text:
Mayor's vision includes new recreation facility
By Elizabeth Sheeran
It is the largest open public space in Somerville. But Foss Park is not even a city park. And it has been plagued by a legacy of sub-par facilities, spotty maintenance, and vulnerability to crime.
Now Somerville Mayor Joseph Curtatone has ambitious plans to take control of the state-owned park and transform it into a first-class recreational site, complete with a year-round indoor state-of-the art fitness and recreation facility. And he wants to do it sooner rather than later.
"For Somerville to be a great place to live, work, play and raise a family, residents need easy access to dynamic, wholesome recreational spaces," said the Mayor, who listed Foss Park as a key initiative in his 2012 inaugural address. "It's been a stated goal of mine for the past few years to take control over Foss Park, one of the largest open spaces in Somerville. We've been working closely with the state, and this is a very serious step forward."
Foss Park, which covers 15 acres along McGrath Highway between Broadway and Interstate 93, is currently under the jurisdiction of the state's Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR), which is responsible for its management and maintenance.
The Mayor's goal is to reach an agreement with DCR this year to transfer operational control to the City of Somerville, in the same way the city took over Veterans Rink in late-2010 and Dilboy Field last summer. City officials say it is too early to comment on any specific details of negotiations with the state. But under both prior agreements, the DCR upgraded the facilities before turning them over to the city.
At the same time, the Mayor has also had preliminary discussions with the Somerville YMCA, to explore the possibility of a new multi-service recreational facility to be built on the grounds at Foss Park. But no matter what Somerville has planned for the park's facilities, the first step will be to transfer control from the state to the city.
Current facilities at Foss Park include a playground, as well as an outdoor pool and adjacent pool house, which are only open during the summer months. The rest of the park consists mostly of playing fields, used by Youth Soccer, Little League, and the Somerville High School soccer and football teams.
"The park's definitely getting used," said Somerville Recreational Superintendent James Halloran. "Unfortunately, it's in terrible shape. Really, it's a dirt field."
Matthew Condon has lived across the street from the park for two decades. "On a windy day, there's a dust storm blowing across McGrath Highway," said Condon, a long-time member of the Friends of Foss Park, a residents group formed together 10 years ago after a woman was sexually assaulted in the park.
Members of the group, whose stated mission is "crime prevention through park restoration," say Foss Park was not even on the state's radar when they first started lobbying to get officials to pay more attention to it, but the situation has gradually improved, particularly over the past five years.
Condon lauded a joint policing agreement reached between the state and the city. And neighbors said DCR staff will now respond to their regular calls to address issues like graffiti or trash, even though it can still sometimes take weeks to get problems addressed. Condon said it's telling that the DCR website does not even list Foss on its directory of state parks.
Peter Ungar, president of Friends of Foss Park, said the park still does not appear to be included on any kind of regular DCR maintenance schedule, since seasonal maintenance often does not happen unless residents call to request it.
"The DCR has come a long way, but it's still got a long way to go," said Ungar.
Both Condon and Ungar said the City of Somerville is the best candidate to manage the park longer term, given its track record so far on facilities like Veterans Rink and Dilboy Field. They said that is especially important now, since new residential development in the nearby Assembly Square area will increase the number of residents using the park.
"I know it's the city that's going to make the investment for the citizens of Somerville and not the state," said Ungar.
City Parks Director Arn Franzen said bringing the park under city control is the key to unlocking "the potential for Foss to be a much better park than it is."
"Somerville has so little open space to begin with, and there's this huge parcel that's sitting there. If the park was under city management, we could do so much more with the programming," said Franzen.
William Murphy, executive director of Somerville's YMCA, said a new multi-use recreational facility at the site could be a win-win for both the city and the Y. He said the Y was looking at various options for replacing its aging building on Highland Avenue, but it would most likely join the recent wave of YMCAs in the state that have formed public-private partnerships in order to build new facilities.
"Both the city and the Y recognize that we could really use a state-of-the-art fitness facility for the city, and we're looking at working together to get it done a lot faster than we can do it on our own, or than the city can do it alone," said Murphy.
For residents, a year-round facility at Foss Park would be just one more step in the right direction.
"When there are a lot of good things going on, that flushes out the bad elements," said Ungar. "It's what's needed to be done to keep this a safe and welcoming family-friendly area. It's what the area demands."
54 Responses to "City plans face-lift for Foss Park"
This is long overdue. Also maybe we can have another pedestrian overhead walkway added. This park has been an eyesore for years. The Som Y has been a longtime fixture in the city and a private-public partnership would assure the property was properly maintained.
The fence across from Stop & Shop needs to have a gate added, so that people can enter the park from that direction. The more people cut through Foss Park on the way to somewhere else, the safer it will feel.
Any chance we could rebuild the fountain and pond that you see in old postcards of the park?
As much as I'd like to see this, can the city afford it if they are at the same time threatening to close the West Branch Library?
I'm not sure a new fitness facility is something that the city should be spending money on at all, frankly. There are several decent private options, plus the facilities available to students at the public schools.
But it there is a groundswell of support for a new building, PLEASE at least don't build it in Foss Park. It IS the largest open public space in the city? Why make it smaller? Move it up the hill a bit, along Broadway.
Ron, there is currently no (legal) pedestrian crossing at the Stop & Shop intersection w/ 28. A new gate would require a new crosswalk there with a pedestrian signal. I think it's probably a good idea, but it would impact the auto traffic flow and would probably require state approval, no?
While I agree that having a mid-field cut-through would be a good idea in terms of safety within the park, I believe that the reason there isn't one there is because of concerns about traffic on McGrath Hwy. and the possibility of little ones wandering out onto it. Just a thought. I'm sure a workable and safe solution can be found to it though.
Also Ron, I think a scaled-down version of the pond, say 1/2 scale, would be awesome, but I'm fearful it may end up being a magnet for Canada Geese and get all messed up as a result. It's one of those things that looks great in old postcards but does not necessarily translate into an asset when it's re-done. Here again, I'm sure there are workable solutions, however.
i hoep they make a ymca at the edge of the park where it won't un-greenify too much, (which one hopes the ymca will pony up for), leave lots of good, re-planted, nice-i-fied open space(sorry, i'm too sleepy for proper english today), AND save the west branch library. somerville is long overdue for ALL this- no compromises! we should fight for ALL THREE, methinks. I like the idea of the gate, the pedestrian crossing, the paths through the new park with some kind of protection for children- there should be space to have music there too. whew. can you imagine how amazing it'd be if foss park was actually NICE and there was a sweet lil' library nearby too?
JAR, if you go further north into Medford and Malden, you'll see a number of other parks right next to Route 28, with no fences separating them from the road, and people walking across the road. If it works there, it will work here.
Want to make Foss Park safer and more attractive? Get MS-13 out of east somerville. Spending more money on a public property without fixing the root cause of its ruin is a sure-fire way to destruction.
Look up Pruitt-Igoe on wikipedia/google. There are many lessons to learn from this and other public properties that have had considerable funding put in place to provide a nicer place for people to ruin.
The article states several time that Foss Park is the largest open public space in a city with little open space. Yet they want to send our money to place more buildings on the site? Which would certainly require parking somewhere as well. And a public-private partnership for the building is a dangerous precedent. They would be allowed to build on city property, and who knows down the line if they will have the power to determine future use of the site? The city has plenty of property they can use if they want to build a recreational facility. The Youth teams are getting squeezed more and more. This site is used for high school baseball games, football and soccer practice, little league games and practice, as well as adult soccer. Where will these people go? We are losing Draw 7 park which was used by many adults playing soccer. As to the condition of the park. You cannot play football and soccer on a field year-round without destroying the grass. The alternatives are giving it at least 1 season to rest, or installing artificial grass.
I find this information interesting because I've watched a new building go up, now advertising 'luxury apartments' and I wondered who would live in a luxury apartment directly across from a little league field. Makes you say hmmmm……..
A pond is another thing that seems like a waste of space. If folks want to gaze out over a body of water, they can head down to the Mystic. It's nice in back of Ten Hills, and once Assembly Square gets rolling it will allegedly be beautiful over there too.
An example of the Curtatone's administration deceit with the taxpayers.
He cries that he is going to layoff employees, which will cut services, as we are in a financial crunch. (Not counting him & his "bean" counter's hidden funds).
Yet he contiually pushes for more spending for his personal gain with the developers, which places a burden on the already reduced city services, at taxpayers expense. His Assembly Row Bond Blow for the developer which harms the taxpayers a prime example.
Even just buying grass seed to cover this large expanse of land is a huge cost that the city cannot afford right now. Let the state seed it & maintain it. Right now the state could be adding strategic lights on the existing light poles along McGrath Hwy aimed into the park to illuminate the dark areas.
We can no longer afford the mayor playing Legos & Monopoly at the taxpayers expense. Stuff like this needs to be put on hold until the city's financial mess is straightened out.
No gain by putting a YMCA in Foss Park as it is tax-exempt. Last thing we need to do in a city with over 45% of it's land already tax-exempt, is to add more tax-exempt property to our already overburdened tax payers.
After the religious (churches/schools), you have Tufts University, MBTA, B&M (Guilford) railroad, etc. on tax exempt status, among others.
These Tax-exempt organizations that constantly use the municipal services (fire/police/EMS/DPW), should all be paying a users fee for each incident if they are not willing to pay a decent in-lieu of taxes fee.
I agree with all those that have said that we should NOT build a YMCA on Foss Park. Our green/open space in Somerville is precious… so leave it open.
I think having a YMCA is a good idea, but put the YMCA on the other side of McGrath in place of the abandoned gas station. That could work.
I don't understand the benefits of a public-private relationship for a fitness facility. Can someone explain that? (I think I understand the downsides though)
The city should sell off the land to developers and let private companies pay for improvements or new condos. We need more revenue.
I don't like putting a building up in Foss Park, dumb. Why not put the YMCA in the ols Star that's sitting there doing nothing. See how fast they could change the zoning for that. Plus, I am sure there will be plenty of room for it in the Assembly square project. I don't think they are going to get all the commercial places in there they think they are. There is only so much business one place can do. But YMCA at Foss, no way. Too much of a loss if they do.
Oh come on, connelly! You're grinding your axe about grass seed now? I know I vent my pet peeves here from time to time, and no doubt sound ridiculous on occasion, but really? Grass seed?
If you go back to old enough maps and photos, Somerville used to have a real Central Hill Park. It gradually got covered by more and more High School expansion until there wasn't much parkland left.
I'd hate to see the same thing happen to Foss Park. Let's be really careful before deciding to cover any of it with a building.
"I find this information interesting because I've watched a new building go up, now advertising 'luxury apartments' and I wondered who would live in a luxury apartment directly across from a little league field. Makes you say hmmmm…….."
You're so right.
Could the space behind the Dilboy Post hold a Y?
There is both a qualitative and quantitive difference between the sections of Rte. 28 north of Foss Park (actually, north of Wellington Circle) and the portion that is the present-day McGrath Highway. McGrath receives much of the traffic from 93 South via Mystic Ave. and expels a good amount of it the same way, as well as going to 93 South via the on ramp/off ramp at Sullivan Sq. Rte. 28 has gone from being an emerald necklace fellsway to being, in sections, a sink for the huge volumes of traffic going to and from the Interstate. Only a percentage of what goes by Foss is actually indigenous or "organic" (for want of a better word) Rte. 28 traffic. Once you get past Rossevelt Circle, it drops off precipitously.
I agree with you about covering any of the park's open space with a fixed structure. In my opinion it would be better that the YMCA relocate to some place such as The Homan's Bldg. or somewhere in Gilman Square. That would keep it fairly close to its current location. Incidentally, what is today the Building that the Paddock Restaurant is in was at one time the YMCA.
The smartest and most cost-effective improvements to Foss Park would be an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) sub-station and holding pen. The powerwash everything and throw down new grass seed. Done.
"Winter Hill Barney" Everyone knows that you cannot grind an axe on grass…you need a grinding stone…evidently you missed something in class…It was to bring out a point about the expense to cover such a vast area.
Just leave Foss Park in the hands of the state…cause if we get it Joe will just be making more deals in favor of developers at our expense.
When the mayor received the school committee's okay to close the Powderhouse School, it was with a firm agreement that it was to become a recreation center. It would retain the gym, and the small stage in the cafeteria, as well as house the Recreation Department, etc. Instead, it has sat vacant for about 8 years. The mayor specifically agreed that the gym would remain intact and be accessible to the community. Why are we discussing destroying Foss Park when this building, with a great gym already there, sits vacant? Why haven't any members of the school committee spoken out about the mayor reneging on his word on this matter? The Powderhouse School sits on bus lines which connect every part of the city, making it the most easily accessible location in the city, especially for our youth.
you cant grind an ax on grass lol! lookit – anything is better that what we got now!
get the ganga guns drugs out – illegals waiting for work – theyll always be there new park or not.. instead of bashing them – ive seen american guys there too -really! work is work. if they promise to apply for citrizenship
and have not committed crimes here – have them do clean up or put down grass seed!
put paths around so people dont stomp on it and wear it out.
havve summer dances and stuff like boston's old summerthing program.
summerthing '68. i remember. gym stage cafeteria all that. will this really happen or is joe just blowing smoke? look at all this ikea shit… movie thearter? ill never live to see it. but stop and shop happened and its great.
time for somebody to go to city hall and kick somebody in the a**.
Nicks – I know I run the risk of being deleted on this site, but I could not help myself be adding my two cents on your post.
I agree with you 100%. With considerably less cost, the Powderhouse School could be brought up to code, have minimum impact on the surrounding neighborhood, be accessible from all parts of the city without crossing the McGrath Speedway, and used, jointly, by the YMCA and the city for the betterment of the youth of the city.
JAR, Gilman square would be a great location, I agree.
connelly, I understood what you were saying. You just said it in a way that made me laugh.
I agree with Harry and Nick. I didn't know Powderhouse school was vacant. That must be big enough. Or does Tufts want that as well. I never saw the size of the school, but it looked pretty big driving by. I just think Foss Park should be left alone, maybe work out volunteer efforts to help make it nicer if there is no money. People usually jump in to help maintain green projects. I went by today and just thinking of the building size and parking, that would kill a good deal of the park.
Nicks: I was thinking the same thing… that Powderhouse School could be a rec center. I didn't know the history though. All the more reason now.
@Nicks –
I thought the same thing while I was reading through the comments here. As a PHCS Alum, I would love nothing more than to see that place demolished. No better place for learning than a prepoured concrete cell block with no windows, right? Modernist architecture at its worst – I still have nightmares about the concrete corduroy walls inside. The scrapes I used to get from being shoved up against those walls by the kids from the other side of the square. Road Rash!
There is that gigantic asphalt abomination of a schoolyard next to PHCS too. This would be ideal for green space.
However, I think Papa Joe has other plans for PHCS. Namely, selling it to Tufts for $1 just as the Western was by Mike "The Family Man" Capuano.
In the PHCS space, the gym is already built and has a separate entrance. Why not take some of those "classrooms" out (they have modular walls that slide away every other classroom) and turn them into fitness rooms, community meeting rooms and function rooms?
Instead of funding this with taxpayer money, consider a public-private partnership or allow a developer to purchase the building at FAIR MARKET VALUE to implement all of this, manage the property, and attract businesses that could do well in a setting like this. There is so much more that could be done by opening PHCS to development opportunities other than whatever tufts is promising or yet another block of overpriced condos.
The city can afford more than people think. The Mayor is a master of scare tactics and scare politics…Was it fair that he just threatened numerous city workers with pink slips? He attempted to use scare tactics to break down the fire department union. The mayor had department heads running scared over the past week. The mayor is taking advantage of uneducated union presidents/department heads weak minded individuals.
Parks/ice-skating rinks/ sidewalks/streets/ festivals/ and all sorts of lucrative liberal spending.
The fire department union prez exposed the mayor and how much foolish money they spend…
When the city took over vets skating rink, they took away public skating hours during non school hours. When the city took over dilboy, they began charging for use of the pool. I used to be in favor of local control, but it hasn't really enhanced the life of our citizens, from what I've seen.
The only problem with placing the 'Y' in Gilman Sq. is if the proposed GLX station is some day put there, there may not be enough room, etc with the added congestion that will come along with the GLX station.
The Powderhouse Community School should be used as suggested by the readers, for the community. Naturally Tufts wants it so they can have drive thru access from their main campus to their bldg on Holland St.
The worst thing our politicians can do is to turn over any land that will then become tax exempt…About 45% of Somerville land is already tax-exempt. Everytime a home or business is purchased by such organizations tax revenue is lost and the burden placed on the legitimate tax payers.
Time for the residents city wide to hold ALL the aldermen accountable and demand that this site become a city owned recreational facility and do it NOW!
j. connelly:
I suggested the Homan's Bldg. as a site for a new YMCA for a few reasons…
It is currently owned by the city and vacant. There would be no takings required.
Gilman Sq., as noted, was the original site of the Y.
The GLX would, in my opinion, benefit by having the Y nearby to the station as it would have a community resource that was open more hours than an office building would be and a ridership destination. The Y could become the "anchor" for Gilman Square. It is a stable institution which has survived in Somerville for over 100 years and is likely to remain so for the foreseeable future.
There would be sufficient space on the ground floor for other businesses that would match the scale of the surroundings and compliment the YMCA while possibly providing a revenue source to sustain the Y as well as perhaps providing a small amount of Tax Revenue.
It would facilitate the possibilty of a mutually beneficial land swap: The Homan's Bldg. for the present Y. The old Y could then become the City Hall annex, being only a few doors down from City Hall. It's configuration makes it much better suited to that use.
It would be on or near three major bus routes.
PHCS should be leveled and the area made into open/green space which, except for the area around Dilboy, is lacking in that part of the City. (Tufts no longer allows Somerville to use its fields).
One thing I think we mostly agree on though; Foss Park is NOT the best place to put a YMCA or any large structure. It's a jewel that needs to be polished and properly displayed as the tremendous urban asset that it is.
My questions is, why is the mayor wasting his time and energy looking for a location for a non-profit agency? Is he planning to somehow connect it to the city a la the Somerville Boxing Club, now a city agency, which I find very interesting. Either that, or he (or some developer) has a plan for the Y building and need them to vacate the premises.
JAR, your plan will never work. It is obvious that the city is holding on to the Homan's Building, and watching it deteriorate, hoping for a big pay day when they sell it for a 2,000-unit condo development when they start buidling the T station.
Just watch…….
Long over do lol well this was never a set plan three years ago now it's 2015 and nothing has changed but that they try polishing a turd by re painting the old YMCA on highland ave and waxing the floors in there run down gym to hide the fact they will never send time or money to move the facility too cheap and lazy! that is a fact! Bill Murphy is full of it and all they see is dollar signs reason why this never actuality has happened yet plus this man is soon to retire mark my words!
Maybe they ought to use some of that community preservation tax money to fix up Foss Park. It's a shame how DCR has let it go, but they're broke too. Someone has to step up the plate. And for Pete's sake, put in a damn crosswalk between Foss and Stop & Shop. Someone's going to get hit one day. It's flat out negligence given the families and seniors who have to walk there for groceries.
I agree Foss park needs a face lift as well as the YMCA, problem is moving it there will only cause more traffic and it be more crap in the way. Not to mention were all this money coming from oh yes my pocket, i refuse to pay for a run down shithole to get a facelift.
Let me guess. This will lower my property taxes???? Developing Davis would do that….waiting….assembly would do that…..waiting…..more commercial development……still waiting
Yeah I dint think so compadre that place moving here will ruin the vibe me and my fellow brothers have getting picked up for work we work for 9.25 dollars in hour good pay we jump in truck n do jobs you dont want to and what are we supposed to do if that place move here work at stop and shop and bag americans food for them for 7.25?? f that mang de ninguna manera!!
They will wait until more working class taxpayers give up, retire and move out of the city on the east side before doing anything to Foss Park.
When a project is built , ask yourselves — who benefits? So far, their only priority is giving away our real estate to their friends for so called "luxury condos". Remember, this administration considers everything not newly built for yuppie crash pads to be "BLIGHT", their own words.
Maybe they can find more non-paying non-profits for this space, or if they do remodel the park, it will serve more liberal yuppie sprawl for their donors– just as with former plans for PHCS, Tufts wanted to use the mural wall for rock climbing, daycare center park, adult training stations—geared for yuppies only and their students. No plans for any soccer field or something which would benefit the residents. We've wanted green space, but the idea is shot down. The preservation act should have never been passed. In my opinion, it's just another slush fund for pet projects. If anyone knows what's been used of those funds for working class benefits please state them. It is suppose to be used for affordable housing, but also historical preservation including residential which I feel should not be included. How much of that money has been used for green space? With all we have seen thus far, what makes you think anything will be done to Foss Park to benefit local families? Blaming the state for neglect is horseshit. Trust me, if the yuppies were being effected by the neglect of this park, the ground at city hall would hit the Richter scale.
We working class locals know there is nothing we can do to reverse the housing slaughter, by immoral opportunists and greed caused by gentrification. I hope the alderman of ward 1 is keeping an eye on this issue.
If they really wanted to clean up Foss Park, they would have done it by now. Presently, there is no incentive $, and to keep blaming the state is not only insulting, but shows just what we're dealing with — they blamed Deval after mandating our triple tax hikes, saying it was the state's fault. It's easier to have a scapegoat than to explain the truth about exactly where all of our tax millions are going, but we already know that answer, don't we? When you attend enough meetings, you hear the same worn out rhetoric. If they were transparent, we would understand their true motives. It's all about maximizing profits and minimizing damages– keep every local resident in the dark until their master plan is complete.
i work at the preschool apart of the YMCA, I'm a teacher there. Let me just say the way things are going we be relocating to Foss pretty soon probably next ten years. That's a pretty rapid rate! There already downsizing at the YMCA and they are also thinking about Unionizing; which is a step above our micro managing agenda! We think on a bigger level for the community that's why we want to exterminate any though of nature based areas and get physical the good old fashion way machines and air conditioned space! We also want to raise our membership prices too! We be adding more than two hundred dollars to our yearly rate, what a steal. We are non profit as you know and we are looking for donations so please give! FOSS PARK HERE WE COME!!!!!!
"i work at the preschool apart of the YMCA…."
"Let me just say the way things are going we be relocating to Foss pretty soon probably next ten years……"
"…that's why we want to exterminate any though of nature based areas…"
"We be adding more than two hundred dollars …."
You're really a teacher, Kayla? Yikes! I wouldn't want you teaching my child.
I agree with Max, Kayla sounds like a real winner! There's no way a lazy mouthed person who obviously has a 2nd grade mentality at best! and speech vocabulary to match would be allowed to become a teacher. I'll keep my kid away from this place, It's people like her that give this city a bad name. Wake up!!! Somerville to who you have working for you.
Max, Kayla's typos are likely to be due to autocorrect completions… Just saying.
Um…as illiterate as this person may be, there seems to be reading comprehension issues with some of the other commenters. She says she teaches preschool at the YMCA, which is not part of the city school system. And believe me, they're not studying Shakespeare there.
And FYI, one exclamation point usually suffices, when it is even needed at all.
Wake up!!!
I believe Kayla's post may have been tinged with sarcasm…just sayin'
Rabid Reader, you damn exclamation point abuser!!!!
I notice when one person comments another follows right after this is a very old article and I feel that some of these comments are fake? I don't seem legit to me, why would someone who works there speak of their place of work so poorly and why are comments at most a day or two apart? who else is seeing this connection
You don't seem legit to me either. 😛
There definitely is a connection. Here it is: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NzlG28B-R8Y
ymca is filled with a bunch of fags
bull shit I typed a. comment on sept 14 and it didnt post the ymca sucks and yes we are all apart of the fag santic ritual. Bill and Jason always fucking one another in the ass.


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Kyle has plenty to say about 'The King'
CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Kyle Petty laughed when first approached about introducing his famous father at Sunday's inaugural induction ceremony for the NASCAR Hall of Fame.
He initially thought it was funny because it appeared those who asked were nervous he might say no, thinking he still was upset that his father basically ended his driving career in 2008 when Petty Enterprises merged with Gillett Evernham Motorsports.
He thought it was even funnier when he was asked to sum up his father's ...
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2010 NASCAR Hall of Fame
When the first NASCAR Hall of Fame class is inducted Sunday, five of the sport's giants will take their rightful spot as the best stock car racing has to offer. Here is a look at the Hall of Fame, that inaugural class, as well as some of the stories and popular figures that will carry forward as time goes by.
ESPN.com: NASCAR Hall of Fame home
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- Blount blog: The Class of 2011? | Ballot
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The First Class -- Video Essays
- Dale Earnhardt
- Bill France Sr.
- Bill France Jr.
- Junior Johnson
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- Capsules: Meet the Fab Five

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You should be a talk show host like Oprah
Also something to add though, if someone hates you, thats their problem, not yours, and they cant make it your problem. Especially if they've judged you on what other people say, and not bother to actually find out for themselves wether or not their hate or anger is justified.
So crazy
Well I subscribe
You write long and interesting blogs
A bit of a mouthful
And we can pretend the mouth is actually saying what you post >.>


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It seems alex is giving deals to not only clients but strategic investors. Oh well so we let them sell off and drop the s.p down to a dime. BIg deal we all have seen this for the past two years anyways. Buy more and sell high like the crooks have been doing.
News tomorrow will give us more details
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Schalke 04
Schalke 04 slideshow
FOOTBALL: 5 things FIFA needs to do to stop its impending implosion
FIFA is in the gutter. Sportingly, morally, culturally, it has reached the lowest low. It needs to start all over again. And here Tim Collings suggests where it needs to focus to recover some much needed respect… More »Tim Collings - Fri, Nov 27, 2015 16:48 GMT
PICTURE THIS: Jamie Vardy's record-breaking Premier League goal streak
Yahoo Sport looks back at the goal-den streak Leicester striker Jamie Vardy has been enjoying since August More »Mon, Nov 23, 2015 18:23 GMT
PREMIER LEAGUE FOCUS: Why Dembele could make the difference against Chelsea
Alex Keble believes Jose Mourinho's side face a daunting task at White Hart Lane and that the Belgian Mousa Dembele could cause problems for a Blues side low on morale... More »FourFourTwo - Fri, Nov 27, 2015 17:08 GMT
PREMIER LEAGUE: Vardy breaks record but Schweinsteiger has final say
Leicester City striker Jamie Vardy broke the Premier League record by scoring in an 11th consecutive game in the 1-1 draw with Man United. More »Goal.com - 15 hours ago
PICTURE THIS: Vardy's record breaking goal and all the Premier League game pictures, as they happen.
Premier League game pictures, as they happen. More »19 hours ago


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Latest Stories
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The travel-friendly tech in this gift guide can save your favorite frequent flier some stress on their next trip. Whether it's a clip-on camera accessory or a great organizer, it's all worth taking with you.
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Mavericks Photos
Photos: From NCAA title to NBA dreams, the career of new Mavericks guard Wayne Ellington
Photo: Rich Pedroncelli/ASSOCIATED PRESS
Memphis Grizzlies guard Wayne Ellington salutes the Grizzlies bench after scoring a three-point shot in the fourth quarter against the Sacramento Kings in an NBA basketball game in Sacramento, Calif., Monday, Jan. 7, 2013. The Grizzlies won 113-81.(AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli)
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Is there a snap ring
Is there a snap ring on the inside of the cv axel, like inside the transmission? Just trying to figure out if i have transmission issues because of improper install or removal
Yes the SVT has a ring (not really a snap ring) on the trans side of the CV Axle
If someone tried to pull that through anyways, what kind of damage could happen?
it is a ring that is loosely around the axle. your supposed to slam it in so that it pops in. pushing it in will not damage anything. that is what is supposed to happen. it is a pain to get out.
|All times are GMT -5. The time now is 08:33 AM.


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Talk:United States MinoritiesEdit This Page
From FamilySearch Wiki
Information about Blacks in Indiana, formerly on this page, has been moved to the Indiana Minorities page.Jbparker 17:01, 22 September 2009 (UTC)
- A concern has been raised about using the flag image on this page, in particular, the wording on the flag - considering the discussion on the page about slaves and indentured servants. Would another image be more appropriate?Lynda 20:33, 1 May 2012 (UTC)
Thank you for contributing this very helpful article about U.S. Minorities. Would it possible for you to add citations at the end of the article?
We appreciate your contribution,
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- This page was last modified on 1 August 2012, at 16:24.
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You limited your search to:
Year: 1886
Month: May
Day: 21st
Collection: San Antonio Light
San Antonio Daily Light (San Antonio, Tex.), Vol. 6, No. 105, Ed. 1, Friday, May 21, 1886
Date: May 21, 1886
Creator: unknown
Description: Daily newspaper from San Antonio, Texas that includes local, state and national news along with extensive advertising.
Contributing Partner: UNT Libraries


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MARYVILLE - A Blount County couple, represented by separate appointed attorneys, will face a court hearing Sept. 8 in connection with sexual abuse charges involving three teenage girls the pair supposedly ministered to at a Maryville church.
Michael R. Salazar and his wife, Laura Lee Click Salazar, both 35, appeared Friday before Blount County General Sessions Court Judge William R. Brewer, who set the September hearing and appointed them counsel.
Troy Bowlin will represent Michael Salazar, and Stacey Nordquist will defend Laura Salazar.
The Salazars were led in shackles into court, where about 20 fellow members of The Lord's Disciples Church were seated. Brewer declared both of them indigent and appointed them their attorneys.
The Salazars are accused of sexual battery by an authority figure and statutory rape by an authority figure in connection with alleged incidents at the couple's Wrights Ferry Road home. Documents allege they had sexual relations with the three girls, age 15 at the time, between September 2007 and June of this year.
Michael Salazar faces a battery and a rape charge in connection with each of the girls and is being held in lieu of $50,000 bond on each of the six charges. Laura Salazar faces one count each of the charges and is being held in lieu of the same bond per count.
Maryville Police Chief Tony Crisp has said three other girls have come forward, alleging that they, too, were sexually abused by the Salazars. Charges have not been filed in those allegations.
Nearly all the church members in the courtroom declined comment on the incident or the proceedings.
But David Hutsell, who read his Bible in the hall before Friday's hearing, said no blame should be placed on the young people allegedly involved.
"They are all good kids," he said after the hearing was over.
Lamar Calley, a minister at the church, echoed previous statements from Hutsell that the church family was caught completely off guard by the charges.
He said of the 25 or so youth who had been in the church program, all the girls have been pulled out by their parents.
Services at the church, which had been suspended after the charges were revealed Monday, are to resume Sunday, Calley said.
J. Miles Cary/News Sentinel
Laura Lee Click Salazar, right, listens to her attorney, Assistant District Public Defender Stacey Nordquist, on Friday in court.
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Here are the following things I've tried:
X2.6 with M8 1.6plus bios - boots on Slayer 2.6, but doesn't see an upgraded HD at all. I've tried formatting and reinstalling a few times - does nothing.
X3 with 1959 1.6plus bios - same results with the slayer disc. W/o the slayer disc - it boots up with an 06 error.
I've tried various other bioses, such as Yoshiro's Beta4 - same thing happens.
The odd I noticed is that when I put in the original drive in, it boots up and sees it fine, but with a new locked or unlocked harddrive, it does nothing. I just boots up to the slayer disc and none of the partitions are availalbe.
I'm using the LPC rebuild that ships wit the X 2.6 and the X3.
Has anyone seen encountered this before?
Edited by chaoticbob, 12 December 2004 - 10:51 PM.


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Stan Smith 8313 Posts | Joined BG: Aug 18, 2013 Last Visit: 2 hours ago
First and foremost, I am a mom to an amazing little boy and girl who I love with all my heart. When I have me-time, I enjoy just browsing the Internet, playing World of Warcraft, and listening to music. I love talking to people and getting to know them and making them laugh. Anything else, just ask!
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Best friends <3


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Chicago Cubs: All-Time Best Players by Position
Chicago Cubs: All-Time Best Players by Position
World Series Championships have been few and far between for the Chicago Cubs, but over the years, the Cubs have had some of the best players to ever play the game. There have been spurts of great pitching earning CY Young Awards. I have chosen who I believe are the two best pitchers in our history. While many pitchers including Kerry Wood, Mark Prior, and Carlos Zambrano have had good years, none of them were able to compile a career worthy of making this list. I do wonder what a rotation would look like with those three pitchers following the two on the list?
Cubs fans have embraced exciting players like Shawon Dunston, Aramis Ramirez, and Derrek Lee. All of these players were fan favorites, but they didn't make my list either. There are Gold Gloves and Silver Sluggers on this list. There are even a few MVP Award winners. I could make an amazing All-Star team just from the players left off this list. A player had to have an amazing career and also be a symbol of excellence for the fans. Everyone on this list was worshiped by the Wrigley faithful.
While many of the great Cubs players have ended up in the Hall of Fame, the problem for Chicago is that the front office just can quite get enough of these guys on the field at the same time. If the players on this list could have been on the field at the same time, the Cubs would have looked more like the Yankees winning World Series after World Series. Here is my list of the All-Time best Cubs players by position.
Greg Maddux and Fergie Jenkins
Pitchers: The two best pitchers the Cubs have seen take the mound are Hall of Famers Greg Maddux and Fergie Jenkins. Greg Maddux has more wins, Cy Young Awards and 17 Gold Glove Awards, but many of Maddux's achievements came with the Braves. I would say that Greg Maddux was the better pitcher, but Fergie Jenkins has the more impressive Cubs resume.
Joe Girardi
Catcher: Joe Girardi played 7 years with the Cubs. While his stats were not overly impressive, he quickly became a fan favorite because of his work ethic and knowledge of the game.
Mark Grace
1st Base: Derrek Lee put up some monster numbers with the Cubs, but there is no doubt Mark Grace is the best 1st baseman in Cubs history. Grace was an institution who not only won 4 Gold Glove Awards; he could always be counted on to deliver the big hit. Mark Grace had more doubles in the 90's than any other player. He also had a fantastic sense of humor. He famously said, "I turned more triples into doubles than anyone else in history."
Ryne Sandberg
2nd Base: If the Cubs could have cloned Hall of Famer Ryne Sandberg and played him at all 9 positions, the Cubs would have won World Series after World Series. Ryno played the game with great offensive skills and possibly the best defensive record of any 2nd baseman ever.
Ernie Banks
Shortstop: Ernie Banks is Mr. Cub. While I would love to bring my favorite shortstop Shawon Dunston into this conversation, the only real option is Banks. He was a two-time MVP and 14-time All-Star. Ernie was a good defender while showing that shortstops could hit for power and lead the team in homeruns.
Ron Santo
3rd Base: Ron Santo is easily the best 3rd baseman in Cubs history. He embodied the work ethic of the blue-collar Chicago worker. The fans worshiped him because he loved the game of baseball and embraced the city of Chicago. Not only was he a great player, but also he brought an unmatched love of the Cubs to his broadcast work. He is truly a Cubs icon.
Andre Dawson
Outfield: As I pick our three best outfielders, I want to point out that Sammy Sosa is not eligible for this list because he is a cheater who disgraced himself and his team! Hack Wilson, Billy Williams, and Andre Dawson are my choices. Hack Wilson was a power-hitting, run-producing machine from 1926-1931. Billy Williams was a constant force at his position. He could always be counted on for clutch hits and for a decade he remained in the top ten in the league for home runs, hits, and slugging. My personal favorite Cubs player is Hall of Famer Andre Dawson. The Hawk ruled right field at Wrigley from 1987 till 1992. With 8 Gold Gloves, 8 All-Star appearances, 4 Silver Slugger Awards, and the 1987 MVP, Dawson is the best baseball player ever to wear a Cubs jersey.
Don Zimmer
Manager: To find a manager who had any success with the Cubs you need to go way back in history, since the Cubs haven't won anything substantial since 1945, 1907, and 1908. I chose Don Zimmer as my top manager, because he was respected by his players and loved by the fans. He managed the Cubs from 1988-1991. He is one of the few managers in Cubs history to be over .500. Not since Frank Chance, who managed the Cubs from 1905-1912, have the Cubs had a manager that won on a consistent basis.
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Meet Sally Lloyd-Jones, the most successful Christian author you've never heard of
How do you get kids to read one of the world's oldest books? Ask Sally Lloyd-Jones, whose "The Jesus Storybook Bible" recently passed the critical mark of 1 million copies sold.
The British ex-pat and now proud New Yorker has never married or had children of her own, yet aims to retell the Bible to something that comes alive for young people.
One of her editors told her once that there are two types of children's books authors: the ones who are around children, and the ones who are children inside.
"It kind of freed me, because I think I know I'm that second one," she said. "And I can still write from that place, because my childhood is so vivid."
Her "The Jesus Storybook Bible" was not an overnight best-seller, nor was her path to best-selling children's author a direct one.
"As a 6-year-old, I dreaded going to church," she said. "I made a little promise inside my head that when I grew up I was never going to church again."
Lloyd-Jones says that the Church of England Sunday school she attended was focused on keeping rules.
"I didn't get any sense of wonder, or adventure, or any story," she said. "That's why whenever I was working on a story and there would be a temptation to do a moral lesson, I'd have such a huge reaction."
"The Jesus Storybook Bible," originally released by Zondervan in 2007, was an attempt to get through barriers children may have. "The challenge with that book was 'How do I tell this story so a child would hear it for the first time in a fresh way?'" she said. "I wanted to explain it in a way that wouldn't rely on jargon."
Christians with a literary bent sometimes have difficulty in the publishing world, said Eric Metaxas, author of the biography "Bonhoeffer" and several children's books who has known Lloyd-Jones since she moved to the U.S. Children's books, he said, are in many ways harder to write than books for adults.
"Kids can't be fooled," Metaxas said. "There has to be a level of honesty and authenticity that isn't easily achieved."
The one biblical story she wanted to include but didn't was the wedding at Cana when Jesus turns water into wine, considered his first miracle. But Zondervan was worried about a story featuring wine. "I just love that the first thing that Jesus does is a party!" said Lloyd-Jones.
A petite, blonde-haired woman who jogs and photographs for fun at 53 years old, Lloyd-Jones' energy is contagious. Born in Uganda, Jones spent her first years in Africa.
"You would think my parents might be missionaries. Everyone thinks that's a much better story," she said. "My dad was working for Shell."
She said she was 4 when she became a Christian.
"I was tricycling around with a friend, and my father said, 'Sally, darling, would you like to invite Jesus into your heart?' and I said 'No, thank you,'" she said while laughing.
"Later I said yes."
While her parents were still in Africa, Lloyd-Jones attended boarding school in England, where a teacher first told her she could one day become a writer.
While she studied art history at Sussex University, she spent a year in Paris, where she grew in the Christian faith of her youth.
"I'd always known, ever since I was a small child, that Jesus was my friend, but I think in some ways I was trying to be on the fence," she said. "I stopped trying to keep my options open."
Her first job was at Oxford University Press as an editorial assistant in the textbooks division.
"Down the corridor from me there seemed to be a lot of laughing, and it was the children's picture book department. I remember thinking 'Oh, I'll never be able to write them, but at least I could work on them.'"
In 1989, she took a job in Connecticut where she eventually became the publisher of the Christian children's book list that was later purchased by Reader's Digest. But first she had to mull the offer to move to the U.S.
"I was thinking that if I don't move, the story will be so awful. It will be like, 'Once upon a time, I nearly came to America. The end.' That's such an awful story!" she said. "So I thought, 'At least find out if it's not good.'"
She moved to New York City in 1998, and began to write full time after she later lost her job as part of a major downsizing. She became a U.S. citizen after 9/11.
"People often ask me, 'What's your theological training?'" said Lloyd-Jones, who reads works by John Stott and Martyn Lloyd-Jones and attends Tim Keller's Redeemer Presbyterian Church in Manhattan. "I've been at 'Tim Keller university.' I had been hearing how Jesus is in every story for several years."
Keller wrote the forward to her 2012 book, "Thoughts to Make Your Heart Sing," and his wife, Kathy Keller, said she gives "The Jesus Storybook Bible" to everyone from university presidents to car salesmen because anyone can understand it.
"Her book isn't a bunch of collected Aesop's fables," Kathy Keller said. "There is an actual narrative to redemption. The stories are not meant to say 'Live like this, be like this.' They're telling us about Jesus. "
Because of her last name, many fans mistakenly believe she is related to Martyn Lloyd-Jones, a Welsh minister influential in the British evangelical movement who's admired by many American evangelicals.
No, she gently clarifies with anyone who asks, she is not related to him.
"You read blogs about yourself and you come across these things that are very authoritative," she said. "I'm so easily convinced; I read this one blog that was so official sounding, and it said that I was his wife."
Martyn Lloyd-Jones died in 1981.
John Starke, pastor of New York's All Souls Church, said he uses her children's Bible with his four children because it gives a good overview of the Bible with quality writing and illustrations.
"I think the main difference is that the book is both biblical and imaginative. Children's books tend to err on one of those extremes," he said. "But Sally's book is strong on both ends."
Her breakthrough as an author actually came through a nonreligious book called "How to Be a Baby . . . by Me, the Big Sister," a New York Times best-seller sold by Random House that won praise in The New York Times. But she doesn't make a distinction between which books are religious or nonreligious.
"I think the danger with Christian publishing is (the attitude), 'If it's got a Bible verse in it then it's OK,' even if it's got really bad writing and bad art," she said. "I suppose my vision has always been that it's got to be excellent."


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Local real estate pros weigh in on future of convention center site
The death of the Nashville Medical Trade Center was hardly a surprise. Now comes the bigger question: What do you do with the space?
The exterior of the Nashville Convention Center was essentially rendered obsolete within a handful of years of its 1987 opening. As with many big-box convention facilities that opened during the '80s and '90s, the monolithic beast — its innards surprisingly useful, if not attractive, courtesy of a highly professional staff — was an instant eyesore to those design advocates who placed as much emphasis on aesthetics as on functionality. But, again, this was the 1980s, when city planning and architectural quality were hardly on most Nashvillians' radar.
Many locals cheered on a cold day in February 1985 when the venerable building once home to the stately Sam Davis Hotel was imploded to make room for the convention center and its concrete anchor, the Renaissance Nashville Hotel.
The Renaissance Nashville Hotel, still quite a revenue success, will continue to operate where it is. But as for the Nashville Convention Center — its three imposing sides fronting Commerce Street, Fifth Avenue and Lower Broadway — questions remain. For now, Renaissance has a contract with Metro to use various meeting spaces in the center through June 2017. Some of that space is located within close physical proximity to the hotel and can be kept long-term. As to the main space, a Med Mart is not in the cards, but could a rumored House of Blues bring economic stimulus to the location? What about office space? Retail and/or residential? A movie theater?
Tony Giarratana, whose Giarratana Development has co-developed downtown residential towers Encore, The Cumberland and Viridian, said any development with a residential component would face challenges, particularly given the center's proximity to Lower Broad and all the noise generated on that street.
"Not in my opinion," Giarratana responded when asked if residential would be ideal for the site. "A prominent resident of Second Avenue once told me: 'Everyone loves going to a party, but no one wants to live in it.' In other words, whether you are a local returning to your home for the night or, if a visitor, to your hotel room, quiet matters."
Giarratana said he envisions an adaptive reuse of a portion of the structure.
"It could accommodate myriad entertainment uses," he said.
"Demolition and new construction would allow higher-density development that can accommodate both entertainment uses as well as hospitality, retail uses and associated parking," Giarratana added, stressing the parking element. "Metro might even consider reconnecting Sixth Avenue between Commerce and Broadway."
Interestingly, Giarratana's Premier Parking operates various downtown garages and surface lots. However, many of those garages are aging. Various movers and shakers argue that downtown needs more high-quality structured garages.
"It could be a significant underground parking facility," said Gary Gaston, design director for the Nashville Civic Design Center and a lecturer with the University of Tennessee College of Architecture. "A structured garage could have a ripple effect as it could lead to the development of nearby surface parking lots. Chattanooga is a good example, as it has lots of municipal parking facilities in the downtown."
Providing parking to the Lower Broad district (currently, many of the visitors to the area park in space-wasting surface lots) would do more than alleviate some current downtown limitations.
For example, Giarratana wants to develop his 505CST commercial office tower half a block north of the current convention center site, at the southwest corner of Fifth and Church Street. A massive development at the convention center site, combining retail, entertainment and parking — but no competing office space — would perhaps better allow Giarratana to move forward on 505.
"Fifth Avenue and Broadway is a prime corner in downtown Nashville," he said of what could be the primary corner of a reinvented Nashville Convention Center building. "Whether the [NCC] building is adaptively reused or demolished for new construction, it may influence how we develop Fifth Avenue and Church Street."
On the retail theme, veteran developer Jimmy Granbery said the site is prime for a reinvention.
"It's just a great piece of real estate on a hard corner with a lot going on around it," said Granbery, chief executive officer with H.G. Hill Realty Co., adding that Ryman Auditorium, Bridgestone Arena and the Renaissance Nashville Hotel interact with the intersection.
"Something will sort of appear that you weren't expecting," he said.
That 'something will sort of appear' scenario unfolded years ago with the Hill-owned former McClure's store building in Brentwood. When the department store closed, Hill found itself with a custom-built 35,000-square-foot box. It had a lease ready to go with Borders, but at the last minute, a FedEx box arrived from outdoor retailer REI.
And so, if the corner of Fifth and Broad is to have a retail future, Granbery said it's wise not to try to predict what it will look like.
"It could be a multi-story Nordstrom like they have in Indianapolis. … It could be a Saks Fifth Avenue or a Cabela's," he said, referring to the Nebraska-based outdoor-gear retail chain.
West on Interstate 40, Memphis found itself with a massive-but-empty civic structure in The Pyramid. After fits, starts and a lot of controversy, it eventually became, of all things, a Bass Pro Shop.
"So what we think [the convention center] might be, it might not be," Granbery said.
But with rooftops growing downtown, the eventual completion of the Music City Center and the expansion of the Country Music Hall of Fame, plus the already existing anchors of Bridgestone Arena and the Ryman, Granbery is certain the site will get a new life.
"There are a lot of people looking at the options to backfill the old convention center space," he said. "These are smart people," he said. "I'm confident something will happen."
Rob Lowe, senior managing director at the Nashville-area office of Cassidy Turley/Commercial Real Estate Services, said the site could work well for an office tower.
"If you can segregate the office user entrance, it certainly could be a potential office site," said Lowe, a partner in the ownership group of the Service Source Building that sits at the northwest corner of Fourth Avenue and Church Street. "The essence of the Med Mart deal was an office tower in combination with the exhibit space."
Lowe, who manages and leases various downtown office space, including in the Service Source Building (formerly the SunTrust Building), said the site could nicely accommodate a building that is solely office or mixed-use (with office and retail), but that efficient floor plates and parking must be such that the cost structure will support rental rates.
Regardless, Lowe said, there is no consensus yet as to what type of building — both in its form and function — will eventually anchor the site.
"My sense of the discussion right now is that it's all over the board," he said. "Most people don't see a clear adaptive reuse of the existing property. Therefore, it has everybody scratching their heads. But somebody will come up with a good answer."
— J.R. Lind contributed to this story.
- Development
- downtown Nashville
- Cassidy Turley
- Giarratana Development LLC
- H.G. Hill Realty Co.
- Music City Center
- Nashville City Design Center
- Nashville Convention Center
- Nashville Medical Trade Center
- redevelopment
- Anthony D. 'Tony' Giarratana
- Gary Gaston
- James W. 'Jimmy' Granbery
- Rob Lowe
- Nashville-area commercial real estate
- Print Edition


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1081 reviews | 4.3 out of 5
I am writing this from this exact product. I went into walmart to get this and there were none on the shelf. I asked them to check everywhere because I was really interested in this laptop.. Luckily they had one in the back it was the last one. I am so glad I got it. I bought this primarily because I am a student of the university of phoenix and I wanted a laptop to do my work on so I would be more comfortable and this laptop is excellent. The keyboard is amazing and very easy to type lengthy messages on. The display is bright and clear. It runs super fast. I have no complaints and the only thing I wish it had was a built in webcam and also for the dvd burner to be capable of lightscribe. It is a great machine though and with tax and all I only paid $425 and some change. so I would recommend this to anyone.
What an improvement over the first Toshiba I had which crashed after a month. This machine is fast and the screen nice and bright. Handles anything I throw at it. The price is right also. Like the other user after tax it was under 425 dollars.
Excellent value for the price! Slightly heavy and no 10-key. But I have used this computer everyday since I recieved it, watched movies on it, and just browsed. It is excellent. I run a small business and do a lot on the internet and this computer can handle it all! Great images on the screen.
I would highly recomend this laptop for everyone that is looking for a darn good laptop for a small price
and not to mention windows 7 rocks
For the price it's great.Looks a little cheap.But gets the job done for the Price.Mine has Windows 7 almost as good as Linux.
The Toshiba laptop was a great purchase. The price was very good, and the product is top quality. The delivery was fast, and I would not hesitate to purchase this laptop again.
I bought this product then read the reviews and was dreading my purchase...then my laptop arrived! I love it! I had it up and running in no time. It is a bit on the heavy side, but not as heavy as a previous Toshiba laptop I had. There is no latch to hold it closed as someone else stated, but it stays securely closed and that is no trouble at all. Don't count on a 6 hour battery. It lasts maybe a maximum of two hours when working in Windows Word. If you are playing games, it lasts about 30 minutes.
I purchased this computer alittle over a month ago, and love it. The set up was very easy, and connected directly to my wireless connection, in a matter of 20 minutes I was surfing the web. I generally use this computer for photos, web, and school work, excellent for all. The only down fall I have so far is watching movies in full screen the picture is alittle blurry but tolerable, for under 400 dollars I couldn't ask for better. The windows 7 I love as well, must say the best windows by far!
Just wanted to share my thoughts on this product with everyone. I love, love, love this laptop. Definitely proud on my decision of getting this one. No issues with it at all. If your considering buying this, go for it.
I purchased this laptop for my personal use. I was very pleased with it until the left click key broke after only 3 weeks of use. I just read Am386's review of her repair nightmare and that stopped me from sending my laptop in for repair. I am very disappointed in the way Toshiba handles its customers . Why should we have to send our laptops to Toshiba to be repaired and charged for the repair? These laptops are supposed to be brand new ,so why don't they last any longer than they do?I work hard for very little money and this was a big purchase for me.I will never buy another Toshiba brand of anything and I will pass the word on to friends and family members.
I needed an affordable laptop to use at home for internet and word processing. I also wanted a bigger screen (as that's what I have at work), which can translate into a higher price tag. This 15.6 inch screen is very nice and sharp with clear and bright colors. I've used this laptop only a few times since my purchase, but it was very easy to set up and get running, include connecting to my wireless router. It quickly goes from page to page, and opening documents, finding programs, etc. is very easy to do. For the price, this is a nice machine.
I have had this laptop for a few months now and i would say im pretty satisfied. The only problems are the sound isnt very loud I have to wear headphones. Another thing is that after only a month the left mouse key broke and it costed $175 to send it in to fix it. That whole experience was just ridiculous we sent it in and after they told us that we had to pay $175 to fix it we were like we will just by a portable mouse which would be way cheaper but they refused to send the laptop back until we paid the $175 and it was fixed. It took a little over 2 weeks until i got it back. ANd I babyed the heck out of it just one day when i opened it turned it on went to click and it was broke. I babyed the heck out of it and i still do. To be honest i think it was faulty equipment or something but idk. The graphics are great. The internet speed is spectacular. The battery life is probably an hour at best. Oh and it has word and stuff but its a trial verion so after about a month or so when you go to open it it asks for a product key which didnt come with the computer and even after clicking cancel it wont let you use it at all I use the old word processer which works good. I would recommend it just because of the internet speed probably because thats the only thing i really care about. I wish the volume could be louder and the mouse didnt break after only a month. Hope this helps someone
I had been using my daughters Acer One netbook. And was excited to find this Toshiba for me since my hubbies 17' Satellite is well loved. Man O Man...was i dissapointed when I got it up & running. Set up was a breeze, and it's fast enuf for me. But the speakers...paaaleeeez....awful! Headphones sound great but I dont want to have to use headphones all the time. So if you're planning to use this pc for anything with sound you should check it out at the display at the local retailer and see if it's good enough for you. I'm gonna return it tomorrow, probably for an Acre Aspire D250.
The first one sent: Touchpad didn't work
The second sent: USB didn't work
The third sent: Touchpad didn't work
The fourth sent: Hasn't arrived yet. Probably
won't work either.
If it seems that I am negative - I probably am.
Seems like maybe a bad shipment from Toshiba.
First it was easy to shop on the web site. Then I received it 3 days before the original estimate. I was very happy with Toshiba laptop. It connected to my home network easily. Windows 7 is different to get used to but I love the new option available.It works great and I got a better deal online than if I shopped in the store.
Overall a great experience.
Had to return laptop. I have dial-up internet service & there is not a modem in this laptop. You would have to purchase laptop seperate if you have dial-up.
i bought this laptop as a second computer. i use it almost everyday, instead of setting up my desktop. it works great and i just love it. the price is right and i think you will love it too.
I got this computer to replace my Acer Mini to do my photo editing projects on and i have to say that it has turned into my main computer! the graphics are really sharp on it and it is a great value for the price. I had considered a HP laptop but i am glad that i changed my mind!
Pros: very fast internet and you can get to all of your programs fast. Screen size is PERFECT! and the silver color does not show fingerprints, and it is classy looking. the computer over all is easy to handle. The SD card slot is on the bottom of the computer but i like the fact that the card does not go in all the way and is easy to remove. Cons: just one, no built in cam, but easy to fix.
Over this is a good laptop..but its the little things that could use improvement in my opinion! PROS:
-Nice big bright screen
-fast machine
-Easy to use Cons:
- Casing seems like cheap plastic ( One drop to the ground and your done)
-Speaker quality (not loud at all)
-battery life (2.5 hrs)
-no lit LED button
-No Latch to keep close (but will not open without force)
-Power plug in akward place to charge
-No built in mic
For the price you can't beat this laptop. it is great for web surfing, documents, and pictures. but if you are going to be watching videos i would say get a better computer by spending a few extra bucks. it plays videos but when in full screen it is very slow and delayed. but for a work/ web surfing computer to use for bills and school and what not, it is awsome.


text: With family visiting from abroad, we decided to try out an Indian restaurant in the centre of Geneva. It's in the middle of a small side street near the train station. We had six excellent meals with absolutely no complaints. The starters were fresh, the main courses steaming hot, and the... read more


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The LIS Queen was so kind and asked to interview me for her blog. I'm reblogging her post here.
Originally posted on The LIS Queen:
Many folks say that telling interviewers that you want to be a librarian because you love books is basically an interview suicide. Although I do love books, I actually wanted to become a librarian because I wanted to help people with their research. The most appealing to me about being a librarian is helping people and connecting them to the information that they seek.
I'm also glad to have found a profession where it is perfectly acceptable to love cats.
I'm currently going to school at Indiana University – Indianapolis. I wrote a Hack Your Program Post on it if you want the full scoop. My favorite part of the program is all the opportunities within the city of Indianapolis to get hands on experience…
View original 304 more words


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For FoodFacts.com, a Starburst Cherry Freeze is a doubly appalling concept. Think about it for a minute – the nutrition website whose blog is full of damning information on sugary beverages cannot possibly like a sugary frozen beverage associated with candy (more sugar). We really can't think of any reason why consumers would embrace this concept either.
Just in case the idea of that double shot of sugar isn't enough to turn you off to it, we went to the Taco Bell website to find out the facts behind the Starburst Cherry Freeze.
Nutrition Facts:
Calories: 190
Fat: 0 grams
Sugar: 51 grams
These nutrition facts are applicable to the 16 ounce size. Almost 13 TEASPOONS of sugar in a cup. That certainly puts the Starburst Cherry Freeze squarely in the sugary beverage category.
Going further, though, the ingredient list could be very important here. Starburst candies are brightly colored and this is a Starburst Cherry Freeze, so we're envisioning something with color going on behind the scenes.
Ingredients: High fructose corn syrup, water, natural and artificial flavor, citric acid, yucca extract, quillaia extract, sodium benzoate and potassium sorbate (P), red 40 (C), calcium disodium EDTA (PF).
That color we were suspicious of is definitely in there. But it's really worse than that. There are only 11 ingredients in this beverage and 6 of them are controversial. The Taco Bell Starburst Cherry Freeze isn't really a beverage. It's a frozen chemical concoction.
Not touching this one.


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The Three Rondavels
The Three Rondavels is a large rock formation in South Africa's Blyde River Canyon. The name refers to the fact that the three rounded mountain peaks resemble traditional native huts. The reddish color of the rocks adds to their photo appeal. You look out atthem from the top of the ridge on the other side of the canyon. From the parking lot to the viewpoint is about a 50 meter walk.
- Photography
- Hiking and Walking
- Family Travel
Wonder View
Wonder View is another spectacular viewpoint along the Drakensberg Escarpment north of Graskop. Wonder View gives you essentially the same view as God's Window, without making you climb up a bunch of steps. You look out over miles and miles of forests and fields that lie about 2000 feet below you and stretch to Kruger National Park to the east.
- Backpacking
- Hiking and Walking
- Family Travel
God's Window
God's Window is an impressive viewpoint in the Drakensberg Mountains north of Graskop. The viewpoint is located near the top of a steep ridge that plunges 2000 feet down into the lowvelt (lowlands). From God's Window, you can see for over 50 miles across the lowvelt forests and fields that stretch east towards Kruger National Park and Mozambique.
God's Window was featured in the movie "The Gods Must Be Crazy." In the movie, it was the site where the central character thought he had reached the end of the world, when he looked out from the cliffs and saw nothing but clouds.
When you get to God's Window, there are actually a series of viewpoints that you can visit. Two are located near the parking lot, and look out through a steep-walled canyon. If you are willing to climb some steps, you can get get to a better viewpoint about 50 meters higher. At the top there is also a small rainforest which is worth visiting for a short rest after climbing the stairs.
- Family Travel
- Hiking and Walking
- Backpacking
Big Swing
The town of Graskop is perched on a spur of the Mauchsberg at an altitude of 1493 metres and dates way back to 1837, when Andries Potgieter passed through with the Great Trek in search of greener pastures in the north. In his memoirs, he mentions leaving the womenfolk in the area now known as Graskop, which means grassy peak, while he went down the escarpment in search of a route to Delagoa Bay, now Maputo.In the 1850's, the Graskop area was a farm owned by Abel Erasmus, an adventurous character involved in hunting, prospecting and imposing law and order in the area.
He was known among the local tribesman as Dubala Duzi ' He who shoots at close range'. Graskop is also famous for Jock of the Bushveld which dates between 1885 and 1887. Paradise berg is where Sir Percy Fitzpatrick established his paradise camp, and two chapters in his book, namely' Paradise camp and the Leopard' and 'The Baboons' are set in this area.
Pinnacle Rock is a tall column of weathered quartzite littered with bright aloes. It rises 30m above the indigenous forest in the surrounding Driekop gorge. A source of the Ngwaritsana river cascades through the dark depths of the narrow cleft on the right at the head of the gorge.
God's Window at an altitude of 1730 m, offers magnificent views across the Lowveld, Kruger National Park and the Lebombo mountain range in the distance. The nature reserve at God's Window includes a rain forest and beautiful Aloe gardens scattered with large outcrops of sandstone, weathered into haunting prehistoric shapes. A trail leads through the rain forest along the escarpment edge towards Wonder View affording panoramic views over a vast expanse of the Lowveld.
Lisbon Falls are a spectacular 95m treble cascade that tumbles into the dark green pools far below. Lisbon creek is typical of the area where early diggers panned for gold.
Berlin Falls were named after the farm on which they are situated and are 45m high. They originated as a result of the differential weathering resistance of the local rocks. The scene should not be missed as there are some excellent vantage points revealing the entire drop.
Bourke's Luck Potholes at the confluence of the Treur and Blyde rivers is one of the most remarkable geological phenomena in the country .Through millions of years, the swirling whirlpools which occur at the confluence, have caused water born sand and rocks to grind deep cylindrical potholes into the bedrock of the rivers.The potholes are named after Tom Burke who recognised the gold potential of the area. He became involved with the mining enterprise which owned the properly. However, there is an element of irony in the name, as the main find of gold was not on their ground but on the opposite side of the river.
Blyde River Canyon. A scenic spectacle, the Blyde River Canyon lies within the 27,000 hectares of the Blyde River Canyon Nature Reserve, a 57 km belt which runs north from Graskop along the escarpment. Owing to variations in altitude, temperature and-rainfall, a great diversity of vegetation occurs. On the high-lying southern section which has a high rainfall, extensive grassy slopes and dense areas of rain forest with yellow wood, boekenhout, forest silver trees, etc. and ferns are to be found. The central area has mixed Sour Bush veld and thorn trees, while the northern area and foothills are known as the Lowveld Sour Bush veld.
Lowveld View Site is on a flat rocky mountain top at an altitude of 1219m and appears to be 'only a little lower than the canyon peaks. Paths lead to the edge of the 16 km canyon, an awe inspiring view. Fat below the Blyde river foams and tumbles along the rocky canyon floor winding like an enormous green snake and eventually flows into the Blydepoort Dam. Dense vegetation with moss and ferns fill the deep krantzes and the upper rocks are covered with vivid lichen.
Three Rondavels View Site affords magnificent views of the famous peaks of quartzite and shale, known as the three rondavels while the Blydepoort dam lies calm arid serene far below. The poort or mouth of the canyon lies between Swadini and Mariepskop, which was once the scene of a great battle between Swazi raiders from the south and local Bapedi and Mapulana tribesman, who used the flat crest of the mountain as a place of refuge and a fortress whenever they were attacked. The Bapedi and Mapulana tribes became tired of the continual Swazi raids and under the leadership of Chief Maripi Mashile, they climbed to the top of the mountain peak opposite Swadini and bombarded the Swazis with large boulders in what became known as the battle of Moholoholo, 'the great, great battle '. The Swazis were heavily defeated and thereafter the mountain was named Maripi in honour of the Mapulana chief.
- Road Trip
- Eco-Tourism
- Family Travel
African Silks
A must visit when you are in this area. The staff are wonderful and take you on a tour explaining the diff between RSA silks and Thai silks and how they are spun. At Africa Silks you will once again be reminded of the wonders of nature. Visit Africa Silks and you will be amazed to see how the silkworm cocoons are processed into the most beautiful threads. These are then hand-woven to produce a variety of products for clothing and interior decorating.
- Women's Travel
God's Window
Situated on the Drakensberg escarpment in Mpumalanga is God's Window. Just one look down and you will begin to understand why it is called "God's Window".
With magnificent views, canyons, rock formations and waterfalls, God's Window is truly an area of breathtaking scenic splendour. It is no wonder that Mpumalanga is known as Paradise Country! Gods Window is so called for the panoramic view of the Lowveld more than 900 m down into lush indigenous forest clad ravine. The majestic cliffs plunge over 700 meters to the Lowveld and the private game reserves which have made the area one of Africa's main wildlife destinations. God's Window is a small part of a 250km long earthwork of sheer cliffs and extravagant beauty. One can observe the hills and forests as far as the eye can see. In fact, it seems as if one can see forever!
- Jungle and Rain Forest
- Hiking and Walking
Bourkes Luck potholes
This natural water feature marks the beginning of the Blyde River Canyon. Through countless eons the swirling whirlpools which occur as the Treur River plunges into the Blyde River caused waterborne sand and rock to grind huge, cylindrical potholes into the bedrock of the river.
The Potholes were named after a gold digger, Tom Burke, who staked a claim nearby. Although his claim did not produce a single ounce of gold, he correctly predicted that large gold deposits would be found in the area.
The Potholes is located 35km north of Graskop town on the R532 road. The informative visitors centre details some of the interesting natural and socio-historic features and is the starting point of the 700m walk to the potholes.
- National/State Park
- Eco-Tourism
Blyde River Canyon Nature Reserve
Although not a registered SA Natural Heritage Site, the world renown Blyde River Canyon deserves to be included here. The reserve is located north of Graskop and covers an area of 22 664 ha, extending from the Pinnacle Rock in the south to beyond the Blyderivierspoort Dam in the north.
The Blyde River Canyon is the third largest canyon in the world and was formed by rivers cutting deep into the escarpment and eroding millions of tons of rock which were carried to the Lowveld and beyond to the Indian Ocean. The reserve (administrated by the Mpumalanga Parks Board) is known primarily for it's outstanding natural beauty, as well as for the numerous endemic and endangered fauna and flora species that occur on the reserve.
Five of the 71 different veld types of South Africa occur on the reserve. These include Mixed Bushveld, North Eastern Mountain Sourveld, Lowveld Sour Bushveld and Lowveld Mixed Bushveld. The reserve represents a transitional zone for the flora of these five veld types, including their associated fauna, which migrate along the escarpment from as far south as the Southern Cape; plants from KwaZulu-Natal; sub-tropical plants from the Lowveld and plants from the central bushveld, which follow the Ohrigstad and Olifants River valleys into the canyon. The rich and varied plant life is influenced by the specific climate, altitude and soil conditions.
- Jungle and Rain Forest
- National/State Park
- Historical Travel
God's window
A few km's out of Graskop there is a viewpoint called God's window. It is said that on a clear day you can see the boats in Maputo Harbour. I can't confirm it. Must have been there about 5 or 6 different times in different seasons but there always seems to be a haze. It is still a very beautiful view. At all these viewpoints there are local traders selling their wares at far cheaper prices than the shops.
- Family Travel
- Budget Travel
- Eco-Tourism
Mac Mac Falls
The 60-meter high Mac Mac Falls, located roughly 2/3 of the way to Sabie from Graskop, is just one of several that plunge off various cliffs along the Drakensberg escarpment. If you're there in summer, there is plenty of opportunities for swimming and diving; we were there in mid-winter, so that wasn't an option. However, there are hiking trails nearby, and if you're into handicrafts, an excellent outdoor market for wood and stone carvings as well.
Berlin Falls
Berlin Falls is not nearly as beautiful as Lisbon Falls, but it is impressive. You can climb right up to the edge of falls which then falls over a completely vertical rock cliff.
There are many vendors selling curios at the top of the falls.
- Backpacking
Lisbon Falls and Rainbows
Lisbon Falls is one of the best falls in the region. You can climb down a trail from the parking area and walk right up to the base of the falls where the water creates a lovely pool. The water is clear and crisp. It's cold but take a dip if you wish. Behind the smaller falls is an old gold mine. You can climb up into the mine but it is very slippery and treacherous with all that water coming down on you.
There is no entrance fee. Security appears to be fine
Bourke's Luck Potholes
Bourke's Luck Potholes are a strange formation of huge cylindrical holes that have been carved by decelerating river water with sand particles. The small canyon and holes are geologically interesting, although may not warrant the R20 entrance fee. It is none the less a highlight and you should see it if you are in the area. There is a small museum with some geological information as well as floral and fauna of the area.
- National/State Park
- Backpacking
On the same road as God's window you will find a turn of to the pinnalce. It is a large rock standing on it's own. You will also find some traders here with their African crafts.
- Eco-Tourism
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