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I truly dislike best audio product of the year lists. It is a virtual impossibility that the list-makers have listened to every component in a particular product category and, hence, the lists are essentially meaningless. Still, each year several product categories contain products which are truly special and deserve to have their praises sung. In this, Audiophilias first full year of high-end publishing on the internet, I thought it appropriate to recognize those components and accessories which, in my mind, stood out from the rest of the pack. Please note that not all of these products have been, or will necessarily be, reviewed in these virtual pages, although they have all been auditioned in familiar systems and listening environments.
1997 saw a definite move away from the multi-box digital front end, towards a unified, single-box approach. Still, many audiophiles continued to pair dedicated transports with stand-alone D/A converters in order to keep abreast of the latest developments in digital-to-analogue conversion. At the disposal of such audiophiles in 1997 were D/A converters which set new standards in price-performance. One such product which merits particular mention is The Parts Connections Assemblage DAC-2. For a mere US$499 in kit form, the DAC-2 offers high-quality parts, including dual 20-bit Burr Brown DACs, the Pacific Microsonics PMD-100 HDCD decoder/filter, and, most importantly, excellent sonics. Although some listeners report a bit of brightness in the DAC-2s presentation, this seems to be highly dependent on the partnering transport and never manifested itself throughout my auditioning. The kit is easily assembled by novice builders and is backed by an assembly guarantee by the folks at TPC. Those more interested in listening than soldering can order a fully-assembled version for US$549. A parts upgrade kit (unauditioned) is also available for US$149. While not intended as a state-of-the-art digital processor, at under $500, the DAC-2 gets you far closer than it has any right to and is, therefore, worthy of high praise.
Although still being auditioned for an upcoming full review, the preamplifier which really caught my attention in 1997 was the oft-praised Audible Illusions Modulus 3A (US$ 1895 with MM phono board, US$ 2395 with John Curl Designed Gold MC phono board). One of the last of a dying breed of truly full-function preamplifiers, the relatively affordable Modulus 3A combines a simpler-is-better circuit topology, an outboard power supply, and excellent parts and build quality, to produce sonics which, in my opinion, are rarely heard at its price point. The 3A is available with either a moving magnet or a high-gain, moving coil board designed by John Curl (designer of the famed Vendetta Research SCP-2 phono preamp), or as a line-stage only version dubbed the L1. Full review online soon.
Two very different loudspeakers, at very different price points, proved to be particularly noteworthy in 1997. First was ProAcs Response One SC (US$ 2100), the update to that British companys long-respected Response One S. The Response One SC proved, yet again, that mini-monitors have much to offer in terms of soundstaging, imaging, and tonal accuracy. While deep bass was out of the One SCs reach, its tonal balance proved very satisfying. The One SCs new bass/midrange unit excelled at reproduction of the human voice, and its extremely refined tweeter was smooth, detailed and fatigue-free. A truly superb loudspeaker at a real-world price.
At a much more lofty, but not unreasonable, price, was the tri-amplified Waveform Mach 17 with active crossover (US$ 6995). Whether driven by relatively inexpensive solid-state electronics, or six channels of tube power, the Mach 17s thrilled with their ability to reproduce music with the dynamics, power, and beauty of the live event. Imaging and soundstaging were on par with the best Ive heard, the members of a symphony orchestra being clearly delineated in space on the best recordings. The Mach 17s were capable of moving some serious air and were easily capable of rendering the bottom octave. With their reasonable size, furniture-grade cabinetry and high level of craftsmanship, the Mach 17s will blend seamlessly with most shared living spaces. While some prospective purchasers might be put off by the Mach 17s need for six channels of amplification, the recent appearance of several high-quality, six channel amplifiers could ease the potential financial burden of building a system around this loudspeaker. Those wishing to own some degree of the Mach 17s magic at a lower price point might be interested to hear that Waveform has plans to build a non-active version requiring only a single stereo amplifier.
The bargain priced, and virtually unknown, D Lin Audio Silver Bullets 4.0 interconnect (US$ 180/metre) emerged as my favorite cable of 1997. The Silver Bullets 4.0 features four, small-diameter, high-purity silver conductors, high-quality Cardas RCA terminators, and one of the most fatigue-free and tonally neutral presentations Ive heard. Those biased against silver conductors due to their reputation for brightness will be pleasantly surprised by the 4.0s lack of such a sonic signature. The price of the Silver Bullets has been kept firmly in real-world territory as D Lin Audio markets the cables exclusively over the internet. Their reasonable price and superb sonics led me to purchase two pairs for my reference system. Based on the success of their initial efforts, I expect well be hearing much more from D Lin Audio in the not-too-distant future.
The new Black Diamond Racing Record Clamp for the VPI series of turntables recently made its way to my turntable (courtesy of Madcap Audios Jonathan Badov) with surprisingly good results. Although the clamp was just a prototype at the time of auditioning, it was near enough to its final form that I feel safe discussing it here briefly. The clamp consists of two circular blocks of carbon fiber, one containing a threaded hole through its center, the other a non-threaded hole. The two-part clamp is tightly screwed down over the threaded spindle of a VPI turntable in place of the stock VPI clamp. I listened to the clamp in two Aries-based systems (including my own), and was quite amazed at its positive sonic benefits. Most apparent was a much improved sense of rhythm and pace - the stock VPI clamp seemed to impart a slightly slow, plodding feel to the proceedings, diminishing some of the musics life and energy. Although Im at a loss to explain why, the new clamp made music significantly more interesting and involving. At a projected price of about $200, Black Diamond Racings VPI clamp appears to be one of those rare audio accessories whose asking price is more than justified by its sonic effect. A full review is forthcoming.
Finally, Echo Busters Room Treatment Products round out my list of accessories of merit for 1997. Not only are the Echo Busters one of the best ways I know of to tame the acoustical problems which plague most listening rooms, but they are also attractive (as far as room treatment products go) and very cost effective. While there are other competing products available (such as Michael Greens RoomTunes), in my opinion, the Echo Busters are more effective, equally affordable, and less visually intrusive.
-- Andrew Chasin


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West Seattle Gas Price Watch: Another week, another dimeJune 16, 2008 at 5:40 am | In Gas prices, Transportation, West Seattle news | 16 Comments
View Larger Map
The highest posted price for regular in West Seattle is a dime higher as of late last night than it was exactly a week earlier – though a different station now holds the "honor" of having the highest price. The map above locates each station – click and you'll see current and past prices from our surveys; or, read on for the full text list plus who's gone up the most in the past week and who's gone up the least:
Here's the list, sorted lowest to highest by regular price (the second price is the premium price). Data point for my fellow numbers geeks – note that several stations are close to $1 over where they were in our price check 14 weeks ago (other numbers notes ahead, after the list):
$4.21-$4.43, Arco (Delridge/Orchard)
(1 wk ago $4.15-$4.37, 7 wks ago $3.47-$3.69, 14 wks ago $3.25-$3.47)
$4.31-$4.51, Delridge Exxon
(1 wk ago $4.25-$4.45, 7 wks ago $3.58-$3.78, 14 wks ago $3.45-$3.65)
$4.32-$4.53, Calif/Charlestown 7-11
(1 wk ago $4.23-$4.43, 7 wks ago $3.55-$3.75, 14 wks ago $3.41-$3.61)
$4.33-$4.53, California/Andover 76
(1 wk ago $4.23-$4.43, 7 wks ago $3.59-$3.79, 14 wks ago $3.45-$3.65)
$4.33-$4.55, Admiral Safeway
(1 wk ago $4.25-$4.49, 7 wks ago $3.57-$3.79, 14 wks ago $3.42-$3.63)
$4.33-$4.55, Roxbury Safeway
(1 wk ago $4.27-$4.49, 7 wks ago $3.56-$3.79, 14 wks ago $3.38-$3.59)
$4.33-$4.57, Avalon 7-11
(1 wk ago $4.24-$4.49, 7 wks ago $3.65-$3.89, 14 wks ago $3.45-$3.65)
$4.33-$4.57, Fauntleroy/Alaska Shell
(1 wk ago $4.27-$4.49, 7 wks ago $3.65-$3.89, 14 wks ago $3.45-$3.69)
$4.34-$4.56, mid-Delridge Shell
(1 wk ago $4.27-$4.49, 7 wks ago $3.69-$3.89, 14 wks ago $3.47-$3.67)
$4.35-$4.55, Gas Depot (South Delridge)
(1 wk ago $4.25-$4.45, 7 wks ago $3.65-$3.85, 14 wks ago $3.39-$3.59)
$4.35-$4.59, Fauntleroy/Alaska 76
(1 wk ago $4.29-$4.53, 7 wks ago $3.67-$3.91, 14 wks ago $3.47-$3.71)
$4.37-$4.59, Roxbury Shell
(1 wk ago $4.29-$4.49, 7 wks ago $3.67-$3.89, 14 wks ago $3.47-$3.67)
$4.37-$4.59, California Shell
(1 wk ago $4.29-$4.53, 7 wks ago $3.71-$3.95, 14 wks ago $3.47-$3.71)
$4.37-$4.61, 35th/Barton Exxon
(1 wk ago $4.33-$4.55, 7 wks ago $3.66-$3.89, 14 wks ago $3.45-$3.71)
$4.37-$4.77, Admiral Chevron
(1 wk ago $4.25-$4.65, 7 wks ago $3.65-$4.05, 14 wks ago $3.43-$3.83)
$4.39-$4.59, Delridge/Orchard Shell
(1 wk ago $4.27-$4.49, 7 wks ago $3.69-$3.89, 14 wks ago $3.47-$3.67)
$4.39-$4.59, Gasco (35th/Henderson)
(1 wk ago $4.29-$4.49,, 7 wks ago $3.65-$3.89, 14 wks ago $3.46-$3.69)
$4.39-$4.63, Lincoln Park 76
(1 wk ago $4.25-$4.51, 7 wks ago $3.69-$3.95, 14 wks ago $3.49-$3.75)
$4.41-$4.65, Barnecut's Shell (Admiral)
(1 wk ago $4.24-$4.48, 7 wks ago $3.67-$3.91, 14 wks ago $3.42-$3.67)
$4.43-$4.67, 35th/Holden Chevron
(1 wk ago $4.29-$4.55, 7 wks ago $3.69-$3.93, 14 wks ago $3.46-$3.69)
Biggest price jump for regular in the past week: Barnecut's Shell, 17 cents; smallest, 35th/Barton Exxon, four cents (although it had the highest price last week, so perhaps it's just adjusting). As usual, West Seattle is just a little above the citywide average, as tracked by AAA.
Our previous West Seattle Gas Price Watch coverage is archived here.
16 Comments
Fauntleroy Shell was 4.37 (above on 6/15 = 4.33) this morning for regular.
Comment by yo — 9:17 am June 16, 2008 #
We do the survey late Sunday night and post it early am Monday — the past couple weeks, when subsequently going about the next day's business, nobody has changed prices till later in the day Monday, but guess today's the exception!
Its not as local oriented: http://www.gaspricewatch.com/new/default_V3.asp
Comment by mike — 10:12 am June 16, 2008 #
I just typed 98136 into that and got completely bad info … one 4.09, one 3.60! and one that looks maybe more current. Which is why we don't regularly link to those sites. I wish I had the personpower to survey daily but weekly, we figure, at least gives people the chance to watch which West Seattle stations are trending lower and which are trending higher.
I'm pretty sure we're gonna see $5/gallon gas before August. Think about this when Sound Transit asks for your dollars for Link to Bellevue and north/south ends of town and ask where's the West Seattle rapid transit. I'm voting NO on anything which doesn't include in-city grade-separated rapid transit.
Comment by chas redmond — 10:45 am June 16, 2008 #
I REALLY appreciate these gas watch updates
having used seattlegasprices for long time, it's not reliably up to date, and West Seattle is rarely included, except maybe couple stations; and now that prices change so quickly, and seattlegasprices is voluntary, certainly not comprehensive; the wsblog gas watch is awesome; thank you!!!
question; anyone know why WS prices are usually higher (i.e., the Delridge Arco is usually at least 10 cents higher than 85th/99 Arco); I know WS can feel like an island, but come on, we're only 6 miles from downtown
Comment by Diane — 12:05 pm June 16, 2008 #
So Chas, penalize everyone until you get your way? Ahh the democratic process in action. $6 by August.
Comment by Dawson — 12:39 pm June 16, 2008 #
I can't wait until Obama wins. Gas will be back to $2/gallon by next summer!
Comment by Joe — 12:39 pm June 16, 2008 #
By the raw numbers, if the increase rate of the past 14 weeks continues over the next 14 weeks (a little more than 3 months), we'd be up to $5 by Labor Day. Last year as we've noted, prices stabilized for a while in early summer …
but that wasn't preceded by anything resembling this kind of longterm run-up.
I was at Costco yesterday afternoon, and their posted price for regular was $4.21…that's the cheapest I have found in the 2 weeks.
Comment by andrea — 1:13 pm June 16, 2008 #
Wow Andrea! I wish I had known that I just paid $4.39/gallon and work right by Costco! Oh well I will have to drive by there next time…
Comment by beachdrivegirl — 2:43 pm June 16, 2008 #
LOL Joe
Comment by wsblover — 2:55 pm June 16, 2008 #
chas: I know what you mean. Real mass transit has to be on its own grade for it to really work. Look at the fabulous Bart system in the Bay Area. It's wonderful. The monorail was a step in the right direction but, at $1 billion per mile, it was a boondoggle project meant only to enrich the politically connected. It should have been scuttled much earlier than it was, before the politically-connected could steal the land that was purchased.
The "light rail" project had real promise, but is now doomed to mediocrity with its shared grade in the Rainier Valley and along 5th.
Maybe some day we'll have adults in charge.
As for the gas prices, I expect to see them start going down around election time. That's what has happened in the last four election cycles, for obvious reasons.
Comment by PSPS — 5:34 pm June 16, 2008 #
I can't wait until Obama wins. Gas will be back to $2/gallon by next summer!
LOL Yes! The Obamamessiah can wave his God-like finger and affect world markets!
As for the gas prices, I expect to see them start going down around election time. That's what has happened in the last four election cycles, for obvious reasons. Not that gas prices don't go down EVERY fall, regardless of whether it's an election year.
Can't speak to years gone by because we weren't watching them quite the same way. But last fall they went up.
From a traders standpoint, the charts for crude, gasoline, and heating oil are all screaming "short me!" So If prices fall it won't be because of any one person.
Sorry, comment time is over.
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subset: commoncrawl


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Ohio State Scholar-Athletes to Be Recognized Monday
Outstanding student-athletes will be honored at 46th annual Scholar-Athlete Dinner
Buckeyes Bring Home Six Individual Medals, Second-Place Overall Finish at Midwest Conference Championships
Ohio State finishes second overall out of 20 competitors at South Bend, Ind. tournament
Five Ohio State Weapon Squads Medal at the U.S. Collegiate Squad Championships
Buckeyes host six teams for one-day tournament at French Field House
FENC: Buckeyes Sweep OSU Duals Competition 14-0
Ohio State finishes ninth-consecutive home duals without a loss
Buckeyes Begin NCAA Title Defense at OSU Duals
Ohio State hosts annual round-robin event at French Field House
2012-13 (Senior Season): Finished with 26 regular season wins, second in women's epee behind Dabrowa ... competed at the U.S. Squad Championships as a member of the silver-winning women's epee squad ... fenced at the Midwest Conference Championship, finishing 19th overall ... OSU Scholar-Athlete.
2011-12 (Junior Season): Claimed a career-high 20 victories during the regular season, finishing third among women's epeeists ... earned a season-high 11 wins at the Northwestern Duals ... finished 43rd at Penn State's Garret Open ... OSU Scholar-Athlete ... Academic All-Big Ten.


text:
About admin
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Latest Penthouse News
Bowden prison puts out new bid for company to provide cable TV to inmates
They're not allowed to subscribe to Penthouse or anything like that, for obvious reasons," Bowden spokesman Dan Spiller said. The current five-year contract with Shaw is expiring and the prison needs a new contract for its 500 existing outlets.
Read more on Calgary Herald
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Waiting game for Cheshire resident in need of heart transplant
Waiting game for Cheshire resident in need of heart transplant
Celebrating his 24th birthday in the confines of what he calls "the penthouse," a room on the 10th floor of Hartford Hospital, he couldn't light the candles to blow them out. "I'll always remember my birthday because of that," said Salerno, …
Read more on Meriden Record-Journal
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Celebrities invade Orlando for NBA All-Star Game
Celebrities invade Orlando for NBA All-Star Game
Mary J. Blige is staying in a downtown Orlando penthouse. At least one celebrity is renting a furnished house in Isleworth for $ 27000 for two nights. Another star is bunking in a four-bedroom home in Winter Park for $ 30000 for two nights.
Read more on Orlando Sentinel
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Stunning Thames penthouse launches for sale
Stunning Thames penthouse launches for sale
One of the largest River Thames fronted penthouses with unrestricted views of Tower Bridge, the City Skyline and Canary Wharf benefiting from three large terrace areas has been launched for sale in Shad Thames. The penthouse is an exceptional, …
Read more on Easier (press release)
Downtown OKC Penthouse Provides Luxurious Views
A multi-million dollar penthouse boasts panoramic views of downtown Oklahoma City. While the scenery is breathtaking, you'll have to save your pennies to get the deed. The 5500 square foot penthouse at 204 North Robinson is in the heart of downtown, …
Read more on News On 6
Buyer moves quickly to nab keys to Yorkville penthouse
The Action: With several house hunters moving quickly to secure private showings of this two-bedroom penthouse in Yorkville, one savvy buyer entered a strong offer before an open house event on the weekend could be held. What They Got: On the seventh …
Read more on Globe and Mail
Penthouse vista
Luxury homes in Central embody refinement, especially when it is the penthouse apartment of Royal Court in Mid-Levels. With commanding views of the city, the living room has French windows, giving the apartment an elegant feel. The white walls contrast …
Read more on Hong Kong Standard
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Clicking high heels noise pollution case goes to court
Clicking high heels noise pollution case goes to court
A London couple have sued the landlords of the five million pound penthouse above their home over the issue of noise pollution caused by the sound of clicking high heels on the wooden floors. Although Hameed and Inam Faidi lost their case in the …
Read more on DigitalJournal.com
Oprah Winfrey New York penthouse on the market. Or is it?
A new, luxury Manhattan penthouse has recently hit the market. The stunning penthouse in the Midtown tower Place 57 is for sale at a cool $ 7.9 million. In 2008, it was reported that the property was purchased by former news anchor Gayle King …
Read more on Homesgofast.com
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Latest Penthouse News
Oprah Winfrey New York penthouse on the market. Or is it?
A new, luxury Manhattan penthouse has recently hit the market. The stunning penthouse in the Midtown tower Place 57 is for sale at a cool $ 7.9 million. In 2008, it was reported that the property was purchased by former news anchor Gayle King …
Read more on Homesgofast.com
Gina Lynn, the cover girl
The Berks County resident is referring to her April Penthouse cover, which hits newsstands Tuesday. "This is one of the biggest magazine honors in the adult industry," Lynn says. "I'm really proud of how I look right now." Lynn gave up hardcore porn …
Read more on Philadelphia Inquirer
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Latest Penthouse News
Tulisa Contostavlos beds TOWIE hunk Mark Wright
Their party ended up going back to her penthouse suite to continue drinking. As pals crashed out on sofas, Tulisa, 23, and 25-year-old Mark slipped away to the bedroom — and shared the bed. A source said: "It was a wild night and everybody was a bit …
Read more on The Sun
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Candy Gets Taste of the Plaza
Candy Gets Taste of the Plaza
By JOSH BARBANEL Interiors taken in 2009 of the three-level penthouse at the Plaza that sold for $ 25.4 million. The last remaining residential apartment at the Plaza Hotel, a three-level penthouse with a troubled history, has been sold to a British …
Read more on Wall Street Journal
Celeb real estate: Oprah lists NYC penthouse
Oprah — or buddy Gayle King — is selling a modern penthouse, and Patricia Arquette sold her home for a loss. Neat as a pin? Has anyone actually lived here? In the world of celebrity real estate, stars buy homes through trusts in LLCs in an effort to …
Read more on msnbc.com
Oprah Lists New York Penthouse
Oprah Winfrey, the Queen of talk TV and now the owner of OWN, a new cable television channel is selling her highly coveted Manhattan, New York penthouse, listing it for $ 7.9 million. Winfrey has reportedly spent little time at the high-end Manhattan …
Read more on Housing Predictor
See The Million Penthouse In This Upper East Side Building
Still, the building decided to make a comeback attempt, and the first seven re-listings are officially back on the market. The average ask is $ 5230/square foot, with the penthouse still hoping for $ 60 million, or $ 6123/square foot. Penthouse photos in …
Read more on Business Insider
602 total views, 2 today
Latest Penthouse News
Luxury Condo Owner Looks to Sell, Donate Proceeds to Charity
The owner of a custom penthouse at the Sky Club expects to donate close to $ 800000 to the Oasis Foundation. By Alan Skontra If you're looking for a new home, and you've got an extra $ 800000 in your bank account, you can own a luxurious, custom-designed …
Read more on Patch.com
New York penthouse sells for m
A lavish New York penthouse with panoramic views of Central Park has become the most expensive apartment ever sold in the city. Russian fertiliser magnate Dmitry Rybolovlev – said to be the world's 93rd richest man – spent $ 88m (£56m) buying the …
Read more on BBC News
Anderson Cooper's Posh Penthouse on the Market for .75 Million
CNN superstar Anderson Cooper just put his 2 bedroom, 2.5 bathroom Midtown Manhattan duplex penthouse on the market. The 3100-square-foot modern space features two light-filled floors with multi-room surround sound, stainless steel, dark wood, …
Read more on TooFab.com
608 total views, 1 today
Christian Candy Gets 31% Discount on $26 Million Plaza Penthouse Purchase
Christian Candy Gets 31% Discount on Million Plaza Penthouse Purchase
Christian Candy, the UK property developer whose company helped build London's One Hyde Park complex, bought a penthouse apartment at Manhattan's Plaza hotel at a 31 percent discount from what its owners initially sought.
Read more on Bloomberg
Big Ticket | Sold for 000000
By MARC SANTORA Richard Drew/Associated PressA Russian billionaire paid the full $ 88 million asking price for a penthouse at 15 Central Park West, reportedly buying the apartment for his daughter. In this week's section: Buildings by "starchitects" …
Read more on New York Times (blog)
485 total views, 1 today
Christian Candy Gets 31% Discount on $26 Million Plaza Penthouse Purchase
Christian Candy Gets 31% Discount on Million Plaza Penthouse Purchase
Christian Candy, the UK property developer whose company helped build London's One Hyde Park complex, bought a penthouse apartment at Manhattan's Plaza hotel at a 31 percent discount from what its owners initially sought.
Read more on Bloomberg
Big Ticket | Sold for 000000
By MARC SANTORA Richard Drew/Associated PressA Russian billionaire paid the full $ 88 million asking price for a penthouse at 15 Central Park West, reportedly buying the apartment for his daughter. In this week's section: Buildings by "starchitects" …
Read more on New York Times (blog)
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Big Ticket | Sold for $88000000
Big Ticket | Sold for 000000
By MARC SANTORA Richard Drew/Associated PressA Russian billionaire paid the full $ 88 million asking price for a penthouse at 15 Central Park West, reportedly buying the apartment for his daughter. In this week's section: Buildings by "starchitects" …
Read more on New York Times (blog)
From north to south, views on the move
For people hunting for the perfect views, here're two: A Manalapan, Atlantic-to-Intracoastal spread just hit the market, and a Biscayne Bay-view penthouse just closed. The Manalapan home, at 1160 S. Ocean Blvd., just listed for $ 17.5 million.
Read more on South Florida Business Journal (blog)
Axl Rose 'needs blackout blinds to sleep'
'When he was escorted upstairs, he asked that the floor-to-ceiling windows in his penthouse be completely blacked out, so he could sleep better.' The 50-year-old musician clearly managed to get some rest as he sent the crowd into a frenzy during his …
Read more on Music News
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Latest Penthouse News
Only millionaires need apply when paying a high price for penthouse living at …
THE buyer of the very best penthouse at an upcoming development at Bondi is in for a treat. The 300-square-metre three-bedroom apartment at Pacific Bondi Beach – the $ 440 million-plus conversion of the old Swiss Grand Hotel – will boast panoramic views …
Read more on Sydney Morning Herald
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Latest Penthouse News
Inside a Toronto penthouse with a skyline view
On the top floor at 560 Front St. W. in Toronto, Penthouse 29 offers views to the south and south-east. It has 1105 square feet of living space which the current owner has configured as two bedrooms and an office. The open living room, dining room and …
Read more on Globe and Mail
Ballard's Penthouse
Of course I'd been somewhat obsessed with seeing the penthouse ever since I heard it existed. Even for an impatient person it was worth the wait. Lowen Clausen never tires of the view from his home. He can watch mist on the Ship Canal, fog rising up …
Read more on Seattle Post Intelligencer (blog)
Ritz-Carlton developer lists one of building's penthouses for .5M
Millennium Partners founding partner Christopher Jeffries has listed the duplex penthouse in the Ritz-Carlton condominiums he developed for $ 77.5 million, the New York Times reported. Jeffries bought the 10882-square-foot unit, on the 30th and 31st …
Read more on The Real Deal New York (blog)
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Scoggins: Perkins contract ends trip from doghouse to penthouse
Scoggins: Perkins contract ends trip from doghouse to penthouse
FORT MYERS, FLA. — Tom Kelly walked onto Field 5 and spotted Glen Perkins surrounded by a group of reporters. "What," the former Twins manager said, "did Perkins make the All-Star team?" Ron Gardenhire couldn't resist a friendly jab either.
Read more on Minneapolis Star Tribune
Vancouver's legendary Penthouse strip club to reopen after fire
By Andy Ivens, The Province March 8, 2012 Firefighters are at the scene of an early morning fire that struck the landmark Penthouse club in Vancouver. The Penthouse, Vancouver's most famous strip club, will reopen March 22 after a fire closed the …
Read more on The Province
From Penthouse publisher to US House candidate? Boca's Marc Bell considers …
by George Bennett | March 8th, 2012 Boca Raton investor Marc Bell, CEO of the company that owns Penthouse magazine, is considering a run for Congress. Bell is registered with no party affiliation but says he'd run as a Democrat.
Read more on Palm Beach Post
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Lawmakers debate CE's tycoon ties
Lawmakers debate CE's tycoon ties
… to accepting invitations to go on holiday trips with tycoons, in their luxury yachts and private jets; and he has been criticised for renting a luxury multi-storey penthouse in Shenzhen at below-market prices from a mainland property magnate.
Read more on RTHK
Perry wrestlers prepare for state goal one tourney at a time
Each event is like taking a step up the stairs, climbing to the penthouse that is the OHSAA State Wrestling Championships. No team, though, has made those steps as much a part of the process of getting ready for the final destination than Perry.
Read more on Massillon Independent
For Sale: 88 Scott
By Lisa Van de Ven Price range: From less than $ 300000 to more than $ 1-million (excluding the penthouse units) Location: Scott and Wellington streets, Toronto Featuring a contemporary design with a limestone and granite base, 88 Scott is in …
Read more on National Post
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Bali guide: What, where and how
Bali guide: What, where and how
Sitting front and center on Seminyak beach, all 59 suites (and one penthouse) come with ocean views. Penthouse suites come with attached outdoor lounge space and a terrazzo bath, so you can fall asleep to the sound of crashing waves.
Read more on eTurboNews
The rising: Erik Spoelstra pushes for 'next level' for Heat
By Ira Winderman South Florida Sun Sentinel If you didn't know better, you'd think the Miami Heat were residing in the penthouse, their 27-7 record not only tied with the Oklahoma City Thunder for the NBA's best, but their .794 winning percentage the …
Read more on Sun-Sentinel
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Latest Penthouse News
Hong Kong chief Donald Tsang in the spotlight over Shenzhen retirement …
Donald Tsang, just months away from finishing his term as Chief Executive of Hong Kong, is in the spotlight over a three-storey 6500 sq ft penthouse in Shenzhen's Futian district. The luxury apartment occupying the 35th, 36th and 37th floors of an …
Read more on Shanghaiist
Penthouse move for aviation high-flyers
EXPANDING aviation software specialist RDC Aviation has taken a penthouse office suite at the landmark Hub building in Friar Lane. Located in the heart of Nottingham city centre, the Hub has undergone total refurbishment and extension and provides two …
Read more on This is Nottingham
Katy Perry to Sell Recently Purchased NY Penthouse
Katy Perry will be selling her luxurious Tribeca penthouse on North Moore Street after owning it for less than two years, and is asking the same $ 2.75 million she purchased it for back in September 2010. The singer, who will officially be divorced from …
Read more on Haute Living
630 total views, 1 today
Latest Penthouse News
Sin City crosses the line
Up to 50 select couples and single girls turn up at this penthouse and wail and bum-slap as if Coogee was Sodom and there's no Gomorrah. The events are hosted by Gigi and Elvi who say they have created a ''breath of fresh air in the swingers' scene''.
Read more on The Age
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Latest Penthouse News
Former New Jersey Gov. Jon Corzine's luxurious Hoboken penthouse is on market …
He has put his penthouse suite up for sale, reports said. If you are in the market for a Hoboken penthouse overlooking the New York City skyline, one belonging to a former New Jersey governor has just hit the market and can be yours for just $ 2.9 …
Read more on The Jersey Journal – NJ.com
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Latest Penthouse News
Actor Vincent Gallo lists LA penthouse
The actor's open-plan penthouse has four levels connected by floating stairways and an in-unit elevator. (Jeffrey Ong) By Lauren Beale, Los Angeles Times Actor-director-producer Vincent Gallo has listed his penthouse in downtown LA for sale at $ 2.599 …
Read more on Los Angeles Times
Vincent Gallo Flips Nicolas Cage's Old Downtown L.A. Penthouse for .599 Million
Actor-director Vincent Gallo is selling a penthouse in downtown Los Angeles that he bought for $ 2.34 million in cash in 2009. The 4300-square-foot apartment was rented by actor Nicolas Cage in 2008 (the same year he starred in the Lionsgate release, …
Read more on Hollywood Reporter
Saarthi Sovereign Hinjewadi Pune Luxury Apartment by Saarthi Group, Saarthi …
Saarrthi Sovereign Pune offers 1BHK, 2BHK and Penthouse luxurious apartments. Saarrthi Sovereign Hinjewadi is one of those gems that present such living opportunities. Saarrthi Sovereign sited in a wonderful location of Pune which is full of natural …
Read more on Moneylife Personal Finance site and magazine
652 total views, 1 today
Latest Penthouse News
2012 NBA All-Star Game Features Plenty Of Dunking
This dunk probably would've won garnered him Saturday's top prize, but at least viewers are getting a nice show during the All-Star Game. And on the other end of the floor, Kevin Durant just bought an penthouse in Lob City.
Read more on SB Nation
Former Oprah agent sells Lincoln Park penthouse for .67M
Attorney Jeffrey Jacobs, who for 18 years was Oprah Winfrey's agent, manager and adviser, on Monday sold his 13-room, duplex penthouse co-op apartment in east Lincoln Park for $ 3.675 million. Noted architect David Adler designed the 5600-square-foot …
Read more on Chicago Tribune
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Latest Penthouse News
Proposal riles hotel operator
ALLOWING the Ramada Hotel's two penthouses to become permanent residences will be like having a "cancer in the building". That's the view of the Ballina Booking Service, the business which operates the hotel. BBS spokesman, Jordan Stotter, …
Read more on Northern Star
AINETCHI v. 500 W. END LLC
The weight of the evidence did not support the trial court's fact-finding determination that the mechanical room at issue belonged to Penthouse West, the unit purchased by plaintiffs (see Green v William Penn Life Ins. Co. of NY, 74 AD3d 570, …
Read more on Leagle.com
655 total views, 1 today
Renee Fleming Will Perform Broadway Duets with Josh Groban On PBS Special
Renee Fleming Will Perform Broadway Duets with Josh Groban On PBS Special
By Andrew Gans Famed American soprano Renée Fleming will be featured in a special intimate concert live from the Stanley H. Kaplan Penthouse April 6 at 9 PM. PBS will broadcast the evening as part of its Live From Lincoln Center series.
Read more on Playbill.com
533 total views, 1 today
Penthouse HD launches on Entertain
Penthouse HD launches on Entertain
Penthouse Digital Media Productions is expanding the footprint of its HD channel in Europe with the launch on Entertain, Deutsche Telekom's IPTV service in Germany, reaching more than 1.6 million customers. The Penthouse HD channel will broadcast daily …
Read more on Broadband TV News
Sliema double murder: New device used during search of apartment
The police have denied reports that a particular search was carried out in the Sliema penthouse where two men died in a stabbing incident on New Year's Day, and said it is normal for an inquiring magistrate and forensic experts to return to a crime …
Read more on Malta Independent Online
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Latest Penthouse News
Hot property: Penthouses
Why Aside from year-round temperatures of 30C, the penthouse is on private beachfront and is less than 15 minutes' drive from the Sandy Lane and Royal Westmoreland golf courses. Where In Ipanema, a neighbourhood in the south of the city, …
Read more on Financial Times
Forensic experts scour flat
Forensic experts returned to Falcon House for the second consecutive day yesterday hoping to unlock any clue that will establish a motive into the double killings that took place in a Sliema penthouse on New Year's Day. Using specialised UV equipment …
Read more on Times of Malta
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Thursday Morning Roundup: Penthouse Club To Feature Slightly Dimmer Porn Stars
Thursday Morning Roundup: Penthouse Club To Feature Slightly Dimmer Porn Stars
The Penthouse Club opening in March will (sadly) not include mega-porn star Jenna Jameson, but will include several other, slightly dimmer porn stars. [GrubSF] Celebrated local chef Charles Phan (he of Slanted Door and Wo Hing General Store) has his …
Read more on SFist
Hitmaker Toby Gad Rocks Out of UWS Penthouse
The hit-machine purchased the penthouse at 200 West 86th Street in 2008 for $ 1.75 million, city records show, and we imagine he was still cashing in on royalties from his first major hit, Milli Vanilli's "Can't You Feel My Love?
Read more on New York Observer
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For Sale: Absolute
For Sale: Absolute
Builder/developer Cityzen Development and Fernbrook Homes What's new The building's penthouse and executive suites have been released. Building 50 storeys Suites Two-bedroom and two-bedroom-plus-den layouts Size 760 to 1785 square feet Occupancy Summer …
Read more on National Post
Corzine's Penthouse .9 Million Listing Marks 11% Below Purchase Price
Enlarge image Jon Corzine Jon Corzine Andrew Harrer/Bloomberg Jon S. Corzine, former chairman and chief executive officer of MF Global Holdings Ltd. A Hoboken, New Jersey, penthouse belonging to Jon Corzine, the former chairman of bankrupt MF Global …
Read more on Bloomberg
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On the dubbel
On the dubbel
The doorman building, with a penthouse owned by artist Cindy Sherman, includes a gym, screening room, wine cellar, pool and Zen garden. There's even a guest-suite duplex and 24-hour concierge. HEART OF GLASS: Dubbeldam lists condo for $ 2.35 million.
Read more on New York Post
Story continues below this advertisement
A note written on the back of an admission ticket to Paul Bunyan Land was in the mayo jar on the Phlegm Building second-story penthouse balcony. There was a note and a drawing of Minnesota racer Brian Stewart's new Mustang AA/FC.
Read more on Drag Racing Online Magazine
Border ban won't derail porn star's TO visit
With more than 170 movies to her name, she's due to perform at the Penthouse Club on March 2-3 in Thorold, Ont. Benz, 29, used to strip at Toronto's Whiskey A Go Go and Brass Rail, before moving to Los Angeles to perform and direct porn flicks.
Read more on London Free Press
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Latest Penthouse News
Border ban won't derail porn star's TO visit
With more than 170 movies to her name, she's due to perform at the Penthouse Club on March 2-3 in Thorold, Ont. Benz, 29, used to strip at Toronto's Whiskey A Go Go and Brass Rail, before moving to Los Angeles to perform and direct porn flicks.
Read more on London Free Press
Movie Review: TOWER HEIST Doesn't Take the Crime Comedy to New Heights
Ratner and editor Mark Helfrich maintain a good pace, cutting between multiple vantage points—Stiller and Murphy in Shaw's penthouse, Broderick a few stories below, Peña the point man on the roof, and Leoni's FBI agent slowly figuring out Stiller's …
Read more on CultureMob (blog)
Chanel Preston Named Penthouse Pet of the Month for March
Adult entertainment performer Chanel Preston is the Penthouse Pet of the Month for March 2012. On stands now, the March 2012 issue of Penthouse magazine features Chanel in a nude layout photographed by Dean Capture. Following multiple award nominations …
Read more on AVN News (press release)
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Romney's Big Penthouse Donor
Romney's Big Penthouse Donor
So why has the former Mormon bishop taken the maximum possible primary donation ($ 2500) from Daniel Staton, the chairman of the board of the company that owns Penthouse? This raises embarrassing questions for the GOP frontrunner, who is already facing …
Read more on msnbc.com
Romney Accepts Maximum Campaign Donation From Man Whose Company Owns Penthouse
It's uncharacteristic to say the least that the almost prissily pure Romney campaign has accepted a donation from a man whose company's holdings include Penthouse and other porn sites. So far Mitt Romney has run a careful, disciplined campaign that has …
Read more on Daily Beast
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Tips from Hollywood set decorator: Hang 'what speaks to you' on your walls
Tips from Hollywood set decorator: Hang 'what speaks to you' on your walls
If you live in a penthouse suite in a famous tower, money is no object, so certain collectibles might just fit the bill. That was the starting point for set decorator Diane Lederman for the film Tower Heist, now out on Blu-ray.
Read more on National Post (blog)
Philippines – Market factors to watch – Feb 21
… Audio Visual Room, Penthouse of the Board of Investments Bldg., Makati City, 11:00 am [0300 GMT] REUTERS NEWS – PHILIPPINES > Philippines tries new tack: healthy man of Asia > Wynn accuses top shareholder, buys out his stake > Manila eyes over $ 2.6 …
Read more on Reuters
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Latest Penthouse News
Roommate Wanted for Stockholm Duplex
Roommate wanted for Hammarby Sjöstad Penthouse Duplex (two-floors, top floors). Views of Waters, Söder skyline and ski mountain open to Roommates. For 6000 SEK per month (plus your share of utilities), you get to live in this fabulous fully-furnished …
Read more on The Local.se
Perry selling New York pad
Perry and Brand bought the two-bedroom luxury penthouse in Manhattan for a reported $ 2.75 million in September 2010 – just one month before the couple wed in India. But after Brand filed for divorce from the singer in December 2011, Perry has now put …
Read more on KSN-TV
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Penthouse Hash Mill Foiled By Creek Spewage – February 16, 2012
Penthouse Hash Mill Foiled By Creek Spewage – February 16, 2012
FOSTER AVENUE – According to an Arcata Police Department press release, APD received information over the past month that a concentrated cannabis "hash" manufacturing operation was being run out of an apartment in the 1600 block of Foster Avenue.
Read more on Arcata Eye
Penthouse launches HD in Germany
Adult channel Penthouse has launched its high definition service on Entertain, Deutsche Telekom's IPTV service. The channel transmits from 21:00 to 05:00. A down-converted SD version of the channel will also launch on Entertain on the Big TV and Lounge …
Read more on DigitalTVEurope.net
700 total views, 1 today
Hot stuff celebrities love
Hot stuff celebrities love
Matt Sayles / AP Penthouse dining just arrived on Lincoln Road as Juvia (finally!) opened its rooftop doors. The highly anticipated indoor/outdoor restaurant brings a blend of Asian, South American and French flavors to the top floor of the Herzog & de …
Read more on MiamiHerald.com
Price of murder penthouse rises m
It is being advertised as "Perth's largest waterfront penthouse" and billed as a good buy for a family. In a fit of rage, Heijne strangled his lover in a bedroom of the apartment before leaving to go shopping with a gay teenager he had been having an …
Read more on Perth Now
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4 Bed Penthouse in Belgravia
Refurbished to exacting standards, this stunning four bedroom Penthouse apartment comprising some c.4,500 sq.ft. offers a perfect blend of contemporary styling with a magnificent period facade. The apartment is arranged over the top three floors with direct lift access, providing first class security. The entire property features the highest quality materials and state of the art home entertainment and lighting systems. Situated in a prime
Belgravia location, the property has open views to the front and rear, giving a rare sense of privacy. The property overlooks the gardens of Chesham Place and has far reaching westerly views towards Cadogan Place. 25 Chesham Place is ideally positioned for a comprehensive range of world class
shops and restaurants in Belgravia and Knightsbridge. The primary reception room is situated on the top floor offering a spacious loft apartment feel, with a large retractable glass roof panel giving exceptional light. A double height atrium with bespoke polished plaster staircase separates the reception room from an immaculate Boffi Kitchen, which gives access to a west facing terrace. A beautiful second reception room acts as a family room/media room. The second floor master bedroom suite offers over 750 sq ft of luxuriously appointed space and the property offers three further bedrooms all with en suite facilities. A separate 2 bedroom apartment on the lower ground floor has a pleasant west facing garden and would make ideal staff or guest
LEASEHOLD, plus share of Freehold
For more information contact Jeff +44 7831 182 445
4182 total views, 2 today
New York penthouse apartment sells for $88 million
New York penthouse apartment sells for million
The family of a Russian billionaire has bought a New York penthouse apartment for $ 88 million. The most expensive apartment in New York has passed from the hands of a retired American banker to the family of a Russian billionaire, setting some new …
Read more on SA Commercial Prop News
Katy's on the market
By ANNIE KARNI Pop star Katy Perry is unloading the luxe TriBeCa penthouse she purchased just 18 months ago. The singer — whose divorce from British actor- husband Russell Brand will be final in July — is asking the same $ 2.75 million price she paid …
Read more on New York Post
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text:
- Filed Under
Each Monday, we turn to a day in the newspaper's history for a look at what the Editorial Board found worthy of comment. We will preserve the punctuation and capitalization of the original editorial column. Here is what we wrote on Dec. 17, 1917:
Repeating rumors
The person who repeats a war rumor is just about as guilty of falsehood as the person who started it. The secretaries of war and navy have been given positive assurance that no important news, particularly of any catastrophe which may occur, will be withheld from the public. The truth is, such things could hardly be suppressed even if the authorities tried.
Every authentic fact that is known in this country outside the narrow circle of official life at Washington is known and used by the great news associations which are always hungry for information, and are under no obligations to suppress facts. (...)
Suppose a transport should be sunk and hundred of lives lost. It would simply be an impossibility to keep that from the public, because the details would be flashed over the wires, inquiries would be instituted, movements would be started, scores of officers would be officially notified, traders on the stock exchange would get the tip, panics would result, and in two days the whole country would know it. It is for just such reasons that the authorities would give out the information as soon as they got it.
All this is so plain to everybody who knows even the elements of news gathering that he pays not the slightest attention to street rumors of any kind. He knows if anything happens he will get it over the wire.
And when a man hears somebody tell of some suppressed disaster - claiming to have got a tip from some inside source - it is a dead sure thing that he is either willfully assisting in the propaganda which the enemy uses as a means of undermining our morale, or he is the innocent, credulous victim of such propaganda. If he is of average intelligence or better, the first supposition is the correct one. If he is below the average, kindly but emphatic instruction to set him right should be promptly administered.


text:
Usually Ships in 1-5 Days
Two brothers fight to claim one father's blessing.
Two sisters long to claim one man's heart.
In the autumn of 1788, amid the moors and glens of the Scottish Lowlands, two brothers and two sisters each embark on a painful journey of discovery.
Jamie and Evan McKie both want their father Alec's flocks and lands, yet only one brother will inherit Glentrool. Leana and Rose McBride both yearn to catch the eye of the same handsome lad, yet only one sister will be his bride.
A thorny love triangle emerges, plagued by lies and deception, jealousy and desire, hidden secrets and broken promises. Brimming with passion and drama, "Thorn in My Heart" brings the past to vibrant life, revealing spiritual truths that transcend time and penetrate the deepest places of the heart.
About the Author
Liz Curtis Higgsis an award-winning speaker as well as the author of twenty-eight books, includingBad Girls of the Bibleand Thorn in My Heart. Her Parable Series for children has been awarded the ECPA Gold Medallion for Excellence.


text:
Sent by Alfred Russel Wallace, HMS Frolic, Spithead, Portsmouth to Henry Norton Shaw, [Royal Geographical Society, 3 Waterloo Place] on [1854].
No summary available at this time.
A typical letter handwritten by author in English and signed by author.
An original MS
Total Pages : 4
Pages with text: 4
Transcriber: Parfitt, Elisabeth
Transcription date: May 21, 2012
Scrutiny: 30/05/2012 - Brunnen, Claire; 15/01/2013 - Catchpole, Caroline;
Signed off: no
H.M.S. Frolic Spithead
Friday morning.
Dear Sir
We are here still at anchor. I received your packet yesterday; please thank Mr Kent for me. Day before Yesterday Stop "Annul Sailing" was telegraphed from the Admiralty -- So we wait further orders -- The Captain knows nothing about it & is anxious to know whether he is only delayed for a time or countermanded altogether.
You probably saw the paragraph [[2]] in the "Morning Herald" of 2 days back about the "Frolic" -- If you can learn any [thing] about the Admiralty's intentions we shall be glad to hear from you.
Capt[ain]. Nolloth & the officers are all very pleasant & I anticipate an agreeable voyage so should not now like to be turned off --
When you see Admiral Beaufort please offer my excuses for not having called upon him again as he desired -- You know how I was hurried [[3]] a line from you in return with any thing you know about us will be very acceptable -- The admiral here inspected the crew yesterday,-- no doubt by the orders of the Admiralty --
The wind has been dead up the Channel & blowing hard now it is more favourable.
In haste | Yours very faithfully | Alfred R Wallace [signature]
Dr. Norton Shaw.
A Wallace
Rec[eive]d --
Ans[wered] Feb 7
Please note that work on this transcript is not yet complete. Users are advised to study electronic image(s) of this document, if available.


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First Page: Contemporary
Welcome to First Page Saturday. Individual authors anonymously send a first page read and critiqued by the Dear Author community of authors, readers and industry others. Anyone is welcome to comment. You may comment anonymously.
Sarah Jenkins had never played hockey, much less coached it.
Yet here she sat, perched on the edge of the seat in her SUV, staring up at the hulking building the fans in Buffalo had affectionately nicknamed "The Barn". It was the arena the Buffalo Intimidators of the NHL played in, and since Sarah had been hired a few weeks' prior as a consulting coach for the team, it was where she would be spending a lot of time in the coming months.
Excitement didn't seem like an adequate word to describe her mood. This job and the move it necessitated were a fresh start for her – new town, new job, and hopefully some new friends. Forcing herself to relax, she leaned her head against the head rest behind her and tried to recall a time when she'd been anticipating something more. Not even her first day as a CIA agent years ago compared, and certainly nothing since then even came close.
Jumping out of the car, she hit the alarm remote and then grunted as she turned and crashed into a veritable brick wall, stumbling for a moment at the force of the impact. She glanced up at man in front of her in surprise – she didn't know it was possible for a man to feel that solid.
After he gave her a long, thorough once-over that left her skin feeling hot and feverish, she blew out the breath she'd been holding. Her reaction to him was positively primal, and she wondered idly if this is what scientists meant when they said women were attracted to males they subconsciously thought had the strongest DNA. As far as she could see, this man's DNA seemed to be damn near perfect.
"Are you all right?" he asked her, and she immediately noticed a sexy French-Canadian accent, her knees weakening as soon as he spoke. Like most women, she was a sucker for accents.
"I'm, um, fine," she stammered, her heart pounding against her rib cage from the remains of the fight or flight reaction she'd had when they'd collided and undoubtedly also from the pure rush of lust this man evoked in her.
The top of her head barely reached his chest, so she craned her neck to get a better look at his face. She was glad she'd made the effort: he was gorgeous. Bringing her hand to her mouth, she nibbled absently at one of her nails and detected a glimmer of male interest as he stared back at her. Finally he took a step back and motioned for her to pass.


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- The Big Picture - http://www.ritholtz.com/blog -
Public Service Announcement on the Non-farm Payroll
Posted By Barry Ritholtz On October 5, 2012 @ 1:30 pm In Data Analysis,Employment | Comments Disabled
Philippa Dunne and Doug Henwood are co-editors of The Liscio Report [1]:
The large upward revisions to August payrolls released by the Bureau of Labor Statistics this morning (with jobs data for September) drove conspiracy theorists wild. And they were strong, about three times the usual revision. But, as we pointed out in a report we sent to our clients earlier this week, this is a long-standing pattern. It almost always happens, whether there's an election coming up or not. Facts here:
August's gain was revised upward by 46,000, and July's by 40,000. Almost all the revisions, however, came from an upward revision of 101,000 to local government education in August before seasonal adjustment – a recurrent anomaly at this time of year that we wrote about in Wednesday's report. The concurrent seasonal adjustment technique distributes large changes like that backwards, so the gain was split between July and August in the adjusted numbers. Some excitable types are attributing the upward revision to political machinations, but this pattern has been around a long time. It's likely something is amiss in the BLS's collection process, and they are working on it. There shouldn't be a recurrent pattern of error like this. (Excitable types should also note that the birth/death model subtracted 9,000 jobs in September.)
-Philippa Dunne and Doug Henwood
Perhaps in the future, we should stick with the data professionals and ignore the fools and old men.
Article printed from The Big Picture: http://www.ritholtz.com/blog
URL to article: http://www.ritholtz.com/blog/2012/10/public-service-announcement-on-the-non-farm-payroll/
URLs in this post:
[1] The Liscio Report: http://www.theliscioreport.com/
Click here to print.
Copyright © 2008 The Big Picture. All rights reserved.


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Debbie Milman (who in addition to being president of Sterling Brands hosts one of my favorite podcasts Design Matters) moderated the debate. Designer's Debate club set up an excellent twitter tool, establishing the audience's leanings before and after the discussions. This helped establish the effectiveness of each sides argument.
Tina Roth Eisenberg, Craig Shapiro and Charles Adler formed the group defending the motion for designers being CEO's. Tina's arguments centered on designers being better at iteration and taking criticism. Charles took another path and argued that the root of what designers work for is empathy and empathy leads to better relationships. Craig made the argument that technology leadership started as relationships with servers and now it's user experience.
Rick Webb, Gadi Amit and Jay Parkinson headed the motion against designers being CEO's. From some of the responses they gave, you could tell they were setting themselves up to be the whipping boys of the conversation. After all, who wants to tell a room full of creatives that they shouldn't be CEO's? They handled it well though. Aside from the occasional antagonistic comment they made some interesting points. Gadi brought up the fact that no one is asking surgeons to be CEO's why is it that designers should be suited better to this? However, he then followed it up by saying designers should be comfortable enough where they are.
I think the best argument against was that being a CEO requires much more than creative problem solving. It requires inspiring people, managing finances, and often times being a politician. If a designer is spending their time talking with financiers and investors, it's taking them away from where their talent lies.
I'm somewhat biased in this argument, as most designers who have been self employed would be. I love startup culture and I feel we need more businesses that realize the importance of creativity in their business plan. I would never say that every CEO needs to be a designer. I think that would be silly. There are bad designers just like there are bad CEO's, and some people are just not suited to be a leader no matter what their background. Whether or not they know what Gestalt Theory is, is irrelevant.
However, I think that creative thinking can improve almost any position. It's easy to spot bad design but a bad CEO can seem to go unnoticed until the company stock tanks. I feel that if we give students in design school business classes, the resulting talent pool would be better than if we sent business students to design school. Now more than ever, design can what separates a successful product from an unsuccessful one. If not CEO, every business could benefit from having a Chief Creative Officer to offer strategy based on their own strengths. Whether it happens or not, this is a discussion that every business should be having. Even yours.]]>
This event was a part of the @Parsons Lecture Series and was also a part of the NYC DesignX events that are taking part all over the city. The lecture ties into the book of the same name that includes interviews with design entrepreneurs. There were four people on the panel answering questions. Peter Buchanan Smith,
Keenan Cummings, Kate Bingaman-Burt and Tom Gerhardt.
I'm not going to paraphrase everything that was said during the evening but I will list my favorite questions and the responses. The evening was full of great advice for anyone looking to make it on their own with a startup. Not just designers but for anyone with scream of striking out on their own.
How do you tap into your passion?
You don't know what you love until you do it and what you think you love isn't always it. Failures are there to service the eventual success and you can't be afraid of them. Keep iterating ideas through failures. You learn by making audits important to keep moving.
Do you have any advice about "just shipping" an idea before its ready? Deadlines are important. It can be very helpful to find a conference or event to use as a deadline to show your finished work. Having momentum and accountability is important, try telling people about your deadlines to help keep you on track.
"The best entrepreneurs are painfully self aware"
How do you find your ideal role in a business? Outsource anything that you don't love. If you don't love it, find someone else to do it. Find people who are doing something in a way you like and talk to them. Let yourself expand into roles that you didn't think you can fill. Know where your abilities end and someone else's begin.
Is the entrepreneurial spirit inherent in all designers? It depends, but it's important for designers to be exposed to entrepreneurial thinking. Todays business models are changing for people who aren't traditional CEOs. The "traditional" entrepreneurial personality isn't necessary anymore. There are tools to build your business plan around the personality you have. Everyone wants to change the world in one way or another. The failure is not to try.
How do you keep things going and find help when you're in the beginning stage and trying to keep costs down? It comes down to leadership and inspiring people. Its also helps to have your product be larger than yourself.
Money is the energy that drives the next thing but many great products that we use now weren't created to make money. Consider Tumblr, it's an amazing tool used by many people but the monetization of it isn't evident. It's also one of the things people love most about the product. Think about your end customer and do right by them.
This was a great discussion about design and entrepreneurship. We are lucky enough to live in a great time where the two go hand in hand. Having great design is critical for a new business to make it through the noise of their competitors. Think about how you want to tell your story and good luck!]]>
This was an interesting topic because I've often discussed it with clients and peers. Do you HAVE to have a formal education to be a designer? In a world where professional programs are just a torrent away, couldn't anyone be a designer? Why is a degree even necessary? Isn't it being elitist to think it's a requirement? I think there's some good arguments for either side, so let's get into my take on the subject.
There were some arguments based solely around "That's the way we've always done it." I think that's a poor excuse for continuing to do anything. As creative people in general, we should ALWAYS be questioning the status quo and trying to come up with better solutions. Design is problem solving. The better argument is that there's a learning structure that has been honed over time for creative institutions. Being able to work with industry professionals, get feedback and have honest harsh critiques is a staple of creative education and can visibly improve a student's skills and work.
This type of education helps form important critical thinking for a designer or creative professional. It doesn't show you answers, it teaches you how to ask questions. Those are the types of questions that you'll need to know for any professional career. It's the type of thing that is incredibly difficult to be learned individually.
I'd also like to point out that being a designer is not just about having a copy of the Adobe Creative Suite. Just because I have a hammer doesn't make me a carpenter. It's about using your tools in a way that produces the best results for the project.
Now for the other side…
There are some good arguments to be made here as well, but the first that came into my mind was: What kind of aspiring, self taught designers would we be missing out on if we somehow required an education? What about people from economically strapped areas? Just because you don't go to school for something doesn't mean you don't have an aptitude and can't contribute to the medium.
One of the debaters brought up that someone who has never gone to school won't be saddled with the student loan debt and because they don't have the financial burden, they can take on riskier and potentially more rewarding projects. There was also the argument that learning in a work environment is more valuable than learning in school. I would agree with that but how can you get employment without first having the portfolio that a formal education provides?
The case was also made about how there are online blogs, resources and forums where you can get feedback and discuss design, eliminating the need for school critiques. My problem with that argument is what is the quality of feedback from these people? Who are they and how do you know if you're getting good advice?
Many of these arguments centered around the fact that formal education is beneficial but the current form of higher education leaves a lot to be desired. I don't disagree with that. The cost of education is a troubling factor for a lot of people. However, as it is now, I believe that the rewards of getting a professional creative education far outweigh the risks. I also believe that different people learn differently and the structured school environment is not the best for some. While I ultimately believe that an eduction will result in a better creativity, I think this debate underscores the importance of looking at how we educate people at all. Hopefully this can be debated again.
Thanks for reading, feel free to leave a comment below if you feel strongly on one side or the other.]]>
This was a site that needed to be regularly updated with information that would be useful for visitor's needs. Here is the original site:
After speaking with Directions EAP and getting a feel for their needs, it was clear they needed to promote themselves not to one set of customers but three sets of visitors: Employers looking for an EAP to handle their needs, Employees looking to suggest an EAP to their bosses and also the employees who were already enrolled but needed to find the helpful information that they needed.
We worked together to create a design and navigation that was easy to understand and simple but had easy access to the pages that suited the individual's needs. Here is the final result:
PowerBand Graphics was happy to work with them and provide the solution they needed to display the content that was important to them and their visitors. You can visit their website here.
While I have plenty more work that I plan to post, I've recently had some changes in my life that have kept me busy. PowerBand Graphics has relocated to the east coast. My girlfriend was offered a great job at an architecture firm in Manhattan and had been working there since November. Since then I've been getting my affairs in order with PowerBand Graphics and everything at home as well. We moved into a New Jersey apartment together at the end of June. It's been an exciting transition period. While I've been out of the state before I had never been on the East Coast.
I also received an offer to be the Product Concept Illustrator for SDI Technologies, they make products under the name iHome and KidDesigns. I'll be working primarily with KidDesigns who makes licensed children's electronics for brands like Barbie, Transformers and many others. It's a great company and yes I get to help design toys all day.
So what does that mean for PowerBand Graphics? A few things:
I will still be available to my current clients providing the best possible service and support they've come to know.
I will still be accepting new work. However, PowerBand Graphics will not be operating at the same volume as before due to my new full time work commitment. I love the work I've done with my clients and I plan on continuing to do it.
I won't be physically accessible for businesses needing work. I loved being a part of the Lincoln business community. The Chamber of Commerce, LIBA, BNI and all of the startup groups I visited were integral to getting PowerBand Graphics to where it is. I have enjoyed meeting and getting to know all of you. I will be back to the area but if you are looking for a designer to work with locally, I'd be more than happy to make some suggestions.
It's been an amazing two and a half years. I've learned so much about business, sales, design and marketing. Thanks to everyone for their support and I look forward to seeing you again soon.
(for previous installments on branding for small business check them out here: Part 1, Part 2, Part 3)
Generations of businesses had to build their brands on television and movie screens, radio, magazines and newspapers. Newer generations will do the same online but at a much lower cost with no need for a gatekeeper's approval. They no longer need to worry about large TV or Radio budgets to get their message out there.
Reaching customers used to be a big company's game until recently. Running ads in major media came with very high costs making it the domain of only those with substantial resources. So without size you didn't have sufficient funds, without funds your message was left unheard.
In today's world, favor and connections with emerging social media venues can't be influenced by large corporations as easily. This makes for an unprecedented opportunity for small companies. It still might not be easy to share your message, but if it's a really good one and you play your cards right, you can establish connections that are elusive to most brands.
Traditional advertising can still be important but it only goes so far. You can create an online ecosystem where people come to you, your website or your social media pages willingly. Not just being directed to those pages because of an ad campaign. Give them a reason to be there and the traffic will continue to flow long after your ad campaigns stop.
There are amazing tools out there and new ones coming up every day. Most of these, you've heard about for a while. Services like Facebook offer huge opportunities for businesses if they play their cards right. Twitter, youtube, Pinterest, flickr and LinkedIn are all major social media outlets that you can leverage as well. They might not all be right for you though. For example, a local craftsperson can find incredible success with Pinterest but it's hardly the right match for a manufacturing company. Do your research and find the channels that suite your voice best. Then work at it! Focus on the quality of your follows and not necessarily the quantity…
Go where your clients are. For example, Twitter is great but do your customers even use it? I personally use twitter but it's been more useful to connect with industry peers than prospective clients it may not result in an immediate sale but it shows people my personality. That's not to say that Twitter can't work for your business: There's the story of the Vancouver Man who lost his job last year. He started renting a Hot Dog Stand, in his fourth-ever Twitter update he sent a message where and when he was going to be and people started retweeting it. Before he knew it he had people from all over the area getting Hot Dogs from him. It's only a small example about how you need to think Creatively to use social media best. So maybe not everyone in your target market uses Twitter but on the other hand almost EVERYONE is on facebook, heck my grandma is on facebook. Does she use it the same as everyone else? Not necessarily, but what it boils down to is just another medium to reach people and interact with them.
Facebook is a tool for getting your brand to others and it should reinforce the brand. Not be a replacement for the brand itself.
Social media can be an incredible tool to increase awareness about your business but it's not mystical or magical. Social media is like word of mouth on steroids. You meet people, use a product or service and then recommend them. It's just like normal networking only broader, easier and able to reach more people. Social media sites like Facebook are not a silver bullet for marketing and like anything there are benefits and risks. If people are commenting on your page and you aren't taking them seriously and being respectful then you can face a tidal wave of bad press that can be incredibly difficult to get out from under. Good news travels fast online but bad news travels faster.
Email marketing is also an excellent tool to keep your consumer relationships strong. Email newsletters can be an affordable way to keep your current customers aware of projects, events or to just let people know your out there.
Be careful though, unsolicited email is easily seen as spam and treated as such. It all boils down to your message. ONLY send to people who have specifically signed up through your website, an offline form, if they've given you their business card and asked to receive emails or if they've purchased something in the last two years. DON'T send to lists or addresses received from a third party, to addresses you've collected or copied & pasted from the internet. Use the golden rule and treat people how you'd like to be treated. Just because you know someone's email address doesn't mean you should bombard them with messages about you.
Here's an example of what not to do:
I just yesterday got this piece of email from a company here in Lincoln that I had never heard of. It wasn't from automated email campaign but was a plain email from a person's address within the company (i've removed their names to not embarrass them if they come across this):
It was a legitimate company, Unfortunately the problem is that it was obviously copied and pasted, no information was personalized about me, there was no effort to learn more, in fact it even had "Forward" in the subject line. This person had missed the point. Unsolicited email is one thing but this person didn't even take the time to put my name in the email. You have to continue to be real, not matter what technology you use. If you can't do that you should at least give some incentive for me to give you the benefit of the doubt.
And with that, I'll end this portion of the article. Next time I'll speak a little about telling your story, and the benefits and dangers of blogging. Thanks again for reading and I hope you are enjoying the content.]]>
Here I created a wrap design for a dragster. The wrap was then printed and installed by the talented folks at Revolution Wraps here in Lincoln. Matching wraps were made for the helmet and a golf cart as well.
More recently I recreated some John Deere tractor decals for a garden pulling tractor in addition to creating a custom graphic to go on the back. You can tell these people are passionate about their hobbies!
PowerBand Graphics has also done graphics for larger pulling tractors. Check out this item done for the Super Farm Puller "Deerestroyer".
All artwork is hand drawn with input from the clients and then converted to high quality vector artwork for crisp printing at any size. These kind of projects offer a fun variety to the businesses that PowerBand Graphics loves to work with. Thanks for looking!
The first thing we addressed was creating a logo. Jim wanted the brand of his company to be fun but professional and convey a sense of value. After creating some initial designs and refining them we created the below logo mark.
The logo gives the sense of fun with motion, the seal style of the design hints at the fresh aspect of the restaurant. From there we created Grateful Greens' identity designs including business cards, letterhead and envelopes. Jim liked the idea of using modernized Art Nouveau style graphics in the identity. The final designs you can see here.
Once the general aesthetic was established we created their menus which you can download by clicking Here. Grateful Greens offers customers the ability to create their own chopped salads. It was important to make sure the steps in creating salads were laid out clearly to make sure visitors knew how to get the final product they really wanted. That's what design does, it helps clarify process which can be crucial for a restaurant like this.
Next we created some advertisements for them as well. Advertising is critical for any restaurant, here it was important to make sure the message is clear of what Grateful Greens is all about and what makes them different than other restaurants in addition to basic information as well.
Once the restaurant opened we wanted to make sure people could find restaurant information while we were building the site so we created a landing page to monitor traffic and collect email addresses. Here the site needed to be straightforward, fast and have the information visitors want easily accessible.
PowerBand Graphics also provided the tools that Grateful Greens needs to collect email addresses and send email campaigns. Email marketing can be a great tool for restaurants to send out information on promotions, news and events. Check out the site yourself at www.gratefulgreenssalad.com and sign up for their newsletter. Better yet, stop by the restaurant! It's located at 1451 O Street, Suite 200 Lincoln NE. It's delicious, healthy and a fun place to eat. It might just be your new favorite place!]]>
A good graphic designer is one of the first people you should talk to when you want to start professionally branding yourself. Like I said in my other posts, it's not all about the logo and identity but those things should reflect your brand message uniquely. The logo, message and identity form the foundation from which all of your branding is visually built on. Being able to go back to that foundation will save time in the future when you build further. Strategically guided design positions an organization to set off a very desirable change reaction: Positive impressions created higher perceived value which in turn boosts sales.
It's important to be happy with your designer though. They have the experience but remember this is YOUR company. Designers thrive on feedback and good design doesn't happen in a vacuum, don't just say "oh make me something that looks nice" this is YOUR company and it represents you. Be involved in the process. Your business is personal, it means a lot to you and denying that is denying your brand. You are paying the person, make use of them. You should be happy and you should find a designer that asks the right questions and makes you feel at ease.
Like most professions, A designer produces the best results when working with a prepared client. Ask yourself before you begin, what hurdles is your company looking to overcome? What isn't happening now that design can fix? Is there a conversion that needs to take place or a message that needs to be said? A good designer can help you determine specific solutions but they will need you to first articulate the problems and an approximate budget.
This is what a skilled graphic designer brings to the table. The profession of graphic design is as rooted in strategy and skill as anything else we are likely to encounter in the business world. In involves the carefully considered combination of text and images, of data and strategy, of message and medium.
Every aesthetic choice—color, type fonts, images and structural elements—should be specially tailored to the emotions of the audience you are attempting to reach. What type of emotion are all of these elements inciting in your audience? This doesn't require a whole lot of delving into psychology. It's simply about understanding the obvious emotional needs of your end user, plus a few fundamentals about good design.
Working with these combinations, a good graphic designer makes the complex clear. They literally can transform intangible assets like spirit, attitude, trustworthiness, innovation and dependability into tangible visual elements that people immediately understand. A good designer take their job seriously, respectfully collaborating with their clients to create the best solutions for business.
Whether your business needs to sell services, promote new products or just create good will, a skilled designer can marry your company's objectives with an artistic sensibility that translates into measurable results that impact your bottom line.
Design is not just about putting a coat of paint on something, it's about making form and function come together so every part contributes. Design is about finding solutions, whether it's how a effectively to design a showroom that moves the most people through efficiently to creating a website that drives visitors to a specific conversion. A good design can make all the difference once a client arrives at your website to continue on within it. How you interact with your customers is crucial to your brand and the designer should sit right between you, making sure that the customer gets the information they need efficiently and uniquely.
Like any profession it's important to talk to someone who has experience with the intricacies of combining business and design. When you have a design created, subjects like legal Issues need to be considered. Can your artwork be trademarked? If you just use clip art it can't and not only do you run into legal issues but you also aren't making images for your brand that are completely unique.
So how do you find your designer? LOOK. Check out advertisements for local companies that you admire, especially ones not in your field, look through your junkmail and direct mail pieces. Then contact those companies and ask for a referral. If you do that you've already taken a first step and found a designer who suits your style. Another good place to find designers is through AIGA, a professional association for designers. You can find a national directory of members of AIGA online at www.aiga.org.
Some things to be wary of are "design contests" Let me explain what I mean by this and how it can go bad: What does everyone think of Nebraska's 2010 state fair logo? I don't know about you but I think it looks unprofessional, cheap and not a good reflection of the fair or our state. It's not just me, this "logo" has become mocked statewide and is a prime example of bad decision that involves creative social media. What happened was that rather than hire a designer they created a contest where anyone could enter and the winner was paid a prize. No creative brief was established that clearly laid out the challenges and expectations from the perspective of the client. No professionals were approached. The result was this horrible logo and when they introduced it, people flooded their Facebook page expressing their disappointment and mocking the logo. In this case the viral capabilities of social media provided the exact opposite kind of publicity they wanted.
What this amounts to is soliciting to have people work for free with the vain hope their logo may fit the bill and be chosen. While it's possible that it may have resulted in a decent logo there are many problems, FIRST: with design contests you often don't know the source of the artwork. Was it plagiarized? Can it be trademarked? Do you have full copyright to the work? SECOND: Quality. As you can see from the state fair logo it's not very good and the response was overwhelmingly bad. THIRD: There are many talented professional designers out there who would have been more than happy to work with the fair to create an affordable professional design for them.
This kind of work is like asking a bunch of lawyers to draft some documents for you. Instead of paying them you tell them you'll look the documents over and pay the one person whom you like most. Do you think they would be okay with that? These contests have become increasingly popular and it only reinforces the old adage that you get what you pay for. Because more often than not they end badly with dissatisfied customers and upset designers who don't get paid. I've seen it happen before and I've worked with companies that have attempted this.
There are plenty of high quality designers in Nebraska, talk to some of them, get their opinions on what you want. You'll be glad you did.]]>
From there we turned our attention to his business cards, envelopes and letterhead. David often writes on the backs of his business cards, so while the real estate can be used to showcase photos of his work, it was also printed with a matte cover to allow easy handwriting.
From there we worked on the advertising pieces for publications that Pro-Scapes promoted itself in. Again, we wanted to keep the aesthetic consistent but also showcase photography of finished landscaping work while still provided plenty of information about the services offered.
Finally we worked together to create a professional web presence for Pro-Scapes. This is a site that features all of Mr. Hastreiter's services and is also flexible and easy to update with photos and updates for recent projects that they've accomplished.
David was a great client and after getting to know him and seeing his work firsthand, I can also easily say that he's a great landscaper and business owner as well. If you are in need of commercial or residential landscaping services, visit his website and contact him. You'll be glad you did!]]>