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VIDEO/PHOTOS: Irish eyes smile during Naples' St. Patrick's Day parade
NAPLES - Shades of green blanketed downtown Naples on Saturday as Neapolitans erupted in Irish pride.
Thousands of revelers lined the streets, adorned with anything and everything green -- green sparkling bowler hats, green beaded necklaces, green shamrock-print pants -- to take in the 32nd annual St. Patrick's Day parade.
What they came for on this cloudless, warm afternoon was a two-hour festival of floats and musical performances celebrating what some there called the happiest people on the globe.
■ Family loses dog at St. Patrick's Day parade in Naples
"The Irish do everything over the top," said Patti Thorsen, of Naples, waving a fist full of green, white and orange Irish national flags, wearing shamrock beads around her neck and a puffy green hat that stood a foot tall on her head.
She bounced to the sounds of the local Harp and Thistle Pipe Band, in their green and gold tartan kilts, bagpipes sounding out God Bless America.
Thorsen is three-quarters Irish, the other quarter Norwegian, she said.
She comes every year and this year she secured her front-row seat on Eighth Street South by arriving an hour and a half early.
"We're happy people," Thorsen said. "We want everyone to be happy."
The crowd was happy when Palmetto Ridge High School marched by with clover color guard flags.
That caught the attention of Jack Fitzgerald who came down from Bonita Springs.
Saturday's parade, with crowds cheering together for the Irish folk songs and the Irish flag, reminded him of his days in Buffalo, N.Y., where he grew up with and worked with mostly Irish.
"We are all Irish Catholics and we all stuck together," Fitzgerald said, adding that the celebration was all part of a good life.
"I like beer. I like songs." Fitzgerald said. "And I tell you it hasn't hurt me."
Fitzgerald's dog, Kera, a 6-year-old Boston terrier, was a big hit with other parade-goers.
With shamrock stickers on her lead and a harness filled with green carnations, passers-by stopped to have their pictures taken with the black-and-white dog.
Kera wasn't the only dog taking in the festivities. A standard poodle was shaved down except for a few rings of hair circling her body; the white hair had been dyed green. Even an Irish wolfhound made an appearance.
The event was complete with more common parade participants -- clowns tossing candy and politicians taking the opportunity to advertise their platforms.
Mandy Rook of Naples brought 3-year-old Julia to Third Street South, where she oohed and ahhed over the floats, drums and cheerleaders.
She came not because of Irish heritage, Rook said, "it's just festive."
Mariann MacDonald and several of her friends dressed in green shirts with pink letters spelling the "Mighty Macs."
They had just come from running in the 5K Susan G. Komen's Race for the Cure in Estero on Saturday morning before heading to the parade.
"Even though I'm of Italian descent, we go for the green," MacDonald said of the reason they chose to make their team shirts green.
Some had seen all they needed of the parade and made their way to Sugden Community Theater, where the downtown Naples plaza had been converted into a beer garden.
The Irish music band West of Galway prepared to entertain the crowded tables, where Mary and Jim Hammond decided to take a break.
They had walked in the parade in honor of their son, part of the Notre Dame alumni group.
The Hammonds _ both of their mothers had Irish roots _ sipped water before diving into a Guinness. For them, the parade was about bringing out in everyone the nature of the Irish community.
"They're so happy and lovable," Mary Hammond said.
Her husband agreed, saying his wife was Irish and German, but it was the Irish that won him over.
"The German can cook, but I fell in love with the Irish," he said.
__ Connect with Tara E. McLaughlin at www.naplesnews.com/staff/tara-mclaughlin/
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Alerts and Important Information
All tents must be put on gravel pads. None of the electric and water sites allow tents to be set up on the grass
Electrical hookup(s) available on this site: 20 & 30 & 50 amps
If a tent is used, it must be free standing.
NO stakes allowed. Tents are NOT allowed on grass.

subset: commoncrawl


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Montgomery, AL Architects
PWBA Architects, Inc.
PWBA Architects, Inc. provides Montgomery, AL a full range of architectural services including architectural design, interior design and space planning. We are a corporate member of the U.S. Green Building Council and our staff is made up of LEED AP experts. We can help you achieve your energy conservation goals and implement sustainable design measures.
Learn more about PWBA Architects, Inc.:
- Architectural design
- Interior design
- Space planning
- Master planning
- Construction contract administration
Contact PWBA Architects, Inc. today at 334-244-4990 for all of your Montgomery, AL architectural needs.
Contact Information


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Two-ply fine cotton and single-needle construction make these extra-durable and wrinkle resistant. Button-through sleeve placket. Split-back yoke with back pleat provides a comfortable range of shoulder movement. Machine wash. Imported. CLICK ON SWATCHES BELOW TO SEE COLOR CHANGE.
Additional Sizes:
Color : Select Swatch Below
We have hand selected products to match the product above.
(based on 11 reviews)
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Nice shirt - great value
By JS,
from USA
About Me Comfort-oriented, Conservative, Practical
Comments about Jos. A. Bank Traveler Tailored Fit Solid Herringbone Sportshirt:
This shirt has all the features I look for - comfort, fit, style, two cuff buttons. The sale price was fantastic!
Bottom Line Yes, I would recommend this to a friend
Was this review helpful? Yes / No
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Color Disappointing - Quality Very Good
By patathomas
from Atlanta
About Me Comfort-oriented, Practical
The color I chose appeared almost black on the folded shirt representation on the web site. The shirt that came was light grey. I do not like light colors. The quality is very good, though.I would recommend with caustions about the colr representations online.
High quality good looking shirt.
By Bear
from Dallas Texas
About Me Stylish
Everyday work in a business causal environment
I would buy this item again.
By Billy
from Havre de Grace, Maryland
About Me Comfort-oriented, Conservative, Practical, Stylish
I love the Traveler line. The quality, comfort, and fit are excellent. I have alot of the Traveler sportshirts and wear them everywhere. The only negative comment would be that the colors on the internet site aren't always true.
Good shirt
By Woody
from Crownsville, MD
This is a sportshirt that I will wear with a sport coat and bluejeans. The fabric is finely done and has good body. The fit is excellent, with good long tails.
(1 of 1 customers found this review helpful)
the blue color is excellent
By Ray
from CORPUS CHRISTI.TX
About Me Comfort-oriented
the tailored fit is perfect for those of us who are a bit overweight. I have a big neck and the XL is perfect because the neck fits well and the rest of the shirt fits perfectly. I would normally wear a large but the nect is too tight.
Great fitting everyday shirt!
By Kris
from Edina, MN
About Me Practical, Stylish
Bought this shirt for my Dad. Perfect fit and washes well.
No bone to pick with this herringbone
By Filmbuff
from Bloomington IN
This is the real McCoy. Great fit, subtle design.
By TxYank
from Granbury, TX
Shirt is too large for a "large." The entire shirt feels puffy. Will be returning it.
Bottom Line No, I would not recommend this to a friend
Beautiful Shirts. Good quality.
By Shastaboz
from Redding, CA
We had purchased some Jos A. Banks shirts last year. These herringbone are absolutely great quality. We bought three more and feel that we got a great deal on great merchandise.I forgot to put in a discount code, and they immediately honored it. I was amazed. I will definitely buy more items.
Not everything that was promised
By Wrinkled Dave
from Maryland
I bought these shirts after returning others to LL Bean because they did not come out of the wash as well as advertized. I both called Banks online store and visited a retail shop to be sure I didn't make the same mistake. Both times I was assured that the Bank shirts were different and definately no ironing would be necessary. These are really nice shirts, but they don't come out of the dryer as advertized. I'd be happy to discuss this further with someone at Bank.
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The display on the machine shows "Replace Drum" or the status monitor
displays "Replace Drum" after installing a new drum unit. What can I
If you just
installed a replacement drum and the message "Replace Drum" never cleared or the
status monitor NEVER stopped displaying the message REPLACE DRUM, do the
following to verify the drum counter was reset:
1. Open the front
cover and remove the drum and toner unit.
2. Reinstall the
drum and toner unit back into the machine. DO NOT close the front
3. Press the
CLEAR key. To confirm you are installing a new drum unit, press
1 for YES.
4. When the display
reads "Accepted", close the front cover.
5. Confirm the drum
LED is now off.
- If the message
continues to appear, repeat STEPS 1-5 to confirm the
drum counter was reset properly.
- If the message
continues to appear after repeating Steps 1 – 5 and your machine is within
warranty, you can locate a Brother Authorized Service Center (ASC) in your area
by clicking on the link below:
or contact Brother Customer Service by calling 1-877-Brother (1-877-276-8437)
Monday through Friday, excluding holidays.
If your machine is
out of warranty, you can locate a Brother Authorized Service Center using the
information listed above.
Spend Less for More Pages with new Brother™ Business Smart™ Lineup Expansion
Brother Dealer Carrie Jarvis Inducted as National Certified Sewing Educator at VDTA/S...
Sixth Annual Brother Small Business Survey Shows Majority of Small Business Owners ar...


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July 31, 2015
WACO, Texas -- Sentencing has been delayed for an AWOL soldier convicted of planning to blow up a restaurant full of Fort Hood troops.
Prosecutors say the sentencing of Army Pfc. Naser Jason Abdo will now be Friday morning in a federal court in Waco. It had been set for Thursday afternoon.
Assistant U.S. attorney Mark Frazier says he believes it was Abdo who requested the one-day delay to better prepare for the hearing.
The 22-year-old will represent himself at the sentencing after the judge in the case granted his request last month. Abdo had said he and his attorneys weren't communicating effectively.
He was convicted in May on six federal charges.
Abdo was AWOL from Fort Campbell, Ky., when arrested with bomb-making materials last summer at a Fort Hood-area motel.
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Narrow your search
Though not quite as competitive as the 600L version was last year, the 1000L Ledare LED holds its own -- and in some categories, it's a standout. If you're comfortable in the middle ground between the 60W and 75W levels, it's worth picking up.
There's enough quality with these low cost bulbs to keep them from feeling cheap, which makes them an excellent value option.
With 1,000 lumens and a color rendering score of 90, the newest Ledare LED from Ikea has us intrigued.
With 1,000 lumens and outstanding color quality, this low-cost light has a lot to offer.
The Swedish DIY-furniture manufacturer has launched a service that allows users to hold a virtual wedding online.
Take Subaru's WRX and stretch it into a family friendly wagon. The result is the Levorg sportwagon, on hand at the 2015 Geneva auto show.
You'll be able to drop a compatible smartphone on your IKEA nightstand for a quick charge.
Do you cringe every time you come home with one of those flat boxes from IKEA? A new game called Höme Improvisåtion lets you relive the frustration virtually.
These LEDs put the spotlight on aesthetics and cost less than $5 each.
Can these low-cost bulbs compete with big names like Philips and Cree?


text:
Anthony Cerami, PhD
Chief Executive Officer
Chairman of the Board of Directors
Member, Scientific Advisory Board
Anthony Cerami, PhD is the founder of Warren Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and serves as its Chairman of the Board and CEO.
A member of the National Academy of Sciences and former dean of The Rockefeller University, Dr. Cerami has had a successful career applying detailed biochemical insights to the design of novel therapeutic strategies, translating scientific discovery into commercially viable products of high clinical utility.
He received his PhD from The Rockefeller University in 1967 and completed postdoctoral fellowships at Harvard Medical School and at the Jackson Laboratory in Bar Harbor, Maine. Dr. Cerami served 20 years as Professor and Head of the Laboratory of Medical Biochemistry and as Dean of Graduate and Post Graduate Studies of Rockefeller University.
He established the Picower Institute for Medical Research in Manhasset, New York, in July 1991 and became its first president. He is a recipient of a number of awards, including the Luft Award in Diabetes, and the Banting Medal for Scientific Achievement, awarded by the American Diabetes Association in recognition of his lifelong work on diabetes.
Dr. Cerami has been the inventor or co-inventor on over 150 issued U.S. patents and hundreds of foreign counterparts. He is the author or co-author of over 500 scientific publications, and is the co-inventor of the anti-TNF monoclonal antibody that has been approved by the FDA for the treatment of Crohn's disease and rheumatoid arthritis.
Dr. Cerami is also the inventor of the hemoglobin A1c test that is used by diabetics worldwide.


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Brenda's Breast Cancer Blog
Brenda Ray Coffee, founder and CEO of Survivorship Media Network, is an entrepreneur, journalist/filmmaker, former board member, and consultant to a public company and breast cancer survivor.
Posts filtered on Tag
Makeup Wakeup Book Giveaway
BreastCancerSisterhood.com's Brenda Coffee interviews iconic makeup artist, Sandy Linter, about her new book, "Makeup Wakeup." Find out how to win a free copy! [Read More]


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David Filner on Classical Music
David Filner assumed the administrative leadership of the San Antonio Symphony in November, 2012. Led by Music Director Sebastian Lang-Lessing, the San Antonio Symphony is celebrating its 73rd year this season.
Posts filtered on Category
New World Symphony
Today (December 15) marks the 107th anniversary of the premiere of Dvorák's New World Symphony by the New York Philharmonic. The Symphony's new music director, Sebastian Lang-Lessing, will make his Classics subscription series debut with this symphony on January 7 and 8. Dvorák lived in the United States from 1892 to 1895. In an article […] [Read More]
Holiday Family concert on Sunday
This Sunday afternoon (December 19) the Symphony will offer the second performance in our Family Series at Laurie Auditorium at Trinity University. The fun starts at 1:30 p.m. with our Instrument Petting Zoo, conducting lessons, hands-on instrument experiences and an appearance by the Symphony mascot, Count Bassie. The concert is from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. […] [Read More]
Wear (where?) a piano?
Just when you think you have seen it all, somebody takes a piano and turns it into something you can wear and play at the same time! The Museum of Modern Art in New York City is having a performance art exhibition. Two artists, Allora & Calzadilla, have taken a Bechstein piano, which is on […] [Read More]
Who is Lang Lang?, Part VIII
What does it take to be the number one Classical pianist in the world? No, I'm not talking about talent. Nor am I making reference to the famous Carnegie Hall joke. (A lost tourist in NYC walks up to a police officer on the street and asks, "How do I get to Carnegie Hall?" The […] [Read More]
Who is Lang Lang?, Part VII
Lang Lang is incredibly effective at branding. Like pops stars such as Sting or Paul McCartney, he has identified himself with products and important people in a way that promotes his music to the broadest possible market. Legend has it that 30 million Chinese kids have taken up piano because of his influence. He sells […] [Read More]
Who is Lang Lang?, Part VI
A big part of Lang Lang's mission is to bring Classical music to young people. He often uses new technology as part of his efforts to reach kids. In addition to his active web site, he has a Facebook site, a YouTube page, a Twitter account and an iGoogle theme. When the iPad first came […] [Read More]
Who is Lang Lang?, Part V
Norman Lebrecht is England's most noted Classical music critic. Two years ago, he wrote about Lang Lang in the Evening Standard. Lang Lang plays Rachmaninoff's Piano Concerto No. 2 with the San Antonio Symphony on January 12. Here are a few excerpts from that article: "There is no question who is today's number one in […] [Read More]
Who is Lang Lang?, Part IV
Lang Lang was born in 1982 in Shenyang, China. He is the number one selling classical artist in the world. He is the youngest UNICEF International Goodwill Ambassador. He has been hailed as the "hottest artist on the classical music planet" by the New York Times and CNN called him "a God-like star, whose skill […] [Read More]
Who is Lang Lang?, Part III
I've posted two consecutive blogs (here and here) singing the praises of superstar pianist Lang Lang. (He plays the Rachmaninoff Piano Concerto No. 2 with the San Antonio Symphony on January 12.) One of the most amazing things about Lang Lang is his effect on young pianists in China. It is so strong it has […] [Read More]
Who is Lang Lang?, Part II
Yesterday I blogged about piano superstar Lang Lang, who is appearing with the San Antonio Symphony on Wednesday, January 12. I've been surprised that many Symphony patrons I've talked to about this very special concert don't know about the "Lang Lang effect" or his world-wide fame. I posted a few quotes yesterday that included phrases […] [Read More]
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A surfboard simulator device for training users in the sport of surfing, the device including a stable base platform and an elevated surfboard unit that is interconnected to the base platform by a spring assembly that provides limited articulation to the surfboard unit to allow fore and aft pitch and side-to-side roll with a bias providing greater side-to-side roll than fore and aft pitch.
1. A surfboard simulator device for training users in the sport of surfing comprising:
a base adapted for placement on a ground surface;
a surfboard unit including an elongated surfboard, the surfboard unit having a topside and an underside, wherein the topside has an area equivalent to an actual surfboard with a size sufficient to allow placement and free movement of a user's feet;
an interconnection means for interconnecting the underside of the surfboard unit with the base wherein the interconnection means has mechanical means for allowing limited articulation between the surfboard unit and the base, and wherein the mechanical means for allowing limited articulation comprises a spring assembly, wherein the surfboard has a longitudinal axis and the spring assembly has bias means for providing greater stability for fore and aft pitch along the longitudinal axis of the surfboard than side-to-side roll transverse to the axis of the surfboard, wherein the bias means has a force of bias on the longitudinal axis of the surfboard comparatively greater than the bias transverse to the axis of the surfboard that simulates the degree of bias of an actual surfboard in aquatic conditions.
2. The surfboard simulator device of claim 1 wherein the surfboard has a center portion wherein the spring assembly comprises first and second displaced coil spring members positioned substantially at the center portion of the surfboard, wherein the first and second spring members interconnect the surfboard unit and the base.
3. The surfboard simulator device of claim 2 wherein the base includes a base plate connected to each spring member.
4. The surfboard simulator device of claim 3 wherein the base includes a base platform, wherein the base plate of each spring member is connected to the base platform.
5. The surfboard simulator device of claim 4 wherein the base platform comprises a flat sheet member with a perimeter having a plurality of spaced hand-grip holes.
6. The surfboard simulator device of claim 1 wherein the spring assembly includes at least one pneumatic shock absorber.
7. The surfboard simulator device of claim 1 wherein the spring assembly includes first and second coil springs wherein the elongated surfboard has a longitudinal axis and the coil springs are spatially displaced and mounted to the underside of the surfboard unit along the longitudinal axis of the surfboard.
8. The surfboard simulator of claim 1 wherein the surfboard unit includes a support platform coupled to the surfboard, wherein the interconnection means is connected to the support platform and the base, wherein the surfboard unit is elevated above the base.
This invention relates to a mechanical simulator for the sports activity of surfing. The sports activity of board surfing requires a great deal of balance. Typically, one of the most difficult aspects of the sport is to quickly go from a prone paddling position on the surfboard to an upright standing position. In the water, a surfboard has a limited stability that is generated by the forward motion of the board in the water under influence of one or more fins on the underside of the surfboard. In order to construct a simulator device that closely approximates the stability of the board, provision must be made for a difference in the stability in the fore and aft direction compared with the starboard and port, or side-to-side direction.
Although certain electro-mechanical arcade systems have been developed to generate a simulated activity of surfing using audio and visual aids in addition to dynamic motion, these devices are extremely expensive and actively generate motion in the board that is coordinated with a visual screen showing an ocean wave scene. These devices are largely used for entertainment and not for training.
The mechanical simulator device of this invention is a training device designed for both the beginning surfer and the experienced surfer. The beginning surfer must develop the balance necessary to stand on an unstable surfboard. The mechanical training device will provide him with the repetitive experience of standing on the board. This developed experience on land greatly shortens the time taken to acquire this experience in the water under actual conditions. Similarly, the mechanical simulator device is devised to maintain the skills of intermediate and advanced surfers, particularly during periods when the actual surfing experience is not available.
Surfing is a sport that requires both endurance and agility. A typical outing lasts between one and three hours. During this period of time, substantial energy is expended in positioning the surfer at the appropriate place in the water to optimally catch waves. Of the time spent surfing, only a small fraction involves the rapid paddling in front of a potential wave and the motion of going from the prone paddling position to the standing, wave riding position. Furthermore, even if the surfer is successful in the transition from the prone position to the standing position, a period of time in which he can maintain his balance and "ride the wave" is brief. Often, the duration of the ride for the beginner surfer is simply the time between the surfer arriving at an out-of-balance standing position, to the time that his lack of balance causes a fall. In this situation, the surfer has not yet caught his balance. The time between being in balanced control in a prone position and balanced control in a standing position is a brief, but critical period of time. It is this critical time period that is most difficult for a beginner surfer to master. The simulator device of this invention enables the surfer to experience this action over and over until he or she becomes comfortable with the action and can duplicate the experience under real conditions in the water.
The mechanical simulator device of this invention is designed and constructed to provide a realistic training experience for the sport of surfing. The mechanical simulator device is constructed with a base platform having a plurality of spaced spring members that connect the base member to an elevated surfboard unit. Preferably, the surfboard unit includes an actual surfboard connected to a support platform that is in turn connected to the spring members of the base platform. To minimize injury, the surfboard may comprise a foam composition board that provides a soft impact surface would minimize injury in the event that the user fell against the board during use. The apparatus is designed such that the base platform can be covered by a padding means such as a large foam pad. Alternately, if the training device is used at the beach, the base platform is covered with approximately six inches or more of loose sand to prevent direct contact with the base platform in the event a user falls from the surfboard.
In the preferred embodiment, two spring members are utilized and spatially positioned on the platform in alignment with the length of the surfboard. Furthermore, the spring members preferably include a pneumatic piston assembly that provides a variable damping effect to the spring members, thereby allowing the stability of the surfboard to be adjusted. For example, where the user is first attempting to balance on the surfboard, the pneumatic pistons may be adjusted such that there is a stiffening effect to the interconnection of the surfboard unit and base platform. In this manner, additional stability is provided to the surfboard allowing the user the experience of standing from a prone position on the surfboard. With the pneumatic piston assemblies removed or adjusted to their least effectual operation, the user may experience difficulty maintaining a prone position on the surfboard. Therefore, during initial training sessions for a beginner, the simulator device is adjusted such that the surfboard unit is relatively stable. As the user gains experience in using the stable unit, adjustments can be made to make the surfboard unit increasingly unstable to better approximate actual conditions of a surfboard in water. Because the user can make numerous attempts to rise from the prone position to the standing position within a short period of time, a great deal of experience is gained in balance and movement. Furthermore, the land based simulator device enables an instructor to closely watch and monitor the transition movement of the learner from lying on the board to standing, which is sometime difficult to accomplish in the water.
Just as the experience of a surfer on a surfboard in the water, the mechanical simulator offers little resistance to side-to-side rolling motion. The design, therefore, requires a mechanism that provides greater stability fore and aft than side-to-side. The use of two spaced spring members provides this type of stability most effectively at least expense. The use of stabilizers such as the pneumatic shock absorber is an added feature that allows for adjustment of the stability, which is particularly important where the device is used for training beginners. These and other features are described in greater detail in the Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments that follows.
FIG. 1 is a side perspective view of a first embodiment of the surfboard simulator device,
FIG. 2 is an end elevational view of the simulator device of FIG. 1.
FIG. 3 is a side perspective view of a second embodiment of the surfboard simulator device,
FIG. 4 is a side perspective view of a third embodiment of the surfboard simulator device.
The mechanical surfboard simulator device of this invention is shown in FIG. 1 and designated generally by the reference numeral 10. The surfboard simulator device 10 includes a base platform 12, a surfboard unit 14 and an interconnecting articulating mechanism 16. In the preferred embodiments of this invention, the articulating mechanism comprises a spring assembly 18. In the embodiment of FIG. 1, the spring assembly 18 comprises spring members, including a first coil spring 20 and a second coil spring 22 having top and bottom end plates 24 and 26 that are welded to the ends of the coil springs to provide a support base for connecting to the base platform 12. The base platform 12 comprises a flat sheet of one inch plywood with a perimeter having beveled rounded edges 28 and a series of conveniently located hand grip holes 30 around the perimeter. The hand grip holes 30 enable the surfboard simulator device 10 to be easily carried for transport to a practice area or to a beach site where the simulator device may be used in a training program for beginning surfers. The base platform 12 is sufficiently large to provide a stable base for the apparatus. Conveniently, a 4' by 8' sheet of plywood has been found to provide the necessary stability for a "long board" having a length of approximately 10'. Where the surfboard simulator device is to be permanently located, the base platform can be a ground fixture, for example, a concrete floor with embedded mounting bolts for securing the mounting plates 24. The bottom mounting plates 24 in the preferred embodiment have a topside and an underside, with the underside of each mounting plate secured to the top surface of the base platform 12 by carriage bolt fasteners 32. The mounted coil springs 20 and 22 are centered on the base platform 12 and spaced such that the base platform is divided into substantially three equal sections, end sections 34 and 36 and a central section 38. This approximate spacing positions the spring assembly in a central portion of the surfboard and evenly distributes the forces from the elevated surfboard unit 14 to the base platform 12 in a relatively uniform manner. Additionally, the spaced positioning of the spring members provides the necessary bias to the articulation, such that the fore and aft pitch is substantially tempered compared to the side-to-side roll. This is an important Feature and enables the simply constructed surfboard simulator device of FIG. 10 to approximate the stability of an actual surfboard in aquatic conditions. The surfboard 44 is elongated with a longitudinal axis and connected to the base platform 12 to allow the fore and aft pitch along the axis and side-to-side roll transverse to the axis.
The surfboard unit 14 is an assembly of a surfboard 44 and a support platform 40 having stringers or runners 42 to provide a rigidity to the support platform. The surfboard is elongated and the spring assembly 18 is positioned along the longitudinal axis of the surfboard. Where the surfboard simulator device is utilized for training beginning surfers as well as for use by experienced surfers, it is preferred that the surfboard 44 be comprised of a foam board material. In this manner, a user falling against the board is less likely to incur any injury from the surfboard. Where the surfboard simulator device is utilized simply for maintaining skills, a conventional foam-core, fiberglass board can be utilized.
The surfboard 44 has a topside and an underside and the underside of the surfboard 44 is attached to the support platform 40 by an adhesive, and the support platform is in turn attached to the spring assembly. Because of the curvature to the surfboard 44, the space between the raised tip 46 of the surfboard and the end of the support platform 40 is filled with a light-weight styrofoam filler plug 47. In this manner, the weight of a user on the nose of the surfboard 44 will not damage or break the surfboard. Similarly, the space between the tail 48 and the support platform 40 is filled with a foam material plug 49. The surfboard 44 includes a fin 50 so that the surfboard unit 14 has a realistic appearance. The surfboard unit 14 is connected to the articulating mechanism 16 by fastening the support plates 26 to the support platform 40 with carriage bolt fasteners 32. In the simple embodiment of the simulator device as shown in FIG. 1, the coil springs 20 and 22 provide the sole interconnection between the surfboard unit 18 and the base platform 12. Therefore, the stiffness of the springs are carefully selected to provide a stability to the surfboard unit 14 that accurately simulates a surfboard in water. Different springs may be provided for users with different experience and weight. For example, highly reactive springs with relatively low spring constants may be required for a lightweight young person with experience who utilizes the simulator device to maintain his skills during the period he is unable to experience actual surfing.
As shown in the schematic view of FIG. 3, a modified embodiment of the surfboards simulator device is shown and designated generally by the reference numeral 60. In the modified embodiment 60, a base platform 62 includes a spring mechanism 64 having three coil spring assemblies 66, 68 and 70 spaced along the center line of the base platform 12. The coil spring assemblies 66, 68 and 70 include mounting plates 72 for securing the assemblies to the base platform 62. In addition, each coil spring assembly includes a coil spring 74 and a disk plug 76 that is embedded in a fiberglass board 78. The use of three spring assemblies provides a more distributed support when using a direct connection to a surfboard 78 that omits a support platform and must be essentially self-supporting.
As an added feature, each of the coil assemblies 66, 68 and 70 includes a pneumatic shock absorber 80 located within the coil of the coil spring of each spring assembly with an easily accessible air valve 82 for removing or adding air to the shock absorber 80. Adding or removing air from the shock absorber 80 adjusts the dampening effect of the shock absorber in the coil spring assembly. In this manner, the relative stiffness of the board can be changed depending on the experience of the user or the weight of the user. It is to be understood that certain features of the modified embodiment may be included in the primary embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2. For example, an additional coil spring or shock absorbers may be added to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 without departing from the scope of this invention.
While in the foregoing, embodiments of the present invention have been set forth in considerable detail for the purposes of making a complete disclosure of the invention, it may be apparent to those of skill in the art that numerous changes may be made in such detail without departing from the spirit and principles of the invention.
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Q1 2014 Earnings Call - PDF Solutions, Inc., - Earnings Transcript
- Language: English
- Published: April 2014
Q1 2009 Earnings Call - Goldleaf Financial Solutions, Inc., - Earnings Transcript
Thursday, May 14, 2009 09:00
Corrected Transcripts are verbatim transcripts that have been reviewed and corrected by industry-focused financial professionals. Our editors re-listen to the entire call audio and confirm and research all the terms and numbers in the call to eliminate "inaudible," "indiscernible," or "phonetic" entries. The result is the most accurate Corrected Transcript available in the marketplace.
Coverage of a variety of event types:
- Analyst/Shareholder Meetings - Conferences and Presentations - Earnings - Guidance/Update Meetings - Sales Results - Special Events and M&A


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Posts filtered on Tag
Wambach, Solo help U.S. win breathtaking game
Twelve years after Brandi Chastain clinched the 1999 World Cup title at the Rose Bowl with a historic penalty kick, the U.S. women's national team beat favored Brazil in one of the best comebacks in U.S. sports history. Yes, U.S. sports history. [Read More]


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Hang tight!
Recipe by Marzetti® Old Fashioned Caramel Dip
"A simple coffee cake filled with a cream cheese-caramel mixture and softened apples, then covered completely with Marzetti® Old Fashioned Caramel Dip."
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3/4 cup
Marzetti's® Old Fashioned Caramel Dip
1 (8 ounce) package
plain cream cheese, divided
2 medium
apples, peeled and chopped
1/2 teaspoon
apple pie spice blend
2 cups
dry biscuit mix
Flour, for rolling dough
3 tablespoons
butter, chilled, diced
1 cup
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
Caramel Apple Coffee Cake
Serving Size: 1/10 of a recipe
Servings Per Recipe: 10
Amount Per Serving
Calories: 320
Calories from Fat: 171
With our 2,700+ chicken breast recipes, you'll never serve the same old chicken again.
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See how to make a simple loaf cake layered with apples and cinnamon.
Meet Adam, a young baker, and see how to make his favorite recipe.
This traditional apple cake will be the hit of your Seder.


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CRESTVIEW — The public is invited to celebrate the life of a man who died in a Tuesday head-on collision in Destin.
Visitation for Joseph "Joey" Tyrell, 23, is 3 to 7 p.m. Sunday. A celebration of life ceremony is 3 p.m. Monday at Brackney Funeral Service in Crestview.
Tyrell, of Crestview, and St. Petersburg resident James Bennett, 42, died from a crash that occurred around 3 a.m. on U.S. Highway 98 and Danny Wuerffel Way. Traffic shut down for nearly four hours.
Tyrell was driving westbound in a white Mazda at the time of the crash, according to Deputy Matt Christmas, who said there were no witnesses.
Tyrell's vehicle collided with the front end of Bennett's Chevrolet Blazer, according to the sheriff's office.


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If we take another look at the IRI ensemble forecast for El Niño some members show a clear and speedy rise in East Pacific tropical ocean temperatures. Before we conclude 'El Niño ahead' during northern hemisphere summer and autumn let's not ignore that a handful* of the 23 climate models show only a weak increase in water temperatures, staying below the official El Niño threshold (+0.5C).
[*) We all know an average hand can hold around 7 climate models – which means some 70 percent of models say El Niño, whereas 30 percent says somewhat warmer (up to half a degree), but still neutral ENSO.]
Well then, is there any way of telling which of the climate models may be more inclined to predict actual climatic events for upcoming months? Yes, probably there is:


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Incline Village, NV, USA < change city >
Bands (12)
Beaches (5)
Brunch (3)
Cakes (13)
Caterers (19)
Ceremony & Reception (1)
Ceremony Musicians (2)
Ceremony Sites (40)
Coordinators (9)
Cruises (1)
DJs (22)
Decorations (2)
Florists (18)
Honeymoon (3)
Hotels (69)
Invitations (3)
Lighting (1)
Limos (4)
Officiants (5)
Parks (1)
Photo Booths (1)
Photo Sites (1)
Photographers (23)
Reception Sites (25)
Rehearsal Lunch (5)
Rentals (5)
Restaurants (51)
Shopping (5)
Spas (1)
Videographers (4)
Wedding Day Beauty (20)
Wedding Fashion (7)
Welcome Sites (1)
PicBox Photo Booth
12030 Broken Hill Rd
Reno, NV 89511, USA
Rentals, Photographers
5 ratings, 5 reviews, 5 weddings
Dustin and his partner were awesome- the photo booth was a big hit , everyone s...
Thrans Flowers
2175 Lake Tahoe Boulevard
South Lake Tahoe, CA, United States
4 ratings, 4 reviews, 5 weddings
I worked with Aimee at Thrans. I gave her a general idea of what I wanted and she...
Summit Soiree
P.O. Box 4183
Truckee, CA 96160, USA
4 ratings, 4 reviews, 4 weddings
Heather did a wonderful job of helping organize and coordinate our wedding. I cou...
Katie Cakes
Stateline, NV, USA
4 ratings, 4 reviews, 4 weddings
I've seen many beautiful wedding cakes but one bite and...well, they've always di...
Hyatt Hotel & Resorts
111 Country Club Drive
Incline Village, NV, United States
Hotels/Accommodations, Rest...
3 ratings, 4 reviews, 26 weddings
Beatiful Hotel, the food was great, the staff was very helpful and overall it was...
Moonlight Mobile Dj, Inc.
Incline Village, NV, USA
3 ratings, 3 reviews, 3 weddings
Chad is the owner and DJ. His wife, Jaime helps with all the correspondence/ sche...
Lavish Floral
Stateline, NV, USA
3 ratings, 3 reviews, 3 weddings
My wedding flowers were absolutely beautiful. Tina and I made a phone date and e...
The Stylish Scribe
216 Stewart Street
Reno, NV 89501
3 ratings, 3 reviews, 3 weddings
Jessica did a wonderful job with our invitations. I communicated with her via em...
Event Masters
2089 James Ave
South Lake Tahoe, CA, United States
3 ratings, 3 reviews, 3 weddings
Great to work with! Very helpful with ideas when it comes to setting up a recepti...
255 N Lake Blvd
Tahoe City, CA, United States
Cakes/Candies, Caterers
3 ratings, 3 reviews, 3 weddings
We used D'Lish catering in Tahoe City to create our wedding cake. Since we were ...


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At crystal exports the norm is quality & adhering to the timely delivery of goods. All our products meet international standards and are checked thoroughly vide rigorous testing and inspection schedules. Near future plans are steps towards ISO.
Our products are supplied to electrical trading establishments, contractors, projects and OEM's world wide. We invite you to view our product gallery here. Also we welcome new collaborations & distributorship rights for new markets world wide.


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June 28, 2006
STL Writer's Workshop: New Site, Classes
Over the past few years, I've taken a couple of workshops through the St. Louis Writers Workshop. (I found both of them to be helpful, though I'll confess that as a somewhat-reticent-to-read-in-public guy, the otherwise female-only class makeups were, um, interesting.) The winning combination of a tune-up with two former instructors and my long and abiding love of tea, makes think that an upcoming, one-day workshop in a couple disciplines might be worth a look-see.
The STLWW website has been updated and given a fresh look. Click through to the site for the full info, but here's a short version of the single-day, The Right to Write workshop, coming up on July 23. And, yes, tea is involved.
Sunday, July 23, 2006
at Rainbow Village/Neve Shalom
1240 Dautel Ln.
Creve Coeur, Missouri 63146
Join us for a full day of writing, talking about writing, sharing writing, meeting writers, finding the writer within...
tea making for creativity
meditation as spiritual preparation for writing
music to release the deep story
Adults sign up for any two of these one-hour sessions:
TALKING POETRY with Rabbi James Stone Goodman
CHAPTER ONE AND BEYOND with Denise Pattiz Bogard
TO MAKE A LONG STORY SHORT with Julie Earhart
THE WHOLE TRUTH AND NOTHING BUT THE TRUTH with Kathleen Finneran
Teens (incoming 6th through 12th) sign up for:
(session runs two hours)
TEENS WHO WRITE with Seema Mukhi


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Animation for Publicis Group + Dermacyd
Character and illustrations for a short movie for Dermacyd, a daily intimate hygiene. Made for Publicis group with
Oca Films
Water Bottle for Mood + MorumbiShopping
I was one of the three artist chosen to customize a water bottle for a Christmas promotion at one of the most traditionals malls in Brazil. Mine is the one in the middle (the one I didn't blurred out. :D)
Tyvek Wallet for Publicis Group
The wallet was given out as a gift to Publicis Group clients.
Crème Fraîche Birita for Schizzibooks
Another exclusive cover for the awesome Schizzibooks' sketchbook collection.
Wedding Invitation
Custom made wedding invitation
Barbatonics are Coming to Town
Meet my little crew that can't wait to win your heart! The 3D models are made in collaboration with QuailStudio, the master of digital sculpting.
Sassilandia Big Opening : Sassi Shop is up!
All made with lotsa love ♥.
Trashed @Coachella
Hand painted trash bin for the annual exhibition that happens prior to Coachella music festival.
Lisbon Map for Fischer Brasil
Illustrated map for a guide Diogo Mello, CD at Fischer Brasil, put together for a Propaganda & Marketing Publishing.
Octopupi for Schizzibook
Art for Schizzibook notebook.
Fax Ex-Machina : KesselsKramer+Autista+Pop
A whole exhibition transmitted by fax. Autista + KKOutlet + Galeria Pop
Alice for Uauá Baby
A fairytale collection for Uauá Baby store.
Posters at Urban Arts
Series of prints for sale at Urban Arts online gallery.
Baby Room : Campinas Decor
Vinyl Sticker for Campinas Decor event. Concept by
Karina Leme
, architect.
« Previous Entries
personal projects
for sale
about me
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for you
copyright ©2011 elisa
sassi all rights


text:
A recycled Trek vs. politics controversy brings up a surprising question about Kirk star
by MICHAEL HINMAN
Invisibility cloaks and miniture robots with lasers!
After her encounter with Quinn (Angus Macfadyen) at the end of the previous week's episode of "Chuck," Sarah (Yvonne Strahovski) is reset back to her original super-spy state. Quinn has convinced her that she is a CIA spy, he is her handler, that Chuck (Zachary Levi) has killed her old team, a ...Read More
Fake death and big bad guys lead to an exciting finish
"Chuck Versus the Bullet Train" picks up where last week's episode left off. Quinn (Angus Macfadyen) has captured Chuck (Zachary Levi) and asks him to fix the Intersect, which is "en route to his base." Quinn also informs Chuck that Sarah (Yvonne Strahovski) and Casey (Adam Baldwin) are dead. ...Read More
Casting choices include alums from 'True Blood,' 'The 4400'
NBC is real busy casting its upcoming genre drama pilot from comedy actor Michael McDonald, working to give "Beautiful People" life. The Peacock has added Andrea Parker, Jud Tylor, Megalyn Echikynwoke, Madisen Beaty and Cody Christian to the cast which already includes "Six Feet Under" and "Ameri ...Read More
'Star Trek' legend to compete in 'Celebrity Apprentice'
How will George Takei react when Donald Trump tells him he's fired? Well, if you're George Takei, you're actually expecting to hear Trump say the words, "You're hired." Takei has joined the cast of "Celebrity Apprentice," the "star"-studded version of "The Apprentice" that Trump had hosted for se ...Read More
James Murray and Patrick Heusinger have signed on to genre project
Just in case you haven't watched enough television that explores humanity through the eyes of a robot, get ready for "Beautiful People." The NBC-commissioned pilot, set in the near future where humans and robots exist the same way races of people did in the 1960s, has cast its first two regulars. ...Read More
Could the 'Battlestar Galactica' reunion actually pulled it off?
I'm not sure how legal it is, but the Sony Television pilot of "17th Precinct" leaked online this week. From "Battlestar Galactica's" Ronald D. Moore, NBC had a chance to pick up a police procedural in a world that was very different from ours. Where magic is the norm and science is a fringe myt ...Read More
PLUS: 'Supernatural' hits series low
"Grimm" may not be pulling in large audiences like "Once Upon a Time" on ABC. But it's not necessarily in trouble, either. The dark fairy tale procedural from David Greenwalt inched up a little this past week to a 3.4 rating/6 share, according to Fast National overnight ratings from The Nielsen C ...Read More
Erica Durance will appear in a David E. Kelley show after all
OK, so the "Wonder Woman" concept wasn't the best David E. Kelley has ever developed. But at least he'll get his Amazon protector on NBC. She'll just have to share the screen with Kathy Bates. Erica Durance has been tapped to guest star in an upcoming episode of NBC's "Harry's Law" -- as Wond ...Read More
'Fringe,' 'Supernatural' not faring much better among genre shows
In a world where genre programming just can't die on television, audiences continue to flee as if shows like "Chuck" or "Fringe" are going to give them the super flu. Three genre shows were among the networks' top losers so far this season when comparing audiences to last year. "Chuck" on NBC was ...Read More
...Read More


text:
ICBA Commends Action on Tax Proposals in Housing Bill
Washington, D.C. (June 19, 2008)—The Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA) commends Congress for advancing beneficial tax provisions as part of a larger housing-related measure still being considered in the Senate.
"ICBA is pleased to see Congress taking action that will help homeowners and potential homebuyers during this distressed housing market," said Cynthia L. Blankenship, ICBA chairman and vice chairman and chief operating officer of Bank of the West, Irving, Texas. "These targeted tax-related proposals would help stem the ongoing decline in the housing sector. However, key differences remain between the House and Senate in the GSE and housing related titles of the legislation. We will be working with Congress to ensure that the interests of community banks are represented in the final legislation."
Among the ICBA-backed tax provisions in the Senate tax package are:
- A homebuyer tax credit that would work as an interest-free loan giving new homebuyers an $8,000 tax credit — repayable over 15 years — to help jumpstart home sales and stabilize declining prices.
- Allow the Federal Home Loan Banks to guarantee community bank letters of credit issued to enhance the credit rating of local government bonds. This provision would help ensure that municipal bonds guaranteed in this manner are tax-exempt just like bonds guaranteed by private bond insurers.
- Granting an additional standard deduction for real property taxes for homeowners that claim the standard deduction. This would allow up to a $500 individual and $1,000 joint return for state real property taxes paid in 2008.
The House also included similar provisions in its version of the housing legislation. ICBA looks forward to working with lawmakers to pass these provisions and to reconcile the differences between the House and Senate bills.
ICBA first proposed to Congress a homebuyer tax credit in its nine-point economic stimulus plan in January 2008.


text:
What Type of Work Does Not Require Permits?
Building permit exemption as provided by Municipal Code, Section 129.0203 (PDF) does not apply to alterations, repairs or improvements of historical resources as described in Municipal Code, Section 143.0220 (PDF).
Exemption from the permit requirements of the Building Regulations does not authorize any work to be done in any manner in violation of the provisions of the Building Regulations or any other applicable local or state regulations.
Municipal Code, Section 129.0203 (Exemptions from a Building Permit) and Uniform Building Code (UBC) 106.2 (Work Exempt From Permit). A building permit will not be required for the following:
- one-story detached accessory buildings used as tool and storage sheds, playhouses and similar uses, provided the projected roof area is 120 square feet or less
- Any fence with a height less than 6 feet
- oil derricks
- cases, counters and partitions that are 69 inches high or less
- retaining walls which are 3 feet in height or less measured from the top of the footing to the top of the wall unless supporting a surcharge or impounding flammable liquids
- water tanks supported directly upon grade if the capacity does not exceed 5,000 gallons and the ratio of height to diameter or width does not exceed two-to-one
- platforms, walks and driveways that are 30 inches or less above grade and not over any basement or story
- painting, papering and similar finish work
- temporary motion picture, television and theater stage sets and scenery
- window awnings supported by an exterior wall of Group R, Division 3 and Group M Occupancies when they do not project more than 54 inches
- prefabricated swimming pools accessory to a Group R, Division 3 Occupancy in which the pool walls are entirely above the adjacent grade and the capacity does not exceed 5,000 gallons
- patio cover structures attached to or detached from single dwellings in the RE, RS and RX zones in the following circumstances except in the appealable area of the Coastal Zone or in Planned Developments:
- the patio cover structure has 300 square feet or less of projected roof area
- the patio cover structure is 12 feet or less above grade
- the patio cover structure does not encroach into any yard
- antennae supported on the roof
- awnings projecting horizontally out to 6 feet or less and attached to the exterior walls of buildings of Group R, Division 3 or Group U, Division 1 Occupancies
- electrolier standards, flag poles, and antennae that are 30 feet or less in height above finish grade when fully extended
- exterior walking decks that are supported on grade and extend 30 inches or less above grade and are accessory to buildings of Group R, Division 3 (dwellings) and Group U, Division 1 (residential accessory structures) Occupancies
- renewal of roof coverings on any buildings
- repairs that involve only the replacement of components or existing work with similar materials only for the purpose of maintenance that do not have an aggregate valuation of over $1000.00 and that do not affect any electrical or mechanical installations. Repairs exempt from permit requirements shall not include any addition, change or modification in construction, exit facilities, or permanent fixtures or equipment. The following repairs are exempt from permit requirements without limit to valuation:
- painting and decorating
- installation of floor covering
- cabinet work
- outside paving
- hospital buildings as defined in California Health and Safety Code Section 15026
- specific structures as determined by the Building Official for a particular and justifiable reason.
Separate plumbing, electrical and mechanical permits may be required for the above exempted items, unless otherwise exempted by the Municipal Code


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TEIN Electronic Dampening Force Controller
The EDFC (Electronic Damping Force Controller) makes it possible for the driver to control the damping force at the touch of a button while in the driver's seat. This is accomplished by controlling stepping motors installed on each shock absorber. Because the damping force can be controlled with such ease, the driver can adjust the suspension to suit all road/track conditions. Thus allowing the driver to fully enjoy the driving experience.
To apply EDFC to a Coilover kit must purchase controller and motor. If being applied to struts strut kit must also be purchased.
Rating based on 0 Reviews
To write a review please select specific product


text:
Viewers: in countries Watching now:
If you're comfortable with 2D drawing in AutoCAD 2013 and ready to start creating and designing three-dimensional models, this workshop from AutoCAD expert and author Scott Onstott is for you. Learn about 3D navigation and wireframing; surface, solid, and mesh modeling techniques; designing and assigning materials; placing natural and artificial lights; and configuring both direct and global illumination rendering parameters to create photorealistic renderings. With the 3D techniques from this course, you can prepare to bring your designs one step closer to reality.
Welcome to the getting started with 3D and AutoCAD 2013 workshop with me Scott Onstott. I am an educator and trainer specializing in AutoCAD and other design software. In addition to teaching AutoCAD I am also the author of AutoCAD 2013 and AutoCAD LT 2013 Essentials. Enhancing architectural drawings and models with Photoshop, and several other books. Getting started with 3D and Autocad is a basic workshop for getting up to speed with 3D modeling. It was designed for those already comfortable with 2D drawing who now want to graduate to creating and designing three-dimensional models. Traditional drafting techniques have limited artists to representing models as 2D projections, but now a new wave of software packages, and AutoCad in particular, have allowed us to gradually move one step closer to reality with 3D design.
This course will teach you the basics for how to get the most out of AutoCad's powerful 3D tools. You will first learn how to navigate in 3D space, and learn a number of tools that make working in 3D on a 2D screen easier. Then you will model a complex form to meet specific modeling challenges. In this case a classical architectural ionic column. Next you will learn how to document 3D models as 2D drawings. By having Autocad automatically generate 2D projections for you.
Finally you will learn how to create dynamic slide shows, animations, and photorealistic renderings of 3D models. This course is for anyone interested in graduating from 2D to 3D design in Autocad. So if you're interested in exploring modeling in Autocad, from the basics of navigating through space, to modeling complex forms with solids and surfaces. This course is for you, so let's get started. (music playing)
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text:
Live Rockets commentary & more on NBA with Fran Blinebury
Monthly Archive for April, 2007
Emotional Rescue: Rockets 96, Jazz 92
Back to you, Mick: I'll be your savior, steadfast and true. I'll come to your emotional rescue. This is why the bar is so high for him. Because Tracy McGrady can clear it. Not just scoring. Not just passing. But doing everything. Doing it with flair and doing it with intensity and doing it right. […] [Read More]
Pigs will fly
Dogs will talk. Donkeys will dance. Elephants will walk across the high wire. Luther Head made a 3-pointer. [Read More]
Towering Inferno
Not only is 7-6 Yao Ming mostly ineffective on offense (4-for-14, 12 points). But more hurtful, he's being set on fire by Carlos Boozer and doing absolutely nothing in the middle on defense. Time for the best center in the NBA to step up and show it. [Read More]
Good news, bad news. Jazz 72-68 after 3rd.
The good news is that Tracy McGrady stopped being merely the Facilitator and kicked his game into high gear, going inside and nearly completing a four-point play from the outside. 11 in the quarter. The bad news is that Jazz won the quarter 28-25 and the team that's one the third has won every game […] [Read More]
With a little help from our friends
Four treys by Battier, three treys by Rafer. That's what it takes for the Rockets to look special. Unfortunately, that feast-or-famine approach with this bunch is not the kind of attack that can win four rounds of the playoffs. [Read More]
Third and be-long
It's all about these 12 minutes. The team that has won the third quarter has won every game of this series. [Read More]
At least they're consistent
You have to hand it to the worst home crowd in the NBA playoffs. Not only did they show up late for the opening tip, but now they're all still in back in the suites swirling the ice cubes in their overpriced drinks when the third quarter begins. [Read More]
Old Faithful? Old Doubtful?
Well, half the crowd didn't show up until just before halftime and with a slow start, folks here were jumping out skyscraper windows in the second quarter. McGrady built up the drama by limping off for a bit. Now the Rockets have the Jazz right back in the spot as Games 1 and 2. Utah […] [Read More]
Show More


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Silver has long been used as a means of decorating both home and individuals. In the early days, Silver jewelry was pure silver, and very prone to tarnish, and because of it�s pliable, soft nature silver often lost it�s shape or was easily damaged. Thus, sterling silver was produced. Sterling is .925 pure silver mixed with other metals such as copper and zinc. This mixture is much better for making jewelry. Sterling Silver Jewelry is harder and less prone to tarnish. Unless it is covered in Rhodium or another heavy metal, sterling jewelry will still tarnish, but it is very easy to clean and take care of.
Jewelry at Zulu Moon is .925 Sterling Silver unless otherwise noted.


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|Purchasing a Bible Book Cover
Share my eye-opening experience in shopping.
Browse my reviews of some great Christian Books.
|Books to deepen your faith.
These are soul searching books designed to inspire you and to help you grow closer to God.
|Books for Christian living today.
Sometimes we need help in understanding a Christian's place in everyday living. There are many books here that offer practical help and motivation for today's world.
|Books for daily inspiration
You will find books reviewed here that are daily devotionals and books with short stand alone chapters. Each book provides inspiration and meditations to start out your day and carry you through til evening.
|Christian Fiction
I love a good novel. These books are relaxing reading. Try getting into a good story that includes biblical principals.


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Check out your links after the jump.
Tags: distortion
Mind Bending Sculptures Warp Everyday Objects
Sometimes the world can surprise us… one moment we are looking at something completely ordinary, even boring, and the next we realize it was nothing like we first perceived. Such is the work of artist Alex Chinneck. His strange sculptures use materials common to our everyday existence – bricks, mortar, glass – to create unusual and mind bending objects. Solitary sections of brick wall fold, crack and bend in impossible ways; broken window panes exactly repeat themselves in each frame of a large window; and a looping brick chimney puffs smoke and then sucks it back into its base. Nothing is quite as it seems.…
Warped Paintings & A Proposition
Artist Evan deSpelder takes digitally manipulated, distorted images and paints them in what he describes as "photorealistic versions of abstract expressionism." The playful interaction of realistic imagery with stretched bands of color reminds me of some imagined meeting between Salvador Dali and Mark Rothko.
Now deSpelder has a new project: he's created a Kickstarter campaign to raise support for his work while at the same time allowing contributors to commission small works from him. Smaller contributions gain prints, while the smallest garners praise. Interest in the project has been enthusiastic and the goal of $2500 has already been reached, showing that small Kickstarter projects with good content can really benefit the artist.…
Bigger Than Ever: The American Dream, Stretched
Taking old postcards and stretching them, digital artist Assaf Shaham creates world skyscrapers and monuments that are far larger (well… taller) than life. Titled 'The American Dream' (an interesting choice considering some subjects are far from the States), one of the more interesting features of the series is that, since the originals are from color prints, any distortion in color or it's offset in printing is magnified by the stretching, creating bright distorted rainbows. For more of Shaham's unique digital pieces, see assafshaham.com.…
The Distorted Bridges of Google Earth
Exploring connections between digital systems and art, Clement Valla has captured some very interesting shots from Google Earth. The images take advantage of the distortion created by the popular map programs terrain software, revealing bridges that look as if they have been bent under great weight, heat or the brush of Salvador Dali. See more great captures at clementvalla.com


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If you need assistance then you must ask for it. Don't sit there in silence hoping someone will guess what is wrong and take pity on you – let friends and loved ones know what you need, and you'll get it.
or email firstname.lastname@example.com
April 13, 2013 | 4:00am
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"I loved the way the picture took up the whole card with cheerful overprinting of text. In combination with the animated expressions on my grandsons' faces, the text gave the perfect enthusiastic greeting."
"I was recommended to use Tiny Prints. Very impressed with the varied collection of designs - difficult to choose one! High quality, quick service, beautiful card - completely satisfied."
"We love how our card turned out this year! The designs were incredible-so many to choose from. The paper quality excellent, the service and time frame from order to receive was faster than predicted. Will definitely order again,"
"I loved the simplicity of this card and the ability to add text. The multiple photo aspect was a definite winner. The cards arrived ahead of schedule which was a super bonus. Plus, the customer care was fantastic. I have an extremely long last name and couldn't fit it in plural with the given space/options. I attached a not to my order, was contacted by a designer who was able to do exactly what I wanted and they looked amazing when they arrived. I will definitely be using Tiny Prints again and recommend them to friends whenever the cards are complimented (Which is often)."
"We come to Tiny Prints for top quality cards and unique designs, whether for Christmas or other important family events. The paper stock and the printing are top notch. Our holiday cards are always purple because it is my daughter's favorite color. Not a traditional Christmas color, but Tiny Prints offers fantastic cards in virtually every shade. We chose the purple (plumberry) colorway and the holly perfectly complimented the shade of my daughter's coat in the photo on the front of the card. Several of our family members and friends commented on the snazzy layout on the back of the card -- we chose the layout with four photos (two square and two rectangular (landscape)). [The photo below was taken with my phone, of the image on the screen because I sent out all of the cards and did not keep one. It's not good. You are authorized to use the image from the front of our card for this review.] Thank you Tiny Prints!"


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Photos from Honduras
I know planning for the next trip has started, but I wanted to share a few things from the Honduras trip. One of my jobs in Honduras was the training of traditional birth attendants in neonatal resuscitation. An interesting and useful fact about fresh babies is that 9 out of 10 times when a baby doesn't […]
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Aug 14th, 2012 Honduras 2012
Heading to Tanzania
This semester I have the privilege to do my clinical hours in a public hospital in Tanzania. What a fabulous way to end this part of my journey! Knowing that I have not yet been in the country for two weeks, you might be wondering what I'm thinking. Knowing that I actually do have classes three days […]
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Aug 14th, 2012 Global Midwifery, Training


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No one knows the Mecklenburger Seenplatte area better than the locals. The 4.5-star Carathotel Schwerin is one of the most popular choices with local travelers, plus it's received an average rating of 4.25 out of 5. Other hotels worth consideration include Best Western Seehotel Frankenhorst, with its average guest rating of 4.5; Landhotel Schloss Teschow, with a rating of 4.5; and Hotel Alter Landsitz Sommerstorf, which scores 4. Locals also like to book rooms at the 4-star Van Der Valk Resort Linstow and 4-star Hotel Schloss Schorssow.
For those with family in tow, the 3.5-star Ferien Hotel Lewitz Mühle is a highly rated family hotel and scores an average of 4.67 out of 5. Family travelers also give high marks to Seehotel Heidehof and the 4.5-star Iberotel Fleesensee.The Mecklenburger Seenplatte area offers great options for business travelers, like Gästehaus Am Schlosspark, with an average guest rating of 4.5 out of 5. Other great business properties include the 4-star Seehotel Ecktannen in Waren. If you don't have much advance notice, take a look at the 4-star InterCityHotel Schwerin, a favorite among last-minute travelers and featuring an average guest rating of 4.2 out of 5. You can also try Radisson Blu Hotel, Neubrandenburg, with an average guest rating of 5. Radisson Blu Resort Schloss Fleesensee has a rating of 5 and DORFHOTEL Fleesensee is rated 5. Other popular last-minute picks include Mercure Hotel Schwerin Altstadt and the 4-star Mercure Schlosshotel Neustadt-Glewe.


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About AQ
About Aquinas
About Grand Rapids
Adult Undergraduate
Financial Aid
A-Z Dept. Listing
Course Catalog
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The Moose
Sustainable business is interdisciplinary in nature, integrating science, business, and environmental studies. Sustainable business practices improve long-term profitability, the health of natural systems, and the social infrastructure of our world community. The Master
of Sustainable Business degree is quite unique, challenging and prepares our graduates to take a leadership role inside a variety of organizations that commit to the movement. Sustainable business is now a competitive advantage for organizations and is becoming an essential component of successful business practices. The Master of Sustainable Business Program courses are offered in an eight-week evening format during the fall, winter, and summer semesters.
>>More Information
Press Release: Aquinas Unveils New Sustainable Business Graduate Degree
Download (pdf) the application for a scholarship offered exclusively to graduate management students:
All students with 30-credits nearing graduation must contact Lynn at (616) 632-2924 or firstname.lastname@example.com to request an official graduation audit, and complete official graduation paperwork.
Please note: We strongly encourage all graduate students to attend the formal May ceremonies.


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Panade - wow, this is really good
I had never heard of Panade before DH cut out an article for me. After looking at a couple of articles and a couple of recipes, I combined & tweaked & played with it and arrived at my own. We had it with dinner last night. It was really really good. I am so pleased. I might add this to the Thanksgiving menu even.
Just thought I'd share ...
7 slices sour dough bread (you might need less if you use a large-sized loaf, my loaf was smaller, shaped like a rye bread)
1/2 TBS olive oil
1 TBS butter
1 yellow onion, chopped
1 clove garlic, minced
1/2 lb cremini mushrooms
1 bunch kale (I used Tuscan kale; you can sub any hearty green like chard but do not use spinach because it's too delicate and gets slimy), large ribs removed, cut or torn into 1-inch pieces
1/4 c. white wine (or more, if needed)
1/2 tsp. dried thyme
salt & pepper to taste
1 c. gruyere, grated
2 c. (about) broth (I used vegetable broth but I would guess chicken would work too)
--Tear the bread into pieces (about 1 inch). If the bread is hard and fully stale, you're good. If not, then toast for about 12 minutes in the oven at 350.
--Heat oil and butter over medium heat in a large skillet. When hot, add onions and cook about 10 minutes, until onions are soft. Increase the heat to med-high and add the mushrooms, thyme, and garlic. Saute for a few minutes until it's all mixed together. Add the kale. Saute a few minutes thoroughly mixing. Add the wine and salt & pepper to taste. Cook until all the liquid evaporates, the mushrooms have shrunk, and the kale is wilted (about 10-15 min).
--Preheat oven to 375.
--Coat a baking dish or casserole pan (I used a glass rectangle pan) with cooking spray or olive oil. Put half of the bread in the pan. It should cover the bottom in a single layer. Distribute half the vegetable mixture over the bread. Sprinkle half the cheese over it. Repeat the layers using the other half of bread, vegetables, cheese. Press down gently with your hands or the back of a spoon.
--Slowly pour the broth over the entire thing, but don't let the broth go higher than 1 inch below the pan's rim.
--Cover with aluminum foil. Place on a baking sheet in case it drips. Bake covered 30 minutes.
--Remove the foil and bake again uncovered 35-45 minutes, until it is bubbling, a bit puffed up, and brown and crispy on the top/edges.
--Let stand 5 minutes before serving.
Yum, you read my mind. I just made a makeshift panade last night using leftover roasted vegetables and old toast. I added some caramelized onions before baking everything, and when I dug in I thought "Why don't I do this more often? It's delicious!"
re: eLizard
It's both. The one that gets the most coverage here on Chowhound seems to be the panade from Goin's Sunday Suppers at Luques. It's chard, bread, cheese, etc. Paula Wolfert also has a terrific one using leeks, garlic, cheese, etc.
There are lots of posts about it in the Sunday Suppers COTM from a while ago.
re: oakjoan
I think it's from Zuni, not Sunday Suppers.
re: greedygirl
Yep, Zuni; panade has lots of fans! http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/355989
re: eLizard
I did too, elizard. And no, you're correct. This sounds more like a savory bread pudding to me. Not sure why Goin calls it a panade.
And according to my Food Lover's Companion, a panada, or panade (Spanish & French) can be one of two things: "1. a thick paste made by mixing breadcrumbs, flour, rice, etc. with water, milk, stock, butter or sometimes egg yolks. It's used to bind meatballs, fish cakes, forcemeats and quenelles. 2. a sweet or savory soup made with breadcrumbs and various other ingredients. It may be strained before serving."
re: eLizard
I don't know -- I never heard of either one before. You could very well be correct. I ended up reading a couple of things online about a "stuffing called panade". So I just went with it. It was mighty tasty, whatever we're going to call it. :)
re: LNG212
That's all that counts!! ;)


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You gotta love the way the mayor of Lansing shouts this smug, fat-faced Fox Stooge down.
The New York Post editorial the stooge quotes is based on several lies, the main one being that autoworkers actually take home seventy dollars an hour. That figure, long ago exposed as a con, includes the estimated cost of all benefits paid to all workers including retirees.
The mayor didn't get around to it, but I'm sure if he'd have had time he'd have pointed out that what the comparison between autoworkers' compensation and that of the average industrial worker in the Midewest shows is not that autoworkers are paid too much, but that everybody else is paid too little. And it's not that union members have too many and too generous benefits it's that other workers don't have enough and what they do have are stingy. National Health Insurance would fix this, but that's another argument.
The other lie is that "2000 dollar loss" on every car. It's not a loss. It's an added cost. I know corporate greed heads are inclined to treat every dollar spent as a dollar lost, even if they make two dollars back, and I know the would-be aristocrats who run our economy these days think there ought to be a way to get people to work for them without having to actually pay them anything---that is, they think it would be nice if there was a way to bring back serfdom. But the cost of labor, whatever it is, is part of the price of a car. The price charged might have to be 2000 dollars higher but it doesn't matter if someone actually buys the car. What percentage of the price of an average new car is 2000 bucks anyway? About 10 per cent? Think cars would be flying out of the show rooms these days if they cost 18 grand instead of 20?
Detroit can't sell enough cars. Toyota can't sell enough cars. Honda can't sell enough cars.
Lots of reasons for this, but one of them is that 30 years of making life better for the upper classes in this country by making it harder for the middle and working classes has finally caught up with us. Thirty years of stagnant wages and increased prices and lost jobs and lost benefits and stolen pensions have worn us all down. We can't afford to live here anymore. The cost of paying autoworkers a wage that keeps them in the middle class adds 2000 bucks to the cost of an SUV? What added the other 30 thousand?
The autoworkers are going to get screwed on whatever deal is in the works. And it won't be enough.
The actual take home pay of the average autoworker is around 28 bucks an hour. Shave it down to 25 and the corporate greedheads will be back next week to demand it be shaved again down to 20. Shave it to that and they'll want it at 15.
As the Mayor says, people in Washington and on Wall Street won't be happy until Americans are working for Third World wages.


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Exploratory phase
The exploratory phase is the first stage in the life cycle of a business or any product or service.
Expanded Definition
In the first stage a start-up company begins with a germ of an idea, tries it out, refines the products or services to the needs of the customers, and resolves start-up problems. Once those initial challenges are resolved, the business moves into a developmental or growth phase where it seeks capital to ramp up production and grow the business to its natural limits.
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It's almost 8pm and I'm getting ready to go to sleep. I know - another crazy Saturday night in base camp. That's just how I roll.
A quick note to recap the past few days: I was starting to go a little stir crazy so I made another hike to Gorakshep. This time I made a slight detour to hike up Kala Patthar - a nearby peak. In Gorakshep, I had a coke and talked to an American from Georgia. All in all a pretty exciting day.
With my breakfast still digesting, Tshering suggested (which isn't really a suggestion) that I hike up to Pumori Camp 1, which of course, I then did.
The first truly clear day since I arrived, the views of the Khumbu and Everest were stunning. Of course, now I'm fairly tired but also excited as we are getting out of base camp and heading up!
Stay tuned for more news tomorrow.


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All fall and winter the prevailing sentiment has been that eventually the outfield would be addressed by Sandy Alderson. At the least most everyone figured Scott Hairston was some type of backup plan. Well, it is getting very close to the start of spring training and so far, what you see is what you get. The rules say you must play nine, so I'm starting to think about how I would like to see our current roster employed.
My first move if I was Terry Collins would be to stick Matt Den Dekker in centerfield and see what happens. He has a big time glove and he is not that young anymore. The argument against this would be he just won't hit enough to be an everyday centerfielder. That might be true, but 2013 is starting to look like a very good year to make sure. And high quality centerfield defense will help ease Harvey and Wheeler's big league transitions. Considering the other options I like the idea of giving Den Dekker a full look at the major league level in 2013. This way, if he craters with the bat it is a known fact by the deadline. If Terry needs to play Cowgill against tough lefties, fine, but otherwise I want to see Den Dekker play.
Sure, shrug, who cares. Wait! Sorry, Mike, these are difficult days — and the season hasn't even started. I'll try to snap out of it. Looking at the gaping maw that is the Mets outfield, this is why we have spring training, as I think it's legitimate to say, "Somebody, please, earn a job. Anyone? Anyone? Bueller?"
Yet we discussed Den Dekker before. The glove is major league ready. But in 295 career AAA at-bats, he struck out 90 times with a .220 BA. True, his AA numbers were pretty good, but is it time to throw this kid to the lions? I don't think so. I see him in Vegas, where hopefully he can compile some numbers, build some confidence. I'm okay with Kirk in CF for the short-term. However, I really believe that the Mets need to significantly improve outfield defense across the board. If you are going to build with pitching, it's counter-productive to put out a weak defensive team. Maybe Cowgill becomes our main glove out there, short-term (as I don't believe he can hit), and Kirk becomes the 4th guy/defensive replacement in the corners. And maybe Den Dekker hits his way out of Vegas by June.
Lucas Duda has to play all the time. Terry shouldn't over-think that.
One player I have no faith in is poor Mike Baxter. You want to love him, he's a Queens kid, he plays hard, seems like a quality individual. But he's got no pop, no speed, no glove, nothing. I know some fans really like him — I saw one guy on another board comment that he led the league in pinch-hit doubles! — but I just don't see what he gives this team.
Don't forget, the whole Christians versus the lions used to pack them in for the Romans. There are still some good seats to fill at Citi Field. But seriously, Den Dekker turns 26 in August and if this is the group I'd rather see the experiment. I'm not betting the ranch he works out, but I think it is a better use of the playing time.
I say that because I agree on Baxter. He's from Queens and he gave up his body to preserve our no-hitter, but sorry, he is roster filler. Maybe he can have some sort of Matt Franco career, maybe not. But the guy should not get starts in a major league outfield.
So I would start Nieuwenhuis in right for now. This gets both him and Den Dekker in the lineup as we sort things out. I view Spring Training as a good time to get in shape, and not much else. With no one of any note blocking either Kirk or Matt I would begin the year playing both. And again, it helps the defense. I think we already know what Nieuwenhuis is defensively in center, and that is average. To be an everyday player he probably needs to slide back over there, but not if the guy in front of him in right field is Mike Baxter.
As for Duda, I guess I am over-thinking it. I want to see Duda platooned with anyone not named Justin Turner or Zach Lutz. I do not think Duda can hit lefties and he is such a sensitive brooding guy that I don't want to keep banging his head against the wall trying. I would settle for some real pop against right handed pitchers. I guess Andrew Brown platoons with him. My turn to shrug.
Maybe he could platoon with a cardboard cutout of Ron Swoboda? I'm sorry. These days, it's hard to analyze the team or, frankly, to talk about Terry's outfield options with any seriousness. What options? Where? So my first instinct is to crack a joke, you know, laughing through the pain. The other option is just to get angry and post a rant. But that gets old quickly.
By the way, I seriously have to correct your spelling every single time you attempt to type Nieuwenhuis. You'd be better off typing in the letter "N" followed by the five vowels, a-e-i-o-u.
It's enough to make you miss Jeff Francoeur.
Maybe next year we can do the Mets "2 Guys" All-Time Tough-to-Spell Team. Kirk Nieuwenhuis in CF, Jeff Francoeur in RF, Doug Mientkiewicz at 1B, Omar Quintanilla at 2B, Rick Herrscher at SS, Bobby Pfeil at 3B . . .
Oh well.
Almost forgot, belated congratulations to David Wright on his engagement to model Molly Beers. I guess the Hot Stove season hasn't been a total loss.
See what I did there? It was either that or bring up Marlon Byrd, and really, there's nothing worth saying about Marlon Byrd — except that if he gets ABs out there, we're worse than bad, we're misguided.


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It's commonly claimed, "books are good for the soul", but is that true in every case? The publication of the cult erotic novel 50 Shades Of Grey, has provoked controversial headlines , with a chain of libraries in the US banning it from their shelves after it has been dubbed "Mommy Porn" by critics. How can a series that started off as fan fiction end up turning out so controversial?
Originally a web- based erotica on a fan fiction site, Fifty shades of Grey, was released as an e- book and a print- on- demand paperback in May 2011. With restricted budgets the book was publicized solely through word of mouth recommendation and book blogs. The erotic nature of the book meant that said "word of mouth" soon created quite a big audience. The novel has been dubbed "Mommy Porn" after it was said the demographic of the book was married women over thirty. "The romance thriller is like Viagra for women, no prescription needed," said Komo news.
A rise in "Mommy porn" and the genre of female erotica meant when the final installment of the "50 shades series" had been released in January of this year the American news networks were all over it. It was picked up by Vintage Books and re-released this April.
Brevard county library said, that the library " isn't in the business of collecting porn," and this has caused reaction across the country. One resident posted a "tweet" on a social networking site that said:
Which is true? The Americans have since released headlines such as "50 shades of censorship".
In the UK the view is very different. Ben Sanderson from the British Library said, "Its not up to us to judge, we provide a wide variety of books for our readers," he continued to say, this also, "shows the controversial gap between cultures within the two countries". Whilst some believe Breward county libraries refuses to stock 50 shades because it isn't a "classic", they still stock books such as, Kama Sutra, Fanny Hill, Fear of Flying, Tropic of Cancer and Lolita. Kathy Schweinsberg, library services director, excused these titles saying these, "books were written years ago and became classics because of the quality of the writing," So now is it just a case of vintage reading? Wait until the book has become a "classic" and has racked up a couple of years, then the erotic images become invisible and the message changes? Or does society become more accepting?
Matthew Wheeler from the Chartered institute of library and information professionals said, "The UK doesn't set up guidelines for the libraries on what they can and can't stock. It is up to the individual library whether they feel the book is deemed suitable to their community. We can only remove a book, when it has been legally banned."
The controversial headlines have been a talking point globally and have helped with the sales of the book. Jon Howells, National and regional press officer for Waterstones said that, "erotica novels don't usually hit the headlines but this one has and if everyone's enjoying it then great." Although a ban has started to come into place in one state of America, Howells said, "the American rules are irrelevant, it wont effect the UK market and wont get banned in libraries just because it has in America."
Others have added, that the book is sending out the wrong message because it is portraying behaviours that are a direct result of his childhood abuse and showing the relationship in a positive light. Dr John Bird from the national association for people abused in childhood says; "abuse shouldn't be looked at light heartedly and certainly shouldn't be praised." He continued to say; "we often get adults ringing us who haven't had treatment in the first instance, who now in their later lives are doing some quite self damaging things." By creating a male character like Christian Grey, James is allowing the audience to forget the important issues of abuse and instead replace them with a positive view in the bedroom, because its sex he's allowed to manipulate and abuse her?
Fifty Shades of grey has been compared to books such as "9 ½ Weeks" and "The Story Of O" in which the female characters are manipulated by the men into getting what they want during sex and sometimes abusing them.
Does this really reflect a shift in female attitudes? Although the book has been dubbed as a new radical form of feminism, one feminist blogger wrote, "there is nothing transgressive or feminist about BDSM erotica or sexual practices, the popularity of this new novel, as well as the Twilight series, show the way in which women cope with male violence and oppression by eroticizing male dominance."
The book trilogy has been a success here and over the pond, holding all three top spots in the New York Times best- seller list and also in Waterstone's bestseller list here. Howells said that the book was, "stocked all across the UK." Also that the, "first week of sales it reached number one." The book has been released for a month now.It will be interesting to see whether the ban spreads or whether 'demand exceeds outcry'.