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Do I need to say more?? This is the worst we have looked in the McCarney era.
And that is TRULY saying something!!!
Jeffrey A Crawford
You don't need to say anymore. Embarrasment is to nice. We have never looked this bad against a team that is as bad as Kansas, expecially in light of how good were supposed to be on paper. I'm burning my cardinal and gold. A disgrace.
How can we sugarcoat this game?
Holy Mother of God. I didn't go to the game because of a study-abroad orientation, but I was disappointed I didn't get to go because of what I thought was ISU's chance to right the ship. But this is plain pathetic. This isn't nearly as bad as losing to Baylor last year, because at least then, there was some freaking hope.
Mac has got to go.
Go Sssssssssyclones!
Come on now, let up. As in "Mac Speech"... we're losing to a real good football team. They have a good defense and they sack the quarterback real good. We have injuries on the offensive so that real good defense is playing real great and we've got to do a better job of coaching. You know Kansas has real great young talent, they are an up and coming team, real great you know. Their quarter back, wow, real good one there. We just have to do a better job of blocking, tackling, coaching here in the fourth quarter.....
"We won the special teams battle and that's something we can build upon to win games. We had more return yards on kickoffs than them."
"But Coach, you only kicked off to them twice. Wouldn't you expect to have more return yards than them when you have 8 kickoff returns."
"Are kids showed a lot of fire today, and with all of our injuries you can expect not to kickoff very many times."
"You only have to score to kickoff Coach, injuries don't play into it."
"Kansas is a tough ranked opponent. It's tough to score on a ranked opponent and this our 8th ranked opponent in a row. You can't expect to win them all."
What do you think Pollard is thinking/ feeling??
I left the game early, but on the bright side I got a cool McDermot Basketball poster at the game. That was my highlite of the game.
Is there any one left in the stands?
JP Can't be happy. I am now thinking there is NO way Mac survives this off-season. JP can't not do something or his reputation as wanting excellence comes into question. Am I right?
ISU Grad 1997.
ISU Fan for Life.
Not in CO anymore but I'm not changing my name :)
I never thought it was possible, but I seriously have the taste in my mouth of wanting to puke while watching a football game. This is awful and if I'm Jamie Pollard, I had my mind made up at halftime regarding next year.
12 Yards of Rushing by the end of the 3rd Quarter. You gotta be kidding me.
I would think so CyinCo... I would assume Jamie has alreadly been preparing for this..
Is it possible Mac gt canned after this game?? I doubt it, and hope not for his sake, but wouldn't be surprised if it happened....
Can we hire Loney as our head coach??
I've only been paying attention to the game via game channel...has anyone heard what the attendance for today is???
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|Indianapolis, Ind.
|High School:
|Brebeuf Jesuit
Career | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013
* Horizon League Academic Honor Roll
* Atlantic 10 Academic Honor Roll
* Butler Athletic Director's Honor Roll
2013 - Senior Season: Starter in right field, playing in 47 games overall...batted .240 with a .374 on-base percentage...scored 28 runs, drove in 18 runs and homered three times...posted 10 multi-hit games and three multi-RBI games...went 2-for-5 and drove in a pair of runs at Appalachian State (Feb. 23)...hit an RBI single and stole a base in finale at Appalachian State (Feb. 24)...went 2-for-3 and scored twice at Lipscomb (March 1)...walked twice and had four RBIs at Lipscomb (March 2)...homered, had two hits and threw a runner out at home vs. IPFW (March 10)...went 3-for-7 in two games at Arizona (March 12-13)...scored two runs vs. Eastern Michigan (March 17)...went 2-for-5 at VCU (March 22)...scored four runs in doubleheader at VCU (March 23)...went 2-for-4 with a home run and two stolen bases at Dayton (April 14)...tripled and walked at Indiana (April 19)...went 2-for-4 at Charlotte (May 4)...walked twice and scored a pair of runs vs. Rhode Island (May 10).
2012 - Junior Season: Part-time starter in left field, playing in 47 games...made 29 starts...totaled 25 hits, 16 RBIs and 19 runs, finishing with a .223 batting average...posted five multi-hit games...had an RBI single and scored twice at Fresno State (Feb. 18)...went 2-for-3 at UT-Martin (Feb. 25)...went 3-for-4 with two doubles in series finale at UT-Martin (Feb. 26)...had three hits and three RBIs vs. Dayton (March 6)...scored two runs and stole a base at Youngstown State (April 1)...went 2-for-3 at Milwaukee (April 7)...had two hits and two runs vs. Youngstown State (May 6)...drove in two runs vs. Milwaukee (May 12).
2011 - Sophomore Season: Used primarily as a pinch runner and leftfielder...played in 23 games with six starts...scored nine runs...singled and scored at USC-Upstate (Feb. 27)...scored a run against Wabash (March 30)...had a hit vs. Lawrence (April 17)...scored five runs in Horizon League play, with two each against UIC (April 23-24) and Valparaiso (April 30).
2010 - Freshman Season: Saw action in 25 games, primarily as a pinch hitter or runner...scored five runs...played in the outfield five times and first base in three games...pinch ran and scored first career run vs. Buffalo (March 20)...picked up first collegiate hit and scored a run against Cleveland State (May 22).
High School: Earned three varsity letters at Brebeuf Jesuit...voted all-state honorable mention and All-Marion County...earned a spot in the North-South All-Star Game...led team to 23-7 record and regional title as a senior...team was 22-8 and won the sectional during junior season...also played basketball and was named third team All-Marion County...selected for County-City and East-West all-star basketball games...named basketball team captain for junior and senior years...high school coach: John Zangrilli.
Personal: Born Oct. 5, 1990....son of John and Anne Dillon...National Honor Society member...exploratory business major.

subset: commoncrawl


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WHEELING - The Friendly City's coffers are on pace to take in record-setting revenue for the second straight fiscal year, but one source that feeds directly into Wheeling's police and fire pension funds is lagging more than $100,000 behind last year's clip.
On the heels of a fiscal 2011-12 in which Wheeling took in about $30.2 million, overall revenue at the end of December - the midway point of the budget year - is more than $118,000 ahead of this time last year, according to City Manager Robert Herron. But in a year that saw new casinos open in Cleveland, Columbus and Toledo in neighboring Ohio, the city has received $103,304 less in video lottery machine tax proceeds from Wheeling Island Hotel-Casino-Racetrack than it had at the end of 2011.
Since 2001, Wheeling has allocated 100 percent of tax revenue from racetrack video lottery machines as a supplemental contribution to the pension funds. As such, Herron said any shortfall there will have no impact on the general fund - but it may temper to some degree the pace at which the city is able to pay down its approximately $52.6 million unfunded pension liability.
Article Photos
Fewer tax dollars coming from the racetrack on Wheeling Island are going into the city's police and fire pension funds.
"Those supplemental payments have made a tremendous impact," said Herron.
Since 2000, the city's police pension fund balance has increased from about $2.1 million and 7 percent funded to $13.5 million and 33 percent funded, and fire pension fund assets have climbed from about $3.4 million and 10 percent funded to $12.3 million and 25 percent funded over the same period. Compare that to the state's capital, Charleston, where the total unfunded liability is more than $250 million and the police and fire pension funds are just 8 percent and 5 percent funded, respectively.
To be considered fully funded, a plan must have enough assets now to meet all anticipated obligations for current and future retirees.
Some of the improvement is driven by a state requirement that municipalities increase annual contributions to the police and fire pension funds by 7 percent each year, so general fund contributions to the police and fire plans are expected to increase from $1.7 million and $1.65 million to roughly $1.82 million and $1.77 million next fiscal year. That total increase of about $240,000 is less than half the projected $500,000 supplemental contribution.
Herron said there are indications things may be on the rebound - for example, December alone saw $62,715 in video lottery revenue collections, more than twice the total brought in from July through November. If collections continue at that rate for the remaining six months of the fiscal year, the city will at least approach its $500,000 projection.
Overall city spending is outpacing last year by about $280,000, but Herron said that was expected due to the 2-percent pay raise City Council granted all municipal employees in August and expenses are right on schedule.
With the exception of gambling revenue and fire service fees, virtually all the city's major revenue streams are ahead of last year's levels. Herron said the reported decline of $102,240 in the service fee is somewhat misleading, as about $80,000 of that is attributable to more residents choosing to split the $95 annual fee into two payments and should come in later this year.
Business & Occupation tax collections are particularly encouraging, Herron noted, as they are about $156,000 ahead of last year's pace.
According to city Finance Director Michael Klug, it's too early to speculate what, if any, cash carryover will be available when the fiscal year ends June 30. He said the picture may be clearer after this month, which is typically a big one for B&O tax collections.
"January will be a very critical month - it always is," said Klug during a recent meeting of City Council's Finance Committee.


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ACHICA > Doodle by Stitch > Doodle By Stitch - Pillowcase
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119Buzz Points
© 2016 All rights reserved. Social Good Foundation, Inc., a 501c3 charitable organization.
This is a social community devoted to having fun while raising money and awareness for causes everywhere. Unlock badges, earn points, compete against your friends and win prizes, take crazy photos, make videos, and most of all... help make a difference.
It's free to play... simply sign up and show your support.


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Yes, Wine Spectator magazine, which urges readers to "Learn More, Drink Better," unwittingly gave an "Award of Excellence" to a non-existent restaurant in Milan. Wine writer Robin Goldstein is behind the hoax. Goldstein entered Osteria L'Intrepido and its fake menu in the magazine's restaurant awards competition, paying the $250 entry fee, "[a]s part of the research for an academic paper I'm currently working on about standards for wine awards."
Needless to say, the magazine's editor was none too happy to learn the publication had been duped, writing:
This act of malicious duplicity reminds us that no one is completely immune to fraud. It is sad that an unscrupulous person can attack a publication that has earned its reputation for integrity over the past 32 years. Wine Spectator will clearly have to be more vigilant in the future.
No, the magazine's editors didn't try to visit the restaurant. But the editor wrote that phone calls were made that reached an apparently bogus answering machine message, a Google search turned up an address for the restaurant on a map, and the restaurant's merits were even debated by (phony) Chowhound users.
It would seem that the magazine's editors are grousing all the way to the bank. As The New York Times points out, "More than 4,000 awards were granted this year, so Wine Spectator made more than $1 million in fees."
A note about the restaurant's award has been removed from Wine Spectatator's website, Goldstein writes, adding that a mention of the award appears in the magazine's August print edition.
Photo by conskeptical via Flickr, (Creative Commons).
Posted by Jim Benning
WTN Services(TM) Announces TemperEco-Pak(TM)
NAPA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--WTN Services(TM), recognized as the "best in class leader" for providing direct-to-consumer solutions to the wine industry, has introduced TemperEco-Pak(TM), their green shipping option for wine delivery nationwide. TemperEco-Pak(TM) is the industry gold standard in green shipping packaging, and is the most affordable and efficient product currently on the market. WTN Services(TM) is offering shipping containers at $7.50 for a two-pack, $9.00 per three-pack, $18.00 per six-pack and $24.00 for the 12-pack shipper.
Custom made for WTN Services(TM) by Fagerdala USA, Inc., TemperEco-Pak(TM) is a curbside recyclable shipper utilizing green technologies that provide guaranteed climate-controlled wine shipping from point to point. Only WTN Services(TM) offers bi-coastal wine shipping by maintaining warehouses in both California and New York, allowing for shorter transit times, increased delivery options, and better quality control. In addition, by offering bi-coastal shipping options, transportation costs are often a fraction of what other companies can offer, and localized shipping is a more eco-friendly way to ship.
For increased security and peace of mind, WTN Services(TM) also offers a state-of-the-art, ultra contact temperature monitoring option called PakSense(TM). For an additional fee, PakSense(TM) can be placed in each TemperEco-Pak(TM) shipping container. When the recipient opens the TemperEco-Pak(TM), the monitor should be blinking green. Should the monitor be blinking red, the monitor can be sent back to WTN, where data on the monitor can be downloaded and transferred to graph the temperature fluctuations that occurred throughout the entire shipping process, allowing the user and provider to assess any potential threat to the quality of the wine before opening the bottle. For super-premium wines, the PakSense(TM) option is another level of quality control that can protect both the winery and the consumer.
For more information on the TemperEco-Pak(TM), please contact Jen Sims, WTN Services(TM) at 707-265-1514, or visit www.wtnservices.com.
About WTN Services:
WTN Services(TM) provides winery clients with timely and reliable solutions through proactive account management, leading-edge technology, key strategic partnerships and a bi-coastal warehousing network to enhance delivery.
Ambrosia and WTN Services(TM) operate under the umbrella of The Winetasting Network(TM) a division of 1-800Flowers.com(R) as the resource to provide direct retail access of exceptional California wines to passionate wine lovers throughout the United States. Those one-on-one relationships with wine enthusiasts across the country have provided impetus for creating unique collections, gifts, and clubs with highly sought-after world-class wines.
ReCORK America, a natural wine cork recycling program sponsored by Amorim Irmãos of Portugal and their U.S. sales affiliates, Portocork America and Amorim Cork America, announce the addition of Flora Springs Winery in St. Helena, as their newest recycling partner.
John Komes, proprietor and president of Flora Springs, is enthusiastic about teaming up with ReCORK America as an extension of his winery's ongoing commitment to environmentally sound business practices.
"We have the responsibility to fulfill our roles as stewards of the earth," said Komes. "We have already made huge strides in organic farming, the addition of solar power to our operations, and the use of recyclable shipping materials. ReCORK is a natural addition to our efforts."
"Flora Springs is an ideal partner," said Roger Archey, ReCORK's program manager. "Their sustainability program dubbed 'Flora Power,' fits nicely with our goal to find ways to extend the lifecycle of natural cork wine closures through recycling and reuse. We can add from 20 to 50 years to a wine cork's usefulness, while retaining the cork's original CO2 absorption as a forest product."
Flora Springs is offering cork collection during normal business hours at its tasting room ("The Room") at 677 St. Helena Highway in St. Helena.
ReCORK America recycling program includes Whole Foods, Plump Jack, Calistoga Ranch and Honig Vineyards as part of a growing list of recycling partners.
A Bordeaux-style barrel from Seguin Moreau Napa Cooperage
Small crop, high prices, barrel alternatives and uncertain economy may mean discounts
Napa, Calif. -- It could be a good year to buy barrels. With a short crop expected, some cooperages may have extra inventory on hand that they don't want to store for a year.
The stated reason is the expected smaller than average harvest--the second in a row-- but the unfavorable exchange rate and rising acceptance of barrel alternatives seem to be factors, too.
The 2007 harvest in California was 3.2 million tons, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture forecasts 3.4 million tons this year, up 3% from a year ago, but most industry observers are skeptical, predicting 3.2 million tons or less, some even below 3 million tons.
"Customers don't know if this will be a small crop, and they obviously don't want to order barrels that they don't need," says François Peltereau-Villeneuve, president of Seguin Moreau Napa Cooperage. "This year, lots of coopers brought in more barrels than they may need."
Michael Peters of Barrel Builders in St. Helena, Calif., agrees. "The frost and other problems are creating a lower crop. Last year was also small, and some wineries still have barrels left from then, too. Many are waiting to see how many they really need."
Chris Dearden, winemaker and general manager at Benessere Winery in St. Helena, says he's personally run into a surplus of barrels. "Some coopers have stock in inventory now, when in the past they were sold out at this time," he says.
François Peltereau-Villenueve, president, Seguin Moreau Napa CooperageDearden, who formerly worked for Seguin Moreau, notes that the big cooperages must plan well in advance, starting to produce barrels for inventory and shipping them to the U.S. from June to September. "They couldn't make and ship all the barrels they need at once. Many offer early-delivery discounts to encourage ordering early," he says.
Dearden also imports wine barrels for Gamba USA. His barrel company only deals with custom orders, so shouldn't suffer, but he notes, "It really hit us in 2005, which was a huge year. We could have sold many more barrels." The wine grape crush in 2005 was 3.74 million tons, an increase of 35% over 2004.
Doug Fletcher, vice president/director of winemaking for the Terlato group, oversees activities at Chimney Rock, Rutherford Hill, Alderbrook, Sanford and Terlato wines. He says, "Most wineries bought their barrels this spring before anyone knew what the harvest size would be. So in general, I think you will just see an increase in the percentage of new oak in the '08 wines."
Peters, like many others, feels that the cost of barrels is a big issue, however, and Scott Harrop of United Barrels in Napa says, "The exchange rate is a big factor in how many barrels we sell."
According to Peltereau-Villeneuve, barrel pricing in Euros went up about 15% in the last 12 months because of the exchange rate. Chris Phelps, the winemaker at Swanson Vineyards & Winery, Rutherford, Calif., says his average barrel price rose from $924 last year to $1093, an 18% increase.
Harrop at United Barrels is now importing less expensive Ukrainian barrels for the first time this year to help compensate.
Chris Phelps, winemaker, Swanson Vineyards & WineryFletcher agrees that the problem is the cost of barrels. "The real problem is the exchange rate. The massive increase in barrel costs parallels the exchange rate."
Another big factor is alternatives to barrel. "The biggest wineries are going to adjuncts in a huge way," says Barrel Builder's Peters.
Harrop also reports big growth in barrel alternatives. "They won't be in $100 bottles of wine, but they're even being used in expensive wines. There's less feeling of embarrassment about it, too," he notes. "The southern hemisphere wineries use them, and they're even legal now in France."
Harrop admits his selling season is usually over by now, but he's still expecting 20 to 30% of his orders to come in. "The winemakers are waiting for the go-ahead from the accountants in this uncertain economy," he explains.
Fletcher says," I don't know how flexible the discount will be for coopers who have excess barrels. If coopers produced more barrels on speculation they are surely stuck with them."
Still, some coopers may not be willing to sit on the expensive barrels. "For those who don't want to finance that inventory for a year, they may decide to sell at a discount," Peltereau-Villeneuve says. "It's likely that some wineries will make good deals on barrels during the harvest."
Paul Franson
Chers Amis,
To shed some light on a father and son team who have spent the last 70 years toiling the earth and ending each day with good food and wine. Why can't we extend the same luxury to ourselves? Thoreau famously wrote that most men lead lives of quiet desperation, but seemingly not so much here in France where I've fallen into the pace (peace) of life, which means that work is secondary to life, and yes, I'm broke.
Paul Jacqueson Rully 1er Cru Pucelles 06 is in keeping with the TWS theme of grace and not a 'putassier' wine, which would be rude to translate. We had a bottle of this demure loveliness at Bissoh, my favorite Beaune restaurant, with sushi and a gang of les Francaises who only eat their legumes from the garden and prefer very precise aromatics, minerality and detail - here the unique quality lays within its burst of white flowers and subtle fondue, length, and charm, a light kiss of oak - I would think it was a Ramonet Boudriottes if tasted blind.
For those out there that don't need to be schooled, I shouldn't have to mention that Jacqueson is of the finest estates in the Cote Chalonnaise, having established this reputation early on with insistence on hand harvesting and natural vinification. Uncle Clive says they are the best source for White Burgundy in the lower Cote.
From the Burghound:
Moderate wood frames notes of acacia blossom and citrus hints that can also be found on the detailed and vibrant medium weight flavors that are delicious, round and complex, culminating in a linear, mineral-infused finish that delivers excellent length. I very much like the balance here. 89-91 points
Grapes grow in different ways depending on what soils and climates they grow in. And in the last few years, a number of California winery owners have expressed irritation that their growing regions' wines aren't as highly rated as are wines of other, warmer areas.
Many of the growers who seek a better public image say they are in cooler climates, and their wines are not as full-bodied and as rich, and thus not as acclaimed, as are wines from warmer areas.
This is a generalization, of course, that ignores the fact that great rieslings, pinot noirs and chardonnays usually are made in areas that are cool. But for most other grapes, such as syrah, zinfandel, cabernet sauvignon, merlot, sangiovese and petite syrah, warmer climes produce flavors that seem to be more respected and in demand these days, especially with those who rank wines by putting scores on them.
When grapes grow in a hot climate in which the nighttime temperatures stay pretty warm as well, sugar develops in the fruit faster than the ripe-fruit flavor does. So, for instance, in the hot central San Joaquin Valley, it's pretty hard to make a "great" wine because flavors tend to be rather simple.
Some grapes are simply in need of warm, but not hot, areas. For instance, you find very little cabernet sauvignon planted in truly cold climates, such as in the western Russian River of Sonoma County. There, pinot noir is the lead grape.
Cabernet can make an elegant wine near the Russian River, but big and bold is what's in vogue, and you simply can't make that sort of cabernet in such a cold area. Napa Valley is warm enough to grow cabernet to perfection, but cool enough to keep the balance of the wine appropriate.
And in France's Burgundy district, where cool-loving pinot noir flourishes, cabernet is outlawed.
So it was fascinating for me recently when I traveled two hours from Melbourne to the verdant Yarra Valley to visit De Bortoli winery and to ask how a winery can survive with cabernet and syrah (shiraz) in a world in which warm climates seem to be in the driver's seat.
De Bortoli is one of the Yarra's largest producers. It has 480 acres of prime land, having just acquired 80 acres from a neighbor that was planted largely to cabernet. Yet Yarra is chardonnay and pinot noir country.
And tasting through the latest De Bortoli wines, including the stylish 2007 chardonnay ($25) and 2007 pinot noir ($30), both of which won't be released until October, I found that these are clearly made to reflect the cooler nature of the region.
Both wines are more delicate and refined than are warmer-climate brethren. And a 2005 cabernet sauvignon ($30) is also delicate and restrained.
Winemakers David Slingsby-Smith and Sarah Fagan revel in the delicacy derby. They say the winery operated by head winemaker Steve Webber is favored by those who love the more European, structured style of wines.
Then I tasted an as-yet unreleased 2007 shiraz ($30), and found it to be distinctively flavored with black pepper and herbs, racy black cherry fruit. It is a wine to serve with food. It demands food.
Fagan then noted that Yarra Valley shiraz will hardly ever make a fat, unctuous shiraz. This is almost exactly what writer Max Allen wrote in his 1999 Yarra Valley wine guide book:
"Yarra Valley shiraz will probably never be able to match McLaren Vale or the Barossa in the oomph stakes — but the argument for it is stronger than that against."
I love cooler-climate red wines when they are made with balance, and I always find pleasure in the modest yet still distinctive De Bortoli wines.
Fortunately, such wines have other followers too, few though they may be. As much as I like full-flavored red wines, I see the absolute need for the wines of restraint and delicacy that De Bortoli does so well.
Wine of the Week: 2007 Craggy Range Sauvignon Blanc, Martinborough, Te Muna Road ($25). This dramatic white wine has the lime/lemon/grapefruit aroma we associate with New Zealand sauvignon blanc. But this wine is from the North Island and has a lot more restraint that do most of the Marlborough SBs from the northern tip of the South Island. This wine has great structure for aging, but it's superb now with seafood and Thai dishes.
Dan Berger
Australia has overtaken the UK as the biggest export market for New Zealand wines, according to the country's winegrowers' association.
Although exports to the UK increased by 8% last year, the Australian market grew by 37%. The increased consumption of New Zealand wines in Australia means the country's market is now worth NZ$247m (£94m), overtaking Britain, which consumed marginally less – NZ$240m (£92m).
However, according to Stuart Smith, chairman of national wine body New Zealand Winegrowers (NZW), the attempt to persuade UK consumers to pay more for New Zealand wines has been successful.
'The average bottle of New Zealand wine sold in the United Kingdom [is] now £6.47, which is £2.09 ahead of the nearest competitor,' he said.
In total, New Zealand's wine exports increased 14% year-on-year and are now worth NZ$797m (£305m). The NZW expects export sales to hit NZ$1bn (£380m) by 2010.
Erica Loi
If you had just one bottle of wine to enjoy your last day on earth, what would it be? A helpful resource for any preplanning is "1001 Wines You Must Taste Before You Die." Joining other books in the "1001... Before You Die" series is this 960-page tome, which compiles contributions from 44 notable wine professionals, including Clive Coates, Hugh Johnson, Tom Stevenson and Terry Theise.
Four major sections - sparkling, white, red and fortified - include a wide selection of international wines - from Burgundy grand crus to California Cabernet Sauvignon - listed alphabetically by producer. Price range and drink-by dates of each wine are given; along with history about the vineyards and owners, along with tasting notes. Color photos of vineyards, wineries and wine labels help visually connect a specific wine to its specific place.
One quibble: It would be nice to know when the contributors tasted wines, though part of the book's beauty is that the recommendations are as much about the producer as they are about a particular vintage.
"The producer is almost always more important than the vintage," general editor Neil Beckett writes in the book's introduction. With "1001 Wines," you'll learn about, and hope for, a taste of some of the world's most sought-after wines.
"1001 Wines You Must Taste Before You Die," edited by Neil Beckett
Lynne Char Bennett
There are worldwide concerns for the environment, and everyone is doing their part to decrease the carbon footprint, especially consumers and industries. Consumers are demanding less packaging and the use of recyclable materials in their goods -- and wineries are a perfect example of adopting these ecological measures. Carmen is the first winery in Chile and in South America to follow environmental initiatives which began with the WRAP Wine Institute (Waste and Resources Action Programme) in the UK to create lighter glass wine bottles.
Carmen -- the premium winery from Chile -- has reduced the weight of its Classic tier wines. This initiative has resulted in scaling down the average bottle weight from 17.28 ounces to 14.81 ounces, a 15% reduction that will result in savings of more than 343 tons of glass per year. By using lighter weight wine bottles Carmen's carbon footprint is dramatically reduced, which in turn has a positive environmental effect across the entire supply chain. The decrease in bottle weight lowers the output for energy consumption, manufacturing materials, waste management and also facilitates resource handling.
For Carmen, the lightweight bottle is one more step toward reaching even greater constructive impact on the environment. "The search has just begun to establish the right weight in all of our wine packaging," commented Juan Pablo Ruiz, Carmen Export Director for the USA market. "According to extensive market research, the lighter wine bottles retain the essential packaging functionality and do not affect brand integrity, which makes for a winning situation. When it comes to environmental concerns and wine packaging, less is definitely more."
Ecological concerns have led many countries, such as Ireland, one of Chile's largest wine markets, to adopt strict environmental measures to care for the planet, including reducing packaging and recycling glass waste. As an example, the UK market -- the world's largest wine importer -- consumes approximately one billion 750ml bottles of wine each year, which in turn results in approximately 2.8 million tons of glass packaging entering the country's waste stream each year. Glass bottles represent almost 40% of all household beverage packaging, and reducing the weight of wine bottles will have a major impact on the environment. Decreasing bottle weight in Carmen wines is expected to result in savings of more than 1,875 tons of CO2 emissions each year - which is roughly the equivalent of the emissions from 500 cars!
About Carmen Winery
Carmen--founded in 1850 as the first Chilean winery--has a history of innovation and success. In 1987, the Claro Group acquired the brand to focus in the international premium wine segment. A new winery was built in 1992 and new vineyards were planted to produce the best quality wines from Chile and export them worldwide. Today, with exports of over 500,000 cases to more than 60 countries, Carmen is one of the most important Chilean wineries. Carmen owns 1,626 acres in the most prestigious Chilean growing areas such as Alto Maipo -- famous for its superb Cabernet Sauvignon -- Casablanca and Limarí.
Bartholomew Broadbent hopes Americans will be so fired up over Chinese culture they'll clamor for his wines.
Marketed under the Dragon's Hollow label, the wines are coming from China, the world's fifth-largest wine- producing country, though few of the nation's wines are exported. Broadbent understands why.
"Much of it is very poor quality – thin, green, insipid, lacking elegance and any sort of depth," says Broadbent, owner of the San Francisco wine-importing company Broadbent Selections Inc., speaking by phone from London.
But the potential for the Chinese to make wine more palatable to Westerners is there, Broadbent is convinced.
As a consequence, he joined longtime China wine distributor David Henderson three years ago to create Dragon's Hollow, which draws grapes from a 9-year-old, 1,600-acre vineyard in the auto- nomous north-central region of Ningxia Hui.
The officially recognized Chinese appellation for the area is He Lan Mountain, a desert plateau "very, very hot" during the summer but so cold during the winter that vines have to be bent over and buried with 10 inches of sand to keep them from freezing, Broadbent says.
Broadbent and Henderson conceived the brand to appeal largely to Chinese restaurateurs in the United States, but they've been surprised by early corporate buyers, including American Airlines, which bought 2,000 cases.
Making wine in China has had its frustrations, says Broadbent. They include persuading growers to wait until grapes are mature before harvesting and to cultivate more for quality than quantity.
"The biggest challenge is getting people who don't have the first clue about Western food to make wine to go with Western food," Broadbent says.
Yinchuan, the capital of Ningxia Hui, has 1.8 million residents, but not a single McDonald's, he found. "It's so remote they've never tasted Western food, and they hadn't tasted Western wine until last year," he says.
The population of Ningxia Hui is one-third Muslim, and many of Dragon Hollow's workers are Muslim, but Islamic strictures against the consumption of alcohol are taken lightly in the area, Broadbent has found.
"I've been at banquets with some vineyard workers who are Muslim and seen them drinking. They don't have hang-ups about alcohol."
With many Americans questioning the propriety and safety of various "Made in China" products, Broadbent concedes his timing to introduce Chinese wines to the United States could have been better.
But he's convinced the wines are wholesome, noting that the vineyards are free of chemical additives and that the wines are subjected to minimal manipulation in the cellar.
"We can improve quality, but for purity, they're great," Broadbent says of the wines.
And he does have the Olympics to help spur potential consumer interest in the wines. He makes it clear, however, that Dragon's Hollow isn't a short-term novelty meant to capitalize on these Summer Games.
"It's not an Olympic gimmick. For us, it's a very serious brand we plan to grow quite strongly."
Medal count
So where do Dragon's Hollow wines – all dry, all with 12.5 percent alcohol, each $13 – stand on the podium?
• Bronze: The 2006 unoaked chardonnay has a betwixting biscuity smell and a hint of pear in flavor, but it's soft, more fitting as aperitif than with food.
• Silver: The 2006 riesling is an understated but clean introduction, with refreshing peach and apple attributes, and gripping structure.
• Gold: The 2005 cabernet sauvignon is fresh, young and simple, speaking trippingly of the herbal and minty side of the varietal.
Taylors Market carries Dragon's Hollow riesling and chardonnay. Nugget Markets may soon stock some of the wines.
Progressive vintners weigh the pros and cons of the controversial winemaking tool
On almost every wine label, a challenging subject is concealed behind an opaque, almost nonchalant warning: "contains sulfites."
The term encompasses sulfur dioxide as well as many derivative forms of sulfur. Sulfites are present in all wines both as an additive and as a natural by-product of fermentation, and many countries require that their presence be indicated on the label.
Long viewed as a necessary, if unromantic, tool by winemakers, and either ignored or completely misunderstood by consumers, the role of sulfur in wine has become a hot topic. From health issues (see "Debunking myths," Page F4) to sulfur as a winemaking tool at a time when there's a push within the industry for wines made with minimal intervention, sulfur dioxide is in the spotlight like never before.
Sulfur dioxide has been used in the production of wine for centuries - primarily as a buffer to keep wine from reacting with too much oxygen, but also to inhibit microbial spoilage (from bacteria or rogue yeasts) that could lead to off flavors and aromas, and as a winemaking technique to partly control fermentation.
It's is one of the most useful and powerful tools available to a winemaker. "You have to think of it as something that will keep a wine clean and help its ageability," says Mike Dashe of Dashe Cellars.
Contemporary attitudes toward the use of SO{-2} are changing, most notably in Europe, but also increasingly in the United States. Indeed, working with little to almost zero SO{-2} is one of the rallying points of the natural wine movement, a blanket term used to describe wines made according to a philosophy of minimal intervention in the vineyard and cellar.
In recent years in both France and Italy, winemakers such as Marcel Lapierre in Morgon and Stanislao Radikon in Friuli have pushed the envelope on SO{-2} use, simultaneously embracing a traditional approach - no additions of sulfur - while at the same time eagerly cultivating the market for such wines in Europe and the United States with a modernist fervor. As with organics and biodynamics before it, wine made without SO{-2} may be the next trend in the current green craze.
The interest in such wines has extended to California. Though a few organic vintners have long tried making unsulfured wines with little real success, a handful of more mainstream winemakers have begun experimenting with using as little sulfur as possible.
Dashe's daring experiment
Dashe, who makes wine out of a cavernous warehouse in Oakland, recently began his own sulfur dioxide experiment in a new Zinfandel he calls L'Enfant Terrible.
The genesis of this particular wine came about almost by accident while Dashe was visiting Guinness McFadden's organic farm in Potter Valley (Mendocino County) just before last year's harvest. McFadden grows mostly white grapes (including fruit for Dashe's Riesling), but Dashe noticed a small Zinfandel vineyard on a hillside. "It was a light-colored clone and reasonably cropped," he recalls. After tasting the grapes, which he found to be low in sugar for Zinfandel, he filed the vineyard away in his memory and headed back to Oakland.
The next day, Dashe spoke with Mark Ellenbogen, wine director at the Slanted Door in San Francisco. According to Dashe, the two had talked about what kind of California wines might complement the restaurant's food and work with Ellenbogen's Euro- and Riesling-centric list. Ellenbogen said any potential new wine needed to be made from grapes farmed organically or biodynamically, picked early, then processed in a way that avoided high fruit extraction or the heavy flavors of new oak. "We didn't really talk about sulfur, but that's certainly part of it," Ellenbogen says.
After their conversation, Dashe called McFadden and bought all 8 tons of Zin. The grapes were harvested relatively early at about 23.5 Brix, a measure of sugar.
Organic, check; early picked, check. So far, everything met Ellenbogen's qualifications. At this point, Dashe took the first of two gambles, and decided on native yeast fermentation. Then he took minimal intervention a step further and decided to back off on his sulfur additions. "I added SO{-2} at crushing to keep bacteria down, but that was it," he says. "It was so clean to begin with, so I didn't think the wine needed it."
That the wine was "clean" was an important factor in his decision. Dashe felt he could minimize his SO{-2} use because the wine was going into new, clean barrels. The wine's naturally high acidity offered a certain level of protection as well. "L'Enfant Terrible was the first wine that I had ever added SO{-2} once and never again," Dashe said later in an e-mail.
The result is an aromatic and fresh wine that clocks in at 13.8 percent alcohol - a relatively low percentage for any California wine, let alone typically high-octane Zinfandel. "The clarity and precision of flavor really expresses the site," says Ellenbogen, who ended up buying a sizable portion of L'Enfant Terrible's total production of 550 cases. The wine is currently featured by the glass at the Slanted Door. "We've already sold about 20 cases," Ellenbogen says.
Parr goes low sulfur
Styling a wine in the manner of L'Enfant Terrible could be catching on. Rajat Parr, wine director for the Mina Group, has made his own low-sulfur wine called Cuvee Anika.
Parr says the idea for Cuvee Anika came from the site-driven, minimally handled expression of Syrah that Thierry Allemand achieves in the Rhone appellation of Cornas. "I wanted to see if we could do something like that here."
Parr's first vintage of Cuvee Anika, which he made with Sashi Moorman of Stolpman and Piedrasassi, was in 2006. The wine is all Syrah, sourced from a vineyard near Cambria (San Luis Obispo County), one of the most marginal growing areas along the Central Coast. As a result, Parr says, the wine is high in acid and low in pH, with enough structure and tannin to keep it fresh. "It was fairly hearty wine," he recalls.
The numbers seemed to stack up in favor of making a wine with minimal handling or additives. Like Mike Dashe with L'Enfant Terrible, Parr and Moorman added a bit of sulfur when they crushed the grapes, but left it at that.
The duo took things further in 2007. One Syrah, made from the biodynamically farmed Purisima Mountain Vineyard in Santa Ynez Valley (Santa Barbara County), was harvested at 23.5 Brix. A small amount of SO{-2} - about 7 grams per ton of grapes - was added at the crusher, and then the grapes were left to undergo a whole-cluster fermentation relying entirely on native yeasts.
Another Syrah, which Parr gleefully refers to as his flagship "wine geek wine," was sourced from the Rim Rock vineyard near Nipomo in Arroyo Grande (San Luis Obispo County). With Brix levels of around 21 and a finished alcohol around 12 percent, Parr and Moorman added even less SO{-2} to the wine - 1 or 2 grams per ton. Both wines are fresh expressions of Syrah, with bright, vibrant fruit and mineral character. If anything, the Rim Rock feels more brisk, playing its pure expression off an inherent coolness.
Moorman says that although the two sites are completely different - Rim Rock is extremely cool, while Purisima Mountain is warmer but with high amounts of limestone in the soil - they both yield wines with high natural acidity, which eased concerns.
Parr is quick to acknowledge the risks involved with making a wine with little to no added SO{-2}: Stability and oxidation become major factors. "The wines can mature much quicker," he points out. It seems, however, that a wine from a well-farmed vineyard handled correctly and attentively is stable enough to take the risk.
As Parr sees it, his goal isn't to make a non-sulfured wine, but rather a wine that shows purity and clarity: "Exuberance," Parr says. "The wine just shows more."
For Moorman, the greater satisfaction lies somewhere else. "It shows that you can pick grapes at low sugar."
A magic combination
Decisions to reduce sulfur use are complicated. Sometimes they're made not based on numbers but simply personal conviction and the desire to take a risk. Phillip Hart, who grows grapes at Ambyth Estate in Paso Robles (San Luis Obispo County), combines low sulfur use with such practices as biodynamics and dry farming. Hart cites Frey Vineyards, the Mendocino pioneer of unsulfured wine in California, as one of his main inspirations for making unsulfured wine.
"I really like Frey wine, and I love the fact that a lot of people say you can't do it," he says.
Hart, who grew up on a sheep farm in Wales, makes a Grenache blend at Ambyth. As an experiment, he used minimal amounts of SO{-2} for most of the wine (regulations by Demeter, the Biodynamic certification agency, allow up to 100 parts per million in SO{-2} additions), but reserved a portion of it to keep sulfur-free.
While he is pleased with both wines, the wine made without any sulfur addition tastes "even fresher, more pure." The only problem he reports between the two wines is that after bottling, the wine made without SO{-2} suffered from bottle shock, whereas the wine made with a sulfur addition did not.
That problem, however, eventually sorted itself out. As Hart explains it, one of the advantages of making wines without SO{-2} in the modern era is that wineries themselves are cleaner and much more sanitary than in the past.
Like Hart at Ambyth, Abe Schoener at the Scholium Project is another California winemaker with a strong desire to challenge his understanding of how wine is made and where additions like SO{-2} fit in to the bigger picture.
For the most part, Schoener makes his wines without any added SO{-2}, save for a minuscule amount at bottling. Another technique he employs is to allow evaporation to occur during fermentation, with oxidation stopping on its own. In other words, he views oxygen both as a preservative and a component of his wine. Schoener, though, wouldn't be content to stop there. As if to hold a mirror to himself, he also makes a Verdelho with almost no exposure to oxygen. It's dosed with SO{-2} at the crusher, and then again every time the wine is racked or moved between tanks, in what is often called a reductive winemaking style. In contrast to maverick winemakers of northeastern Italy like Josko Gravner, whose wines also eschew sulfur, Schoener credits the inspiration for this method to the clean, crisp Gruner Veltliners from Austria - where such practices are highly common.
"I don't feel dogmatic about SO{-2}," Schoener says. "In fact, I love it - it's so powerful, so predictable. It's a really friendly tool and I know what it's going to do."
Perhaps recognizing sulfur's versatility, and risks, is the key to understanding how best to apply it. That goes for both winemakers and the rest of us.
How and why sulfites are used in wine
1. At the crusher: Sulfur dioxide in the form of a diluted liquid solution is added to just-harvested grapes at the crusher to protect against oxidation. Much of the sulfur added at this stage is effectively used up during the subsequent fermentation, converting into what is referred to as "bound" form, which has almost no flavor.
2. Barrel cleaning and maintenance: Sulfur dioxide was once the primary agent used to clean barrels and larger wooden vessels like puncheons or upright fermentation tanks; in the 19th century, this was accomplished by burning a sulfur wick, which released SO{-2} gas. Today, while other techniques are used in the cleaning process, winemakers often use a gas form of sulfur dioxide to maintain a sterile environment inside of wooden containers after cleaning.
3. In the winery: Sulfur dioxide is often used when topping up barrels that have lost some volume of wine through evaporation. There is a chance that microbial spoilage can occur at this point, so sulfur dioxide (as a diluted liquid solution) may be added as a preventative measure. Additionally, low levels of sulfur dioxide will protect against oxidation in the barrel.
4. During bottling: The bottling process can be rough on a wine, and there is the chance of overexposure to oxygen. Winemakers will often dose a wine with sulfur dioxide solution just prior to bottling in order to keep it in a reductive state, protected against oxidation. This SO{-2} should dissipate over time, although traces can remain present for longer periods in wines bottled under less breathable enclosures, like screwcaps.
Sulfites, sulfides and sulfur: What's in a name?
Sulfite: Applied to a class of compounds that includes sulfur dioxide among several derivatives of sulfur.
Sulfides: Volatile compounds of sulfur that can occur during fermentation. The smell of hydrogen sulfide closely resembles that of bad eggs and is therefore easily detectable.
Sulfur: An element and the parent of several useful compounds in winemaking; in its various forms, it is applied at every stage from the vineyard to the winery.
Debunking myths
There are several widespread myths about sulfur dioxide - and sulfites in general. Here are some explanations that should help you to finally avoid that headache in the morning:
Sulfites in red wine cause headaches. While it's true that exposure to high levels of SO{-2} is an unpleasant experience, there's no hard evidence that proves sulfites and SO{-2} cause migraines in red wine drinkers. A phenomenon often called "red wine headache" is a combination of several things, with histamines considered one likely major factor. High levels of alcohol and residual sugar are also far more likely culprits than sulfites. When it comes to the negative effects of sulfites, asthmatics are the most vulnerable and need to closely monitor their intake of sulfites - or avoid them altogether. It's worth noting though, that many foods - dried fruit, for instance - contain higher levels of sulfites than wine. Allergic reactions to sulfites include far more severe symptoms than headaches, like hives and anaphylactic shock.
Red wines contain more sulfites than white wines. The higher levels of tannin in red wines mean winemakers use less total SO{-2} in red wines than in whites. Sulfur dioxide is sometimes used to halt fermentation for wines that will be sweet, including many German Rieslings. Dessert wines, because of their high levels of residual sugar, have even greater levels of added sulfur.
Organic wines don't contain sulfites. It is impossible to produce a wine without any sulfites, as sulfur dioxide is a naturally occurring by-product of fermentation. Therefore, even wines with zero added SO{-2}, such as natural and organic wines from the United States and Europe, contain small amounts of the compound.
How does sulfur dioxide work?
The exact chemistry is rather complicated, but when sulfur dioxide is added to a wine, particularly at the crusher, it dissolves into two forms, bound and free.
Bound SO{-2} is basically locked up with the various chemical compounds that form during fermentation, and has been thought to have little affect on the flavor of the wine, while the free portion is available to react with harmful microbes and guard against the introduction of too much oxygen. Free sulfur dioxide that remains unabsorbed by the wine can create the smells - burnt matchsticks, rotten eggs - that some associate with sulfur.
Wolfgang M. Weber
California, the nation's leader in heat-related deaths among farmworkers, sought to turn that trend around three years ago with new laws aimed at ensuring people toiling in sweltering fields had such basics as a water break and an umbrella for shade. But if anything, the problem has gotten worse.
Since then, 12 farmworkers have died in suspected heatstroke deaths, six this year alone. That's twice the number of such deaths in the nearly three years before the laws were passed.
An Associated Press investigation found that an understaffed labor agency fails to consistently hold farms and labor contractors accountable for heat deaths or ensure they pay for violations and improve conditions in one of the most brutal jobs in America.
One recent high-profile death of a pregnant, teenage vineyard worker led the state Division of Occupational Safety and Health to issue a record fine of more than $262,000. But the fines often drop when appealed and have averaged less than $10,000 in other heat-related deaths. In one case, it ended up at just $250.
Currently, 210 state inspectors look for heat-related violations and other safety hazards at farms and all other kinds of work sites. But with just 1 inspector for every roughly 90,000 workers in California, the gaps are evident.
Foul water to drink
One day last month in Raisin City, about 20 miles southwest of Fresno, the owner of a cherry-tomato farm was fined $3,365 for violations that included offering no first aid and nothing to drink except a jug of foul, undrinkable water. But about 20 miles away in Kingsburg that same day, Ramiro Carrillo died after hand-picking nectarines in the 112-degree sun; he had gone home after apparently telling co-workers he felt sick.
"Why did no one run over to help him in an emergency? Maybe his life could have been saved," asked his grieving sister Natividad, who said she also fainted from heatstroke this year after pruning bushes at a San Joaquin Valley nursery. "People's lives are being lost, but sometimes I wonder if anyone cares if another Mexican immigrant dies."
Only firefighters suffer from heatstroke at a higher rate than farmworkers, and no occupation sees more deaths from it.
Cal/OSHA Chief Len Welsh said inspectors have stepped up sweeps through the fields this summer in anticipation of a deadly string of heat waves, and set each penalty according to strict formulas.
"You see people crouching underneath tractors when you go out in the fields. We think workers should be able to rest with dignity," Welsh said. "If somebody doesn't have shade up and available for workers this summer, they're going to get a whooping."
Laws violated
Violations are common: The agency conducted 1,018 heat inspections last year and found that 490 companies had violated heat illness laws.
The AP review, however, found that authorities have yet to collect fines in several heat death cases. In four of the cases, the agency's appeals board cut the fines by around half, or sometimes more.
One Central California farm paid the state just $250 after a 38-year-old man died harvesting lettuce seeds, after the farm's appeal of a $13,500 penalty, according to records.
Welsh said his office has no authority over the appeals process, and said the department that collects fines from employers has been slow to respond.
"Collections has been a problem historically and we need to fix it. I can't sugarcoat it," he said. "People have been dying all along every year for decades, and now that we're finally focusing on it we're finding all these heat fatalities. We're doing all we can with the very limited resources we have."
The highest-profile heat death in the fields has been that of Maria Isabel Vasquez Jimenez, a pregnant 17-year-old who died May 14. Authorities believe she collapsed because her supervisors denied her access to shade and water as she pruned white wine grapes for more than nine hours in nearly triple-digit heat.
Record fine
Cal/OSHA recently hit the contractor in that case, Merced Farm Labor, with a $262,700 fine, the highest penalty the agency has ever issued to an agricultural firm, and state authorities now want to revoke the company's license. Merced has appealed the fine.
Outside of that incident, however, companies were fined an average of just $9,945 for farmworkers who died from 2005 to 2008, even in the case of "serious" violations. Merced's fine was higher because state officials concluded that its violations were deliberate.
State Assemblyman Sandré Swanson, an Alameda Democrat who sponsored a failed bill to give Cal/OSHA stronger enforcement powers, said the system is broken because employers don't have to fix hazards while the state's citations are being challenged.
"Unscrupulous employers can game the system by filing frivolous appeals," Swanson said. "We cannot expect our workers to endure a lengthy series of appeals, especially when people have actually died from these conditions."
Bryan Little, director of labor affairs with the California Farm Bureau Federation, said most growers strictly follow the rules and make a conscious effort to teach foremen how to watch for the signs of heatstroke.
Heat deaths are a nationwide problem at work places including farms, construction sites and oil derricks. At least 34 farmworkers in the United States have died of suspected heatstroke between 2003 and 2008; 18 of those were in California.
California is one of 21 states that has its own worker safety program.
10 deaths
Before the current law took effect, there were no specific employer rules regarding heat illness although they were required to have an injury and illness prevention program. A string of 10 deaths - four of them farmworkers - in a two-month period in 2005 prompted regulators to toughen the rules.
California Farm Bureau's Little said giving the agency still more oversight won't keep people from dying.
"Is the purpose of Cal/OSHA to induce compliance and protect workers, or is the purpose to collect fine money from employers?" Little said. "Encouraging employers to settle gets the hazards abated more quickly, and gets employees protected more quickly."
Advocates argue that lowering penalties - even when a worker has died - renders the regulations toothless.
Garance Burke
Associated Press
Restaurant Wine Prices Are Too High
A few months ago I sat as a seminar panelist at the 2008 Miami setting (Biltmore Hotel, Coral Gables) of the Vinitaly Italian wines promotion tour. The panel's theme was NEW TRENDS IN MIAMI RESTAURANTS AND THE WINE BUSINESS. The event organizers selected my topic; the job called for me to present something like the perspective of the online wine consumer community.
After explaining that my connection to the industry is strictly as a judicious consumer, I attempted to enlighten the professionals, particularly restaurateurs, about some of the concerns we wine consumers have. I spoke about Miami not really having a "wine culture", even though there is a great deal of interest about wine and people willing to pay for it. I complained about restaurants generally not having servers who know anything about the wines for which they take orders. I tried to tell them that my biggest gripe, and I suspect that of restaurant wine consumers in general, is offensively high prices.
The message was that high prices hurt the Italian wine industry (and the wine industry in general) because they make it less likely that patrons will buy any wine at all or will buy less of whatever they order. Perhaps even equally important, high prices deter experimentation, to the detriment of wine producers, regions and grapes that lie off the known path.
It's one thing to pay $30 for a bottle of an unknown label of Pinot Grigio, where at least you will have a general idea of what it will taste like. It's another to put down good money for a bottle of Nero d'Avola, a name you saw for the first time on the wine list, particularly when the most the server can do to educate you about it is show you or read to you the sophistry on the back of the bottle.
Similarly, it's one thing to buy a $20 bottle at a restaurant, not like it, set it aside, and get another one. It's another to by a $90 bottle and walk away from it. I issued a call to restaurateurs to align table prices more closely with street prices.
After the seminar, I got some direct and indirect feedback from some of the restaurant owners. One protested that I was preaching against her ability to make a living. Another mentioned that at his place he only charged twice his cost (100% gross margin), so, using our benchmark $10 bottle, he would only ask his patrons to pay $14 (rounding up to the next dollar).
I take my hat off to anyone who owns a restaurant. Theirs is a high risk and arduous business. Yet, I don't buy the party line that to "make a living" restaurant owners need to charge offensively high wine prices.
This complaint begs the question: OK, Leo, how should restaurateurs price their wines? That will be the subject of the next entry in this blog--which I have already written, but need to edit it some more to make sure I don't say the kinds of things that make the wife roll her eyes, as she does whenever I do or say the kinds of things refined folk don't.
Leo Bueno
Miami, Florida
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I have the following isssue, I need to move messages from one Folder to the Sent Folder, (we migrate from a sendmail/dovecot to zimbra) and Now we need to move messages from the migrated sent-email folder to our Sent Email
for all the users.
I think taht with zmmailbox its possible, but I need advise to obtain the messages id´s to move
Do you have any suggestion? we are using ZCS Opensource 6


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|Tribute paid to Stroh, Brown
|Written by Holyoke Enterprise
Family members of former HHS coaches Larry Stroh and Bart Brown were invited to the Jan. 23 Memorial Wrestling Dual in Holyoke.
The following was read for their introduction prior to the dual action.
"Our purpose here tonight is to honor and remember two outstanding and dedicated wrestling coaches. Through their tireless efforts and the love of the sport, they molded many Holyoke wrestlers—not only into consistent state contenders, but outstanding young men.
"Bart Brown grew up near Vernon and wrestled for Wray under coach Bob Smith. After wrestling for UNC, Bart returned home to farm with his father, Dwight. Steve Millage approached Bart, at the age of 23, to coach the junior high wrestling team in Holyoke in 1994. In 1995, he coached the junior high and high school wrestling teams. And in 1998, Bart coached the first Holyoke state champion in 41 years.
To read the full article, consider our e-Subscription. Call us at 970-854-2811 for details!
Bart Brown's family members accept a gift in remembrance of the former coach at last Thursday's dual wrestling tournament. Pictured from left are Bart's sons, Austin and Beau; his parents, Priscilla and Dwight; and Steve Hayes presenting the gift. Also present for the memorial dual were Bart's brother Matt and his family, including wife Marcy and children Paige, Autumn and Reed.
Stroh family members who attended the Jan. 23 Larry Stroh/Bart Brown Memorial Dual in Holyoke are pictured from left, Chad, Melissa and Duane.


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On evenings and weekends, when the parking lot is full at Darien Library, there is plenty of overflow parking behind Nielsen's. Just drive over onto Thorndal Circle and turn left at the 2nd driveway where you'll find a sea of spots! And here's even better news! There is a lighted, paved walkway that connects directly to the Library parking lot. (A shortcut!) (You do not have to walk all the way around and down to the Post Road.)
So, on evenings and weekends, when our parking lot is full, please go to the land where the parking is plentiful and lit (and legal!).


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By Kevin Siembieda
We are all working like crazy on all kinds of fronts: Megaverse® in Flames finishes, The Rifter® #67, Robotech® Expeditionary Force Marines, every aspect of Robotech® RPG Tactics™ (confirming manufacturing specs, approving manufacturing proofs, making arrangements for Customs, shipping and delivery – a lot of logistical details), assigning artwork, dealing with all aspects of Gen Con (spent a lot of time this week designing and building our Gen Con display), finding the right pallet step beams and new rack system for the Palladium warehouse (Alex has 10 quotes coming in so we can make radical changes in order to accommodate everything), as well as dealing with all the usual day-to-day stuff. All of us have been putting in 10-15 hours a day. Last Friday, Wayne was working at 1:00 AM. Yikes, my head is spinning just writing this all down. Details follow below.
Final Spring Cleaning Sale (50% off) — extended till Sunday, June 29, 2014
We have been so darn busy, we forgot to take the sale down at midnight last Sunday. Sales remained so strong the next two days, and all of you seem to be enjoying the sale so much, that Kathy Simmons encouraged us to keep it going for the rest of the week, through Sunday, June 29. So that's exactly what we are going to do.
50% off – Spring Cleaning Sale – extended till SUNDAY, June 29, 2014. You have THREE more days left to take advantage of this 50% off sale. And then it's over! Don't miss out. Again, I want to thank all of you for your participation. These Spring Cleaning Sales really did help clear out the warehouse of inventory and put a smile on the faces of a great many gamers. We are glad so many of you have enjoyed the Spring Cleaning Sales. It was fun putting them all together. Please spread the word so everyone gets a shot at these great deals.


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|Stormy summer halts PCAC's 2009 Parade of Home Gardens
|Written by Holyoke Enterprise
Dear editor:
One of the goals of the Phillips County Arts Council is to share the art that is all around us. It is everywhere; not just on canvases or in galleries, but in nature as well. This belief is what drove the Arts Council Board to initiate a county-wide event that acknowledges the art found in people's yards and gardens.
Any gardener will agree that gardening takes patience, passion and dedication, just as any other art form does. For the last two years, residents from Haxtun to Amherst have shared their artful nature in the Parade of Home Gardens. From artfully arranged gardens to uniquely landscaped lawns, gardeners shared their work with other residents, and even some coming from neighboring Colorado and Nebraska towns.
These same residents, however, have certainly noticed the stormy weather this summer has brought. This year it was a struggle to find enough gardens that had survived the hail to join the parade.
While it is unfortunate we will not be sponsoring a tour this summer, we appreciate those who have participated in the past, and who intended to share their gardens in this year's parade. Having had such good reception in the past, we intend to continue to recognize local artists in the Parade of Home Gardens. Plan for a parade early next summer.
Phillips County Arts Council board members


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Learn about allergies in this animated video about how allergic reactions occur and how antihistamines can control them.
Lesson plan is based on a discover video. "Program Description: It hurts to get stung by a wasp, but itâs dangerous if you happen to be allergic to them. Learn why a sting may be just a pain to one person but cause an extreme histaminic responseâand even deathâin another." - Discover Education.
A list of student-submitted discussion questions for Allergies.
To use prior knowledge of root words to learn new vocabulary words using Etymology.
To stress understanding of a concept by summarizing the main idea and applying that understanding to create visual aids and generate questions and comments using a Concept Matrix.
Describes the current state of the Southern Sea Otter and efforts to explain declining population levels. The answer to the problem lies in the interplay of multiple factors giving students a real world conservation problem.
Covers microbial ecology and how bacteria develop resistance to environmental challenges.
Covers new work with DNA looking at control of DNA expression and the inheritance of acquired characteristics. It also addresses the bigger issue of how scientific theories change as new knowledge is acquired.
Learn about how parasitic roundworms can affect your health.
This study guide reviews allergies, autoimmune disease, and immunodeficiency (HIV and AIDS).
These flashcards help you study important terms and vocabulary from Allergies.


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In order to improve inter-divisional coordination and to promote better cooperation with regional offices, two changes have recently been made to FAO statistics governance mechanisms, namely the creation of the position of Chief Statistician, and the establishment of an Inter-Departmental Working Group on Statistics. These changes build on steps already taken to bring coordination and coherence to the operations of the FAO statistical system in light of recommendations made in the Independent Evaluation of FAO's Role and Work in Statistics (2008).Stronger governanceIn this context, the Chief Statistician ensures stronger governance of FAO statistical systems by fostering the consistency of the overall FAO Statistical Programme, guaranteeing statistical excellence through the implementation of statistical standards, quality assurance mechanisms and best practices, and by strengthening FAO presence in statistical discussions at global level. Inter-divisional coordinationThe IDWG on Statistics has replaced the Statistical Programme Steering Committee (SPSC) and Statistics Coordination Working Group (SCWG) as a more formal statistics coordination mechanism with the recognized authority to make decisions of corporate relevance. The membership comprises all units within FAO concerned with the collection, compilation & dissemination of statistics including the Regional Offices. It promotes inter-divisional coordination and cooperation on statistical programmes, as well as corporate consistency and alignment in statistical practices. It also endorses methodologies, common conceptual frameworks and innovations and ensures the implementation of corporate standards. Furthermore, the IDWG oversees and coordinates corporate statistical work and provides guidance on the implementation of the statistical components of FAO projects. The IDWG on Statistics is supported by the Technical Task Force who meet on a monthly basis, and who focus on technical issues.
Programme of workFAO has a decentralized statistical system involving 15 divisions in eight departments. In 2010, the first consolidated FAO Statistical Programme of Work 2010/11 was compiled to provide a clear overview of ongoing statistical work at FAO. This has now become a regular activity and a second version was written in 2012. The Programme provides a summary of all of the principal statistical activities, and a detailed description of all the individual statistical activities carried out by the Statistics Division and all other FAO Divisions active in the field of statistics. Both Programmes of Work, and an abbreviated version of the FAO Statistical Programme of Work 2012/13, are available on this webpage.
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BEST ENTRANCE: Use mall entrance on the upper level of the Bloomingdale's and Dick's Sporting Goods parking deck
LOCATION IN MALL: Located on the upper level in the Dining District, between Bloomingdale's and Dick's Sporting Goods
(516) 746-0962 | Driving Directions | Taco Bell Website |
View Deals | Mall Map
More stores to consider
La Bottega
Sushi Fuji
Ever wished you could write your own sauce packet wisdom? Today you can on our #Snapchat. https://t.co/BgGN4BOm4n https://t.co/Ret22jgRSQ/p>
Make it rain.
Read More
After reading this article, you will never look at a taco wrapper the same way again. https://t.co/eR4yPrU7md/p>
RT @itsmattfred: how I flirt!!!!!!!!! https://t.co/0aesra3fRh/p>
RT @merary_zagadaa: had to stop by to see bae before prom ???? @tacobell https://t.co/C018sv7d9D/p>
If you had to choose between a lifetime supply of tacos or winning $1 million, would you choose soft or crunchy?/p>
Take a quick break from eating tacos to thank someone. Good reminder from @YumBrands Executive Chair David Novak. https://t.co/JVKlMLmfqj/p>
I will finish what you started. #MayTheFourth
Need more Taco Bell nail designs from @stephstonenails. ???? https://t.co/zZFL6KfI98/p>
On May 5th, it's back. Back for good. #DiabloSauce https://t.co/QsvspfaumL/p>
Text the code on our new Blizzard cups for a chance to win Overwatch. Collect all 4. No purch necessary. Rules in bio.
Self portrait.
Our new Feed The Beat Big Box showcases 26 artists you need to listen to right now.
Grab some popcorn (and tacos.) Our Fan Fueled Film premieres tonight during the @mtv #MovieAwards 8/7c.
Tag your cheesiest friend. ??
It's time to reveal this month's mobile app offer... Details in bio.
Don't be hangry in the A.M. The $1 Morning Value Menu can fix that.
Back at it again with the tacos.
Cheesy, doubly, beefy goodness. Get it while you can. #CheesyDoubleBeefBurrito
We're helping you make the most important decision of the day. Follow us on #Snapchat. https://t.co/BgGN4BOm4n https://t.co/o54pqcwkTG/p>
RT @DoctorSara: Immediately after getting married...you go to @tacobell https://t.co/UpHnZseAJS/p>
This is what celebrating your birthday at Taco Bell Headquarters is like. https://t.co/SL2sWv3Xb7/p>
RT @KevinTPorter: If this gets 307 RTs I will write, record, and release an album of love songs about @tacobell. I'm not kidding./p>
Talk taco to me.
RT @stevezaragoza: "A hero is someone who has given his or her life to something bigger than oneself." - Joseph Campbell @tacobell https://…/p>
Best. Senior. Quote. Ever. https://t.co/LLvkYUxXHw/p>
Our #TacoEmojiEngine is waiting for you. Tweet us ?? + any other emoji. https://t.co/fxRBqa7woJ/p>
#HappyMothersDay ?????? https://t.co/QBPCoJYSxF/p>
RT @nowthisnews: This guy awoke from a 48-day coma and immediately asked for @tacobell https://t.co/A8FXWTnRIe/p>
RT @man_dammn: I might of been picked in the 5th round to play in the NFL but I'm @tacobell number one draft… https://t.co/SzRCW1cGkK/p>
Not all heroes wear capes. Happy Birthday to our hero, @Jax. ?? https://t.co/xTgxKfbuWM/p>
Got tacos on your mind today? Us too. Snap us your Cinco de Mayo celebrations using our @Snapchat lens today.
Today only: turn yourself into a taco using our @Snapchat lens. Because Cinco de Mayo. https://t.co/P4KwLdFNFZ/p>
Ever dream of being a taco? Today we're making those dreams come true. Check your @Snapchat lenses right now.
I will finish what you started. #MayTheFourth https://t.co/fCqQ1sOmTI/p>
Cooking Rule: If at first you don't succeed, get Taco Bell./p>
Tag someone who needs some inspiration today.
Oh, you fancy-ish huh? #SteakDoubledilla
You jelly? #NationalJellyBeanDay
My main twist since day one.
If you love it, like it. Get this post to 50,000 likes, and we'll keep the #BeefyCrunchBurrito on the menu even longer.
Meet your summer crush on our @Snapchat story today. https://t.co/BgGN4BwKFN/p>
You wear what you eat. ??
Employee of the month. ?? https://t.co/lS0M9p6qKN/p>
RT @curtislepore: When you're trying to take a nap and someone says "let's get Taco Bell" https://t.co/XzNUunl1Ln/p>
RT @Kissme_Kiki: Thank you @tacobell for making me a taco. This has been my dream. !!!!!!!#DreamsDoComeTrue https://t.co/V2xklEvDYt/p>
RT @samsheffer: hello @tacobell your cinco de mayo @Snapchat lens is lit af https://t.co/jnFfwWEqwh/p>
RT @alexalosey: when bae spices up your life @tacobell https://t.co/i7mcii52On/p>
Wish granted.
RT @sonaralee: For some fascinating reading, I recommend the Taco Bell website: https://t.co/aKuGqgIpio/p>
RT @pauli_jpeg: Live Mas #Prom @tacobell https://t.co/7Yp6o9uHZQ/p>
Snapchat Menu Hacks is back and spicer than ever. Follow "TacoBell" to find out how to make all of these creations. https://t.co/6hGwKXo4p0/p>
19 Phone wallpapers that every Taco Bell fan needs. https://t.co/HYlyxXPZTA/p>
8 Facts you didn't know about Taco Bell packaging. https://t.co/EjOqMndrby/p>
RT @baylynnejoy: IF YOU AINT PLAYING THE @tacobell EXPLORE GAME U PLAYING YOURSELF WOW MY LIFE IS UNREAL https://t.co/sMp32XgdGP/p>
Fridays just got a lot better. Find out why on our @Snapchat today. https://t.co/BgGN4BOm4n https://t.co/WK49cTU5sl/p>
Sauce with Verde before it's gone.


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Spring Training photos: Christian Colon and Wil Myers
The Royals won one and lost one in split-squad play on Monday. Several top prospects from minor league camp joined the major league squads for the games. Christian Colon, KC's first round pick in 2010, played shortstop and 2009 third-rounder Wil Myers entered the afternoon contest as a pinch hitter (notice that Wil doesn't wear batting gloves!).
Today's game, which is underway, is an audio webcast on royals.com.
2 Comments
Can't wait to see the boyz in action this season. How 'bout some videos? My Son (Tyler – 10yrs) is playing for the KC Royals Blythewood Baseball League Minors Little League club and is also looking very forward to a great season with KCR this year! Get 'em Royals!!!
Thanks for your comment…royals.com has put an extra emphasis on video content at Spring Training this year…
Please visit: http://kansascity.royals.mlb.com/video/play.jsp?topic_id=16703580&c_id=kc
Go Royals!


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Willer Earns Big 12 Weekly Honor
AMES, Iowa - Iowa State freshman forward Koree Willer earned Big 12 conference Newcomer of the Week honors, the league announced Tuesday. This marks the first time, the Fort Collins, Colo. native has earned the recognition from the conference.
Willer earned the honor after leading the Cyclones to their first conference win against the Oklahoma Sooners Sunday. The freshman continued her stellar season with a goal and a pair of assists against Oklahoma. In the 24th minute with the score tied 0-0 Willer started the Cyclones off strong drilling a shot into the back of the net. The freshman wasn't done yet. She set up teammate Emily Goldstein in the 51st and 71st minutes en route to the Cyclones 4-1 victory. Willer is third on the team in goals this season with four and tied for first in the Big 12 in game-winning goals this season.
Senior Emily Goldstein was honored by College Sports Madness as the Big 12 Player of the Week following a hat trick against the Oklahoma Sooners. Willer assisted Goldstein on two of her three goals.
This is the second time an Iowa State soccer player has been honored by the conference this season as senior goalkeeper Maddie Jobe earned Defender of the Week honors last week.


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Institutional Accreditation by the NWCCU
UAA has been accredited by the NWCCU, one of six regional accrediting associations recognized by the U.S. Department of Education, since 1974. UAA's accreditation status applies to all campuses of UAA, including Anchorage, Kenai Peninsula College, Kodiak College and Matanuska-Susitna College.
Institutional accreditation is regularly reviewed and renewed (or "reaffirmed") by the NWCCU. This occurs through regular reports and site visits. UAA's institutional accreditation was last reaffirmed in early 2012, as a result of an accreditation report in September 2011. This report began a new accreditation cycle that will run from 2011-2017.
Accreditation Steering Committee
The Accreditation Steering Committee, formed in spring 2014, is an advisory group created to ensure broad institutional participation and sustainability of the accreditation process. To find out more about the Committee and view membership, agendas, and minutes, visit the Committee's website.
Prince William Sound College Joins UAA's Accreditation
"Prince William Sound College (PWSC) will become the fourth community campus of University of Alaska Anchorage (UAA) and will join the university's accreditation effective in the 2015-2016 academic year.
As the college moves under UAA's accreditation, the school will be formally renamed from Prince William Sound Community College to Prince William Sound College. This change in accreditation will provide students, staff and faculty of the college with additional accessibility to wider university resources...."
For the complete article on this change, please visit the Green and Gold blog.
UAA Core Themes
The NWCCU requires institutions to establish accreditation core themes, objectives, and indicators. UAA's core themes are aligned with the UAA 2017 Strategic Plan Priorities:
UAA Mission Fulfillment
Along with core themes, the NWCCU also requires institutions to define mission fulfillment, describing how the university will know that it is accomplishing its mission. UAA is taking a more holistic approach to mission fulfillment, integrating the contributions of many units to the mission and core themes.
To learn more about mission fulfillment, including UAA's Institutional Assessment Plan, please click here.
NWCCU Statement on Institutional Accreditation Status
The University of Alaska Anchorage is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU).
Accreditation of an institution of higher education by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities indicates that it meets or exceeds criteria for the assessment of institutional quality evaluated through a peer review process. An accredited college or university is one which has available the necessary resources to achieve its stated purposes through appropriate educational programs, is substantially doing so, and gives reasonable evidence that it will continue to do so in the foreseeable future. Institutional integrity is also addressed through accreditation.
Accreditation by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities is not partial but applies to the institution as a whole. As such, it is not a guarantee of every course or program offered, or the competence of individual graduates. Rather, it provides reasonable assurance about the quality of opportunities available to students who attend the institution.
Inquiries regarding an institution's accreditation status by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities should be directed to the administrative staff of the institution. Individuals may also contact:
Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities
8060 165th Avenue N.E., Suite 100
Redmond, WA 98052(425)558-4224
Note: This statement is pursuant to NWCCU requirements on disclosure of accreditation status.


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Hi Guys.
My wife and myself got drawn on unit 83 for antelope this year.
We should be around at the end of this month to spend a week and find lopes.
We got 2buck tags and 2 does with 1/2 mile of irrigated land (type 6).
We will be camping on a campground in Thermopolis and visit the beautiful area at the same time.
Any advise or tips would very appreciated as we didn't get lucky last year in a unit north of Gillette.
We'll be looking for land owner permission as well for a good butcher in the area.
Just got my topo map of the area but couldn't get the GPS chip map as we live out of country. We will try to buy it on our way there in a hunting store or in Cody.
Thanks in advance and you guys have a good hunting season coming.
Eric. (Calgary)
Have you guys hunted yet? We applied for that unit but didnt draw.
Not yet Hiker, but I will let you know.
Please do, I am putting my grandfather in for that area next year. Surely with his points and the special app he will draw it ( same thing I thought this year too!)
Please correct me if I'm wrong but isn't a type 6 tag just a plain old doe permit? Type 7 would be something different...
Should be plenty of public land to hunt, especially compared to the area North of Gillette. I think finding a landowner to let you hunt does would be easy, just stop and ask or call the local warden and/or biologist.
You need to stop by the Hot Springs State Park in Thermopolis while you are there, excellent shower and hot spring soak to be had. For free too!
Good luck!
Suppose to Snow friday with a high of 28 on Friday in Medicine Bow! Better bring the covey's!
type 6 can, and some do, have restrictions.


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By Steven Jones (Dallas, TX) on (Feb 5, 2011)
Comments: Although this is a great device it tends to go through 4D batteries each week! The AC Adapter can be difficult to find for under $90. I looked and found them at homegympower.biz for less than half that. Once you have an adapter there is nothing to worry about except finding time to use this elliptical! It's smooth, quiet and gets the job done!
Get ready to lose weight and burn calories with the Gold's Gym StrideTrainer 380. This rear drive elliptical is fully equipped to help you meet all of your weight-loss goals. And, because it's from Gold's Gym, you know it has everything you need to get a gym-quality workout at home. This elliptical features 6 built-in workouts designed by Certified Personal Trainers. Choose from aerobic, weight-loss or performance goals and you'll be on your way to a slimmer, leaner you! And, don't forget to add intensity. This elliptical features console controls so you can conveniently adjust the resistance of your workout. And to round it all out, this elliptical is also equipped with a large LCD, convenient transport wheels and a 14" stride length. The StrideTrainer 380 has everything you need to maximize your workout time so you can lose those inches fast.


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/ UKC Fit Club Week 340
On the Alpine horizon Grand Combin appears like a giant stepping stone. It is isolated as the only 4000m peak between the Mont... Read more
Ten year-old Ollie Buckle recently made mainstream news with his charity-fundraiser climb of The Old Man of Hoy's in the Orkney... Read more
Don't miss out on your chance to buy a special made up version of the iconic Tupilak Jacket by Mountain Equipment. Repeating... Read more
Expedition Kit Hire offer high quality clothing (inc B2/B3 boots) and equipment for any type of expedition, e.g. from... Read more
After reviewing, not to mention rating, the Mountain Equipment Squall Jacket and Hope Pant last year I was happy to hear... Read more


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Great Wolf Lodge Sandusky, OH Indoor Water Park Resort
Swim, Splash, Slide
The adventure of a lifetime awaits.
Our massive, 84-degree indoor water park offers the best in weatherproof Sandusky family fun! You'll find plenty of jaw-dropping thrill rides and water slides along with zero-depth-entry playgrounds for your small children. Swim and splash the day away while creating unforgettable memories together.
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Great Wolf Lodge is packed with family-friendly attractions, activities and fun things to do for every member of your wolf pack. Test your skills in the sprawling Northern Lights Arcade or grab a magic wand and discover the mysteries of MagiQuest, our live action adventure game that transforms the resort into an enchanted realm of wonder.
Mani, Pedi, Ice Cream
Welcome to the sweetest retreat.
What could be more fun than an ice cream-themed spa for kids? It's a delicious dream come true at Scooops Kid Spa. Sit atop a banana split throne in your take-away tiara, and choose your favorite flavors for sweet treats like manicures, pedicures, flavored fizzy soaks and sherbet scrubs.
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Your Sandusky family vacation wouldn't be complete without fun and spacious hotel suites to choose from. Your kids will love the KidCabins and Wolf Dens that come complete with bunk beds, colorful murals and their own TVs. You'll enjoy the room to move and all the comforts of home.
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OK, this is the Spring Shrine Map, needed for my second adventure of Kaidan.
The shrine is located within a cave serving as the source for a spring leading to the start of a river in Oniba Province, Yonshu, Kaidan. An Ushi-onni or Bull Demon has infiltrated into this den of local kami water spirit and placed a poisonous rock as a demented offering in an attempt to drive the spirit mad by poisoning its sacred water. The PCs are expected to cleanse the site of the evil monster, if they expect to get any help from the local Henge Village of Kitsumura, located 1 mile to the east.
This is hand-drawn, digitally scanned, imported to Xara, then beveled shapes, drop shadows and shading for the final composite map.


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It looks slick, but the purpose of a map is to provide information. How well it provides information in this context will depend a lot on the method of FTL travel used in the game.
I see that the game is apparently supposed to be a strategy game of some kind, but no indication of how the player will move around the map, or even if that is part of play.


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Fall has taken a firm grip on Amsterdam, tossing and turning, unresolved on what to throw at its inhabitants, sometimes ruthlessly blowing or sprinkling deceivingly teasing rays.
One constant remains. People keep on pedaling. More than ever, apparently (more about that in the next post). Me, I've been going a new route. Something you get used to quite quickly. It only takes a few mornings to get a good feel of how traffic flows around you on certain streets that entail some squeezing. It is that organic thing. Everybody knows the ground rules, but it's about how you make some up as you go, without being a nuisance to anyone. The unwritten rules are far more interesting. They are still rules. Rules of engagement and common sense. Because there will always be people around you more vulnerable than you.
In the end, these musings are all quite inconsequential, of course, but who isn't experiencing melancholy this season, right? Then, you sit back, start a blog post and while typing away, you get informed on other things you take for granted, but aren't exactly half bad. :)
Lastly, if you've been wondering what's up with the quality of my pics lately, then you haven't heard yet about my declining camera-karma of late, leaving me dependent on flipping out the phone camera. One more month left of looking desperately forward to the arrival of my new Nikon.


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Planning my spring 2012 turkey hunts already. I know the 2011 spring turkey season is only days away, but I am looking at next year now for good spots.
My question is for those who have hunted the Jicarilla for turkey in the spring. Having read an article on spring turkey hunting here in one of my hunting magazines that arived today, I just want a second opinion on the are before I lock into stone my hunts for 2012.
Is the Jicarilla really that good for hunting Merriams in the spring? The article in the magaizine claims it is, but I want opinions from you guys who live there or have hunted it in the past.


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Vaden Nissan of Hinesville, Georgia - Altima, Maxima, Cube, Rogue, Pathfinder
Our inventory of new Nissan vehicles is among the largest in Georgia. With models like the Altima, Maxima, Cube, Rogue and Pathfinder to choose from, we are confident we have the vehicle for you. Visit Vaden Nissan of Hinesville and receive a great low price on your next new Nissan in Georgia. Use the Power Search filters below to find exactly what you are looking for, and then contact a salesperson by calling the number above.
When you are ready for a test drive, come visit us at 904 W. Oglethorpe Highway in Hinesville, GA.


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I have called myself a Buddhist for many years but I've been having trouble lately taking the refuges and precepts. I just salute the Buddha, Dhamma, Sangha from the Ratana Sutta.
The Buddha said that taking the refuges and precepts sincerely is more meritorious than giving him a meal so it's not as simple as it sounds.
I think to promise to keep the first precept I have to be like a Bodhisatta, and taking it when I know I have exceptions would be breaking the fourth precept against lying and the refuges as well. I got headlice in high school and used poisonous shampoo which I worry could happen again. I wonder if that is one of the reasons that monastics shave their heads.
Do you think I could take the first precept: "I undertake the precept to avoid destroying the life of living beings for the next 24 hours"? Do you think that promising to keep it forever and ever could be eternalism?
I guess that the Metta chant for snakes might help protect me from other parasites. And harm to parasites is the tip of the iceberg regarding the dukkha involved in me consuming food, clothing, shelter and medicine.
Thanks / dhammapal.


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I'm having an error while configuring the Zimbra Connector from the WIKI.
My Funambol Server Java's version is:
My computer Java version is:PHP Code:
user@intranet:/opt/Funambol/bin$ java -version
java version "1.6.0_14"
Java(TM) SE Runtime Environment (build 1.6.0_14-b08)
Java HotSpot(TM) 64-Bit Server VM (build 14.0-b16, mixed mode)
PHP Code:
C:\>java -version
java version "1.6.0_18"
Java(TM) SE Runtime Environment (build 1.6.0_18-b07)
Java HotSpot(TM) Client VM (build 16.0-b13, mixed mode, sharing)
I open the Funambol Administration Tool and I can see the Zimbra Connector listed in the tree. But when I try to "...add SyncSource" on it, it crashses the application with this error message:
Can this occur because of the different versions of java?Quote:
A java.lang.UnsupportedClassVersionError exception has occurred. ...


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1. Take the tomatoes and score them on the bottom. On the top, take off the tough skin left from the stem.
2. Dip the scored tomatoes in boiling water for about 20 seconds, then dunk them into ice water. At this point peel back the skin and cut them in half. Place them in a casserole dish and allow them to be evenly spread out.
3. Season the halved and peeled tomatoes with sea salt, sherry vinegar and fresh basil. Alow to marinade like this for some time. (from 2-24 hours, depending how long you can wait.)
4. Puree the tomatoes in a blender while adding the olive oil slowly. Then strain the seeds out with a shinois.
5. Garnish with bacon and croutons.


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(CANADA) – Many items are now available for sale online directly from Louis Garneau.
(USA)– Online ordering is available. Items we have available for sale will have a buy now button.
(INTERNATIONAL) International orders can be filled by any Louis Garneau authorized distributor. Please use our store locator to find the nearest distributor to you. If you are unable to find one, please contact Customer Service for assistance.
(CANANDA & INTERNATIONAL)– Our products carry a one year warranty from the date of purchase. Claims must be addressed with the initial proof of purchase to an authorized Louis Garneau Sports Inc. dealer and be treated by the latter in compliance with the return and warranty policies set forth by Louis Garneau Sports Inc.
(USA)– Our products carry a one year warranty from the date of purchase. You must return the item where you bought the item. If you bought the item directly from Louis Garneau, you may contact Customer Service.
Please use our store locator to find an authorized Louis Garneau dealer. Store Locator
We offer a range of sizing to fit personal tastes and performance results. Please refer to the size chart page for more information about specific products. Sizing Charts