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Welcome to the Engadget holiday gift guide! Picking presents for friends and loved ones is never a simple task, and with thousands of options for each category, buying technology can be an especially frustrating experience. We're here to help. Below you'll find today's bevy of curated picks, and you can head back to our hub to see the rest of the product guides as they're added throughout the holiday season. We've also teamed up with AT&T to give away one hot smartphone with each and every guide, so scroll to the end for today's prize, then leave a comment to submit your entry!
For digital cameras, 2012 has been an interesting year indeed. IFA in Berlin brought the first compelling Android-powered model, the Samsung Galaxy Camera, while Photokina delivered a handful of full-frame DSLRs and Sony's jaw-dropping Cyber-shot RX1. As smartphone cameras have evolved, dedicated snappers have, too -- this year's models are far more powerful than any we've seen before, and if you've been holding out for a significant advancement, now's the time to buy. We've sorted the top models for every budget, which you'll find gathered in our guide just past the break.
Sony Cyber-shot RX100
Sony has absolutely outdone itself with this 1-inch-sensor compact, offering stellar image quality, an awesome build and the best focusing performance we've seen in a point-and-shoot, bar none. Naturally, it's also one of the most expensive pocketable cameras on the market, but after using one for several weeks, we wouldn't hesitate to endorse this model as an excellent value. The Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* lens, while excellent, isn't removable, but performance otherwise rivals the Olympus E-M5 -- our current focusing champ. Deep-pocketed gift givers may also want to consider Sony's RX1, which includes a full-frame sensor, and a sky-high $2,800 price tag.
Key specs: 20.2-megapixel 1-inch Exmor CMOS sensor, 3.6x optical zoom, f/1.8-4.9 lens, 1080/60p video.
Price: $648 on Amazon
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Samsung MV900F
Samsung's MultiView entrant from 2011 didn't offer fantastic image quality, but it scored points for its flip-up self-portrait display. Fortunately, this year's model adds a 16.3-megapixel BSI CMOS sensor and 3.3-inch WVGA AMOLED panel, both of which should make this clever point-and-shoot a winner.
Price: $299 on Amazon
Canon PowerShot SX160 IS
This brand-new 16-megapixel PowerShot is a bit too large to tuck away in a pocket, but reviewers claim it offers excellent image quality and functionality, making this a solid step-up pick for someone not quite ready to move to mirrorless. It also takes AA batteries, so you can refuel easily abroad.
Price: $169 on Amazon
Olympus PEN E-PM2
We fell in love with the E-M5's insane focusing performance, but the camera's $1,100 kit price placed it out of reach for many consumers. Now, that same 16-megapixel CMOS sensor has made its way to a pair of PEN models, the E-PL5 and E-PM2, which both deliver super-fast focus, sensor-shift IS and nearly identical specs. Both of Olympus' new Micro Four Thirds ILCs pack serious punch, with form factor marking the primary difference. The touch-enabled LCDs offer the same 460k-dot resolution, but the E-PL5's articulating screen makes it the better pick for self-portraits. Better yet is the E-PM2's more compact design and lower price, however, making it our top mirrorless pick.
Key specs: 16-MP Live MOS sensor, 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6 kit lens, 25,600 top ISO, 8 fps stills, 1080/60i video.
Price: $600 on Amazon with 14-42mm lens
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Sony Alpha NEX-6
The NEX-6 combines the best features of Sony's recent APS-C compacts, with a 16.1-megapixel CMOS sensor, a fantastic LCD, a built-in OLED EVF, 1080/60p video, 10 fps stills, a top sensitivity of ISO 25,600 and improved autofocus. In other words, it's got it all, but a $1,000 price tag may be too much to swallow.
Price: $998 on Amazon with 16-50mm lens
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX1
The GX1 may not be the hottest Micro Four Thirds shooter from Panasonic this year, but it's a very solid entrant nonetheless, and one of our favorite mirrorless ILCs in this price range. The 16-megapixel CMOS sensor captures excellent images, and plenty of dedicated controls make it a great fit for advanced users. And we love the price.
Price: $460 on Amazon with 14-42mm lens
Digital SLR
Sony Alpha A99
Sony's new full-frame flagship is top-of-the-line in every way, except when it comes to price. A $2,800 sticker undercuts Canon's $3,500 5D Mark III and Nikon's $3,000 D800, and the camera's compact footprint and lighter weight make it feel more akin to the two less-capable models you'll find below. This more comfortable design is compliments of Sony's Translucent Mirror technology, which also enables faster autofocus. While it's still not cheap, we feel that a full-frame sensor is the key component that should make you consider a full-size DSLR -- for most consumers, the mirrorless models above will absolutely suffice, saving your wallet, and your neck, in the process.
Key specs: Full-frame 24-MP sensor, 25,600 top ISO, 10 fps stills, 1080/60p video with uncompressed output.
Price: $2,798 on Amazon
You might also like...
Canon EOS 6D
Canon and Nikon had full-frame DSLRs on offer at Photokina, with identical pricing and similar feature sets. Both are excellent, lightweight options, with Canon's 6D offering a 20.2-megapixel sensor, sensitivity through ISO 102,400, 1080p video and a design that's smaller than the APS-C 7D. Current Canon shooters will want to look closely here.
Price: $2,099 on Amazon
Nikon D600
Nikon's flavor boosts the megapixels from 20.2 to 24.3, but its sensitivity tops out at 25,600 (Hi-2). There's also 5.5 fps continuous stills shooting (compared to 4.5 on the Canon 6D), 1080p video and a similarly compact form-factor. Both models are very solid options overall, so if you've already invested in Nikon glass, you'll probably want the D600.
Price: $2,097 on Amazon
LG Optimus G
Ready to take home one of AT&T's hottest smartphones? Today's offering is the LG Optimus G, which packs a beautiful 4.7-inch True HD display and remains one of our top picks on the US carrier's LTE network. To enter for your chance to win, be sure to review our full guidelines, then leave a comment below.
The rules:
- Leave a comment below. Any comment will do. Duplicate entries will be filtered out and discarded, so adding additional comments won't increase your likelihood of winning.
- Contest is open to all residents of the 50 States and the District of Columbia, 18 or older! Sorry, we don't make this rule (we hate excluding anyone).
- Winners will be chosen randomly. One winner will receive one (1) LG Optimus G.
- If you are chosen, you will be notified by email. Winners must respond within three days of being contacted. If you do not respond within that period, another winner will be chosen. Make sure that the account you use to enter the contest includes a contact email. Social media contact details are not carried over into our system.
- This unit is purely for promotional giveaway. AT&T, LG and Engadget/AOL are not held liable to honor warranties, exchanges or customer service.
- The full list of rules, in all its legalese glory, can be found here.
- Entries can be submitted until December 31st, 2012 at 11:59PM ET. Good luck!


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thanks to susie bubble's post today on barbara i gongini, i checked out the designer's website and discovered some amazing things that i would love in my wardrobe. i really love the styling, too. the ripped tights thing would have normally turned me off (a bit tired, non?) but i really like it here. maybe because you can only see a peek of it and not a full leg. the knit pieces are fantastic too. i'm currently working on recreating the ann demeulemeester knit scarves (with the chunky wool and braided bits) ever since i saw them on the runway, and the weight of this wool reminds me of that.
the hair is also cool- i'm strongly thinking of adding some black to my hair, either as a section like this or more of a fade to black at the ends.
this outfit is the perfect lazy sunday attire- i wish i was wearing it right now!
i think it's about time i get my act together and start sewing again. i bought some purple lace yesterday. yes, purple!

subset: commoncrawl


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Former Cowboys CB Terence Newman to visit Bengals
Terence Newman visited Cincinnati earlier this week. The cornerback, who was cut by the Cowboys last week to make room for Brandon Carr, is no lock to join the Bengals. Cincinnati already has five cornerbacks under contract and is trying to re-sign another former Cowboy cornerback, Adam Jones


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|Moving to France > Registering, importing or buying a car in France
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Le Manège Enchanté - An irreverent guide to (...)
February 2008 Buying a new car in France? (...)
Buying a second hand car in France Susie (...)
New French Driving licences The old pink (...)
Exchanging your UK Driving licence for a (...)
French number plates Until 2009, (...)
Liber-T badge - péage without pain Motorway (...)
Minor Road accidents in France and the (...)
How to Recycle Your Old Car
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Registering a British car in France The (...)
Speed restrictions in France - how fast NOT (...)
Le Manège Enchanté - An irreverent guide to French roundabouts
by Colin Lamont
France has 1 roundabout for every 5 inhabitants. The Government's vision is for every citizen to have one by 2020.
French roundabouts rotate anti-clockwise: so UK and Irish drivers may get dizzy, especially when going round three times while the navigator is working out which exit to take. Note that when asking directions you say 'un rondpoint', your helpful Frenchman will talk about 'une giratoire'. Or vice-versa.
Roundabout rules are arcane but essential to know. Here are some of them.
☛ The sign Vous n'avez pas la priorité' means that the priorité à droite rule does not apply. Mute surrender to new rules is unFrench: you must pay homage to the old rule by entering just in front of vehicles on your left.
☛ Avoid collisions, but be close enough to comment on the moral degeneration of the nation from effete modern rules.
☛ When turning left, go round the outside and cause maximum anxiety to anyone on the inside attempting to leave at the exits you cross.
☛ Do not make eye contact or make gestures while still at a learning stage.
☛ Never use your right indicator to show you are leaving at the next exit. Indeed, the skilled negotiator leaves the left indicator blinking.
☛ Between the hours of 1145 and 1230, anyone going home for lunch assumes priority (including over other drivers going home for lunch).
There are two exceptions to the above rules: if the vehicle on your left is an eighteen wheeled articulated lorry; and if the vehicle on your left is blue with Gendarmerie Nationale on its side.
Practise on little roundabouts before tackling your initiation test, on a big, busy roundabout such as Auchan (now greatly improved by an underground bypass, so fun much reduced). To pass, you must successfully enter and exit from and to each road (ie 12 permutations). The Advanced Test includes use of horn and Gallic gesturing, but that's for later.
Bonne circulation!


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Been having some electrical issues with currently 4 bulbs U/S and the battery warning light permanently on.
Had a tyre change the other day where they tested the battery/alternator and told me it was charging perfectly OK.
Any clues ?
2004 Ka Electrical Problem ?
Started by exel1966, Feb 19 2013 07:58 PM
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Damned 23 released in mangahere fastest, recommend your friends to read Damned 23 now!
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VIDEO: Prayer objects the focus of interfaith art show
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VIDEO: Prayer objects the focus of interfaith art show
An interactive arts presentation and discussion hosted by the Dutchess County Arts Council Folk Arts Program showcased more than 100 objects different faiths use for prayer at the Mid-Hudson Heritage
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Siddatech, Cell Salts + Flower Essences, Throat & Voice, 1 fl oz (29.6 ml)
By Siddatech1 Review
Expiration Date:?Jul 2017
Expiration Date
The length of time for the expiration date or "best used before" date depends on the type of product, as well as the brand.
Perishable items (such as flax oils or certain probiotics) generally have shorter expiration dates. Although our warehouse is fully air-conditioned, these more fragile items are put in cold storage (freezer or refrigeration unit) for maximum freshness.
Our receiving department does its best to verify and then enter the correct expiration dates for all incoming products. However, discrepancies do occur from time to time. This being said, the exceptionally high turnover at iHerb ensures that our inventory is among the freshest in the industry.
Shipping Weight:?0.34 lbs (0.15 kg)
Shipping Weight
The Shipping Weight includes the product, protective packaging material and the actual shipping box. In addition, the Shipping Weight may be adjusted for the Dimensional Weight (e.g. length, width & height) of a package. It is important to note that certain types of products (e.g. glass containers, liquids, fragile, refrigerated or ice packed) will often require protective packaging material. As such, these products will reflect a higher Shipping Weight compared to the unprotected product.
- Product Code: SID-00213
- UPC Code: 897186002139
- Package Quantity: 1 fl oz (29.6 ml)
- Dimensions: 1.4 x 1.7 x 4.5 in, 0.2 lbs (0.09 kg)
Total: $18.95
Combo Discount: -$0.96
Together: $17.99
Product Overview
- Homeopathic Oral Spray
- Strengthen & Clear the Throat
- Alcohol, Dairy & Gluten Free
- Homeopathic Remedy
- With Love & Gratitude
Flower Essences & Homeopathy:
- Jump start your body's natural ability to heal
- Natural, safe and non-habit forming
- No contraindications. May be effectively used with drugs and other supplements
- Alcohol Free. Prepared in purified & structured water with natural preservatives
- Blends time-tested natural medicine with modern technology
- One bottle of Throat & Voice lasts about one month
- temporarily relieves symptoms of
- sore throat
- congested throat
- difficult to swallow or speak
- inarticulate speech
- loss of voice from strain
- raw throat from singing and speaking
indications are based on homeopathic materia medicas
Suggested Use
- spray in the mouth twice per day
- for acute symptoms, such as a sore throat, use 5 or more times per day
- use 5 days per week until symptoms are relieved
|adults and children 12 years and over
|4-5 sprays per dose
|children 2 years to under 12 years
|2-3 sprays per dose
|children under 2 years
|consult a doctor
Other Ingredients
|Drug Facts
|HPUS Active Ingredient
|Ferrum Phosphoricum 12X
|first stage of sore throat when there is pain; loss of voice from strain; sore raw throat of singers and speakers; swallowing painful; congestion of throat
|Kali Muriaticum 6X
|loss of voice; swollen glands; swollen throat
|Kali Phosphoricum 6X
|sore throat; speech slow, becoming inarticulate; indisposed to talk or be talked to
|Magnesia Phosphorica 12X
|constricted feeling of throat; voice sudden and shrill
|Natrum Muriaticum 6X
|sore throat; dryness of throat
|Natrum Sulphuricum 6X
|dry throat; inflamed throat; mucous clogs throat
|Silicea 12X
|throat is congested; swollen throat with enlarged glands
|Inactive Ingredients: Bayberry*, Celandine*, Citrus Limon (Lemon) Fruit Extract, Pineapple*, Polylysine, Purified and Structured Water, Rosa Virginia*, Snapdragon*, Trace Minerals, Wake Robin*
*flower essence
Stop use and ask a doctor if symptoms persist or worsen
If pregnant or breast-feeding ask a health professional before use
Keep out of reach of children
Do not use if plastic seal around cap is broken or missing.


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A representative from the Pataskala Area Chamber of Commerce recently quizzed the council about what it is doing about the city's absence of a permanent planning director and a permanent administrator. The council also was asked whether it is for or against economic development.
Pataskala City Council met March 17, and the subject of the separate job searches did not arise until someone from the audience asked.
Mark Schillig, president of the Pataskala Area Chamber of Commerce, said he and the chamber want to know how the search is going for the two administrative positions, or if there is a ...


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10 fascinating social media stats
By Jack Preston
Content Manager
As any entrepreneur will know, if your business is going to be a success then it will be a lot easier to achieve with a strong social media presence.
The recently released Nielsen Social Media Report 2012 is full of fascinating facts and figures, which are helping further increase understanding of this most powerful of tools.
It's well worth reading the report in its entirety. In the meantime, here are 10 keys facts that have got us talking in the Virgin office.
1. 82% - Time spent on mobile apps has rocketed up in the past year, with the US seeing an increase of well over 50%. The increase in smartphone ownership has been the key driving factor behind this shift.
2. 171.8 million The unique US audience for social networking has increased by 8.2 million in the past 12 months.
3. 1,255,225,000 The time spent, in minutes, on Pinterest by US web users in 2012.
4. 32% - Nearly one third of 18-24 year olds use social networking in the bathroom. Too much information?
5. 76% - Over three quarters describe their feelings as positive after indulging in social networking. The remaining participants were split between negative or neutral emotions.
6. 35-44 Twitter is driving social television. A third of users discuss TV content on the network with the 35-44 year old age range being the most likely to discuss their viewing habits.
7. 1 in 3 - Social care (i.e. customer service via social media) is now a must for all major brands, as nearly half of social media users now engage in social care. A third of people preferring social care to contacting a company by phone.
8. 33% - Advertising on social media can be tricky, with over one third of users agreeing that adverts on social networking sites are more annoying than other online ads.
9. 51% - The amount of people using social networking in the office has also rapidly increased, with over half of 25-34 year olds doing so more than any other group.
10. 95,176,000 v 204,721,000 The numbers of people accessing the internet via a mobile rather than through a PC is far smaller, although the gap is closing.


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Some Tennessee legislators have a tendency to engage in political theater, but one such foray into such ideological farce recently had a relatively short run.
A bill that would allow business owners to discriminate against gay couples who plan to marry was on stage for only about 24 hours.
A similar theatrical production in Arizona has received a thumbs-down from Gov. Jan Brewer, who indicated Wednesday night that a related bill was loosely worded and could have "unintended consequences." Brewer vetoed the bill.
Tennessee does not yet allow same-sex marriage, but state Sen. Mike Bell, R- Riceville, apparently wanted to launch a pre-emptive strike.
When Bell withdrew the bill, he indicated that he had received assurances from legal experts that adequate protections are in place in Tennessee, so those who oppose provision of goods and services for same-sex marriages on religious grounds have adequate protections.
Arizona also does not yet sanction same-sex marriage, but opponents there apparently believed that the U.S. Supreme Court eventually will overturn state laws that bar such marriages as it did in with the state bans on interracial marriage in 1967.
Other parallels exist between civil rights victories and previous efforts to limit provision of goods and services to African-Americans.
Many of the civil rights movement's eventual victories involved accommodations, and a public wedding chapel's denial of its services to a same-sex couple would fall easily into those constitutional boundaries.
Among those who lobbied the governor of Arizona to veto the bill were business interests, particularly those concerned that such a law might create problems with the planned holding of Super Bowl XLVIX in Arizona next year.
The National Football League already is facing scrutiny in regard to its level of tolerance, and one can imagine the possibility of boycotts if the proposed law went fully into effect.
If a company proposes to sell goods and services to the public, then it must provide those goods and services to the entire public.
Laws require businesses, in the cases of tobacco and alcohol, to check the ages of their customers, and companies also have the right to check the ability of their customers to pay for the goods and services they offer.
Those exceptions aside, however, Arizona and Tennessee are correct not to allow discrimination in business practices any more than any other denial of rights.


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A healthy heart means lessening the chance of contracting heart disease down the road.
That's why the America Heart Association promotes the annual Start! Heart Walk.
It's a non-competitive walking event designed to bring public awareness to physical activity and a heart-healthy lifestyle.
Saturday's walk at Green Hill Park in Salem drew out participants from across the region.


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NASA Selects Mtron SSDs
SEOUL -- Mtron Storage Technology Co.,Ltd. (KOSDAQ:046320), a manufacturer of Solid State Drive (SSD) products in South Korea, announced today that their SSD will be used as the main 1TB data storage for ANITA (Antarctic Impulsive Transient Antenna), a project funded by NASA to research on high-energy cosmic ray from the South Pole, during the 2nd experiment in December 2008.
ANITA is a radio telescope attached to NASAs stratospheric balloon to detect radio cherenkov, a frequency created by collision between neutrinos from space and the ice in Antarctica, in order to discover the creation of high-energy cosmic ray. ANITA was first launched in 2006 and the research was conducted through the summer season in the South Pole last year with 40 researchers from 12 institutions including University of Hawaii and National Taiwan University. ANITAs 2nd experiment will be conducted in December 2008.
Mtrons 1TB SSD used for ANITA is the combination of eight Mtron 3.5 inch SATA SSDs, which provides the largest SSD storage space among NASAs stratospheric balloons. ANITA will be flying 35km above Antarctica for a month, and Mtrons SSD will also provide the essential stability and protection to store the data against the extreme environment in the high altitude during the flight.
Ji-Woo Nam, the conductor of 1TB storage equipments from National Taiwan University, announced, Mtrons SSD makes it possible for us to store a large amount of data in the safest way against the Antarcticas extreme condition. We are very satisfied with Mtron SSDs excellent performance, stability, and the cost.


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A 65-year-old township man has been airlifted to the burn unit at Saint Barnabas Medical Center in Livingston after suffering burns to his face and hands when he apparently tried to extinguish an electrical fire in his home.
At about 10:30 a.m. Monday, police and the Laurence Harbor Volunteer Fire Department were called to the single-family home at 8 Hilltop Blvd. in the Cliffwood Beach section of the township, according to Police Capt. Robert Bonfante.
Bonfante said that Francis Roberts, 65, the ...


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Screen Opinion - film industry means business
You don't need to be Alan Greenspan to detect a change of atmosphere in the new year. There's a relatively widespread feeling that 2008 will be a tougher year than 2007.
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Web 2.0 applications
Web 2.0 (or Web 2) is the popular term for advanced Internet technologies and applications like social networking, blogs, wikis, RSS and content sharing. See complete definition.
Web 2.0
Web 2.0 applications News
August 26, 2015
Platform business model enters online food ordering fray
The Cookie Dining debuts a platform business model designed to outcompete established rivals by offering real-time payment, lower commissions and analytics. It will have to grow fast to do that.
July 28, 2015
Mobile payment methods come of age
Cattle, grain, shells, metal coins, paper bills, plastic cards. Don't see a pattern? Look again: All of them were or are forms of payment, and all of them are mobile. Mobile device technology-enabled payments are simply the latest, natural ...
July 24, 2015
Open source, adaptable infrastructure key to Etsy platform business model
How does Etsy keep its platform business model in tune? Deploying up to 60 code changes a day is par for the course.
July 24, 2015
The platform business model: An introduction
Airbnb does it; Uber does it. What about your organization? Sangeet Paul Choudary lays out the fundamentals of the platform business model.
Web 2.0 applications Get Started
Bring yourself up to speed with our introductory content
Digital leaders at DHL, CVS defend against, exploit digital disruption
Digital leaders from two very different industries talk about how they are helping their companies identify opportunities in a digital business world. Continue Reading
The future of IoT: New priorities and paradigms
For Mike Heim, CIO of Whirlpool, delivering Clothespin, a system that connects laundry machines to smartphones and equipment service providers, wasn't just about cutting-edge technology; he also needed to work closely with various business functions... Continue Reading
10 ways CIOs can prepare for the Internet of Things
Is there a 'd-i' missing from the middle of the IoT acronym? Read on for IT and business strategist Harvey Koeppel's humorous take on the meaning and disruptive nature of the Internet of Things and the 10 things CIOs can do to prepare for the IoT. Continue Reading
Evaluate Web 2.0 applications Vendors & Products
Weigh the pros and cons of technologies, products and projects you are considering.
Cloud inventory management: A 21st-century CIO's responsibility
Cloud inventory management has more to do with CIO leadership and trust than covert tracking of rogue apps. Continue Reading
New research suggests chief digital officers are no flash in the pan
Chief digital officers who are running significant lines of business could become permanent members of the C-suite, according to new research from IDC. The Data Mill reports. Continue Reading
Readers debate using the Apple Watch for business
The Apple Watch offers nuggets of data that could drive employee productivity. We asked our readers to weigh in on the potential usefulness of the Apple Watch for business. Continue Reading
Manage Web 2.0 applications
Learn to apply best practices and optimize your operations.
Taking control with cloud inventory management
Business teams in countless enterprises are freely availing themselves of the perks of cloud applications, of which there are many, including improved productivity and more efficient business processes. However, the IT departments at many of these ... Continue Reading
McCormick spices up food market with digital platform business
Former McCormick CIO Jerry Wolfe talks about his role as CEO of the spice company's new tech spinoff and why a digital platform is so essential to reaching today's foodies. Continue Reading
Systems of engagement are ground zero for digital transformation
"Crossing the Chasm" author Geoffrey Moore has developed a framework on how to talk digital investments with the business: The Data Mill reports. Continue Reading
Problem Solve Web 2.0 applications Issues
We've gathered up expert advice and tips from professionals like you so that the answers you need are always available.
Gartner's four steps on how to better manage public APIs
Do you know what APIs are being leveraged inside your enterprise? Performing an internal audit is the first of four steps required for managing APIs. Continue Reading
CIOs embrace hybrid computing, warts and all
CIOs have come to see the value of a hybrid computing environment that manages some applications and systems in-house and relies on external public cloud services for managing other data. That doesn't mean there aren't some challenges. Continue Reading
Free templates: IT vendor selection, social sharing and mobile devices
SearchCIO has rounded up free templates from around the Web providing guidance on IT vendor selection, social sharing and mobile device policies. Continue Reading


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With just a little over 80 percent of Americans planning to celebrate Easter, Easter related spending is on the rise. National numbers suggest that each household spends around $130 dollars which amounts to $14.7 billion dollars total across the United States. One of the biggest Easter traditions is the egg hunt. However, many families come together beforehand to paint and decorate the eggs. Over 75 billion eggs are sold every year. Summer joy joined her family this easter to help get the eggs ready and to talk to a few easter experts.
Click here to read the full story.


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Edinburgh closes with Splendor
It may have been a tough year for securing titles and attracting talent but the 57th Edinburgh International Film Festival closed in style on Sunday with the British premiere of Sundance prize-winner American Splendor.
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Missouri Department of Conservation
Nicknames: Pipistrel
Claim to fame: The eastern pipistrelle is the smallest bat in Missouri and one of the smallest in North America. Despite being common throughout much of the eastern United States, there is still much to be learned about this mammal, which is often mistaken for a moth.
Species status: Eastern pipistrelle bats are common throughout Missouri.
Discovered: The first scientific description of the eastern pipistrelle was written by French naturalist Georges Cuivier in the 19th century.
Family matters: Eastern pipistrelle bats belong to the mammal family Vespertilionidae, a group commonly referred to as the plain-nosed bats. Bats in this group are thus named because they have simple, unmodified muzzles.
Length: Up to 3 and one-half inches
Diet: Eastern pipistrelles feed on small insects; particularly flies, moths, wasps, leafhoppers and beetles.
Weight: 2 to 8 grams
Distinguishing characteristics: The color of the back of eastern pipistrelles varies from dark reddish-brown to light yellowish-brown or gray. In addition to faint squeaks that are audible to humans, eastern pipistrelles emit ultrasonic cries like other insect-eating bats that guide them in flight and help them find prey. In comparison to other bats, eastern pipistrelles appear to be weak fliers. They fly with a fluttering motion in an undulating course.
Life span: Eastern pipistrelles live up to 15 years.
Habitat: In summer, eastern pipistrelle bats roost in trees, crannies of cliffs or buildings, barns and sometimes in high domes of caves. In winter, they hibernate in caves, where they select the warmer and more humid areas.
Life cycle: Eastern pipistrelles usually enter their hibernating quarters in mid-October and stay until mid-April. Mating occurs in the fall, before hibernation. Females store sperm over winter and ovulate when they become active in April or early May. Over winter, eastern pipistrelles go into a deeper hibernation and, as a result, are not aroused from their sleep as often in winter as other species of bats. It is common to see hibernating pipistrelles with droplets of moisture (because of cave condensation) suspended from their fur. If hibernating bats of any species are disturbed, it endangers their chances of making through the winter because bats store just enough energy to make it until the next spring. In summer, the females establish nursery colonies. These colonies, which range from a few dozen to up to 50 individuals, are formed in high domes of caves, in the eaves of old barns or in protected parts of cliffs. Females give birth to one or two offspring from late May to the middle of July. The young are able to fly at 4 weeks of age. It is not known for sure, but its presumed they do not mate in the year of their birth.


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LEDBETTER, WILLIAM HAMILTON (1834–1896). William Hamilton Ledbetter, Fayette County attorney, was born to Hamilton and Jane (Peacock) Ledbetter, a well-to-do Tennessee Episcopalian couple, in 1834. In 1840 the family moved to Texas and settled with a large number of slaves near the site of present-day Victoria. Four years later the Ledbetters moved to Fayette County and established a small plantation there. William, the third of nine children, was educated in Fayette and Washington counties and began to study law in 1855. He was admitted to the bar in 1857 and set up a lucrative practice in La Grange, the seat of Fayette County. In 1862 he was commissioned a lieutenant in Company I of Col. George M. Flournoy's Sixteenth Confederate Texas Infantry. Ledbetter subsequently fought in a number of battles in Louisiana and in 1863 was captured by Union forces at the battle of Pleasant Hill; he was freed in an exchange shortly thereafter. Later that year, having been mustered out of the Confederate Army, he went to Austin as a representative in the lower house of the Tenth Legislature. He returned to Fayette County in 1865, nearly bankrupt as a result of losing twenty slaves and a good deal of valuable property in the war. He once again took up the practice of law and in 1876 was elected as a Democrat to the state Senate, where he served until 1880. He thereafter served several terms as mayor of La Grange. Ledbetter was married twice. His first wife, Bettie (Pope), died in 1864, leaving two children. In 1868 he married Tennie Hill; they had two children. Ledbetter was found dead on April 24, 1896, in his home in La Grange by his wife upon her return from a trip to Virginia.
Memorial and Genealogical Record of Southwest Texas (Chicago: Goodspeed, 1894; rpt., Easley, South Carolina: Southern Historical Press, 1978). Proceedings of the Texas Bar Association, 1896.
The following, adapted from the Chicago Manual of Style, 15th edition, is the preferred citation for this article.F. B. Largent, Jr., "LEDBETTER, WILLIAM HAMILTON," Handbook of Texas Online (http://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/fle11), accessed November 30, 2015. Uploaded on June 15, 2010. Published by the Texas State Historical Association.
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Advances in microstructural characterization require the ability to analyze structure and chemistry in three dimensions. However, most TEM techniques are limited to producing two-dimensional information. Tomography on the other hand, combines two-dimensional data sets taken at various tilt angles to produce a three-dimensional reconstruction.
The range supplied, on behalf of Fischione Instruments, by Agar Scientific Ltd includes the 2020 holder which is ideal for life and physical sciences applications as well as others requiring high specimen tilt while maintaining a large field of view. It allows data collection over wide tilt and translation ranges, even in restrictive pole piece gap geometries.
The 2030 is an Ultra-Narrow Gap Tomography holder suitable for use with narrow gap pole piece geometries (<3mm). The holder accepts 1.5mm square or round TEM grids (available from Agar) into a cartridge. The 2040 Dual-Axis holder is suitable for tomographic imaging or analysis that requires in plane rotation and features an optimal tilt angle range in narrow gap pole piece geometries (~5mm).
The revolutionary 2050 On-Axis rotation holder accepts either rod shaped or conically shaped specimens and rotates them fully through 360º about the axis of the holder. Traditionally single axis tomography results in a missing wedge of information, while dual-axis results in a missing pyramid of information. However, on-axis rotation tomography provides the maximum achievable amount of information from a specimen.
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|Human airway secretory cells during development and in mature airway epithelium.
MedLine Citation:
|PMID: 1577157 Owner: NLM Status: MEDLINE
|The combined secretions of distinct secretory cells of the airway lining mucosa serve to keep the inspired air moist and free of potentially harmful dust particles, organisms and adsorbed gases. Apart from their role in protecting the respiratory zone of the lung, mucus-secreting cells act as pluripotential stem cells during foetal development and, in the adult, following mucosal injury. The variety of secretory cells include the mucous and serous cells of the surface and glandular epithelium, the non-ciliated bronchiolar (Clara) cell and the less frequent dense-core granulated (neuroendocrine) cell. The last-mentioned is the first type to differentiate at about 10 weeks of gestation; mucus-secreting cells are present from the 13th week of gestation, when mature ciliated cells are already present, and Clara cells begin to mature during the 19th week of human development. The alteration of secretory cell number and chemical composition of their secretions during the second trimester of foetal life is similar to that which occurs in chronic bronchitis in the adult. However, in hypersecretory disease the extent and site of the major change appear to be inappropriate to the defence of the lung.
|P K Jeffery; D Gaillard; S Moret
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Publication Detail:
|Type: Journal Article; Review
Journal Detail:
|Title: The European respiratory journal Volume: 5 ISSN: 0903-1936 ISO Abbreviation: Eur. Respir. J. Publication Date: 1992 Jan
Date Detail:
|Created Date: 1992-06-10 Completed Date: 1992-06-10 Revised Date: 2013-05-23
Medline Journal Info:
|Nlm Unique ID: 8803460 Medline TA: Eur Respir J Country: DENMARK
Other Details:
|Languages: eng Pagination: 93-104 Citation Subset: IM
|NHLI, Royal Brompton Hospital, London, UK.
Export Citation:
|APA/MLA Format Download EndNote Download BibTex
|MeSH Terms
Epithelial Cells
Epithelium / embryology, growth & development, secretion, ultrastructure
Lung / embryology
Mucus / secretion
Respiratory System / cytology, embryology, growth & development, secretion*, ultrastructure
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| Somerset
Towns & Parishes
|Nearby places
"ANGERSLEIGH, a parish in the hundred of Taunton and Taunton-Dean, in the county of Somerset, 4 miles to the S.W. of Taunton. It is situated near the chalk ridge called Black Down. The living is a rectory in the diocese of Bath and Wells, value £111, in the patronage of the rector. The church is dedicated to St. Michael." From The National Gazetteer of Great Britain and Ireland (1868) Transcribed by Colin Hinson © 2003
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Week Four Pac 12 Basketball Power Rankings
Pac 12 Basketball Power Rankings
The Pac 12 conference is a hard one to figure out in 2012.
There are talented teams from top to bottom but there just isn't an elite team that could immediately compete for a national championship. Yes Arizona is in the top ten in the country at No. 8 but they haven't really played anyone and have been tested by some of the weaker teams they've already played.
Some of the other teams in the Pac 12 are good but they just aren't able to win some of their more important out of conference games. They have come close to notching more quality wins, like Oregon State's close loss to Kansas and Washington State's two-point loss to No. 10 Gonzaga, but they aren't quite talented enough to get over the hump.
Regardless the conference went just 10-6 last week with the only notable wins coming from a Colorado victory over an undefeated Colorado State team and an Arizona thumping of Texas Tech, handing them their first loss on the year. Those six losses came against quality opponents with three of the six coming against ranked foes.
It seems like the Pac 12 is good but just not great, at least right now. I can see two or three Pac 12 teams crack the top 25 shortly if they continue to play quality basketball. There are opportunities this week for some of the teams in the conference to make a statement but we'll see how it plays out.
Here's how the Pac 12 stacks up in week four.
12. Washington Huskies
Record: 4-3
Last Week: W: 74-72 vs. Cal State Fullerton
The Huskies find themselves in the basement of this week's power rankings, not because they lost last week, but because they just aren't really that good. They don't have any impressive wins and although they lost to two quality teams in Ohio State and Colorado State they also laid an egg at home against Albany. This past week they struggled to beat Cal State Fullerton but the one bright spot for the Huskies is the play of C.J. Wilcox.
This week: Dec. 8 vs. Nevada, Dec. 13 vs. Seattle
11. USC Trojans
Record 3-5
Last week: L 63-51 at Nebraska, L 75-67 at No. 18 New Mexico
The Trojans continue to drop in the power rankings after two losses last week. Their two losses did come against two quality teams that will likely be playing in the tournament come March so they aren't losing to nobody's. In fact their five losses have come against teams with a combined record of 35-4. That's definitely not something to be ashamed of but eventually they will have to win one to prove something.
This week: Dec. 8 vs. No. 14 Minnesota
10. Utah Utes
Record: 6-2
Last week: W 74-69 at Texas State, W 76-55 vs. Boise State
The Utes had a nice week going 2-0 and finished it off with a blowout over the Broncos. Not moving up a spot in the rankings from last week isn't due to their poor play, rather the rest of the team's above them playing well. They have almost matched their win total from a season ago and they should accomplish that before conference play begins Jan. 2. First things first though, they have a big rivalry game Saturday against the boys from Provo.
This week: Dec. 8 at BYU
9. Washington State Cougars
Record: 5-4
Last Week: W 72-60 vs. Portland, L 71-69 vs. Gonzaga
The Cougars went just 1-1 last week but they did almost upset Gonzaga at home. They've already come a long way from their losses earlier in the season and they just got guard DaVonte Lacy back after a four-game absence. He had 22 points in his return to go along with Brock Motum's 23 in the two-point loss to the Bulldogs.
This week: Dec. 9 vs. Fresno State, Dec. 13 vs. Jacksonville State
8. Stanford Cardinal
Record: 6-3
Last week: W 71-58 vs. Denver
The Cardinal won their lone game last week but now have an entire week off to fix some of their flaws. They don't really have any good wins as their only notable one came against Northern Iowa in the Battle 4 Atlantis and that's not much to brag about. Even Chasson Randle is struggling these days as he's just 10 for his last 34 field goal attempts.
This week: No games
7. UCLA Bruins
Record: 5-3
Last week: L 78-69 vs. No. 23 San Diego State
The Bruins had a chance to regain some respect after falling completely out of the top 25 if they were able to upset San Diego State but they weren't able to pull it off. Maybe it's time to just accept that the Bruins aren't as good as everyone thought they would be at the beginning of the year. But if things continue to go they way they are Ben Howland's seat will get hotter and hotter.
This week: Dec. 8 vs. Texas
6. Arizona State Sun Devils
Record: 7-1
Last week: W 90-70 vs. Sacramento State, W 71-63 vs. Hartford
Their only loss of the season came to ranked Creighton so the Sun Devils have gotten off to a very nice start so far in 2012. Jahii Carson is their best player and he's playing like it in the early going. They're utilizing his talents and have opened up their offense from a season ago. Like I said two week's ago in the power rankings article I wouldn't find it very shocking to see the Sun Devils with just one loss heading into conference play.
This week: Dec. 8 vs. Cal State Northridge, Dec. 12 vs. Depaul
5. Oregon State Beavers
Record: 4-2
Last week: L 84-78 at No. 10 Kansas
The Beavers couldn't quite pull of the upset in Kansas City but they did give the Jayhawks a run for their money. In their two losses this season- Kansas and Alabama- they've only lost by a combined nine points. They continue to be strong on the boards as they are ranked 19th in the country averaging 42.2 rebounds per game. Ahmad Starks has picked up his play, scoring 25 against Kansas, while Eric Moreland racked up 16 rebounds against a good rebounding team.
This week: Dec. 8 vs. Grambling, Dec. 12 vs. Portland State
4. Cal Bears
Record: 6-1
Last week: L 81-56 at Wisconsin
Cal went on the road for their first true road test of the season and got smacked by Wisconsin, losing their first game of the season. Just when the hype around the Bears' undefeated start was starting to grow they fall flat on their face. It's not a very good time to start playing bad either as their next two contests come against tough, ranked opponents.
This week: Dec. 9 vs. No. 21 UNLV
3. Oregon Ducks
Record: 6-1
Last week: W 80-59 vs. Arkansas Pine-Bluff
The Ducks are currently sitting in fourth place in the Pac 12 and that's close to where they want to be at the end of the season. They have gotten off to a very nice start and continue to be the surprise team of the conference so far in 2012. Their offense has been their main strength as they are averaging over 78 points per contest. They have one more game before a week off to prepare for an improved Nebraska squad.
This week: Dec. 8 vs. Idaho State
2. Colorado Buffaloes
Record: 7-1
Last week: L 76-69 at Wyoming, W 70-61 vs. Colorado State
Colorado dropped their first game of the season against a tough Wyoming squad that is a potential NCAA Tournament team. The Buffs got into too much foul trouble, committed too many turnovers and got a poor shooting performance from some of their star player's in the loss. They followed it up with an emphatic win over rival Colorado State who came into the game undefeated. Colorado was up 20 at the half, held off a furious rally and eventually won by nine. Another opportunity for Colorado to make a statement this week as they travel to face old Big 12 rival Kansas.
This week: Dec. 8 at No. 9 Kansas, Dec. 12 at Fresno State
1. Arizona Wildcats
Record: 6-0
Last week: W 85-57 at Texas Tech, W 63-55 vs. Southern Miss
The Wildcats remain the only unbeaten Pac 12 team but they've done it against a very weak schedule. Arizona has struggled a bit against some of the weaker opponents, especially in their last game when they had trouble putting away Southern Miss at home. They're winning when they have to and that's all that matters but their competition gets a little tougher this week as they have their second true road game at Clemson, which is not an easy place to win.
This week: Dec. 8 at Clemson
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We always believed that such a place, such a platform, would be something that you could reasonably charge money for. If it provided the opportunity for other people to make money, you could reasonably charge some fraction of that.
Second Life was just unfundable. It was just the dumbest idea ever. Mitch Kapor [the founder of Lotus Development] was the only person who got it. Mitch invested in 2001 after I had invested about a million dollars of my own money. I think some of the early angel investors were largely investing in me. They thought I seemed to be a capable, balanced, good-engineering-background entrepreneur, so I could figure out something.
But we could convince absolutely no one that what we were doing made any sense. People said the technology can't possibly be made to work smoothly because there are too many problems with building a simulation combined with broadband, combined with streaming, combined with rendering, talking to many computers at once, the whole idea is just completely impossible.
The second thing they said was, This is not for ordinary people. Even if it is compelling, there will only be a few crazy people that want to do it. And then you guys will be dead.
Oh, and user-created content had never been a fundable idea. Now, everybody's doing it. But in the beginning the idea that random people were going to build a three-dimensional world was just impossible for people to understand. A lot of applications, and all 3-D applications, were top-down designs, where some master designer built all the content and you just wandered around in it. And we were saying, You [the world's residents] are going to build everything. You are going to build these walls. And everybody was like, That's terribly stupid. Nobody got it.
There were six very quiet years. It wasn't discouraging the first couple of years because we were just having fun. When we got to be 20, 25 employees it got pretty stressful. What we didn't really think about was if the content alone is what compels other people to come and join, then you have a pure word-of-mouth exponential growth model, and that means you are going to have to wait a long time for the plane to take off.
It was discouraging as we grew and we started to make some progress, to the point where residents were making stuff. And the investors would still just say, You have got to turn this thing into some sort of video game. It needs to have a purpose. They wanted us to make it like something that had come before it so that they could value it.
When we couldn't grow it as quickly as it needed to, we had one round of layoffs. There were 31 of us and 11 of us left. That was in late 2003, when we pretty well thought we were dead.
And then we did one discontinuous thing: We recognized that there was a core of people who were really starting to want to build the content and invest in it and really value it. And we said, What you have in Second Life is real and it is yours. It doesn't belong to us. We have no claim to it. Whatever you do with Second Life is your own intellectual property. You can claim copyright on it. You can make money.
We said the same thing about land: Land is yours to own and resell. We had been reading Hernando De Soto's The Mystery of Capital and Jane Jacobs and all these books about innovation and ownership and why great places are great places. And we said, Let's just make this a real world. Let's let it have a real economy and let's make property have real value. There was a lot of buzz around that. The investors could see this thing starting to go. In early 2004 we got a couple million bucks more.
I think I felt like we were going to make it maybe in early 2005. I felt like the fundamental network economics of buying and selling stuff was irreversible.
Our approach to engineering was this: Tell everybody in an e-mail every week what you are doing, then make some progress of some kind and tell everybody in an e-mail how you did it. That was our organizational scheme. We said, Everybody is smart here. Identify what you are going to do today and get it done.
That evolved over time into the work system that we have today. We have this huge database of stuff to do. You choose your own work from it. So groups are formed more organically. I am pretty critical of traditional business styles. The biggest way you avoid that is you continue to make everybody entrepreneurial, which is easy to say--everybody says garbage like that in big companies. But the way you really are entrepreneurial is that you have to set your own strategic direction. That's what entrepreneurs do. You have to take risks and you have to expect to be held accountable.
We have this thing we built called the Love Machine. The Love Machine allows anyone who works here as a Linden employee to send anyone else a brief note that says "Thank you for doing this for me." There is a little webpage where you can go to send an e-mail, and then you get a little e-mail that says "Love From Philip" in the subject and it's got text in it. Now, you think, what's the big deal about that? Well, all of that stuff goes into a database. Your review carries that. Everybody is sending love to each other. It creates a positive collaborative environment.
Most businesspeople communicate in a mostly negative way. If people are encouraged to be entrepreneurs and take risks, they can also become combative and competitive. You have to balance that. So we built the Love Machine for balance. We joke that some day we will be more famous for the Love Machine than for Second Life.
We use a lot of the ideas from The Wisdom of Crowds. We vote internally on tasks. And when you get something done you can say, "Oh, I got 17 votes on this." And again, you use that as part of your review.
We also use anonymous spot surveys for a lot of stuff. So I send out surveys saying, like, "Should we get rid of me as CEO?" Or I send out several options: "We should get a new CEO: now; when we have 200 people; when we have 500 people; never."
There were some nevers. I think people didn't figure I was good for a thousand-person company. I actually think I am, but I'd be fine not doing it, either.
We don't even have a concept of budgeting here, really. For example, we don't have a travel budget. If you travel you have to send an e-mail to everybody that says how much you spent and why it was worth it.
As an entrepreneur in high school, I thought starting a company was about a process where you do all these official things to create a company. I was so proud of my business license. I hung it on the wall. Now I've realized that a company is a culture and a model and a business surrounding an idea or ideas.
People are starting to do business meetings in Second Life. When I looked at that originally, I was like, Why would anybody do a business meeting or a conference call in a virtual world? What a dumb idea. Actually, it is not. You are more likely to speak the truth to me in Second Life than you are in a real business meeting.
An enormous amount of intellectual energy is going to move into this world, and some of what we are doing in the real world will therefore be displaced. You can imagine New York City being kind of like a museum. Still an incredibly cool place to go, but with no one working in those towers because work, creative work, where you are engaging with other people face-to-face, you are going to do in a virtual world. It's going to leave these cities [gestures toward downtown San Francisco] and move into digital worlds. It is easier to do things there.
Inc.comFor a full archive of past How I Did It features, visit www.inc.com/hidi.
Meet 50 Young Entrepreneurs Aiming to Change the World
Want to Raise Resilient Kids? A Navy SEAL Says Always Do This
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76 Percent of Employees Are More Productive When They Leave the Office


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by Latoya Peterson
"Gentrification is coming," says Morgan, "and there's nothing you can do to stop it."
What's the difference between East of the River and River East? According to a March 3rd article in the Washington City Paper, it depends on who you are.
Anacostia is located in South East, DC, made notorious for high levels of crime in violence in the 1990s. The area, currently 92% black and one of the most impoverished areas in DC, is often referred to by its residents as "East of the River." This stands in contrast to the area of North West referred to as "West of the Park," which holds a high concentration of wealth. Longtime residents often use those two descriptors to explain the flow of class and politics around DC. Those East of the River tend to get the short end of the stick, with horrible support from the city government. Those West of the Park receive all the benefits privilege can afford.
So, when new residents began to flock to the promise of cheap housing and convenient access to downtown Washington, they decided that the old image of Anacostia was ultimately detrimental to the neighborhood:
[T]here's a constituency of folks who don't like what "east of the river" connotes, and they've created an organization in part to address the matter. Members of "River East Emerging Leaders"—note the lower-case, hipoisie-appeasing acronym "r.e.e.l."—have a new name for the place they call home. For these people, it's "River East." The rationale for the appellation comes straight from r.e.e.l.'s Web site: "Many committee members recalled conversations with friends or news stories characterizing 'East of the River' as dirty, dangerous, crime-ridden and poor. 'River East' was a new way to rebrand the area and inspire a sense of pride."
Older residents fear that being "rebranded" is a way to remove them from the neighborhood. And their fears are well founded – often, projects to improve older neighborhoods tend to displace the lifelong residents there, in favor of wealthier entrants. And those who have stood with the neighborhood throughout the tumultuous history of DC find themselves pushed out, often to the increasingly abandoned suburbs and exburbs, or forced to live with the few relatives who managed to maintain their housing. And one resident quoted in the City Paper explains that the name serves a very distinct purpose:
Barbara Dewey, who was born and raised in Ward 8's Barry Farm, says, "By trying to change the name, everything that happened years and years ago will be forgotten, it will start anew. Why? We don't want to lose the history of Anacostia."
Using the terms "East of the River" and "West of the Park" have become a form of social commentary, with each utterance calling attention to the disparities present in the capitol city of the United States. These geographic boundaries are also demographic boundaries and they symbolize the long legacy of segregation and neglect in DC. However, those trying to lend a new type of cache to South East believe the renaming will attract more new residents and eventually turn into the neighborhood they desire.
"We need diversity," says LaShaun Smith, author of the blog Southeast Socialite. She was born in Southeast, grew up in Prince George's County, and moved back to the District in 2007. "It's nothing wrong with it being a predominantly black neighborhood, but we need other people to come in." If those people take root, she says, so will new businesses. "We could keep it the same, but the whole city is going through this change," she says.
And for Smith, the change would optimally involve some ordnance detonated on iconic Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue. "I would love a bomb to come through and just blow the whole street up, because it looks terrible," she says. "It looks awful. The whole street, and just rebuild anew. The whole street looks terrible."
LaShaun Smith is African-American. While a lot of gentrification stories in Washington DC fall along color lines, the story of Wards 7 and 8 are ones of class and expectations. While Smith vocalizes many of the shared hopes of Anacostia residents about revitalizing the area, she is also a proponent of gentrification.
The property at 523-525 Mellon Street SE was the Wilson Courts Apartments until 2004. Now, it's vacant, dingy, and drab. Last year, the building was bought by So Others Might Eat—a homeless service provider that plans to turn the building into transitional housing.
"I would rather the building be vacant than for So Others Might Eat to come in," says LaShaun Smith. "We have a very high proportion of group homes, transitional housing. Our neighborhood should not be the dumping ground for all of D.C."
"They want it to be condos," says [Darrell Gaston, community organizer.] "What's wrong with using your own money to build transitional housing for people who need help? We don't need more condos for new people to push people out."
The debate over SOME is about more than just one property.
"You can't just concentrate low-income people in one area and expect that area to thrive," says Susan Kennedy. "I think there needs to be more variety. I think I need to see a better mix, whether it's single-family homes, or apartment rentals, or condos."
Commissioner and organizer Tijwanna Phillips looks at these claims skeptically. As she tells the WCP:
"Each time someone talks about development," says Phillips, "it's only to let us know that affordable housing is going to continue to diminish in Ward 8 as well." In a ward with a median household income of $34,651, the sprouting of $550,000 condos doesn't spark universal excitement.
Affordable housing and rising property taxes are a major issue to DC residents, who find themselves more and more constrained each year. In areas of heavy gentrification (like Columbia Heights) many residents who own their homes are struggling to keep up with tax payments to the city, and newly enforced ordinance codes. Washington DC is changing, quickly and violently. And while the backdrop of the fight for Anacostia is a story of class, both class and race continue to loom prominently as the city transitions.
The Gentrification Shuffle
Gentrification has Nothing to Do with White Hipsters
More Notes on Gentrification
Another Perspective on Gentrification
I Colonize


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Hankook Tire Gauge Index Shows Decline in Summer Driving Road trips down 10 percent compared to 2012 and 2011, but safety awareness remains top-of-mind
Wayne, NJ - July 9, 2013 - Defined by school vacations and warm weather, summer is often synonymous with getting outside and hitting the open road with friends and family. However, this year's Hankook Tire Summer Gauge Index found that the number of Americans planning to take a road trip this summer of more than 50 miles has dropped by 10 percent year-over-year. In fact, only 60 percent of Americans plan to hit the road this season, compared to 70 percent in both 2012 and 2011.
Americans preparing for trips with shrewd tire and driving safety
While fewer people are road tripping this season, those doing so are placing a premium on safety. Eighty nine (89) percent of Americans surveyed will take some kind of precaution to check their vehicle prior to their trip. More than three-quarters of Americans (76 percent) will check their tire pressure and fluid levels, 55 percent will examine tires for damage, and 51 percent will inspect their brakes/brake pads.
When it comes to safety, American drivers are becoming more and more reliant on cell phones and smartphones. The majority (52 percent) of Americans who currently own and drive a vehicle cited a cell phone as the most essential safety item to have in their car on a road trip. Interestingly, of those, 58 percent were aged 55 and older compared with only 48 percent of those aged 18-34. Twenty one (21) percent of total respondents said a spare tire is the most essential and only 6 percent cited a GPS/map.
Where do Americans turn for help when they break down?
When asked about the prospect of their car breaking down, Americans overwhelmingly stated they would place their first call to a tow truck or AAA (33 percent) compared to parents (7 percent), siblings (4 percent) and a best friend (4 percent). The least likely phone call would be to an in-law (1 percent).
"Our quarterly Hankook Tire Gauge Index has been a great way to track driver trends and behavior, especially during these summer months," said Henry D. Kopacz, Public Relations and Social Media Manager, Hankook Tire America Corp. "It is encouraging to see that the vast majority of Americans are taking precautions before traveling this season. In addition to what our survey shows drivers will already be doing, there are some other basic tire maintenance tips and tricks they can follow to ensure the roads are even safer this summer, and help them save money."
Hankook's Top Tips for a Safe (and Budget-Friendly) Summer Travel
Park in the Shade - Air in your vehicle's tires expands as temperatures rise, in fact for every 10° Fahrenheit increase in ambient air temperature, your tire's inflation pressure can go up by about 1 psi.
Air 'Em Up - Check tire pressure at least once a month to ensure proper inflation. Under-inflated tires wear out faster and waste fuel, squandering energy, gas and money.
Check Your Tread - Tires with little or poor tread do not provide the grip needed in demanding conditions, such as wet roads, to ensure component performance.
Choose the Right Tire - Tires that offer lower rolling resistance, such as the Ultra-High Performance All-Season Hankook Ventus S1 noble2, can deliver fuel savings by minimizing wasted energy as a tire rolls, thereby improving fuel efficiency and saving consumers money.
The Hankook Tire Gauge Index survey of 1,008 randomly-selected Americans was conducted on June 18-19 by Vision Critical, on behalf of Hankook Tire America Corp. Additional findings from the survey include:
About Hankook Tire America Corp.
Hankook Tire America Corp. is a growing leader in the U.S. tire market, leveraging investments in technology, manufacturing and marketing to deliver high quality, reliable products that are better for consumers and the environment. Headquartered in Wayne, N.J., Hankook Tire America Corp. markets and distributes a complete line of high performance and ultra-high performance passenger tires, light truck, SUV tires, as well as medium truck and bus tires in the United States.


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Hello All,
I have been reading on websites the history of central Italy, specifically Abruzzo, which can be different then the southern or northern regions when it comes to land ownership. I read that originally, the ruling king rented to the Noble class and Noble class in turned rented to the "peasant class". I read that at "some point" many of the "tenant farmers" and Massaro in northern and central Italy were allowed buy land from their masters and to "own" land in their name.
For instance, I read that in Abruzzo, "Since 1754, cadastre onciario learn that the class that we have defined bourgeois was represented mainly by massari" but they did not own the land, they rented from a "master" or Baron and the Baron rented from the ruling foreign king.
I read that in 1806 is when Joseph Boneparte became the ruler and abolished fiefdoms, in all of Italy, but by 1815 this was reversed by king Ferdinand for Southern Italy (which sometimes includes Abruzzo and sometimes does not.)
But then I read this, "Finally, in 1705, it (Pescasseroli, L'Aquila, Abruzzo) becomes property of the mass of Sorrento on payment of 15,760 ducats, and remains to this family until 1806, the year of the abolition of the fiefs. In the years immediately following the place of the feudal lord is taken by a powerful middle-class family, the (Sipari) curtains, rich armentara and owners of vast tracts of land in Apulia." http://www.terremarsicane.it/node/2904
What does armentara mean?
But this quote still showed most of the land in this area was owned by the Sipari family or the "City Council". Anyone know when the small farmers come to own their own land? Was it after Unification?
Owning Land
As a nation state, Italy has emerged only in 1871. Until then the country was politically divided into a large number of independant cities, provinces and islands. The currently available evidences point out to a dominant Etruscan, Greek and Roman cultural influence on today's Italians.
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St. Paul's Penumbra Theatre will present a new three-night festival featuring student work Thursday through Saturday.
"Aloud: A Festival of New Student Work" showcases original pieces created by Penumbra's third-year students, who also interned with various advocacy groups while studying at the theater. Each performance includes a post-show discussion.
Shows start at 7 p.m., and the schedule includes works that delve into eating disorders, same-sex marriage, the experiences of a transgender teen, sexual assault, growing up poor and what it means to be a man.
Tickets are $15 and are available by phone at 651-224-3180 or via PenumbraTheatre.org.
-- Ross Raihala


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Date: 3 years ago
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Envy 15t-j### RALINK Bluetooth Controller and Hyper-V
I bought this Envy 15t primarilly for Windows Phone development; but I didnt knew its RALINK Bluetooth Controller drivers has compatibility issues with Hyper-V (http://h30434.www3.hp.com/t5/Notebook-Operating-Sy
- A Bluetooth Adapter compatible with Hyper-V
- A Wifi Adapter compatible with Intel's WiDi
- Sometime I work in basement and my ProBook's Atheros Wifi gives better signal+speed then's Envy's RALINK; I would like a Wifi Adapter thats performs better
Please suggest the replacement part!
Re: Envy 15t-j### RALINK Bluetooth Controller and Hyper-V
Hi Khurram_aziz,
Thank you for visiting the HP Support Forums and Welcome. I have read your thread on your HP Notebook and issues with the Wireless adapter. I would be happy to assist if needed with replacement parts but I need to know OS and model. How Do I Find My Model Number or Product Number?
Please respond with which Operating System you are running:
Which Windows Operating System am I running?
You could check replacement parts from HP Parts Store.
Please let me know.
Please click "Accept as Solution " if you feel my post solved your issue, it will help others find the solution.
Click the "Kudos, Thumbs Up" on the bottom to say "Thanks" for helping.
I work on behalf of HP


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Windows Mobile 6.5.1 fixing touch elements?
updated 09:15 am EDT, Tue October 20, 2009
Win Mobile update revamps controls
Although Microsoft has only just released Windows Mobile 6.5 on shipping phones, the company is already readying a noticeable fix to add many major touch elements to the platform, unofficial previews of interim builds show. A 6.5.1 update appearing in test versions has completely dropped the top-mounted Start menu and instead has one at the bottom with a button much easier to hit with a finger than before. Many of the other context-sensitive buttons, checkboxes and radio buttons have also been made larger.
A new contacts app noticed by i started something also shows Microsoft taking some of these efforts into specific apps with much larger, touchscreen-ready areas to select or edit phone and e-mail data.
The changes, which appeared as early as August, suggest that Microsoft had rush-released the original 6.5 and that the company is concerned about the fate of the platform in between the early October release and Windows Mobile 7. The future major release isn't due until the second half of 2010 and leaves a sizable gap for more touchscreen-native platforms like Android and OS X iPhone to gain market share. It's not known how widely available 6.5.1 will become.
Microsoft's conservative design changes have also led to many of its partners increasingly replacing parts of Windows Mobile with their own interfaces, such as the HTC HD2 not only incorporating a heavily modified touch UI, Sense, but grafting in multi-touch input that Microsoft itself won't add until Windows Mobile 7. [images via OSNN]


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Product Code: 93415
Last order date for pre christmas delivery is 9th Dec. This product is excluded from the 30 Day Money back guarnatee due to being made to order. Unfortunately this product can not be delivered to Northern Ireland.
400mm MDF, gloss finish, white gloss slab door. Manufactured in Italy.
Product contents:
1 x door. Cabinet not included. Handles not included (Code 68237). Lights not included (Code 98011). Hinges not included (Code 70926).
Door (W x Th. x H): 596 x 18 x 139mm. Fixings not supplied.
7 Working Days Delivery
Store Collection Unavailable
|White Gloss
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|Manufacturer Guarantee
|25 years
|Pack Size
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|Slab Kitchens 400 Base/Wall Door
|Product Width
|715 mm
|Total Product Weight
|4 kg


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- KNIA / KRLS - http://kniakrls.com -
PCM Schedule Getting Tougher…Beginning With Pella Christian Tomorrow
Posted By Sports On September 30, 2010 @ 5:56 am In Today's Local Sports | Comments Disabled
Things get a little tougher for the P-C-M football squad starting this week. The Mustangs host Pella Christian in a big class 2A District Seven game with a lot of postseason implications on the line. For P-C-M, this is a different situation than what the Mustangs have been in recent years. Coach Dar Dahms says it may be a different situation, but the competition is not easy. Usually at this time P-C-M is in a must win just to stay alive for a playoff spot. This season P-C-M is three-and-oh and looking to continue its unbeaten season in district play.
Article printed from KNIA / KRLS: http://kniakrls.com
URL to article: http://kniakrls.com/2010/09/pcm-schedule-getting-tougher-beginning-with-pella-christian-tomorrow/
Click here to print.
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Elizabeth Olsen Covers Marie Claire, Admits Copying Mary-Kate + Ashley
Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen are such style stars that even their baby sister, "It" girl actress Elizabeth Olsen, copies them. The young actress, the Elizabeth in the Olsen Twins' contemporary Elizabeth and James fashion line, covers the Marie Claire Fresh Faces issue, along with several other stars. In her feature, she talks about how her sisters influence her and how she earned this whole indie cred thing. It was unintentional, BTW!


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Stormed Fortress by Janny Wurts
Stormed Fortress is book 5 in the second arc of The Wars of Light and Shadow.
For long time fans of Ms. Wurts this represents a significant closure of many different facets of a series that has been many years in the crafting. This is not a starting point in the series despite a good summation of the previous books at the beginning.
Ms. Wurts has been developing a running conflict between the two half-brothers Arithon and Lysaer which has been exacerbated by a magical curse to ensure their enmity and that their cooperation doesn't allow for a complete solution to much of the world's problems. The conflict finds a significant culmination as allies of Arithon are exposed for the role they have played in undermining Lysaer's interests. The results of this major engagement and the events leading up to it are the meat of the story.
The more important undercurrent of Stormed Fortress is a continuation of Wurts' discussion of how faults and character weaknesses can be exploited. This has been an on-going issue throughout the story, but it rises as a major subplot when characters are repeatedly twisted into actions and situations not of their choosing because of their own flaws. This leads to some really interesting examination of how our purest motivations can be twisted entirely out of the scope of our intent.
Stormed Fortress represents a very acceptable resting place in the story, but it is far from the end. If you have enjoyed The Wars of Light and Shadow thus far, then that's not a bad thing. Many important seemingly underdeveloped storylines are brought to a successful conclusion and there are also sweeping changes affected on many of the steady supporting characters. Some of this is sad, but other changes, and the comeuppance that certain factions endure, are gloriously satisfying.
What I enjoyed most in the story has been the evolution of Sulfin Evend. A central figure to the forces of the opposition to the protagonist, his evolution from blinded fanatic to enlightened, knowing catalyst in support of the good in his twisted master, has been very well done. This is not a simple wave of the wand from bad guy to good guy, but a knowing, painful transition between ignorance and knowledge. Great stuff.
The writing is very vocabulary intensive. Don't expect weak descriptive terms that are used over and over again. Ms. Wurts doesn't skimp in trying to give description to experience and events that would normally defy the attempt. How do you describe the breath-taking harmony of a musically based magical event that affects an entire battlefield? Well, she does.
Stormed Fortress has been worth the wait and seeds a happy anticipation of what is still to come.


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I had a lot of fun, but it wasn't a riot
I have always appreciated that life allows for one to experience its wonders from many different perspectives. I would like to share one with you. I must preface this by explaining that one of my areas of expertise as an instructor is crowd control. I have not only trained classes, but I was commander of the Civil Unrest Team in La Crosse that was called upon to manage many large events and quelled a number of riots. Those experiences gave me one perspective that helped me as a trainer.
Another Perspective
As I turned my car down the one-block street leading into the hotel lot, I found myself to be the lone car bracketed by a crowd estimated by one officer at the scene to be about 1,500 protestors. As I entered their gauntlet they immediately sprung to life and began to chant loudly, "Shame! Shame! Shame! Shame!"
I decided to break up my tunnel vision and scan the crowd. I saw the hate and anger in their faces. Some shook their fists at me and there were others, who chose to shout that I was, "Walker's Minion!" I must say my career as a police officer prepared me to be called many things, but never once have I ever been referred to as a minion. I found it quite disconcerting.
I am quite certain one shouted that I was a, "Republican mother [bleeper]." Although my party of preference is something I will keep to myself I can tell you I felt much more comfortable being called a "mother [bleeper]," than a "minion."
As I drove slowly through their chants and insults I viewed hatred in their eyes for a person (me) that they knew nothing about. I was just an innocent person who had just come from teaching a class and was hoping to grab a big fat burger at Fuddruckers Restaurant. While making my way through the crowd the hatred that some of the people displayed in their fist shaking and chanting reminded me of the Reginald Denny incident. Remember the truck driver who was dragged from his truck, during the 1992 L.A Riots, who was beaten by a crowd with fists, feet, and finally a concrete block. I watched for the possibility of such an attack. I visualized first the attempt at such an assault as well as the shocking headlines that would follow my successful defense after such an assault.
As I reached the drive way to the hotel, chants were at full throttle and as I looked behind me I was still the only one they were chanting at. "Shame! Shame! Shame! Shame!" It was there I was met by a contingent of Janesville police officers.
I must admit that if I did not know before what makes a demonstration peaceful I know now. It is not the demonstrators. They were aggressive and used what the Supreme Court would call "Opprobrious," or fighting words. (Don't feel bad, I had to look it up too.) It does not matter what side of the issue I am on I can tell you that while I drove through that block, book-ended by the screaming mass, their shouts could have intimidated some into shrinking away and agitated others to react violently.
The demonstration was peaceful because of the highly visible professional contingent of Janesville police officers on the scene to maintain the peace. They stood calmly in the presence of the crowd with their faces reflecting none of the emotions of the demonstrators. This aging and slightly used retired cop found another opportunity to be proud of my former profession.
The Demonstrators Made a Difference
I could taste that fat juicy burger and could almost feel the mayonnaise escaping from the corner of my mouth as I bit into it. As I stood in line at Fuddruckers it finally came my turn to order, when just outside the restaurant came the chant, "Shame! Shame! Shame! Shame! Shame! Shame!..."
I found myself subjugated, a minion of the crowd as the lady at the counter asked, "What will you have tonight sir?"
The chants, "Shame! Shame! Shame!" rang loudly in my ears. I avoided eye contact with the lady as I sheepishly said in a minion-like manner, "I'll take the broiled chicken sandwich...hold the mayo please."
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try to burn a copy-protected CD? Or peerhaps (heh heh) youve
downloaded a corrupted MP3 from Kazaa? Imagine the sound of
25 Casio SK1 keyboards falling down the steps of a fifth-floor
walkup on the Lower East Side, during rush hour, with a blasting
crew hard at work just outside the window. Maybe thats pushing
it a bit, but if this sounds at all sonically appealing to
you, you should definitely dig the noise that Carlos Giffoni
makes on purpose. New York-based sound artist Giffoni
is curator of the popular No Fun festival, and hell kick
off his Summer Death tour tonight at Valentines. Bring earplugs.
Also appearing: Grain and the Gestalt, and Lunch With Beardo.
(Aug. 18, 9:30 PM, $5, 17 New Scotland Ave., Albany, 432-6572)
Winners, Thursday
are a hard band to pigeonhole. This can be evidenced by their
shows move from Northern Lights to Saratoga Winners. Or the
fact that they are labeled anything from emo to progressive
to radio rock. Tool are the only band they are frequently
compared to, and yet Dredg are hardly as metal, technically
precise or pretentious. Yes, they produce fairly straight-ahead
rock with a progressive lean that finds them swimming around
in the radio-friendly prog pond with muddled-named compatriots
Trapt and Hoobastank. Yet somehow a light of artistic sincerity
shines through Dredgs vaporous existence that keeps them
from completely being a radio-friendly unit shifter. (Aug.
18, 8 PM, $12, 1375 New Loudon Road, Latham, 783-1010)
Performing Arts Studio, Thursday
old adage goes, quality over quantity, but for Al Stewart,
the two qualifiers are not mutually exclusive. This prolific
artist has released 23 albums since he broke onto the scene
in 1967 with Bedsitter Images. Just dont equate Stewarts
productivity with the cheap and money-grabbing rush jobs that
such volumes of material sometimes means: Stewarts brand
of folk rock is a carefully shaped, sometimes experimental
craft that lyrically tries to balance his own lifes impulses
and directions against the weight of history (Stewarts Web
site features a page that explains the historical references
that occur throughout his entire discography). Often concerned
with the effects of wars on our lives, the historically minded
Stewart might prove capable of providing an enlighteningand
audibly pleasingperspective on our historys current shape.
(Aug. 18, 8 PM, $22, 339 Central Ave., Albany, 465-5233)
Sixfifteens CD-release party
Tavern, Saturday
area favorites the Six- fifteens on Saturday when they celebrate
the release of their new CD, Feature, Conference, Transfer
at Kings Tavern. This will be one of the bands last area
gigs before they take off on a fall tour throughout the country.
Youd be well-served to make it to this show: The band will
sell their new disc for $5 each for this one night only, and
then the price jumps to $10. For a preview of the new album,
you can check out four selected songs by visiting www.thesixfifteens.
com. Joining the Sixfifteens for the celebration will be Tryst
and Come Wander With Me. (Aug. 20, 9 PM, $5, 241 Union
Ave., Saratoga Springs, 581-7090)
MoCA, Saturday
a sort of homeopathic rem-edy (like cures like, you know)
for the dog days of August, we propose catching the Mosquitos
at MASS MoCA on Saturday. The music of sultry, sweltering
Brazil informs the stylings of this trio composed of two American
indie- popsters and a South American chanteuse, and the advance
word is highly favorable. Their refreshing and sweet hybrid
of bossa nova hypnosis and indie-pop restraint sounds the
perfect complement to a sweaty summer evening. (Aug. 20,
8 PM, $17, 1040 MASS MoCA Way, North Adams, Mass., 413-662-2111)
Pelham, Lakshmi Damayanthi
Park Lakehouse, Tuesday
Ruth Pelham met Lakshmi Damayanthi in Sri Lanka back in 2002,
it was the beginning of a musical friendship. Pelhamthe musician-educator
behind the Music Mobilewas on a Peace Through Music tour.
Damayanthia performer with two decades of stage and TV experiencejoined
Pelham to perform with Sri Lankan kids in dozens of villages.
Flash forward to December 2004, when the devastating tsunami
hit. Through the Friends of Sri Lanka, Pelham again teamed
with Damayanthi to raise money to buy and distribute useful
items to survivors. Well, Damayanthi is here in Albany now,
and will be performing again with Pelham at two Hands Around
the World concerts, first in Albanys Washington Park on Tuesday
and then at Troys Riverfront Park on Aug. 25. These are presented
as a thank you to the Capital Region for being so supportive.
Come on out and share the love. (Aug. 23, 7 PM, free, Washington
Park, Albany, www.musicmobile.org)
few months back, members of area noise-rock bands
Struction and Brevator had some equipment stolen
from their van; on Friday, Lincoln Money Shot,
Clam of God, and Catacomb Gypsy Vagina
will band together to help raise money for new
gear in a benefit show at Kings Tavern in Saratoga;
the show is also a CD-release party for K Sonins
29th (yes, 29th) album, called The Revolutionary
Masterpiece That Forever Changed 70 Chestnut St.,
Apt 1B (9 PM, free, donations requested, 581-7090).
. . . Catch one of our areas most talented and
inventive saxophonists at Justins on Saturday
when the Keith Pray Group will take the
stand (9:30 PM, $5, 436-7008). . . . Tawasentha
Park in Guilderland will play host to the aptly
named Guilderfest this Saturday; bringing the
live music will be Erin Harkes and the Rebound,
Gumption, Depot, and Chris Blackwell
and Hogtown (6 PM, free). . . .
Oxford Collapse and Cause Co-Motion
will bring the screamo at MASS MoCAs Café Latino
on Saturday (10 PM, $5, 917-526-0128). . . . Also
on Saturday, Colin Hay (of Men at Workand
more recently, the Garden State soundtrackfame)
will perform two shows at the West Kortright Center
in East Meredith (6 and 9 PM, $24, 607-278-5454).
. . . Folk duo Camille and Alexander McGregoralso
known as Ponies in the Surfwill perform
at Better Than Toast in downtown Saratoga this
Sunday afternoon (3 PM, $3, www.thefarmtomarket.com).
. . . Mississippi emo band Waiting for Brantley
play the Flywheel in Easthampton, Mass., on Monday;
we reckon theres plenty to be emo about where
theyre from (6:30 PM, $5, 413-527-9800). . .
. Break out the fairy dust: Tori Amos returns
to the Saratoga Performing Arts Center this Tuesday
on her Summer of Sin tour (naughty!); the Ditty
Bops and the Like open (7:30 PM, $15-45,
476-1000). . . . At the Iron Horse Music Hall
in Northampton, Mass., this Wednesday, catch former
D-Generation frontman and occasional Ryan Adams
whipping boy Jesse Malin (7 PM, $15, 413-584-0610).