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Hold down Control (PC) or Command (Mac) key + mouseclick to select more than one option
|Avg. Dinner Entrée
|Greater than $25
|$18.01 - $25
|$12.01 - $18
|$7.01 - $12
|Less than $7
Posted by Fatty83 on 01/22/2015
The Chef left OMG now this makes sense as to why the food went from blow your brains out awesome to meh.
Posted by Halloweener on 11/01/2012
The mashed potatoes (with garlic and scallions embedded) and greens (al dente) that came with my fried chicken (deep-fried rather than pan-fried, so not what I'm accustomed to, but OK in its own way) were delicious, but don't ever order anything off their "cocktail" menu--their $9 mixed "drinks" are so weak you need to BYOB! Also, dress warmly--it was so drafty where I was seated that I never took my coat, hat, or scarf off the whole time I was there.
Posted by Anonymous on 10/28/2012
I don't think I've ever written a food review, but since Maggie Brown used to be one of my favorite brunch spots I felt compelled. Most notable was the fried chicken which I would have ranked as some of the best in the city. I moved and hadn't been back in quite a while. They have clearly changed chefs. I ordered the fried chicken and was terribly disappointed. Some of the worst I've had...ever. Hard to imagine how something fried could ever taste this bland but somehow they found a way. Please please search out the old chef and bring who ever it was back or scrap the existing recipe and start over again. Very unfortunate to see what has happened.
Posted by David on 09/14/2011
Went for breakfast. Really good coffee and the best smoked salmon platter (bagel, cream cheese, tomato, onion, green salad) I've had in ages, and a great value at $10.
Posted by Anonymous on 06/02/2011
I too heard Maggie's was making a comeback so decided to check it out last week. I hadn't been here since last year after a bad delivery experience. I am happy to say that Maggie's is definitley back! We had a little bit of everything - the deviled egg of the day, the mussel special, the crab cakes, the fried chicken ... everything was fantastic, perfectly cooked. I will be a repeat customer!!
Posted by NYCJIM on 04/17/2011
Went here on Friday because I heard they got a new chef this month. What an improvement. The fish special was perfectly seasoned. The fried chicken is off the hook and the peanut butter pie is reee-diculous. I can't wait for the back yard to reopen.
Posted by Clinton Hill Fo0die on 12/23/2010
What happened to the Ribs! What happened to the Sausage Gravy? Is there anyone sitting in here? What happened to my neighborhood restaurant? HELP!


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Welcome to Cinnamon Girls.
Cinnamon is a girls fashion label focused in girls 'special occasion' dresses. Our dresses are of the latest fashion fabrics and latest designs from all around the world. Cinnamon provides girls 3-14 with their very own fashionable and affordable formal and semi-formal dresses.
We pride ourselves in providing your child with not only a beautiful outfit for that special occasion, but also a comfortable and easy to care for outfit that your child will want to wear over and over again.
Featured Products

subset: commoncrawl


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The Federal TRiO Programs (TRiO) are Federal outreach and student services programs designed to identify and provide services for individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds. TRiO includes eight programs targeted to serve and assist low-income individuals, first-generation college students, and individuals with disabilities to progress through the academic pipeline from middle school to post-baccalaureate programs. TRiO also includes a training program for directors and staff of TRiO projects.
The name "TRiO" was coined in the late 1970's when the first three programs were established. Upward Bound, the oldest of the programs, was created by the 1964 Economic Opportunity Act. Educational Talent Search was established by the Higher Education Act of 1965, and Higher Education Amendments of 1968 added Special Services for Disadvantaged Students (now the Student Support Services Program).
TRiO Student Support Services (SSS) at SUNY Potsdam strives to provide the academic support necessary to help a maximum of 200 students each year remain in school and reach graduation.
All current and prior TRiO participants, please complete and return this online survey by July 3, 2015.
Eligible participants can receive support in the following areas:
- Academic Support
(TRiO SSS is no longer accepting requests for 1:1 peer tutors for the spring 2015 semester.)
- Financial Literacy & Planning Guidance
- Graduate School & Career Preparation
- Personal Development
Eligibility Requirements:
- TRiO SSS participants must have a need for academic support; they must be U. S. citizens and accepted for college enrollment.
- Participants must also meet one or more of the following criteria:
- must be a first generation college student, i.e. neither parent has a four-year college degree, and/or
- must fall within income limits set by the U. S. Department of Education and verified by the SSS Office, and/or
- must have a documented physical, emotional, and/or learning disability
Participation Requirements
TRiO Student Support Services (SSS) will work with you to achieve your academic and personal success. This collaboration entails TRiO SSS providing you with personalized assistance in academic support, financial literacy and planning, graduate school and career preparation and personal development.
It also entails your sincere and sustained effort and energy toward your success. As a TRiO SSS participant, you agree to
- be prepared for, attend and participate actively in your classes;
- be prepared for, attend and participate actively in tutoring sessions and/or staff appointments.
Students who miss 3 staff appointments or 3 tutoring appointments, or are otherwise unable to meet their responsibilities, may be removed from the TRiO SSS roster and become ineligible to receive services.
Application Process
To apply for participation in Student Support Services, visit the TRiO SSS Office, at 119 Sisson, between 8 a.m.- Noon or 1 - 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.
- Completing the TRiO SSS application and Student Needs Survey.
- The TRiO SSS office will contact you using your potsdam.edu e-mail address to let you know if you are eligible or not for services.
- If your e-mail indicates you are eligible for TRiO SSS, your next step is to meet with a TRiO SSS Staff member. You will need to call the office (267-2347) or visit it at 119 Sisson Hall to schedule this appointment.
Your Admission into TRiO SSS will not be official until you have met with a TRiO SSS staff member.


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Posts Tagged "Magic Hat"
In a surprise move (not really), I slacked off all weekend and didn't work on anything I set out to do. Coincidentally, this is what happens more or less every weekend since I moved back to New York. Weird…
To solemnly remember slower, quieter life in the little Midwestern village that is Chicago, here are a number of random flicks from the Windy City that I've been sitting on for a while.
Oh, and I should note… these are some of the last sunset shots out of that notoriously western-facing window. Not the absolute last, but we're almost scraping bottom here. Something tells me I might be able to find some new ones in New York though…
Into the night
Here are some way oldies from back when Chicago's team of brutes was in that big hockey game they have every year. I kind of like the shots, as far as super noisy, and even-more-than-super blurry drunkovision photos go, so here they are, months out of context. Whatever, welcome to digimodernism… who needs context when you can have status updates instead?
A cab ride has long been one of my favorite ways to end a drunken evening. And not just because it beats getting raped on the train. There's also just something serene, almost soothing, about watching the lights of the city zip by as the hallucinogens you consumed earlier that night help you melt into the leather seat.
A proper night cap isn't a bad way to send the day off, either, though. Especially when the drink is particularly, um, magical and can tell the future. Granted, it was an easy guess, but when I'm in a certain state of consciousness at 3 am, I'm also pretty easily impressed.
Life is tragic without any Magic
It's true.
Magic Hat is one of my favorite microbreweries, partly because their beer offerings are some of the more delicious ways to get drunk, but also because each cap comes with a short phrase, submitted by fans of the brew, printed on the underside. The caps are funny, insightful, and often incomprehensible (even when sober), but they're downright collectible, just like Pokemon or Nazi gold!
I've amassed something of a repository myself, because, after all, what's cooler than bragging about how much you drink to people who absolutely couldn't give a shit?
Although, over time you'll start getting an increasing number of doubles which quickly becomes disheartening. Eventually, the only hidden message left to be read is, "collecting beer caps is kind of a dumb hobby."
Somewhat related: Is there anything more pointless (yes, even counting collecting beer caps) than having an age block on alcoholic products' websites? As far as I'm aware, there is no age limit on lying.


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Red with black leather and red piping on the seats Excellent older restoration Very nice solid body, good paint Excellent chrome Detailed and correct engine compartment New top, black vinyl tonneau... More
There are plenty of MGBs out there, but the early cars like this 1966 MGB roadster are truly special. The purest design that is... More
1966 MGB Early MK1Car number 69811 If you are interested in this vehicle or have any questions, please call Jeff at 541-230-0669 Car has later model 18V... More
RIGHT HAND DRIVE 1966 MGB Mk 1 CONV. The MGB was a two-door sports car manufactured and marketed by MG Car Company. Production of... More


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Eugene Berman, 1935
Physical Details: Photographic print : 1 item : b&w ; Image is 19 x 24 cm. on board 36 x 28 cm.
Creator: Russell Lynes (1910-1991), photographer
Description: Berman is seen from behind as he looks at the city rising above the waterfront.
Identification on verso: Eugene Berman on the Waterfront
New York, NY
May 1935
Forms part of: Russell Lynes papers, 1935-1986
Rights Statement: Current copyright status is undetermined
Citation: Eugene Berman, 1935
Digital ID: 6036
- Berman, Eugene


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Sony's plan to roll out Android 4.0.3 to the Tablet P in April may not have come to fruition, but the Japanese manufacturer is now stating that the Ice Cream Sandwich OTA update will be coming next week, on May 24th.
The Sony Tablet S had its update as promised, soon after Sony issued a press release in Japan. A global roll-out of the Ice Cream Sandwich was seen, and we can assume the same for the Tablet P. There might be some delays if you happen to have the AT&T version, though. The update has to go through the carrier before it hits your device.
Any device without Ice Cream Sandwich is considered outdated for most Android fans. Therefore, it is good to see that manufacturers are updating their products, even if a bit late. If you have been carrying this foldable tablet, let us know when/if the update hits your device!
Continue reading:
- Sony's new PlayStation Mobile content c
- Sony Tablet P will not be receiving Jelly Bea
- Sony Tablet P now receiving Android 4.0 updat
- Sony Tablets Get Android 4.0 Update In April
TAGS: Sony Tablet P


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Karl Rove, on the significance of the 2009 gubernatorial races: "Democratic defeats in Virginia or New Jersey — or even narrow victories — would be discombobulating for the Obama White House and signal trouble in 2010. With unemployment likely to grow through perhaps the middle of next year and the federal government's red ink likely to become even more visible to increasingly anxious voters well before then, Democrats would be in for a rough time in the midterms, especially in races for the House and governorships."
Norman Ornstein, along the same lines: "Virginia has been trending blue, but the combination of an open contest for governor, a strong consensus Republican nominee and a hotly contested Democratic primary gives state Republicans real hopes of winning back a seat that has eluded them for the past two gubernatorial elections. In New Jersey, a bad economy has contributed to poor numbers for incumbent Democrat Jon Corzine, leaving the GOP well positioned."
Obama "hardens U.S. stance on North Korean defiance"? Well now his "patience is tested." Next up: deep disappointment.
James Carafano nails it: "Is it me or did Obama just give the same speech for a third time? In his Notre Dame address he tackled the 'right to life,' in the National Archives speech he confronted combating terrorism…on both occasions he tried to say something to please almost everyone on very controversial subjects. What was different about his lecture on Islam in Egypt? Not much. Each of these talks has done much to uplift the president's popularity. The real question, however, is if this will all serve to advance and protect American interests. Much like the French Revolution-its too soon to tell….but when in the same week the President of Iran declared his country a nuclear power and ready to start helping run the world….you kinda wonder."
From Evan Thomas of the "non partisan" new Newsweek: "Reagan was all about America, and you talked about it. Obama is 'we are above that now.' We're not just parochial, we're not just chauvinistic, we're not just provincial. We stand for something – I mean in a way Obama's standing above the country, above – above the world, he's sort of God." Righhht. I wonder if Americans expect their president to be all about America.
Of all the things to say about D-Day, Obama remarks on the "sheer improbability" of victory. Did FDR and Eisenhower feel that way?
A trend or a blip from Rasmussen? "Overall, 53% of voters say they at least somewhat approve of the President's performance so far. That's his lowest level of overall approval to date. Forty-seven percent (47%) now disapprove."
Sen. Jeff Sessions says Sotomayor's confirmation will turn on her "impartiality." This, he says, is "the cornerstone" of our judicial system. Promising a respectful and thorough hearing he encourages Americans to listen up: "And, at the end of the day, ask: If I must one day go to court, what kind of judge do I want to hear my case? 'Do I want a judge that allows his or her social, political, or religious views to impact the outcome? 'Or, do I want a judge that objectively applies the law to the facts, and fairly rules on the merits?'"
So much for the "bipartisan" spin: "Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor said in a 1998 speech that she owed her first federal judicial nomination almost entirely to New York Democratic Sen. Daniel Patrick Moynihan, undercutting the spirit of President Obama's claim that it was Republican President George H.W. Bush who was responsible for her first appointment to the federal bench."
Who said Tim Pawlenty isn't funny? "The only thing growing faster than the federal government's deficit is Chris Matthews' man-crush on Barack Obama." Ouch.
It seems there was broad consensus among Justice Department lawyers, even the media darlings Jack Goldsmith and James Comey, that the enhanced interrogation techniques were not illegal. One wonders when the current Justice Department will give up the Bybee-Yoo withchunt — or is a leak of this magnitude to the New York Times the first sign of retreat? Because if Yoo and Bybee are to be punished then all of them must be, right?
Nestled in among some half-hearted praise for Obama's ability to "shock" Israel the Washington Post editors meander around to the salient point: "The problem is that no Israeli government — not Mr. Netanyahu's, not even one led by the current opposition — is likely to agree to a total construction ban. By insisting on one, the administration risks bogging itself down in a major dispute with its ally, while giving Arab governments and Palestinians a ready excuse not to make their own concessions. Meanwhile, the practical need for a total settlement freeze is debatable. Palestinian negotiators have already conceded that many of the towns will be annexed to Israel in any final deal; so did former presidents Bill Clinton and George W. Bush." It's debatable for another reason: there isn't any remotely viable Palestinian government with which to negotiate.


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Below is the poem entitled "Blood In Vain Falls Heavy" which was written by poet
Ortiz. Please feel free to comment on this poem. However, please remember, PoetrySoup is a place of encouragement and growth.
Read Poems by
Derek Ortiz
Nothing hurts me now, been the one to fall, painless, no feelings for my friends, not caring for the family
I once died for, another mind, another perspective, nothing holding me back, my time wasted building a life,
now is gone, breaking every promise i now hate this, gone by for blood, searching for the horizon, theres
nothing to look inside my chest, you wont even find the minimum, my soul, in vain i fought, i didnt wanted
money either the world, just respect, my tribute offered for faithless, i dont have eyes for this anymore, get
up and leave this room, dont talk to me with pity on your broken tone, i dont care if you offer me your soul or
your slavery, leave, i dont need you here, dont look my way anymore, dont even ask about me again, i hang
my feelings nights ago, i suffocated my heart with good memories days ago, i forgot the man i was, become a
cold and reckless one, my cold instinct blinds the wind you breath, heavy fall to my dark little world, far gone
from this land, far gone for this place, out of your side and out of your mind, your now left alone in this life
with no one to cry too or to talk too, long rest the man i was, he is dead, gone, dont mourn for him, dont
write about him and dont talk about him, is over for You and your pityful little game.
Long rest the feelings tonight!


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Organized October 24, 1864 at Chattanooga; mustered out June 30, 1865, at Nashville, Tennessee.
The report of Adjutant General J. P. Brownlow, State of Tennessee, states this regiment was employed by Major General James B. Steedman, Commanding District of the Etowah, with headquarters at Chattanooga, in scouting the Cumberland Mountains in Tennessee and North Georgia after the numerous guerrilla bands which infested the region.
The first mention of the regiment in the Official Records was dated November 30, 1864, at the time when General Steedman, with the major portion of his command, was preparing to join Major General George H. Thomas for the defense of Nashville against General Hood's invasion. On this date, Lieutenant Colonel Gowin was ordered to send 130 men at daybreak on December 1 to Cleveland, Tennessee, where they were to report to Colonel Boughton, commanding the post.
No further mention of the regiment was found until January 21, 1865, when General Steedman, back at Chattanooga, reported he had sent Gowin's 6th Tennessee Mounted Infantry toward Summerville, Georgia, via LaFayette. On February 2, at Ringgold, Georgia, Colonel Gowin reported the previous night he had attacked the guerrilla leader, Gatewood, with 75 men in McLemore's Cove, killing 14, and routing the remainder with the loss of most of their horses and arms.
On March 11, 1865, the regiment was directed to report, by letter, to Major General Steedman, Commanding District of the Etowah. In April, 80 men, under Major Bean, were reported as part of an expedition to Dalton and Spring Place, Georgia, and to the Coosawattie River, lasting from April 1-4, in the course of which there were several skirmishes with guerrillas.
Brownlow's report states the regiment was placed under Brigadier General H. M. Judah, Commanding 1st Brigade, 2nd Division, with headquarters at Decatur, Georgia, about the last of March, where it was employed in scouting until the surrender of the Confederate army at Greensboro, North Carolina, and then moved to Resaca, Georgia, where its men were employed as couriers along the railroad to Atlanta. On June 18, 1865, the regiment was ordered to Nashville, and was mustered out June 30, 1865.
This unit history was extracted from Tennesseans in the Civil War, Vol 1. Copyrighted © 1964 by the "Civil War Centennial Commission of Tennessee" and is published here with their permission.
This history may not be republished for any reason without the written permission of the copyright owner.
©Tennesseans in the Civil War Project
This page was last updated on Wednesday, July 14, 2004 .
©Tennessee and the Civil War Project
2005. All Rights Reserved.
All content found on this site is the property of the Tennessee and the Civil Project and her contributors
and may not be used without written permission.


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Hill Prairie Winery
Categories:FOOD & DRINKSHOPPING
Hill Prairie Winery is a great place to relax, enjoy some great wines and reunite with nature in the rolling vineyard. Bring your friends to take in live entertainment each weekend as we are open all year. We offer over 15 award winning wines (along with beer and soft drinks) by the glass or the bottle. Enjoy our rural environment with rolling hills, ponds, our 100 year old barn, windmill and acres of delicious grapes. We even offer tours of our wine making process. Our facilities are available for special occasions, weddings and corporate meetings.
Location & Nearby Attractions
What's Nearby


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It was a few days ago that we reported about the Windows Store crossing 20,000 apps mark within a month of Windows 8 public release.
Now as per a new Apps Tracking site MetroStore Scanner has reported that the store has crossed 25,000 apps mark on 3rd december,with 25,539 apps ( at the time of writing this post).Windows Store in the United States sporting close to 16,000 apps in the regional store,while China is still leading with over 17,000 apps in the store.
The site lets you track the apps with filters like,country,type and sorting Of the new and changed apps in the store.Store is surely growing at an astounding rate and we can expect the store to reach close to 50,000 apps mark within a month or so.
Source[Metro Store Scanner]


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To embed, copy and paste the code into your website or blog:
We live in a very superficial world. From magazine covers to reality television to idle office gossip... the great majority of people around us think and behave on a very shallow level.
Chances are you would NEVER put yourself in this category. But, would you consider yourself to be a class act; someone whose behavior is a model for everyone else?
As egotistical as the question may seem, the reality is class acts are few and far between. We know several actors and actresses who are class acts - Paul Newman, Tom Hanks, and Julie Andrews are perfect examples. They are successful because they, of course, are good at what they do - but it's also their dignity, grace, and modest behavior that make them some of the classiest, well-loved, people in the world.
Unleash your untapped classiness. Let the following class act characteristics be your guide:
1. Set high personal standards.
Establish personal standards of thinking and behavior that are more demanding than those of conventional society.
2. Maintain dignity and grace under pressure.
Calmness shows other people that you have courage and can lead under any circumstance. It also gives off a sense of hope that things will turn around.
3. Be inclusive.
Operate on a level that shows you are in touch with humanity. Show compassion and deep understanding for people around you, classy or not.
4. Take responsibility.
People who are class acts are accountable. They admit their failures, yet they have the ability to turn defeat into progress.
Class acts are natural born leaders. They create energy, build confidence, and lend support. Simply choose to live by a higher set of standards and soon you'll notice the effect it has on everyone around you.
See more »
DISCLAIMER: Because of the generality of this update, the information provided herein may not be applicable in all situations and should not be acted upon without specific legal advice based on particular situations.
© TopLawyerCoach.com
Your first step to building a free, personalized, morning email brief covering pertinent authors and topics on JD Supra:
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White Horse Escape Bed & Breakfast
Get out of town!
The Legend
Welcome !
Our Location
Photo Gallery
We've closed the B&B.
The Legend of the White Horse
Early one summer in the 1690s, a band of Assiniboines was camped on the banks of the Assiniboine River, about ten miles west of present day Winnipeg. A young Cree brave from Lake Winnipegosis entered the Assiniboine camp and asked if he might marry the chief's daughter. The chief was offered a beautiful and spirited snow-white steed, a Blanco Diablo, which came from the famed breed in Mexico, and an agreement was reached. This agreement upset a Sioux brave from Devil's Lake in North Dakota, also in love with the chief's daughter. He vowed to capture and torture his rival under the pretext of a reprisal for past wars. Aware of the danger, the Assiniboine chief saddled the white horse, and advised the couple to escape under cover of darkness. When the Sioux learned of the escape, they followed, and eventually overtook the couple on the west bank of the Assiniboine River a few miles west of where the St. Francois-Xavier parish church now stands. Arrows killed both warrior and his bride. The white horse escaped, and according to legend, continued to roam the neighbouring plains for many years. The Assiniboines believed that the spirits carried the horse to the spirit world where he was reunited with the Cree brave. The aboriginal peoples named this land, where the white horse ran free in honour of the powerful animal.
75 Caron Drive ..........St Francois Xavier...................Manitoba..........(204) 864 2119


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He averages 4 in the current series and averages 18 with the bat in the 6 tests he has played during the year. This is his worst batting year since his debut. These are worrying signs for a batsman who has been, by far, the most consistent run maker post -2000.
Not only that but his slip catching is also not as sharp as it used to be, he has already spilled a couple or more catches during this series if i'm not mistaken?
All these are indications of slowing reflexes.
He will probably make pile up the runs against Unadkat/Sharma/Kumar etc. when the Indians visit SA later this year but they have a tough tour of Australia coming up next.
Should Kallis hang up his boots after the Indian series or do you think he can make a comeback?


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Essex | dagenham
Welcome to the DAGENHAM escorts page in Essex.
DAGENHAM Escort Agency and Escort Services, we have DAGENHAM Escorts serving DAGENHAM hotels and the surrounding Essex area.
When you book a DAGENHAM visiting Escort. Or if you visit a DAGENHAM Massage Parlour please mention UKescortsearch. Why not search for escorts or massage parlours in one of your local cities?


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Mission Phase = Post-Experiment Phase
Major Events to Date
Mission Operations Log Summaries
Jan 08 - Contacts run on 1/8, 1/9, and 1/16. Beacon on, bus health nominal. S-Band comm signal strength data being collected. Payload heater set-point changed to 16 C (from 20C) and no difference in payload temp control behavior was observed (50 mA current draw remains rather than an expected value on the order of 500-700 mA). Long term studies show little to no performance loss of solar panel power over the past year. Still no CPU resets. Historical bus and payload data downloaded as time permits (several hundred pages have been downloaded over the past few months).
Nov-Dec 07 - Contacts run on November 14, 16, 27, and 29 as well as on Dec 11,14, and 17. Satellite bus health continues to be nominal, and the payload temperature control anomaly continues (this anomaly has no effect on operations at this point in the mission). The 12/14 contact was unsuccessful due to comm station equipment having been disconnected by non-SCU personnel in order to support other operations at the SRI station; there was not time to reconfigure the station properly prior to the planned contact. Giovanni is our current operations lead, and he is collecting long-term platform performance data that is supporting the evolution of the bus design for future missions (we have 3 planned at this point in 2008) as well as the development of a future publication. Note - 12/16/07 was the 1-year birthday of GeneSat in orbit!
10/16/07 - The ops team was finally able to get back into the SRI station although some work remains to be done (like re-installing the UHF feed). Two contacts were run today, lde by the fearless I. Mas. The beacon was re-enabled and verified, and state of health data was downloaded given the extended time over the past 2 months during which no operations were run. Satellite bus health is nominal, and the previously observed payload temperature control anomaly continues (again, we note that the anomaly is for a function that is no longer needed to support the mission). A new ops trainees participated in the contacts and showed off by hand-tracking the beacon with a hand-held antenna and transceiver (nice job Jose!). Post-pass logging was initiated via the internet from Munich! We currently plan to run the next set of contacts next week, and the ops team is working with the engineering team to establish a set of end-of-life test objectives. CK
Mid-August through Mid-October Summary - The SRI station is unavailable during this time for maintenance, retrofit, and other test operations. The beacon will be shut off during this period. CK
Early August 2007 Ops Summary - The ops team is training several new mission controllers for educational purposes as well as initial training for the team's next satellite, PharmaSat. The team is retrieving routine health data and is also conducting power stress tests (which occasionally require the beacon to be turned off) in order to assess the power generation capabilities of the system. The satellite bus health is nominal. Payload health is good with the exception of the payload temperature control process (temp is below setpoint, the control loop is activated, but a much lower than nominal heater current draw exists); we will monitor this system and develop a plan to evaluate the heater FET and/or other possible root causes. No operations during the week of Aug 12 given the attendance of most of the team at the AIAA Conference on Small Satellites (which includes presentation of several GeneSat-1 related papers). CK
July 2007 Ops Summary - Only limited operations conducted in July due to routine maintenance with the SRI station and its use to support other studies. Satellite beacon off. CK
May 2007 Ops Summary - The team continues to support MAST, although contact has been lost and support for that mission may be ending soon. Health and training contacts continue. In addition, initial power stress testing initiated in order to provide platform performance data to support design work on the team's next spacecraft, PharmaSat (which uses an extended version of the GeneSat-1 bus). The beacon service is intermittent due to this testing. CK
April 2007 Ops Summary - Limited operations conducted given the ops team's support of the Tethers Unlimited Inc MAST tethered satellite mission. MAST uses the SRI station as well as SCU's 2.4 GHz radio equipment. See the MAST site for details. GeneSat-1 remains in nominal condition, and the limited contacts that are being performed include standard health analyses as well as practice operations for a student laboratory class. Satellite beacon shut off near end of the month. CK
3/29/07, 0830 PST - The beacon has been re-enabled and the vehicle is in nominal SOH. For the time being, communication link tests have been completed (and the results will be published in a paper to be published later this year). Satellite health remains nominal. CK
2/25/07 - 3/25/07 - NOTE - the ops team is conducting a series of communication link tests during this next month in order to better characterize the operation of the command transceiver. During this time, the beacon may be turned off. CK
2/21/07, 1430 PST - We are now in the mission's Post-Experiment Phase! In today's ceremony at 1430 PST, mission responsibility for GeneSat-1 was handed over from NASA Ames to Santa Clara University. Santa Clara will continue to operate the mission until the satellite re-enters or becomes non-functional. Ops activities will continue with a focus on bus characterization, support of student research and educational experiments, use of the vehicle to support crew training exercises for the next mission (PharmaSat), support of education and public outreach activities, etc. CK
2/20/07, 1200 PST - Satellite health nominal. Less than ideal, but still functional, communications on both the 2.4 GHz link as well as the beacon link continue with the cause believed to be related to the vehicle's attitude profile. CK
2/13/07, 2300 PST - During this evening's contact at ~2200 PST, control node operations were run from the Ames MMOC. Vehicle health was verified as nominal: no cpu resets, internal temperature at 18.85 degrees C, external temperatures entering eclipse of 11.8-13.1 degrees C, mean payload temperature at 25.27 degrees C (set-point at 25 degrees C), and payload pressure at 14.32 psi. The beacon signal was strong. Command channel success rate was 27%. Archived biology experiment data was downloaded. CK
2/7-12/07 - SRI station pointing recalibration is being performed during this period. The next scheduled pass will be in the evening of 2/13/07. CK
2/6/07, 0920 PST - During the second contact, transceiver link testing was conducted (so, no standard commands sent or telemetry received). The link was closed with pointing offsets on the order of 0.46 deg AZ and 0.72 deg EL once pointing hit 16 EL ascent. Margins were in the 20 dB to 0 dB range with a period of 80-90 sec and a 40 sec period modulation on top of that (as previously observed). The beacon was audibly faint throughout the contact, but only a few packets were successfully decoded. Troubleshooting will continue. CK
2/6/07, 0740 PST - During today's first contact (~0630 PST), the 2.4 GHz link was closed with a 32% command channel success rate. Vehicle health was verified as nominal (in eclipse: solar panel temps -1-0 deg C, internal temp 13.4 deg C, no cpu resents, payload temp 25.36 deg C for 25 deg C setpoint, 14.126 psi). Only a few beacon packets were received. CK
2/5/07, 1530 PST - No contacts were performed today. The team installed a new 2.4 GHz transceiver at the SRI station to address any possible issues with that component. In addition, SRI personnel started a new dish calibration process to verify pointing accuracy. CK
2/2/07, 1000 PST - Three contacts were executed (~0530 - 0900 PST) in order to more fully characterize the sporadic communications issues that have been occurring. Prior to the first contact, a full reboot of the ground transceiver was performed - this solved the intermittent link issues with the ground loop-back test.
During the first contact, only 1 audible beacon packet was received - at 7 EL ascent (the team later ran an orbit analysis and this seemed to correspond to the time of eclipse exit). No 2.4 GHz commands were successfully executed.
During the second contact, no beacon was received, and no 2.4 GHz commands were successfully executed.
During the third contact, 2.4 comm signal strength tests were performed. The link was closed for a portion of the contact (closed at 21 EL on ascent through max EL of 24 deg, then a single test packet at 18 EL on descent), but the signal strength was about 10 dB below the (nominal) values collected during the previous week. No beacon at either the SRI or SCU station until the very end of the contact at about 5 deg EL descent - 3 packets heard at SRI and 1 at SCU.
The team will run multiple contacts again on Tuesday; in addition, several checkouts of the station will be performed to address any potential ground segment issues contributing to this issue. We note, however, that we are seeing anomalous behavior now on two comm channels, and the beacon issues are being observed through two stations. CK
2/1/07, 1130 PST - Three SCU beacon station checks were conducted today with no beacon reception at all. CK
1/31/07, 1000 PST - Once contact run at ~0850 PST. Good beacon throughout contact, but no commands successfully executed through the 2.4 GHz link; the lack of 2.4 GHz success is possibly related to a ground transceiver issue in which problems with the ground loopback testing has been noticed; the ops team will be back on Friday to look into this issue further. CK
1/30/07, 1130 PST - Two contacts were executed today at ~0805 PST and ~0945 PST. During the first contact, beacon reception was limited again (AOS at 30 EL ascent and lost at 15 EL descent; generally weak signal; no reception through SCU station, suggesting a beacon issue vs a ground segment issue for a single point anomaly assumption). Standard command and telemetry operations were conducted, with ~ 60% success rate and the command link closed from 45 EL ascent through 10 EL descent). Vehicle health verified as nominal (battery voltage 8.51, external solar panel temperatures from 0-2 deg C, internal temp 12.5 deg C, no cpu resents, payload temp 24.79 deg C for 25 deg C setpoint, pressure 14.13 psi).
During the 2nd contact, no beacon was received (at either station). The first part of this contact was run with standard command/telemetry operations in order to collect health data that could illuminate the beacon issues. During the second portion of the pass, the transceiver was switched to test mode to continue with 2.4 GHz transceiver/link performance testing - great data received on that - plots show the spacecraft's coning motion! CK
1/29/07, 1000 PST - One contact was performed in order to perform link testing - good signal strength data was collected during the contact. The beacon was strong throughout and showed good vehicle health (payload temp at 25.27 degrees C given 25 deg C setpoint, internal satellite temp at 15 deg C, microhard current being drawn nominally, etc.). CK
1/26/07, 1300 PST - One contact was run today at ~1225 PST in order to perform radio link testing (meaning no standard command and telemetry operations). Unfortunately, the team was unable to close the link with the transceiver in test mode; the team will be re-evaluating the test configuration. Also, the beacon signal was noticed to be weak, with acquisition not occurring until ~ 29 EL on ascent; beacon continued through max EL but then was lost at ~ 38 EL on descent. Potential linkage between the two comm issues, but not enough time to evaluate; the team will continue to track this issue on the next contact. CK
1/25/07, 1400 PST - One contact was run today at ~1330 PST. Vehicle health was verified as nominal (battery voltage 8.11, external solar panel temperatures 8-12 degrees C, internal temperature 17.6 degrees C, no cpu resets, payload temp controlled at 25.58 degrees C (setpoint at 25), and pressure 14.34 psi), and additional 96-hour biological experiment data was retrieved. Command channel success rate was just shy of 70%. Minor SRI station maintenance is being performed on a daily basis with no expected interference with realtime operations. The team is preparing to run a series of link analysis tests over the next few weeks; this will be performed by putting the 2.4 GHz transceiver into a test mode, thereby allowing signal strength to be logged during a contact. CK
1/23/07, 1330 PST - One contact was run today at ~1005 PST. Vehicle health was verified as nominal, and additional 96-hour biological experiment data was retrieved. The ops team is preparing for a transfer of the control node to the Ames Bldg 240 Ops Center, with a target date of Feb 1. CK
1/18/07, 1630 PST - One contact was run today at ~1555 PST. Vehicle health was verified as nominal, and additional 96-hour biological experiment data was retrieved. CK
1/17/07, 1700 PST - Beacon is back on. The ops crew completed the 3rd contact of the day (and the 4th in the overall procedure for collecting high-resolution solar panel current data). Execution of the procedure was a success (even Dave, the project's systems engineer seems pleased!). Vehicle health remains nominal. The team has now successfully completed all operations required to declare that the the primary mission is a success (of course, we have many secondary objectives that will now be performed over the rest of the mission). CK
1/17/07, 1400 PST - We have just run the first of several contacts today as part of a continuing procedure to collect high-resolution solar panel current data. As part of this procedure, the beacon has just been turned off; it will be re-enabled later today. Commanding success took a nosedive compared to yesterday - the success rate was ~ 43% and commanding wasn't really reliable until about 40 degrees EL. CK
1/16/07, 1630 PST - The ops team is back in action after a wonderfully restive long weekend. One contact was run this afternoon. Vehicle health was verified as nominal, and additional experiment data was retrieved. We also set the payload temperature control set-point to 15 deg C (it had been at 25 deg C); this was done as the first step in a multi-contact, two-day procedure to capture another collection of high-resolution solar panel current data. The remainder of this procedure will be executed during several sequential contacts tomorrow afternoon. HAMs be warned - the beacon will be off for a portion of this time. Great news - the command channel success rate jumped to 79.6%, our highest ever (and a shot of redemption for command operator Mike). As a test for the next period of operations, the command and telemetry operators conducted this contact were running ops out of the Primary MOC in Ames Bldg 240. An additional operator was operating out of the SCU GeneSat lab, and of course, the tracking operator was at SRI. All functionality good running in full distributed operations mode (although we need to upgrade that speakerphone in 240!). Facilities note - the Ames Primary MOC was down from 0500-0600 PST this morning due a scheduled Ames firewall reboot; there was no affect to realtime operations. CK
1/10/07, 2030 PST - Attention to HAMs - you may notice odd beacon data at this point. Telemetry originating from the bus should be nominal, but those points originating from the payload may bounce all over the place. This is expected; it most likely started around noon PST today. Here's the convoluted explanation.... Our memory for storing experimental payload data has run out. We will ultimately be able to overwrite this memory with new experiment data (meaning optics data since the biology is all dead at this point), but we need to clear a flag to allow this to happen. We won't send that command until we get everything the everybody/anybody wants from that bank of memory (this includes the critical 96 hour experiment data plus lots of data after that). While we're in this state, we are not updating payload data (primarily since we not collecting most of that data for storage); the effect is that this information is undefined - and it appears that the undefined state is noise, or gibberish, or whatever you want to call it. Anyway - thanks to those of you who've contacted us with questions and heads-up's about this issue - we hope this explains what's going on. We'll let you know when we clear the flag. In other news, we ran 2 contacts this evening - bus side is great. Also - congratulations to Paul and Giovanni for getting formally certified to run tracks on the SRI station! CK
1/9/07, 2012 PST - Beacon is back on! CK
1/9/07, 1820 PST - NOTE TO HAMS - we are about to disable to beacon for an orbit in order to do a special data collection.
1/8/07, 1830 PST - One contact was performed at ~ 1740 PST in order to a) perform a vehicle state of health, b) complete the download of high resolution payload data from the end of the 96-hr experiment when the temperature control set-point was changed from 34 degrees C to 25 degrees C, c) set the payload temp to 15 degrees C in anticipation of tomorrow's special solar panel current data collection, and d) continue improving the 96 hour payload data resolution with an "every 2 pages" collection policy. The contact was a success.
Satellite health is nominal. Payload temperature control was holding at the set-point of 25 degrees C, but was reset to a set-point of 15 degrees C. This commanded set-point change was functionally verified through the set-point telemetry point in the payload register file. By the end of the contact, the mean payload temperature was observed to be ~22 degrees C; the ops team will continue to track this change tomorrow. Payload pressure is 14.358 and humidity is 92.94%. Bus health is excellent with steady temperatures (interior temp on external payload canister is 17.5 degrees C, solar panel external temperatures are in the 17.5 to 21.8 degrees C range early in eclipse), bus power is good (battery voltage is at ~9.8V and all power lines are at their expected levels), and there have been no CPU resets.
Command channel communications remain functional with a command channel success rate of 50.8%. We note that tonight's ops were one of the first time where we had reasonably good 2.4 comm throughout the entire duration of the antenna trajectory (given that it is only 50% successful). Coincidently, this occurred on the same day that NORAD officially converted our TLE designation from "OBJECT C" to "GENESAT" – we're now official! Beacon downlink remains strong with packets audible and decoded throughout the entire contact (even before track is started and after it is terminated at 5 degrees EL).
Ground segment status is nominal. Upgrade and repairs at the SRI station have been completed; in addition to addressing all wind damage issues, the SCU team also installed a new light on the tripod (which greatly assists in visually monitoring the antenna through a remote camera feed). There were no antenna glitches tonight! The ops team continues to practice distributed operations as a team to include data exchange via the ops line, etc.
amateur radio news, more than 21,400 beacon packets have been submitted
by external operators.
Also, SCU students ran a successful test this evening, attempting
to capture beacon packets with a handheld radio and 5-element
hand-pointed antenna (using a very ad-hoc pointing technique).
7 packets were received!
This was about 30 sec worth of data – this result is quite
promising, and given this success we will explore a better pointing
process for successive contacts. CK.
1/6/07, 2000 PST - One contact was run this evening in order to perform a vehicle state of and to download higher resolution payload data from the end of the 96-hr experiment when the temperature control set-point was changed from 34 degrees C to 25 degrees C. The contact was a success, although another contact will need to be run next week to complete the download of this high resolution data. Satellite health is nominal. Payload temperature control is holding at the current set-point of 25 degrees C (mean temp is 25.38 degrees C). Payload pressure is 14.358 and humidity is 92.938%. Bus health is excellent with steady temperatures (interior temp on external payload canister is 17.99 degrees C, solar panel external temperatures are in the 17 to 19 degrees C range early in eclipse), bus power is good (battery voltage is at ~8.3V and all power lines are at their expected levels), and there have been no CPU resets. Command channel communications remain functional although still below the desired level. Our command channel success rate for this evening was 25%. Beacon downlink remains strong with packets audible and decoded throughout the entire contact (even before track is started and after it is terminated at 5 degrees EL). We will not run contacts tomorrow. Next week, we will be attempting to complete the download of mission data required to declare a mission success. This data will include the high-resolution temperature transient data at the end of the 96 hour experiment as well as a new non-standard collection of high resolution solar panel current data (to assist in our assessment of the spin rate, g-levels being experienced by the payload, etc.). No antenna glitch tonight! CK
1/5/07, 1200 PST - No operations today due to scheduled maintenance on dish (assessment and workarounds for the servo glitching problems we've been having) and the desire for a crew down day due to holiday travel, etc. CK
1/4/07, 1800 PST - This evening's contact was cancelled due to high winds. CK
1/3/07, 1900 PST - One contact was run this evening in order to verify satellite health and to improve the data resolution of the early portion of the biological experiment. Satellite health remains nominal. 7 commands were successfully processed at a command channel success rate of 25% when the AZ antenna servo shut down at about zenith due to a peak gust of wind (so we had to terminate the track). The good news, however, is that Paul and Giovanni repaired the mesh damage this afternoon in record time (so, of course, you know the quality of work must have been outstanding.... probably as good as the original installation job..... which couldn't take a mild hurricane force wind.....). Anyway, the original forecast was that the job might take several days, so we're using the opportunity to check out and possibly upgrade/tweak a few other parts of the station. Right now, Mike Cousins is out in the utility shack checking breakers to see if we can curtail the servo cut-off glitches that we've been seeing. CK
1/2/07, 2145 PST - Happy New Year! Two contacts were run today to verify health, to retrieve high resolution solar panel current, and to continue downloading low-resolution post-experiment payload data.
The first contact had a very high EL (84.4 deg) so track was going to have to be terminated half way through (do to AZ rates that exceed the capabilities of the station); unfortunately, an odd timing problem occurred with the dish's programmed track control software (one which we had not personally seen before but which has been reported to occasionally happen). We had to terminate track, but Giovanni used the blown contact to practice tracking the satellite manually - wasn't good enough to attempt commanding, but it was an interesting practice session and he was able to catch the beacon on the descent. After the contact, we troubleshot the problem by simulating the pass but we couldn't reproduce the problem; GPS timing, pointing angles, etc all made sense. Oh well...
So, we ran a second contact 90 min later. That was a success. Satellite health is in outstanding shape - nominal across the board as reflected by the dashboard. The command channel success rate was 37%.
Dish repairs are scheduled to start tomorrow and, weather permitting, will continue for the rest of the work week. The dynamic duo of master antenna refurbishers (Paul and Giovanni) will reprise their roles in this encore performance. CK
12/31/06, 0245 PST - Two contacts were executed today at ~ 2335 and 0110 PST. During these contacts, the ops team ran standard state of health procedures, and then used their remaining time to gather low-resolution post-experiment payload health, to gather additional high-resolution payload health data from the first few hours of the experiment, and to obtain high-resolution bus data for the most recent orbit. Satellite health remains nominal. Payload temperature is holding steady at its set point of 25 degrees C, with sensor values in the 23.61 to 26.67 deg C range. Payload pressure is 14.383, and humidity is 88.175%. Bus power is nominal, there have been no CPU resets, and temperatures are as expected (the external payload enclosure temp is ~ 19.4 deg C, and solar panel temps early in eclipse are ~ 10 to 11 deg C). Ground segment remains functional and nominal with the exception of the SRI antenna mesh damage caused by the severe windstorms on 12/26-27/06. The command channel success rate for today's 2 contacts was approximately 44%. The NORAD-supplied TLEs continue to change noticeably with each daily update, and those used for this day's contacts provided much better performance than the first set from Day 14. The ops team continues to practice telephone protocols with distributed team members in preparation for a smooth transition of the control node to non-SRI locations. More than 17,200 beacon packets have been submitted to date by external amateur radio operators. The team will not run contacts on Jan 1 due to a scheduled holiday break for New Year's. CK
12/30/06, 0100 PST - We ran 2 contacts this evening and were able to retrieve a reasonable amount of low-resolution post-experiment payload data from the past week as well as high-resolution bus health data over the previous orbit. Satellite health remains nominal. Payload temperature is holding steady at its set point of 25 degrees C, with sensor values in the 23.04 to 25.98 deg C range. Payload pressure is 14.466, and humidity is 91.545%. Bus power is nominal, there have been no CPU resets, and temperatures are as expected (the external payload enclosure temp is ~ 18 deg C, and solar panel temps early in eclipse are ~ 15 to 16 deg C). Our command channel success rate continues to be low (34%), almost certainly due to the damaged mesh. However, we note that the TLE's seemed noticeably poor on our first contact; coincidently, NORAD issued a new set in time for our second contact, and performance significantly improved. We plan on running a contact tomorrow evening, and then taking 2 days off for the New Year's holiday. CK
12/28/06, 2330 PST - Believe it or not, even with some significant damage to the dish's mesh, we were able to get a few commands through to the vehicle in this evening's first contact. Our second contact was terminated early due to an AZ servo shutdown - a common occurrence, although this was the first time it caused us to terminate an active track (other than during the windstorm). The few commands we were able to send showed that the satellite remains healthy with the payload temperature being successfully controlled at 25 degrees C. During this evening's contacts, the ops team also practiced telecon protocols in preparation for running contacts with the control node at a location other than at the SRI communication station. CK
12/27/06, 0930 PST - High winds (with gusts at 50+ mph) have motivated us to cancel any contacts for today. The wind is affecting antenna operation. Given that the primary experiment data has already been retrieved, we've decided to cancel today's contacts and resume tomorrow. CK
12/26/06, 1100 PST - Well, we couldn't resist. We showed up this evening to try a contact even though the day was scheduled for crew rest. However, extreme winds made it downright scary to be in the station. We started a contact, but the wind overpowered the dish's AZ servo and made control erratic enough that we terminated track. Beacon was acquired, but no commanding was attempted. The whole building is shaking.... CK
12/23-26/06 - Happy holidays! The ops team is standing down for some well-earned crew rest over the holiday. We're planning to be back in action on 12/27. CK
12/22/06, 0550 PST - We have successfully downloaded all of the baseline biological data for the 96 hour experiment period. More data will continue to be collected regarding payload and bus performance in order to meet all mission requirements; however, completion of the baseline biological data set represents a significant milestone for the GeneSat Team. CK
12/22/06, 0400 PST - GeneSat's biological experiment ends at approximately 0500 PST this morning, and based on operational performance up to this point, the ops team hopes to complete the download of all of the baseline biological results today (we note that the original operational plan prior to launch was to have this done within 4 months after launch; for those of you keeping track, GeneSat has been in orbit less than 1 week).
Our first contact today was run at 0345 PST; we will be running another one at 0525 PST. In the first contact, we were able to download about 75% of the past day's biological data. During this first contact, only 47 % of transmitted commands were successfully processed and verified. This is a drop from yesterday's rate of 54%, but still well above the 30% we had been achieving during the first 5 days of operation. There may have been a weather impact; there is some cloud cover today, and the fog to the north was particularly bad this morning. As previously reported, once the biology data is down and the crew has had a well-deserved holiday rest, we will be conducting a variety of controlled engineering analyses, to include a full characterization of the 2.4 GHz command channel. CK
12/22/06, 0330 PST - NOTE TO HAMS - The 100 hour Grand Prize Competition will conclude at 0900 PST this morning. There will NOT be any extension to this duration. To have your received and decoded beacon packets accepted for the competition, they must be submitted via the beacon packet submission web site by 1200 PST on 12/22/06. It may take a few days to announce the winner, so please stand by. In the meantime, a posting of the winners of the First Contact Prize and the First 20 Stations Prize is located here. CK
12/21/06, 0455 PST - We are happy to report the winner of the GeneSat First Contact Prize for the amateur radio community: Ralph Wallio, WØRPK. Ralph successfully decoded 5 beacon packets at approximately 05:44:28 PST on 12/16, which was about 85 minutes after GeneSat deployed from the PPOD. Ralph is located in Iowa.
12/19/06, 0800 PST - The mission is proceeding very well. Three contacts were run today (~0435, 0615 and 0755 PST) in order to download data from the biology experiment as well as to continue monitoring vehicle health. Biology data shows definite growth over the first of 4 days of expected growth. Payload temperature control is doing a good job of holding the median payload temperature close to 34 deg C (the latest data shows median payload temp of 33.42). 2.4 GHz communications is functional and supporting the required level of procedural execution by the ops team, but the link continues to be sporadic, with only ~30% success in terms of getting round trip commands and their telemetry responses; we expect improvements in the orbit estimate over time to lead to a better success rate. The beacon downlink (both via SRI and by amateurs throughout the world) is excellent although the frequency has shifted down to about 437.0645 MHz range. CK
12/18/06, 0745 PST - The final contact of the day focused on monitoring the performance of the temperature control system for the experiment. Nominally, the experiment should run at ~ 34 deg C. Based on the temperature profile during the experiment start-up sequence (which lasts ~ 96 min), the processor had set the temperature control point to 32 deg C (a somewhat expected situation). The team downloaded payload data to support analysis of the temperature profile during the start-up sequence. Conditions looked good, and as a result, the set-point was commanded to 34 deg C. Part of the start-up sequence also involves injecting "feeding" the E. Coli with a glucose solution. The combination of food and a warm environment should bring them out of stasis such that they will grow over a ~ 96 hour period. During this growth period, each of the samples will be optically monitored in order to study their growth and their metabolism in the microgravity environment (this will be compared to data from a ground-based experiment in our flight back-up spacecraft). Bottom line - The beasties have been warmed up and fed! CK
12/18/06, 0535 PST - The experiment is running! The amateur radio Grand Prize Competition is up and running (packets collected after 0500 PST are valid for the competition) - Good luck to all of you! CK
12/18/06, 0500 PST - The experiment should now be running. We will be confirming this during the next contact at 0526 PST. CK
12/18/06, 0430 PST - Amateur radio operators.... The GeneSat experiment is expected to start at 0500 PST (30 min from now). The Grand Prize Competition will start at that time and will run for approximately 100 hours. A few caveats.... First - our next contact begins at 0526, and during that contact we will verify whether the experiment has, in fact, been successfully initiated. If not, we will delay the competition until further notice. But assuming positive confirmation, the competition is on. Second, the competition is scheduled to run for ~100 hours, which covers the "interesting" part of the biological experiment. This interesting part, however, is a function of temperature. So, as the competition progresses, we may extend the competition phase by several hours. We will post any such extensions here in this log, so stay tuned. Good luck to all, and be sure to submit your packets via the web site to participate. Details on the competition are here. CK
12/18/06, 0353 PST - The experiment start command has been successfully scheduled.... the contact is in progress.... CK
12/18/06, 0347 PST - Our contact is about to start... hey, we have beacon! Gotta go... CK
12/18/06, 0325 PST - We have an official "thumbs up" from the Mission Management team to proceed with our procedure. If all health and status checks are confirmed and execution of the procedure goes as planned, we'll be on track to have an experiment start at 0500 PST. Stay tuned.... CK
12/18/06, 0320 PST - The Mission Management Team continues to analyze and discuss bus and payload health data. So far, the decision is "go" to execute the Start Experiment procedure. Again, this decision may still be reversed and/or the procedure may not be completed - we will give a definitive "The competition has started" message on this log. CK
12/18/06, 0300 PST - The ops team is currently preparing a command plan that would initiate the experiment at 0500 PST 12/18/06 (1300 GMT). Note that operationally, this consists of sending a "delayed" command during the next contact (which starts ~0348 PST) such that the "start experiment" command executes at 0500 PST. For those of you interested, the selection of "start" time for the experiment is a function of the "start" process which includes a much tighter (and more power hungry) payload temperature control loop (which begins ~36 min after "start"). Because of power considerations, the "start" time is selected as a function of eclipse times, etc.
That said, the Mission Management Team is currently discussing, via teleconference, whether to proceed with this plan. If the decision is "go", it is worth noting that the procedure we must execute to make all of this happen is complex, and given the limited nature of the 2.4 GHz command link (more on that later) we may not be able to execute the entire sequence in time. So - amateur radio operators - continue to monitor this page. We will keep you posted as to our plans, and we will let you know when the experiment (and thus the Grand Prize Competition) begins. CK
12/18/06, 0220 PST - The ops team has just completed the first contact of the day in order to assess spacecraft health. Pending analysis and discussion that will occur with the engineering team over the next 30 min, a determination will be made regarding whether to attempt to initiate the experiment on one of the subsequent contacts. We will post an update as soon as this decision is made. Amateur radio operators interested in the Grand Prize Competition (which begins when the experiment is started), stand by..... CK
12/17/06, 1800 PST - Satellite performance and state is positive enough that, pending the health and status of the satellite over the next 8 hours, the GeneSat team may initiate the biological experiment sometime during the early morning (0345-0715 PST) on 12/18/06. ATTENTION - HAM RADIO CONTEST PARTICIPANTS - the mission's Amateur Radio Grand Prize will be awarded based on beacon packets received during the active biological growth period. This period begins with the Start Experiment command that we may be sending early morning PST on 12/18/16. The growth period, and therefore the contest, will nominally last for 96 hours, although that period may be extended depending on the temperature profile during that time. Updates will be posted here and details of the contest are here. But get ready!!! CK
12/17/06, 0400 PST - Our 2.4 GHz command channel works!!! We're currently using NORAD's new OBJECT C TLEs:
This seemed to work like a charm. Beacon was LOUD and clear immediately - so clear that one of the team walked over to see if our satellite prototype was on by mistake! Beacon data started flowing as well, and our attempts at 2.4 GHz commanding were immediatley successful! Details to follow soon. Given good 2.4 GHz comm, the mission is now in Stabilization Phase. CK
12/16/06, 1315 PST - Beacon data has been coming in throughout the day, with amateurs across the US, in Japan, etc. submitting valid data packets. We will be making some of the data plots available later today, but so far, the temperature and power continues to be nominal. NOTE TO HAMS - numerous reports suggest that the beacon frequency seems to have settled in at a frequency several kHz below the launch frequency of 437.075 MHz. These reports put the frequency somewhere in the 437.067 - 437.071 range. CK
12/16/06, 0645 PST - Great news! Initial decode of beacon packets show limited data, but so far that data shows a nominal temperature (ranging from 10-16 degrees C) and power condition! More reports of HAMs hearing the beacon but not well enough to get data... CK
12/16/06, 0615 PST - Based on the launch vector that has been provided, we have a new set of TLEs for all you HAMs out there:
Good luck - and please submit beacon packets to the submission site. So far, we've had several stations hear the beacon (SRI, SCU, Cal Poly). Packets have been successfully received by Ralph Wallio, W0RPK. We're decoding and analyzing the packets now. CK
12/16/06, 0538 PST - GeneSat is alive! The ops team ran its first contact from SRI from 0528-0537 PST. GeneSat's beacon signal was heard, although no packets were decoded given our lack of knowledge of the orbit. The team has just now received the launch vector, so we hope to point more precisely on the next pass in about 90 min. The beacon was also heard by the SCU and Cal Poly amateur radio stations. CK
12/16/06, 0420 PST - GeneSat should be deployed from Cal Poly's PPOD! Go Cal Poly! CK
12/16/06, 0400 PST - LAUNCH! Everything looks and sounds great! GeneSat is expected to be deployed at ~0420 PST. CK
12/16/06, 0345 PST - The GeneSat team is assembled at various locations, watching the launch video on the web. The ops team is at the SRI station, and most of the other team members are at Ames. CK
12/13/06, 1235 PST - It's official - Saturday, 12/16/06, is now the earliest possible launch date. From that day through 12/22/06, the daily launch window has now been expanded to 0400-0730 PST.
12/13/06, 0900 PST - Saturday, 12/16/06, now appears to be the earliest possible launch date. Details pending. CK
12/12/06, 0700 PST - Wallops announces that Friday, 12/15/06, is now the earliest possible launch date. Launch time remains 0400-0700 PST for each day in the current launch window, which has now been extended from 12/15-22/06. The report on TacSat-2 is that analysis and testing continue of its flight software and its ground-based simulator at Kirtland AFB. Web sites to watch for more information include the NASA TacSat-2 Mission site and the Wallops TacSat-2 Mission site. CK
12/11/06, 1230 PST - Wallops announces that Thursday, 12/14/06, is the earliest possible date for launch. The problem being investigated is being called "a potential inconsistency in the TacSat-2 spacecraft flight software." CK
12/11/06, 0900 PST - Meetings and teleconferences are occurring and will continue throughout the day to determine the severity of the TacSat-2 problem and what the launch options are. Although there is no official word at this time, a Tuesday 12/12/06 launch seems very doubtful. The GeneSat-1 Mission Team is in the process of assessing their options as a function of the potential delay. Because GeneSat-1 carries a biological payload, the length of the delay may affect the viability of the biological experiment; several options exist to address this issue. CK
12/10/06, 2245 PST - With only a few hours left in the countdown, the launch has been scrubbed for 12/11/06. Word is that there is a problem with the primary satellite, TacSat-2. The current launch period runs from 12/11-20/06 so there are still opportunities to launch in the short term depending on the severity of the problem. Web sites to watch for more information include the NASA TacSat-2 Mission site and the Wallops TacSat-2 Mission site. CK
12/10/06, 0930 PST - A successful Configuration Control Board (CCB) review has been held to review the upgrade of the SRI Communication Station feed. A quad feed was installed in order to support operation of 4 spacecraft in the next 5 weeks. CCB approval was given based on positive test data. CK
12/9/06, 1800 PST - This evening's successful Space Shuttle launch clears the way for our launch on Monday morning at 0400 am PST. The launch can be watched via the web from the Wallops Launch Webcast site.
12/8/06, 1700 PST - The GeneSat Mission Team is using this week to prepare for the launch, currently scheduled for 12/11/06 at 0400 PST. The Mission Team is actively tracking developments with the Space Shuttle launch. If the Shuttle does not launch on Saturday night (12/9/06) there is a reasonable chance that it will cause a delay in the GeneSat launch since critical NASA tracking facilities must be used for both missions (and the Shuttle has priority). Additional SCU students on the operations team are going through a formal training program to become certified to operate the vehicle. In addition, SCU personnel are now certified to operate the SRI communication station. CK
12/4/06, 1700 PST - Operations Readiness Review (ORR) at NASA Ames Research Center. The team was given Approval To Proceed (ATP) from the ORR review team. CK
Santa Clara University Robotics Systems Laboratory
Since 1145 PST 12/20/06


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Perks of Being a Wallflower
In the fall of 2012, Pretty Southern was privileged to interview Stephen Chbosky, author of "The Perks of Being a Wallflower". This best-selling novel was translated to film this year, which the author was also able to adapt to screenplay and direct himself. "Perks" is a story of three friends coming into their own starring Logan Lerman, Emma Watson and Ezra Miller. After 15-year-old Charlie (Lerman) is taken under the wings of two seniors, Sam (Watson) and Patrick (Miller), who help guide him to "the real world", Charlie ends up falling in love with Sam. Simultaneously, he is struggling to cope after the suicide of his best friend, (plus his own mental illness) while fighting the unrequited battle in high school of finding true friends. The introvert freshman is perhaps the mouthpiece of Chbosky's own quest to discover meaning in a cruel world, as the author describes penning his first novel after a terrible breakup. Click here and fast forward to minute 3:30 to see our interview with "The Perks of Being a Wallflower" writer & director Stephen Chbosky.
Chbosky also wrote the screenplay for the film adaptation of Rent, and was co-creator, executive producer, and writer of the CBS television series Jericho, which began airing in 2006. He is currently working to finish his second novel while raising a baby girl, Maccie Margaret, with his lovely wife, Liz. Follow him on Twitter to keep up with this brilliant author. Thanks again to the New York Public Library and Google for hosting this great hangout.
2Pingbacks & Trackbacks on Perks of Being a Wallflower
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Things you need for this project:
- A computer with Windows XP or Vista
- A microphone
- Some time and patience!
Featured on Gizmodo.
Step 1: Download Voice Activiation Command Software
VAC Download Page
It's currently only available for Windows XP and Vista.
Step 2: Grab Some Spells And Plug 'em in!
Some sample spells:
- Brighten Screen
- Dim Screen
- Hibernate
- Mute
- Volume Up
- Stop In Web Browser
- Exit application
Step 3: Enter the Incantations
Next, you want to start making spells. You go into the "Action Description" box and hit the "Add" button. Enter the spell name and click "OK".
After this, go over to the "Command List" box. This is where you will program what will happen when a certain phrase is said. Qualifier keys can be anything from "Alt" to "Shift", so just explore both lists. The extended keys reach almost anything, including browser commands and media player commands.
If you want to make sure you have the right key, boot up the Keyboard Tester program that came with VAC. Click the button in the top left to change it from "Disabled" to "Enabled". When enabled, your keyboard will light up buttons when you push them.
You can do multiple things with one voice command.. Just add another command and repeat the last step.
The "Command Attributes" can be used for more personal commands, dealing with the duration the combo is held, the pause before it is executed, and the number of times to repeat the combo.
"Profile Activation Keys" deal with activating and deactivating the voice commands by using key combos. I didn't bother with these in my project, but you certainly can if the mood strikes you.
Finally, you want to test your phrase to make sure the computer can recognize the voice commands. To do this, simply hit the "Test Phrase" button in the bottom right corner. If it matches your voice command with the correct spell, you're golden. If it doesn't just try again or pick a different phrase to say.
And of course, save your profile with the button in the bottom right before you close.
Step 4: Categories
Step 5: Boot Up The VAC System
From the manual:
When the icon is just the microphone:
- VAC is running and ready.
- VAC is running and has a profile loaded.
- Vac is running, has a profile loaded and the recognition is active.
I'll get a demonstration video up sometime soon!
My backup file is attached which contains all of the spells I have made thus far. To use them, go into VAC builder and hit "File", "Import", and "Text File (txt)".
Step 6: Your Spells!
I don't know what he uses, but I'd suggest:Imperio - Task ManagerAvada Kedavra - Shut downOblivio - RestartAlso, he has Volume up and mute, but not volume down. I'd suggest Quietus for that.
Quietus - Reduces VolumeReducto - Closes current windowI solemnly swear that I'm up to no good - Open web browserMischief Managed - Also closes current windowLegilimens - Opens the Task ManagerImperio - Opens the Command Prompt
benthekahn suggests his own reverse psychology spells...
You should make everything a normal but different command. ie...Startup=shutdownmute=full volumeprevious song=next song
Step 7: Additional Software
- Munkey suggests using the default speech recognition software
- Linux.com has agreat article detailing how to install and use Perlbox, a voice command program for Linux.
- CVoiceControl is another program similar to VAC, although the author is no longer supporting the program anymore.
What is a free software I could use for this? When I download VAC it tells me I have 14 days.
The link in the article is http://www.dwvac.com/download.htm when it should be http://www.dwvac.com/download.html . So when you go to the old page, it is linking to an old install file which is no longer being served on the server.
avadra kedavra shut down
C++ is easy to learn for beginners so if you don't have coding experience don't be scared off by this option. Simple programs such as one to do a basic command could be learned in a matter of hours. Just make sure you start off with the classic "Hello World" :D and you'll be fine.
and there is more than one SW that will do this- iits beening used by lots of people i know on steam- so it works and -- its also on sevral sites.- i will NOT link here but google the file name and -- easy..
avada kedavra: opens antivirus


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not much the room was very tiny and very old.
the price of --- was way to much for this place. iwould never stay here again
The enthusiasm of the owner / operator. Also his interest and knowledge w.r.t. local fishing and the outdoors. Also, the feel of natural isolation among the trees, birds and animals even though only a short distance from the highway! We'll be back!
No signage to locate the place - had to phone for exact directions.
Fresh laminate flooring, new paint job, quiet.
Hard chairs, bad paint job in the bathroom & stairs only!! No elevator for the 4th floor visit :(
in centre of town
very expensive for the townrenovations taking place
Large room size, big free breakfast, and (except for the odd hallway noise) quiet.
Here's why:
We're not the seller
At KAYAK we don't set prices, so it's not possible for us to guarantee what other companies are selling.
We aggregate tons of data for you
Our service lets you quickly and easily compare results from hundreds of travel sites at once. In this sense, KAYAK is a search engine and we don't guarantee prices we find.
Why aren't prices accurate 100% of the time?
Prices on airline seats, hotel rooms and car rentals can change frequently. Several people may also be trying to buy the same travel option simultaneously. As a result, you may find on occasion that certain prices are no longer available.
More questions or if you have a bad price to report to us
Please send us an
and someone from our team will get back to you promptly.
KAYAK is part of The Priceline Group, the world leader in online travel & related services.


text: This much is certain: John Calipari will have a whole lot of talent at his disposal next season. What isn't as clear is how the UK basketball coach will deploy that talent. Roles and rotations will surely be defined and redefined as the season progresses. One player will know his place from the moment he steps on campus.


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162 Piano Class II (0.25)
In this continuation of MUSIC 161, students further develop their reading fluency and technical skil l, and work with more advanced harmonic idioms. Class activities include harmonization and transposition, score reading, performance, by-ear playing, and improvisation. A grade of B- or higher satisfies Piano Proficiency Level 2 requirements. Prerequisite: MUSIC 161, completion of Piano Proficiency Level 1, or audition placement. Prerequisite: concurrent registration in MUSIC 114. Offered annually in the spring semester.


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Argum Oak (ROBLE) is Blend of Tempranillo, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. Aged for 4 months in Bordeaux barrels French and American oak. 6 months in bottle before its release.
Color: cherry-red with blue trim and ruby. Upper middle layer, clean and very bright.
Aroma: Intense red fruit smell all ripe, spices, light notes of vanilla and toasted a richbackground.
Taste: Tasty, well structured, with good balance, developing the character of high quality tannins. It looks elegant, with very good concentration of fruit, large and persistence, standing feelings of coffee, cocoa and red berries. Comprehensive finalwith delicate spicy, long and intense.
Recommended dishes: Red meats, roasts, stews and all types of hunting, well curedcheeses, blue and foie.
Browse Wine
By Price
By Country / Region
By Wine Type
By Grape / Variety
*You must be at least 21 years of age to order wine or spirits.
Item added to your cart


text: Oral Medicine Oral Medicine addresses diseases and conditions affecting the mouth. This profession is a bridge between dentistry and medicine, providing non-surgical treatments. If you suffer from any of the following diseases or conditions, you may benefit from a consultation : Ulcers, color changes, bumps Dry mouth and salivary gland disorders Oral complications from cancer treatment Infections in the mouth Gum enlargement Canker sore outbreaks Burning mouth Many other oral diseases Oral Cancer Screenings: call 582-273-3833 for an appointment. Fees and Insurance Oral Medicine is covered by BC/BS and MVP insurances Self-pay is accepted Please call 582-273-3833 for questions regarding other insurances Oral Medicine Activities and Initiatives Oral Medicine Conference - A Three Continent Perspective Read how one patient found great relief through Oral Medicine - see page 4 of EIOH magazine, Momentum Dr. Sharon Elad With more than 15 years' experience in Oral Medicine, Dr. Elad is the Chair of the Oral Medicine Division. She is a Professor of Dentistry and a faculty member with privileges at Strong Memorial Hospital and URMC. Dr. Elad is the Secretary of the International Society of Oral Oncology and is invited to speak and consult around the world related to this specialized area of dentistry. Providers, Save the Date! On Friday, April 3, 2015, EIOH is hosting an Oral Medicine Conference, featuring oral medicine professionals from around the globe. Visit http://www.urmc.rochester.edu/Dentistry/education/continuing-education/Oral-Medicine-Conference.aspx for more information.


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This Week on Xbox Live - Brawling, Shanking, Blasting, and Flying Video Feature
We take a look at Scott Pilgrim, Shank, and Naruto.
We take a look at Scott Pilgrim, Shank, and Naruto.
Memorial Day can't slow down a busy week that saw Infamous 2 confirmed, Deus Ex: Human Revolution and DC Universe Online dated, NBA Elite explained, and Backbreaker reviewed.
Xbox Live Update: Peanuts pooch flies the Sopwith Camel once more as Medal of Honor: Airborne and Soulcalibur IV buff the Games on Demand library.
Xbox Live Update: Microsoft confirms new Darkspawn Chronicles for May 18; Zeno Clash, RayStorm HD, Snoopy Flying Ace, Game Room updates dated.
We take to the sky with the Peanuts gang and find out all about what it means to be in the middle of a dog fight.
No forum topics for Snoopy Flying Ace yet. Want to start us off? Create a new topic.
Use your keyboard!
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Rate this Game:
Someone has stolen the pigs from the farm. Rescue the pigs so they can be returned to the farm safely. Can you save the bacon in this fun puzzle game?
Play our free online games. Play games online. We've got good games: 2 Player games, Action and Adventure games, Arcade games, Board and Card games, Cartoon Character games, Cooking games, Dress Up games, Educational games, Puzzle games, Racing games, Sports games and Time Management games. Play them today! Our good games are suitable for all ages! We also have Autumn games, Christmas games, Easter Games, Halloween Games, Spring Games, Summer Games, Valentine Games and Winter Games.


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At the Swearer Center, we provide students with opportunities to explore their passions in the classroom and community, and build the skills, knowledge, and relationships necessary to lead lives of effective action.
Through valued partnerships with faculty, community practitioners, and others across the university and beyond, we deepen Brown's mission to "serve the community, nation, and world" through innovative, thoughtful approaches to social change.
Explore hundreds of stories created by students on Swearer Sparks to connect with others passionate about social change on campus and discover new opportunities to get involved in their work!
What's New?
- Welcome Class of 2019! Get Started with Swearer!
- Now Hiring: Director of the Swearer Center for Public Service and Entrepreneurship Coordinator
- Apply to be a 2015-16 Storyteller for Good (Deadline: September 17, 2015)
- 2015 Royce Fellows Pursue Bold Research with Impact
- Celebration of Engaged Scholars at Brown
Read more news from the Swearer Center!
Learn More
Visit our Getting Started page for an overview of our programs and how you can get involved. Then sign up for our weekly newsletters and follow us on Facebook and Twitter to stay up-to-date on volunteer opportunities, community events, jobs/internships, and more.
See you in Providence!


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Teen Science Cafe: The Science Behind the Sniff: What Does the Dog's Nose Know?
Dogs have been trained to sniff out explosives, illegal drugs, missing people, human remains and much more. Working dogs' abilities may seem magical or mysterious, but in this Teen Science Cafe, Cat Warren shows the multifaceted science, the rigorous training, and the skilled handling that underlie the amazing abilities of dogs who work with their noses.
We'll look at training samples, watch video of scent dogs working, and consider some recent rigorous scientific studies that both explode myths and confirm what we know: under the right conditions, the dog's nose has amazing capabilities.
Copies of Cat Warren's new book What the Dog Knows: The Science and Wonder of Working Dogs will be available for purchase and signing on the night of the Café.
About the Speaker
Cat Warren is an associate professor at North Carolina State University, where she teaches science journalism, editing, and reporting courses. She has an admittedly odd hobby: She and her German Shepherd have spent the last seven years searching for the dead. Solo is a cadaver dog. What started as a way to harness Solo's unruly energy and enthusiasm soon became a calling that introduced Warren to the hidden and fascinating universe of working dogs, their handlers, and their trainers.
Her new book What the Dog Knows: The Science and Wonder of Working Dogs chronicles her experiences training Solo to be cadaver dog, stories about other working dogs and the people who love and manage them, and of her research into how dogs smell and why that matters.
She lives with her husband, David, and two German Shepherds, Solo and Coda, in Durham, North Carolina.


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Certified, organic, home grown carbon fiber harvested under a Crescent Moon from wild techno trees and spun into the lightest weight snowshoes known to man. All the laws of physics are violated in the careful craftsmanship of the Rocket™. It's true, we use the latest in rocket science technology to make them many times stronger than steel but, incredibly lightweight; the application is straight out of the NASA space program and the Rocket is bound to put your snowshoeing experience into a different orbit.
As opposed to other manufacturers, we don't scrimp or eliminate basic features to make a lighter weight snowshoe. Our Single Pull Loop (SPL) race binding secures your foot with equal tension in all directions and eliminates painful hot spots.Other bindings come loose during snowshoeing because they are open at the toe which allows your foot to slide back and forth and become loose. The all-foot encompassing SPL binding captures your foot from top to bottom, side to side, and most uniquely, front to back and eliminates the 'foot-slop' problem. Consequently, readjustments and re-tightening, which are common in other bindings, are eliminated with the SPL binding.
The Rocket also features our 3 claw aluminum traction system so you can push off, climb, and descend with confidence. For those extremists who are looking for every possible gram reduction, you can make the Rocket even lighter by removing the SPL bindings and directly mount your running shoes to the frame – that's nearly anti-gravitational, or whatever the opposite of weight is.
But you don't have to wait anymore, so get ready to launch yourself into winter this season with a pair of Rockets on your feet.
- 8″ x 24″
- Use with bindings or without bindings as a direct mount to athletic shoes. All hardware included
- 2.2 lbs./pr. Direct Mount (without binding). 2.84 lbs./pr. with Binding
- Materials: Carbon fiber composite frame
- Traction: Aluminum 3 crampons – toe, ball, heel
- Binding: Lightweight race Single-pull-loop Binding with spring loaded cam buckles. Fits sizes 5 – 15 running shoes
Product Description
"I just wanted to thank you for making such awesome snowshoes! I recently raced in "The Climb" snowshoe race and won!
I was racing in your carbon fiber snowshoes and I felt invincible. They are super light and they track behind me amazingly well. I also ran in the Night Hawk Series at Eldora and won the entire series! Just like MJ use to say, 'It's all about the shoes'. Thanks for being such a great support and for making such amazing gear."
Shawn S
"Configuration tested: Direct mount Carbon fiber Snowshoes
Running performance
I have owned a pair of Gold 12 Race Snowshoes for almost 8 years and have used them heavily and often with zero failures so I was mentally prepared to not see a performance difference with the Rocket snowshoes as I believed that the Gold 12s were as good as it gets. I was wrong. I can't believe that the wicked fast performance is solely a function of the lighter weight as compared to the Gold 12s. There is something about the carbon fiber response to impact to the trail that is well, electric.
Wow! I'm not exaggerating when I say that the snowshoes disappear when the run/power hike starts. I took 8 minutes off my best time to Lake Brainard (approx 3 miles on way) and was noticeably less aerobically taxed.
Bottom line assessment is that these snowshoes are a home run. Pricey? Yes, but Crescent Moon has done the up-front R&D (AKA homework) on this product."
Jeff R., Engineer – Ball Aerospace & Technologies Corp.


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Hotels in 27209 - Biscoe NC
Only hotels in 27209 zip code are listed below. Search for cheap and discount hotel rates in Biscoe, NC for your upcoming leisure or conference / group travel. We list the best 27209 hotels and motels so you can review the Biscoe hotel list below to find the perfect lodging. Hotels in Montgomery county and area code 910 are also listed.
27209 Hotels/Motels & Accommodations
Next: Show All Available 27209 Hotels with Pricing >


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NBA All-Star Banners Targeting Records, Capturing Viewers
You've heard that everything is bigger in Texas. This week Dallas is taking aim at two more Guinness World Records: largest building wrap and the most basketball attendees. Both are related to this weekend's NBA All-Star game, which is targeting an attendance of more than 80k in the new Cowboys Stadium.
It's the downtown building wraps that have even the most sophisticated city slickers all agog. There are massive images of the Dallas Maverick's all-star forward Dirk Nowitzki and Cleveland Cavaliers Star LeBron James featured on the Bank of America, the Hyatt Regency and the Rennaissance Hotel. The B of A banner has a height of 30 stories and an area of 53,000 square feet, and will surpass the old record set in the Phillipines in 2008.
I suspect that since you're reading this blog, you have an appreciation for eye-catching designs, signs and marketing. Although you probably aren't trying to set a world record, you know that effective color combinations, unexpected placement, and some creative thought helps get your name and message noticed on everyday banners, vehicle signs, shirts, and promotional items. We'd love to help you with that–as long as it
doesn't involve climbing 30 story buildings!
By the way, if you'd like to see some more great Dallas photos, check out Clark Crenshaw photography.


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Final tax-free weekend brings large numbers
On the first day of North Carolina's last tax-free weekend, crowds swarmed local big box stores in search of deals.
This year, many families looked to take advantage of savings on printers, electronic accessories and computers, which are tax-exempt up to $3,500.
Yolanda Yoder of Henderson, who pushed a full shopping cart in Staples on Friday, said she would miss the holiday next year.
"I'll probably spend up to $500 on school supplies for my four kids," she said. "I don't know if it saves a huge amount, but it's nice that there's a time designated to do school shopping and stores usually have additional sales."
Yoder also picked up a new $170 Internet router that can handle eight or more devices at once.
Her old router stopped working last week, but she held off until Friday to make her purchase.
"I waited so I could save a little bit of money on this," said Yoder, a Vance-Granville Community College teacher.
But she says she plans to stay in town next year when its time again to shop for school supplies, instead of crossing the border to states that are keeping the holiday.
The recently passed Tax Simplification and Reduction Act contains a provision that ends the state's tax-free weekend effective next year.
North Carolina's existing tax-free statute is considered broader than those in nearby states.
For example, in North Carolina, individual school supplies up to $100 are tax-free.
In Virginia, school supplies are tax-exempt if they cost $20 or less per item.
Virginia's tax-free holiday only applies to school supplies and clothes. Electronics, like laptops and tablets, are not tax-exempt; in North Carolina they are included.
Stan Wolfenbarger, general manager at Staples, said his store always sees an increase in computer and electronics sales during this time of year.
"People were waiting outside this morning before we opened," he said. "With the pressure of this being the last one, that's causing an influx in business as well."
Wolfenbarger, who has worked at Staples for 12 years, said the tax-free weekend is not overly profitable, but it does generate high sales.
"We do more in sales in these three days than we will any other time of year," he said. "This holiday benefits the consumer more than us."
Kim Brummell of Oxford stopped by Staples Friday to browse the store's selection of computer memory for her outdated desktop.
On her way to the computer memory section, Brummell was distracted by the new desktops on display in the front of the store.
She said the tax-free deal made the new computers seem more attractive.
"I came in looking for more memory, and now I'm thinking about upgrading to a new computer."
Contact the writer at email@example.com.