text:
in town for free camps
thomas rawls
Unverified Voracity Has List Of Things In It!
A mea culpa. A couple things on the fight song kerfuffle from yesterday. One: apparently there are people who have escaped Taken memery. (They probably "take walks" and "go outside.") No part of the threat-type substance offered yesterday was serious. I'm not going to poison anyone's search results.
I was just referencing this famous Liam Neeson thing:
As for Weiss, I hopped aboard the outrage express in the manner that the generally loathsome Gawker and Jezebel do for most of their clicks. If I'd thought about this Daily article more I would have realized that this proposal was in no way going anywhere, but I took the cheap, easy route. While the goal of preventing a Michigan version of We Are ND is a laudable one, firing up the internet outragemobile is likely to get out of control and I should know better.
Seriously, though: just stop. Nothing good can come of this quest.
Now, like, call it. One of my top eleven subjects to rant about in recent times has been offenses flinging ineligible guys downfield on pass plays with impunity. Boy does that put a bee up my bonnet. Spielman, too.
It appears the hue and cry has made it to the lawmakers of our sport:
The ineligible downfield rule was shifted from three yards to one yard past the line of scrimmage. National officiating coordinator Rogers Redding said defenses were beginning to read run more frequently because offensive linemen were 3 yards downfield and then the quarterback would pass. "It's going to be easier to officiate," he said.
Or, like, six yards downfield blocking the people who were supposed to be covering passes. One or three doesn't help much if you're just forgetting to enforce it either way; hopefully this will come with an increased emphasis on calling illegal men downfield.
(One exception: if you're engaged with a guy and just kicking his ass enough to end up downfield that should be let go. Taylor Lewan got a penalty a couple years ago because his pass blocking was too effective.)
Approximate top eleven rant subjects in recent times. Give or take:
- Dave Brandon
- excessive basketball timeouts
- block/charge calls
- Big Ten expansion
- bubble screens
- "but the spread won't work in the Big Ten"
- piped in music
- ineligible men downfield
- waggles
- Tom Izzo press conferences
- when my wife puts the cheese grater in with the food manipulation devices (tongs, spoons, spatulas, etc) instead of the food reconfiguration devices (juicers, graters, mallets, zesters, etc)
This is not 'Nam, MGoWife.
Nyet. Roquan Smith will announce his decision on Friday, whereupon he won't sign an letter of intent. He'll just sign scholarship papers. Well done, sir. (It seems like it's a foregone conclusion that it's not Michigan, unfortunately.)
Add another to the list? If Justice Hayes goes and rips off 1,500 yards I'm gonna be all like ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Sleeper to keep an eye on: #CMU RB Thomas Rawls. Michigan transfer w/ off-field flags. But quick and physical on the field. Mid-round talent
— Dane Brugler (@dpbrugler) February 10, 2015
I'm looking forward to a running backs coach with aspirations.
We would like less football, I guess. It's time once again for a college football person to mutter about changing clock rules For The Fans. Larry Scott's turn, as he advocate running the clock after first downs:
"You'll always get traditionalists who won't change it," Scott said. "I don't find it concerning or daunting that there are some that would oppose it. I think the job for commissioners is to take a step back and look at it holistically. The health and welfare of student-athletes is first and fans are a close second in terms of keeping games appealing. Three-and-a-half hours, to me, is too long."
There will always be traditionalists who are your core customers who know you're not seeing increased costs but still soaking fans with higher prices and ever-longer commercial breaks.
Why might games be longer?
The high-pressure, commercialized world of FBS is playing a much longer game than other NCAA divisions. While FBS games averaged 3:23 in 2014, the Football Championship Subdivision was 2:55, Division II was 2:45 and Division III was 2:41.
I mean:
Sun Belt commissioner Karl Benson also favors a running clock after first downs, citing declining attendance. FBS home attendance dropped 4 percent in 2014 for the sport's lowest average since 2000.
"I think our fans are expecting shorter games, and I think when you see attendance is down, we need to address it," Benson said.
Changing the ratio of game to red-hat-on-field the wrong way isn't going to help your attendance, but you don't actually care about that anyway. Just be honest about it. At this point it might be worth looking at some soccer models, which have to deal with an un-interruptible flow of gameplay. I'd rather have a logo next to the score chryon instead of ever-expanding ad time.
Early signing is dumb. Andy Staples addresses it:
I don't mind an early signing period in theory because the vast majority of recruits know where they want to go, are happy with their decisions and shouldn't have to wait. But cutting a month off of the process isn't going to change much. It might be nice if the players who make up their minds really early had a chance to sign before their senior seasons begin, but that isn't going to happen, either. Athletic directors would hate that since it would make it more difficult to fire a coach if he underperformed. The coach would have the leverage of half a signing class in the barn, and the AD might have to wrestle with double-digit players asking to be released from their National Letters of Intent. This happens all the time in basketball, but it's different when the coach has 15 players signed instead of three.
Staples advocates a change to the LOI that says "the LOI is a bad thing to sign," so that's not… likely. To reiterate my excellent plan:
The MGo Recruitin' Plan
You can sign a pre-NLI any time.
The pre-NLI guarantees you a scholarship at the school you sign with, allows them to contact you whenever and prohibits other coaches from doing so. You can only take an official visit to the school you sign with.
You can withdraw the pre-NLI at any time.
On Signing Day everyone makes it official.
(Optional but highly desirable) NCAA does away with 85-player cap and allows everyone to sign up to 22-25 players a year, no exceptions. Transfers and JUCOs count.
Changing the cap from a roster limit to a yearly limit instantly does away with any oversigning mutterings since your motivation is to keep players instead of cut them.
(Via Get The Picture.)
Karan Higdon will help you with your homework. Unless you're a fellow athlete, I think that's a violation. Randos welcome though:
"Football comes second to academics and my future after it."
Higdon's a 4.0 student at Riverview. He wants to be an occupational therapist. He's involved in several academic leadership groups at his school, and has been invited to various academic summits, from Washington D.C. to Paris.
If Higdon couldn't run, catch, block or score a touchdown, he'd probably still be headed to college next year with a scholarship in tow.
Academics aren't just part of the deal for Higdon. They're the deal.
I guess he doesn't want an MFA, or he'd be at Iowa. If Fred Jackson was still here he could be a grad transfer and get drafted, maybe.
Etc.: Orson is so fascinated with Tom Crean that he wrote about him. Michigan was the 12th most-watched team in college football last year, which really says something since… uh… you know. NTDP camp thoughts featuring comments on a few Michigan recruits. SBNation has a "Jim Harbaugh is weird" page. Tom Leyden on Bo's passing.
LeVert still projected 15th by DX. Noted Michigan columnist Ramzy Nasrallah on Harbaugh as nemesis.
Exit Thomas Rawls
MLive reporter Eric Woodyard has tweeted that Thomas Rawls is transferring to Central Michigan. The writing was on the wall for Rawls after being passed by not only two freshman tailbacks but—at least in the land of depth charts—Drake Johnson. Rawls didn't see a carry after the opener despite the chaos at tailback, and wasn't going to next year. This has likely been in the works for a while, as Michigan started pursuing a tailback in the 2014 recruiting class a couple months ago.
Rawls was a Signing Day add in the Rodriguez/Hoke transitional class with generic three star hype from everyone except Fred Jackson, who made ludicrous comparisons to Mark Ingram because that's what Fred Jackson does.
I'll wait until spring practice is over to update the Attrition Watch fully; for now just know that Rawls is the eighth member of the 21-man 2011 class to depart. With Desmond Morgan, Frank Clark, Blake Countess, Brennen Beyer, and Raymon Taylor looking like starting-quality players, the 2011 outfit is marginally better than 2010. Marginally being your key word there.
Michigan will go into spring with a tentative depth chart like so:
- Derrick Green
- DeVeon Smith
- Justice Hayes
- Drake Johnson
Preview 2013: Running Back
Previously: Podcast 5.0, The Story, Quarterback
Rating: 4 of 5. Yeah, I said it.
|Fitzgerald Toussaint
|Derrick Green
|Justice Hayes
|De'Veon Smith
|Thomas Rawls
|Fitzgerald Toussaint
|Drake Johnson
|De'Veon Smith
|Drake Johnson
The Man Comes Around
"In the depth of winter I finally learned that there was in me an invincible summer that could approach six yards a carry." –Albert Camus
Bryan Fuller
Toussaint rehabbed with a vengeance, and went into spring camp with a vengeance, and hopes to confront the Big Ten in superhero outfit and big guns this fall. His coaches have taken notice. Borges:
"Fitz has got fire in his eyes. I see no signs of any injury ... He is very hungry.
"One thing about running backs, it's not like the lines. You get to see them cut, even if it's not live or not with pads on. His stop and go ability looks to be right back where it was."
Fullback Joe Kerridge looks like a cross between a refrigerator and a bear (more on this in the Tight End And Friends section) and says Toussaint outworked even him over the summer:
"He busted his butt to get back before the start of camp. It seemed like every time I went in this summer to lift or do conditioning, Fitz was already there and he would still be there after I left."
When fall camp launched, the immediate and consistent buzz was that Toussaint was back to his old self—his old-old self. Tellingly, the coaches didn't dance around the topic like they do on most every other personnel battle. First he was back, then he was playing very well, then he was leading, and then it was his job, full stop.
So… what now?
[after THE JUMP: Yeah, what now? Freshmen are large men. A replacement for Vincent Smith, and veterans trying to hold off the youngsters.]
Unverified Voracity Goes One On One
- andrew copp
- blake bars
- boo nieves
- brady hoke gets it
- chris wormley
- devin booker
- frank clark
- hockey
- james ross
- jaylen johnson
- jeremy jackson
- john beilein says there's gold in them thar hills
- jt compher
- keith heitzman
- kyle bosch
- kyle kalis
- mike mccray
- ohio state
- ondre pipkins
- quinton washington
- ross douglas
- taylor lewan
- terry richardson
- thomas rawls
- tom strobel
- tyler motte
- unverified voracity
Yes. Fun. Annual best CTK is just four minutes of the Michigan drill:
Countdown to Kickoff 2013: Day 21 - The... by mgovideo
- Lewan buries Keith Heitzman on the first rep; Heitzman comes back and does much better against Schofield on the next one. Not entirely unexpected.
- Rawls absolutely runs over Ross Douglas on a rep, causing both guys to pop up and jut chests at each other threateningly.
- Washington looks good on both his reps, though he gave some ground on #1.
- Ross sheds very well on his single rep, as does Jarrod Wilson. Wormley does not and immediately gets a coach in his face repeating "escape, escape, escape" to him.
- A rather large-looking Mike McCray has interesting reps separated by 30 seconds or so. On the first one, Kyle Bosch drives him way out of the frame. On the second, he dumps Blake Bars to the ground and makes a tackle.
- Taco stands up Jake Butt, RB darts by, Mattison exclaims "HE WENT OUTSIDE THE CONE" in an effort to claim that one for the D.
- Strobel does a good job against walk-on Erik Gunderson.
- Jeremy Jackson locks up Richardson and waltzes him downfeld. Not a huge surprise, but an indicator as to why it's going to be hard for Richardson to get on the field this year.
- Pipkins wins a rep against Glasgow with authority.
Omar comin'? Frank Clark gets the CTK treatment:
Countdown to Kickoff 2013: Day 22 - Frank Clark by mgovideo
Clark says he'd be competitive with Devin Gardner in a 40 yard dash… but not Denard. He says he 268, not 277, but a CTK a few days later they say he's 274. I dunno, pick one.
Also available: Aaron Wellman may get results, but does he sound like a gravel truck? Maybe a little. Jeremy Jackson's Day 18 is mostly a look into weirdass Navy Seal exercises like "kick a pole and wiggle forward on your butt" and "rub sand on your head." Jake Ryan is running and whatnot.
Hail Brady. Oh man Michigan's head coach has the same opinion on uniformz as sane people do:
"(The uniform issue is) bigger than it should be," Hoke said Monday during a radio interview with FoxSports' Jay Mohr. "But we're traditional, and we have such a great tradition and legacies, we're going to be staying pretty much standard." …
"We had one uniform we wore once that we won't wear again," he said. "It's something that you're always trying to have that excitement with your kids, and that's part of it."
Is that the ghost number outfit, the No Rain bumblebee one, or… actually the Sugar Bowl uniforms were hardly different from the usual and fine.
The times, they have changed. Ohio State picks up a 2015 PG commit from AJ Harris, a 5'8" kid who I'd never heard of. A quick check of the UMHoops page for him reveals nothing but a lot of scouting from various AAU tournaments, so that's why: no one had mentioned him in connection with a Michigan offer. This is interesting for a couple reasons:
- It likely removes OSU from the Jalen Brunson chase, but Harris is a AAU teammate of Luke Kennard.
- Harris's commitment was "shocking" because as of two weeks ago he said Michigan was at the top and he wanted to be Trey Burke.
Harris told Eleven Warriors that "it's true, I did want to hear from Michigan," but Michigan is focused on a half-dozen high profile targets. So… Ohio point guard picks Ohio State because Michigan showed no interest. Remember when the basketball program was 1-6 in the Big Ten? No? I don't either.
Meanwhile in silly things said on the internet:
What could make it sweeter? Beating out Michigan for a prospect that two weeks ago wanted to emulate Trey Burke.
To beat the man, the man has to be in the ring, or at least cognizant of the fact there is a ring.
Booker and Johnson do things. Elsewhere in basketball recruiting news—we are downshifting from occasional roundups as football season starts—Devin Booker releases a top five of Michigan, Kentucky, Michigan State, Missouri, and Florida. The latter two are not reputed to be strong contenders, especially Florida. Booker told Scout that he's set up officials with the other four schools and pull the trigger "whenever I feel whatever schools is right for me" and that he's not even sure he'll visit Florida.
You are rooting for Indiana decommit (and Kentucky legacy) James Blackmon to pick the Wildcats, as they seem to be the biggest threat at the moment. Indiana blog Inside The Hall thinks Blackmon is all but locked up for the Wildcats, so we've got that going for us. The primary way things could go pear-shaped if Blackmon takes Kentucky off the table is if Michigan gets a commit from Trevon Bluiett and Booker looks at Stauskas/Irvin/LeVert/Bluiett as a higher hill to climb than Michigan State's roster.
Also, Ypsi PF Jaylen Johnson, who recently took a visit to Michigan, is profiled by the Louisville paper:
"I love his activity," Meyer said. "He's athletic, he's long, and he's so active. He's such an aggressive rebounder, one of those who is always fighting for position early. I love his feel for the game as a rebounder."
Meyer thinks Johnson will end up at Louisville, so expect him to cut Louisville from his list immediately. YES I AM STILL BITTER.
Finally, touted 2015 PF Carlton Bragg plans a visit:
We talked about it a little," Graves said. "I think Carlton would be a three, stretch four because he has the jumper to be 6-9 just like a forward that runs the floor, like a hybrid. We haven't talked x's and o's but they can see him in their system, especially with the three's that they shoot."
Bragg is open at the moment; Ohio State will be a major player.
They were almost ready to throw in the towel last year. On the OL, that is. Apparently the debate as to whether to redshirt Kyle Kalis was being had within the walls of Schembechler Hall as well as without:
"It sucked," the redshirt freshman offensive lineman said Sunday. "It sucked. So many times, I was close to going in, but they didn't want to burn my redshirt.
"Everyone wants to play, and it sucks (when you don't get to). And I was mad about it."
So many times I was like "why aren't they playing Kalis." At least we know now there was much debate about it.
Prepare for WJC departures. The United States of Hockey handicaps the National Junior Evaluation Camp field, which includes four Michigan forwards. Chris Peters projects that Compher ("One of the better centers for most of the camp… really strong when playing a bottom-six role and playing an aggressive, grinding two-way style") and Copp ("A prime candidate to play the fourth-line shutdown role the U.S. will so badly need to succeed") will make the roster, while Motte and Nieves are question marks. Nieves's evaluation is pretty much the thing:
Nieves is one of those guys where if he finds that missing piece to his game, he could be really good. With size, speed and some truly remarkable puck skills, he's got a lot of the tools going for him. He just couldn't seem to finish the play out with the right decision or buy himself time when he needed it. That led to poor shots or turnovers and that's going to be tough to do at the WJC level. The speed and skills are there, but I think he needs some more work.
Right now he's Milan Gajic, a guy who looks like he's got every skill you could want but doesn't put it together to blow up. He's got some more time to break out of that rut.
Meanwhile, Motte is sounding like something not very much like the midget puck wizard I'd assumed he would be:
Motte showed good quickness and some skill in a solid camp performance. He had some good two-way play and worked really well when playing with Compher and Fasching in the middle parts of the camp.
He might grab a lower-rung spot, especially if the brass thinks his long familiarity with Compher would make a good pairing.
Are they related to Wiz Khalifa? I don't know what this means.
For Gallon, there's an added bonus there: He and Gardner are extremely tight. "Closer than Phineas and Ferb," as Gallon puts it.
I am old.
Etc.: Big Ten building spree reaches 1.5 billion dollars. No M-OSU night games on the docket according to Jim Delany. Chengelis wants to futz with the tunnel. Michael Bradley profiled. Penn State fans no likey Hoke after the Wangler decommitment. Moeller and Lou Holtz break down The Catch.
Ondre Pipkins is ready to eat… metaphorically. The center battle should be decided this week.
This Week's Obsession: Percent Green
It's that freshman you've all be waiting for. Michigan's new 5-star back was the highlight of this week's padless practice video. There are plenty more exciting carries to come, but just how many this year, and what's the expectation for sharing with the current starter? We try to tackle that. The backfield:
- Brian "Mike Hart except tall and hairy and into emo" Cook
- Seth "Anthony Thomas except more like a high-speed monorail" Fisher
- Ace "Tim Biakabutuka except better against Ohio State" Anbender
- Heiko "Dennis Norfleet except more Norfleet" Yang
- Blue "Brandon Minor in an alternate universe where he was forced to kick his way out of Charlie Weis's stomach" in South Bend
- Math- "Tom Harmon except more perspicacious" –lete , and introducing:
- Brandon "Like Jamie Morris if interviewed the linebackers as he ran by them" Brown
And the question:
Let's all make stupid predictions about running back carries this year. How many are there to go around? How many go to Toussaint, Green, guys down the batting order? Base expectations for YPC? Anybody cracking 1,000 yards this year? How about 10 TDs?
Seth: I believe Toussaint and the coaches that the senior RB who's proven he can torch defenses when given a reasonable amount of blocking will get the majority of carries this season. If I put us on a crappy graph (how do I make non-crappy graphs?) I'd be near the bullish Toussaint extreme and bearish on Green's yardage totals:
|Safe Prediction: Brian's YMRMFSPA for
Deveon Smith will be Brandon Minor
|2012 stats
|Fitzgerald Toussaint
|Thomas Rawls
|Vincent Smith
|Justice Hayes
|D. Norfleet
|2013 Seth's prediction:
|Fitzgerald Toussaint
|Derrick Green
|Justice Hayes
|Deveon Smith
|Thomas Rawls
If the Green prediction in the above sound familiar you've been getting into the Chris Perry's freshman stats again. That year A-Train had a ludicrous 319 carries for 1733 yards and 18 TDs and Perry came on in the second half of the season as Thomas's No. 2 guy. They both got 5.4 YPC behind the best offensive line of my lifetime. No, this line won't be anywhere near that good; at best they're the 2000 line in 1997. That'll mean less to the No. 2 guy who gets the benefit of a softened defense and more trash time.
Regardless I'm going for a yard per carry better than last year thanks in part to more forgiving defenses, and a lot more attempts as QB carries (218 for 1455 yards with sacks removed last year) are halved in the world after Denard. When it's done Toussaint will emerge with a small majority of RB carries as he did last year, and increase his YPC to something under 5 but not that much.
I think Green will get more carries as the year progresses and he's worked into more two-back sets. In fact given the tight ends are still a developing thing, and Green's already 240 with reportedly advanced blocking techniques, and the fullbacks aren't anything special, why not make two-RB sets a regular feature in the Great Borgesian formation extravaganza? I was predicting something like that before Stephen Hopkins decided to
transfer [edit: give up football] and it didn't look so bad when it happened. I digress.
Green will severely eat into Rawls's opportunities, and unless they plan to redshirt Deveon Smith, last year's No. 2 back will have a tough battle to repeat half of last year's 57 carries. I'm of the mind that running backs don't change all that much (compared to other positions) over years in the program, and that Rawls won't suddenly develop the vision he didn't have last year. He remains what he is: Kevin Grady 2.0, albeit minus two stars of hype and any whiff of misbehavior. Having seen what we have in him, I'd like to see Smith pass him, since that would say nice things about Smith and set Michigan up nicely for the future.
I expect Justice Hayes will move into that 3rd down back role evacuated by Vincent Smith's graduation, and act as designated recipient of those fun throwback screens Borges loves. Obligatory Drake Johnson is on the roster note goes here. Maybe one of you guys know different but exactly zero hype on him from this spring made it my ears to corroborate the pre-bowl practice murmurs. Until I hear otherwise I'm figuring him for a non-factor.
Brian: Dennis Norfleet 500 carries for 5000 yards.
[After the jump: RB opinions from people like bloggers except more interesting]
Spring Stuff: The Mostly Offense Bit
Long. Splitting into halves.
It's a trend: Michigan spring games have returned to their sleepy past, meaning little and failing to reveal Savior Quarterback Who Will Save Us. This is a good thing, since the titanic importance of spring games under Rodriguez was symptomatic of a program drunkenly staggering from one rickety support to another.
It would be nice if Michigan could put together an actual game like you see at OSU, ND, and many SEC schools. Maybe next year.
Anyway, highlights to remind you of some of the things chattered about below:
Bionic Men
The most important thing that happened yesterday was Hoke muttering something about Jake Ryan's return timeframe:
"I'm not a doctor, but possibly middle of October. Some people react differently."
That would be excellent. The critical bit of Michigan's schedule is… well, all of November, when they play State, Nebraska, Northwestern, Iowa and OSU, ie: the top half of their division, Iowa, and The Game. The only games before November that look competitive are against Notre Dame and Penn State, and Penn State should start dropping off what with their sanctions.
Ryan may even be back for that one, which is on the 12th. Indiana and a bye week follow, so Ryan may not just be back by the important bits of the schedule but established. As far as devastating season-ending ACL injuries to your best player on defense go, I like this one more than I expected I would.
Meanwhile, Blake Countess and Fitzgerald Toussaint both warmed up like nothing untoward had happened to them. (Neither was taking contact.) Countess's injury is far enough in the past that it's reasonable to expect that. Seeing Toussaint out there was a moment of shock for me. He didn't take any contact but if he's out there running five months before the season he will certainly be available in fall, which is when those soccer players who had the same injury came back anyway.
Devin Gardner Looked Good
this picture feels goooood (Eric Upchurch)
If Denard Robinson hadn't gotten hurt, this would have in fact been a Big Deal, as Gardner would be an heir apparent with no track record except his performance in the three previous spring games: awful, awful, and awful. With five starts dwarfing all spring data in importance, it's not a big deal. It is nice. Precisely nice.
In this one he did throw his traditional pick six to a linebacker he doesn't see coming underneath a receiver (Desmond Morgan dropped this one); aside from that he was 11 of 15 for about 140 yards, picking up where he left off in the fall. That's a very large jump from last year, when Gardner's performance had everyone buzzing about how Russell Bellomy looked like a plausible backup and let's just move Gardner to wide receiver already.
Here's the part you'll see about six more times before the opener about how if you extrapolate Gardner's statistics out to a full season you get some crazy numbers: 60% completion percentage, 9.7 YPA, 29:13 TD:INT, and nearly 3200 yards passing. That would be a Michigan record for TDs and brush up against John Navarre's 2003 season for yards. It would also vie for the best YPA season in the era when offenses throw the ball more than ten times a game—Jim Harbaugh hit 9.9 in 1986*.
Those numbers are a touch flattering since they include the bail-out against Northwestern and a couple of long touchdowns generated more by the defense screwing up than Gardner doing anything amazing—thinking primarily of Roundtree against OSU here. But then again we're talking about a guy who had been playing most receiver before being thrust into the starting job against Minnesota and a statline assembled against a set of defenses that were collectively pretty good. Pass efficiency Ds for the five Gardner opponents: 23rd (Minnesota), 33rd (Northwestern), 75th (Iowa), 29th (OSU), and 34th (South Carolina). At most one of those is a flailing patsy, and even the dismal Iowa defense was a far cry from MAC snacks not named Central Michigan.
Anyway: Gardner's calm demeanor and accuracy is another chunk of evidence to put on the pile. Maybe a small one, sure.
*[Rick Leach had a whopping 11 YPA in 1979, but only threw the ball 130 times. Yes, he only threw 130 times when he had Anthony Carter as an option. Football has changed.]
Running Backs: Wait Until Fall
With Fitzgerald Toussaint now certainly on the list of running backs not participating on Saturday who will be major threats for playing time, any conclusions drawn here are likely to be about the guy getting two carries a game behind Fitz and Derrick Green or DeVeon Smith. But it is spring, when we display our most colorful obsessions in an attempt to win mates. Let us proceed.
Going by the substitution patterns it seemed like Justice Hayes was tentatively your starter. He took advantage of this situation to average 0.5 YPC on two carries. Drake Johnson picked up less than a YPC himself, leaving Thomas Rawls and Dennis Norfleet to pick up the only real gains of the day by a tailback.
Both of those backs were going up against primarily backups. Usefulness: not assured. I mean, in one of the longish Rawls runs above he breaks a tackle from Terry Richardson, who's still about a buck fifty soaking wet. In the other a walk-on SAM gets crushed inside and the corner is open for days.
It will surprise no one that I thought Norfleet looked good. In the run featured at 2:10 in the highlight video he's behind mostly walk-ons and facing mostly starters. Black beats up Blake Bars and forces Norfleet away from blocking. Norfleet slips behind that block so fast that RJS has no shot at him, then he jukes Jeremy Clark out of his jock—and this is important for any coach but especially one Brady Hoke—to go north-south. On his other quality run (sadly not included in the highlights) he did the same thing: threaten outside so he could cut north-south and finish his run.
(@ right: Upchurch)
They did include the blown up zone stretch, and on that one you can see he just doesn't have a chance as Keith Heitzman rips through a block and forces Norfleet outside into Cam Gordon. He probably should have just eaten a two yard loss instead of testing Gordon.
Here's the thing though: Michigan didn't show a snap of pistol or much of anything, really. You know Al Borges loves his throwback screens, especially when he's got a guy as mobile as Gardner threatening the other side of the field. Who do you want grabbing those? Obviously Norfleet. Okay maybe Hayes, but we haven't really seen anything from him in that regard yet. Whoever gets that role has got to be plausible enough as an inside runner and blocker to not be a flashing throwback screen signal. I think we saw a couple things from Norfleet that bode well in that regard.
It's harder to get excited about Rawls given what we saw from him last season. Norfleet has the advantage of being a new toy, at least when it comes to getting carries in the backfield.
Receivers: Are They Supposed To Be A Problem?
Jeremy Gallon is going to catch a billion passes this fall, lots of them hitches, some of them hitch and go, some of them comeback screens. It's not so much the frequency with which Gardner targeted him on Saturday that makes me say this but the ease of the connection. When Gardner's throwing at Gallon it just seems easy.
Gallon reminds me of that moment after Braylon's departure when Michigan tried to establish Breaston as a deep threat. This was a rousing success until the moment Breaston had to bring in a ball over his head. IIRC he dropped it literally every time. But by God he was open.
Gallon is like that. His change of direction is elite, and Michigan is going to go hitch hitch hitch seeya this fall. By God, Gallon will be open. The difference: Gallon can actually catch downfield. His stature always makes him a tough target—see that corner route Gardner zinged well over his head—but we've seen him make a bunch of tough catches. Hell, he's even effective on fade routes in the endzone, a development that is still mindblowing even months afterwards.
Upshot: don't care if he's small, Gallon is a legit #1. Hell, he was fourth in the league in receiving yards last year despite operating in a Denard-centered offense for most of it. Let's have more Fun With Extrapolation: Gallon's hypothetical stats if Gardner was QB all year: 81 catches, 1330 yards.
Meanwhile, the guys surrounding Gallon will be fine. Drew Dileo didn't do much in the spring game but we've established who he is: a sure-handed slot guy who will find the foot of space he needs to convert on third and six. Devin Funchess should be a much bigger factor in year two. This is a proverbial weapon:
Bryan Fuller
Darboh looked good finding a 30-yard fade on the first play from scrimmage; Jeremy Jackson made some plays. They'll have 4-5 solid options to go with a great #1. As points for concern go, this one doesn't register with me.
As for the second-year guys, Darboh seems a bit ahead of Chesson; both will play. You can see why Chesson redshirted last year when you get him next to Darboh, as Bryan Fuller did:
Still a bit of a Caris LeVert vibe from Chesson. They might have to protect him against jams by having him off the line, that sort of thing. Darboh looks like that won't be a problem.
The Line
Bryan Fuller
I can't tell you I noticed a lot of details live, but one thing did jump out: Graham Glasgow seems to be making a serious push for playing time. He got plenty of snaps with the ones at both guard spots and center. He was the nominal starter at left guard over Ben Braden; at the very least it seems like he'll be the first interior lineman off the bench in the event a starter is hurt. He's their utility infielder.
The rest of the line seems set, with Kyle Kalis taking a large majority of the first team RG snaps and Jack Miller the same number at center. It is vaguely possible the arrival of Patrick Kugler or emergence of someone down the depth chart upsets the order of things, but I think that's your interior line: Glasgow OR Braden, Miller, Kalis. Joey Burzynski seems to have dropped back from the group with serious playing time prospects. Chris Bryant was well down the depth chart but did get on the field some. He could emerge if the injury is still holding him back.
Performance was a mixed bag. Michigan seems to want to pull Kalis to Lewan on a lot of plays. Good in theory; not entirely executed in practice. For example, at 1:10 in the highlights above you get a replay of last year's MLB misidentification: Michigan wants to run power behind Lewan with Kalis pulling; Michigan blitzes the A-gaps; Miller doesn't read this and sets up to block nobody; an unblocked Ross meets Johnson in the backfield, with Morgan unblocked right behind. Braden got smoked by Black for a sack a bit later.
Michigan yanked Lewan relatively early. Michigan put Erik Magnuson out there, and he did just okay. Pass rush was a lot easier to get with Lewan out of there (surprise!). Given the push Braden is making at guard I bet that any Lewan injury—knock on wood—sees Schofield flip to LT with Braden moving to RT and Glasgow drawing in at guard, if he's not already on the field. Michigan prefers a best-five-guys approach over any specific positional backup.
Defense in a bit.


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Eagle Rock have set a May 21st released date for the reissue of Queen On Fire: Live at the Bowl, which they will be releasing as a double DVD set as well as in Digital Video format.
The concert that is featured on the release took place on June 5, 1982 at the Milton Keynes Bowl while Queen were on their Hot Space Tour.
The reissue will total 170 minutes and was restored from the original sound and footage. The first disc in the set features the entire performance which included "Somebody To Love," "Crazy Little Thing Called Love," "Bohemian Rhapsody," "We Are The Champions," and two versions of "We Will Rock You".
Disc 2 will be loaded with bonus material including behind the scenes footage, interviews, a photo gallery, and will also boast additional performance clips that were filmed at Tokyo's Seibu Stadium (November 3, 1982) and Vienna's Stadthalle (May 12, 1982).
Track Listing
Disc 1
1.) Flash
2.) The Hero
3.) We Will Rock You (Fast)
4.) Action This Day
5.) Play The Game
6.) Staying Power
7.) Somebody To Love
8.) Now I'm Here
9.) Dragon Attack
10.) Now I'm Here (Reprise)
11.) Love Of My Life
12.) Save Me
13.) Back Chat
14.) Get Down Make Love
15.) Guitar Solo
16.) Under Pressure
17.) Fat Bottomed Girls
18.) Crazy Little Thing Called Love
19.) Bohemian Rhapsody
20.) Tie Your Mother Down
21.) Another One Bites The Dust
22.) Sheer Heart Attack
23.) We Will Rock You
24.) We Are The Champions
25.) God Save The Queen
Disc 2
Backstage Interview – Behind the scenes footage at Milton Keynes as the crew put the finishing touches to the massive stage. Includes interviews filmed on the day with Brian May and Roger Taylor.
Freddie interview. Filmed in Munich during the European leg of the 1982 Hot Space tour, Freddie talks about the Queen live show, and reflects on the band's first ten years together.
Brian and Roger Interview. Also filmed in Munich. Brian and Roger discuss the Hot Space album and tour as well as revealing why the band are still together after ten years.
Tour Highlights
Seibu Stadium, Tokyo, Japan - November 3, 1982
Flash / The Hero
Now I'm Here
Put Out The Fire
Dragon Attack
Now I'm Here (Reprise)
Crazy Little Thing Called Love
Teo Torriatte (note: only ever performed in Japan)
Stadthalle, Vienna, Austria - May 12, 1982
Another One Bites The Dust
We Will Rock You
We Are The Champions
God Save The Queen
Photo Gallery

subset: commoncrawl


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Delivery and returns
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text: Hello folks, I hope you can help me out here.., because I'm pretty new with this hack thing. It's probably been asked before somewhere on this forum, so maybe you can lead me to it There's so much info here on this forum, which is great, but I don't know where to start I have a PSP 2004 with CFW 6.60PRO-B9 installed. Does anybody knows which emulators will work on my PSP 2004 with CFW 6.60PRO-B9? I'd like to play MAME, NEO GEO, Capcom, SEGA, NES. GBA and SNES work fine, but when I try to play CPS2, for example, none of the ROMS seem to work? Thanks in advance! "Chegue"


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Water Resources Companies in Mauritius
Category: Water & Wastewater ×
Subcategory: Water Resources ×
Industry: Chemical & Pharmaceuticals ×
Location: Africa ×
Location: Mauritius ×
Hiden Analytical
based in Warrington, UNITED KINGDOM
30 years of design, development and manufacture of quadrupole mass spectrometers. Precision gas analysis, plasma diagnostics by direct measurement of plasma ions and ion energies, SIMS probes for UHV surface science, catalysis performance quantification, thermo-gravimetric studies. From its UK headquarters Hiden Analytical maintains contact with its users and user ...
based in Geneva, SWITZERLAND
SGS is the world's leading inspection, testing, verification and certification company. From testing for micropollutants to ensuring compliance with new greenhouse gas emissions regulations, SGS can help your business optimize its relationship with the environment. SGS is accredited to certify US, EU, Australian and many other local environmental standards including JI, ...
EarthSoft, Inc
based in Concord, MASSACHUSETTS (USA)
EarthSoft`s EQuIS software manages environmental and geotechnical data and is the world`s most widely used environmental data management system. The EQuIS Data Processor (EDP) and Enterprise EDP are the world`s most widely used EDD tools. Many governments, industrials, and especially consultants and labs use EQuIS and EDP. EQuIS Professional and EQuIS for ArcGIS and ...
Solid Applied Technologies Ltd.
based in Ashkelon, ISRAEL
Solid Applied Technologies Ltd (SolidAT) is a manufacturer of non-contact ultrasonic level sensors and remote level-monitoring solutions. SolidAT sensors measure level of liquids and solids continuously in storage bins, process tanks and open channel flow applications. SolidAT also offers remote level monitoring solutions for underground sewers, diesel tanks, river flood ...
Greyline Instruments Inc.
based in Long Sault, ONTARIO (CANADA)
Greyline is a worldwide leader in ultrasonic instrumentation for industrial and environmental markets. We develop, manufacture and market industrial flow and level monitoring instruments including ultrasonic level transmitters, flow meters and open channel flow meters. Greyline's primary market is environmental - especially water and wastewater treatment systems. ...
Myron L Company
based in Carlsbad, CALIFORNIA (USA)
Myron L Company manufactures cost-effective high performance tools for solution control and water quality analysis, as well as calibration solutions, accessories and kits that keep instrumentation operating at peak performance in diverse applications. Our current product line includes handheld instruments, inline monitor/controllers and field test kits that measure ...
MIOX Corporation
based in Albuquerque, NEW MEXICO (USA)
MIOX Corporation is the innovator and industry leader in on-site chemical generators for water disinfection. MIOX technology combines salt, water and power to generate cost-effective disinfectant chemistries on site. Our expertly designed chemical generators give customers the freedom to produce disinfectants in the amount they need, when they need it. With over twenty ...
Aqualogy UK
based in Bristol, UNITED KINGDOM
Aqualogy is the global technology and solutions division of Agbar, one of the world`s largest water and waste water management companies offering solutions spanning the entire water cycle. In the UK Aqualogy are dedicated to providing innovative water related products and services from around the world to utility, commercial and industrial customers. With a focus on ...
Bio-Microbics, Inc.
based in Shawnee, KANSAS (USA)
Bio-Microbics manufactures innovative, advanced wastewater treatment systems, septic system alternative products, and stormwater treatment that provide ideal solutions and water reuse opportunities for single-family & multi-family homes, clustered subdivisions, small communities and commercial properties around the world.
Weston Solutions, Inc
based in West Chester, PENNSYLVANIA (USA)
Weston Solutions, Inc. (WESTON) delivers integrated environmental, sustainability, property redevelopment, energy, and construction solutions. Dedicated to making a difference in the world, our 1,650 people have been reaching out from 60 offices around the globe responding to our clients` toughest problems for more than 55 years.


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http://www.thewrestlingtalk.com/images/pixel.gifNate Marquardt will return to the UFC on Saturday when he faces Jake Ellenberger in Montreal, Canada on the pay-per-view portion of the UFC 158 fight card.
Marquardt's first go-round with the UFC ended abruptly after he was released from the organization on the eve of a headlining bout back in June 2011. Since that release, Marquardt has gone 1-1—the win being his brutal knockout of Tyron Woodley to capture the vacant Strikeforce welterweight title, the loss being a decision defeat where he turned that title over to Tarec Saffiedine.
Marquardt was not originally booked to compete at UFC 158, but when Rory MacDonald pulled out of his co-main event bout against Carlos Condit due to injury, some shuffling of the card commenced. After Johny Hendricks was moved to the co-main event, there was an opening against Jake Ellenberger. The only problem: There remained only three weeks until fight night.
That wasn't a problem for Marquardt, who viewed the short notice as a perfect opportunity: "Everything seemed like it was perfect. Ellenberger being the opponent, doing Zuffa a solid, there's a lot of guys that wouldn't take a fight like Ellenberger on short notice and also I felt like it was the perfect opportunity and I had to act when I could."
That short notice caused Marquardt to scramble. "Basically I had a three-week camp and had to do everything in a rush. I had to get the right training partners out. I had to come up with a game plan with the coaches and get them all on the same page. The logistics of the camp made the first week challenging, but I feel 100 percent ready."
Another benefit of taking the fight on short notice is that it allows Marquardt to put the January 12 loss to Saffiedine in his rear-view mirror. "MMA is tough; you can lose a fight and not fight for six months and that whole time you feel like a loser, and it's tough. Jumping right back in against a top opponent, I feel like I get a chance to redeem myself."
Marquardt, obviously still stinging from that loss, continued: "That fight made me think, no offence to him, just looking at that fight, he's not at my level. I didn't go into that fight with my normal mindset. This sport's tough, you have an off night and that can last you half a year."
A quick glance would leave one to think that maybe the deck is stacked against Marquardt for Saturday night. He'll enter the Octagon following a loss to a fighter that many believe he should have defeated, and he's coming in on short notice to face a top-10 welterweight.
Despite that, Marquardt does not lack in confidence: "I'm a great fighter, I just want to go out and prove it."
*All quotes obtained firsthand.


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(Bill W) September 17, 2014 – Brandon Wimmer found himself in another duel with Dale Blaney at Fremont Speedway last Friday. Over the course of his career, the "Low Rider" has been a nemesis on many a night. In the end, the Hammer Motorsports #24H team could hold their head high with second and eighth place finishes at the Jim Ford Classic with the All Stars at Fremont Speedway in Ohio. This weekend, the team plans a trip to run with the World of Outlaws at Eldora Speedway near Rossburg, Ohio.
Things started well in last Friday's prelim when Brandon timed in sixth quick in the stout field. "We had a good pill draw, which hasn't been happening all year," he says. "We were able to get a good lap in, and then transfer through the heat alright (fifth to fourth)."
(Bill W) September 3, 2014 – Brandon Wimmer and the Hammer Motorsports #24H team are turning their attention to Fremont Speedway in Ohio this Saturday night. They will use the weekly show to prepare for the July 12 and 13 "Jim Ford Classic" featuring the All Stars. Last weekend at Attica Raceway Park in Ohio, the Fairmount, Indiana driver recorded a sixth place finish in the finale.
Friday's prelim at Attica saw Brandon checker 11th after qualifying 15th and running third in his heat. "We qualified all right," he says. "We really didn't do a whole lot in either the heat or the feature. We didn't go forward, but we didn't go backward either."
(Bill W) August 26, 2014 – Brandon Wimmer and Hammer Motorsports #24H team put on a show last Saturday night at Atomic Speedway near Chillicothe, Ohio. In the first Renegade Sprint Series event, the Fairmount, Indiana driver put on a charge, driving from 18th to second in the feature. This weekend finds the team at Attica Raceway Park in Ohio for action with the All Stars.
The charge was necessitated by a mishap in time trials that saw Brandon clock in 20th quick. "The left sideboard collapsed on our first lap of qualifying," he says. "It's amazing what that can do to a racecar. It took all the downforce away, and it was ugly."
That would set Brandon up outside row one for the heat race. "We were able to win it," he says. "The car was working really well there. That place is one of my favorite tracks. The way the banking is, you can usually use the whole track. It's a pretty neat place."


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The Nature Conservancy's Leaders in Environmental Action for the Future ( LEAF) program provides paid summer internships for high school students and helps educators from environmental high schools share best practices and scientific resources.
2014 LEAF Interns
Meet the amazing young women who dedicated a month of their summer towards advancing our mission in Kentucky.
Weekly Diary
Catch a glimpse of what the Kentucky LEAF interns are doing each week. You won't believe it!
Media Alert
Are you a story teller? Contact us to learn about the many stories emerging from this month-long summer internship.


text:
ALEXANDRIA, Va., Feb. 7, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- A survey of community pharmacists suggests that so-called "preferred pharmacy" Medicare Part D drug benefit plans may pose challenges for seniors in rural communities. The finding comes shortly after similar questions were raised at the January public meeting of the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC), Congress' advisory board on Medicare issues.
(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20100106/DC33253LOGO )
The National Community Pharmacists Association (NCPA) surveyed 400 pharmacists in January 2013 regarding the plans. Among the findings:
While the Medicare Part D program does require plans to maintain a pharmacy network that meets minimum access standards, these requirements do not apply to the preferred pharmacies designated by the plan. To date, plans have largely designated only national chain pharmacies as preferred pharmacies, raising access concerns for rural seniors. Approximately
|SOURCE National Community Pharmacists Association
Copyright©2012 PR Newswire.
All rights reserved


text:
Firms Help Vets Move into Manufacturing Careers
November 11, 2012
General Electric, Alcoa, Boeing, Lockheed Martin and a national industry group are joining forces to gets thousands, perhaps tens of thousands, of veterans into high-paying manufacturing careers.
The wide-ranging effort will match military skills with civilian jobs, offer veterans training to fill skill gaps, and share best practices among companies for recruiting and keeping veteran workers.
Industrial conglomerate GE, aluminum-making giant Alcoa and defense contractors Boeing and Lockheed Martin are pooling resources to help 15,000 veterans transition to manufacturing careers. The group hopes to bring that number up to 100,000 if more companies join the effort


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Social Security
While Social Security makes up a portion of your retirement income strategy, it was never designed to provide enough benefits on its own for a comfortable retirement. It may only cover one-third, or even less, of your retirement needs.
In fact, you will most likely need a combination of Social Security and one or more other types of retirement funds in order to maintain your style of living.
Access Social Security calculators
Request an estimate of your future Social Security benefit
- Visit www.ssa.gov
- Call the Social Security Administration at 1.800.772.1213


text:
Press release March 22 2011
Human powered projection casts natural world images onto Royal Albert Hall for WWF's Earth Hour
As the UK skyline plunges into darkness for WWF's Earth Hour at 8.30pm on Saturday 26 March, human energy will light up the Royal Albert Hall with images of endangered species including dolphins and tigers
Television presenter Kirsty Gallacher will lead a team of 60 cyclists to power the black and white animation as part of the world's biggest call for action to protect the planet and its inhabitants and raise awareness of climate change.
The event will be one of the largest human powered projections ever attempted in the UK Based on Eadweard J. Mubridge's motion photography the selected images will highlight our need to protect the natural world, use renewable energy and lead more sustainable lifestyles.
Colin Butfield, Head of Campaigns, WWF-UK says: 'Our event at the Royal Albert Hall, alongside the hundreds of thousands of events across the world show global support for the need to tackle climate change and protect the natural world. The challenge for our future wellbeing could not be greater. WWF's Earth Hour is about creating a message so powerful that governments and businesses cannot fail to take notice.'
Iconic landmarks switching off across the UK include Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament, the BT Tower, National Gallery, Old Trafford, Clifton Suspension Bridge, Edinburgh Castle, Stormont, Millennium Centre and the Piccadilly lights. They'll be joining international landmarks across a record breaking 131 countries and 4,000 cities to date- a powerful message to world leaders of the need for urgent action on climate change and a compelling reminder that we have one planet with limited resources.
Chris Cotton, Chief Executive of the Royal Albert Hall says: 'The Royal Albert Hall has switched off its lights to mark Earth Hour for the last three years. This year we'll also be adding an element of light to highlight the natural world with a ground-breaking display of images on our walls. As a charity which promotes and celebrates both the arts and the sciences, we are proud to support the work of the WWF and be part of this exciting event.'
The projection takes place while the Editors are performing as part of the Concerts for Teenage Cancer Trust at the Royal Albert Hall. Now in its eleventh year, the annual week of gigs have raised over £10million for young people with cancer.
WWF is now calling on as many people, businesses, schools and landmarks to join in and make Earth Hour 2011 even bigger than ever before to celebrate its 50th anniversary.
MORE TH>N, official partner to WWF's Earth Hour 2011, is proud to support this year's event.
Visit wwf.org.uk/earthhour to register and find out more.
Editor's notes
Earth Hour started in 2007 in Sydney, Australia when 2.2 million individuals and more than 2,000 businesses turned their lights off for one hour to take a stand against climate change. Only a year later and Earth Hour had become a global sustainability movement with more than 50 million people across 35 countries participating.
On Saturday 27 March, Earth Hour 2010 128 countries and territories joined the global display of climate action. People across the world from all walks of life turned off their lights and came together in celebration and contemplation of the one thing we all have in common – our planet.
WWF is the world's leading environmental organisation. In 1961, WWF was founded with a mission to save the world's wildlife. Half a century later, this fundamental ethos hasn't changed. Today, we work in more than 100 countries, and run some 12,000 projects – each playing an essential role in protecting wildlife and habitats, tackling climate change, and helping people to live a more sustainable lifestyle. Conservation and protection of the environment for the benefit of people and nature has come a long way since 1961, but there's still much to be done. To find out more please visit wwf.org.uk/50
For further information, please contact:
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Planned Giving
Planning your gift to the Lake Superior Zoo is a phenomenal way to make a lasting impact for generations to come. Join us in our commitment to our mission and leave a gift that will impact the community, both near and far. Your legacy gift will help us to provide meaningful experiences with animals from around the world for the next generation of Northland children.
Please make us aware of your intent to leave a planned gift to the Lake Superior Zoological Society by contacting us at at (218) 730-4500 or Email Us.


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HERSHEY, Pa. - Two power play goals 61 seconds apart and 15 saves by Jeff Zatkoff led the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins to a 4-0 shutout win against the Hershey Bears at GIANT Center.
With Wilkes-Barre/Scranton working on their third power play of the game, Beau Bennett put the Penguins up, 1-0, at 4:28 of the second as he streaked down the near boards and threw a pass toward the Hershey net. The bouncing puck hit off the skate of a Bears' defenseman and slid between the legs of goaltender Braden Holtby. Benn Ferriero gathered his seventh power-play assist on the year.
The Penguins quickly hopped back on the man-advantage and needed just over a minute to strike as Simon Despres' wrist shot from the left point weaved its way through traffic and found the inside of the left post.
Wilkes-Barre/Scranton's penalty kill unit also got into the goal-scoring mix at 1:03 of the third. Ferriero scored the Penguins' first shorthanded goal of the year and his first of the season when he picked off a Tomas Kundratek pass and raced in for a breakaway. Holtby made the initial stop on the wrist shot, but the puck's momentum carried it across the goal line to give the Penguins a 3-0 cushion.
With 1:55 left in the contest, Warren Peters scored his second goal of the year to put the Penguins ahead by four.
Jeff Zatkoff picked up his seventh win of the season and third shutout, stopping 15 Bears' shots. Wilkes-Barre/Scranton has won nine of its last 12 games.
The Penguins return to the Mohegan Sun Arena this Saturday, Nov. 24 at 7:05PM as they face the Toronto Marlies.


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Jared T. AlexanderSeptember 18,2013
Jared T. AlexanderJared T. Alexander
Jared Terry Alexander, 33, of Rutland died Sunday morning, Sept. 16, 2013, as a result of an automobile accident in Mount Holly.
He was born in Rutland, April 4, 1980, the son of Terry and Susan Alexander.
Jared attended Rutland High School, the class of 1998.
He loved family, time with his daughters, woodworking, fishing, and camping with friends.
Jared was a certified wood floor installer/finisher.
Surviving are his parents, Terry and Susan Alexander; two daughters, Emma and Elizabeth Alexander; two sisters, Melissa Gaudreau and her husband Thomas, and Brianna Alexander; his grandparents, Marion Alexander, Doris and Ken Donahue, and Fay Tucker, and Jody Majka-Alexander; and many aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends.
He was predeceased by his grandfather, Charles Alexander.
Visiting hours will be held Friday, Sept. 20, from 4 to 7 p.m. at Clifford Funeral Home in Rutland. A memorial service will be held Friday at 6:30 p.m. at the funeral home.
Contributions may be made to a fund for Emma and Elizabeth Alexander, c/o Terry Alexander, 80 Bellevue Ave., Rutland, VT 05701.MORE IN Obituaries0707 RH Obits Pease breif no photo no flag Full Story0707 RH Obits Mclellan edited photo no flag Full Story0707 RH Obits Vaillancourt paid photo no flag Full Story
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- RICHARD'S POOR ALMANACK: On this day 1739, 'Richard Palmer' identified in prison at York Castle as the notorious outlaw DICK TURPIN; IN 1836, Battle of the Alamo begins near San Antonio de Bexar, Texas; 1896, the Tootsie Roll invented by LEO HIRSCHFELD.
- RICHARD'S POOR ALMANACK: On this day in 1472, Orkney, Shetland islands put up as collateral by Norway to Scotland in lieu of dowry for MARGARET OF DENMARK on her marriage with JAMES III, king of Scotland; 1962, JOHN GLENN first American to orbit Earth.
- TOMORROW'S HEADLINES TODAY: City mayoral candidates debate campaign issues; Hartford, Conn., woman still missing; Neal Goswami reports attempts to legislate suicide; local woman loses 100 pounds through TOPS program.
- RICHARD'S POOR ALMANACK: On this day in 1878, JOHN TUNSTALL murdered near Lincoln, New Mexico, by the outlaw JESSE EVANS; in 1930, ELM FARM OLLIE first cow to fly in aircraft, first to be milked airborne; 1955, nuke test WASP; '79, snow in Sahara.
- TOMORROW'S HEADLINES TODAY: Rutland Herald News Editor Alan J. Keays and staff writer Gordon Dritschilo discuss stories planned for the February 18, 2015, edition of the newspaper: Winter budgets maxed, legal marijuana, Springfield bank job, USPS slowdown
- RICHARD'S POOR ALMANACK: On this day in 1249 AD, ANDRE of LONGJUMEAU is dispatched by LOUIS IX of France to meet the KHAGAN, ruler of the Mongol Empire; in 1804, during 1st Barbary War, STEPHEN DECATUR scuttles the pirate-held USS Philadelphia in Tripoli.


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Hot Air Balloon Flight over Catalonia
Want a longer or more intimate experience? Select a 2-hour flight to spend longer in the air or upgrade to a private flight for a group of eight plus the pilot.
- Hot-air balloon flight over Catalonia from Barcelona
- Enjoy panoramic views of the Pyrenees, Mediterranean and Montserrat
- Conclude the flight with a Champagne brunch
- Receive a personalized flight certificate after touching down
- Spend longer in the air by selecting a 2-hour flight
- Upgrade to enjoy a private hot-air balloon flight
Why Our Insiders Chose This Tour
The glorious views over Barcelona, Montserrat and the Pyrenees make this a very worthwhile splurge. The enthusiastic crew provides a fun and memorable time on this unique experience.
Recent Photos of This Tour
self portraitPhoto by: Pallavi R
10 2010
And away...Photo by: Pallavi R
10 2010
Puff puffPhoto by: Pallavi R
10 2010
AdaptaçãoPhoto by: Caroline J
05 2015
O céu é o limitePhoto by: Caroline J
05 2015
Alegria não tem ...Photo by: Caroline J
05 2015
Getting the balloon ready for ...Photo by: Howard H
07 2014
What a viewPhoto by: Howard H
07 2014
Just enjoying the solitudePhoto by: Howard H
07 2014
Pre-Flight PreparationsPhoto by: Malgorzata S
05 2014
The best cheese sandwich everPhoto by: Claudia B
07 2013
Our fellow balloonPhoto by: Claudia B
07 2013
Our shadow on the nearby hillPhoto by: Claudia B
07 2013
Getting ready for our ridePhoto by: Claudia B
07 2013
Listos para despegarPhoto by: aesanchez
04 2013
Una experiencia ...Photo by: aesanchez
04 2013
IMG_1894.JPGPhoto by: Anonymous
02 2012
IMG_1893.JPGPhoto by: Anonymous
02 2012
IMG_1892.JPGPhoto by: Anonymous
02 2012
IMG_1891.JPGPhoto by: Anonymous
02 2012
What You Can Expect
After pickup from the Hard Rock Cafe in Barcelona, travel by minivan for approximately half an hour, and then watch as your hot-air balloon is inflated at the launch field. Then, you're up, up and away! While floating through the air, enjoy panoramic views of the Pyrenees, Mediterranean Sea, Montserrat, the massifs of Montseny and, sometimes, even Barcelona itself. On landing, enjoy a Champagne toast and brunch as you are presented with your flight certificate.
Have more time free?
Select the 2-hour flight and spend longer in the air, feeling the air move you around. The itinerary is not set, so where you fly is dependent on weather conditions on the day; it's a great option for adventurous souls who want to simply enjoy the wild freedom of being up in the air at an altitude of more than 7,500 feet (2,285 meters). Enjoy a snack and a glass of cava during your flight and admire beautiful views of deep and wild Catalonian landscape. At the end of your tour, enjoy a typical Catalonian breakfast in a local restaurant.
Always dreamed of a taking a private hot air balloon flight?
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June 2015
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teach me about the northern Dallas/Fort Worth suburbs
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Beastly Adventurer
Joined: Apr 2006
Location: Denton, TX
Oddometer: 3,418
Originally Posted by
Disco Stu
Stu-wife is looking at a possible job in Lewisville, TX. We know nothing about the area; neither of us has visited Dallas in over 10 years. So a couple of questions:
1) what's lewisville like? suburbia-hell where it's all chain restaurants and overcrowded mall parking lots?
2) how old is the area? in a preliminary search of real estate, almost everything looked like it had been built in the past 20 years.
3) is there much in the way of local theatres (live), concert venues, or do you have to hike to downtown Dallas or Ft. Worth for that sort of stuff?
4) what's traffic like? how long does it take to get from lewisville to downtown dallas in rush hour?
5) how far further out do you have to go to be able to find a couple of acres?
any and all insights are appreciated.
1. Lewisville is ok, it sits on I35E that will eventuall take yoyu straight to downtown Dallas. Lots of stores, shopping etc. Little bit nice town right next door is Flower Mound. Its west/northwest of Lewisville, maybe 10-15 mins away from 35E. There is light rail but have no clue about that, its still pretty new. Lewisville is a good melting pot of cultures, I wouldnt say it has a bad area. My daughter teaches high school there and she likes it. Highland Village is directly north of Lewisville on 35E and on the southwest corner of the actual lake.
2. There are some nice areas to live in around most of the cities....new neighborhoods popping up everywhere. In reference to Flower Mound look at the west end of hwy 407 for some nicer areas.
3. In addition to mentioned concert venues there is the Winstar casion about 45 mins north just past the OK border.
4.TXRKC has it right, at least 45 mins to downtown on a good day. Over an hour every other time. Be prepared, someone got the lowdown on money and we are tearing up and widening freeways everywhere.
5. Up near Denton you can find property. Not sure what the latest acre is going for....From Denton add another 20-30 mins but thats not including the distance from Denton to start with. I live about 5 miles NW of Denton in the country. I don't have to go down 35E. I take 35W to DFW airport and its about 40 miles. It takes me 45 mins to get to work in the morning and and hour to get home. But the drive is worth the sunset and not having to ride a cycle over 45 mins just to get out of town....I'm there.
Cross post this in the regional forums and you will have plenty more input
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Home / Store / Journals / Electronic Articles / Nuclear Technology / Volume 180 / Number 1
Masatoshi Yamasaki, Hironobu Unesaki, Akio Yamamoto, Toshikazu Takeda, Masaaki Mori
Nuclear Technology
Volume 180 / Number 1 / October 2012 / Pages 18-27
Format:electronic copy (download)
The use of highly-enriched fuels is an effective method for reducing the number of spent fuel assemblies and improving fuel cycle economics, e.g., with >5 wt% 235U. However, from a criticality safety point of view, such high enrichment levels require a significant investment for the considerable modification of most facilities and equipment. Erbia-credit super-high-burnup fuel offers an effective solution that can solve the problem: Small amounts of erbia added to the entire amount of UO2 powder can reduce the reactivity level to less than that observed at a 5 wt% enrichment level, thus eliminating the need for the modifications mentioned above. A series of criticality safety analyses has been performed to determine the minimum and sufficient content of erbia that can guarantee a suitable erbia credit. As a noteworthy result, the erbia content required was determined for corresponding values of uranium enrichment in a range >5 wt%, as indicated in our ECOS (Erbia COntent for Sub-criticality judgment) diagram. This paper outlines a series of criticality safety analyses and explains how the minimum erbia content can be determined to ensure subcriticality for a >5 wt% enrichment fuel to ensure that the fuel obtained is equivalent to that whose enrichment is <5 wt%.
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Cooking and Baking
Tomato paste in a tube?
Does anybody really use this stuff?
Talk is closed, but that doesn't mean the conversations have to stop!
Check out this post for a more thorough explanation, and jump onto our Facebook page or our Twitter feed to keep the conversations going!


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The Kardashians
Kendall Jenner's Secret to Runway-Ready Hair at Fashion Week
Kendall Jenner and her little sister, Kylie, recently took to the runway for New York Fashion Week, looking red hot in a fashion show created in support of heart disease awareness.
The sisters kept plenty busy during their whirlwind trip to NYC: not only strutting the catwalk, but glamming up for a whole slew of interviews and appearances to help promote their new PacSun clothing line.
So what sort of hair products does Kendall use to keep her hair looking so flawless during her runway and media blitz? During the trip, a photographer spotted the Kardashian sis at the James Corbett Salon in New York.
Kendall picked up a variety of KMS hair products, including KMS California Free Shape Hot Flex Spray. We're loving the hot pink bottle. It's the perfect mix of sassy and sweet... just like Kendall!


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VA home loan guaranties are issued to help eligible Servicemembers, Veterans, Reservists, National Guard members, and certain surviving spouses obtain homes, condominiums, and manufactured homes, and to refinance loans. For additional information or to obtain VA loan guaranty forms, visit www.benefits.va.gov/homeloans/.
A VA guaranty helps protect lenders from loss if the borrower fails to repay the loan. It can be used to obtain a loan to:
In addition to the periods of eligibility and conditions of service requirements, applicants must have a good credit rating, sufficient income, a valid Certificate of Eligibility (COE), and agree to live in the property in order to be approved by a lender for a VA home loan. Lenders can apply for a COE online through the Veterans Information Portal (vip.vba.va.gov/portal/VBAH/Home). Active duty Servicemembers and Veterans can also apply online at http://www.ebenefits.va.gov. Although it's preferable to apply electronically, it is possible to apply for a COE using VA Form 26- 1880, Request for Certificate of Eligibility.
In applying for a hard-copy COE from VA Eligibility Center using VA Form 26-1880, it is typically necessary that the eligible Veteran present a copy of his/her report of discharge or DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, or other adequate substitute evidence to VA. An eligible active duty Servicemember should obtain and submit a statement of service signed by an appropriate military official to the VA Eligibility Center. A completed VA Form 26-1880 and any associated documentation should be mailed to Atlanta Regional Loan Center, Attn: COE (262), P.O. Box 100034, Decatur, GA 30031.Please note that while VA's electronic applications can establish eligibility and issue an online COE in a matter of seconds, not all cases can be processed online. The system can only process those cases for which VA has sufficient data in its records. If a COE cannot be issued immediately, users have the option of submitting an electronic application.
If service was between Sept. 8, 1980, (Oct. 16, 1981, for officers) and Aug. 1, 1990, Veterans must generally complete 24 months of continuous active duty service or the full period (at least 181 days) for which they were called or ordered to active duty, and be discharged under conditions other than dishonorable.
Exceptions are allowed if the Veteran completed at least 181 days of active duty service but was discharged earlier than 24 months for
Veterans of the Gulf War era – Aug. 2, 1990, to a date to be determined – must generally complete 24 months of continuous active duty service or the full period (at least 90 days) for which they were called to active duty, and be discharged under other than dishonorable conditions.
Exceptions are allowed if the Veteran completed at least 90 days of active duty but was discharged earlier than 24 months for
Reservists and National Guard members are eligible if they were activated after Aug. 1, 1990, and completed the full period for which they were called to active duty, served at least 90 days, and were discharged under other than dishonorable conditions.
Until the Gulf War era is ended, persons on active duty are eligible after serving 90 continuous days.
Members of the Reserves and National Guard who are not otherwise eligible for loan guaranty benefits are eligible upon completing 6 years of service in the Reserves or Guard (unless released earlier due to a service-connected disability). The applicant must have received an honorable (a general or under honorable conditions is not qualifying) discharge from such service unless he or she is either in an inactive status awaiting final discharge, or still serving in the Reserves or Guard.
Some spouses of Veterans may have home loan eligibility. They are:
Eligibility under this MIA/POW provision is limited to one-time use only.
Surviving spouses of Veterans who died from nonservice-connected causes may also be eligible if any of the following conditions are met: The Veteran was rated totally service-connected disabled for 10 years or more immediately preceding death, or was rated totally disabled for not less than five years from date of discharge or release from active duty to date of death, or was a former prisoner of war who died after Sept. 30, 1999, and was rated totally service-connected disabled for not less than one year immediately preceding death.
Under the Home Loan Guaranty Program, VA does not make loans to Veterans and Servicemembers; VA guarantees loans made by private-sector lenders. The guaranty amount is what VA could pay a lender should the loan go to foreclosure.
It is important to note that VA does not impose a maximum loan amount that a Veteran may borrow to purchase a home; instead, the law directs the maximum amount that VA may guarantee on a home loan. Because most VA loans are pooled in mortgage securities that require a 25 percent guaranty, the effective no-downpayment loan limit on VA loans tends to be four times VA's maximum guaranty amount. Loans for more than the effective no-downpayment loan limit generally require downpayments. Then, VA's effective no-downpayment loan limits are established annually, and vary, depending on the size of the loan and the location of the property. Are established annually, and vary, depending on the size of the loan and the location of the property.
An eligible borrower can use a VA-guaranteed Interest Rate Reduction Refinancing Loan to refinance an existing VA loan to lower the interest rate and payment. Typically, no credit underwriting is required for this type of loan. The loan may include the entire outstanding balance of the prior loan, the costs of energy-efficient improvements, as well as closing costs, including up to two discount points.
|Loan Category
|Active Duty and Veterans
|Reservists and National Guard
|Loans for purchase or construction with downpayments of less than 5 percent, refinancing, and home improvement
|2.15 percent
|2.40 percent
|Loans for purchase or construction with downpayments of at least 5 percent but less than 10 percent
|1.50 percent
|1.75 percent
|Loans for purchase or construction with downpayments of 10 percent or more
|1.25 percent
|1.50 percent
|Loans for manufactured homes
|1 percent
|1 percent
|Interest rate reduction refinancing loans
|.50 percent
|.50 percent
|Assumption of a VA- guaranteed loan
|.50 percent
|.50 percent
|Second or subsequent use of entitlement with no downpayment
|3.3 percent
|3.3 percent
An eligible borrower who wishes to obtain a VA-guaranteed loan to purchase a manufactured home or lot can borrow up to 95 percent of the home's purchase price. The amount VA will guarantee on a manufactured home loan is 40 percent of the loan amount or the Veteran's available entitlement, up to a maximum amount of $20,000. These provisions apply only to a manufactured home that will not be placed on a permanent foundation.
No loan can be guaranteed by VA without first being appraised by a VA-assigned fee appraiser. A lender can request a VA appraisal through VA systems. The Veteran borrower typically pays for the appraisal upon completion, according to a fee schedule approved by VA. This VA appraisal estimates value of the property. It is not an inspection and does not guarantee the house is free of defects. VA guarantees the loan, not the condition of the property. A thorough inspection of the property by a reputable inspection firm may help minimize any problems that could arise after loan closing. In an existing home, particular attention should be given to plumbing, heating, electrical, and roofing components.
For purchase home loans, payment in cash is required on all closing costs, including title search and recording fees, hazard insurance premiums and prepaid taxes. For refinancing loans, all such costs may be included in the loan, as long as the total loan does not exceed the reasonable value of the property. Interest rate reduction loans may include closing costs, including a maximum of two discount points.
A funding fee must be paid to VA unless the Veteran is exempt from such a fee. The fee may be paid in cash or included in the loan. Closing costs such as VA appraisal, credit report, loan processing fee, title search, title insurance, recording fees, transfer taxes, survey charges, or hazard insurance may not be included for purchase home loans.
All Veterans, except those who are specified by law as exempt, are charged a VA funding fee (See chart above). Currently, exemptions from the funding fee are provided for those Veterans and Servicemembers receiving VA disability compensation, those who are rated by VA as eligible to receive compensation as a result of pre-discharge disability examination and rating, and those who would be in receipt of compensation, but who were recalled to active duty or reenlisted and are receiving active-duty pay in lieu of compensation. Additionally, unmarried surviving spouses in receipt of Dependency and Indemnity Compensation may be exempt from the funding fee. For all types of loans, the loan amount may include this funding fee.
VA funding fee and up to $6,000 of energy-efficient improvements can be included in VA loans. However, no other fees, charges, or discount points may be included in the loan amount for regular purchase or construction loans. For refinancing loans, most closing costs may be included in the loan amount.
To qualify for a VA home loan, a Veteran or the spouse of an active- duty Servicemember must certify that he or she intends to occupy the home. A dependent child of an active-duty Servicemember also satisfies the occupancy requirement. When refinancing a VA- guaranteed loan solely to reduce the interest rate, a Veteran need only certify to prior occupancy.
Veterans obtain VA-guaranteed loans through the usual lending institutions, including banks, credit unions, and mortgage brokers. VA-guaranteed loans can have either a fixed interest rate or an adjustable rate, where the interest rate may adjust up to one percent annually and up to five percent over the life of the loan. VA does not set the interest rate. Interest rates are negotiable between the lender and borrower on all loan types.
Veterans may also choose a different type of adjustable rate mortgage called a hybrid ARM, where the initial interest rate remains fixed for three to 10 years. If the rate remains fixed for less than five years, the rate adjustment cannot be more than one percent annually and five percent over the life of the loan. For a hybrid ARM with an initial fixed period of five years or more, the initial adjustment may be up to two percent. The Secretary has the authority to determine annual adjustments thereafter.
Currently annual adjustments may be up to two percentage points and six percent over the life of the loan. If the lender charges discount points on the loan, the Veteran may negotiate with the seller as to who will pay points or if they will be split between buyer and seller. Points paid by the Veteran may not be included in the loan (with the exception that up to two points may be included in interest rate reduction refinancing loans). The term of the loan may be for as long as 30 years and 32 days.
VA loans made on or after March 1, 1988, are not assumable without the prior approval of VA or its authorized agent (usually the lender collecting the monthly payments). To approve the assumption, the lender must ensure that the purchaser is a satisfactory credit risk and will assume all of the Veteran's liabilities on the loan. If approved, the purchaser will have to pay a funding fee that the lender sends to VA, and the Veteran will be released from liability to the federal government.
Loans made prior to Mar. 1, 1988, are generally freely assumable, but Veterans should still request the lender's approval in order to be released of liability. Veterans whose loans were closed after Dec. 31, 1989, usually have no liability to the government following a foreclosure, except in cases involving fraud, misrepresentation, or bad faith, such as allowing an unapproved assumption. However, for the entitlement to be restored, any loss suffered by VA must be paid in full.
A release of liability does not mean that a Veteran's guaranty entitlement is restored. That occurs only if the borrower is an eligible Veteran who agrees to substitute his or her entitlement for that of the seller. If a Veteran allows assumption of a loan without prior approval, then the lender may demand immediate and full payment of the loan, and the Veteran may be liable if the loan is foreclosed and VA has to pay a claim under the loan guaranty.
VA urges all Veterans who are encountering problems making their mortgage payments to speak with their servicers as soon as possible to explore options to avoid foreclosure. Contrary to popular opinion, servicers do not want to foreclose because foreclosure costs money. Depending on a Veteran's specific situation, servicers may offer any of the following options to avoid foreclosure:
Veteran borrowers may be able to request relief pursuant to the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA). In order to qualify for certain protections available under the Act, their obligation must have originated prior to their current period of active military service. SCRA may provide a lower interest rate during military service and for up to one year after service ends, provide forbearance, or prevent foreclosure or eviction up to nine months from period of military service.
Assistance to Veterans with VA-Guaranteed Home Loans When a VA-guaranteed home loan becomes delinquent, VA may provide supplemental servicing assistance to help cure the default. The servicer has the primary responsibility of servicing the loan to resolve the default.
However, in cases where the servicer is unable to help the Veteran borrower, VA has loan technicians in eight Regional Loan Centers and a special servicing center in Hawaii who take an active role in interceding with the mortgage servicer to explore all options to avoid foreclosure. Veterans with VA-guaranteed home loans can call 1-877-827-3702 to reach the nearest VA office where loan specialists are prepared to discuss potential ways to help save the loan.
VA acquires properties as a result of foreclosures of VA-guaranteed and VA-owned loans. A private contractor is currently marketing the acquired properties through listing agents using local Multiple Listing Services. A listing of "VA Properties for Sale" may be found at http:// listings.vrmco.com/. Contact a real estate agent for information on purchasing a VA-acquired property.
Veterans who feel they may be facing homelessness as a result of losing their home can call 1-877-4AID VET (877-424-3838) or go tohttp://www.va.gov/HOMELESS/index.asp to receive assistance from VA
For Veterans or Servicemembers who have a non-VA-guaranteed or sub-prime loan, VA has a network of eight Regional Loan Centers and a special servicing centers in Hawaii that can offer advice and guidance. Borrowers may visit www.benefits.va.gov/homeloans/, or call toll free 1-877-827-3702 to speak with a VA loan technician. However, unlike when a Veteran has a VA-guaranteed home loan, VA does not have the authority to intervene on the borrower's behalf. It is imperative that a borrower contact his/her servicer as quickly as possible.
Veterans with non-VA guaranteed home loans now have new options for refinancing to a VA-guaranteed home loan. These new options are available as a result of the Veterans' Benefits Improvement Act of 2008. Veterans who wish to refinance their subprime or conventional mortgage may now do so for up to 100 percent of value of the property.
Additionally, Congress raised VA's maximum loan guaranty for these types of refinancing loans. Loan limits were effectively raised from $144,000 to $417,000. High-cost counties have even higher maximum loan limits. VA county loan limits can be found at www.benefits.va.gov/homeloans/. These changes will allow more qualified Veterans to refinance through VA, allowing for savings on interest costs and avoiding foreclosure.
If VA is not able to help a Veteran borrower retain his/her home (whether a VA-guaranteed loan or not), the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) offers assistance to homeowners by sponsoring local housing counseling agencies. To find an approved agency in your area, please search online at www.hud.gov/offices/hsg/sfh/hcc/hcs.cfm, or call HUD's interactive voice system at (800) 569-4287.
Eligible Native American Veterans can obtain a loan from VA to purchase, construct, or improve a home on federal Trust Land, or to reduce the interest rate on such a VA loan. Native American Direct Loans are only available if a memorandum of understanding exists between the tribal organization and VA.
Veterans who are not Native American, but who are married to Native American non-Veterans, may be eligible for a direct loan under this program. To be eligible for such a loan, the qualified non-Native American Veteran and the Native American spouse must reside on federal Trust Land, both the Veteran and spouse must have a meaningful interest in the dwelling or lot, and the tribal authority which has jurisdiction over the Trust Land must recognize the non-Native American Veteran as subject to its authority.
The following safeguards have been established to protect Veterans:


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A young man was killed, according to news reports, after an altercation a in the BART parking lot Thursday night around 9:30 p.m. The victim was 18. His name was Christopher Gonzalez. And, according to this Chronicle story, he lived around the corner from BART and ran home after he was stabbed and died in his father's arms.
[Updated: This story says the stabbing was self-defense.]


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Three Kings Public HouseRead MoreThe bright-red door outside Three Kings Public House acts as a beacon, summoning guests into the tavern—which was named the Best New Bar in 2011 by the Riverfront Times—for a brew and a bite. Once past the vibrant port, though, diners enter an old-school world dominated by brick and wood decor. Though this aesthetic choice gives the Delmar Loop bar a time-honored vibe, the menu reveals that the kitchen's vision is focused firmly on the here and now. In fact, to keep their dishes as fresh as possible, chefs use only locally sourced ingredients from nearby Missouri and Illinois farms including Twin County, Heil, and Thies Farms. This conscientious culinary choice adds to the bar's effort to keep its carbon footprint smaller, but it also ensures that each handcrafted pub-style entree—from third-pound burgers to traditional fish 'n' chips and barbecue pulled-pork sliders—arrives at tables bursting with flavor. Chefs also toss out a culinary curveball in the form of their not-so-traditional bar eats, including a soy-protein burger and a filet mignon cut into the shape of each diner's silhouette. To further enliven Three Kings' eats, meals can be accompanied by a fresh cocktail or any of the "20 craft and locally brewed beers on tap" mentioned by the Riverfront Times. During the warmer months, diners are invited to recline on the outdoor patio; no matter the season, Tuesday and Wednesday nights are dedicated to live musical acts performing on the bar's built-in stage.6307 Delmar Blvd.University City, MO US