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Being a plant collector is one of the most satisfying things I've ever embarked on. In a world where most things have been discovered, plant collecting brings that much needed astonishment to life. As the collection grows, so does my intrigue, nature never fails to amaze me. It started off honest enough, a few potted plants in the living room, "wow those look great". Nearly 4 years later and hundreds of plants added to the equation and I'm one one busy boy. While many collectors specialize in one specific genera of plant life, I can't help but to dabble in most. The more plants in the collection, the more amazement that is added to my life, the dream is to create one never ending fireworks display.
One group of plants that I find particularly interesting is cacti and succulents. It's easy to fall in love with succulents. They're often easy to grow, require little maintenance and are by far the strangest and most mysterious of all plant life. A couple weeks ago I brought some of my collection outdoors to photograph and inventory. I had hoped that in time I would write in depth plant profiles on these amazing plants, but the more I think about it, the more I think that's a bit far fetched. With a large collection such as mine, a busy work schedule and a meager social life it's hard enough keeping regular blog posts going, let alone getting overly academic with my writing. Smart writing is for the winter, fun photographic tours are the best I can do for now. So rather then hoarding the photos until a later date I thought today was as good a day as any to take a peak at some of the gems in my collection. Another plant tour, "Yes Please!"
2012 Cacti and Succulent tour:
Mitrophyllum grande, a winter growing succulent from South Africa.
A staple in any succulent collection, Euphorbia obesa are easy to grow and are ranked high in my books. Some have warned me to give them a winter dormant period but mine still gets a regular drink. It's pot seems to go dry every 3-4 days and it gets a small drink shortly after. It's rewarded my care with lots of fresh growth and some new flower buds. Looks like an alien egg to me, perhaps we don't have to look up to the stars any longer.
A new addition to the collection from Brentwood Bay Nursery, Euphorbia mammillaris variegata is about as strange as it gets. How bizarre is this one!? So strange.
An old favorite Parodia haselbergii still continues to please.
Tephrocactus articulatus var. papyracanthus (Paper-spined Cholla). Say that 5x fast. A walmart score of all places, I enjoy it's unusual fingernail like spines.
A new addition to the collection via the ever so gracious Mr. Bob Archer. Stenocactus has the strangest ribs.
Austrocylindropuntia subulata (Thx for the id Gerhard) This small potted specimen has a funny story attached to it. About a year and a half ago I purchased an established 4″ pot of this plant, and attempted to do some cuttings. Shortly after taking the cuttings, the mother plant got an infection and deflated and died a few weeks later. 2 years from the date of this catastrophe, the few remaining cuttings are still only 1/3 the size.. Plant collecting does involve some trial and error.
Who couldn't love Graptoveria amethorum. Miniature echeveria-esk rossettes that don't elongate or get strange with indoor culture. This plant has remained tidy and compact throughout overwintering on the front window sill. Some say they rot easily, but underpotted in terracotta, mine seem tolerant enough of the wet stuff. A personal favorite.
My oldgrowth Sinningia leucotricha has started to wake up from it's winter sleep. It flowers with the emergance of new leaves, and at this time of year it seems a thirsty plant indeed. Known for their ability to survive neglect, I'm not particularily worried about this plant. Which is good, I need a couple easy oddities in the collection. Thank you Linda Macewko for sharing this plant with me.
Another big thank you to Bob Archer for this strange Mammillaria specimen, and in such a nice pot too.
Humble beginnings, this haworthia was the first succulent in my collection. A common variety this plant still holds it's own.
The Monadenium richtii I got at the VCSS Sale last year has been growing a new leaf every couple weeks.
Acquired roughly around the same time, this Monadenium magnificum cutting is slow to get going. I'm curious to see what the summer does for it.
Cotyledon tomentosa, otherwise known as the bear paw crassula.
You can see why it gets it's name. Right out of a cartoon.
I love plectranthus and plectranthus ernestii is no exception. Unlike other plectranthus in my collection, this one will eventually grow an interesting caudex. The leaves have a light aroma when crushed, these plants make excellent bonsai specimens.
No bigger then a dime, Frailea asteroides have survived the winter woes.
A 50-100 year old Dudleya attenuata saved from a cattle field in California grows happily under the grow lights. Winter growing.
I've had this Graptoveria paraguayense 'Fred Ives' for a couple years now. I love it's subtle colorings.
As many true succulent growers are probably shaking their heads right now, I've taken a different approach with this specimen. While normally I break my echeverias down and re-root them when the elongate like this, I've encouraged this one to grow strange. A little copper wire and a stake and my graptoveria gets to reach for the stars. So far I'm pleased with the results.
Everyone seems to have one, Pleiospilos nelii, split rock is a must have.
I love stapelias, this Stapelianthus decaryi cutting is rooted, but slow to grow. Only time will tell.
Out of 10 or so seeds, this is the only Dioscorea elephantipes seedling that grew. In 10-15 years I should have a nice little turtle backed specimen.
Last but not least, a strangely planted Mirabilis jalapa makes for an easy caudiciform.
Thanks for joining me for the tour.
I know I shouldn't be buying myself early Christmas gifts, but cacti on bargain is always a no brainer. While I do my best to avoid megastores, on occasion I have a sick fascination with florecent lights and haphazard bargains. On a mission to get cheap cat food, I graced through the garden section and found some incredible cactus at ridiculously cheap prices. The funny thing about Victoria is that cacti and succulents are a bit of a speciality item, and to see them in such health and vigor for record low prices, how can a plant hoarder resist. Apparently they had just come in, and thus were still in good shape. After staring at them with a glazed look of excitement I ended up leaving with two for myself, and two for Christmas gifts. (Much like my blogger friend Lorree @ Danger Garden I also force plants upon my friend's in times of gift giving and celebration.)
I've been reading A Cactus Odyssey by James D Mauseth / Robert Kiesling / Carlos Ostolaza (ordered from Sacred Succulents on discount) and in turn have been super pumped about cacti this week. While everything else is pretty miserable looking, the cacti stand proud active or dormant. These new cacti were worthy of a full photoshoot, and at the moment remain unidentified. I'm new to identifying globular cacti so any help would be much appreciated. I'll thank Wally World for marking it with a tag "cactus", how useful, a three year old could have told me that.
Look at it's incredible ribs.
Food for thought.
For the size of these cacti they've got to be at least 2-5 years old, be it seed or cutting. Wally World sells them for $4.00ea, which tells me the grower is selling them for at least $1.50/$2.00. I would imagine the grower would have to sell at least 250,000 – 500,000 of them to even begin to make a profit. Is one grower supplying the whole of Canada? This doesn't exactly look local, I'm pretty sure no one on the island is growing these. Mega-marts have a huge buying power so maybe it's worth shipping them for the other side of the country. I'm perplexed by the discounts as much as I'm pleased with my purchase.
If you've read my blog for any amount of time you'd probably agree with me when I say I shouldn't collect anymore plants this season. As it stands I have over 130+ potted plants indoors, 50+ large tropical specimens at the greenhouse, and a garden that is so over filled it's bordering on insane. Still when I was invited to view a local cacti collector's private stash I couldn't resist myself. Her collection was impressive and a real treat for a sun starved plant geek in November. With the potential of moving leering overhead she wanted to thin out her collection a bit and was willing to pass along some obscurities. We ended up chatting for a couple hours, touring her various growing areas, and I left with some really great specimens.
Left to right: Sinningia leucotricha, Gasteria NOID ,Hemanthus albiflos, Echinops NOID, Rubutia muscula,
Astrophytum NOID and a Monadenium ritchiei
Sinningia leucotricha is an interesting velvet leafed plant from Brazil that forms a caudex-like woody tuber. After this photo I replanted it in a nice new terracotta pot and exposed the tuber. It looks great, and I look forward to watching it do it thing further. More info to follow
Quite an interesting Gasteria specimen, it's leaves textures remind me of snowflake obsidan. Anyone know it's species name?
A large flowering sized Haemanthus albiflos.
A small Echinops (white / pink flowers)
Rubutia muscula. What awesome little fuzzy orbs.
Monadenium ritchiei Another euphorbia oddity to the collection.
While I already have a small specimen of this, I couldn't resist. This is one of largest Disocactus flagelliformis I've ever seen. Hoping to take some cuttings and do a small run of these next spring. Simply amazing!
Selenicereus grandiflorus otherwise known as a Queen of the Night Cactus.
What fun! I've jigsawed them into the collection and they look great. I'm looking forward to seeing them thrive come spring and summer.
Thank You Linda !
It's been a gorgeous weekend in Victoria and the weather has been outstanding. Sunny days & blue skies, I had a very nice Saturday spent in the garden, beach, and you guessed it, a CACTUS SALE! Every year the Victoria Cactus & Succulent Society hosts two sales, and so far I've haven't managed to make it to one until yesterday. I might have died and gone to cactus heaven, what a selection they had, and at obtainable prices too. Victoria doesn't exactly specialize in succulents (WE LIVE IN THE NORTH DUH) so having a sale dedicated to weird and unusual cacti was a real treat. I must have walked around the booth 10 times, I had to make sure I saw everything. Showing up right when they opened, I was surprised there wasn't a bigger crowd. Bargain cacti unfound anywhere else in Victoria and/or Vancouver Island, shouldn't I be fighting through the mobs? P.S I hate mobs, so a quiet sale is fine by me. Still I wish more people were interested as to keep the excitement going, a successful sale means more cacti next year.
As time goes on sometimes I think I live in the wrong climate. Not that there is anything wrong with the west coast of Canada, I LOVE IT, but I sure wish growing succulents and tropicals wasn't such a battle with the weather. I digress.
I found so many cacti treasures, I was glowing all day. It's strange how good I feel after a good plant hoarding adventure, I don't even have to go to Madagascar or South Africa, they were brought all the way here via passion on the cheap. I love plant geeks.
I will admit I got a bit carried away, god help me I have no discretion in these moments. If I didn't come home with as many as I did I would kick myself later, any self respecting plant hoarder would do the same. Right!? While I'd love to go into great detail on each plant, these specimens are all somewhat new to me and we'll keep this post as a simple introduction.
I found a couple interesting conophytums. Another branch of strange stone like button succulents from South Africa.
Mitrophyllum grande, another South African Oddity. Fall and Winter growing. Extremely delicate and easy to bruise, I'll have to place this one somewhere safe.
Astrophytum asteria otherwise known as a Sand Dollar Cactus. This is a North American genus and is actually endangered in the wild. Most cacti found in cultivation are thus seed grown. This one came in a beautiful little pot for an added bonus. Bingo!
Although this photo does this very plant very little justice, this is an offset of a Haemanthus albiflos. Believe it or not I've been seeking plants in this genus for some time now and this was a real score. This South African Bulb is easy to grow and reportedly easy to get to flower. Often referred to as a paint brush lily due to it's strange fuzzy flowers. I can't wait to see this in action.
Frailea asteroides (What a cool name) is a miniature cactus from South America (Brazil). They stay small, and do well in indirect light. Flowers are only obtained at high temperatures so it's unlikely I'll ever see it in bloom. One can dream.
New agave varieties are practically nonexistant in Victoria. Welcome Agave stricta 'Nana' to the collection.
More cacti photos to come, the garden is certainly enjoying the autumn heat.
I recently bought this Tiger Jaw Plant (Faucaria tigrina) at Brentwood Bay Nurseries on impulse. I'm a real sucker for succulents and cacti and this winter the window sills will be packed. While haphazardly perusing the succulent area I stumbled upon this freshly budded specimen and had to have it. Within a week it's flower opened and I snapped these photos today. Interesting!
Apparently the flowers only last a couple days so I was happy to have noticed when I did.
Another amazing succulent from South Africa. This is quickly becoming a place I must visit. The plant's strange hooked barbs sometimes look like the snarly face of a jungle cat, thus it's common name Tiger Jaw.
Another oddity added to the collection…


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Apples to Apples
|"The Game of Hilarious Comparisons!"
The cover of the Apples to Apples Party Box
|Pegasus Spiele, Out of the Box, Mattel
|Age range
|12 and up
|Setup time
|1 minute
|Playing time
|30–75 minutes
|Random chance
|Skill(s) required
|Social skills
Apples to Apples is a party game originally published by Out of the Box Publishing, and now published by Mattel. The object of the game is to win the most rounds by playing a "red apple" card (which generally features a noun) from one's hand to best "match" that round's communal "green apple" card (which contains an adjective) as chosen by that round's judging player. The game is designed for four to ten players and played for 30–75 minutes.
Apples to Apples was chosen by Mensa International in 1999 as a "Mensa Select" prizewinner, an award given to five games each year.[1] It was also named "Party Game of the Year" in the December 1999 issue of Games magazine[2] and received the National Parenting Center's seal of approval in May 1999.[3] The popularity of the game led to an increased interest in similar card-matching/answer-judging party games.
|This section does not cite any references or sources. (September 2011)
Each player is dealt Seven "red apple" cards to make up their starting hand. On each card is printed a noun or noun phrase (both proper and common nouns are used), or occasionally a gerund. In previous versions of the game, the game is played with hands of seven red cards instead of five.
The game is played in rounds with one player acting as the "judge" in each round. The judge for the round draws a "green apple" card on which is printed an adjective ("scary", "frivolous", "patriotic", etc.), and places it face-up on the table for everybody to see. Then each player other than the judge chooses a red apple card from their hand that they think is the best "match" for the chosen green apple card, and places it face-down. The judge shuffles the red apple cards, reads them aloud. Without the players revealing which red card is theirs, the judge decides which is the "best match" for the green apple card.
The player who submitted the chosen red apple card wins the round, and takes the green apple card to signify their win. All players then draw a get red apple card to replace the one played in the previous round. The role of "judge" may pass to another person (generally passing to the next player to the left, though some rules have the round's winner becoming the next "judge"). Some editions of the game suggest automatically rejecting the last redcard played in each round from consideration, to encourage players to play their cards more quickly.
The winner of the game is the first player to accumulate four green cards (or alternatively, the player with the most green cards after a set number of rounds).
The game's structure is very flexible and affords for an array of possibilities for custom rules. The official rules suggest a series of these alternate rules to add variety to the gameplay:
- Apple Potpourri: The red cards are selected by each player in hope they will match a green card which is revealed after the red cards are played.
- Apple Traders: On each turn, after drawing a new seventh card, each player selects one red card from their hand to pass to the player on their left.
- Apple Turnovers: The roles of red and green cards are reversed, with players using adjectives to describe the given noun. This can be stymied by the relatively low number of green cards in the game.
- Apples Eye View: The judge must pick a red card based upon the point of view of somebody or something else (e.g. a house cat, Rush Limbaugh, a speck of dust, etc.). The player to the left of the judge determines what point of view the judge must use for that round.
- Baked Apples: After each player plays one card, the judge lays them face up and, instead of announcing the winner, identifies the non-winning cards first, each time explaining why it was not selected. The role of judge passes on to the winner of each round.
- Big Apples: Two or more players boasting that the judge will pick their card can agree to each wager one of their already-won green cards. If the judge does not pick one of their red apple cards, the wagered cards are forfeited to the bottom of the card stack.
- Crab Apples: The winner is the red card which least matches the green card (i.e. the most unlike that adjective).
- 2 for 1 Apples: The judge turns over two green cards to start the round. Each player selects the red card from his or her hand that is best described by both green cards. The winner gets both green apple cards.
- Infinite Apples: Rather than playing to a set number of green cards, play stops whenever the players feel like stopping. The winner is the one with the greatest number of green cards.
- Apple Timers: Rather than playing to a set number of green cards, play stops when a certain time limit has been reached. This is sometimes coupled with time limits on each round, for both playing red cards and for judging. The winner is the player with the most green cards.
Game versions[edit]
The original boxed set contained:
- 108 green cards (green apples) each of which has an adjective printed on one side.
- 324 red cards (red apples) each of which has a noun printed on one side.
- A tray for holding the cards.
Four expansion sets were available adding 72 extra green apple cards and 216 extra red apple cards each. In 2002, Expansion Set 3 won the Origins Award for Best Card Game Expansion or Supplement of 2002.
As of 2005[update], the original set and its expansions have been retired and replaced by a Party Box with the combined contents of the basic set and its first two expansions, and Party Box Expansion 1 set with the combined contents of the third and fourth expansions, and a Party Box Expansion 2, which contains new cards.
On September 8, 2007, Out of the Box Publishing sold the rights for Apples to Apples to Mattel.[4]
Official distributions[edit]
|This section needs additional citations for verification. (February 2012)
Below is a list of currently available distributions of Apples to Apples:
- Party Box - a combination of the original game and the first two "Expansion Sets"
- Party Crate - a premium version of the Party Box a wooden box packaging.
- Party Box Expansion One - a combination of the original "Expansion Sets" 3 and 4
- Party Box Expansion Two
- Junior
- Kids
- Bible Edition
- Jewish Edition
- Junior Jewish Edition
- German Edition
- Yiddish Edition
- Disney Edition
- British Isles Edition
- Spanish edition: Manzanas con manzanas
- To Go - a portable version that includes all new cards.
- Family Edition
- Sour Apples to Apples - a variant in which the judge also chooses a "worst" answer. That player is given a punishment for the next round as determined by an included "spinner". All of the cards in this version are dual-purpose and contain a red half (noun) and green half (adjective) to be used depending on which role the card is used in.
- Big Picture Apples to Apples- a variant in which the red cards are pictures
See also[edit]
- Cards Against Humanity – a similar game, but oriented for the adult audience
- ^ "Mind Games (select year in menu)". American Mensa Ltd. Retrieved 2008-03-11.
- ^ "Industry News: Apples to Apples Named Party Game of the Year". Pyramid (online) (Steve Jackson Games). 1999-10-07.
- ^ "1999 Seal of Approval: Spring 1999 Seal of Approval Product Testing Report". The National Parenting Center. Retrieved 2008-03-11.
- ^ Out Of The Box Publishing
External links[edit]

subset: commoncrawl


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The GTAV Destruct-A-Thon: Night of Fun and Giving
|Run Time
Fundraiserr for www.childsplaycharity.org
The GTAV Destruct-A-Thon is a gaming competition in which the participants are chosen at random from the audience to compete for prizes (think The Price is Right).
Each participant will get a fixed amount of time to craft the most entertaining rampage, with the winner chosen by the audience at the end of the night. While the contestants blast away in GTA V a panel of local Austin comedians will provide live commentary and play-by-play as well a short comedy set at the beginning of the night. We'll have a special guest appearance from Christina Parrish, Rob Gagnon, and Brian Gaar.
The Alamo Drafthouse will provide their regular food and drink service during the show.


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Give Now
Money from newly-installed parking meters in downtown Bloomington will help pay for five part-time and one full-time positions.
The city will also do a once-a-decade reconsideration of how it expands and where it should house its residents.
More than 30 employees have left the city's employ, resulting in more than $1 million in savings.
The Bloomington City Council has given initial approval to budget proposals from eight municipal departments.


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In case of micro-acridity is a normal phenomenon
L Asorbic Acid
How Ascorbic Acid Functions
Vitamin C was originally used in skin care products in the form of ascorbic acid. Ascorbic acid has been shown to stimulate collagen, decrease wrinkle depth and have lightening effects on pigmentation.
suitable for
all skin type


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Our Nate mechanical watch has a laid back yet rugged feel with its oversized dial, black stainless steel bracelet, and moving gears. Band Width 22mm, Case Size 46mm, Case Thickness 14mm, Circumference 200mm, Closure Single press deployant, Water Resi Show More
On Orders Over $150
Fossil watches, widely known for their vintage-inspired designs, are also popular for their value and modern styles. Founded in 1984, Fossil is an American brand that reshaped the concept of timekeeping from being simply practical to stylish and coveted timepieces. Fossil watches are considered ahead of its time when it comes to technology and choice of design and materials. Some of the popular lines of Fossil watches are Fossil, Zodiac, MW, MW Michele, Relic and MobileWear. These brands have received wide acceptance due to their innovative design details.
Dress to impress and accentuate your outfit by adorning your wrist with a Fossil watch. At AuthenticWatchStore.com, you can shop genuine and brand new Fossil watches for everyday discount prices. With the variety of watches we carry, you are guaranteed to find the perfect Fossil watch for you.
Free Shipping on Domestic Orders!
Authentic Watch Store offers Free Shipping on all domestic orders over $150.00, we also ship worldwide.
What is faster?
We offer a range of shipping methods for the more pressing orders. We also ship world-wide..
|Shipment Destination
|Available Option
|USPS Priority
|Hawaii/Alaska/Puerto Rico
|UPS Ground
|USPS Priority
|International Shipping
|USPS/UPS International
All packages require signature required, please see our policies for shipping to an address other than the billing address linked with your credit card company. International shipping fee does not include tax and duties imposed country destination, duties and taxes are the sole responsibility of the customer. Shipping costs are non refundable.


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E-mail this story
Health benefits of tea
Each week a nutritionist from the University of Maryland Medical Center provides a guest post to The Baltimore Sun's health blog Picture of Health (baltimoresun.com/pictureofhealth), which is reprinted here. This week, Elaine Pelc weighs in on teas.
By Elaine Pelc, Special to The Baltimore Sun
February 23, 2012


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SUSPENDS DIESEL 172 SALES, DIAMOND STEPS UP SUPPORTAOPA says
Cessna has suspended its delivery schedule of 172 TD models in light of
the crisis at Thielert Aircraft Engines, which supplies the engines.
According to AOPA, Cessna intends to continue with certification of the
diesel Skyhawk but none of the 100 on order will go to customers just
yet. "At this point we have decided that we will not deliver 172TD
aircraft during 2008, and we have informed our customers accordingly,"
AOPA quotes an unnamed Cessna spokesman as saying. Meanwhile, Diamond
Aircraft appears to be moving aggressively to establish technical and
parts support for its installed base of Thielert diesel engines,
following Thielert's bankruptcy filing last week. In a series of letters
to owners, Diamond says it plans to order a "significant spare parts
inventory" and is asking dealers and owners for status reports on parts
needs. It has also established a North American hotline for owners and
shops that can be reached at 888-613-0096 or via e-mail at
email@example.com we reported last week,
Thielert declared bankruptcy due to a looming liquidity crisis and on
news that German authorities were investigating the company for
financial anomalies relating to its IPO filing in 2005.
RAMPANT, MOGAS USERS WARNEDAOPA is warning aircraft owners
who normally use automotive fuel purchased off the airport to test the
gas for ethanol even if the pump doesn't say there's alcohol in the
fuel. The federal government mandate to increase the use of renewable
fuels in gasoline blends has prompted some companies to add ethanol
without notification and that can be dangerous for aircraft engines.
"While AOPA has successfully prevented ethanol from being blended with
avgas, there are limits to what the general aviation industry can do to
prevent auto gasoline from being blended," AOPA said on its Web site In Idaho, pure gasoline is apparently so
rare that it's no longer available at some airports. "What I'm hearing
from my members is that they cannot find ethanol-free auto gas on
airports anywhere," Idaho Aviation Aviation Association Director Ken
Jackson said in an email to AVweb. "Their choices now are to switch to
100LL, run contaminated fuel, or hang it up." More...
VENTURE WITH MITSUBISHI JETSToyota Motor Corp has decided to
invest more than $96 million in Mitsubishi Aircraft Corp., taking a
10-percent ownership interest in the company that will oversee launch of
Mitsubishi's new regional jet. Mitsubishi's Aircraft subsidiary was
established by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd. just last month and was
prepared to begin operations April 1 to manufacture and market the new
plane. The 70- to 90-seat regional airliner is expected to launch in
2013, may be Japan's first aircraft project of its kind, and will put
Mitsubishi in direct competition with Bombardier and Embraer. Japan's
ANA airline has shown its support for the native project by ordering 15
of the aircraft. Rather than marking an initiation of Toyota's
involvement in aircraft production, Toyota officials say the
relationship should allow the auto manufacturer to improve its
development of automobiles through the application of aeronautical
technologies. More...
EARNS FIRST EUROPEAN FRACTIONAL PROGRAMSmart Air S.A. has
announced the first fractional ownership program in Europe for Diamond's
single-engine (and very roomy) four-plus-one place composite D-JET. The
company has purchased eight D-JETs, which it expects sometime in 2010,
and has options for more. Smart Air's business plan aims to offer a
"hassle-free, flexible" and "even more economical way" for people to
travel across Europe. Smart Air plans to operate the fleet from offices
in Finland, UK, France, Benelux, Germany and Italy, offering its
co-owners transport to 1,835 airports across the continent with
"guaranteed availability." Diamond Aircraft president Peter Maurer said,
"We have designed the D-JET to be an affordable personal light jet to
make jet travel attainable to more people. Smart Air's fractional
ownership solution is a good complement to our product."
ACQUIRED BY INTERNATIONAL AVIONICSInternational Avionics
Inc., a Delaware corporation, has acquired what it says is the oldest
general aviation electronics manufacturer in the world, Narco Avionics
Inc. All operations at Narco's Fort Washington, Pa., facilities "will
continue as they are," according to a Narco release. Narco says that all
its customer service, support and dealer network functions will continue
to be fully supported and new product research and development will
continue at "maximum effort." Alan Hanks, CEO of International Avionics
Inc., was employed by Narco in 1967 as regional sales manager, served as
president of Narco from 1994 to 1998, and has served more recently as a
consultant. Hanks holds commercial and instrument ratings and has logged
more than 18,000 hours. Narco was originally incorporated November 11,
1945, and will celebrate its 63rd birthday this year. More...
AIR TAXI POSTS BIG GROWTHSATSair Thursday announced that its
on-demand "air cab services" (or air taxi) finished 2007 with strong
financials and growth, and that the trend has continued into 2008. From
2006 to 2007, SATSair grew its number of flights by 60 percent,
operating more than 16,000 flights in 2007. The company has flown more
than six million passenger miles since November 2004 and reports a
314-percent increase in flights taking place in Florida for 2006. The
company says 2007 marked a shift in the way its services were used --
away from a more traditional role as a replacement for driving trips of
two to five hours and toward use as a point-to-point vehicle and
substitute for airline travel. The company operates new Cirrus SR22
aircraft, claiming a rate of three flights per day from its South
Carolina headquarters. More...
FATAL T-38 CRASHES IN YEARS PROMPT STAND DOWNTwo fatal
accidents in nine days snapped five years of fatality-free operations
for the Air Force's T-38C trainer and have now grounded the aircraft. An
April 23 crash and a May 1 crash together claimed four pilots. The Air
Force has so far offered few details, offering Thursday that the
accidents so far appear unrelated. "Until we have a more complete
understanding of the causes," said General William Looney, commander of
Air Education and Training Command (AETC), "it's prudent to stand down
the T-38's." AETC will observe a "safety day" Monday, leaving all its
aircraft on the ground. The April 23 crash occurred on takeoff at
Columbus Air Force Base, Mississippi, killing Maj. Blair Faulkner and
2nd Lt. Matthew Emmons. The May 1 crash killed two more pilots whose
names had not yet been released when AVweb went to press. Those
pilots -- a student and instructor -- were flying a training mission out
of Sheppard Air Force Base in Wichita Falls. More...
FIGHTS FOR JETS AT SANTA MONICA AIRPORTLast month, the Santa
Monica, Calif., City Council approved a law banning jets with approach
speeds between 139 and 191 mph, but a Federal Judge has granted the FAA
a temporary restraining order blocking the move. Santa Monica airport
saw 18,575 jet operations in 2007. The FAA says that the law is not only
unnecessary, but would also significantly harm jet operators and their
supporting businesses. The City Council says it acted to protect local
residents from jet overruns and acted in accordance with the FAA's own
safety standards. In court, the judge asked the city attorney how many
aircraft of the type that would be affected by the ban had been involved
in overruns at the airport. The answer is none, but that smaller, slower
aircraft have been involved in overruns and the city's attorney stated
that the results of such an incident involving larger aircraft would be
disastrous. The judge responded noting that the larger aircraft in
question were flown by professional pilots and were considered safer
than smaller private aircraft. More...
PILOT RELEASED FROM PSYCH WARDWelsh pilot Maurice Kirk gets
full marks for politeness but his questionable judgment landed him in a
Texas psychiatric hospital. Kirk, from the Vale of Glamorgan, was
detained for psychiatric assessment after landing his Piper Cub in a
field about six miles from President Bush's Texas ranch April 25. Known
as the Flying Vet, Kirk wanted to personally thank Bush for help he got
from the U.S. Coast Guard when he crashed off the coast of the Dominican
Republic in February. According to the BBC, police who stopped Kirk in
the Texas field originally thought he was drunk, but he was sober.
McLennan County Chief Deputy Sheriff Randy Phlemons said he was not
arrested but was ordered to undergo a psychiatric assessment. Kirk was
released from the Austin State Hospital last Thursday.
PRANKSTER NABBED BY VICTIM, A PILOTHit twice on the same
night by a laser beam, Mark Westwood, a helicopter pilot for the British
police, found justice ... and the man responsible. Westwood was
momentarily blinded by the beam, but kept control of his helicopter and
turned his thermal imaging camera on the culprit. It turns out that
20-year-old Dean Bottomley had targeted the helicopter from his bedroom
with a green laser pen and in moments, Westwood had his location locked.
In minutes, police arrived and arrested Bottomley at his home. Stating
that he was "just having a laugh," according to the Mirror UK, Bottomley
now faces a potential jail term of five years for admitting to
endangering an aircraft and will contemplate that fact until his June 6
sentencing date. "He knows he has been very stupid," offered his
attorney. Bottomley, who reportedly bought the laser pen on eBay, added,
"I didn't realize just how serious it was." More...
MAY 5, 2008Reader mail this week about fuel taxes, securing
drunks to their seats, electric aircraft and more. More...
A THIELERT DIESEL? WE WOULD LIKE TO HEAR FROM YOUOur sister magazine, Aviation Consumer, is
preparing a follow-up story on user experience with Thielert diesel
engines. If you'd like to participate, drop an e-mail to email@example.com. (The
story will appear in a future issue of Aviation Consumer. For
subscription information, click here.) More...
NEWSTIPS ADDRESS ...Our best stories start with you.
If you've heard something 200,000 pilots might want to know about, tell
us. Submit news tips via email to email@example.com. What have you
heard? More...
What's New
FALLINGAVweb's CEO of the cockpit is flying SIC in a
Skyhawk, but he's lost his skill at being a tactful and deferential
co-pilot. More...
SMOKE HOODSOur trials revealed that all three perform well,
although Parat-C is our first choice. But you'll need to train and
practice to handle them well in a real emergency. More...
"FBO of the Week" ribbon goes to a relatively new FBO, Air 51 at LEX in
Lexington, Kentucky.
AVweb reader Graham Richardson
discovered Air 51 "quite by accident":
were stopping for fuel at [another FBO] as is our habit when at LEX when
we passed a spectacular P51 Mustang heading out for an evening flight. I
questioned ground control and found out that the owner had just opened a
new FBO called Air 51. We changed our destination and taxied down
taxiway Delta to the nicest airport facility I have ever seen.
Service was imediate, friendly and competent ... free soft drinks and
popcorn [and] a brand-new Porsche Boxter convertible loaner car. ...
This was the best FBO experience I've ever had in over 20 years of
flying. I only hope these guys go national.
Keep those nominations
coming. For complete contest rules, click here.
AVweb is
actively seeking out the best FBOs in the country and another one,
submitted by you, will be spotlighted here next Monday!
VIDEO: PATTY WAGSTAFF INTERVIEW AND FLIGHTRide along with Patty Wagstaff as she
flies her airshow routine at Sun 'n Fun 2008, courtesy of AVweb's
Glenn Pew. Or, if you're easily queasy, just close your eyes and
listen to our post-flight interview with Patty about how it feels to fly
the maneuvers and what it's like to perform. Special thanks to our
friends at Bose Corporation and Aircraft Spruce & Supply Co., whose
good people stepped up when we needed them and helped make this video
happen. And very special thanks to Patty's main sponsor, Cirrus Design,
maker of the airplanes that changed the industry. (Click through to
watch.) More...
SCOTTGary Scott has flown his Cherokee 180 from New
Mexico to Fairbanks Alaska three times and has been amazed by the beauty
of the landscape and the hospitality of the people along the way. But
flying to Alaska does take some preparation, and those thinking about
going might consider ordering the DVD and handbook Gary and his wife
Sandy have put together. (Contact
them for ordering information.) More...
ASSOCIATIONAVweb reader Brent Taylor brought
this little gem to our attention a promotional video for the Antique
Airplane Association's annual Labor Day Fly-In. (Yet another fly-in
on our list of "gotta do that" destinations.) We've got aerobatics,
crashes, and amazing builds on tap for the next couple of weeks, but for
today, let's take a break from the excitement and marvel at some truly
amazing aircraft in flight. (Click through to watch.) More...
On a Qantas flight from Adelaide to Perth last
week, our lovely senior air steward announced the following after the
doors closed:
Over the Speaker:"Ladies and
gentleman, please turn off all electronic devices such as laptops,
mobile phones, washing machines and hairdryers. However, if they have a
flight mode, please switch now."
It made me smile; must be
hard to repeat the same thing every flight.
Dannvia e-mail
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AVwebFlash team is:
PublisherTimothy ColeEditorial Director,
Aviation PublicationsPaul
BertorelliEditor-in-ChiefRuss NilesContributing EditorsMary GradyGlenn
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All the Best Blackberry Curve 9310 Accessories You'll Ever Need
With the pace of the world moving faster and faster as each day passes its good to know that you have your Blackberry by your side to help keep up with the momentum. The latest Blackberry Curve 9310 is your portal to the information age while on the go. Keeping it safe, ready fully synced ...Tags: RIM, blackberry covers, BlackBerry, blackberry curve 9310 accessories, blackberry batteries


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Subscribe to newsletters
Siyabonga Mkhwanazi
Faced with a number of problems, municipalities in Gauteng are battling to get a clean bill of health, but the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) wants these municipalities to achieve clean audits in the next two years.
Following a visit to the province last week by the NCOP, delegation head Pinky Mncube said yesterday they had identified a number of problems that needed to be fixed by these municipalities by 2014.
Mncube said while the municipalities had not been getting clean audit outcomes, they needed to turn around their situation and improved their financial performance.
The NCOP had visited the City of Johannesburg, Midvaal, Mogale City, Randfontein and Emfuleni municipalities to monitor their performance in terms of service delivery.
They found that at Emfuleni there was a 45% unemployment rate, which in turn impacted on the payment of services to the municipality.
Mncube said given the high unemployment rate in the area the indigent policy must be implemented by the municipality in order to exclude those who could not afford to pay for services.
On the visit to Midvaal they found an informal settlement that had been in existence for many years with no sanitation and other services. The people of Mamello would be relocated to a new site by the end of next month.
In Emfuleni, Mogale City and Randfontein they discovered there was a problem of payment of services. In addition, they found that companies that were awarded tenders did not complete their projects, she said.
The three municipalities also faced the problem of overspending and unauthorised expenditure, she said, adding that there was the overreliance on consultants by these local councils.
These were some of the things the municipalities needed to work on to improve their financial performance to be able to get clean audit opinions.
Mncube said in the City of Johannesburg the auditor-general had raised concerns relating to the property rates revenue, which results in overbilling.
The city had a problem of proper record keeping, said Mncube.
Johannesburg had lost extensive material through criminal conduct of its employees.
In the supply chain management there was non-compliance with laws and regulations, she said. There were a number of interventions they were putting in place, which included among others a forum led by Premier Nomvula Mokonyane and mayor Parks Tau.
It is in this forum they will detect problems early and make the necessary interventions.


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Book your room at Rydges Campbelltown
Get an overview of this hotelFamily-friendly hotel with restaurant and fitness center
Located in the historical district, this family-friendly hotel is 4 mi (6.5 km) from Australian Botanic Gardens and 5.7 mi (9.2 km) from Menangle Park Paceway. Bankstown Golf Club and Liverpool Hospital are also within 20 mi (32 km).
Hotel Features
This hotel features a restaurant, a fitness center, and a bar/lounge. Free WiFi in public areas and free self parking are also provided. Additionally, conference rooms, meeting rooms, and dry cleaning are onsite.
Room Amenities
All 116 rooms offer free WiFi, minibars, and LCD TVs with digital channels. Guests will also find room service, premium bedding, and coffee makers.Information missing or incorrect? Tell us!
Hotel Amenities
Hotel Amenities
The hotel offers a restaurant. A bar/lounge is on site where guests can unwind with a drink. High-speed wireless Internet access is complimentary. Event facilities include conference space and meeting rooms. This luxury hotel also offers a fitness center, a terrace, and complimentary newspapers in the lobby. Onsite self parking is complimentary.
Rydges Campbelltown has designated areas for smoking.
- Breakfast available (surcharge)
- Conference space size (meters) - 134
- Number of meeting rooms - 3
- Total number of rooms - 116
- Number of floors - 5
- Year Built 2007
- Free newspapers in lobby
- Conference space
- Dry cleaning/laundry service
- Elevator/lift
- Express check-out
- Fitness facilities
- Free WiFi
- Designated smoking areas
- Restaurant
- 24-hour front desk
- Bar/lounge
- Luggage storage
- Meeting rooms
- Terrace
- Free parking nearby
- Free self parking
- Number of buildings/towers - 1
- Television in lobby
- Use of nearby fitness center (discount)
- Wedding services
Family Friendly Amenities
- Family Hotel
- Free Wi-Fi
- Rollaway/extra beds available
- Microwave (on request)
- Cribs/infant beds (complimentary)
Available in all rooms: Free WiFi
Available in some public areas: Free WiFi
Free self parking, Free parking nearby
Room Amenities
- Premium TV channels
- Premium bedding
- Air conditioning
- Free newspaper
- Minibar
- Coffee/tea maker
- Microwave (on request)
- Daily housekeeping
- Private bathroom
- Free toiletries
- Hair dryer
- Iron/ironing board
- Desk
- Rollaway/extra beds available
- Blackout drapes/curtains
- Digital TV service
- Free WiFi
- In-room safe (laptop compatible)
- Room service (limited hours)
- Connecting/adjoining rooms available
- Free cribs/infant beds
Where to Eat
Buffet breakfasts are available for a surcharge and are served each morning.
Infusion - This restaurant serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Guests can enjoy drinks at the bar.
Room service (during limited hours) is available.
Nearby Things to Do
The recreational activities listed below are available either on site or nearby; fees may apply.
- Golfing nearby
- Skydiving nearby
- Aerobics on site
- Pilates classes on site
- Yoga classes/instruction on site
To make requests for specific accessibility needs, complete the "Special or Accessibility Requests" section of "Trip Preferences" when you book your hotel.
- In-room accessibility
- Accessible path of travel
- Accessible bathroom
- Accessible parking
- Roll-in shower
Hotel Policies
Minimum check-in age is 18
Check-in time starts at 2 PM
Check-out time is 11 AM
Payment types
Children and extra beds
- Children are welcome.
- Rollaway/extra beds are available for AUD 40 per night.
- Free cribs (infant beds)!
You need to know
Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on hotel policy.
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card or cash deposit are required at check-in for incidental charges.
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges. Special requests cannot be guaranteed.
Parking height restrictions apply
Optional extras
- Fee for buffet breakfast: AUD 25 for adults and AUD 9.50 for children (approximately)
- Deposit: AUD 200 per night
- Rollaway bed fee: AUD 40 per night
- Onsite credit card charges are subject to a surcharge
- Facilities fee: AUD 10 per person, per day and includes use of:
We should mention
The property has connecting/adjoining rooms, which are subject to availability and can be requested by contacting the property using the number on the booking confirmation.
National Rating
This property has been awarded a star rating from the Australian Star Ratings Agency, Star Ratings Australia.


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Get to know our other Brands:
Set it up in the snow and watch Shredz™ characters soar to radical heights with the Shredz Big Air Jump™!
Make your mountain - Use the Shredz Track Maker™ to carve and smooth out the trail - Create a challenging course with the Shredz Xtreme Terrain Park Trick Set™ - Take Shredz™ to the top and let them RIP!
Ages: 5+
Made in China
PLEASE NOTE: Shredz™ snowboarders, Shredz Track Maker, and Shredz Xtreme Terrain Park Trick Set sold separately.


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From: Summer Suppers
Classic comfort food.
From: Summer Suppers
A really easy way to start off a chic meal with something colourful and full of flavour is to serve a vegetable soup. I serve it with a salsa on top, which gives it a bit more flavour and makes it a bit more interesting.
From: Summer Suppers
An excellent breakfast or dessert sprinkle!
From: Celebrity MasterChef Ireland
The Celebrity MasterChef contestant undertake the Emirates challenge with this starter of Lobster Ravioli with minted peas and citrus foam with a Caviar Topping.
From: Summer Suppers
It's very easy to make your own...
From: Kitchen Hero: HomeCooked
You'll be making plenty!
From: MasterChef Ireland
Aengus Mac Grianna serves up this tasty dish on Celebrity MasterChef Ireland.
From: Kitchen Hero: HomeCooked
If you ever needed proof that something incredibly delicious can be made in a very short amount of time, then this salad is just that! Packed with punchy heat from the chorizo and salty squidginess from the halloumi, this little dish is full of wonderful things to keep you interested, even if you have very little time to make dinner. Speed up this recipe by buying sun-blushed tomatoes instead of roasting them yourself.
From: Kitchen Hero: HomeCooked
So quick and easy!
The Vintage Cocktail Club in Dublin have some delectable dining dishes for you to try!


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What is your preferred type of shelter and why?Tent? Tarp? Tarptent? Bivy sack? Igloo? Something else?
Edited by plantedbystreams on 02/04/2012 01:09:34 MST.
Tarptent Moment atm. Lightweight, fast setup, plenty of space for me, ease of getting a drum tight pitch. I'm switching to tarp and bivy for the first time this season so I'll see how that goes.
Currently I like the floorless, shaped tarp like the Golite Shangri-La 1 or older Hut 1. It's lightweight, easy to set up (requires trekking poles), has full coverage, and has no floor so you don't have to worry about taking off shoes to be inside.
Depends on the conditionsWE have a lightweight (3 lb) two-person tent I made that we use most of the time. But we also have a heavier 4-season tent. And we have a three man Eureka Apex tent for when we take along a guest!
Hammock + Tarp, gets you off the ground, and if you can't hang you can use the hammock as a ground sheet
It's the one that I most recently purchased, the LightHeart Solo - Standard tent. I went from traditional A frame tents to hammocks, tarps & bivys and finally to this type of tent.I chose this shelter based on its 27 ounce weight, design and price. The weight of this tent was 4.5 ounces more than my tarp and bivy. I decided to go with the added weight because of the ease of entry due to its zippered rain fly and large zippered door. Its all in one design was less "fiddly" when it came to setup than my tarp and bivy. The increased headroom was also a factor in my choice. Finally its packed size allowed me to carry it in the dedicated exterior pocket of my pack where I originally carried my tarp and bivy. This meant that I did not have to come up with an alternate packing scheme or a new pack.Party On,Newton
Edited by Newton on 02/04/2012 08:26:02 MST.
If there's a lot of rain - floorless pyramid.The MLD Trailstar looks very similar with a little less weight.You can sit inside and do stuff, out of the rain, as opposed to a shorter tent or tarp that only has enough room to lay down.
My preferred shelter is a hammock. Mostly because I sleep SO much better in it.
Depends, of course.For general winter camping when bugs are not a problem, I am currently enamored of my zPacks Hex+ tarp. If bugs are present (most of the time in Ohio), I use my zPacks Hex Single. If I'm expecting snow, my Tarptent Moment with the crossing pole is perfect. The weather in Ohio never gets extreme. You may want to choose a heavier-duty shelter if you expect serious conditions.As my pappy used to say, "Git the rite tool fer the job."Stargazer
Amy I can't hardly answer that question!!!! I have three favorites!1) I use my Gatewood Cape w/ Serenity most often. Lite, double-wall, multi-purpose, just plain like it. I could go on!2) MLD trailstar. Heavier, but not heavy, paired w/my SMD Serenity.3) When I can hang, it's usually my JRB Bridge hammock. Way comfy and don't have to worry w/level ground or roots, rocks, etc.
I am the type who's more focused on achieving "comfort weight" rather than obsessing over "am I in the SUL club yet and if so what else can I cut to qualify for XUL?" ...Within the confines of carrying a "comfortable" load, I much prefer a tent that is quick and easy to set up and take down. As such, my hybrid dome tent is just about the fastest/easiest tent to set up, and it has performed marvelously even in the relatively humid PNW -- with zero to minimal condensation. A good option for 3-season use in all but truly humid places:This two-person tent is a palace for my solo use. Lots of space plus two doors/vestibules -- all for 2.5 lbs.
Edited by ben2world on 02/04/2012 12:07:05 MST.
If I have to pick just one it iwould be a mid or tipi style though I also like tarps. I switched to a Go Lite SL3 when my old BD megamid wore out because it was 40% off, I like it well enough but would probably go with a duomid if money were not a consideration.
Hmm... there isn't something that makes me 100% happy. I want the lightest shelter that will provide adequate protection. The problem is adequate protection varies. Sometimes I just need something to keep the bugs off. Sometimes I need protection from rain. Other times it's heavy winds and snow. If Ryan guess is right, and the SMD Skyscape pole configuration is up to fairly strong winds, then that would be my 3 season shelter preference for easy of setup, good protected space, low weight, and good views when fly is open. I have written a bit about the trade-offs I think about in my recommended shelters page.--mark
I like mids and domes -nice simple shapes. Currently I have a duomid and a skyscape. I consider the skyscape, lightheart, and similar to be mids. The Notch looks awesome too even though it stretching the definition of a mid.I will have to wait until spring to see how they actually work out. I predict I will probably use the Skyscape most because its so easy to set up in one piece and its so open when the doors are rolled away, something I liked about tarp/bivys. Some of the things I like about mids and domes is the nice side entrance paired with the room and storm protection.
I like a house 95% of the time.
houses are quite comfy!i prefer to enjoy the comforts of a hammock/tarp:open net if the bugs let me get away with it. nothing like a cup of joe above the rocks in a levitating bliss...
I'm a tree hanger I have a DIY gathered end hammock and a DYI Grizzly Bridge love them both. My cover is a Hammock Gear 4 season Cuban tarp. My insolation is a Hammock Gear SevenD incubator made just for me by Stormcrow. If I'm talking Greek check out the Hammock Fourm. If I'm with the wife and kid I hit the ground and use a Tarptent Rainshadow 2. I also had a MLD Trailstar I loved but the wife wanted some bug protection for the kid.
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Originally a 17th-century coaching inn, this Wetherspoon hotel is centrally located in the town square, opposite the town hall. We have 24 individual bedrooms, many with high, vaulted ceilings. All of our rooms are ensuite and include tea and coffee making facilities, a hair dryer and TV. FREE Wi-Fi is available in the bar area.
Approaching from the M4: Take junction 24 onto the A40. Take the first turning after the tunnel, signposted Monmouth. Turn right at the garage, then right at the roundabout and go through the town. After ¼ mile, take the right turn (a one-way street); we are across the road from the town hall.Approaching from the M5: Take the M50, heading for Ross-on-Wye and leading onto the A40. Turn right at the roundabout, to take you into Monmouth. Turn left at the town hall; we are are across the road from the town hall.
There is a large pay-and-display car park approximately 300 metres from the hotel on Glendower Street.
The bus station is a two-minute walk from the hotel, with local and national links to Cardiff and Newport. There is a bus to Hereford from here, stopping at Hereford train station.
Monmouth is an elegant market town with a splendid location at the confluence of three rivers; the Trothy, Monnow and (more famously) the river Wye. The town overlooks the hills of Abergavenny, Hay Bluff and the Brecon Beacons, making for superb views and must-do tours of the Royal Forest of Dean and Wye Valley. There are also some excellent golf courses in the area.
Please telephone the hotel directly on +44 (0)1600 710500, if you:
Click here to view the terms & conditions.


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|30th April 2009, 15:38
Join Date: Apr 2006
Posts: 544,389
Broke Amateurs - Brandi scene 3
>Broke Amateurs - Brandi scene 3 Torrent
Broke Amateurs - Brandi scene 3
"Well, well, well, Brandi is back, no longer pregnant, has an incredible body and put on a great fuck show for you guys so I hope you appreciate it. Not a lot of talking in this video. You know all about her from her pregnant shoots so I skipped any chit-chat. We went straight to Brandi sucking my huge cock. Yeah, I know I don't have a huge cock but I'm writing this so I can say what I want to feel better :) Brandi spends some time on her knees sucking my cock. The normal cock-sucking was nice but I needed more. I need to fuck her tonsils. So, I did. Both while I was sitting in the couch and when I was standing up with her still on her knees. Some great face-fucking and cock-gagging footage. After that was some nice rim job action where her tongue actually went in my ass. Then on to the fucking where I dropped a huge load in her pussy that oozed out nice and slow. "
Original taken from Final4Ever Forums
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Hey everyone! I'm trying to figure out the best option for pants on a UL trip through the Wind Rivers in August. So far I've come up with the following options: 1) Shorts + Waterproof Pants -i.e. Golite Ridge Runner + Golite Reed (8.5 oz total) 2) Shorts + Wind Pants -i.e. Golite Ridge Runner + Golite Whim (7 oz total) 3) Wind Pants only - 4 oz 4) Trekking Pants only -i.e. BPL Thorofare (4 oz) 5) Light Softshell Pants -i.e. OR Vert (10 oz)What do you think would be the lightest, most versital and most comfortable? Thanks in advance for the help!
What kind of weather are you expecting? Do you sunburn easily?If high temperatures are around 60F, then I wear REI Mistral Pants (Scholler meterial).A little warmer, Mountain Hardwear Canyon Pants.80F and warmer with a lot of sun exposure, Rail Riders EcoMesh.Really hot weather, lows above 70F, no nasty brush, then just a pair of shorts.
I use a pair of the GoLite running shorts (4 oz) with built in brief. Over those, if the weather warrants, I will wear a light pair of nylon cargo pants (12 oz). The shorts serve both as underwear and hiking shorts, the pants serve well as wind pants but also have pockets, so do the shorts. The pants I have will go on over my hiking shoes so there is no hassle there. Probably a bit heavier than shorts and wind pants but this setup suits my hiking style.
Edited by Rincon on 06/05/2009 16:03:26 MDT.
I usually were a pair of running shorts (GoLite Ridge Runner) and if its colder then I put on some thermal long underwear too (which i use to sleep in). In blistering rain/cold, I throw on my rain-proof nylon sahara zip-offs from REI (although these arn't too waterproof.
Edited by RSchuster on 06/05/2009 16:40:53 MDT.
Thanks for the ideas! I'm expecting highs to be around 60-80 and lows around 45. It should be mostly alpine travel so beating up my legs on brush shouldn't be an issue. Shorts seem like a good option with some sort of WP or WR pant for back-up. However, if I was to go with soft shell pants only, would it be too warm for these conditions? I've never hiked in them before.
I hiked in REI Sahara Convertable pants the past two weeks on PCT and other trails near Echo Summit, Lake Tahoe. I loved them. I got lost my first day and spent way too much time bushwacking. I was glad I had the pants. They felt light and very comfortable. They handled my trampling through various bushes very well. Very useful pockets and zippers where you want them.
I can hike in shorts down to freezing. As long as you are moving you stay warm. I don't have any soft shell pants, but I would think they would be too hot for 80*, but then again, I don't know what 80* feels like without 80% humidity.
I would go with the Golite Ridge Runner shorts and the Whim pants for the wind. The night time lows that you are expecting are so mild and 60-80 F in the day is very warm once your body is moving and you have the sun on you. That setup is light, versatile, and simple. I assume you'll have some lightweight baselayer for sleeping or added insulation. Are you expecting any Class 3-4 scrambles or more intensive off trail navigating or summit bids? Something to consider as you may need some more durability and protection.
I've gone through this over the years and come down to these options:1. The easiest most versatile option has been zip off pants. Ex Officio and REI are my favorites.2. Running shorts and wind pants. This is the lightest combo that I've found. Most running shorts have a light (and non-chafing) brief built in too. In fact, good running shorts don't weigh much more than a lot of briefs. The caveat is the durability of the wind pants. I have a have a pair of Montane's that are certainly ultralight, but they need a lot of caution to stay in one piece. 3. If weather is going to be more variable, then running shorts and rain pants make a good combo. I think it is a waste of space and weight resources to carry both wind pants and rain pants. For Summer hiking in my climate, if it is cold enough to warrant long pants, then it is raining too. Even in the height of Summer, hiking early in the morning with wet brush can get me as wet as any rain. Wearing rain pants until the dew evaporates saves a cold soaking. 4. Operating in cold wet climates like the Pacific Northwest Fall/Winter/Spring, I find it easier to forget "normal" pants and use rain pants with varying weights of polyester long johns. I like Marmot Precips with anything from silk weight Capilene to Power Stretch bottoms. You get all the wicking properties of the polyester and they are great to sleep in. The outer layer is going to get wet with brush and muddy too, so you wouldn't want to wear them in your shelter anyway. Full zip pants weigh a bit more, but allow good venting options. Short gaiters help with any long pants, keeping them out of the mud and rocks or catching the cuff as well as keeping the crud off your laces.
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Diane Von Furstenberg leads an enviably glamourous life, and now mere mortals can live their lives as Diane does by purchasing items from her very first home line.
DVF Home will launch in New York's Bloomingdale's flagship on Friday, and will expand to Bloomingdale's stores across the country (as well as to e-commerce via the Bloomingdale's and DVF websites) on February 28. We're loving the cheery collection, full of bright and bold prints; the line has plenty of goods for both the kitchen and the bedroom. The pricepoint isn't too bad either — duvets start at $150. Because, as Diane explained to the Times: "You are conceived in bed. You are born in bed, you die in bed. You should feel good in bed."
Curbed has a full lookbook of the collection, and we've included some of our favorite items below!
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this is some kind of spaceship or something.


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on 18-12-2011 14:59
Hi, I have just got a samsung smart tv and now all virgin channels are scrambled, do I need a ci card, and do you supply them?
Answered! Go to Answer
on 18-12-2011 15:08
Mate your on the tv's freeview and not your virgin media box. A ci card is only need with freeview it is to do with top up tv etc.
on 18-12-2011 15:11
Thanks for the reply, do you have any idea how to unscramble the signal? I have tested all leads etc. Could it be the v+ box?
on 19-12-2011 09:34
If your TV is connected to the V+ via an HDMI cable then the card in your V+ will unscramble the channels for which you are subscribed. If this is not happening then you may need an engineer call to fix. Are you getting any message numbers on the screen?


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TAKOMA PARK, MD (June 22, 2014) The public is invited to attend the Summer Lunch & Learn Music Camp Youth Concert on Tuesday, July 22 at 6 p.m. in the Student Activities Center at Washington Adventist University. The concert will feature performances by middle-school participants of the Summer Lunch & Learn Music Camp.
The summer camp program is operated on the campus of Washington Adventist University for children and teens, ages 7 to 16. The camp is a collaborative effort with the City of Takoma Park, Montgomery County government, Montgomery County Public Schools, and Educare – a research-based program that prepares at-risk children for school.
The program provides a much-needed resource for low-income families who struggle to find affordable activities for their children in the summer. It offers participants an opportunity to rediscover their creativity; improve their social skills in an environment of cooperation and respect; explore new interests; and enhance their quality of life. Exposure to the WAU campus, professors and students also serves to inspire participants to seek higher education.
The concert will be held in Building 5, which also houses the university's gymnasium. Free parking is available. Washington Adventist University is located at 7600 Flower Ave., in Takoma Park, Md. 20912.
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Washington Adventist University is Montgomery County's only four-year private college. Part of the Seventh-day Adventist system of higher education, Washington Adventist University has been educating college students since 1904 on a 19-acre campus in suburban Takoma Park, close to the nation's capital. A total of 1,185 students of all faiths participate in the university's eight graduate and 32 undergraduate programs. The 2014 edition of U.S. News & World Report ranked Washington Adventist University among the best regional colleges in the north.
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Angie Crews, 301-891-4134, firstname.lastname@example.com
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- Opening times and closure dates
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Writer of the month: Suddenly, All Roads Led to Munich, 1936 by Rachel Johnson
16 August 2013
Throughout 2013, The National Archives will host a series of monthly talks to broaden awareness of historical records and their uses for writers.
Each month, a high-profile author will talk about using original records in their writing. Ben Macintyre kick-started the year as part of the Mining the Archives masterclass. Our distinguished speakers include: Tracy Borman, John Guy, Peter Hennessy, Dominic Sandbrook, and Lucy Worsley.
August's Writer of the Month will be Rachel Johnson, on 16 August 2013 at 14:00, discussing the writing of Winter Games.
Tickets are free of charge. Email firstname.lastname@example.com to book your place now.
About the author
Rachel Johnson is a columnist, bestselling novelist and the ninth editor of the world's oldest women's weekly, The Lady magazine. She was educated at St Paul's Girls' School and New College, Oxford. She joined the Financial Times in 1989 as its first female graduate trainee and has been in national newspapers ever since.
Rachel's books include the international bestseller Notting Hell and most recently, A Diary of The Lady. She has recently published her third novel for Penguin, Winter Games.


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Dylan Hutson shows his opposition to the proposed constitutional amendment to ban same-sex marriage in Indiana, outside the House chambers where the House Judiciary Committee was holding a hearing on HJR-3 at the Indiana Statehouse on Jan. 13, 2014. No committee vote was taken after the public input.
If the language of such an important document as a constitutional amendment (HJR-3 on same-sex marriage) is so poorly worded that the authors think it requires clarifying legislation to explain it (which does not have the same force of law), then the amendment should not be passed in the first place.
Alan Oliver
New Castle


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UOB stock rises on private banking plan
Shares of United Overseas Bank rose by 2 percent with its plan to provide wealth management services to individuals with rising affluence.
At 0345 GMT, shares of UOB were traded at S$15.20 with over 2.3 million shares changing hands. It outperformed its peers DBS Group, which was down 0.8 percent and Oversea-Chinese Banking Corp, which was 0.13 percent higher.
UOBannounced thast it will target a growing segment of individuals with investable assets of at least S$100,000 and make up 25 percent of Singapore's working population in its new wealth banking business.
For the source of this story, click here.


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Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 8:52 — 8.1MB)
The Secretary of the Indiana Family and Social Services Administration, Doctor John Wernert, was the keynote speaker at a Healthcare Financial Managers Association conference in Bloomington last week. WFHB News Director Alycin Bektesh attend his talk and spoke with him further about Indiana's proposal to the federal government to allow the Health Indiana Plan two-point-oh as a substitute for the affordable care act. Their conversation here, in today's community report.


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Austerity is a disaster for millions. We need a left that can make a real difference to the world.
Counterfire is central to the People's Assemblies and the anti war movement. We have relentlessly exposed our rulers' addiction to war and sexism and racism. We are setting up groups across the country. Help us re-make socialist politics for the 21st century. Join us, we are stronger together.
To join online fill in the registration form below, and click the 'Sign Up' button. You will then be taken to another page where you can set up regular payments using either PayPal or Direct Debit.
Members pay a monthly subscription according to what they can afford. The following rates based on your gross income were agreed at our last conference:
After clicking the 'Sign Up' button you will be taken to page where you can set up regular payments to the organsation
If you experience any problems with this page please contact us


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- Northern New York Newspapers
- Watertown
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Carthage and Watertown police made arrests Monday in unrelated incidents involving men who allegedly returned to threaten women they had previously harassed.
Kenneth L.E. Travis, 23, of 442 S. James St., Carthage, is jailed under $1,000 bail after being charged by Carthage police with criminal obstruction of breathing or blood circulation, and second-degree counts of criminal trespass and harassment.
Jordan T. Turner, 25, of 73 Public Square, Apt. 2, was detained by city police on charges of third-degree criminal possession of a weapon, second-degree menacing and fourth-degree criminal mischief.
Mr. Travis was sent to the Metro-Jefferson Public Safety Building by Village Justice S. Lucille Shettleton after being charged in incidents late Sunday and again Monday morning at the residence of Samantha M. DeLong, 23, of 938 Alexandria St., Carthage. Village police alleged that Sunday night, he punched her in the face and choked her. She did not require hospital treatment, police said.
He returned to the residence shortly after 3 a.m. Monday and entered and remained in the dwelling despite Ms. DeLongs repeated requests that he leave, police said. He was arrested at 8:30 a.m. Monday at his home.
Mr. Travis was convicted of second-degree criminal contempt in Jefferson County Court in February 2009 for violating an order of protection held by Ms. DeLong.
City police allege that Mr. Turner pointed a handgun at Alisha M. Kiblin, 20, of 73 Public Square, Apt. 1, the morning of Nov. 25 and threatened to use the gun. He also broke a glass picture and several Christmas ornaments, police said.
Mr. Turner was convicted of second-degree criminal contempt in April for violating Miss Kiblins order of protection. He also has a conviction in October 2011 for fifth-degree criminal sale of a controlled substance, also in Jefferson County Court.
He was arrested at noon Monday at his apartment and was due for arraignment Tuesday in City Court.
Thousands of readers like you have made Northern New York Newspapers the number one ranked website* for local news and sports coverage in the north country.
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- Northern New York Newspapers
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Daniel Lesnowski, age 57, formerly of Plattsburgh, passed away on March 25, 2014 at the St. Lawrence Psychiatric Center. Graveside services will be held in the spring at Fairview Cemetery in AuSable Forks. Funeral arrangements are with Frary Funeral Home. Mr. Lesnowski is survived by four brothers and one sister. He was born in Plattsburgh on December 9, 1956, the son of Stanley and Nora Blake Lesnowski. He attended schools in Plattsburgh. He worked for CRC as a Laborer for many years.
Thousands of readers like you have made Northern New York Newspapers the number one ranked website* for local news and sports coverage in the north country.
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How to Stay Healthy While Traveling
How to Stay Healthy and Fit on the Road
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Thankfully for the state of my overall health and well-being, I no longer use the "can't exercise because I'm traveling excuse." Rather than try to replicate workouts — which is impossible to do — I get creative and use what's around me. . . whether that's a tennis court, a pool, or rental bikes. On Fit, we want to give you lots of options for staying healthy while traveling, so here are some noteworthy articles to keep as a handy reference.
- 8 Do-Anywhere Exercises: If you find yourself in a situation when you want a full-body workout but are limited by locale, try these eight exercises including seated sweeping leg lift and standing booty kicks. Your heart will be pumping, muscles worked, and all without the use of any equipment!
Here are some more ideas to check out.
- Sightrunning: Going to a cool new city? Why not combine the tourist and runner in you and go sightrunning instead?
- The Best Hotel Room Workout: Stuck in a hotel for business? No problem at all. This video will show you five easy moves that will work out your arms, legs, and fanny.
- Keep an Exercise Routine, Wherever You Are: Follow these steps to help you stick with your normal fitness routine even when you're visiting the in-laws.
Image Source: Thinkstock


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Washington, DC Pet-Friendly Hotel
Give your pets the VIP (very important pet) treatment at Hotel Helix where we welcome pets of all types for no extra fee. While Hotel Helix is pet-friendly hotel, we also offer a pet-free floor for guests with allergies or sensitivities to pets.
Washington, DC Dog Friendly Parks near Hotel Helix -
- S Street Dog Park: S Street at 17th Street NW, Washington DC 2009
- Shaw Dog Park: 1651 11th Street NW (Between North Q Street and North R Street) Washington DC 20001
Hotel Helix Guppy Love - Traveling without your furry loved one, but craving some pet time? Borrow a complimentary Hotel Helix goldfish to keep you company during your stay in Washington, DC. Simply enjoy the companionship - we'll handle the rest.


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Daily Bucket
Members of the Young Kenyan Patriot's protest 2013 at the Tom Mboya... News PhotoCity,Crime,Government,Horizontal,Human Interest,Kenya,Nomination,Orange Democratic Movement,People,Petition,Political Party,Politics,Protest,StatuePhotographer Nation MediaCollection: Gallo Images 2013 Media TimesNAIROBI, KENYA - JANUARY 23: Members of the Young Kenyan Patriot's protest 2013 at the Tom Mboya statue in the Central Business District on January 23, 2013 in Nairbo, Kenya. The group delivered a petition where they accuse the Prime Minister, Mr. Raila Odinga, of treating the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party nominations like a family affair. (Photo by Daniel Irungu/Nation Media/Gallo Images/Getty Images)


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Paediatric intensive care units 'understaffed'
The majority of paediatric intensive care units in Great Britain and Ireland are understaffed, according to a new study.
Almost two in three have fewer qualified nurses than recommended to ensure children receive adequate care, the research for the Paediatric Intensive Care Audit Network (PICANet) found.
Researcher professor Elizabeth Draper, from the University of Leicester, said: "Qualified nurse staffing levels have improved over time, with more than three quarters of paediatric intensive care units meeting the old standard.
"But following the revision of these standards in line with the recommendations of the Royal College of Nursing, fewer than 40% of units now achieve the required levels of qualified nursing staff."
The study also examined mortality rates among children with asthma who have difficulty breathing, when they are admitted to a paediatric intensive care unit. It found that the rate is relatively high compared to other Western countries.
The research by scientists from the University of Leeds and the University of Leicester revealed that the number of asthmatic children admitted to hospital rose by 67% in the period from 2005 to 2010.
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