their AFLCC loan, returning funds to the revolving loan program where the Access Fund will loan the money out again to save another threatened climbing area.
We are happy to report that our very own Outdoor Alliance Policy Architect, Adam Cramer, has been appointed to the Federal Advisory Committee that will provide advice and recommendations to the Secretary of Agriculture on the implementation of the new Forest Service Planning Rule.
"The new forest planning rule holds great promise, but success depends on how it will be implemented," says Cramer. "Serving on this advisory committee will enable OA to channel the human powered outdoor recreation world's conservation values and perspectives and help set the stage for thoughtful planning to take care of our mountains, rivers and forests into the future."
There is currently an unprecedented amount of Forest Planning in the works around the country that could affect important climbing areas like the Wind River Mountains, High Sierra, and Cochise Stronghold. "Having an Access Fund affiliated representative on this committee is a big victory for climbers," says AF Senior Policy Advisor Jason Keith. "We now have an official seat at the table in Forest Service planning."
Read more on the Outdoor Alliance website.
The Access Fund is excited to announce that Backcountry.com is supporting the Access Fund-Jeep Conservation Team in 2012.
The Access Fund-Jeep Conservation Team employs two, full-time conservation/trail building experts who travel the country in a new 2011 Jeep Patriot to help maintain climbing areas throughout the United States. The team works with local climbers to address conservation needs and provides training on planning and stewardship best practices. This year, the team will visit over 50 crags across the U.S.
"We're honored to support the important work of the Access Fund," said Jill Layfield, CEO of Backcountry.com. "We understand our obligation as an outdoor retailer to protect the places where our customers and employees play. The Access Fund does an exceptional job of engaging the public and building community support through their work. We're proud to partner with them on this conservation initiative that will lead to healthier climbing areas for everyone."
The majority of Backcountry's corporate charitable giving budget goes to organizations whose missions are to promote environmental stewardship and protect access and responsible recreation in North America's wild places.
The Access Fund-Jeep Conservation Team, launched in the fall of 2011, extends the success of the Access Fund's existing Adopt a Crag and TeamWorks stewardship programs that help local climbers around the country take care of the places they play. The program provides climbing communities and volunteers with the training and resources they need to address conservation issues before they become dire.
Look for the Access Fund-Jeep Conservation Team at a climbing area or event near you. You can follow the Conservation Team on www.facebook.com/conservationteam and find out their latest location by visiting www.accessfund.org/whereisct.
The Kootenai County Commissioners are considering the sale of county property that includes Chilco Falls, the only accessible ice climbing in the area.
County officials argue that the site is inaccessible, not maintained, often unused, and that its sale could fund a more useful county effort. In February, Commissioner Jai Nelson suggested selling the property at public auction to use the funds for other properties. At an April meeting, Commissioner Nelson reported that a county attorney had been authorized to move forward with selling the property.
While the property does not feature park improvements, it has legitimate public access. After the County tried to dispose of the property in 1998 for similar reasons, the title was cleaned up and access was solidified. Fortunately, Commissioner Dan Green said that the commissioners are open to other suggestions for the site and your input is needed to present alternative solutions. "If these people are using it and we can create access for them, and find some funding mechanisms, I think we're all open to ideas," said Green.
The Kootenai Environmental Alliance has received several calls from concerned climbers and is willing to provide volunteers and help fundraise to improve access. Members of the Spokane Mountaineers and Kootenai Climbers join us in opposition to a sale.
Take Action Now!
Last week the Access Fund and Outdoor Alliance (OA) defended recreation lands in the Bureau of Land Management's (BLM) new, far-reaching oil shale and tar sands development plan on 2,431,000 acres of public land in Utah, Colorado, and Wyoming. One area being considered for development hosts the popular and unique climbing resources in Utah's San Rafael Swell.
The OA argued that while the human-powered recreation community supports the prudent development of energy resources on public lands, there are great risks, and these world-class recreation resources are not the place to experiment with new industrial technologies. The OA advocated for the BLM's Alternative 3, which outlines a cautious approach that requires adequate research and leaves an appropriate amount of land available for this crucial step. This alternative correctly weighs the experimental nature of the technology against the internationally significant outdoor recreation areas that sustain local economies and promise long-term economic benefits.
Read more on the OA website.
As one of the three locations known for hosting the Triple Crown Bouldering Series, Stone Fort boasts some of the best boulders in the southeast. And its growing popularity has led to an increase in user impacts.
But thanks to the proactive efforts of two local groups—Rock/Creek gear shop and the non-profit Wild Trails—local climbers and volunteers have rallied to mitigate these impacts. Wild Trails and Triple Crown funded an environmental impact study of the area and used the results to target several spots for improvement.
With help from the Southeastern Climbers Coalition, volunteers gathered this past March to plant trees in the Genghis Khan, Wave, Fire Crack, and Crescent areas. In all, 45 trees were planted, and green spaces were defined in the Wave/Fire Crack Area, Crescent Area, Space and Odyssey Area and the hillside below the Cable Route.
A huge thanks to all of the volunteers and businesses who donated their time and resources to mitigate these impacts.
Read more on the Rock/Creek website.
The New River Alliance of Climbers (NRAC) and the Access Fund are pleased to announce an access easement has secured the public parking area and approach trails to the extensive cliff line of Bubba City in the New River Gorge. In partnership with the Wild Rock West Virginia community, NRAC and the Access Fund co-hold the easement to protect climbing access for the next five years, with the option to later renew or make it permanent.
Located off Chestnutburg Road, the 15-car parking lot serves as the trailhead for access to more than 340 sport and traditional climbing routes of high quality Nuttall Sandstone. Bubba City is one of the most popular crags in the expansive New River Gorge region, and the trail network sees high and growing use.
The easement agreement provides legitimate access for the climbing community across Wild Rock—a growing 150-homesite community perched atop the New River Gorge. The existing parking area and trailhead will be maintained by NRAC and its committed group of local volunteers. "Climbers here are psyched," says NRAC President Gene Kistler. "Wild Rock has delivered on a promise to help preserve public, recreational access through their land and into the gorge. This is a big first step toward securing long-term access to the climbing at Bubba City and sets a great example for park-adjacent development. Thanks to everyone that helped bring this together."
For Carl Frischkorn, founder of Wild Rock West Virginia, the easement represents an important aspect of the mountaintop community's sustainability outlook. "We view sustainability not only in terms of light touch building and living practices, but also in how we are partnering with our neighbors to promote access to the outdoors," Frischkorn said. "We are proud to partner with NRAC and Access Fund to help ensure that visiting and local climbers have unfettered paths to Bubba City."
Access Fund offered its transactional expertise, provides an additional layer of risk management, and strengthens the commitment of all partners involved. "As the Access Fund Land Conservation Campaign's ninth project since its 2009 inception, the Bubba City Access Easement serves as a great template for how climbers and private landowners can partner to protect public access," says Access Fund Access Director Joe Sambataro.
The National Park Service is committed to providing legitimate public access points to the New River Gorge National River. "In a park like New River Gorge, having partners willing to collaborate on access is a critical piece of the puzzle. We're delighted to work with NRAC, the Access Fund, and Wildrock on this important public access," says Superintendent Don Striker. In addition, all the parties would like to thank Nathan Fetty, managing attorney at the West Virginia University College of Law's Land Use and Sustainable Development Law Clinic, for donating his time and legal expertise to facilitate the project.
NRAC and the Access Fund ask the climbing community to follow the simple set of rules and requirements, which are outlined at the trailhead, and include limiting use to daytime hours and keeping your canine friends leashed on the trail. Compliance and education of others will help make this five-year agreement extend into a long-term partnership that provides climber access for generations to come.
The Access Fund is pleased to announce that Curt Shannon has recently joined the organization as Arizona Policy Analyst. Curt will represent climbers and the Access Fund in their current opposition to HR 1904, the Southeast Arizona Land Exchange and Conservation Act—more commonly known as the Oak Flat Land Exchange Bill.
Curt was a founding member of The Friends of Queen Creek, The Queen Creek Coalition and The Concerned Climbers of Arizona and has been working closely with The Access Fund since 2004 in their efforts to maintain recreational access to the Oak Flat area and to prevent the ultimate destruction of this unique area.
The Access Fund and Arizona climbing community have been working for nearly a decade to save climbing at Oak Flat, which is at risk under the proposed Southeast Arizona Land Exchange and Conservation Act of 2011. The Act aims to exchange approximately 2,400 acres of public land for 5,300 acres held by a multi-national mining company for the creation of a massive copper mine. The public land to be exchanged includes the Oak Flat campground and a popular climbing area with hundreds of existing roped climbing routes and thousands of bouldering problems, which for years was home to the historic Phoenix Bouldering Contest.
Curt will work to increase recognition of the recreational value of Oak Flat in the minds of decision makers and the general public. At this point the land exchange bill must still be passed by the US Senate and then be signed by the President in order to become law.
The Access Fund is pleased to announce the awardees of round one of the 2012 Climbing Preservation Grants Program. Once again, Access Fund members were given the opportunity to rate grant projects, helping the Access Fund decide which projects they were most interested in funding. In this round of grants, the Access Fund awarded over $26,000 to support local climbing activism and conservation of the climbing environment. Presented two times annually, the Climbing Preservation Grant program provides financial assistance to the grassroots network and land managers across the United States. During this first round of grants, the Access Fund is supporting nine worthy projects.
BLM Bishop Field Office - Bishop Educational Climbing Kiosks
The Access Fund is pleased to award a grant to the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Bishop Field Office, which manages the world-famous Bishop climbing destination. As the area grows in popularity, climbers have unintended impacts on the sensitive landscape of natural and cultural resources. The Bishop Field Office will use the grant money to mitigate these impacts through climber education by installing kiosks at the trailheads of the Happy and Sad bouldering areas on the Volcanic Tableland. The trailhead kiosks would be built and maintained with volunteer hours and will address issues such as social trails, damage to cultural resources (rock art), improper fires, natural history of the area, and climbing ethics.
Climbers of Hueco Tanks Coalition - Hueco Educational Brochures
A grant was awarded to the Climbers of Hueco Tanks Coalition (CHTC), who have been working closely with the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department to ensure that access to this climber's paradise remains open for years to come. The grant will fund educational brochures to be distributed by Park staff to visitors of this sensitive area. The brochure will educate climbers and additional user groups about the rich history and significance of rock climbing and bouldering in Hueco Tanks State Historical Park, including a code of climbing ethics. Further education of all visitors will help protect park resources and ensure future climbing access.
Climbing Resource Advocates for Greater Sacramento - Re-Establish Climbing in Auburn Quarry
The Access Fund is pleased to present a grant to Climbing Resource Advocates for Greater Sacramento (CRAGS), who are working to reverse the current climbing ban in the Auburn State Recreation Area (ASRA). After 10 years of closure, the State and Federal agencies that operate ASRA have agreed to lift the ban on climbing as long as CRAGS can assist with climber education and site improvements. The grant will help fund toilet facilities, a kiosk with educational signage, and animal-resistant garbage disposal containers. Future phases in 2013 will install permanent improvements at the crag to service climbers in the long term. After 4 years of advocacy by CRAGS, this is the first opportunity to re-open a great low-elevation, moderate crag in Northern California.
Portola and Castle Rock Foundation - Keep Castle Rock State Park Open
A grant was awarded to Portola and Castle Rock Foundation to assist with keeping Castle Rock State Park open. In May 2011, the State of California announced that 70 of its State Parks, including Castle Rock State Park, were slated for permanent closure as a budget saving measure. The Park has long served as an important crag for Bay Area climbers, with its numerous sandstone boulders. The Foundation is entering into an operating agreement with State Parks to keep Castle Rock State Park open for all visitors, climbers included.
Rocky Mountain Field Institute - Blue Grama Trail Construction Project
The Access Fund is pleased to award a grant to Rocky Mountain Field Institute (RMFI) to help construct a new trail to the Blue Grama area in Indian Creek. Indian Creek has become a world renowned crack climbing destination, and needs trail work to withstand its growing use and preserve climbing access. The lack of established, sustainable trails in certain areas has caused widespread undesignated social trails, vegetation loss, and erosive gullies. RMFI will build the new Blue Grama trail with help from an estimated 75 volunteers. Its expert trail design will require minimal future maintenance and ensure long-term access to the Blue Grama area.
Safe Harbor Climbers Coalition - Safe Harbor Trailhead Improvements
A grant was awarded to Safe Harbor Climbers Coalition (SHCC) to assist with trailhead facilities at this newly resurrected Pennsylvania crag. After being closed for almost twenty years, Safe Harbor "South" was reopened to climbing in November 2011. With no facilities within walking distance, and limited space between the cliff line and railroad bed, the area is in dire need of a restroom facility. The SHCC will use the grant money to help install a portable toilet, information kiosk, and signage at the trailhead. SHCC is working with Conestoga Township to install permanent parking and facilities as a second phase of this project. With climbing popularity on the rise at the newly reopened crag, improvements and education are critical to reduce user impacts and build positive community relations that may lead to opening Safe Harbor "North" in the future. This grant only covers a portion of the funds needed to make these trailhead improvements, and the Access Fund and Safe Harbor Climbers Coalition are actively fundraising for this project. To contribute, visit www.accessfund.org/safeharbor.
Salt Lake Climbers Alliance - Lower Parley's Access Trail
The Access Fund is pleased to award a grant to the Salt Lake Climbers Alliance (SLCA) to help construct a new sustainable climbing access trail at the base of Parley's Canyon. The popular and highly visible crag at the base of Parley's Canyon is heavily used and impacted by the population of Salt Lake County. With help from volunteers and trail building experts, SLCA will construct a new access trail and close the old, unsafe approach. Staging areas will also be improved to reduce impacts at the base of the cliff. Lastly, SLCA will construct two kiosks and add signage to illustrate the new trail and communicate LNT ethics to the climbing community.
Southeastern Climbers Coalition - Boat Rock Toilet Construction
A grant was awarded to the Southeastern Climbers Coalition (SCC) to help with a permanent vault toilet at Boat Rock. The current portable toilet in the parking lot has been ineffective at managing human waste and, due to Boat Rock's rising popularity, the boulder field has recently been plagued with "land mines" and littered with toilet paper. This grant will match American Alpine Club funds for a new, permanent, vandal-proof vault toilet to meet the needs of the Georgia climbing community.
Yosemite Climbing Management Team - Yosemite Climbing Stewardship Program
The Access Fund is pleased to award a grant to the Yosemite Climbing Management Team, which will help fund a new program that will provide weekly stewardship of climbing areas in the valley during the climbing season. Four climbers will serve 32 hours a week performing trail work, trash removal, and education of visitors and climbers. These projects will help foster a positive relationship between the Park and the thousands of climbers that travel there every year. We hope that this program will serve as a great example for other major climbing destinations around the country.
The Conservation Team just wrapped up a tour of Tennessee, working alongside the Southeastern Climbers Coalition (SCC) at T-Wall and Leda, outside of Chattanooga.
The base of the popular T-Wall cliff was showing signs of heavy impact—the access trail led directly below the main staging area and climbers were cutting across the slope, exposing tree roots and causing severe erosion. The Conservation Team worked with volunteers to build a retaining wall to prevent further damage to the base and staging areas. The team's new grip hoist allowed them to maneuver some gigantic rocks. The wall will also protect the trees, which provide much needed shade.
From T-Wall, the team headed out to Leda, where the SCC and its volunteers were out in full force for an Adopt a Crag on April 7th. The Conservation Team worked with over 30 volunteers to install stairs and build a small footbridge over a drainage along the access trail to help prevent the trail from washing away. The steps were constructed alongside a popular climbing spot, as large platforms to replace several small, inadequate steps. These new steps will provide a solid means of moving between staging areas and slow erosion concerns.
The team also made a stop at Climb Nashville and hosted a climb-a-thon to rally local support. After quick site visits at Deep Creek and Obed to identify future projects, the team was off to Alabama for projects at Steele and Moss Rock.
Thanks again to the SCC and all the great volunteers for their hard work and contributions to these climbing areas!
It was another good year for the Adopt a Crag program, with over 5,700 volunteers who amassed over 27,500 hours of work to improve and steward crags around the country. Since its inception in 1999, Adopt a Crag has been the largest climbing community volunteer initiative in the nation. Adopt a Crag events show land managers and the public that climbers take care of the places where they climb. These stewardship efforts not only conserve our climbing areas, but also strengthen the reputation of the entire climbing community.
Each year, the Access Fund and its sponsors honor those organizers who went above and beyond. We are excited to present the 2011 Adopt a Crag awards to a deserving group of volunteers. We want to thank everyone who hosted or participated in an Adopt a Crag this year—it starts on the ground with your commitment and dedication to make this program a success. Whether you or your local climbing organization have hosted an Adopt a Crag in years past or hope to organize your first event, we are here to help. Register your Adopt a Crag for 2012 at www.accessfund.org/events and share this call to action for an Adopt a Crag at your local crag.
Stewardship Award – Tyler Hoffart
REI, CLIF Bar, and the Access Fund are proud to present the 2011 Stewardship Award to Tyler Hoffart, team coach of the St. Paul, MN Vertical Endeavors Mountain Goats. Tyler's enthusiasm and leadership have created a "culture of stewardship" among the members of the VE youth teams. The Mountain Goats hosted or participated in every Minnesota Adopt a Crag that took place in 2011, plus one in Wisconsin – 8 events in all. Activities ranged from massive garbage cleanups to tree and brush removal, trail maintenance, trail building, graffiti removal, dirt work for foundation of a shed, and assisting with setting up an ice-farming system. Tyler himself worked on bolt replacement at some of the events, setting an example for the future leaders on his team. The Access Fund is happy to give this award to someone whose leadership teaches youth team members that climbing and stewardship go hand in hand, and whose enthusiasm makes working hard and taking care of crags fun.
Adopt a Crag of the Year Award – Eldorado Canyon Adopt a Crag hosted by Mike McHugh
REI and the Access Fund are proud to present the 2011 Adopt a Crag of the Year Award to Eldorado State Park Resource Technician Mike McHugh who, despite a recent injury, hosted the Eldorado Canyon Adopt a Crag on October 1 in Boulder, CO with organizational support from the REI Boulder store. Mike organized volunteers on multiple projects, including: the decommissioning of an unsustainable social trail; rebuilding steps and re-opening a trail from streamside to the main lot; building water bars on the Redgarden Wall/roof route trails; placing posts for climbing access signage; and building a gabion on upper Redgarden Wall. The initial expectation was for 30 or so volunteers, but the event grew to over 75 volunteers, including the Spot Climbing Gym's climbing team. Congratulations to Mike, and special thanks to REI Boulder store and The Spot Climbing Gym Team for their support!
Conservation Team Partner of the Year
The Access Fund-Jeep Conservation Team is pleased to award the very first Conservation Team Partner of the Year Award to the BLM's Bishop Field Office for their ongoing conservation work in the volcanic Tablelands in Bishop, CA, and for their continued partnership with the climbing community. When our Conservation Team arrived in Bishop, the BLM provided them with all of the tools, equipment, man power, and educational resources needed to successfully preserve historic artifacts in the Tablelands by directing campers to the Pleasant Valley Pit Campground and closing down a new, illegally developed camping area within a cultural resource site. The BLM then turned the Conservation Team loose on the Sad Boulders lower approach, giving them the freedom to utilize their expertise and coordinate their own volunteer project. The Bishop Office also hosts monthly "Climber's Coffee" gatherings, where BLM officials and climbers can discuss conservation and climbing issues in an informal setting. We are proud to present this award to the Bishop BLM Office for their ongoing efforts and cooperation to provide sustainable recreation opportunities in the volcanic Tablelands.
League of Their Own Award – Ken Yager and the Yosemite Facelift
Once again, the League of Their Own Award goes to Ken Yager and Yosemite Climbing Association (YCA) for the Yosemite Facelift. Ken and YCA have been setting the standard for climbing land stewardship for several years now. At this year's Facelift event, 1,350 volunteers amassed an astounding 8,680 hours of work on a host of projects around the Valley, including the cleaning of roadways, river corridors, campgrounds, lodging and commercial areas, trails, climbing areas, and a variety of restoration and trail projects with the help of National Park Service. Yager reports that the Valley is getting cleaner and cleaner every year, and that over 95% of the debris gathered was recycled—way to go YCA! We would also like to recognize the NPS for their continued assistance and partnership with climbers in Yosemite. This landmark event is truly setting a benchmark for others from around the country to follow!
TeamWorks Golden Toothbrush – Urban Core Climbing Team
We are pleased to announce that this year's TeamWorks Golden Toothbrush award goes to Urban Core Climbing Team of Atlanta, Georgia. The Urban Core kids "cleaned up" the competition—and many of the Southeast's prominent climbing areas. Under the leadership of Coach Emily Taylor (and with the assistance of other local organizations like the Southeastern Climber's Coalition, Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, and Georgia Tech Outdoor Club), the Urban Core team cleaned up trash, did trail maintenance work, and had a hand in the removal of some invasive species at some of the premier climbing destinations in the Southeast, including: the Red River Gorge in Kentucky; Little River Canyon and Foster Falls in Tennessee; and Boat Rock and Rock Town in Urban Core's home state of Georgia. Congratulations Urban Core! Honorable mentions for the 2011 competition include 2nd place finisher the Vertical Endeavor Mountain Goats (last year's winner) and 3rd place team the Tennessee Bouldering Authority Ballers. The Access Fund would like to thank each and every one of the TeamWorks members who participated in the 2011 program. We are immensely proud to be involved with such a great group of kids from across the country, and we're all excited to see what the next year has in store.
The Access Fund · 207 Canyon Blvd. Suite 201S · Boulder, Colorado 80302 · 303.545.6772 · 303.545.6774 (Fax)
Copyright © 1995-2015 Access Fund. All rights reserved.


text:
Blast on small bus observer airport in Egypt-source
CAIRO (Reuters) – A small bus in an airport which is used
by the multinational observation force in Sinai exploded on
Monday and initial reports indicated there were dead and
injured, an Egyptian security source said.
"A microbus inside the airport exploded," the security
official in North Sinai said. He said he did not know the
reason for the blast.
The source said the blast occurred at an airport at El
Gorah, a camp in the North of Sinai which is used by
Multinational Force and Observers (MFO).
The MFO was set up to supervise the implementation of the
security provisions of the Egyptian-Israeli peace treaty.
An MFO official had no immediate comment. Egypt's Interior
Ministry also had no immediate comment.
The North Camp at El Gorah, which is about 20 km (13 miles)
south of Sinai's Mediterranean coast, is the MFO's largest
installation and site of the force commander's headquarters,
the MFO's Web site said.


text:
Pill Finder 2 - BETA
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Is this app giving you a hard time?Do you have questions or feedback for this developer?
In any case, you can get in touch with the app's developer at this section if you sign in


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George Harrison Beatles SMS-S
500 - 1,000 downloadsAdd this app to your listsTweets por @Appszoom
View photos when you receive a message! These pictures are selected using the keyword "George Harrison Beatles", so they change whenever you receive a message. You will find the photo best for you!
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text:
Energy Management:
Technology Development Program Taking Action to Address Problems
RCED-96-184: Published: Jul 9, 1996. Publicly Released: Jul 22, 1996.
Additional Materials:
- Full Report:
(202) 512-4800
Pursuant to a congressional request, GAO examined how the Department of Energy's (DOE) Office of Environmental Management (EM) is managing its technology development program.
GAO found that: (1) EM has not coordinated its technology development activities among its program offices; (2) there is no comprehensive listing of EM technology development projects; (3) several DOE offices have funded 60 different melter projects at various locations; (4) there is a significant increase in technology development projects at certain field sites designated as lead sites for particular focus areas; (5) DOE does not use independent reviewers to ensure that project proposals receive equal treatment; (6) DOE has scheduled a comprehensive review of all technology development projects, combined two focus areas into one, and begun closing out melter projects to reduce duplication and overlap; and (7) DOE can not coordinate technology development projects without EM leadership and support.
Apr 27, 2015
DOE Loan Programs:Current Estimated Net Costs Include $2.2 Billion in Credit Subsidy, Plus Administrative ExpensesGAO-15-438: Published: Apr 27, 2015. Publicly Released: Apr 27, 2015.
Apr 22, 2015
Department of Energy:Management of Excess UraniumGAO-15-475T: Published: Apr 22, 2015. Publicly Released: Apr 22, 2015.
Apr 15, 2015
National Nuclear Security Administration:Observations on Management Challenges and Steps Taken to Address ThemGAO-15-532T: Published: Apr 15, 2015. Publicly Released: Apr 15, 2015.
Mar 23, 2015
National Nuclear Security Administration:Reports on the Benefits and Costs of Competing Management and Operating Contracts Need to Be Clearer and More CompleteGAO-15-331: Published: Mar 23, 2015. Publicly Released: Mar 23, 2015.
Mar 19, 2015
DOE Facilities:Better Prioritization and Life Cycle Cost Analysis Would Improve Disposition PlanningGAO-15-272: Published: Mar 19, 2015. Publicly Released: Mar 19, 2015.
Mar 2, 2015
Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board:Improvements Needed to Strengthen Internal Control and Promote Transparency [Reissued on March 2, 2015]GAO-15-181: Published: Jan 20, 2015. Publicly Released: Feb 19, 2015.
Feb 25, 2015
DOE Real Property:Better Data and a More Proactive Approach Needed to Facilitate Property DisposalGAO-15-305: Published: Feb 25, 2015. Publicly Released: Feb 25, 2015.
Dec 16, 2014
Nuclear Regulatory Commission:NRC Needs to Improve Its Cost Estimates by Incorporating More Best PracticesGAO-15-98: Published: Dec 12, 2014. Publicly Released: Dec 16, 2014.
Hanford Cleanup:Condition of Tanks May Further Limit DOE's Ability to Respond to Leaks and IntrusionsGAO-15-40: Published: Nov 25, 2014. Publicly Released: Dec 16, 2014.
Dec 11, 2014
DOE and NNSA Project Management:Analysis of Alternatives Could Be Improved by Incorporating Best PracticesGAO-15-37: Published: Dec 11, 2014. Publicly Released: Dec 11, 2014.
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text:
Lucas Black
|Lucas Black
Lucas Black at the premiere of Get Low at the 2009 Toronto International Film Festival
|Lucas York Black
November 29, 1982
Decatur, Alabama, U.S.
|Years active
|Maggie O'Brien (m. 2010)
Lucas York Black (born November 29, 1982) is an American film and television actor. He is known for his roles in the CBS television series American Gothic as well as roles in films such as Sling Blade, Jarhead, Friday Night Lights, The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift, Legion, Get Low, All the Pretty Horses, Seven Days in Utopia. Since September 2014, he has played Special Agent Christopher Lasalle in the CBS series NCIS: New Orleans.
Personal life[edit]
Black was born in Decatur, Alabama,[1] the son of Jan Gillespie, an office worker, and Larry Black, a museum worker.[2] He has two older siblings and was raised a Southern Baptist.[3] He grew up in Speake, Alabama,[1] and played for the Speake Bobcats, graduating from high school in May 2001.
Black is a fan of golf and plays when not filming.[4] He married Maggie O'Brien, a lawyer who negotiates his contracts,[4] in 2010.[5] They have a daughter and a son.
Without any formal training as an actor, Lucas made his film debut in the 1994 Kevin Costner film The War. He subsequently was cast as Caleb Temple in CBS's television series American Gothic, which ran from 1995 to 1996, and in the films Sling Blade, Ghosts of Mississippi and The X-Files. Later in 1997 Black starred in the TV film Flash, which aired on The Wonderful World of Disney. In 1998 Black was offered a part in The Horse Whisperer. When he was told that he would need to tone down his thick Alabama accent for the part, however, he rejected the role.[citation needed] During this time period Black also modeled for Calvin Klein jeans.[citation needed]
Black had supporting role in Cold Mountain in 2003, then had a larger role in 2004's football–themed drama Friday Night Lights and 2005's Gulf War–themed film Jarhead. Black also starred in the third film in The Fast and the Furious series, The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift. Black described his part in the film as a "fun role".[2] He also appeared in the 2009 film Get Low and the 2010 film Legion.
His most recent role was playing Brooklyn Dodgers' shortstop Pee Wee Reese in the 2013 drama 42. Black, having done previous sports films and played sports early in his life, found the filming experience to be "a lot more enjoyable because you get to reminisce about the days when I used to play, and then you get the experience of being on a team again with the actors and have that camaraderie with the players".[6] In 2015, he reprised his Tokyo Drift role in a cameo appearance in the seventh film of The Fast and the Furious series, Furious 7.
|American Gothic
|Caleb Temple
|Nominated – YoungStar Award for Best Performance by a Young Actor in a Drama TV Series (1995)
|The Miracle Worker
|James Keller
|TV version
|Special Agent Christopher Lasalle[7]
|Episode: "Crescent City" Parts 1 & 2
|NCIS: New Orleans[8]
|Special Agent Christopher Lasalle
|Main role
- ^ a b "Talking turkey". The Decatur Daily. 2003-05-11. Retrieved June 18, 2006.
- ^ a b "Behind the wheel". The Huntsville Times. Retrieved 2006-06-18.
- ^ "Lucas Black on Golf, God, and 'Utopia'". Christianity Today. September 1, 2011. Retrieved October 12, 2011.
- ^ a b "Some Celebrities Play for Real, Not Laughs". The New York Times. February 8, 2012.
- ^ "Actor Lucas Black's mother proud of son's accomplishments". The Cullman Times. April 25, 2011. Archived from the original on January 20, 2015.
- ^ Carlton, Bob (April 14, 2013). "Alabama's Lucas Black gets back in uniform to play Pee Wee Reese in the Jackie Robinson movie '42'". www.AL.com. Retrieved July 22, 2013.
- ^ Andreeva, Nellie (February 10, 2014). "Lucas Black Joins CBS' 'NCIS' Spinoff". Retrieved February 10, 2014.
- ^ "CBS Orders 'NCIS' and 'CSI' Spin-Offs and More for 2014-2015 Season". Retrieved 17 December 2014.
External links[edit]
|Wikimedia Commons has media related to Lucas Black.


text:
Superintendent tells grand jury things 'didn't seem right'
Brand said that in his first meeting with Flores, the contractor told Brand that he would meet a few times a year with board members.
"I said I really did not want that to happen and I asked him repeatedly not to do so," Brand said. "I don't think that discouraged him.
"I indicated to all board members... that I had asked him not to do so. Again, I don't know that that had any benefit. But it seemed very, very unusual," Brand said.
In the same meeting, Brand said that Flores "made it known very clearly" that he contributed to all the elected officials' campaigns.
"And it certainly inferred to me that he expected something in return," Brand said. "I told him it wasn't going to work with me."
Brand departed the district in 2005 amid criticism of similar issues at Sweetwater, Schorr suggested in his questions.
"Now, to be fair, prior to you leaving there was also... accusations of too close contacts between board members, even yourself, with vendors as you described; is that fair to say?" Schorr asked Brand.
"Yes," Brand replied. "I think day one, day two, you are probably getting criticism."
Brand acknowledged the reason for his initial departure in 2005, saying he left because of disagreements with the board — in particular, former board member Jaime Mercado.
Brand said that he and Mercado, who was elected in 2004 and served one term on the board, clashed over Brand's reprimand of Mercado when he was a principal in the district.
"I made the conscious decision that I did not believe that I could work with that gentleman, nor did I want to, so I sought employment elsewhere," Brand said. "He made it pretty well known publicly and otherwise he was going to do everything in his power to make my life miserable. It's never been my interest to be where I'm not wanted."
As to his second term of office, Brand said the criminal prosecutions have been a distraction — "like ripping the scab off an open wound every three months because every three months this is in the news."
The prosecutor asked Brand whether it's important to hold officials accountable for their actions, and the superintendent responded, "Absolutely."
He added, "If I knew what I know when they asked me to come back, I wouldn't have done it."


text:
Staff Reporter
CHENNAI: A group of youngsters staged a protest on Conran Smith Road after staff at the Gopalapuram Corporation ground refused them permission to play cricket on Sunday. This is the second incident related to restrictions on playing cricket in the city in recent months. The first one resulted in a ban on the game on the service lanes at the Marina beach. The trouble on Sunday was also an offshoot of the lack of space for playing cricket in the city.
Chennai Corporation officials said that work was on to construct a running track on the Gopalapuram playground.
Assistant Commissioner of Police (Royapettah) P. Vasantha Kumari said that around 10.30 a.m. more than 100 youngsters attempted to stage a 'dharna' on Conran Smith Road following an argument with the ground staff. "The staff had merely cautioned them as portions of the playground have been dug for the athletic trackshe said.
A group of boys, however, said that only a few persons were allowed to play in the morning. Trouble began after a cricket team comprising young men arrived later and got into an argument with the staff at the gate, they said.
Senior officials of the civic body reached the spot and pacified the youngsters and informed them that the work of laying a 400-m runners track was in progress. Chennai Corporation sources said that apart from the work on the athletic track, the basketball and volleyball courts at the playground were also being renovated, at a total cost of Rs.34 lakh.


text:
Brisbane Roar face a testing schedule in the next three weeks with six games in 21 days.
But the cluttered fixture doesn't bother goalkeeper Michael Theoklitos who says all clubs will be affected by midweek obligations as the season wears on.
"I think everyone's squads will be tested," he said.
"Everyone has got their ideal starting eleven, but when you're playing so many games you're going to need your whole squad.
"Obviously three games in a week is a lot of games but in saying that we've got a squad of healthy players who are all ready to play.
"We're in a fortunate position here at Brisbane because we've got a lot of depth."
The Roar take on the Newcastle Jets at Suncorp Stadium this Saturday before hosting Central Coast Mariners on Wednesday, October 20 and then have another home game three days later against Melbourne Victory in what will be the first of two busy weeks for the club.
Theoklitos said it was vital to keep their undefeated run of four games at home going if they want to remain at the pointy end of the ladder.
"It's really critical for us to keep this run of form going, especially at home," he added.
"Hopefully we can get some points on the board, and let the others chase us.
"We've got a good home record, and we've talked about making Suncorp a fortress so we've got to continue winning games."