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News Archive
Friday, December 10, 2010 - 14:27
The American Physiological Society condemns all acts of violence or intimidation against individuals engaged in legitimate scientific inquiries intended to advance knowledge and improve health.
Friday, December 10, 2010 - 14:16
Stem cells taken from the brain of a 13-year-old girl were transplanted into newborn mice and developed into a variety of brain cells almost identical to the animals' own — a procedure that someday could be used to replace the misfiring cells in some epilepsy patients, the researchers said.
Wednesday, December 8, 2010 - 12:01
(SCHAUMBURG, Illinois) December 1, 2010—Citing its policy on the use of animals in research, testing and education, the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) today condemned the recent actions of animal rights activists who have targeted a University of California research neuroscientist.
Wednesday, December 1, 2010 - 14:51
A gene therapy technique which aims to ease memory problems linked to Alzheimer's Disease has been successfully tested in mice. US scientists used the technique to increase levels of a chemical which helps brain cells signal to each other.
Tuesday, November 30, 2010 - 12:33
Harvard scientists at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute say they have for the first time partially reversed age-related degeneration in mice, resulting in new growth of the brain and testes, improved fertility, and the return of a lost cognitive function.
Tuesday, November 30, 2010 - 12:24
Metformin, a drug used in type 2-diabetes might have the potential to also act against Alzheimer's disease. This has been shown in a study from scientists of the German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), the University of Dundee and the Max-Planck-Institute for Molecular Genetics.
Wednesday, November 24, 2010 - 12:43
Researchers have found evidence that an environmental pollutant may play an important role in causing multiple sclerosis and that a hypertension drug might be used to treat the disease.
Wednesday, November 24, 2010 - 12:35
An old pinworm medicine is a new lead in the search for compounds that block a signaling pathway implicated in colon cancer. The findings, reported by Vanderbilt University Medical Center researchers in the November issue of Nature Chemical Biology, suggest a fresh approach for developing therapeutics that target the pathway.
Monday, November 22, 2010 - 14:46
New studies identify brain changes in people with Alzheimer's disease. The results give researchers a greater understanding of the disease and may help at-risk individuals by improving early detection.
Tuesday, November 16, 2010 - 21:04
New animal research has identified factors, such as the stress response and immune system, that may play important roles in depression. Scientists have also found that the regulation of nerve cell signals influences depression in animals, and that new drug combinations may more effectively treat it. The findings were presented at Neuroscience 2010, the annual meeting of the Society for Neuroscience and the world's largest source of emerging news on brain science and health.
Tuesday, November 16, 2010 - 20:51
A drug used decades ago to treat high blood pressure has been shown to improve learning and memory in mouse models of Alzheimer's disease, according to a new study by researchers at the National Institute on Aging (NIA), part of the National Institutes of Health.
Tuesday, November 16, 2010 - 13:05
There are disorders and conditions that entail increased itching and can be extremely troublesome for those suffering from it. The mechanisms behind itching are not well understood today. For one thing, what is it about scratching that relieves itching?
Friday, November 5, 2010 - 15:41
A new study by Greek researchers suggests that the biologic drug bortezomib (Velcade), a proteasome inhibitor used to treat multiple myeloma (bone marrow cancer), may represent a promising treatment for rheumatoid arthritis (RA).
Wednesday, November 3, 2010 - 18:07
New research published in the Journal of Leukocyte Biology suggests that a purified form of a product modified from simple sugar molecules can eradicate killer viruses by mobilizing white blood cells.
Wednesday, November 3, 2010 - 18:01
A team of scientists from Japan and the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine have created a new mouse model that confirms that mutations of a protein called beta-synuclein promote neurodegeneration.
Wednesday, November 3, 2010 - 17:48
A molecular pathway within the brain's reward circuitry appears to contribute to alcohol abuse, according to laboratory mouse research supported by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). The findings, published online today in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, also provide evidence that the pathway may be a promising new target for the treatment of alcohol problems.
Tuesday, November 2, 2010 - 17:09
University scientists are using a seemingly unlikely animal to study development, cell function and the effects of debilitating human diseases. Ninety percent of zebrafish's amino acids are in the same order as a human's. Because of these similarities, zebrafish make excellent model organisms for research on human diseases.
Tuesday, November 2, 2010 - 17:01
At Sanford-Burnham Medical Research Institute (Sanford-Burnham), a team led by Sean Oldham, Ph.D., and Rolf Bodmer, Ph.D., recently created a simple model to link high-fat diet, obesity and heart dysfunction. Using fruit flies, they discovered that a protein called TOR influences fat accumulation in the heart.
Tuesday, November 2, 2010 - 16:15
Scientists at the National Institutes of Health have redefined the roles of several cytokines involved in the generation of immune cells implicated in severe autoimmune diseases. The study in mice showed that development of Th17 immune cells can occur without the presence of transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta, a mediator thought to be required for Th17 cell development.
Thursday, October 28, 2010 - 16:36


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SANTA CLARA -- Before fans sit down to watch the 49ers at Levi's Stadium at the start of the 2014 season, what will have happened to their trusted seats at demolition-bound Candlestick Park?
Those old, red and orange seats eventually will be made available for purchase, according to initial plans cited by a spokesman for San Francisco's Recreation and Parks Department.
Niners CEO Jed York said fans are bombarding him with questions about acquiring seats or other souvenirs from Candlestick Park before its eventual implosion next year by Lennar's developers.
"We're getting closer, and I hope we'll be able to get something done soon," York said Thursday on NFL Network's "NFL AM." "That's probably the most common question that I get asked from fans about Candlestick: 'Can I get my seat? Can I get something from the stadium?'
"We want to make sure that we can provide that opportunity to our fans, and obviously we're working with the city of San Francisco to make that happen."
Fans interested in acquiring seats can e-mail inquiries (to: firstname.lastname@example.com) that will be kept in a database until Candlestick's plans are finalized, according to Elton Pon of San Francisco's Recreation and Parks Department.
Several 49ers fans reacted on Twitter with hope they indeed can be reunited with their seats after this season.
"I would love to be able to take my seat home after this season! Would be awesome!" wrote @JayMoore52.
City-owned Candlestick has been home to the 49ers since 1971. The Giants played there from 1960-1999, and The Beatles played their final concert there in 1966.
"Bittersweet is the perfect way to describe it," York said of leaving Candlestick. "Candlestick has been around for a long time, started in the early 1960s. We moved in in 1972 (actually 1971).
"It was originally built for baseball; probably not the most comfortable football stadium, but there is a lot of history there. There is a lot of tradition, and we want to do everything that we can this season to celebrate the great times that we've had at Candlestick as the San Francisco 49ers."
The 49ers launched a website last November (FarewellCandlestick.com) for fans to vote on their favorite memories there.
An auction of other Candlestick memorabilia seems plausible. Steiner Sports Collectibles held auctions after the demolitions of Giants Stadium and old Yankee Stadium.
The 49ers are expected to move in 2014 into Levi's Stadium, next to their Santa Clara training facility. Levi Strauss & Co. bought the stadium's naming rights for 20 years at $220 million, it was announced Wednesday.
Candlestick Park will host the 49ers' regular-season opener Sept. 8 against the Green Bay Packers. The final regular-season game there is set for Dec. 23 against the Atlanta Falcons on "Monday Night Football."
Other visiting teams this regular season are the Indianapolis Colts (Sept. 22), Houston Texans (Oct. 6), Arizona Cardinals (Oct. 13), Carolina Panthers (Nov. 10), St. Louis Rams (Dec. 1) and Seattle Seahawks (Dec. 8). Preseason home games are against the Denver Broncos (Aug. 8) and the Minnesota Vikings (Aug. 25).
The 49ers are vying for their third straight NFC West championship. "This is going to be hands down the best division in professional sports, if it wasn't already last year," York vowed.
Levi's Stadium is the front-runner to host the 50th Super Bowl in 2016, and NFL owners will vote May 21 between bids from the Bay Area and South Florida.
"It's going to be a tough vote because you've got a stadium and a community that has hosted 10 Super Bowls compared to a brand new stadium that hasn't," York said. "I feel like we have a great bid; we have the best area in the world in the San Francisco Bay Area."
For more on the 49ers, see Cam Inman's Hot Read blog at blogs.mercurynews.com/49ers. Follow him on Twitter at twitter.com/CamInman.

subset: commoncrawl


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So, I've made it almost all the way through the Couch to 5K program twice now and I've had to quit one time due to laziness (I love the holidays! Or the weight-gaining time as I like to call it) and the second time due to my foot condition. I've been diagnosed with Morton's Neuroma and my podiatrist injected the neuroma and that made things better for a while (I also got pads and inserts for my shoes). However, since early January I have been trying to run again and my left foot is KILLING ME. I'm even starting to have trouble walking longer distances.
Is surgery my only option here? I really would love to find another way out of this.
And the big question - will the Neuroma go away if I treat it properly or will it always exist until I have surgery (which I do not want)?
My husband has one. His doctor (a podiatrist) didn't want to do surgery because his doctor said it can make it worse as often as it helps. The doctor didn't offer much encouragement. It had become so painful for him that he had trouble even standing for more than a few minutes, and shopping was a misery, much less any serious hiking. So, I talked him into trying my running shoe store. We had his shoes properly fitted with orthotics at the running store. All of his shoes that he wears on a daily basis were replaced in order to provide more room for the ball of his foot and toes. This was only two pair of shoes to start with, but it included steel toed boots for work. Next, I got him some RxCrocs, to wear around the house. No more bare feet. After 3 months, his neuroma has really loosened up and he doesn't have the pain very often. And he is back to hunting and fishing and hiking! Although, I am sorry he can shop, again!
I know the pain. I had neuromas in both feet.
I had surgery back in 2001 on one foot. Thre is no problem with that foot now except for a minor loss of feeling in two toes.
For the other foot, in 2003-2004, I went to a different podiatrist. I wanted to explore options other than surgery. The new Dr. recommended a series of injections with an alcohol based solution. I had five or six injections. It cleared up the problem. That foot is now pain free and there is no loss of feeling in the toes.
I would recommend that you talk to your podiatrist. If the Dr. thinks that surgery is the only option, you might want to talk to another podiatrist about treatment other than surgery. Although surgery will remain an available option.
I had two alcohol injections done today. I can't remember the exact solution percentages but my doctor said they are virtually risk free and after having several rounds could provide complete relief. I go back in two weeks to see where we go from here. I am having a bit of pain in my foot tonight (more than usual) that I hope is gone by tomorrow!
I would love to hear from others who have experience with alcohol injections.
I had alcohol injections for a neuroma 2 years ago. The pain subsided almost completely after 2 injections, and after 4 injections I was literally pain free. This was after having foot pain for several months, 2 cortisone shots, PT, orthotics, and taking lots of time off running. I wish I had done the injections earlier.
I've been pain free ever since.
I'm back again after my second round of injections! The pain since my first injection has been about the same, which my doctor said is normal. He said it really takes at least three rounds before you see any relief. I am looking forward to round three in two weeks!
Last time I had a HUGE bruise on the top of my foot the next day but this time you can hardly see the spots where the needle went in. The doctor said he may have hit a vein last time. I had a good deal of pain that evening also but this go round I haven't really had much, maybe just some tenderness. So far so good!
From what research I have done this procedure is called sclerosis of the nerve and the alcohol solution is 4%. It destroys the contents of the peripheral nerve. There's more to it than that but I'm not able to translate into everyday terms...plus I don't really understand how it works! I just hope it does!!
I am struggling with Morton's too, it makes me SO FRUSTRATED! I am waiting for my custom orthotics to come in, and got a cortisone shot last week. I think the cortisone is helping a bit, too soon to tell for sure. If those two things don't work I'm going to go the alcohol injection route too. Those of you that have had those injections- did insurance cover them?
I know all of you are trying to avoid surgery, but if it does come to that.....I say don't be afaird. It was well worth it for me and I wish I did it sooner.
I went to aorthopedist who only does feet and ankels and he did and great job. I was running, skiing, tennis, spinning...everything in 6-8 weeks.
My only advice is to make sure you get this resolved quickly as I ended up with a stress fracture from over compensating with my other leg.
I ran with the neuroma for 6 months and pushed through pain. My pain would start at mile 2 and continue to where my foot went numb after 14 miles, this allowed my to continue my marathon training.
I wish I hadn't waited so long after I realized the cortizone shots didn't work.
Good Luck!
Can I ask what type of regular shoes do you wear throughout the day with a neuroma? I have been suffering (not completely sure this is what I have.) I have been wearing flat sandals, and it seems to feel better when my shoes are completely flat. If I wear a heel, my toe swells.
Wide in the forefoot - or with some give in the sides like woven sandals - and flat or with a slight heel, are best for me. Wear what is comfortable. Sometimes too much cushion doesn't feel very good.
I've been wearing comfy flip flops or either wide tennis shoes when I have to wear shoes. Sometimes my tennis shoes do seem to aggrivate the pain.
mlarson1283...yes, my insurance does cover the alcohol injections. I have Anthem Blue Cross/Blue Shield.
I go tomorrow for my third alcohol injection and am very excited to start seeing some results. The pain has already begun to slightly decrease.
I have a question...where do you feel the pain from your neuroma? My doctor was surprised that I am feeling most of the pain right on the top of my foot, across the widest part. I think he expects it to be on the bottom. When he manipulates my foot I do get an uncomfortable feeling underneath my toes but the pain is definitely on the TOP of my foot. Anyone else?
My pain is a burning tingling that begins under my toes when I am walking or jogging, sometimes it gets bad enough I have to stop immediately & take off my shoe to rub it. I do have pain on the top when it is pushed in a certain way.
For shoes around the house, you can't beat birkenstocks, they are practically like orthotics.
SO GLAD to see this thread! I am certain I have the same thing. I have not been to a doc yet however. Just the great google.
Funny thing however, I can barely feel mine when running even though I am sure that that is what brought it on. My shoes are great... its the rest of the shoes I need to change!
I had the pod appt today. I do have a neuroma, plus the beginnings of a bunion on the big toe. He shot it with a combo of cortisone and alcohol. I saw stars, it hurt so much. Now I go to PT for a month, with another injection in about 2 weeks. No running until everything is healed and wear only sneakers also. Ugh!
Does anyone know if it okay to bike with a neuroma?
ACTIVE is the leader in online event registrations from 5k running races and marathons to softball leagues and local events. ACTIVE also makes it easy to learn and prepare for all the things you love to do with expert resources, training plans and fitness calculators.


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Career Center > Careers in Statistics > Which Industries Employ Statisticians
Why You Can Trust the Drugs You Take (and How Statisticians Contribute)
James A Bolognese, Biostatistician, Merck Research Laboratories
Suppose you go to your doctor because you sometimes have difficulty breathing. Your doctor tells you that you have asthma and there is a new drug that can help you breathe better. How do you know the new drug will work and be safe for you to take? You might also wonder where this new drug comes from. You can trust the drugs you take because current drug approval regulations require extensive, extremely accurate testing to demonstrate the safety and effectiveness of drugs before marketing. Statisticians enable scientists and reviewers to establish the accuracy and validity of these tests.
In the United States, the 1962 amendments of the Food, Drug, and Cosmetics Act require substantial evidence of the safety and efficacy of drugs before they can be sold. They charge the Food and Drug Administration with evaluating the adequacy of the evidence and approving drugs with adequate evidence for marketing.
Most countries have an agency similar to the FDA that evaluates drug research and approves drugs for marketing. Consequently, the FDA and regulatory agencies of other countries have drafted numerous guidelines, including statistical guidelines, for studying and documenting the safety and efficacy of drugs. These guidelines are modeled after the four basic steps of the scientific method: hypothesis, experimentation (observation), interpretation, and conclusion (or refined hypothesis for the next experiment).
To ensure adherence to these guidelines, there is extensive critical review by sponsor companies that make the drug, the FDA (and/or other regulatory agencies), and independent academic experts (FDA advisory committees) of all aspects of a drug's safety and efficacy from experimental studies prior to approval.
Role of the Statistician
Statisticians play a key role in the drug experimentation process leading to drug approval, particularly in determining the extent and complexity of the experiments and interpreting the results of those experiments. However, before a drug can be studied for its safety and efficacy in humans, it must be discovered! Statisticians are actually involved in the development of new drugs from the discovery of new drug chemicals through marketing approval and post-marketing surveillance for safety problems.
Drug discovery begins in the laboratories of basic research scientists. Samples of natural substances are collected from the far reaches of the globe and run through screening experiments to identify drug chemical candidates with desired effects; these are referred to as active drug candidates. Each screening experiment is designed to reveal active chemicals for a specific targeted disease. Statisticians work with basic research scientists to design these experiments so they make the most efficient use of time and materials and to ensure the analyses of resultant data lead to appropriate identification of active drug chemicals (also called compounds). Once a natural substance is found to possess activity toward a disease target, chemists work to isolate the particular molecule responsible for the activity.
Another way drugs are discovered is by combinatorial synthesis. In combinatorial synthesis, molecules of several types, each known to have a certain desirable chemical property, are chemically combined to form all possible combinations of resultant combination molecules. In this way, thousands of potential drug chemical candidates are produced and tested in screening experiments. Statisticians work with chemists and use probability theory to ensure sufficient quantities of all combinations of molecules are produced for the screening experiments.
Once an active drug candidate is identified, its safety is tested under strict ethical guidelines using laboratory animals. This laboratory safety assessment ensures that harmful properties of the drug candidate are identified before it is tested on humans. Statisticians work with scientists who study the drug's safety in lab animals to design these experiments and their analyses to identify unsafe compounds using minimal research animals. In addition, statisticians work with other scientists to design and analyze experiments that yield the best production processes for making the raw drug chemical.
Other experiments are designed and analyzed to formulate the drug chemical into tablets, capsules, solutions, etc., with appropriate properties for use, including dissolution (i.e., dissolving in solution), potency over long-term storage, etc. This research must occur before a single human takes the drug.
Once a drug candidate is demonstrated to be safe in animals and can be reliably produced, it goes through three phases of testing in humans before marketing. Phase I clinical trials verify the drug's acute safety in humans and document its basic pharmacologic properties (i.e., effects on targeted enzymes, hormones, tissues, etc., in the body).
In Phase II, the candidate drug is tested in patients with the target disease to identify proper dose(s) for further testing. Once the proper dose range is found, large-scale Phase III clinical trials are designed to definitively document the drug's safety and efficacy in the target population.
Statisticians play an integral part in this clinical study process. They assist the clinical research scientists, usually physicians, to design the clinical trials-including selection and validation of study measurements-and definition of subsequent statistical analyses. This design work must be done carefully to yield valid scientific conclusions in support of particular properties of the drug's safety and efficacy.
Statisticians are key drug development project team members; they help plan the overall experimental strategy (sequence of clinical trials) and execute it. They coauthor the reports of the trials' results, which are assembled into volumes that are submitted to drug regulatory agencies worldwide for approval to sell the drug. Statisticians also make presentations at national and international scientific meetings and coauthor research journal articles; these presentations and articles summarize original statistical methodology and/or unique medical results for the worldwide research community.
Statisticians in regulatory agencies review the New Drug Applications (NDAs). Sponsor (i.e., drug company) statisticians meet with their counterparts in the regulatory agencies and other reviewers to address questions. The drug's labeling for prescribing physicians and patients contains information about the drug's proper use. Statisticians contribute to the design and content of the product's labeling. The labeling information is reviewed by statisticians for correctness. The entire drug development effort from discovery to approval takes at least six years and costs on average $400,000,000.
It's Not Over …
After drug approval, the statistician's job is not over. Further testing may be necessary to address specific questions from regulatory agencies (Phase IV of the clinical development process) or for new and different uses of the drug (Phase V). Statisticians work with economists to document the drug's impact on costs compared to the costs of necessary treatment of the disease via alternatives that do not involve the drug. Market research involves statisticians who help assess the drug's potential financial impact on the company. Statisticians help design strategies and interpret results for studies of drug safety during marketed use.
Statisticians are key collaborators in all aspects of drug discovery, development, approval, and marketing. Consulting statisticians must learn as much as possible about the specific scientific areas in which they work to most effectively contribute their expertise to the research team.
In the pharmaceutical industry, statisticians work with research scientists in many fields, including biology, chemistry, pharmacology (i.e., the study of drugs' actions in humans), pharmacokinetics (i.e., the study of the drug's passage through the body), and clinical medicine (i.e., the drug's effect on the target disease). Opportunities for statisticians exist in all phases of pharmaceutical research: pre-clinical (i.e., laboratory) research, clinical trials (i.e., studies in humans), epidemiology (i.e., studies of the spread of disease), health economics, market research, and publication in scientific journals.
Returning to the title question, you can trust the safety and efficacy of the drugs you take because they are extensively tested according to strict guidelines. The results of this testing are carefully reviewed by the world's leading medical and statistical experts prior to approval for marketing. Without extensive statistical analysis, the implications of scientific data would be less clear and important information might be lost.
Statisticians are essential in the drug development process because they ensure the validity and accuracy of findings at all stages of drug discovery, development, approval, and marketing.


text: MLB Network is the ultimate television destination for baseball fans, featuring live games, original programming, highlights, and insights and analysis from the best in the business, including Bob Costas, Harold Reynolds, Al Leiter and Peter Gammons. MLB Network launched on January 1, 2009 as the largest launch in cable television history and is currently distributed in approximately 57 million cable, telco TV and satellite homes throughout the U.S. and Puerto Rico. For more information and to find MLB Network in your area, go to www.mlbnetwork.com.


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See all that Dining Service at Monroe can offer you. View the updated guide to dining on campus here.
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Sundance 2010 Identity2010
- Florian Feiter
- Sebastian Berns
Contributed by Stephen Coles
Staff Pick
Type Camp Japan, Takamatsu (JP), 12–17 May 20132013
- Daria Lanz
- Erica-May Chan
- Selma Zafar
Contributed by Florian Hardwig
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Trnava Poster Triennial Slovakia 20122012
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- Feb 12:
- Contra Costa Times editorial: Water districts should impose conservation measures now
- Oakland Tribune editorial: Water districts should impose conservation measures now
- Feb 7:
- California Drought: Desperately needed rain, courtesy of "Pineapple Express" slamming into California
- Feb 6:
- Drought doesn't mean doom for your plants
- Rain soaks Bay Area, another storm coming
- California drought: Big rain headed toward Bay Area could double dismal rainfall totals
- Feb 5:
- California drought: House water bill exposes deep partisan divide
- Feb 4:
- Fremont district urges conservation, offers water-saving program as drought persists
- Gov. Jerry Brown calls congressional Republican drought bill 'divisive'
- Roadshow: Caltrans watering less as drought continues
- Feb 3:
- North Bay homeowners slash water usage through creative conservation
- California drought: Biggest rainfall of 2014 soaks Bay Area
- Jan 31:
- California drought: State Water Project will deliver no water this summer
- Drought shakes off winter for perilous early spring
- Jan 30:
- Obama pledges support amid California drought
- California wine industry reports robust 2013, but worries loom about drought
- Drizzle brings hope to thirsty California but does nothing to deter drought
- Jan 29:
- Bay Area wakes up to drizzle as light rain appears for first time in more than a month
- Zone 7 Water Agency seeks 20 percent voluntary water reduction from customers
- Jan 28:
- California drought: 17 communities could run out of water within 60 to 120 days, state says
- Jan 27:
- Water oak trees if needed, but not too much
- Rain expected this week won't put dent in the drought, forecasters say
- Gold prospectors take advantage of California drought
- California drought: Bay Area water districts start asking urban residents to conserve
- Jan 26:
- After decades of payments, EBMUD may finally use its emergency water supply
- Jan 25:
- California drought: Past dry periods have lasted more than 200 years, scientists say
- Jan 23:
- Around Dublin: Do your part now to get ahead of drought
- Jan 22:
- Drought: California is a red state, if you're talking weather
- Jan 21:
- California drought: Tips for conserving water
- Jan 18:
- Snow makers rescue big Sierra resorts as drought bakes smaller ones
- Jan 17:
- Brown declares California drought emergency
- California drought: Three more months of dry weather likely, National Weather Service announces
- Jan 16:
- Drought declared a natural disaster in California, 10 other states
- Jan 14:
- Drought imperils California salmon, steelhead
- California drought: What's causing it?
- Jan 10:
- Despite California drought, chances for water bond are evaporating
- Jan 8:
- Timm Herdt: Learning to adapt to droughts
- Jan 3:
- Barnidge: California droughts aren't nearly as scary as they used to be
- Dec 29:
- California drought deepens as another year's rains stay away
LOS ANGELES -- With dangerously low snow levels in the mountains and rain coming in just dribs and drabs a deepening California drought has prompted Gov. Jerry Brown to urge people to turn off the water while brushing teeth and not to "flush more than you have to."
A snow survey Thursday in the Sierra Nevada in Northern California found the snow water equivalent was just 12 percent of normal for this time of winter, despite a storm that dumped some new snow Thursday. The water in the northern and central Sierra snowpack provides about a third of California's water supply. Satellite photos from space show the tops of the towering peaks as brown instead of white.
A weak cold weather system limping through the state did provide a few sprinkles of rain Thursday but it amounted to only a few hundreds of an inch and "the chances of tipping any rain buckets is much closer to zero," a National Weather Service forecast said.
The system could bring perhaps an inch of snow in the higher mountains.
The chance of rain was to continue into early Friday and again on Sunday but "even the wettest models suggest a very light precipitation at best, mostly under a tenth of an inch," the forecast said.
"Make no mistake, this drought is a big wakeup call," Brown said Thursday before meeting with local water district officials in downtown Los Angeles, where a smattering of rain fell later in the day. "Hopefully it's going to rain. If it doesn't, we're going to have to act in a very strenuous way in every part of the state to get through."
"Every day this drought goes on, we're going to have to tighten the screws on what people are doing," Brown said.
Brown declared a state drought emergency earlier this month and called on Californians to reduce their water usage by 20 percent.
On Thursday he offered some practical advice, including avoiding long solo showers and cutting down on toilet flushing.
State climatologist Michael Anderson said only 1.53 inches of rain were recorded from October through December, the lowest aggregate total in records dating back to 1895.
Officials say 2013 was also state's driest calendar year since records started being kept.
Southern California has been stockpiling water to deal with potential shortages but some places in the state are struggling.
State officials have said that 17 rural communities are in danger of a severe water shortage within four months. Wells are running dry or reservoirs are nearly empty in some communities. Others have long-running problems that predate the drought.
The communities range from the area covered by the tiny Lompico County Water District in Santa Cruz County to the cities of Healdsburg and Cloverdale in Sonoma County.


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Liverpool Message Board
Joe Allen
Was Joe Allen really a waste of dosh? His performances have been less than stellar, but does this injury account for that? Can anyone forget that for the first 3 months of the season he and Suarez were our best players, and we were all praising him to the heavens? For me, the team looks unbalanced when he and Lucas play together, and I do think we can get bullied in midfield when he plays.
My overall verdict is a good squad player, but shouldn't be in the starting 11.Sort: Newest | Oldest | Most Replied Expand all replies
Loki...hes a lightweight not even for the bench never liked what I saw since we bought the lad...I fault BR for buying him rather than spending the money on someone could seriously improve our midfield 16 mill I wouldnt from all ive seenrate the lad at even 5 mill .Its no wonder we keep getting mugged in the transfer market when people see us pay fees like that for a lad of his capacity.
- 1 Reply to colin
I agree and have a slightly different view at the same time on Allen. I certainly agree that there's something wrong when he and Lucas play together. I would also say there's a problem when Allen and Gerrard play together, especially when Gerrard plays in an advanced role.
I think the problem stems from playing a 3 man midfield with Gerrard in an advanced postion. We become very spread out and stretched which leaves huge gaps for the opposition midfield and forwads to exploit. I wish I could do pictures to illustrate my point.
have a look at this video and pause it at 1:24.
Look at the state we're in. Gerrard has lost the ball and is walking. There's a huge space through the centre and our right flank. The central defenders aren't aren't even in the shot. There is no sign of Lucas in this instance. His effort to tackle left me raging afterwards by the way. My point is that we are all over the place, no shape and not high enough. No where near tight enough. The distance between the forward line and our defense is far too great. We invite problems like this and any defensive midfielder would look rubbish when exposed like this.
dsteer_lfc_68 dsteer_lfc_68 Mar 21, 2013 18:26 Flag
There is no doubt he's had a dip in form from the beginning of the season when I personally was very excited by his fluid play. Whether that is down to an inability to play alongside Lucas or the injury or a combination of both I don't know.
But I would point out two recent observations in his defense. First last weekend against the Saints there is no doubt he was poor, but then can someone tell me who was better than average last Saturday? With no one standing out for a good reason, a number of players doing the opposite, I'm not sure it's fair to point out that performance as say he can't cut it. Put it this way, did we do any better in the second half when he was replaced by Lucas?
Second I'd look at the Spurs match when imo the bringing on of Allen was actually a major factor in swinging the result to us. Second half we could not get the ball to stick. To be honest I was afraid when Coutinho was pulled for Allen as it was clearly taking off an attacking player for someone to sit in the middle. But while we never looked at our best, after Allen came on we gain more control of the ball, and therefore dictated much more of the overall play.
So have a go at the lad if you like, at times in the second half of the season I'd say it's been appropriate to call him out, but also be balanced when the lad actually does make a more positive contribution.
- 1 Reply to dsteer_lfc_68
If the question was "is Joe Allen any good" I'd say "yeah, he's ok as a useful squad player". But if the question was "is Joe Allen worth £15 M" I'd have to say "Hmmmm I very much doubt it". The previous manager got pilloried for splashing £35 M on Andy Carroll when the Torres cash was sloshing arround and rightly so. Carroll was / is good, but not that good....and so is the case with Joe Allen, the slight difference being that when Joe was bought the cash was in very short supply. In fact to "crash the cash" on ex- Swansea "stars" Allen @£15 M and Borrini @£10 M has IMO proved not to be a very sensible decision at all 'cos neither has delivered very much. In fact, based on this past form, if I was John Henry I would seriously consider banning Brendan from going back to Swansea to buy a "hat-trick" of "stars" in bidding for Ashley Williams. If, however, we went for Laudrup it would be a different matter, but then I'm ever the cynic!
Mr Glum.


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Marketing and Brand Manager
- Recruiter
- Lawn Tennis Association
- Location
- London
- Salary
- c. £55,000 pa + excellent benefits
- Posted
- 04 Jan 2013
- Closes
- 20 Jan 2013
- Business Type
- In-house / Client-side
- Specialism
- Brand Management
- Sector
- Entertainment
Marketing and Brand Manager
c. £55,000 pa + excellent benefits
Based at The National Tennis Centre in Roehampton, London SW15
The Lawn Tennis Association is the National Governing Body for tennis and our goal is to grow and sustain the sport. We focus on developing participation growth and helping more people to play tennis, while also investing in performance tennis, delivering world class major events and servicing British tennis to support all of these areas.
Following the recent formation of a dedicated Marketing function, headed up by a Marketing Director, we are seeking a high calibre, experienced Marketing and Brand Manager to focus on the delivery of the operational requirements and day-to-day management of the Marketing and Brand team. This team will lead on event marketing, marketing partnerships, customer engagement and experiential projects.
You will need to be a professionally qualified marketer with exceptional leadership skills and 5 - 7 years of blue chip marketing experience, preferably from an FMCG background. Additionally you will need exceptional internal and external stakeholder management expertise, the ability to quickly develop credibility with senior management and excellent commercial acumen.
For further information and to apply online please click on the "Apply Now" button
Closing date: 20th January 2013 (Midnight)
Interview date: Friday 25th January 2013


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BERKELEY -- The fired head of the foundation that runs the city's iconic KPFA radio station and four other stations around the country is refusing to go and is living in her office with her mother and supporters.
Air mattresses line the hallways of the Pacifica Foundation Radio headquarters in Berkeley where former Executive Director Summer Reese cut a lock and re-entered the building March 17 after being fired four days earlier by a majority of the 22 member national board.
"We have no idea what's going on over there," said board chair Margy Wilkinson from the KPFA offices which are next door to the Pacifica Foundation offices on Martin Luther King Jr. Way, adding that she has not been let inside since Reese cut the lock. "They've been sleeping there 24-7 as far as I know."
Reese' mother, Geneva Reese, of Richmond, said she was there to support her daughter, "hold down the fort and keep out the enemies."
Police arrived on the scene Monday after Wilkinson said a Reese supporter began yelling at her on the sidewalk in front of the two offices. Wilkinson said she noticed employees bringing documents out to a mobile shredding service and began to ask questions. No injuries or arrests were reported.
Summer Reese, 40, said it was routine shredding, and in any case, all records are available on computer drives in the office.
Reese was a little over a month into her three-year, $105,000 a year contract when she was fired and given no reason, she said. Wilkinson declined to say why Reese was fired, saying it was a personnel matter.
The fight over who runs the organization has not affected operations at KPFA or other stations around the country, officials on both sides of the disagreement say.
Wilkinson said the Pacifica board has chosen a successor to Reese and will make an announcement in the next couple of days. In the meantime, the board is considering legal action to get Reese out of the office.
Reese, who oversaw a $13 million budget, said she will not go because the decision, supported by a bare majority of board members, was made at an unannounced meeting and is therefore void and illegal. She said the organization needs her because its books are in disarray, it's financial situation precarious.
"I care about this organization and they want to destroy it," Reese said. "I have a fiduciary duty to stay around and it will fall apart if I am not here."
Reese was the Pacifica interim executive director for 18 months before she signed a three-year contract Jan. 31.
Reese said the board's displeasure with her may have started in August when she had to lay off 19 employees, or two thirds of the staff at WBAI in New York.
Reach Doug Oakley at 925-234-1699. Follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/douglasoakley.


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- Jul 7:
- Corinthian Colleges: Bay Area campuses to be sold or closed
- Jul 2:
- Heald, Everest and WyoTech career college fates still undecided
- Jun 30:
- Heald College is for sale, parent company reports
- Jun 23:
- Heald, WyoTech, Everest schools will remain open under agreement with feds
- California lawmakers setting new regulator over for-profit career colleges
- Jun 20:
- Corinthian Colleges' closure threat alarms Bay Area students
- Jun 19:
- Corinthian Colleges, California's largest career-college company, could go out of business
- Oct 10:
- California sues for-profit college company, saying it sought out poor and 'isolated' students
Failing Corinthian Colleges Inc. hopes to sell rather than close its Bay Area schools, the company revealed Monday, but worried students are taking little comfort in its going-out-of-business plan.
The career college giant -- which succumbed to a freeze on its federal student aid money imposed in June by the U.S. Department of Education -- is seeking buyers for a half-dozen area campuses including Fremont's WyoTech and its Heald College branches in Concord, San Jose, Hayward, San Francisco and Stockton, company officials said in a Securities and Exchange Commission filing.
Under an agreement with the federal government, Corinthian had announced last week it would sell 85 of its 97 U.S. schools and close the rest but gave no specifics at the time.
On Monday, spokesman Kent Jenkins said the company's plan would "allow the vast majority of our campuses to continue serving their students and their communities under new ownership."
But such assurances aren't enough for students on edge as they await the final word, fearing it could be a tough sell, a concern that an industry analyst said has some justification.
"It's kind of scary," said Cathryn Murray, who attends Heald College in Concord. "What happens if they don't get a buyer? What happens to us?"
The sale of 85 U.S. campuses will likely be complicated by the company's financial challenges and regulatory battles, including those leading up to its closure, said Corey Greendale, who follows 12 publicly traded education companies (though not Corinthian) for First Analysis Securities Corp.
"There are a lot of hurdles that buyers will have to get over whenever schools have both financial and regulatory issues like these," Greendale said.
On the other hand, he said, a favorable price could attract a buyer who could view the acquisition as "an opportunity to start over."
Corinthian is under investigation by a number of states' attorneys general and the federal government into allegations its colleges lied to prospective students and falsified attendance and job placement records, among other accusations.
Last month the Department of Education -- Corinthian's main source of revenue -- dealt the company a deadly blow, cutting the company off from federal student loans or grants for three weeks as a sanction for failing to give up information its investigators requested.
Corinthian receives about $1.4 billion a year in federal student loans and grants for its roughly 70,000 students, according to the department.
The department has since agreed to release some funding in exchange for Corinthian's promise to allow students -- even at closed schools -- to complete their educations elsewhere, a process known as a teach-out. It will appoint an independent monitor to oversee all expenditures.
The Santa Ana-based company has until July 22 to prepare plans for each school.
California's community colleges might get involved.
"We have signaled that we will offer whatever assistance we can to students who may be seeking options due to the closure or sale of Corinthian colleges," said Paul Feist, a vice chancellor.
Students at closed schools who don't complete their programs can apply for a full discharge of their federal student loans. California students may also apply for a refund from the state's Student Tuition Recovery Fund.
Generally, those who attend a school that is sold to another company are not eligible for a refund.
Most students want "just some resolution so we're not left hanging," said Jenni Stoehr, of Pleasanton, who attends Heald College in Hayward.
Stoehr said she was relieved to hear Corinthian planned to sell Heald, rather than close it. But, she wonders, "Are we going to be facing the same problems again in six months?"
Murray said she turned to Heald after "getting lost" at her community college during the recession, struggling to get into the classes she needed. Now she just hopes she won't have to start over again.
The Department of Education answers questions about loan forgiveness and eligibility for a "closed school loan discharge" at https://studentaid.ed.gov/repay-loans.
Attend Heald or WyoTech in the Bay Area? Email Katy Murphy at email@example.com. Follow Katy Murphy at Twitter.com/katymurphy.


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When you're planning a winter holiday party, crostini are the perfect appetizers to fill out a menu of savory delights. Here's how to make these easy appetizers, plus ideas for how to top them.
Crostini 101
Heat oven to 350 degrees. Slice a baguette into 25 slices. Rub garlic on both sides of each slice, then toss the bread with 2 tablespoons olive oil. Arrange slices on a baking sheet; toast in the oven, turning several times, for 15-20 minutes or until golden brown.
Roasted peppers and garlic
Tear warm roasted peppers into strips and toss with fresh garlic, salt and a luxuriously thick, aged balsamic vinegar. Use the mixture to top crostini spread with fresh ricotta.
Fennel and orange-mascarpone
Mix fresh mascarpone with orange zest, fresh thyme leaves and a little orange juice, then spread the mixture over crostini and top with braised fennel, suggests Parties That Cook founder Bibby Gignilliat. (See the recipe at www.mercurynews.com/recipes/ci_17584105)
Mascarpone, speck and figs
Spread fig conserve over the crostini, add a layer of mascarpone, and top with speck or prosciutto and an arugula leaf to garnish.
Fava and feta
In a food processor, puree blanched, skinned fava beans with fresh lemon juice, salt and just enough olive oil to form a smooth paste. Spread on crostini and top with crumbled feta cheese, say Leslie Jonath and Ethel Brennan in "At the Farmers Market With Kids" (Chronicle Books, $22.95, 168 pages).
Salami, white beans and roasted garlic
Mash warm, cooked white beans with roasted garlic, and add enough olive oil to form a smooth paste. Spread the mixture on crostini and top with a thin slice of salami, Michael Ruhlman and Brian Polcyn suggest in "Salumi: The Craft of Italian Dry Curing" (W.W. Norton, $39.95, 286 pages).


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OK, New Orleans, it's time to panic. Not only are the Saints winless; they lost to three opponents who haven't beaten anyone else. You can look it up: Washington, Carolina and Kansas City are a combined 3-6 ... but 3-0 vs. the Saints and 0-6 vs. the rest of the league. Then there's this: next week. The Saints go to Green Bay.
2. Yeah, I know, it's bad enough that New Orleans allowed the Chiefs to score 21 unanswered points ... at the Superdome, no less ... but what in the name of Drew Brees happened to that offense? I mean, the Saints paid Brees a zillion bucks ... but not for this. The Saints didn't score a friggin' point in their last six series Sunday, and they not only had zero first downs in their last five; they produced a grand total of -- 16 yards.
3. A torn ACL for Darrelle Revis? Say goodnight, Rex.
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4. This is why you should pay attention to Arizona: Defense, particularly its pass defense. Sunday's game marks the 10th time in the past 12 games the Cards allowed no more than 20 points, and they won all 10. Moreover, look what they're pass defense is doing this season -- namely, holding opponents to a completion percentage of 53.8 percent, with 12 sacks of opposing quarterbacks and only two TDs allowed all year.
5. I'm not sure what's more astonishing: Tennessee hanging on to upset Detroit or Lions' backup quarterback Shaun Hill producing 172 yards passing after entering the game with 1:16 left in the fourth quarter. OK, I lied: Shaun Hill, please step forward.
6. Just a hunch, but I bet the NFL wants to hear what Washington offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan has to say about that Washington radio report -- ESPN 980, to be exact -- alleging that Shanahan berated an official at Sunday's game with the Bengals. Remember, it was the NFL office that last week warned coaches again not to bully replacement refs, which means it probably wants something other than a "no comment" from Shanahan and the Redskins.
7. And I bet it wants to hear what New England coach Bill Belichick has to say, too. It was Belichick who tried to grab an official by the arm after Sunday night's game, with the official escaping the arm tackle, and, no, that's not what the NFL had in mind when it issued last week's memo.
8. For the life of me, I don't know how Baltimore's Torrey Smith played Sunday night not after his brother dies earlier that day. But he did, and he caught 127 yards in passes and scored two of the Ravens' touchdown, with teammates mobbing him afterward. I know, it happens. I remember Brett Favre excelling on Monday night after his father passed away, too, but that doesn't make it any easier. I don't see how these guys do it.
9. I'm probably in the minority here, but I have no problem with Jim Schwartz going for it on fourth-and-1 in overtime ... it wasn't a "miscommunication," as Schwartz put it, that cost the Lions. It was a lack of discipline. The Lions wanted to draw Tennessee into a possible offsides penalty. Instead it was Detroit that jumped. Draw your own conclusions.
10. Now, more than ever, I believe Chicago ... not Detroit ... is the team to push Green Bay in the NFC North.
11. Good thing nobody excused Santonio Holmes from the huddle this time in Miami. The Jets wouldn't have had a chance. I don't care what you think of Mark Sanchez; that was one helluva throw to Holmes in overtime to set up the game-winning field goal.
12. For the record, that's five straight games for Kevin Kolb without an interception. I know a lot of coaches who subscribe to the philosophy that you don't lose your job by injury ... except it sure looks like John Skelton just did.
13. Congratulations, Chris Johnson. Only 55 more yards rushing, and you hit 100.
14. Call off the Mario Williams Watch. He had his first sack of the season; in fact, he had a sack-and-a-half. Better yet, the Buffalo Bills have nine sacks in their last two starts, which was the idea when they signed Williams and defensive end Mark Anderson, who also had his first sack of the year.
15. OK, I'll lay off Blaine Gabbert. That's two come-from-behind touchdown passes in the last minute of this year's games. One he lost; the other he won.
16. Nick Foles, please stand by. I just don't see how Michael Vick lasts given the punishment he's taking. The poor guy's been sacked nine times and absorbed a spate of vicious hits -- with none worse than that shot he took from blitzing safety Kerry Rhodes at the end of the first half. Vick fumbled, the Cards returned it for a touchdown and you know the rest of the story.
17. Please, don't start cranking on Miami coach Joe Philbin for calling that timeout to ice Jets kicker Nick Folk. I know it cost the Dolphins a game-saving block, but it happens. A year ago, the Cards called a timeout to ice Dallas kicker Dan Bailey, and he nailed the field goal. So he tried it again and missed, and Arizona won in OT. Like I said: It happens.
18. I swear, I'm backing Matt Schaub on the road from now on. Reason: In his last seven road games he has 14 touchdowns and two interceptions. Plus, he just beat Peyton Manning at home -- and, yes, that's the same Peyton Manning who entered the game 16-2 vs. Houston.
19. Credit Minnesota's Leslie Frazier for making the tough call early. I'm talking about his decision to go for it on fourth-and-goal at the 1 on the Vikings' opening series. Frazier could've settled for the field goal, especially after Adrian Peterson had been stuffed for no gain on third, but he didn't ... and let's hear it for him. His decision sent a message to his offense that he believes in it, even when it's vs. the league's best run defense.
20. Maybe what we're seeing in Carolina is just Newton's Universal Law of Gravitation at work.
1. Arizona in any uniform. Those black tops Sunday were the third different wardrobe for the Cards this season, proving that it doesn't matter what they look like. They win.
2. Mike Nolan's defense. Matt Ryan draws most of the attention in Atlanta, and I get that. But what about Nolan? The Falcons' defensive coordinator shut down Peyton Manning and Philip Rivers in successive weeks, and he kept the Chargers out of the end zone after a short week and a cross-country trip.
3. Romeo Crennel going for it on fourth-and-1 in overtime. The ball was on the New Orleans 44, and Crennel didn't flinch. He kept his offense on the field, and his players responded -- with Jamaal Charles running for three yards to keep the game-winning drive alive. Hey, why not?
4. Larry Fitzgerald vs. Philadelphia. In five career games vs. the Eagles, including the playoffs, Fitzgerald has 33 catches for 570 yards and nine TDs -- including 23 catches and six TDs in his last three. I don't know, but if I'm Philadelphia, I think the one guy I don't let beat me is Larry Fitzgerald.
5. Sebastian Janikowski from any distance. The guy's virtually automatic from 60 yards on in, so that 43-yarder to beat Pittsburgh? Little more than a wedge shot.
1. Greg Williams' chances of coaching again in this league. That sworn affidavit pointing a guilty finger at Jonathan Vilma clinches it. There's not a player out there who will trust Williams to cover their backs. Not after this.
2. The Cincinnati defense. A week ago, coordinator Mike Zimmer admitted he was so disappointed with his unit that "every aspect of it surprises me." I can't imagine he feels much better today, though the Bengals just held off Washington. Through three games Cincinnati has hemorrhaged 102 points, and that's not good for any coordinator's resume. But give the Bengals this: They produced six sacks and stiffened when they had to on Washington's last drive. What's more, look at their next three games: They play Jacksonville, Miami and Cleveland, and that's guaranteed to help.
3. Replacement officials. There were 24 penalties for 218 yards called in Sunday's Baltimore-New England game, and please don't ask Belichick what he thought of the crew. If you can lip read, you could figure out what he was saying on the sidelines.
4. RG3's chances to make it through 16 games. I watch hits like the one the Redskins' quarterback took from Manny Lawson and wonder how long before the guy bows out. Either that, or how long the Redskins keep him running that quarterback option.
5. Philadelphia's ball security. What ball security? The Eagles have a league-high 12 turnovers, which translates to 64 for a season. No, they're not going to reach that, and, yes, they're getting better. They had five in the season opener, four last week and three Sunday. Nevertheless, it's way too much if these guys are serious about winning their division.
1. Cincinnati cornerback Terence Newman. It was his late shot on Washington's RG3 that provoked a 15-yard penalty and put the Redskins in business on that last drive. Newman nailed Griffin with a blow to the shoulders as the quarterback was running out of bounds, and it could've cost Cincinnati dearly ... only it didn't. Live and learn, Terence.
2. Pittsburgh defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau. His unit allowed Oakland to score the last 13 points, and, OK, so Antonio Brown fumbled, and the Steelers' offense didn't score a fourth-period point. But these are the Steelers. Moreover, these are the Oakland Raiders, a club that couldn't put up more than 14 in any game this season. The Raiders scored 27 vs. San Diego and Miami; they scored 34 on Pittsburgh. Huh? "Their defense made the stops when they needed to," said Pittsburgh safety Ryan Clark, "and we didn't."
3. Referee Ken Roan's math. He didn't just give San Francisco one challenge after it was out of timeouts; he gave it two ... and both in the span of six plays. Roan later admitted he was wrong.
4. Miami kicker Dan Carpenter. Bad enough that he hooked one field goal wide. But he hooked two, with the second a 48-yarder in overtime, opening the door to a Jets' victory. "I let the team down," Carpentersaid later. I'd say that about sums things up.
5. Detroit linebacker Bill Bentley. It was his holding penalty that kept Tennessee's game-winning drive in OT going, and it happened after the Titans failed to convert a third-and-16. I dunno, maybe Bentley's still feeling the effects from that concussion in the season opener, but you have to be smarter than that, Bill.
• How long before Arizona defensive coordinator Ray Horton starts getting national attention?
• What in the name of Tony Romo is wrong with the Cowboys' offense?
• Is Minnesota for real?
• Who's the favorite in the AFC West?
• What do you think of Kevin Kolb now?
0 -- Touchdowns allowed by Philadelphia's defense in the second half this year
3 -- Randy Moss catches in his return to the Metrodome
5 -- Tennessee TDs of 60 or more yards Sunday
6 -- Plays of 46 yards or longer in the Tennessee-Detroit game
10 -- Touchdown passes allowed by Washington this season
13 -- New England first-quarter points, the most vs. Baltimore at home under John Harbaugh
64 -- Peyton Manning 300-yard games, an NFL record
510 -- Yards Kansas City put up on New Orleans
1974 -- Last time the Cards started 3-0
1. Houston
2. Atlanta
3. Arizona
4. Green Bay
5. Baltimore
32. Cleveland
31. New Orleans
30. Indianapolis
29. Miami
28. Kansas City
Giants at Eagles ... Now, more than ever, the Eagles need to hold on.
New England at Buffalo ... Now we find out what Mario Williams does for Buffalo.
Chicago at Dallas ... It's Jay Cutler's chance to make up on national TV.


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As the moon rises over Redemption Island, Marissa arrives and she is not happy. She recaps why she's here -- because her Uncle Gervase celebrated too much and irritated the losing Newbies. Welcome to Redemption Island, Rupert says. Three people sitting around being pissed.
Over at the returning player's camp, it's all touchy-feely with in-line back rubs. But Colton isn't participating. He misses his boyfriend and he's sick of the people, and their peaceful camp life is really making him mad. He wants to talk strategy, who to target, who to hate, but his tribemates are having none of it. Tina says she wants to talk about anything but the game. Colton isn't happy. Later he tells the camera that his tribe is calm, is Zen, is stupid. Yep, he's really changed.
Over at Camp Newbie, former football player Brad is a happy man. They have fire, he's taught them to fish and he's trying to quote the adage about giving a man a fish versus teaching a man to fish. He can't remember, but the key here, of course, is the "man." Brad's alliance is with the men and the women on the tribe are not blind to the fact they are out numbered.
But now it's time for the Redemption Island challenge. John, who didn't swap places with his wife, Candice, and save her from Redemption, is hoping that Candice will smile at him, which will tell him it's all OK.
As the two tribes enter, there are some tears as the returning players see which of their loved ones survived tribal council. They all did, except Marissa, of course. She lets Gervase know why she got voted out, and Gervase just promising to give more smack talk. Obviously he doesn't get it.
Onto the challenge. Players have to guide 10 spools, one by one, through a wire maze and then stack them on top. The maze moves around, which can cause the spools to topple, which is exactly what happens to Rupert after he had already stacked eight. Candice finishes first and is safe. With Gervase cheering her on and giving advice, Marissa finishes and sends Rupert home. The fourth time is not the charm for our big pirate, who never went to tribal council and never got a vote against him this time. He loves "Survivor" he says, but he loves his wife more and has no regrets for taking his wife's place on Redemption Island.
As winner of the challenge, Candice gets to give a clue for a hidden immunity idol to anyone she wants. Of course, she gives it to John, who now will have a big target on his back. Pay back? Nah, just love.
Back at Camp Newbie, John is congratulated for his wife's win. The All Men Alliance then gathers to discuss strategy and Vytas actually has a good idea. If they have to go to tribal council again, they should target the loved one of a strong player on the other tribe. He thinks Tyson is the now the biggest threat on the returning players team and that he would have a hard time letting his girlfriend go to Redemption Island so he probably would change places with her.
And speaking of the returning players, Colton is busy spreading discomfort. He's going to different players and telling them that they are being targeted by other players. He wants the camp in chaos, because he thinks he can rule in chaos. He's probably right.
His plan doesn't work too well, however, because the calmer people just aren't getting riled up and during a campfire discussion, they say they want a peaceful camp. Oh poo, says Colton. He just wants to get the truth out there. Yeah, nobody is much buying the theory that Colton has changed.
It's Day Five at Galang and Colton thinks the vibe has changed. He's a bit worried. Tyson calls a meeting with Monica, Tina, Gervase and Aras. They know Colton is trying to get other people to turn on each other. He's just a gay Russell Hantz, Aras says. The end result is that the five agree to form an alliance. Uh oh Colton. Don't look now but your chaos theory isn't working.
Immunity challenge
Today's challenge involves three members from each tribe rolling a fourth in a barrel to different stations, where the dizzy barrel rider must untie a bunch of knots to release a flag and a bag of balls. After they've gotten all of the bags, the remaining tribe members must roll the balls into holes on a slanted board. Kat sits out for Galang because they have one extra member.
It stays pretty close but Galang has a little trouble getting the barrel in the final cradle, but they do and now players are tossing balls. It all comes down to touch and Gervase redeems himself by getting all of the balls in the holes first. He's still pretty in-your-face, but now he justifies it as revenge for his niece.
Galang wins immunity plus a bunch of fishing supplies, and Tadhana is headed to tribal, where we'll see if they put Vytas' evil genius plan into action.
Back at camp, Brad is angry about Gervase and promises that when they have a physical challenge, he's going to pound him, throw him the water, pick him up and throw him back in the water. The All Men's Alliance discuss voting off Rachel, Tyson's girlfriend, hoping he'll take her place and weaken his tribe. But John isn't keen on it. He argues that Rachel is a strong player, but the real reason is that he doesn't want Rachel or Tyson competing against his wife on Redemption Island. We are liking this new season. There are so many layers that we never dreamed of.
Katie and Cierra are worried that John has found the idol and that he might play it to save Rachel, in which case one of them could get voted out. The All Men Alliance is uncomfortable that John hasn't shared his clue, so maybe, Vytas says, they should vote John out in an epic blindside. And with that, we head to tribal council.
Tribal council
Jeff Probst immediately points out the elephant in the jungle -- the fact that two women already have been voted out and perhaps the five men have something going on. The men sort of admit to it, but don't. John confesses to be conflicted about who gets voted out and whether their loved one would take their place, and his wife having to compete again. Oh my, it's complicated, but the voting isn't.
Survivors vote, Probst tallies, no idols get played and it's two votes John, one vote Ciera and the rest of the votes go to Rachel. The first part of the Evil Plan is in place. Will Tyson take the bait and fall into the trap? We'll have to wait until next week.
Next time: Tyson looks like he's going to take Rachel's place and Colton appears to quit, saying he doesn't care any ore and goes to sit on Caleb's lap. Good grief.


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Apple Has a (Sort of) New iPad for Sale
Apple just announced that it will sell a new iPad with its high-resolution Retina display that has twice the storage of its largest model.
This is a pretty incremental upgrade and appears to be geared toward enterprises and other users that require large amounts of data.
Also of note in the announcement: the Apple App Store now has 800,000 apps, and 300,000 are built specifically for the iPad. Apple has sold more than 120 million iPads, according to the company.
The new iPad with 128 gigabytes of storage goes on sale Tuesday next week and is priced well above its other iPad models, starting at $799. This is starting to get into laptop territory when it comes to prices — including Apple's own MacBook Air — but Apple CEO Tim Cook has basically said he's fine with this. Here's what he said on the last earnings call:
I see cannibalization as a huge opportunity for us. One, our base philosophy is to never fear cannibalization, if we do someone else will cannibalize it. We know that iPhone has cannibalized some iPod business, we know iPad will cannibalize some Mac, that doesn't worry us. On iPad in particular, we have the mother of all opportunities because the Windows market is much, much larger than the Mac market. It is clear that it is already cannibalizing some. I believe the tablet market will be larger than the PC market at some point, and I still believe that.
The iPad will be available in both Wi-fi and with a cellular wireless connection, but for all intents and purposes it's a fourth-generation iPad with a super-high resolution screen. The cellular version will cost $929.
You can see how the new iPad's price compares to other tablets in the table below. It's now getting in the range of the Microsoft Surface with Windows Pro, a tablet equipped with a full-fledged version of Windows that's supposed to be a de-facto replacement for a PC. The Suface also comes with as much as 128GB of storage.
Related: Apple Announces Largest iPad Yet


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Twitter Experiments With Highlighting 'Favorited' Tweets, to Some Users' Dismay
(Editor's note: Twitter has since acknowledged users will see tweets from accounts they haven't chosen to follow. See the update here.)
Twitter naturally wants to encourage its users to share more. It helps content go viral and is at the core of Twitter's power as a communications tool.
But the company has to be careful not to nudge its users too much – as one of its latest experiments appears to be doing, at least in the eyes of some users.
Twitter is inserting tweets in some users' timelines that have been favorited by accounts they follow, according to various Twitter users who have spotted the tweets in their content feeds.
Ooh now twitter inserting selected "[person you follow] faved" tweets into main timeline pic.twitter.com/zDhrNseNGs— Hunter Walk (@hunterwalk) August 16, 2014
These tweets have typically been relegated to a user's "Activity" timeline, located two swipes to the left on the Twitter iOS app.
It's a tricky experiment. The user's timeline is a sacred place. This is especially the case on Twitter where many users invest considerable time to follow the right accounts that surface content they actually want to see amid the din on the network. To suddenly see tweets that they didn't choose to be a part of their timeline could potentially irritate users, such as this one:
I DO NOT WANNA SEE WHAT PEOPLE FAVORITE ON MY TIMELINE THANKS TWITTER— beverly. (@breadverly) August 17, 2014
Twitter didn't immediately respond to requests for comment. In the past, the company hasn't commented on experiments, instead pointing to this page.
One reason for this experiment could be that Twitter wants to help users see even more relevant content on the platform with little additional effort from the users. Twitter will do the work for you. It can, after all, tell what you're interested in based on your past behavior such as who you've followed, what you've tweeted and what you've shared. (Understanding user behavior is how Twitter has become effective at selling advertisements).
This could work well for casual users who are not refreshing their feeds regularly and would appreciate the assist.
It can also be a way for users to feel closer or more aware of what others in their follow universe are up to—in the same way Facebook started showing users what their friends like. This wouldn't be a far leap from how Twitter has implied it wants to make the Twitter universe seem smaller. One way they are doing this is by looking through new users' address books to locate phone contacts who are already on Twitter.
What's difficult here is that a "favorite" is not the same as a retweet. A favorite doesn't necessarily mean a user "favorites" a tweet in the strictest sense of the term. It can mean many things from an endorsement to a polite "leave me alone." It can be a feel-good gesture—a kind of social media wink without really having to engage with another user. In other words, it's often just a soft acknowledgement.
The hard part for Twitter will be to decipher the tweet's meaning to determine whether it is interesting enough to plant it in another user's timeline uninvited.


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Nov 16, 2012
CORPUS CHRISTI – Islanders Athletics and SAAC (Student-Athlete Advisory Committee) have partnered with Toys for Tots to help provide toys for local youth this holiday season. Fans who donate a new, unwrapped toy at the Islanders Women's Basketball game on Monday, Nov. 19, vs. the Indiana Hoosiers will receive a 'Buy One, Get One Free' coupon to use when purchasing tickets to the game.
Fans can drop off toys at the Reseca Street entrance starting at 6 p.m. Tipoff is slated for 7 p.m.
For more information, call 825-BALL (2255) to purchase tickets, or visit www.GoIslanders.com.


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Anne Hathaway Gossip
Anne Hathaway gossip, latest news, photos, and video.
Annie's Grounded reunion
Bruce Glikas/ Brian Killian/ Getty Images
Anne Hathaway's Grounded, playing at the Public Theatre in New York until May 24, is receiving solid reviews. And even if critics aren't in love with the entire production, her performance, not surprisingly, is being widely praised. As if there was any doubt. Even those of you who can't stand her have to admit that she can act, non? Anne Hathaway has all the goods. Full Story
Annie vs Emily
Michael Caulfield Archive/ John Sciulli/ Kevin Winter/ Dan MacMedan/ Christopher Polk/ Tiffany Rose/ Getty Images
Is it surprising you that Lip Sync Battle is attracting some big name guests? Probably not. It's only 10 episodes and it's produced by Jimmy Fallon, John Krasinski, and Stephen Merchant. So, basically, they're just calling up all their friends. Krasinki and Merchant apparently invented the game. Full Story
Three of the Best
Dominique Charriau/ Bruce Glikas/ Walter McBride/ Pascal Le Segretain/ Rindoff/ Dufour/ Ilya S. Savenok/ Walter McBride/ Getty Images
Anne Hathaway stepped out last night in New York to support the Public Theatre where she'll be performing this spring. It's not…my favourite hairstyle on her. On the weekend, The Devil Wears Prada was on. Hadn't seen it in a while. I've decided I miss her with long hair. Full Story
Annie alone on stage
Raymond Hall/ Gardiner Anderson/ Bauer/Jim Spellman/ Getty Images
But first, did you see Anne Hathaway on The Daily Show with Jon Stewart last night? She was describing her new film, Song One. And at the end of her lengthy explanation, Jon cracked up. And then she cracked up. And then we all cracked up. And it was light and likeable and fun and…the best version of Annie we've, maybe, ever seen. Full Story
Annie's glow
Jim Spellman/ Dimitrios Kambouris/ Getty Images
Check out a super fit Anne Hathaway at the premiere of Song One in New York last night. Love everything about this look. The perfectly tailored white suit. The sheer underneath. The pumps. Her makeup. Especially the eye makeup. Mostly though… There's a glow, non? I'm seeing a really, really pretty glow. Full Story
Two for Eddie?
Lenny Abbot/ Christopher Peterson/ Splash
Anne Hathaway has been out there doing press for the upcoming Song One but since everyone's in award season fever, she's kind of moving under the radar. By her standards. Usually Annie tops the headlines. Here she is in New York in a green coat – great colour on her. Annie talked to Hitfix Full Story
Anne Hathaway gags
Wenn, Vivien Killilea/ Getty Images
Anne Hathaway was on Kimmel last night promoting Song One. The film comes out on January 23 in theatres and VOD. I've attached the trailer below. Her love interest is Johnny Flynn. God he is hot. For a little movie like this, as you'd expect, it's on Anne, an Oscar winner, a proper A list actor, to push it. Full Story
Interstellar in London
Wenn, Jon Furniss/ Corbis/ Splash, LEON NEAL/ Getty
The premiere happened tonight. Let's talk about the outfit of the week – and the person wearing it isn't even in the movie, holy SH-T Camila Alves! It's a cape and it's white. You almost can't go wrong. But then it's also a pantsuit? Never mind the week, this might be one of the best looks of the year. Full Story
Anne Hathaway reads faster than the McConnaissance
I just read an interview at the New York Times with Jessica Chastain, Matthew McConaughey, and Anne Hathaway. They're promoting Interstellar. As you'd expect, McConaughey manages to drop the "Prime Mover" into the discussion again. Naturally. Nothing super gossipy here, just a few interesting observations. Full Story
Annie's amazing red lip
Anne Hathaway covers UK ELLE in advance of the release of Interstellar, expected to be one of the biggest movies of the season. Um. Sarah emailed me the other telling me it's over 2 hours and 45 minutes…WHAT??? See that's going to take an entire day of planning for me. To be able to accommodate an almost 3 hour movie, everything else has to be moved around. Full Story
Kristen Stewart's dance moves, Anne Hathaway's tears
You know what song I hate? I hate John Legend's All Of Me. And it's everywhere. It's every song on the radio on my drive home from work. They don't play Sia enough. They're trying to make me sick of Sam Smith. So maybe they'll work this song into the rotation. Full Story


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- Color
- Neo Aura
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Gel stains of saturated hues can be layered on cheeks and lips for extreme long wearing flush of natural color.
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For Cheeks: Be sure cheeks are hydrated. Begin at apply of cheeks and dab on with wand applicator, making 2-3 small dots of color. Immediately blend them outward and upward toward the temple. Continue dabbing small dots of color and blending sections working over the cheekbone towards the hairline.
For Lips: Make sure lips are clean and well hydrated. Use wand applicator to paint lips, carefully following upper and lower lip lines. Continue to apply in layers for deeper pigmentation.


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How Not To Be That Girl at Work
We know, it sounds like yoga class—but coming up with a clear statement about what you desire steers you in the right direction from the get-go. Keep it simple, like "I want an extremely successful, fulfilling career." Say your intention aloud, write it on a piece of paper that you pin above your desk, or make it your screen saver. Verbalizing your goal lends structure to your search, so you stay focused and committed.
Figure out which of your interests and skills you can translate into the working world. Start by creating a list of what makes you tick: First, jot down your major personality traits and favorite things to do. Next, pay attention to when you experience moments of "flow"—when you're so engrossed in what you're doing that you don't even notice time passing—and add those activities to the list. Finally, ask family and friends where they think your talents lie, and what key qualities define you.
The Highest-Paying Jobs (That Will Make You Rich Like the Kardashian Family)


text: Coach holidays and trips, theatre breaks and event tours. UK Coach Holidays See the best of the UK with a coach holiday exploring favourites including Blackpool, Torquay and Llandudno View Holidays European Tours See a little more of the continent on a euro holiday. Reserve your place with as little as a £50 deposit. View Holidays Emmerdale the Tour Explore the real Emmerdale set on a guided walking tour this year View Trips Andre Rieu Live See the King of the Waltz perform live in throughout the UK this December. View Trips F1 Grand Prix Packages Be up close to the action in Silverstone, Monaco, Spa and more - 2017 breaks now on sale! View Trips London Theatre Breaks Spend an evening experiencing the best of the West End with our fabulous selection of Theatre Breaks. View Breaks Welcome To Door2Tour.com! ...And a collection of exciting coach holidays and escorted tours that we hope will inspire you! Whatever the touring experience – from cruises to city breaks by air, theatre breaks to event packages – you'll find it here in what should be an enjoyable experience. After all, booking a holiday is just the start of your adventure... Our Philosophy


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I'm not sure if it's correct to talk about the internet as a revolution. The internet is in fact the result of a slow, hard earned evolution which has lasted about 30 years (!). Slowly, during these years, the costs of laying cables has dropped, the CPU was... well, invented (in 1974, the Intel 4004), processing power and memory have increased exponentially and the basic protocols were created (in 1972, the telnet protocol).
Maybe, it would be fair to consider the internet a slow, gradual evolution which has caused a sudden, more drastic revolution. The signs that this revolution would take place were all there, and yet I have the feeling that very few people back then would have believed that by the year 2005 the internet would become the most important information infrastructure in the world, with store fronts, credit card fraud, underground peer-to-peer networks, online banking, online repositories for free and non-free software, and so on. But here we are, in the midst of it all, enjoying its benefits and facing newly created problems.
For some reason, I can't stop asking myself: so, what's next? (I can't help it: I imagine a reader of this magazine in about 20 years knowing the answer to my question, but having no way of coming here, back in 2005, and telling me!)
The signs are all here. One thing is becoming faster. Another thing is becoming cheaper. And again something else is becoming more and more advanced. All of this will lead to a sudden, drastic revolution that will change the way we live. But what are these crucial "things"?
I have a few ideas (and this is when my reader in the future starts feeling embarrassed for me, and thinks "please don't, no please don't...).
The most important one in my opinion is a revolution in the interface between us and our computers. The way we interact with computers today is unintuitive, cumbersome, even pathetic, and it will need to change drastically in some way. I think keyboards and mice have long passed their due dates; voice interfaces simply don't cut it - and I don't think they would cut it even if they were 100% reliable. (How do you create a complex spreadsheet using just your voice?) A few years ago I was a great believer in VR (Virtual Reality: does anybody still remember it?), and I could have sworn that VR would be it, the future - I was wrong when I thought it back then, and I would be wrong if I said it now, at least considering its current incarnations.
I believe that the next revolution could be in the use of neural interfaces, which will allow us to interact with computers using our brains: no "middle man", no meat involved. (Now, it's time for our future reader to burst into laughter and start feeling really sorry for me...). What would we "see"? How would we do anything in there? How would we create a complex spreadsheet just using our brain? Would those "neural chips" be able to make us see, hear, touch, and move? I don't know the answer to these questions. It will largely depend upon what the technology will be able to give us, and how. However, I must admit that I am in fact imagining an advanced version of the infamous VR, which I just said had already failed in the_ previous paragraph_...
Finally, there is a more important question which begs to be asked: if we do experience a drastic revolution in the way we use computers (neural interfaces, or whatever else might come along), will free software run the risk of being left out of the picture? If there was a patent which demanded thousands of dollars and a signature on a nasty NDA in order to license the technology and create a "neural application", what would free software developers do?
Would IBM come and rescue us again? Your guess is as good as mine.
4004 != first CPU
From: Jean Sagi
Date: 2005-05-25
Subject: The next revolution?
I think the revolution following the next revolution will be when don't need computers or stuff like that.
From: John Pearson
Url: [email protected]
Date: 2005-05-26
Subject: 4004 != first CPU
That should probably read
The first single-chip microprocessor
although even that may be an overstatement; it was certainly the first generally available, and the first that attracted any real attention; however the first to see significant use was its successor, the 8008 (which more or less directly gave rise to the 8080 and the 8085, 8048 and 8051, and in turn the 8086/8088 that went into the original IBM PC and clones).
From: Tony Mobily (SUBSCRIBER!)
Url: http://www.mobily.com
Date: 2005-05-27
Subject: True!
that's very true...
Thanks for your comment!
Neural Interfaces
From: Floyd Wilde
Date: 2005-06-27
Subject: Neural Interfaces
Don't get so picky on details, what the author is saying is a lot of stuff has happened in the past 30 years whats next? This article is more imaginative than technical, and I'm glad to read it. Everthing to do with technology is technical, I know, but it's nice to forget about specs and stop reading documentation once and a while and think about science fiction. Where is Free Software nowadays in the landscape of cyberpunk/sci fi or whaterver we're calling it now? I am sure it has it's place. We have seen the neural interface in sci fi for many years now, people have been jacking in to little ports implanted in the back of their necks since the early 80's AFAIK? I wonder what a neural interface would be like also, and wonder how far off from reality it really is. It's very valid to consider Free Software in the speculation, would you want to run a propreitary app inside your skull? Not me pal. Not that Free Software would be without it's dangers when loaded into the ole soft machine. Oh no my brain core dumped!
On a seperate thought I also think Free Software is/will play a big role in AI evolution. I mean could an AI really be an AI if it were not Free? If an AI program was able to approach sentience, would it demand to be released under the GPL?


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Posts Tagged 'Testimonials'
LaunchPad Testimonial
LaunchPad is proud to have a strong following of dedicated users who tell us they could not function or do their work without the use of the LaunchPad Keypad. They have come to realize the benefits, ease of use and overall speed that LaunchPad brings to them in their drafting, drawing, engineering and modeling applications. With this in mind, we currently feature some of our users' testimonials on the LaunchPad website, www.launchpadoffice.com. They are found under the "Testimonials" tab and highlight a variety of LaunchPad users with different levels of experience.
We wanted to share some of the enthusiasm of our users and decided to feature an occasional testimonial here on the blog so that others can see what the existing users have to say about the product. It truly is a valuable input tool (with built-in software) that increases speed and productivity for users in the architectural, engineering, design and modeling fields.
Here's what one of our users had to say:
"I have always used LaunchPad with AutoCAD because it is simply the fastest way to input commands. No one can keep up with an accomplished LaunchPad user and, with a relatively small effort, it is easy to become one. Now with the ability to work with SketchUp, Revit and Photoshop, I am using LaunchPad to speed up my work in those applications as well.
My advice: Buy a LaunchPad and use it. If you make the effort to become proficient with it, you will see a huge increase in your productivity and soon enough you will be saying the same thing I have been saying for years: "I couldn't live without it.""
Tim Reader Tim Reader Design Phoenix, AZ (20 year user)
If you would like to see more testimonials, check out the LaunchPad website!


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Belly clearance and battery juice were among the issues Rubicon Express driver Jason Scherer faced during the Griffin King of the Hammers race.
Scherer lives at the base of the Fordyce Creek Trail, a beasty rock crawling trail west of the Rubicon Trail. He eats, sleeps, and breathes off-roading, and has earned an enviable reputation among desert racers. That reputation and his 2009 win at Hammertown were hard to forget as Scherer cruised in with the best qualifying time before the big 2013 race on Feb. 8.
The Griffin King of the Hammers race pits Ultra 4 vehicles side-by-side and two at a time through 165-mile of desert in Johnson Valley, Calif. Racers must make it to the finish line in less than 14 hours.
Starting on the pole position in car 76, Scherer opted to run the infamous Back Door for the first stretch of the race. The gamble paid off and Scherer made it up the intimidating rocks on his first attempt. The next stretch of the course proved more challenging.
"Everybody had some bad luck in 2013," Scherer said. "My alternator went bad and I had to hike about two miles out of Outer Limits to the pit."
Scherer grabbed an alternator, two batteries, a power steering pump, and fluid for it and the tools needed to fix everything. To add insult to injury, after swapping the batteries around, he discovered the fresh ones were dead.
"They'd been sitting out there for six months," he said. "That's when the goal changed."
Another driver, Bryan Shirley, saw Scherer predicament and offered jumper cables and driver Kevin Yoder jumpstarted the car.
"I owe a lot to those guys," Scherer said.
The string of tough luck, however, was still running the course with Scherer. Steering issues forced Scherer to do every rock section with no power steering. Since the course was two laps, he did it twice.
Not ideal, but the goal was to get across the finish line, and Scherer did. His car 76 finished a respectable 21st with a time of 13:33:07.
"This team is the never say die crew and this year was no exception," he said.
For the last four years, Scherer finished in the top 20, but considering the field agreed that this was the hardest King of the Hammers ever, Scherer's team proved to be remarkably resilient.
Built to Crawl
Scherer drove a 100 percent handcrafted and highly modified car and the entire build took nearly two months.
"When I won in 2009 we started off with a car built for rock crawling then converted it," he said.
His new car sports a fire breathing LS7 motor with 600-plus horsepower. A Reid Racing Turbo 400 built by Maximum Transmissions takes care of putting all that power to the ground.
"It was a pretty complex build and the front end alone took three weeks," said Scherer. "A friend of mine and I were welding around the clock."
The car's independent front suspension has 18 inches of travel with components by Spidertrax and solid works by Wild West Off Road. The Atlas 2 Speed, 2.0-ratio transfer case allows the car to stay in low range between the trails.
"At first, we didn't have enough ground clearance," Scherer said.
To remedy the problem, Scherer cut the front end off during the off-season and moved the belly 8 inches to gain more clearance beneath the car.
"Now, it's as good a rock crawler as anything."
Check out footage of Scherer at the Hammer race at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ddC6BwVzeZs or http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gYsUUx2dEFE
- David Beran is a Copywriter at 4 Wheel Parts.