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Abrasive A coarse material used in blast cleaning, such as sand, steel shot, glass beads or plastics.
Absorption Process of soaking up or assimilation of one substance by another.
AC Current Alternating electrical current.
Accelerator Catalyst. Material that accelerates the curing or crosslinking, a mixture of crosslinkers or resins.
Acicular Pigments Pigments whose particles are needle shaped.
Acrylic A coating powder with a significant content of a polymer containing short chain esters of various acrylic monomers.
Acrylic Resin A clear resin derived from polymerised esters of various acrylic monomers. Acrylics are used for automotive topcoats and in other applications where resistance to chalking with exposure to sunlight is important.
Additive Chemicals added to a powder coating to improve some properties, such as flow, gloss and texture control.
Adhesion Bonding strength. Molecular attraction to the substrate surface to which a powder coating is applied. A condition where one material is attached to another by means of surface attraction. Adhesion is affected by the condition of the surface to be coated, by the closeness of contact and molecular forces. The surface being coated should allow a certain amount of penetration, be chemically clean, be hard, not too smooth and non-porous, to achieve good adhesion.
Adsorption Process of attraction to a surface. Attachment. Retaining foreign molecules on the surface of a substance.
Aerosol Dispersing of a liquid into a gas, for spraying.
Agglomeration A clump of powder particles bound loosely together into clusters containing trapped air.
Air Classification Device used in powder coating manufacture to aid in particle size management.
Air, Compressed Air at any pressure greater than atmospheric pressure.
Air Hose A section of non-metallic tubing used to deliver compressed air for paint or powder application.
Air Receivers Tanks into which compressed air is stored from the air compressor. Receivers help eliminate pulsing in the discharge lines and also act as storage capacity during intervals when demand exceeds the capacity of the compressor.
Air Valve Control valve in an air system for setting volume and pressure.
Air Velocity Measurement of air speed, typically in feet or meters per minute.
Air Volume Measurement of air volume, in cubic feet or meters per minute.
Alkali Caustic, inorganic substances that share the characteristic of being strongly basic (high pH)(examples are Sodium Hydroxide or Caustic Soda).
Ambient Surrounding environmental conditions.
Amides Organic compounds. A structure sometimes used in curing agents in Epoxy powder coatings.
Amp (Ampere) A unit of electrical current flow. The current produced by one volt applied across a resistance of one ohm.
Anti Foam agent Material used in pre-treatment systems to reduce the tendency of the chemicals to foam.
Anti oxidant An organic compound added to coatings to retard oxidation and deterioration.
Application Process of applying a coating to a substrate.
Aqueous A water based material.
Arcing A discharge of built up electrical charge, often forming a spark to a point of lower charge or earth.
ASTM The American Society for Testing Materials
Atom The smallest unit of an element that still possesses the properties of that element.
Atomisation The distribution of powder particles with air to form a fine pattern during the spraying application process.
Atomising Air Air injected into the powder path to atomise it into a pattern.
Back Ionisation A condition, which may occur during electrostatic application of powder coating where excessive build up of charged powder particles limits further powder to be deposited onto the substrate. A pockmarking pattern usually occurs on the powder surface.
Bell Electrostatic spray device whose applicator is bell shaped. Centrifugal force throws the powder off its edge into a fine pattern. The charged particles are then attracted to the work surface.
Binder The portion of the powder formulation that forms the primary strength of the film. It binds pigments and additives into a solid film and to the substrate.
Blast Cleaning Removal of surface contamination and corrosion products by use of air and mechanical abrasives.
Blistering Bubbles formed under the cured powder film, usually caused by the expansion of trapped air, moisture or corrosion.
Blooming A hazy appearance on the surface of a coating.
Bridging The ability of a finish to cover cracks, voids or small gaps without a break in the film.
BTU British Thermal Unit. The amount of heat required raising the temperature of 1 pound of water 1 degree F.
Bulk Density Mass per unit of volume in powder form, including the air trapped between the particles.
Caking Agglomerations of powder on fluid bed walls or components of the powder delivery system.
Calorie Quantity of heat that will raise the temperature of 1 gram of water from 14.5 to 15.5oC.
Cartridge Booths A type of recovery booth that incorporates a cartridge filter system to collect overspray powder.
Catalyst A special chemical that promotes the curing reaction.
Cavitation Failure of a powder to flow into the intake of a feed system.
CFM Cubic Feet per Minute.
Chalking Surface loss of colour and gloss in a coating from degradation of the binder by the UV components in sunlight.
Chipping The breaking away of small portions of a paint film due to the inability of that film to flex under impact, thermal expansion or the contraction of the surface.
Cissing Crating, round imperfections in the surface of the film, often caused by oil or silicone contamination.
Cleaner Detergent, alkali, acid, solvent or any other material used to clean and degrease before the application of a coating.
Clearcoat An un-pigmented coating. Can be a protective coating over a coloured or metallic basecoat or metal (example – brass).
Colour Fast Non fading. The ability to maintain colour under specified conditions.
Compatibility The capacity of powder coatings to be mixed and applied so as to show no visible, mechanical or any other detectable effect.
Composition Formula, make up, analysis. A specific combination of ingredients.
Compressor Machine design for compressing air or gas from an initial intake pressure to a higher discharge pressure.
Condensation A formation of water molecules due to drastic temperature difference between two surfaces.
Contaminants Foreign materials such as dirt, dust or oil that can be detected in the cured powder film.
Continuity Pinhole free film. A surface free from any defects.
Contrast Ratio A value related to the hiding power of a coating. The ratio of reflectance of the coating over black and white backgrounds at equal film thickness.
Conversion Coating Inorganic pre-treatment for metal substrates that prepare the surface for coating.
Co-polymer Large molecules resulting from the simultaneous polymerisation of two or more monomer units.
Corona An area of ionised air formed by a discharge of electricity.
Corona Charging The process of introducing a static electrical charge on powder particles by passing the powder through an electrical field generated by high voltage.
Corrosion Decomposition or reaction of metal with oxygen, water or other chemicals.
Cracking Splitting or disintegration of a powder film with breaks penetrating through to the substrate.
Cratering Small round depressions in a powder film.
Creepage Corrosion under a scribe line or edge after salt spray testing or other testing.
Cross Contamination A condition when two or more powders are mixed by accident usually reducing quality.
Cross Hatch Test to determine adhesion.
Cure The reaction between resin and hardener to form the final film properties.
Cure Agent Hardener or crosslinkers.
Cure Oven Heated chambers for the purpose of stoving the powder coating.
Cyclone A cylindrical devise that separates powder particles from air. The system works by centrifugal spinning the particles around its perimeter, the powder is collected at the bottom and the air extracted from the top.
DC Current Direct electrical current.
Decorative Coating A coating designed primarily for cosmetic and secondary for protection.
Deflector Conical shaped disc attached to the end of the powder gun to evenly distribute the powder in a 360o pattern. Used to shape and direct the powder pattern.
De-ionised Water Water containing no ions other than hydrogen, oxygen and hydroxyl ions. Usually produced through the use of ion exchange resins and used for the final rinse in pre-treatment processes.
Delamination Separation between two layers of coatings or between coatings and substrate.
Delivery The process of moving the powder through the application equipment to the end product.
Detergent An alkali or ionised cleaning or emulsified agent.
Dew Point Temperature at which water condenses from air at atmospheric pressure. Dew point varies with relative humidity.
Diffuser A porous material used in an airline to evenly distributes the air.
Dispersion Suspension of one substance in another.
Dry Blend Material generally added into the final coating as a dry additive without any melting.
DFT Dry Film Thickness. Depth of applied coating before curing.
Dry Flow The properties of a coating powder that relates to the ease of movement or transportation with air or vibration.
Dry Flow Additive An additive that improves the properties of the coating in the powder state. It improves the free flowing characteristics along with the sieving.
Edge Coverage The ability to flow over, build and adhere to the sharp corners, angles and edges of components.
Elasticity The ability to recover from stretching.
Electrode A metal filament within or at the end of a powder spray gun used to create air ions at high voltage to produce charged particles.
Electrostatic Deposition A technique of moving and charging powder so that it is deposited on an earthed substrate.
Electrostatic Fluid Bed A fluid bed equipped with an electrode grid to charge powder so that it is deposited on an earthed component.
Epoxy A type of powder coating manufactured using epoxy resins, generally having high mechanical strength and corrosion resistance. But limited in gloss and colour retention when exposed to sunlight.
Epoxy Resin Film forming binder usually made from Biphenyl-A and Epichlorohydrin. Characterised as a Polyether.
Erosion Wearing away of a coating to expose the substrate.
Etching Surface preparation of metal before chemical process. Removal of a layer of the base metal.
Explosion Vent Pressure relief membrane to prevent damage to a confined dust collection device.
Explosion Limit Range of the ratio of powder particles to air which the mixture will explode or ignite.
Extender Pigment that can contribute specific properties to a coating, but usually does not substantially affect the colour.
Extruate Molten powder coating formulation as it exits the extruder during the manufacture process.
Extruder Device used to melt mix plastics and powder coatings. An extruder utilises heat and mixing to mechanically knead the formulation to achieve a homogeneous mixture.
Fading Gradual Loss of colour, due to a chemical or physical change, usually caused by UV light.
Fan Pattern Geometry or shape of the spray pattern.
Faraday Cage Effect A condition that may exist on a substrate due to its shape or configuration, that it may inhibit the electrostatic application of powder particles at the specific localised area, such as cavities and recesses.
Fatty Edge Thick film sometimes found on heavy coated work, resulting in a rounded thicker coating on (usually) the lower edge.
FDA Federal Food and Drug Administration.
Feed Hopper A container that holds the powder for the supply to the guns. Often designed to be fluidised.
Ferrous Contains iron.
Filiform Corrosion Corrosion or crepe resembling a tread like structure under the coating, usually from a point of film breakdown or damage. Caused by poor or lack of pre-treatment.
Filler Extender, bulking agent or inert pigment.
Film Integrity Degree of continuity of a paint film.
Film Thickness Depth of cured coatings, usually in microns or thousands of an inch.
Film Thickness Gauge Instrument for measuring film thickness.
Filter Extender, bulk agent or inert pigment.
Fines Small powder particles. Usually under 10 microns.
Fish Eyes A large surface depression in a coating film often caused by contamination such as oil or silicone oil.
Flammable Easy to ignite, capable of burning with ease.
Flexibility Ability of a film to be bent without damage or cracking after application to a substrate.
Flip – Flop A characteristic of metallic coatings to change colour when viewed at different angles.
Flow Measurement of self-levelling. Characteristic of a coating allowing it to level into a smooth film of uniform thickness during the cure process.
Flow Additive Substance added to a formulation to minimise defects and produce a uniform film.
Fluidised A term that describes powder that is in a state of suspension using compressed air, creating a fluid mixture of air powder.
Fluidised Bed A container in which powder is suspended in a continuous stream of air.
Fusion The melting and flow of individual powder particles under the influence of heat to form a continuous film.
Fusion Point The temperature at which the powder is melted to form a liquid film.
Galvanised Steel Steel coated with a layer of zinc.
Gassing Air or gas that escapes from a sub surface beneath a coating and causes blisters, eruptions or bubbles in the coating.
Gel Time Interval of time required at a given temperature for a powder coating to be transformed from dry solid to a gel like state. Measured in seconds.
Gloss The degree of reflection of light from the cured film.
Gloss Retention The ability of a coating to retain its original gloss.
Gravity Hopper A powder container, typically cone shaped design to force powder by gravity to feed a gun or transfer system.
Grinder Device used to crush or pulverise plastic or solid coating to powder form.
Hardener Curing agent for thermosetting powder coatings.
Hardness The ability to withstand indentation and damage.
Hiding Power The extent to which a powder coating masks the colour and pattern of the surface it is applied too at a given film thickness.
High Voltage Cable A specially designed cable that carries high voltage from generator to gun.
High Voltage Generator An electrical power transformer that converts 220 – 250 volts AC current to high voltage DC.
Hoes Flexible tube used to convey either powder from hopper to gun or compressed air to gun.
Humidity A measure of the amount of moisture in the air.
Hybrid An epoxy polyester powder coating product.
Immiscible Incapable of being blended.
Impact Fusion The tendency of finely divided powder to combine with other particles in the application equipment creating a hard crust.
Incompatibility Inability to mix two powders without getting a different surface appearance, such as gloss reduction or craters.
Infrared Cure A method of curing powder using direct exposure to light energy.
Inhibitor Pigments Pigments that retard to corrosion process in the substrate.
Insoluble A substance that will not dissolve in water or solvent.
Integral Charging A powder gun that has a low voltage single supply to it, and steps up the current to high voltage via a cascade multiplier located in the gun barrel.
Intercoat Adhesion The ability of a powder coating to adhere to a previously applied film.
Iron Phosphating Conversion coating. Chemical deposition on steel for promoting corrosion protection and improve adhesion.
Isocyanate Resin Urethane resins. Isocyanate curing agents which when heated or reacted with hydroxy functional polymers giving urethane coatings.
Levelling Ability of a film to flow out to a smooth uniform thickness.
Low Film Build Thin coating of powder.
Mandrel Bend Test Physical bending test for evaluating flexibility of a coating.
Masking Covered area of a part to prevent coverage by powder during application.
Masking Tape An adhesive tape made for easy application and removal to mask areas where coating is not to be applied.
MSDS Material Safety Data Sheet.
Material Utilisation The percentage of powder that actually is deposited on the parts.
Maximum Loading Density The maximum number of parts that can be loaded onto a conveyor to ensure maximum powder utilisation.
Melt Mixing A predominant process for the manufacture of powder coatings involving continuous compounding of pigment, resin, fillers, additives and hardeners, mixing at elevated temperature.
Melting Point The temperature at which a finely divided powder will begin to melt and flow.
Metamerism A visual characteristic that describes a coating that appears different in colour when viewed under different lights.
Mild Steel Structural Steel or plate malleable iron based alloy. SEA 1020 with a carbon content of up to 2.5%.
Mileage A Term used to describe the area covered by a given amount of powder, usually measured in Meters per Kilo.
Mill Scale Oxide layer formed on the steel by hot rolling process.
Miscible Capable of mixing or blending.
Misses Voids in the cured coating.
Molecule The smallest particle of a substance that can exist and still retain the properties of that substance. Molecules consist of two or more atoms.
Monomer A molecule that can be chemically bound as a unit of polymer.
Non-ferrous A material containing no iron.
Non-flammable Will not burn.
Non-volatile Solid. Will not evaporate.
Nylon Thermoplastic powders coating that contains long chain polymers consisting of recurring amine groups (CONH). These coatings are tough, abrasive resistant and exhibit good chemical resistance.
OEM Original Equipment Manufacturer.
Off-colour Not matching the colour standard to which the coating is being compared.
Ohm A unit of electrical resistance.
Opacity Ability to hide the substrate at a given film thickness.
Orange Peel A wavy irregularity in the surface of a coating film created by the flow characteristics. Orange peel appears as an uneven or rough surface to the eye, but usually feels smooth to the tough.
Organic Substance containing carbon components.
Oscillator Device for moving automatic guns in a vertical plane to provide uniform and increased powder coverage.
Oven Chamber or enclosed area for the purpose of curing by heat or energy the coating.
Overbake Applying more heat or energy than is required to fully cure the powder coating. Overbaking can result in discolouration, loss of gloss or deterioration on mechanical properties.
Overspray Material that does not deposit on the component and goes to the recovery system.
Particle Size The average diameter / size of particles supplied as a powder coating, following the grinding process.
PSD Particle Size Distribution.
Pass The motion of a spray gun in one direction only.
Passivation Conversion of a metal surface to a less reactive state. A process to reduce corrosion rate of metal surfaces.
pH Value Measurement of acidity or alkalinity. pH 7 is neutral, Values greater than 7 are alkali less than 7 acid.
Phosphate To form a thin film of inert phosphate on the metal surface. Process to reduce the rate of corrosion.
Pigment Particles in a powder coating formulation that provides the colour, corrosion resistance and other properties.
Pinholes Formation of small holes through to the substrate. The appearance of fine pimply defects in a cured film.
Pinpoint Diffuser Powder gun tip, which yields a concentrated pattern.
Plastic One of many high polymeric substances, including both natural a synthetic rubber. At some stage in its manufacture or refinement every plastic is capable of flowing under heat and pressure to form its final shape.
Plastisol Film former containing resin and plasticiser with no solvents that forms a tough resistant thermoplastic coating.
Polyester A resin or powder containing the grouping R-COOC-R. The powder having excellent resistance to UV light.
Polyethylene Resin with the formulation CH2CH2 used in thick film thermoplastic powder coatings.
Polymers Poly = many: mer = units, Polymers are very large molecules built up by the combination of many smaller molecules, often having many thousand molecules.
Polymerisation Chemical reaction in which smaller molecules combine to form a high molecular weight polymer.
Polypropylene One of many polyolefin thermoplastics. Usually in exterior quality thermoplastic powder coating.
PVC Polyvinyl Chloride. Synthetic resin used in both liquid and thermoplastic powder systems.
Porosity Degree of integrity or continuity. A porous material will allow liquid or air to pass through.
Post Cure Heating of an object after application of the powder coating.
Post Heat Heating of an object after application of the powder coating.
Pourability The ability of a dry powder to flow uniformly or to be continuously poured from container at a steady flow.
Powder Booth An enclosure used for containment of powder coatings during the spray application.
Powder Segregation Stratification. Separation of powder particles (due to size) during the spray operation and recovery system. Due mainly to the forces of gravity, speed and electrostatic deposition.
Preheat Heating the component before the application of the powder coating.
Pressure Force per unit area relative to atmospheric pressure. Usually expressed in psi (pounds per square inch).
Pressure Drop Loss in pressure usually due to length or diameter of piping or hose. Can be caused by blocked filters.
Pressure Gauge A gauge to determine the delivered pressure of a gas or fluid.
Pre-treatment The preparation of a part (component / substrate) prior to the coating to improve adhesion and corrosion resistance.
Primer A type of coating applied to the substrate surface to improve adhesion of a subsequent topcoat. To improve corrosion resistance, hiding power, surface smoothness.
Profile Depth Average distance between the top and bottom of valleys on a surface.
Purging Cleaning one colour or powder formulation from all areas that come in contact with the powder coating before introducing a mew powder.
Radiation Cure Curing a coating by means of exposure to electromagnetic waves or particles such as infrared or ultra violet, or electron beam.
Ratio Relationship in quantity or size between 2 things.
Reciprocator Device used to move automatic guns in a vertical plane. A reversing or reciprocating drive system provides motion.
Reclaim The process used to recycle non-deposited powder through the gun for reuse (after mixing and sieving).
Reclaim Powder Powder that has been oversprayed and collected for reuse.
Recoat The process of refinishing parts that have a surface defect from the first coat. Application of a second coat after correction of the defect in the first coating.
Recovery The process of removing non-deposited powder from air prior to re-cycling the powder through the delivery system.
Recovery System A filtration system that separates powder from the air stream to capture the overspray powder. Most common types are the cyclone or filter (cartridge) system.
Reflectance Degree of light reflected.
Resin Any type of solid or semi solid organic material of natural or synthetic origin, generally of high molecular weight with no defined melting point. Most resins are polymers.
Resistivity The resistance to the flow of electrical current through a substance.
Respirator Safety breathing facemask.
Rework Process to correct imperfections or defects.
Robbing When powder is effectively redirected due to another earthed surface nearby.
Runs Sags in the coating. Can occur when objects are pre-heated.
Rust Corrosion on iron, Red oxide deposits on the surface of the metal.
Sagging The downward flow of a paint or powder that is applied too heavy or onto a hot surface.
Salt Spray Test Corrosion test using salt laden moist air in an enclosed chamber, the air can be acidic.
Sand Blast Blast cleaning using sand or an abrasive to remove corrosion by impact.
Saponification * Alkaline hydrolysis of fats to make soaps.
* Test for coating resistance to an alkaline environment.
* Hydrolysis of an ester by an alkali.
Scale Rust occurring in layers, commonly found on hot rolled steel.
Screen Mesh Size The mesh number of a screen designates the openings per square inch or the wire.
Soils Foreign matter on a part of the substrate to be cleaned in a pre-treatment system.
Solids Non-volatile portion of the coating material.
Solution Mixture formed when one material is dissolved into a liquid.
Solvent Liquid or blend of liquids used to dissolve or disperse paint. A true solvent is a liquid that can dissolve the paint resin.
Solvent Wash Cleaning using a degreasing solvent or mixture of solvents (often referred to as "gun wash")
Specific Gravity Sg. An expression of density of a material relative to the density of water (always classed as 1)
Specular Gloss Mirror like reflectance, gloss measured at a specific angle.
Spray Chamber An enclosure that surrounds the pre-treatment process and contains the spray cloud.
Spray Pattern Configuration of the spray leaving the powder gun.
Storage Stability The ability of the coating to maintain uniform physical and chemical properties subject to the manufacturers specification (time and temperature).
Stripper Chemical or mechanical method of removing the coating from the substrate.
Stroke A single pass with a spray gun in one direction.
Substrate The part being coated.
Surface Appearance Generally refers to the smoothness and gloss of the final cured film, and/or the presence of defects or contamination.
Surface Defects Flaws in the surface of the coated parts.
Surface Preparation Operations necessary to prepare the surface or parts prior to the application of the coating.
Surface Tension Cohesive force between liquid and solid (or Liquid and gas) surfaces.
Surfactant A chemical used to adjust the surface tension between two mediums.
Surge * A rise in pressure in an electrical circuit.
* A sudden burst of powder from a spray gun.
Suspension Mixture of fine particles of any solid with a liquid or gas.
Tape Adhesion Test used to check for adhesion of a coating to the surface usually following a mechanical test.
Telegraphing Phenomenon that occurs when a surface defect on an un-coated part is visible in the final cured film.
TGIC Triglycidyl Isocyanurate. Hardener used in exterior quality polyester powder systems.
Theoretical Coverage The capacities of a given mass of a specific powder to coat in a cured state an area of substrate at a determined film thickness.
Thermocouple A pair of dissimilar metal wires that generates an electrical force at a point of contact that varies in proportion to temperature.
Thermoplastic A powder coating that will repeatedly melt when subjected to heat and solidifies when cooled.
Thermosetting A powder coating designed to undergo an irreversible chemical change during heating and will not revert to the liquid stage when reheated.
Threshold Limit Value Air concentration of chemical substances to which workers may be exposed to daily without adverse effect.
Throughput The production output or a system at a given line speed using a predetermined part or hanging pattern.
Tote Bins Large containers for shipping bulk powder coatings.
Toxic Poisonous.
Transportability A coatings ability to be carried in an air stream and passed through tubing and ducts designed to transport powder coatings.
Tribocharging The process of creating static charge on powder coating particles by friction against a non-conductive materials.
Triggering Intermitting squeezing and releasing of a spray gun trigger. Can cause surging in the powder equipment.
Ultraviolet Radiation Light energy having a wavelength of about 0.4 – 80 milimicrons. Such energy can break certain chemical bonds and thus contribute to the fading and wearing away of a coating.
Undercured A coating that has not had sufficient exposure to the combination of heat and time to completely cure.
Venturi A constriction in a powder pump that uses compressed air to lift and transport powder from feed system to the spray gun.
Virgin Powder Powder that has not passed through the recovery system.
Water Spotting Whitish spots on a pre-treated part where minerals in the water have been deposited.
Weather Resistance Capacity of a coating surface to resist the effects of weathering (UV light and water erosion)
Weld Splatter Beads of metal or flux left after welding.
Wrap A characteristic of a powder coating in electrostatic application to seek out and adhere to areas of the substrate not in direct line of sight.
Yellowing Development of yellow colour in pale colours when subjected to heat and/or light.
Zinc Phosphate Conversion coating used on steel and galvanised steel parts to improve adhesion and corrosion resistance.


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Small donations of money and time keep Houston green
Small contributions - of both money and time - help keep Houston's green spaces green
By Kathy Huber | March 19, 2014
Photo By Nash BakerVisitors enjoy Hermann Park from a waterside bench. The urban oasis celebrates its 100th birthday in 2014.
Donations for tribute swings and benches are welcome at Mercer Arboretum and Botanic Gardens.
Donations for tribute swings and benches are welcomed at Mercer Arboretum & Botanic Gardens. Mercer Arboretum & Botanic Gardens photos
Donations for tribute swings and benches are welcomed at Mercer Arboretum & Botanic Gardens. Mercer Arboretum & Botanic Gardens photos
Photo By Geoffrey Lyon/Owner / PresidentBuffalo Bayou Park is coming along and should be finished in 2015.. Geoff Lyon Photography; courtesy Buffalo Bayou Preservation.
Photo By Johnny Hanson/StaffVisitors enjoy Hermann Park from a waterside bench. The urban oasis celebrates its 100th birthday in 2014.
Photo By Johnny Hanson/StaffCamila Alvares, 9, left, of Katy, sits on a park bench with her dog, Cloe, a Yorkshire Terrier and friend Juliana Wilson, 8, at Millie Bush Dog Park in George Bush Park Sunday, June 10, 2012, in Houston. "It feels like its 100 degrees," Alvares said. "(Cloe) had to drink water from the pond it's so hot." (Johnny Hanson / Houston Chronicle )
Generous residents have donated chunks of land and gobs of money to create Houston-area green spaces.
While most Houstonians don't have such resources, they still can make meaningful contributions. Celebrate a person or occasion with an engraved park bench, brick paver, fountain or a tribute tree. Check with a county park such as the multi-amenity, 7,800-acre George Bush Park, or your favorite garden to discuss commemorative donations.
Nonprofit organizations that support green spaces depend on such donations to make public parks more beautiful and useful. These welcome help:
Buffalo Bayou Park: Buffalo Bayou Partnership is pushing to complete its $58 million campaign, which is transforming the 160-acre stretch from Shepherd to Sabine just west of downtown Houston into a multifaceted gem. Make a mark in the park with an inscription sandblasted in a concrete seat wall for $10,000, an engraved plate on a metal bench for $5,000 or on a park light fixture for $500. Honor a favorite pooch with a $250 plaque in the new dog-park entry court. Or give $125 for a plaque in the native prairie.
Hermann Park: Houstonians pour into this 100-year-old urban park to float across McGovern Lake, attend outdoor concerts, rest by the Jones Reflection Pool and stroll through the Japanese Garden. The Hermann Park Conservancy's Centennial Campaign is focused on completing the space as originally envisioned with numerous improvements, including the 15-acre McGovern Centennial Garden scheduled to be finished this fall.
Donors can add a plaque to a garden bench for $5,000 or dedicate a new bench with a plaque for $7,500. An engraved plaque can be placed on an existing picnic table for $5,000; a new picnic table with plaque is $7,500; a tribute plaque on an existing light figure is $2,500. Donors can replace a drinking fountain for $5,000 or designate $250 for a new tree.
Memorial Park: Thirty miles of hiking trails, sports fields, a golf course and tennis courts are among the amenities in this beloved 1,500-acre park. But the drought-damaged space needs help. A master plan to restore it is in the works, and the Memorial Park Conservancy is soliciting several general or designated donations, including: $500 to sponsor a sapling; running-trail center pavers for $250-$5,000; donations of any amount to maintain Bush Grove, a tranquil area with a pond; and $1,000 toward the pedestrian-bridge upkeep.
Details: memorialpark conservancy.org
Houston Arboretum and Nature Center
Visitors who wander through the arboretum in the southwest corner of Memorial Park can take in nature from one of 20 benches throughout its 155 acres. Donors can provide another respite with a $1,500 commemorative bench, which includes a plaque. The arboretum also accepts honorary donations that help fund materials and educational needs, including $100 for a linear foot of boardwalk, $1,000 to remove invasive species and restore an acre of forest and $250 to sponsor a bus of children in an arboretum class.
Details: houston arboretum.org
Mercer Arboretum and Botanic Gardens: This 350-acre natural and cultivated beauty in northeast Harris County is a county park befriended by nonprofit Mercer Society. The organization helps support Mercer through March Mart, an enormous annual plant sale. But the society also relies on gifts. A garden bench with engraved plaque may be dedicated in honor of a loved one for 15 years with a contribution of $2,500. A swing bench with arbor is $5,000. Engraved pavers are $125 and $250.
Details: hcp4.net/ mercer
Armand Bayou and Nature Center: This 2,500-acre wildlife refuge and educational center in Pasadena was founded in 1974 as a result of efforts begun by environmental visionary Armand Yramategui. Executive director Tom Kartrude says Armand Bayou accepts and acknowledges memorial gifts that fit the center's plans and programs. They include habitats, platforms, gardens and buildings that acknowledge significant gifts and display cases and classroom furnishings purchased with more modest gifts.

subset: commoncrawl


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Amanpuri's private Villa Homes mostly enjoy ocean-front settings. Of the 43 Villas, 30 were built as part of the original design of Amanpuri. Occupying a private headland, each of the original Villas consists of two to six free-standing bedrooms. Ideal for families or friends travelling together and for special events, the Villas offer generous living space designed around a central swimming pool, and each is finished with hand-picked art and antiques. The 13 most recently developed Villas are perched atop the hill adjacent to the resort. Private entrances are marked by stone walls, while the interiors exude a subtle Thai aesthetic. Floor-to-ceiling windows offer breathtaking views of the Andaman Sea. Villas feature four to nine bedrooms spread over two to four levels, all accessible by stairs or lift. Each Villa has a private pool, rooftop lounge area, media room for entertaining family and friends, and open-air and enclosed living and dining areas. All Aman Villa Homes offer live-in housekeepers and cooks.
Download the Amanpuri Aman Villas e-brochure here
For enquiries on renting a villa at Amanpuri, contact email@example.com
Visit Amanpuri


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Pristine, private, Pond Frontage, Ocean View, private home, with rich opportunity to immerse yourself into a quiet seaside world. Swans on the pond, osprey on the pole, otters, perrenials beyond, beyond, the sound of the sea, the ocean air
Find a vacation rental home in West Tisbury Massachusetts for your vacation. Stay at one of our rustic cabins, cozy cottages, or authentic condos in West Tisbury Massachusetts. We have everything from large rental homes to small villas. Rent for a weekend, week, month, or entire season! Vacation rentals are great accommodations for families and large groups. Enjoy the convenience of a full kitchen and save money by eating in. Living like the locals at a vacation rental assures you an authentic travel experience. Browse our vacation rentals in West Tisbury Massachusetts and plan your vacation today!


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A DEFUNCT solar power station in the Pyrenees has been reborn as a gamma-ray telescope, and now physicists are picking up signals from exotic galaxies and exploded stars.
Celeste, as the new detector is called, rose from the ashes of the Thémis experimental solar power station near Font-Romeu in France. The station consisted of around 200 steerable mirrors which focused sunlight onto a collector at the top of a tower to generate power.
The power station closed in the mid-1980s, never having produced power commercially. But now physicists have revamped the equipment to pick up gamma rays from space. When a gamma ray hits an atom in the upper atmosphere, it dislodges a cascade of electrons which rain down to the Earth's surface, generating tiny flashes of light called Cerenkov radiation.
Using 40 of the mirrors at the Thémis site, physicists focus these flashes on a light detector on the ...
To continue reading this article, subscribe to receive access to all of newscientist.com, including 20 years of archive content.


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The tradition of Ridiculous Day is being hosted by the Washington Chamber this year and there are many activities happening throughout the day.
Saturday, June 2
Schedule for Central Park, Downtown Washington
7:00am STORES OPEN: Most retailers open from 7 – 3pm
7:00am-10:00 ALL YOU CAN EAT Chamber Flapjacks flipped by the Firemen (fundraiser for Ridiculous Days)
Scavenger Hunt all day – THE VILLAGE & others
8:00am Princess Contest Registration @ Dodici, Ages 1-100 - YOU can win $20 Chamber Bucks
9:00am PRINCESS CONTEST – Bandstand
9:30am Bike Auction-Bandstand-Morning Optimist
10:00am FOOD COURT - Hamburgers, walking tacos, more!
11:30am DUCKS IN THE FOUNTAIN - Catch a Duck for Cash & $20 Chamber Bucks
12:30am Parade Line-up – on the Boulevard
1:00pm PARADE - Around the Square
Raffle & Parade Winners - Must be Present to win
SUNDAY, June 3 - FLIGHT BREAKFAST PANCAKE FEED
7 – 11:30 A.M. at AIRPORT
For information on how your business can participate or how you can get involved, please contact Dean Kurtz, chair of the Chamber retail committee: email@example.com


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Superhero Store
Learn How
CBM Index
No Ordinary Family Home
No Ordinary Family
No Ordinary Family was an American television series on ABC. The 45-minute science fiction comedy-drama was produced by ABC Studios for the 2010–11 television season. The series ran from September 28, 2010 to April 5, 2011, on Tuesdays at 8 pm ET/PT. The show centers on the Powells, a typical American family living in fictional Pacific Bay, California, whose members gain special powers after their plane crashes in a funky swamp in the Amazon, Brazil. On May 13, 2011 ABC announced that No Ordinary Family had been cancelled due to low ratings.
No Ordinary Cancellation
Genreaddict has posted the synopsis for the final three episodes of
No Ordinary Family
season one and they also mention that two of the main stars have already signed onto new shows. Check it out after the jump...
No Ordinary family
: "No Ordinary Animal" Images and Synopsis!
ABC releases promo pictures and the description for this all new family superhero show episode of
No Ordinary Family.
"No Ordinary Animal" airs 22 March...
No Ordinary Family Headed For Cancellation?
Word is that No Ordinary Family star Michael Chiklis has been signed to star in the CBS comedy pilot Vince Uncensored, about a guy who goes through a life-changing transformation and decides he's going to say whatever's on his mind to everyone, being completely honest in the process.
No Ordinary Family
Julie Benz Interview, things are changing!
Julie Benz talks all about the hit ABC family superhero show and tells us whats coming up next, hinting its going to be darker as well on
No Ordinary Family
No Ordinary Family
"No Ordinary Love" Promo Video!
New promo for ABC's family superhero show
No Ordinary Family
titled "No Ordinary Love," and pics too...
No Ordinary Family
"No Ordinary Proposal" Trailer Online!
"No Ordinary Proposal" is airing tomorrow and Jim feels bad after hurting an innocent bystander.
No Ordinary Family
promo teaser past the jump...
Marvelguy talks "No Ordinary Family"
If you haven't watched, you may be surprised? If you're missing "Heroes," this is an adequate fill-in.
No Ordinary Family
: "No Ordinary Powell" Sneak Peek Video!
A sneak peek of Tuesdays
No Ordinary Family
: "No Ordinary Powell" episode with our favorite superhero family...
No Ordinary Family
"No Ordinary Proposal" Description and Promo Photos!
ABC releases a gallery of new pics from their "No Ordinary Proposal" episode for
No Ordinary Family
. Guest starring
Dead Zone's
Anthony Michael Hall...
No Ordinary Family: Lucy Lawless to Appear in Five Episodes
In a move to hopefully boost ratings, Xena/Galactica/Spartacus actress Lucy Lawless will, according to TVline, become a recurring character for the final five episodes of No Ordinary Family's freshman season.
The Beautiful Women of 'No Ordinary Family'
'No Ordinary Family'
is winning over the world over. It may have something to do with its cool superpowers or uniquely entertaining family friendly stories. Three things that do not hurt the ratings are these beautiful women who star in it every week.
No Ordinary Family
''No Ordinary Double Standard'' Description & Images!
ABC releases
No Ordinary Family
description with photos of the brand new "No Ordinary Double Standard" episode. Looks like Jim's got his hands full and a surprise guest from
My Name is Earl
No Ordinary Family
''No Ordinary Detention'' Promo Online!
No Ordinary Family
new promo, more superhero adventures for the Powells...
No Ordinary Family Set Visit: Video
No Ordinary Family co-star Stephen Collins hosts this visit to the set of the show, taking viewers behind the scenes.
ABC Releases New Promo Shot of
No Ordinary Family
For 2011!
The new
No Ordinary Family
image is of the cast in all their glory...
No Ordinary Family
"No Ordinary Detention" Description and Photos!
ABC Network has released new promo pics from their superhero family show,
No Ordinary Family
Warehouse 13's
Joanne Kelly guest stars...
ABC's New Promo Video of Their Tuesday line-up of
No Ordinary Family
Last nights ABC's promo combines
No Ordinary Family
in this mash-up video...
No Ordinary Family
"No Ordinary Brother" Images and Description
"No Ordinary Brother" is the January 11th super family episode that will air on the ABC Network...
No Ordinary Family
''No Ordinary Friends'' Sneak Peak Video and Including Longer Descriptions Plus More!
Well not only a sneak peek but a certain well-known actor will be guest starring, maybe even turning into a regular that will be hitting the show
No Ordinary Family
very soon...
"No Ordinary Friends" Promo Pics of The Hit Superhero show
No Ordinary Family
Yes more new photos of our favorite super powered family January 4th episode has been released online...
No Ordinary Family
Info Plus Pics of ''No Ordinary Friends'' & ''No Ordinary Brother''
ABC releases
No Ordinary Family
descriptions for next years episodes with promo photos too of the much loved TV superhero household...
Michael Chiklis on
No Ordinary Family, Fantastic Four, and The Shield
"No Ordinary Family"'s Michael Chiklis talks about the shows physical demands, how he got the role, and more.
No Ordinary Family
Series Premiere By JoshW
Here is my review of the new TV show featuring a family who gain miraculously superpowers after a freak accident? Is it a great new addition to superheroes on the small screen or a
Fantastic Four
rip-off? Hit the jump to find out...
No Ordinary Family
Cast Interviews: Video
Hollyscoop.com caught up with Julie Benz, Michael Chiklis and Romany Malco who give us the scoop on their new comedy on ABC, 'No Ordinary Family'.
POLL: What did you think of
No Ordinary Family
Time to take the fans pulse and learn what they thought of ABC's newest super tv series. Let us know what YOU think!
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The usual hierarchy of poker hands from highest to lowest runs as follows (standard poker hands are in italics):
Some poker games are played with a deck that has been stripped of certain cards, usually low-ranking ones. For example, the Australian game of Manila uses a 32-card deck in which all cards below the rank of 7 are removed, and Mexican Stud removes the 8s, 9s, and 10s. In both of these games, a flush ranks above a full house, because having fewer cards of each suit available makes full houses more common.
Some play that dog or cat flushes beat a straight flush, under the reasoning that a plain dog or cat beats a plain straight. This makes the big cat flush the highest hand in the game.


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(via Pitchfork)
Spiritualized will release their new album Sweet Heart Sweet Light via Fat Possum in the U.S., and the Domino imprint Double Six in the UK March 19. It was recorded over the past two years in Wales, L.A., and Reykjavik, Iceland. Sweet Heart Sweet Light follows 2008's BNM'd Songs in A&E.
Check out the tracklisting, below, as well as the band's European tour dates. Read an interview with Pierce in which he discusses the new album back in 2010 here. Watch Spiritualized perform new tracks "Hey Jane" and "So Long You Pretty Things" at the Other Voices festival, via The Guardian.
Sweet Heart Sweet Light:
01 Hey Jane
02 Little Girl
03 Get What You
04 Too Late
05 Heading for the Top
06 Freedom
07 I Am What I Am
08 Mary
09 Life Is a Problem
10 So Long You Pretty Things
Spiritualized Tour Dates:
03-16 Nottingham, England - Rescue Rooms
03-17 Portsmouth, England - Wedgewood Rooms
03-19 London, England - Hackney Empire
03-20 Oxford, England - O2 Academy
03-21 Bristol, England - O2 Academy
03-22 Glasgow, Scotland - ABC
03-23 Belfast, Northern Ireland - Mandela Hall
03-24 Dublin, Ireland - Vicar Street
03-25 Manchester, England - Academy
Artists in this story: Spiritualized


text: WICHITA, Kan. - A Wichita attorney has withdrawn her application for the Kansas Supreme Court because she's running for the Republican nomination for a Sedgwick County District Court judgeship. Linda Kirby said Monday she didn't want to leave Republicans without a candidate if she wins Tuesday's primary election against Seth Rundle of Wichita. The winner will face Democrat and incumbent Judge Gregory Waller. Kirby was one of 14 judges and attorneys to apply for the vacancy created by the departure of former Justice Nancy Moritz to the 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. Kirby said that when she applied for the Supreme Court, she didn't know when a judicial nominating commission would pick finalists. The panel plans to do so Tuesday after interviewing the 13 other candidates.


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Zanzibar — MORE than 20 students fell unconscious in examination centres in various parts of Zanzibar during the Form II National Examinations which ended on Saturday.
Some students could not either sit or complete their examinations after the ordeal which is linked to superstition. "We had a challenging moment. In some cases we had to delay the examinations.
The situation also disturbed other candidates," said one of the security officers who requested anonymity because he was not an official spokesperson. Some students at Mwanakwerekwe and Haile-Selassie secondary schools confirmed to the 'Daily News' that they saw some of their colleagues undergoing the ordeal.
Mr Abdallah Mzee, the Deputy Principal Secretary in the Ministry of Education and Vocational training, said that the Standard Seven and From Two examinations progressed well but "We had a number of cases whereby some fell unconscious."
"There was also a car accident in which some examination officers suffered minor injuries," said Mzee. He added that due to tight security and close follow-up cheating attempts by students were foiled. A total of 24,932 students registered for the 2012 Standard Seven exams.


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April 5, 2012
Area Winners of Essay Contest Announced
CHAMBERSBURG, Pa. — Seven area high school students were recognized by Wilson College recently for their entries in the college's first annual National Women's History Month High School Essay Contest.More
April 5, 2012
Wilson Athletics Set to Celebrate NCAA Division III Week
April 9th through the 15th, Wilson College Athletics is participating in the first nationwide celebration of NCAA Division III week. This week celebrates the unique Division III student-athlete experience, which offers a highly competitive athletic environment, a commitment to academic excellence and time to pursue other interests and passions.More
April 5, 2012
NCAA Division III Week Celebration Schedule
NCAA Division III Week will run Monday, April 9th - Sunday, April 15th. See below for the full list of scheduled events.More
April 4, 2012
British Equestrian Instructor Jeremy Beale to Conduct Dressage Clinics at Wilson May 9, 10
CHAMBERSBURG, Pa. – British Olympian and riding instructor Jeremy Beale will give dressage clinics Wednesday and Thursday, May 9 and 10, at Wilson College.More
April 4, 2012
Wilson College Hosts April 9 Meeting of Franklin Renewable Energy Group
CHAMBERSBURG, Pa. – Wilson College will host the monthly meeting of Franklin Renewable Energy (FRE), an association dedicated to educating and informing the public about renewable energy, at 6:30 p.m. Monday, April 9, in Warfield Hall's Allen Auditorium.More
April 3, 2012
Wilson Biology and Chemistry Majors Present Research, Student Wins Best Oral Presentation
Nine Wilson College seniors presented the results of their research at the 88th Annual Meeting of the Pennsylvania Academy of Science (PAS), held March 30-April 1 at Cedar Crest College in Allentown, Pa.More
March 28, 2012
'Ethical Formation in a Post-Secular Age' is Topic of 2012 Orr Forum
CHAMBERSBURG, PA – Dr. Jennifer Herdt, an author and professor of Christian ethics at Yale Divinity School, will deliver three presentations as part of this year's Orr Forum on Religion at Wilson College: Ethical Formation in a Post-Secular Age.More
March 28, 2012
Wilson Drama Club to Perform 'Gallathea' April 13, 14
CHAMBERSBURG, Pa. – The Wilson College Drama Club, known as the Kittochtinny Players, will perform the Renaissance comedy, Gallathea, at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, April 13 and 14, in Laird Hall.More
March 27, 2012
Roche Name NEAC Pitching Student-Athlete of the Week
Willson College Softball player, Leigh Roche (Hanover, Pa./ New Oxford) has been selected as the North Easter Athletic Conference (NEAC) Pitching Student-Athlete of the Week.More
March 23, 2012
Critically Acclaimed Organist to Perform April 15 at Wilson College
CHAMBERSBURG, Pa. – Award-winning organist Gordon Turk will close the Wilson College 2011-12 Van Looy Organ Series with a performance at 3 p.m. Sunday, April 15 in Thomson Hall's Alumnae Chapel.More


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Tip 10: Compost Yard Trimmings and Some Food Scrapsackyard composting of certain food scraps and yard trimmings can significantly reduce the amount of waste that needs to be managed by the local government or put in a landfill. When properly composted, these wastes can be turned into natural soil additives for use on lawns and gardens, and used as potting soil for house plants. Finished compost can improve soil texture, increase the ability of the soil to absorb air and water, suppress weed growth, decrease erosion, and reduce the need to apply commercial soil additives.
Learn how to compost food scraps and yard trimmings (see Composting Is Easy!). For more information, consult reference materials on composting, or check with local environmental, agricultural, or park services. Composting foods in highly populated areas is not recommended because it can attract rodents and other pests.
Participate in local or regional programs that collect compostable materials. If no program is in place, contact public officials and community leaders about setting one up.
If there's no room for a compost pile, offer compostable materials to community composting programs or garden projects near you.
If you have a yard, allow mown grass clippings to remain on the lawn to decompose and return nutrients back to the soil, rather than bagging and disposing of them.


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Hiroshi Tada Sensei is one of the last remaining of the postwar generation of instructors developed at the Aikikai Hombu Dojo in Tokyo under the direction of Kisshomaru Ueshiba and Koichi Tohei. He is an example of a unique approach to aikido based on a dynamic, continuous connection with his partner and an especially evident emphasis on zanshin, the "lingering mind" following completion of the physical throw. This video is very much worthy of a careful viewing…
Click here to watch video
Click here to watch video
Aikido Journal Members Site
For nearly 40 years, we have been researching and documenting every aspect of Aikido!
We hate spam just as much as you


text: Very cool interview with dtripazcorazon… bet there are some things that you never knew… Very cool interview with dtripazcorazon… bet there are some things that you never knew…———-Name: Sharon HaverWebsite: FocusOnStyle.comName: Sharon HaverWebsite: FocusOnStyle.comEducation Business degree. Marketing major. Minor in law & some abnormal psych.I became a stylist:When an art director hired me for a 3-week shoot in St. Maarten. Upon my return to New York, word got out and photographers kept hiring me as a stylist. I upped my day rate ten-fold! I guess being a stylist pursued me rather than my pursuing it as a career. I worked steadily as a stylist for 15 years!At the moment:Renovation and home design is a hobby of sorts. There is something very satisfying about being hands-on in the creation of your space.Published on June 22, 2011


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Another week gone by, where we all celebrated the Fourth of July. Wonderful weather, lots of picnics and family gatherings, a carnival in Longmont, fireworks in most towns (except Louisville). We sat on the hill at the Lookout
Road Church and could see fireworks from Boulder, Longmont, Broomfield, Erie, and Lafayette.
Login to read more: About Town - July 10, 2014


text:
Tissue paper is usually found in single sheets or sheet collections of 25, 40, or 50. White tissue is also sold specifically for bulk wrapping in reams of 480 sheets.
Some shops wrap delicate merchandise in folded or crumpled layers of tissue paper to protect it before placing it in bags or boxes for the purchaser. Facial tissue can be used for blowing one's nose after a sneeze.
Colored tissue paper can be used for an assortment of visually artistic purposes. For example, when wetted, the color bleeds a watercolor-like layer of tissue paper that stays when you peel off the tissue paper. Tissue paper can be crumpled up to form objects, such as flowers by crumpling it around the tip of a pencil.
Tissue paper was used by musicians in the early 1900's to play the comb, producing a sound similar to the kazoo. Jazz musician Red McKenzie was one of the best-known players.
For production tissue paper for wrapping is made by the machine glaze process. A slurry of fiber is placed on a forming wire where the water is allowed to drain away. The sheet is then pressed against a felt and pressed against a drying cylinder for the final drying step. The sheet is then pulled away from the dryer and wound up ready for further converting into wrapping paper.


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Joequick - 24 November 2012 03:11 PMStarted a rat.
Started a rat.
Which, if it's Genesis-based, you will have to offer in the store… sooner, rather than later.
—Walt Sterdan
AWESOME! Super Rat Man!
—- Wolff On The Prowl—-
Pan Project
DAZ Studio 4 Frequently Asked Questions
Simple is better, no?
Trying out the new style Marvel covers with a new style 617-Earth version of the Vision.
Looks very realistic.
I thought that the Vision was back to being a male android?
dlfurman - 26 November 2012 09:06 PMSimple is better, no?
Trying out the new style Marvel covers with a new style 617-Earth version of the Vision.
I really like this.
And here's a WIP of Invincible from Image Comics ... pretty good read for those who haven't checked it out yet.
Check me out on DeviantArt
DragonSpawn2000's deviantart gallery
And ShareCG
WarGod83's portfolio
RAMWolff - 26 November 2012 09:26 PMLooks very realistic.
I thought that the Vision was back to being a male android?
He is.
I had this idea for Marvel Earth 617. When Bendis did the Avengers Disassembled story for Earth 616, the parts for the Vision were stored in a Stark or SHIELD Warehouse. Anyhow…on 617, AIM sucessfully raids the warehouse and makes off with the bits and pieces. A lonely tech rebuilds the android, but in female form, double crossing AIM, who decides to take him out and recover/reprogram/replicate the android. The Avengers get on the case when they find out about the theft. I had a 8 issue mini series in mind, entitled "The Avengers - VISION QUEST"
The powers are intact, but some of the memory cores were damaged so, new personality, new character, new form.
Wondering if Androids still can cry! OLD issue of Avengers!
Just got this one rendered tonight: the laptop's been having heat issues, but I did get him rendered at last! Sickleyield's Mutations and RAMWolff's Genesis morphs on M5 are primarily responsible for the distinctive shape. JoeQuick's fibermesh beard, hair, and brows, and his Genesis supersuit.
My dA gallery
For God's sake! Gallifrey Stands!
The Doctor Who freebie list
And God still reigns.
Fuzzy Elf!
A rooftop scene with the turtles and my WIP rat dressed up like Splinter.
My Daz Store
ShareCG Freebies
Avengers Assemble!
I've been working on this for a few days and I'm pretty happy with it. This was my first try with a light dome. It does a nice job with Hulk's skin and Iron Man, but the lighting isn't as dramatic as I usually get by placing individual lights. Unfortunately, my usual method produced very harsh shadows from the buildings. I'm working in Carrara. I would like to add a boot jet effects to Iron Man. I tried adding a bulb with a light sphere, but it didn't work very well. Does anyone have any suggestions?
Spider-man textures and mask - Joe Quick and Sturkwurk (I think)
Captain America - Joe Quick
Hulk - Smay (Mr. Hyde)
Iron Man - Zikeo
Urban Sprawl2 - Stonemason
Light Dome - Tim Payne
threw this guy together today….
This was inspired by Avenging Spider-man Annual with the Thing. I call it "THWIPP THIS!"
Some more X-Men playing around… some Hellfire related stuff this time around:
Green Lantern - based on the tyler figure…all the clothes are handpainted - the ring too


text:
1907 $20 High Relief PR63 NGC....
2011 November 8-10 US Coins Signature Auction - Beverly Hills #1161
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|Printable auction results for all items in the 2011 November 8-10 US Coins Signature Auction - Beverly Hills.
A Specially Struck Example of This Rare and Popular Type
"Our first high relief coinage was for our most diminutive gold coin--the gold dollar. In 1849, [Mint Chief Engraver James B.] Longacre used concave fields (convex dies) for the obverse for the first gold dollars (the reverse dies were normal, flat field types). (The 1849 gold dollar is also the first US regular issue coin to have the date in the master die.) The original high relief, concave fields 1849 gold dollars (the No 'L' and the first 'L' variety had concave fields) were abandoned because of reverse die breakage. The stress on the reverse (anvil) dies required a change to flat fields for both sides."
The Saint-Gaudens twenties also were designed with deep concave fields (convex dies), making it nearly impossible to fully strike them up without multiple blows of the press. They were also virtually impossible to produce as polished brilliant proofs, as Roger Burdette discusses in detail in his reference on the 1905-08 coinage.
The High Relief proofs were struck in a finish that Breen describes thusly in his Proof Encyclopedia:
"--Numerous, raised die-polishing lines on both sides. These appear in a random, swirling pattern. While also evident on currency strikes, these are particularly bold on Proofs.
"--Uniformly satiny surfaces, without any of the radial flowlines that produce conventional Mint luster."
Numerous other criteria are given by Breen (and repeated by Dr. Robert Loewinger in his proof gold reference), which NGC presumably uses among its attributes for determination of proof status. While most of the NGC-certified proofs are of the Wire Rim (or Knife Rim) variety (a rather artificial distinction at any rate), a couple of pieces certified by NGC have been the Flat Rim variant.
Despite the many impracticalities involved in producing the High Relief coinage, either as proofs or business strikes, fortunately for collectors today, President Roosevelt's insistence on his "pet crime" ensured that eventually 12,367 circulation strikes were produced, plus a small quantity of proofs that were subjected to extra blows of the press.
The special attention to striking is certainly apparent on this piece. The strike is complete in all areas with fully articulated columns on the Capitol building and full separation between the letters and rim on the upper reverse. A couple of unfortunate rim knocks on each side are the primary reason for the grade. Otherwise, the surfaces are bright and satiny (as always) and there is just the slightest tinge of reddish patina on each side. A wonderful opportunity to acquire this specially struck High Relief twenty. (PCGS# 9132)
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Revised Edition by James L. Halperin, Mark R. Borckardt, Mark Van Winkle, Jon Amato, and Gregory J. Rohan, with special contributor David W. Akers
The Coinage of Augustus Saint-Gaudens is an issue-by-issue examination of these two artistically inspired series of gold coins.
Each date and mintmark is reviewed with up-to-date information, much of which has never been previously published. The book is based on
two extraordinary collections: The Phillip H. Morse collection and the Dr. and Mrs. Steven L. Duckor collection.
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text:
Creative event design based on an education and work experience in the arts and horticulture; including experience in graphic design, landscape design, owner of a retail flower shop, and now event design. The one constant inspiration throughout Ken's life has always been the intersection of art and nature.
Ken's goal is to listen and understand the client's tastes and style while providing guidance and a creative vision in the selection of flowers, linens, lighting and furnishings. Meetings are casual and friendly. Ken believes flowers should be fun, not intimidating and the clients involvement in the creative process can be as little or as much as they like.
Working in the Bay Area since 1995, Ken has an extensive knowledge and an excellent working relationship with local venues. He is also available for destination events and weddings.
You can visit Ken's fine art site here.


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Archive: Top stories | Your co-op at work | Insights by Goldie | News bites | Letters to editor
The war against organics
Sound Consumer | September 2001
In honor of September as Organic Harvest Month, we respond to The war against organics.
See also in this section:
Feeling good about organics
If you follow the national news, you may have noticed an increase in the number of attacks against organic foods lately. ABC's "20/20" program twice has featured a segment with the outlandish idea that buying organic food could kill you. Op-ed pieces citing the alleged dangers of organic foods also have begun appearing in newspapers across the country.
Chalk it up to a huge case of jealousy — and greed. Over the past decade, sales of organic food have been increasing by an extraordinary 20 percent per year — the fastest-growing segment of the supermarket industry. Organic sales totaled $7.7 billion last year. In a national poll conducted by Roper Starch Worldwide Inc. for Walnut Acres, a Virginia organic manufacturer, 50 percent of those surveyed said they expect to make organic foods a bigger part of their diet within the next five years.
Americans are choosing organics in record numbers because of their concerns about the heavy use of pesticides, chemical fertilizers and even toxic sewage sludge in conventional American agriculture. Organic food shoppers also believe organic agriculture is better for the environment.
Organic food is becoming big business and organic sales are taking customers away from the manufacturers of conventional, non-organic foods. Given the potential impact on their bottom line, it's not surprising that conventional food manufacturers are squawking. No doubt, we'll hear more of these attacks in coming years as these companies try to hold on to their customers. It's as though manufacturers of traditional, pesticide-laden foods have declared war on organics.
"Buying organic could kill you"
ABC News' "20/20" program created a storm of controversy last year when it twice ran a report titled "The Food You Eat", which speculated that "buying organic could kill you." In the report, pro-industry reporter John Stossel was harshly critical of organic foods. He argued that organic produce may be more dangerous than conventional produce, claiming ABC tests showed increased levels of E.coli bacteria in organic sprouts and lettuce.
Stossel also told viewers that studies conducted for ABC found no traces of pesticide residue in either conventional or organic produce. The scientists who conducted the study, however — Michael Doyle and Lester Crawford — told the New York Times that they in fact did not test any produce for pesticides for ABC. Stossel later was forced to issue an on-air apology for falsifying evidence in his report.
In the "20/20" report, Stossel also neglected to mention that Doyle and Crawford did in fact perform such tests on chicken and found pesticide residues in conventional poultry, but not organic poultry.
Ironically, in another pro-industry "20/20" report, "Junk Science: What You Know that May Not Be So", Stossel made the following remarks: "Science is highly politicized. Beware of science that feeds political agendas." Some might say that in the "20/20" organic story, Stossel manipulated science for his anti-environmental agenda. This is a growing trend, as public relations specialists from think tanks funded by industry pose as impartial scientists.
Scientific opinion: bought and paid for by industry
Stossel's main source for the anti-organic program was Dennis Avery, identified by Stossel as a former researcher for the U.S. Department of Agriculture and a leading critic of organic produce. Stossel did not reveal that Avery is employed by the Hudson Institute, an organization that draws funds from chemical and genetic engineering companies such as Monsanto, Novartis, Dow, Cargill, and Proctor & Gamble, nor that Avery's latest book is titled "Saving the Planet with Pesticides and Plastic." Avery also is an adviser to the American Counsel on Science and Health (ACSH), an industry-funded organization that for decades has promoted everything from Ritalin and junk food for kids to genetically engineered foods.
Avery claims pesticides do not cause cancer or other illnesses, but that organic food can be deadly: "People who eat organic and natural foods are eight times as likely as the rest of the population to be attacked by a new strain of E.coli bacteria."
That's because, he says, organic food is grown in animal manure. He cites purported statistics from Center for Disease Control (CDC) epidemiologist Paul Mead to support his case. Mead has told Avery that the CDC data does not support his anti-organic contentions. Moreover, Robert Tauxe, M.D., chief of the CDC's food-borne disease branch, says Avery's claims are "absolutely not true." CDC does not even collect such data. In fact, conventional food is more likely to be grown in soil dressed with non-composted animal manure. Organic standards require that animal manure used for fertilizer be composted.
Many of us who shop for natural foods are familiar with attacks against organic or plant-based food from industry, such as when the meat industry denounced Berkeley, California in 1999 for serving organic food in its schools. Then, Meat Industry Insight, a trade magazine, wrote: "Berkeley, California [is a] long-time hippie haven and world capital for political correctness. Their politics have long been 'crunchy granola' and now their school lunches will be too."
What's new in the past several years is the rise of pseudo-scientific organizations that are actually front-groups for industry. Sheldon Rampton and John Stauber, of the Center for Media and Democracy, make a study of this trend in their book, "Trust Us, We're Experts!" (Jeremy P. Tarcher/Putnam, 2001).
"Public relations firms and corporations have seized upon a slick new way of getting you to buy what they have to sell: to let you hear it from a neutral 'third party,' like a professor or a pediatrician or a soccer mom or a watchdog group," Rampton and Stauber write. "The problem is, these third parties are usually anything but neutral. They have been handpicked, cultivated, and meticulously packaged to make you believe what they have to say — preferably in an 'objective' format like a news show or a letter to the editor. And in some cases, they have been paid handsomely for their 'opinions.'"
Industry leaders seem to be aware that many consumers are turning off to their techniques of discrediting organic farmers and environmental organizations. Now, in a preemptive strike, they're even attacking organic groups for (as they put it) "a disturbing history of 'black marketing,' the apparent goal being to create false and misleading fears about conventional foods in order to increase organic sales."
The quote comes from Avery's son, Alex, who also works for the Hudson Institute. He recently co-authored (with Graydon Forrer, former director of consumer affairs at the USDA) a study which claims that the growing world opposition to genetically engineered (GE) foods is being fostered by the organic industry. Meanwhile, the biotechnology industry alone has earmarked $50 million a year for five years ($250 million total) for an advertising war chest aimed at turning public opinion toward accepting GE foods.
Rampton and Stauber recommend constant vigilance and education to poke through the misinformation campaigns waged by these think tanks.
"In understanding the hold that experts have on our lives, we should consider the role that we ourselves play as consumers of information," they write. "Most propaganda is designed to influence people who are not very active or informed about the topic at hand. There is a reason for this strategy. Propagandists know that active, informed people are likely already to hold strong opinions that cannot be easily swayed. The people who are most easily manipulated are those who have not studied a subject much and are therefore susceptible to any argument that sounds plausible."
Cameron Woodworth is communications director for The Campaign to Label Genetically Engineered Foods (www.thecampaign.org) and author of "Green Cuisine: A Guide to Vegetarian Dining around Seattle and Puget Sound."
Feeling good about organic
The next time you hear an attack on organic foods, consider the source. And keep in mind these principles, which should make you feel proud to buy organic:
- Organic agriculture helps the environment in several ways.
Organic growers follow time-honored traditions such as crop rotation, composting, and mulching, which help protect topsoil. By virtually eliminating reliance on pesticides, organic farmers help protect our waterways from chemical pollution. Similarly, organic animal husbandry excludes use of dangerous antibiotics and growth hormones in meat and dairy production. Such substances have been identified as major contributors to water pollution and are linked to an array of medical concerns.
- Organic food is better for our health.
Not only do organic foods greatly limit the amount of pesticides we put in our bodies, there's some evidence they might be more nutritious. In a 1993 study reported in the "Journal of Applied Nutrition, "researchers compared the nutritional quality of organic foods compared to conventional supermarket foods. They found that organic foods, on average, contained 63 percent more calcium, 78 percent more chromium, 73 percent more iodine, 59 percent more iron, 138 percent more magnesium, 125 percent more potassium and 60 percent more zinc than their non-organic counterparts. What's more, organic foods reportedly contained a whopping 390 percent more of the critical cancer-fighting element, selenium.
- Organic foods nourish our bodies and please our palates. Organic foods, especially when locally grown, often taste much better than conventional produce. That's why so many top chefs use organic ingredients whenever possible.


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For Bryce Hammond (No. 1 @ 160) Named The Californian?s Wrestler of the Year and many other topics visit HSWrestling.net
Darrell Vasquez is the only four-time state wrestling champion in California history, so he knows a little something about repitition.
Fitting then, that Bakersfield High?s latest wrestling legend, Bryce Hammond (No. 1 @ 160), was warming up with Vasquez before this year?s 160-pound state final at Rabobank Arena when it hit him.
?I said, ?This is exactly like last year,?? Hammond said. ?I had a close semifinal match. I was the same color (Hammond wore a green anklet). I was wearing the same sweatshirt. Same guy I?m facing. I?m not superstitious, but it really was very similar.?
And, for the second straight year, Hammond beat Oak Ridge?s Vince Waldhauser (No. 6 @ 160) for the title at 160, this time beating him 7-3, to finish another unbeaten season.
It?s no surprise that Hammond is a repeat winner as The Californian?s Wrestler of the Year.
?What he?s accomplished in his high school career is amazing,? said Bakersfield coach Andy Varner. ?Three-time state place-winner, undefeated junior and senior year. It?s something pretty special. He?s the best kid in his weight class in the entire country, and that?s pretty special, too.?
Hammond will take that status to Cal State Bakersfield next year, where he said he hopes to be just the third four-time national champion in NCAA history.
Before you snicker, realize that lofty goals are nothing new for Hammond. He was eight when he started the sport and was immediately struck by the power and precision of the top high school wrestlers.
Continued Reading by Zach Ewing, The Californian


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A JOINT Commission between Tanzania and India has been concluded with the signing of a number of agreements, one of which India will establish a tractor assembly plant and a farm machinery manufacturing unit in the country.
Reading a summary of the agreed matters on Tuesday, the Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Mr Bernard Membe, said India will also invest in the manufacturing and processing of medicines and pharmaceuticals.
"Tanzania has also called for early implementation and construction of Apollo Hospitals in the country and a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the Institute and the National Social Security Fund (NSSF) has been concluded," he said.
On agriculture, Minister Membe said India's support for a tractor assembly and farm machinery manufacturing unit was important as the country implemented the Kilimo Kwanza initiative, adding that 2 million US dollars (about 3.5bn/-) had been set aside for the venture.
Tanzania, he said, has again invited Indian investors, particularly small and medium enterprises in agro and food processing, such as cashew nuts and cotton, and other raw materials for Tanzania to add value to them thereby creating employment.
On trade and industries, he said the two sides had agreed that Small Industries Development Organization (SIDO) will be assisted to set up business intervention centres for demonstration and training of technologies for start-up entrepreneurs in the country.
"2m US dollars has been set aside by our Indian counterparts for that purpose," he noted. Another area of cooperation is for India to support Tanzania on improving rice production and the dairy industry.
On Information and Communication Technology (ICT), Mr Membe said the government had received 10 million US dollars (about 20bn/-) which was offered by the Indian Prime Minister, Mr Manmohan Sigh, in 2011 for the sector's development.
Part of the funds, he said, will be used by the Arusha-based Resource Centre of the Nelson Mandela African Institute of Science and Technology.
On United Nations reforms, both sides expressed the desire to support the UN's expansion plan of the Security Council where Tanzania will support India's endeavour to acquire a seat on the council.
In order for the agreements to be implemented as smoothly as expected, the issue of value addition and the production quality goods for export to India had been emphasised, under which the government planned to empower Tanzania Bureau of Standards (TBS) to ensure quality.
"We have resolved to make sure TBS is empowered to the maximum so that it is able to ensure issues of quality are not compromised as we look forward to exploring new markets and export massively to India," he said.


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For several months, MAVIN first lady, Tiwa Savage, had been economical with the truth about what she had shared with her manager, Tunji Balogun otherwise known as TeeBillz.
But bubble burst last Tuesday when the guy, on her birthday rubbed an engagement ring in her face and went ahead to decorate her finger with it. The development had been greeted with goodwill messages from her management, fans and family members just as it swiftly swayed pundits to asking; "what were they doing in secret romance for this long?" Ironically, TW's hit single, kele-kele Love (secret romance) wherein she echoed her disgust for clandestine romance is still hot on the music shelves. Understandably so, the discerning public may as well not believe that the lovers have not gone a step ahead earlier to tie the knots legally as tale bearers already insist that they've secretly been to the registry. To be or not to, time will reveal all as the duo has no business at the registry the second time. When the wedding period approaches, people will ask when they're going to the registry among other questions.
If you are one looking for a family-friendly atmosphere to spend the Valentine Season, Wale Adenuga Productions is nipping your worries in the bud with the 2013 edition of the popular Nnena & Friends Valentine Show. Following the huge success of the Nnena & Friends End-of-Year Show 2012, this event promises to be even bigger and better. The sponsors of the show, Indomie Noodles, Afrab-Chem Ltd, Toasties Bread Chips, Fumman Fruit Juice, McVities Happy Faces and others have guaranteed that all kids and adults attending the show will leave with several gifts, prizes and souvenirs.
Billed to perform at the upcoming event are Nnena, the multitalented, favourite performer of kids and teens alike; Papa Ajasco & Company, Nigeria's Number One Comedy Troupe; master entertainer DJ Zeez, hilarious comic act, Seyi Law, MC Prince and Big Mickey, exciting dance groups like; Gentle Explosion and Point X as well as the young and versatile N-Stars who will be delivering a variety of exhilarating performances.
The Chairperson, National House of Assembly Committee on the Diaspora, Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Nigerian writer and winner of the Common Wealth Writers' Prize and the Hurston/Wright Legacy Award, Chimamanda Adichie and ace broadcaster, Eugenia Abu have been nominated for the Vlisco Women's Month - BE YOUR DREAM award.
Also nominated for the awards put together by Vlisco Nigeria as part of the global company's celebrations of the International Women's Day on March 8 are Nollywood actor, Mrs. Joke Silva Jacobs and the founder/CEO, Centre for Development Policy Solutions, Mrs. Amina Az- Zubair.
For the first time, come February 18 to 22, Africa will partake in the global conversation that examines the cultural and economic impact of social media in our lives as Lagos joins nine other cities to participate in the 2013 Social Media Week. With the global theme Open & Connected: Principles for a Collaborative World, the Social Media Week 2013 will be taking place simultaneously in ten cities around the world including Copenhagen, Hamburg, Miami, Milan, New York, Paris, Singapore, Tokyo and Washington DC.
After a 5-year run, Social Media Week will make its debut in Africa courtesy the vision of co-producing firms, Dragon Africa and AFRIKA21. "I am truly excited to have succeeded in bringing this event home to Lagos, the largest black city in the world. I believe that we Nigerians are viral in social media and this event will showcase all the innovative ways we are using social media to impact our daily lives. It is only proper that this event should be coming to Lagos as its first African destination", states Obi Asika, founder of Dragon Africa and SMW Lagos chairman. This year's ground-breaking sees over 90 SMW-affiliated events distributed between 3 official hubs. An additional 500 plus connected events will also be happening in various locations all over Lagos. With exciting events such as the SMW Lagos Live concert series which will showcase the finest Nigerian musical talent at an Evening with Leaders featuring former President Olusegun Obasanjo to the Billboard Music Conference; it is clear that the organizers aim to make this an experience of a lifetime. "By programming keynotes and panels that look at how Africans and Nigerians in particular are incorporating social media in their unique social, political and creative landscapes, the Social Media Week Lagos will explore just how important being connected to the world is for 21st century Africans", Ngozi Odita, Executive Director of SMW Lagos explains.


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Final flight
Neil Reynolds says the Super Bowl will be a fitting finale to the glittering career of Ravens' Ray Lewis.
Last Updated: 21/01/13 2:12pm
There really will be an abundance of storylines for us to dig into when the Baltimore Ravens take on the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl 47 in New Orleans on Sunday February 3.
For the first time since 1997, both road teams won the championship games on Sunday night to advance to the NFL title game.
And it promises to be a real family affair in New Orleans as brothers will go against each other as head coaches for the first time in Super Bowl history as John Harbaugh (Ravens) takes on younger sibling Jim (49ers) for all the marbles.
Here is what caught my eye during the live coverage of the championship games on Sky Sports on Sunday night...
A fitting finale
Regardless of how the result turns out in New Orleans on the first weekend in February, it is fitting that future Hall of Fame linebacker Ray Lewis ends his glittering career with the Baltimore Ravens by playing in a Super Bowl.
Lewis has been a rock on the field during the playoffs and his inspirational leadership has the Ravens, particularly on defence, playing like they are 10-feet tall. I have to admit that Lewis wears me out watching him in pre-game warm-ups and during his post-match celebrations.
You literally see the joy flood out of him after each playoff victory. And he and the entire Ravens team are proving that defence does still matter in today's offense-filled NFL. Both teams are in the Super Bowl off the back of some very impressive defensive displays this weekend.
How special is it going to be to see Lewis dance his way onto the field one more time at the Super Bowl?
Flacco earns himself a big contract
While this playoff run has nothing to do with money for Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco, he is going to get paid big bucks in the off-season when he becomes a free agent.
Flacco is on the kind of run that we saw Aaron Rodgers enjoy for the Green Bay Packers in 2010 and Eli Manning for the New York Giants in 2011. He has now beaten Andrew Luck, Peyton Manning and Tom Brady in the playoffs and, for the most part, he has played flawlessly.
The Ravens did benefit from the injury to Patriots cornerback Aqib Talib in the AFC title game but they took full advantage and Flacco was on the money time and again with accurate passes. He has now thrown eight touchdowns and no interceptions on the way to his first Super Bowl appearance.
I never had any doubt the Ravens would keep Flacco - there are not enough good quarterbacks to go around in the NFL - but I did wonder how much they would be willing to pay their sometimes-inconsistent passer. I now think they have to pay Flacco like he is one of the top quarterbacks in the game.
49ers show mental toughness
In qualifying for their first Super Bowl in 18 years, the San Francisco 49ers showed the kind of mental toughness that any true champion must possess.
The 49ers walked into a buzz-saw in the opening minutes of the NFC Championship Game and found themselves down 17-0 to a red-hot Atlanta Falcons team. But they didn't panic, they never forced the issue by taking unneccessary risks - they simply worked their way back into the game one play at a time.
Defensively, San Francisco couldn't get close to Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan in the first half and they trailed 24-14 at the break. But, after the intermission, the 49ers turned up the heat, tackled well, created turnovers and played much tougher football.
What also impressed me was the mental make-up of second-year quarterback Colin Kaepernick, who was making just his ninth NFL start on Sunday night. Down by 17 on the road to the number one seed, he didn't even blink. He played with the maturity of a five-year veteran and will get his reward on February 3 when he plays for a Super Bowl ring.
Falcons fold under pressure
The San Francisco 49ers showed plenty of mental toughness in the NFC Championship Game. The Falcons did not and they will have a long seven months to think about how they blew a three-score lead at home when they were less than 45 minutes from the Super Bowl.
The Falcons have been here before, of course. They have endured tame playoff exits under head coach Mike Smith in previous seasons and blew a 20-point lead against Seattle in the Divisional Round of this year's playoffs.
This game encapsulated Ryan's entire season at quarterback. There were times when he looked like a true league Most Valuable Player and was simply unstoppable - and then there were moments when the game got too big for him and he made simple, yet inexcusable, mistakes.
Ryan threw an interception (I know his receiver slipped but Ryan was still staring him down too much) and lost a fumble in the second half and, while San Francisco did not score points off those turnovers, those were costly wastes of possessions from a Falcons point of view.
Any loss in a Championship Game is painful but the Falcons will have to live with their defeat knowing they led by 17 and were well on their way to New Orleans before their wheels came off and the 49ers mounted their comeback.
Kaepernick wins from the pocket
As much as we get excited about the dual-threat quarterbacks who can run and pass from the backfield this season, it remains a fact that recent Super Bowls have been won by pocket passers who can rip teams apart with accurate downfield throws - Eli Manning (2011), Aaron Rodgers (2010), Drew Brees (2009) and Ben Roethlisberger (2008).
With the Falcons restricting his running options on Sunday, 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick showed that he is perfectly content to tear defenses apart from the pocket.
The second-year passer impressed me with his arm strength, the tightness of his spiral and the velocity with which the ball leaves his hand. But he can also deliver touch passes into the arms of his receivers and he delivers the ball with stunning accuracy. There was one throw in the second half where receiver Michael Crabtree had zero separation from the defensive back yet Kaepernick was able to get the ball into the tightest of windows for the completion.
If the Ravens decide to eliminate the rushing threat of Kaepernick in the Super Bowl, don't think that means game over for the 49ers. This young and rising star can do just as much damage the conventional way because he is the complete package.
End of the road for another legend
We've already talked about how Ray Lewis gets the chance to ride off into the sunset in true Hollywood fashion with a Super Bowl ring in his back pocket. But it won't be quite the same as another future Hall of Famer journeys into retirement in this off-season.
Falcons tight end Tony Gonzalez has been at the top of his game for 16 years and he plans to bow out following Sunday's loss. It is not the ideal way to go out but not everyone can do what John Elway, Jerome Bettis and Michael Strahan did and go out a champion.
For most, they go out with a regular season game or a playoff loss. That should not detract from what has been a dynamic and breath-taking career for Gonzalez. Personally, I think he is good enough to play for another two or three years at a very high level.
But I also understand that is quite a grind for a veteran player and he may call time on his career sooner rather than later. When he does, we'll remember Tony Gonzalez as a great one.


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Science Challenge 2011
Dawn Morgan Elliott
WMNF Drive-Time News Monday | Listen to this entire show:
Former physicist Jeff Shaumeyer worried about American culture excluding the sciences. So in 2004, he began a company called Ars Hermenuetica in an effort to encourage science literacy.
Shaumeyer implemented the Science Reading challenge a few years later, an attempt to inspire average Americans to read popular science.
"It came about when I noticed some online blogging friends who like to read books and write about them on their blogs. And they formed a loose community of people to challenge each other to read more books.
"I noticed no one was challenging non-fiction books. I looked at this as an opportunity to encourage them to read popular science books. Iâve had a dozen and a half the first year. A very useful tool to reach some people.
"This is one side of a two sided project. The book note collection is a short collection of peer review for normal people. Encourages them to read and write. They write very short reviews that we put in our Book Notes project, to have a diverse collection of peer reviews for normal people who may be intimidated in choosing a book."
Can you give a couple of titles good for people without science backgrounds.
"A category called top-rated books, 100 books people thought were unusually good. The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot. The book by Oliver Sacks, My Chemical Childhood. Shows an interesting connection between childhood and science. James Burkeâs Connections."
You can find a book list of all the books mentioned on this program, as well as links to the 2011 Science Challenge, on our website.comments powered by Disqus


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An HIV prevention bill passed by Ugandan lawmakers has caused an outrcy amongst those fighting for the rights of people living with HIV. The bill calls for mandatory HIV tests for pregnant women.
Anyone who knowingly transmits the virus could face up to ten years in prison according to the bill that was passed by parliament this week.
The international organization, Human Rights Watch has called the bill "deeply flawed" and together with other groups, called on Uganda's president Yoweri Museveni to revise the bill before he signs it into law. This could happen within the next 21 days. Maria Burnett, a researcher for Human Rights Watch explained her stance against the bill, saying that "it is founded on stigma and discrimination and based on approaches that have been condemned by international health agencies as ineffective and violating the rights of people living with HIV."
The most controversial parts of the bill, include clauses that will make it legal for doctors to reveal a person's HIV status. Additionally, both the act of unprotected sex by an HIV-positive individual and the intention of having unprotected sex have been made punishable.
Although the chairperson of the Ugandan Parliament Health Committee, Jovia Kamateka, admitted that these clauses may violate the rights of people living with HIV, she argued that the new HIV Prevention and Control Bill would protect many people against the virus and was long overdue. "We know there are many people, someone knows they are sick but says I will not die alone, goes, befriends some young girls," she told DW.
The bill would allow doctors to reveal the HIV status of their patients.
Women as a prime target
Another contentious part of the bill is the mandatory testing of pregnant women. This, says Dr Lydia Mungherera from the Ugandan non-governmental group, The AIDS Support Organization (TASO), will make women the prime targets of the bill. "This clause is taking us back centuries when all the progress we have made in fighting this pandemic is going to be ruled out. They are criminalizing people who are having consensual sex."
According to the Ugandan government, the bill is supposed to regulate the allocation of funds into HIV/AIDS research and treatment. It is also wants to address Uganda's dependency on foreign aid. In reaction to the calls by human rights groups to revise the bill, Uganda's Minister of Health, Dr Ruhakana Rugunda defended the bill saying: "It will be difficult to have a legislation that satisfies everybody. Their concerns will be taken into account, but all in all I would say that it is a positive legislation".
The bill has been debated in parliament since 2010. Both the AIDS Commission from the Ugandan Ministry of Health and the Joint UN Program on HIV/AIDS had in the past discouraged the bill. Uganda's president Museveni, previously came under heavy critique for passing a law which discriminates homosexuals living in the country.
For many years, Uganda was seen as a frontrunner in the fight against HIV/AIDS. From 1991 onwards, Uganda managed to halve its HIV prelavence rate within 15 years. According to Uganda's Health Ministry, an estimated 1.5 million Ugandans were living with HIV in 2012. The infection rate has once again been on the rise, with at least 140,000 new infections recorded annually.
Editor Chrispin Mwakideu