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My child is nonverbal – what are some intervention methods that might help my child communicate better?
"Got Questions?" is a new weekly feature on our blog to address the desire for scientific understanding in our community. We received over 3000 responses when we asked what science questions were on your mind. We answered a few here and will address the other themes we received in this weekly post.
Many individuals with autism do not use spoken language to communicate. It is estimated that approximately 25% of individuals with ASD are nonverbal. Despite early traditional approaches such as speech, occupational and behavioral therapy, some children still remain unable to communicate their wants and needs. A recent study found that some children with ASD do not develop spoken language until after the age 5 years. On-going speech and language intervention can promote the development of speech in nonverbal children who are of school age. In addition, there exist specific intervention approaches that can be helpful for some individuals, such as PROMPT, an intervention approach especially designed for children with motor-speech disorders.
Speech and language specialists recommend a variety of alternative and augmentative communication (AAC) devices for individuals who are nonverbal. A commonly used system is the PECS picture exchange system (PECS). PECS has been used with individuals with ASD of all ages. One advantage is that it doesn't require expensive materials, relying on a set of picture symbols that can be used to make simple or complex requests and other statements. The symbols are typically placed in a communication book. After the child or adult learned to make spontaneous requests. The individual can then learn to construct sentences. . Other AAC methods include the following:
- Gestures and sign language
- Pencil and paper
- Communication books or boards
- Keyboards and other electronic devices
The iPhone and iPad are being used as ACC devices. These new interactive technologies have invited a wave of new applications to benefit individuals on the spectrum, especially those who are nonverbal. Many of these applications incorporate the advantages of the PECS system of offering a stock of visual images as well as the ability to personalize using one's own images. Two of the most popular programs are Proloquo2go and iPrompts.
Although the use of these devices have not been tested in rigorous clinical trials, those trials are underway and early anecdotal reports are positive. Connie Kasari, PhD. (UCLA) leads an Autism Speaks' funded clinical trial comparing two different interventions for young nonverbal individuals. Having previously used traditional keyboarding devices, Dr. Kasari has found that the iPad with speech generating software offers a great alternative to expensive AAC speech generating devices. However Dr. Kasari also adds, that these devices "Work best in therapy sessions with a child who has not yet figured out that they can surf the web with it, too!"
Of course, this potential distraction is also an advantage. These new applications are hosted on the multifunctional iPhone and iPad platforms. HandHoldAdaptive, the creators of iPrompts, have launched AutismTrack, a new portable journaling tool that enables caregivers to track therapies, medication and behavior. Developers continue to create new apps to address the challenges of those on the spectrum, making these new tools even more powerful for managing the everyday needs and desires for individuals on the spectrum.
Read a blog from Dr. Kasari about nonverbal autism and more information about Autism Speaks investments in nonverbal autism. For more information about ACC, the following websites may be useful:
ACC Institute: http://www.aacinstitute.org/
International Society for Augmentative and Alternate Communication
To locate a speech-language pathologist, visit http://www.asha.org/findpro/default.htm


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Regional workshops
TEDx regional workshops, organized and attended by TEDx organizers, provide an opportunity for those who have organized a TEDx event to come together to discuss best practices and ideas for the TEDx community in their region.
What is a TEDx regional workshop?
The first-ever regional workshop, the TEDx Asia Organizers Workshop, brought 20 organizers from various countries throughout Asia to the Great Wall of China. This event sparked various TEDx collaborations in that region, beginning a new TEDx initiative centered on TEDx community members' shared goals.
Since then, we've been supporting TEDx organizers across the globe to take a leadership role in their community by organizing workshops for other organizers in their region.
Organize your own workshop
Depending on your ambition level and funding, your TEDx regional workshop could be city-wide, regional, country-wide — or even for an entire continent. It can be a day-long gathering, or just an hour-long meeting over a cup of coffee.
If you're interested in planning a workshop, direct all correspondence and updates to the TEDx team at firstname.lastname@example.com. Here are the steps you should take:
- Define its scope - What best defines the region from which you want others to participate? The region can be small or large. (Large might mean "Scandinavia"; small would mean "Copenhagen.")
- Let us know!- Email firstname.lastname@example.com with the agenda, goals, proposed date and location of the workshop. We might attend!
- Choose a workshop name - Email firstname.lastname@example.com with the proposed name of your workshop. The general convention for a workshop's name is TEDx [city/region] Regional Workshop e.g. "TEDx Southeast Asia Regional Workshop."
- Draft your invite and send it to us - Draft an invitation email and send it to us. This should give an overview of what's planned at the workshop, while making it clear that the workshop is collaborative. We will send the invitation to all of the organizers in the designated region.
- Get in touch with organizers who respond - Once your invitation has received responses, we'll send the interested organizers' names and email addresses to you, so you can get in touch and begin working together. (We encourage you to include them in your workshop planning process.)
- Read the TEDx Regional Workshops Handbook - The guide has some ideas and need-to-knows on running your workshop.
What your regional workshop should look like
Workshops should foster a collaborative spirit among the TEDx organizers who attend; there should be no sense of hierarchy.
At the workshop, focus on how to leverage the TEDx platform — and your local TEDx community — to make an even greater impact on the world, together.
Here are some suggestions on how you can collaborate with other TEDx organizers:
- Invite other TEDx organizers to your TEDx event.
- Plan a series of TEDx events in your region, over a day or a week.
- Organize a screening of the webcast of another TEDx event in your region.
- During your event, use Skype to have conversations with other TEDx organizers in your region.
- Create a short (3 minutes or less) video that gives an overview of your TEDx event.
- Be sure to upload any materials (schedule, documents shared, etc.) on the TEDxHub.
- A TEDx Regional Workshop may take place a day before a TEDx event in that region, so the organizers can attend the workshop one day and then the event another day.
Please find best practices and guidelines in the TEDx Regional Workshop Handbook.
Rules to Remember
- You can have sponsorships for a regional workshop, but sponsors are not allowed to attend a workshop.
- TED must approve your workshop's name, date, location, and objectives before your organize it.
- You can't be selective; you must invite all of the TEDx organizers within the region or city you've chosen for your workshop.
Highlights from past regional workshops
March 2013: Egyptian organizers workshop
Organizer: Amr Elsheikh of TEDxTanta.
Over 30 TEDx team members, from 20 different events across Egypt came together to discuss everything from hiccups faced by new organizers to the roadblocks that halt even the most seasoned TEDx'er. As workshop organizer Amr Elsheikh of TEDxTanta said, "With each team talking about how they faced problems squarely and managed to create a respectable event by their own ways and solutions, everyone got to learn a new way to solve potential problems."
December 2012 — Sudan workshop
Organizer: Anwar Dafa-Alla, TEDxKhartoum
During the workshop, presentations were given by the TEDxKhartoum core team to more than 75 attendees, representing all licensed TEDx events in Sudan. The workshop also included presentations on how to translate TEDx Talks through the universal subtitling program, Amara, and tips on venue selection, event planning, organization, social media, and video production.

subset: commoncrawl


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Posted: December 9, 2012 at 9:29:32 AM
In Subaru IMBA Trail Care Crews | florida | Port St | Lucie | Halpatiokee Park | Airborne Mountain Bike Club
This weekend proved to be challenging! But the folks of Airborne Mountain Bike Club in Port St. Lucie, FL and their neighbors from surround areas, really proved to be up for the challenge! Out at Halpatiokee Park, with a dump truck full of shell... Read More / Post Comments


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Aerosoles Women's Temptation Wedge Reviews
Rated 4.7 out of 5 by 3reviewers.
Rated 4 out of 5 by sddod very comfy! i have always found aerosoles to be comfortable shoes and these are too. I was surprised they were a bit big for a 8 1/2 but not by much. April 16, 2013
Rated 5 out of 5 by sunshine53208 Cute! Stylish and comfortable. I can walk in them all day! September 21, 2012
Rated 5 out of 5 by kk1987 comfy easy to clean nice for work very comfy easy to clean August 24, 2012
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Reader Poll: Who Wants Screencasts?
By Scott Hommel-Oracle on Nov 17, 2009
Hi everyone,
We're running a reader poll over on the JavaFX blog. We'd like to know your thoughts on screencasting vs. written tutorials. Please take a minute to visit that page and leave a comment. We greatly value your opinion!
- Scott Hommel


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Category: Places
Photo and caption by saptono istiawan
Famous ancient candi or temples in Java, Indonesia, like Borobudur or Prambanan were made of lava stones, but in eastern part of Java were made of fired brick. The interest thing is the brick temple Architecturally offer the same astonishing work piece and durability as the stone temple do in fact the first even more amazing in it's bright color as shown in this picture of candi Jabung in eastern Java. standing against the lower light of the morning sun Candi Jabung the color of red brick shine vividly in juxtaposition with blueness of the sky. The shot is rather upwardly.
Location: Candi Jabung 20km east of Probolinggo eastern Java, Indonesia
More Places Entries »
By Phil Bouchet
By Aidas Banaitis
By Arie Hoeflak


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Q From Steve Campbell: Who do you think I am — Joe Soap? My dear old mother used to use this eUpression occasionally. We migrated to Australia from the Old Dart in 1951. I've never heard it used by Australians. What is its origin and is it still in use in the UK?
A It remains moderately common. This example is from the Mirror of 4 October 2006: "You believe in the tooth fairy if you believe that businessmen happen along to a posh hotel in Manchester to hear any old Joe Soap lecture on the Irish economy." In 1994 Andrew Motion published a long poem with the title Joe Soap.
But the meaning has shifted since your mother learned it. She was clearly using the expression to refer to a stupid or naive person, one who could be easily put upon or deceived. That was the original slang sense; these days it usually refers to an ordinary person.
A very early appearance of the term, in the
caption to an illustration by David Langdon
in Cyril Jackson's 1943 book It's a Piece of
Cake—RAF Slang Made Easy.
The earliest example in the Oxford English Dictionary is from a 1943 book of services slang by John Hunt and Alan Pringle: "Joe Soap, the 'dumb' or not so intelligent members of the forces. The men who are 'over-willing' and therefore the usual 'stooges'." A services origin is supported by an item in the Lethbridge Herald in Canada the same year: "Farther along the road to Enna I saw many captured German vehicles. German divisional and regimental signs had been painted out and flaring red Canadian maple leaves painted on sides and fenders. On one captured truck was painted in huge letters 'Smith's Transport.' Another had the sign 'Joe Soap and Company.'"
The usual view is that the second part is rhyming slang for dope, a stupid person, which started life as local English dialect (it's first recorded in Cumberland in 1851). The first part is the short form of Joseph, widely used in compounds to refer to an ordinary person — Joe Bloggs, Joe Blow, Joe Sixpack, Joe Average, Joe Citizen, plain Joe, ordinary Joe, Joe Doakes, Joe Public — there are lots of examples. It was first noted as a generic term in 1846, in a different sense, when it appeared in The Swell's Night Guide: "Joe, an imaginary person, nobody, as Who do those things belong to? Joe."
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Campus Operations embodies the task force responsible for many activities on campus. Their primary responsibility is large format printing (see Printing Services) but also help maintain hardware in CCIT computer labs and technology enhanced classrooms.
Plotting hours are Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM. (Note: On Fridays when there will be a home football game the following Saturday, the hours are 8:00AM - 4:30PM.)
You can reach us via email: email@example.com or phone: (864) 656-3494.
Our Standard Operating Procedures can be found here.
Contact CCIT
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Top Definition
Small, often painful burn marks left on the sides of your penis Usually caused by frequent or rough masturbation. Another way to get these things is unprotected, unlubricated anal sex.
"Dude, I found a great porno at the store and gave myself some nasty balupto."
by Ryan Schilling December 15, 2009
Trending Now
Can you define these popular missing words?


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Overvalued Housing Market Not the Same as Bubble
By David George-Cosh
Originally posted on Canada Real Time.
The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development made some waves last week when it said Canada's housing market was one of the few countries under its watch that is both overvalued and vulnerable of suffering a correction.
That's despite the Paris-based think tank's recent projections that put Canada's growth at 1.4% this year and 2.3% in 2014. Its rosy outlook also extended to the labor market, with the unemployment rate forecast to fall to 6.7% next year, while the economy should near its potential amid a weaker Canadian dollar.
Angel Gurria, secretary-general of the OECD, spoke with Canada Real Time Tuesday about Canada's housing market and his view on how the country has fared since the global economic crisis. Here is an edited transcript of what he had to say:
WSJ: Do you think there's a bubble in Canada's housing market? And will it pop?
Mr. Gurria: An overvalued housing market and a bubble are not the same thing. The housing market has been building very steadily over a period based on growth, jobs, good income, and a Canadian economy that's been in good shape. Frankly, it's not a bubble in the sense of a great big speculation in the property market. I think there will be a cull in some investment in the sector, which will see prices stabilize over time.
WSJ: Are you confident that a slowdown in housing won't have a significant economic impact?
Mr. Gurria: I think that the Canadian economy has managed to navigate a lot better through the crisis, among other things, because its financial system was better regulated and capitalized. Canada also has a very prudent fiscal policy. It had it before the crisis struck, when [Liberal Prime Ministers Jean] Chretien and [Paul] Martin built it over time. I think it's working well. All together, I'd say that Canada is reaping the rewards of past virtue and also present good practices. It would be good if there were many more countries like that.
Read the full interview on Canada Real Time.


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America's most/least 'honest' cities
POSTED: 10:05 AM CDT Aug 23, 2012 UPDATED: 10:48 AM CDT Aug 01, 2014
Which cities passed a recent honesty test by Honest Tea? And which failed miserably?
The views expressed are not those of this company or its affiliated companies. Please note by clicking on "Post" you acknowledge that you have read the Terms Of Service and the comment you are posting is in compliance with such terms.blog comments powered by Disqus


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2:27 minutes
Meet former Survivor One World castaway Colton, and his partner Caleb, who will be competing this season for one million dollars and the title of Sole Survivor. Watch Survivor Wednesdays 8/7c.
2:27 min
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One Week, Two Sides of Obama
Over the span of one week, two different sides of President Obama emerged in different yet unforgettable terms. This first was political, involving Susan Rice's decision to withdraw her name as a candidate for Secretary of State. The second was deeply personal in the wake of mass murders in a Newtown, Conn. elementary school. In a column explaining her decision to withdraw her name, Rice said: " …As it became clear that my potential nomination would spark an enduring partisan battle, I concluded that it would be wrong to allow this debate to continue distracting from urgent national priorities — creating jobs, growing our economy, addressing our deficit, reforming our immigration system and protecting our national security."


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HIGH RIDGE - Marcus Aron Slinkard, 25, died March 1, 2003, at his home.
Born Sept. 20, 1977, in St. Louis, son of Louis and Sharon Turman Slinkard, he was an equipment manager for Washington Inventory Service.
Survivors in addition to his parents include: one son, Elias Sintakas; two brothers, Brad Slinkard of Fenton and Todd Slinkard of West Hollywood, Calif.; his grandparents, Hattie Slinkard of Benton and Pauline Turman of Bernie; and a special friend, Sandra Sintakas.
Visitation is from 4 to 9 p.m. Tuesday at Chapel Hill Mortuary in Cedar Hill where services are scheduled for 1 p.m. Wednesday.
Burial will follow at Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens in Cedar Hill.


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To print handouts click on session title then click on
Click session titles to expand.
Sunday, April 29, 2012
Winter Maintenance Supervisor Certificate Workshop
The APWA Winter Maintenance Supervisor Certificate Workshop provides a well-rounded overview of all aspects of snow and ice control for individuals charged with supervising their winter maintenance operations. THE GOAL IS FOR PARTICIPANTS TO: Expand their knowledge of planning and preparation, Increase their understanding of winter weather and how it affects operations Identify how to better use traditional and alternative chemicals, Consider what equipment is available and how to maintain it Expand understanding of snow & ice control techniques Appreciate the environmental impacts of winter maintenance policies Stress responsible application WHO SHOULD ATTEND? Supervisors with winter maintenance responsibilities, Operators that aspire to be supervisors, Operators wanting a greater understanding of winter maintenance processes.
Room :
Learning Objectives:
Identify how to better use traditional and alternative chemicals
Expand understanding of snow & ice control techniques
Stress responsible application of winter maintenance chemicals.
David L. Bergner, PWLF
Principal, Monte Vista Associates, LLC, Mesa, AZ
R. Mark DeVries
Application Expert, Vaisala Inc, Marengo, IL
Bret Hodne, PWLF
Public Works Director, City of West Des Moines, West Des Moines, IA
John Paul Johnson, CET
OPERATIONS MANAGER, Wellington County ON, Guelph, ON
John Klostermann
Public Works Director, City of Dubuque, Dubuque, IA
Warren Nicholishen, CSR CIG CST
Mgr Transp & Operation Svcs, Municipality of Port Hope, Port Hope, ON
Dr. Wilfrid A. Nixon, PE, PhD, PWLF
VP Science & the Environment, Salt Institute, Naples, FL
John Scharffbillig
DIRECTOR PW FLEET SERVICES, City of Minneapolis, Minneapolis, MN
Jon D. Tarleton
Head of Transportation Marketing/Meteorologist, Vaisala, Inc., Saint Louis, MO
Jeffrey A. Tews, CPFP
Fleet Operations Manager, City of Milwaukee, Milwaukee, WI
Snow and Ice
Fleet Services
How To Be Sustainable in Winter Maintenance
Sustainability is all the rage these days, but what does it actually mean when it comes to plowing snow and salting roads? This session will explain what sustainability is (and is not) all about, and talk about how you can measure the sustainability of your own agency's operations.
Room :
Learning Objectives:
• Describe what sustainability is
• Show how the principles of sustainability can be applied to winter maintenance
• Use a tool to measure the sustainability of their agency's winter maintenance operations
Dr. Wilfrid A. Nixon, PE, PhD, PWLF
VP Science & the Environment, Salt Institute, Naples, FL
Lori Roman
President, Salt Institute, Alexandria, VA
How to Determine the Cost Benefits of Road Weather Information Systems
Maximizing roadway safety, mobility and efficiency, while minimizing maintenance-related costs, is the common goal of winter maintenance engineers around the globe. Road Weather Information Systems (RWIS) and Maintenance Decision Support Systems (MDSS) have proven track records in enabling road authorities to meet these goals. However there are many more benefits that these systems provide; both in economic terms and other less tangible benefits that have largely been overlooked. This session describes a tool whereby agencies can plug in their known operational and economic parameters to instantly calculate potential benefits of RWIS and MDSS.
Room :
Learning Objectives:
Assess the benefits that these systems provide both in economic terms and other less tangible benefits
Calculate the potential benefits of RWIS and MDSS
Evaluate the necessity to invest in road weather systems
Paul Bridge
Sales Manager, Vaisala, Inc., Louisville, CO
Engineering and Technology
AVL and GPS Tracking in Public Works
This is a case study on the installation and usage of an Automated Vehicle Location System within the Waukesha County, Wisconsin, Department of Public Works. The discussion will center on system applications, website interaction, supervisor interface, and operational impact(s). The session will also focus on Interconnectivity with the Meridan Weather Management System.
Room :
Learning Objectives:
Promote an awareness of AVL Systems and the value of daily usage in a Public Works environment.
Provide techniques for installation and maintenance of sensors.
Evaluate the initial assessment of the State of Wisconsin Pilot Program.
Robert Braovac
Fleet Manager/ Territory Manager, FORCE America, Waukesha, WI
Peter Chladil
Field Operations Manager, Waukesha County WI, Waukesha, WI
Robert W. Rauchle
Fleet Operations Manager, Waukesha County WI, Waukesha, WI
Fleet Services
Public Works: A Partner in Traffic Incidents and All-Hazards Emergency Management
Traffic incidents occur in every jurisdiction and Public Works typically is been needed to help with these. Coordination and cooperation among the responders has often been hampered by poor planning, confused responsibilities, conflicting authorities and insufficient training in temporary traffic control. The National Traffic Incident Management Coalition, comprised of representatives from many different disciplines, promotes better communication, coordination and cooperation among the various responders to emergencies on roads and highways. This includes Public Works/ DOTS as well as police, fire and emergency medical services. Public Works is considered a "first responder" for all-hazard occurrences Employees of Public Works /DOT's are required to be trained in at least one NIMS (National Incident Management System) level. This session will review key Homeland Security programs and policies that directly impact Public Works.
Room :
Learning Objectives:
Define Traffic Incident Management and the role of Public Works
Recognize how protocols used in traffic incident management are used for all-hazards emergencies
Develop plans and procedures to respond in disasters, incidents and other events
David L. Bergner, PWLF
Principal, Monte Vista Associates, LLC, Mesa, AZ
Emergency Management
Weather - The Next Step in Understanding
Many supervisors have a pretty good understanding how weather affects their region, but they do not have the final piece of information to glue it all together. The session will begin with a detailed explanation of such weather concepts as surface maps, wind direction, and tracking low-pressure systems. Attendees will learn when it is the right time to look for this extra piece of information, and when to move on. These explanations will allow the attendee to monitor starting and ending times of winter events, and other key weather parameters. The second portion of the session will focus on forecasting the weather. What are weather models and how do they impact forecasting? It will go through the basic process of how a forecast is created, identifying the key variables meteorologists are watching to give them clues as to when a forecast could have potential problems, and thus cause them problems. This session will take the next step in the understanding of weather information and meteorology that any attendee can follow. All while maintaining a focus on what maintenance professionals really have to time to view.
Room :
Learning Objectives:
Improve their response time to winter events.
Increase their level in confidence in making decisions about the weather.
Adapt quicker to changing weather conditions and changing forecasts.
Jon D. Tarleton
Head of Transportation Marketing/Meteorologist, Vaisala, Inc., Saint Louis, MO
Engineering and Technology
Dealing with Back to Back Events - How to Prepare & Operate Successfully
Many times we are faced with snow fall that taxes all of our fleet, maintenance and streets personnel and equipment. This session will discuss how organizations can prepare and continue delivering services when the hit with back to back events. We will look at this process from both a Fleet maintenance and Streets maintenance perspective. The City of Cedar Rapids Fleet Services division implemented a "Winter Maintenance Program" last year that allowed us to stay at 95-98% availability of snow removal equipment throughout the winter months. We will discuss what makes up the maintenance program, how it is laid out and what agencies can take away to use in their own organizations. From a Streets Maintenance prospective we will discuss crews and equipment, rotating shifts, borrowed labor, and right sizing the equipment to the specific job.
Room :
Learning Objectives:
Prepare for subsequent events
Communicate the key aspects of a fleet maintenance program
Manage available resources
Mike Duffy
Street Operations Superintendent, City of Cedar Rapids, Cedar Rapids, IA
Roger Hageman
Fleet Equipment Coordinator, City of Cedar Rapids, Cedar Rapids, IA
Carl J. Lantermans
Lead Auto/Equipment Mechanic, City of Cedar Rapids, Cedar Rapids, IA
Emergency Management
Fixed Anti-icing Spray Technology (FAST) Installation and Maintenance Thoughts
There are numerous FAST systems across the country. The FHWA, Transportation Research Board & other snow & ice committees have done studies on the implementation of FAST technology. The systems enhance safety by reducing accidents, reduce corrosion to structures by using chemicals that are too expensive to use on all of the highways, & increase the level of service by providing pro-active responses to icing events. There are some systems that do not work. This session will provide a clear explanation to the participants on issues that cause systems to fail and how to deal with them.
Room :
Learning Objectives:
Determine where spray systems are needed.
Discern the different types of FAST systems and decide which type of system would be the most beneficial to their department.
Identify the different types and frequency of maintenance activities that a FAST system requires.
Engineering and Technology
Streets, Roads and Bridges
Spending Money to Save Money (Integrating Efficiencies into Operations)
How can a manager manage all aspects of Snow and Ice control? There are decisions to be made every day relative to technology, chemicals, and new tools. One of the key missing pieces is the pressure to be more efficient in everything you do. Typically, "we need to spend money to save money". This session will focus on how to make the correct decisions of "we need to spend money to save money". Discussion will focus on when and what goes into the decisions to sell this concept to councils, or decision makers.
Room :
Learning Objectives:
Develop strategy to justify expenditures
Account for decisions made
Educate decision makers as to the value of each benefit desired
Paul G Brown
Director of Snow and Ice Operations, MassDOT, Boston, MA
Exhibit Opening and Welcome Reception Non- Compete Exhibit Time
Monday, April 30, 2012
General Session Talk Show: From Shop to Storm and Back Again
Successful winter maintenance requires operators and fleets to be ready and able to meet the challenges of the oncoming storm. For many agencies, this is difficult. This interactive general session focuses on the relationship between fleets and equipment operators with specifics as to what can be done to enhance communication and understanding between these two critical components of storm response. Different expectations regarding communication, inspections, fuel and facilities will be discussed. Our panel of Fleet and Operations experts will lend their experience in addressing these issues and provide strategies you can take back to your agency. Come join us armed with your own questions, lessons learned and innovative solutions.
Room :
Matt Dolan
Public Works Operations Specialist, City of West Des Moines, West Des Moines, IA
John Parsons
Division Manager - Transportation, City of London, London, ON
John Scharffbillig
DIRECTOR PW FLEET SERVICES, City of Minneapolis, Minneapolis, MN
T. J. Sorensen
Public Works Superintendent, City of Green Bay, Green Bay, WI
Jeffrey A. Tews, CPFP
Fleet Operations Manager, City of Milwaukee, Milwaukee, WI
Fleet Services
Snow and Ice
Exhibit Hours
Coffee Break Non- Compete Exhibit Time
Showcase: A Road Weather Technology Tour
Vaisala began a tour across America on February 1st, highlighting new mobile weather technology. The tour is covering nearly 10,000 miles and stopping in 40 cities. Come hear about this exciting new product and our amazing adventure.
Room :
Exhibit Booth 259
Jon D. Tarleton
Head of Transportation Marketing/Meteorologist, Vaisala, Inc., Saint Louis, MO
Showcase: Understanding Today's Hydraulics and Control Technologies
Snow and Ice Hydraulic Systems employ increasingly advanced technologies to enhance efficiency and effectiveness of fighting winter storms. Groundspeed controlled spreading, Load-sense hydraulics, Pre-wetting, Anti-Icing, Counter-balanced plow controls, Infra-red road temperature sensing and Data-logging are some of the increasingly popular tools found on Snow and Ice Trucks today. Important concepts and terms of some of these technologies will be discussed and demystified.
Room :
Exhibit Booth 259
Randy J. Fowler
Sales Manager-Special Accounts, Muncie Power Products, Inc., Muncie, IN
Implement Sustainable Snow and Ice Control Practices and Save $$$ in the Process!
Learn how communities are using more environmentally sustainable products and practices for snow and ice removal in their communities, and controlling budgets at the same time. Some agencies have even noted a reduction in customer complaints about snow removal – in fact, some have even received rave reviews from citizens and businesses in their communities as a result of improved service!
Room :
Learning Objectives:
Promote sustainability in winter maintenance operations
Identify cost-effective ways to introduce these changes in your community
Identify sources for bid specs or RFP specs to assist communities interested in introducing these changes in their communities
Mary J. Anderson, PWLF
Director of Public Services, Village of Niles, Niles, IL
Scott W. Weber
Street Superintendent, Village of Hanover Park, Hanover Park, IL
Incorporating a Few Twists in Salt Brine Production
The Idaho Transportation department will share with other municipalities their needs and the unique solution developed to house, produce, and deliver salt brine to their plow trucks. Like many agencies, they needed to identify a mechanical way to stabilize brine salinities, construct a building near the salt supply to avoid transportation, simplify the loading and holding facility so that brine can be produced and loaded by two trucks simultaneously as well as be able to recover salt spillage and direct it back into the brine machine instead of contaminating area. All with the goal of producing significant cost savings compared to using Magnesium Chloride. If these challenges sound familiar, come see what they built.
Room :
Learning Objectives:
Identify if their agency can utilize the same solution.
Assemble an auger system to meter salt usage, and mechanically control salinities
Design a comprehensive production and loading facility to meet specific budget, environmental and production needs
Keith H. Viebrock
Operational Programs Manager, IDAHO DOT, Coeur D Alene, ID
Light Plows for Use During Major Snow Storms
Snow plowing operations for typical storms are easily managed by most Snow Belt cities. But what happens when the 'Big One' hits. Planning for storms that exceed the capacity of normal operations can be done in advance using non DOT vehicles and non CDL drivers. Denver, CO, has a snow plow fleet of utility trucks to clear the local streets of snow during major snow events. This fleet is staffed by employees that do not usually work in operations so specialized training and resource plans have been developed so this snow removal operation can be implemented and managed on a parallel basis with the normal snow removal operations. Unique challenges are faced with this light plow fleet, deployment may only occur once every year or so, many other Public Works functions are affected by this deployment and budgets are strained by these emergency operations. Capital equipment needs for an operation of this type are designed so the equipment does not sit idle other times of the year. This light plow fleet is critical to maintaining a safe and open transportation network during and immediately after major storm events.
Room :
Learning Objectives:
Develop a light plow fleet to work in tandem with a standard snow removal fleet
Manage two snow removal opeations concurrently.
Communicate the operations of a second plow operation to the public.
William P. Kennedy, PE
Engr Sup- Denver Street Maintenance, City & County of Denver CO, Denver, CO
Fleet Services
Snow & Ice Operations - It's Not Just For Winter Anymore!
340 "Severe Winter Storms" FEMA Presidential Declarations have occurred in our country - are YOU ready? This session will help prepare your Public Works Department and hence reduce vulnerability to your community through preparation and mitigation during severe winter storms. A panel of Emergency Management Public Works Professionals will provide you with tools to improve your preparedness and mitigation capabilities to improve your department's ability to respond and recover more quickly and with lower costs from severe winter storms that occur in your community. Public Works plays the lead role during this type of disaster; however preparedness will enhance your readiness to meet the demands of winter storms ahead.
Room :
Learning Objectives:
Prepare for severe winter weather utilizing the three most important resources needs for any community which are people, equipment and supplies.
Conceptualize the importance of the Public Works role in Emergency Management with regard to severe winter storms.
Utilize preparedness activities, strategies and tasks that have worked for other Public Works Agencies to improve overall response and recovery.
Brian G. Amundson, PE
Director of PW (retired), Eau Claire, WI
Bruce Slagoski
Streets Supervisor, City of Beloit, Beloit, WI
Christine M. Walsh
Retired, City of Beloit, Beloit, WI
Emergency Management
Tailoring the Approach to the Storm
Have you ever wished for a flowchart that tells you the right approach to fighting the storm based on the observed condition? By utilizing the right tools as the storm approaches for information such as temperature, wind direction, humidity, and pavement condition you can plan for just about any contingency. Come see how.
Room :
Learning Objectives:
Acquire understanding of what tools are available
Compare their agency's planning process to the Presenters'
Determine how to interpret weather information for planning their response
R. Mark DeVries
Application Expert, Vaisala Inc, Marengo, IL
Jon D. Tarleton
Head of Transportation Marketing/Meteorologist, Vaisala, Inc., Saint Louis, MO
Lunch Non- Compete Exhibit Time
These networking opportunities provide an informal environment to discuss critical issues. This year's roundtables will be: 1.How Do You Handle Sidewalks? Moderator: Mr. John Parsons, Division Manager – Transportation City of London, London, ON 2. New Diagnostic Tool for Snow Plows. Moderators: Mr. Brian Howard, Operations Manager Fleet, City of Richmond, Richmond, VA & Mr. John Ozman, City of Richmond DPW, Richmond, VA 3. Using Social Media for Winter Emergencies. Moderator: Mr. David L. Lawry, PE, Dir of Village Operations, Village of Wauconda, Wauconda, IL 4. Sustainability and Winter Maintenance. Moderator: Mr. Warren Nicholishen, Supervisor of Road Ops & Maint., Regional Municipality of Peel, Brampton, ON 5. Getting Started with Liquids. Moderator: Mr. John Paul Johnson, CET, Operations Manager, Wellington County, Guelph, ON 6. Who are the Pacific Northwest Snow Fighters (PNS) and what is the Qualified Product List? Moderator: Mr. Jay A. Wells, MS, Maintenance & Operations Superintendent, Washington DOT Olympia, WA 7. Training Your Operators. Moderator: Mr. Matt Dolan, Equipment Specialist, City of West Des Moines West Des Moines, 8. Aging Fleets and How to Deal with Them. Moderator: Mr. Jeffrey A. Tews, CPFP, Fleet Operations Manager, City of Milwaukee, Milwaukee, WI 9. AVL & New Technology. Moderator: Mr. Danny Turner, Street Maintenance Superintendent, City of Olathe, Olathe, KS
Room :
Exhibit Floor
Showcase: Discover a Totally New Safety Technology So Unique That The US Patent Office Had To See a Demonstration!
Mayors, City planners, the people who make the financial decisions often times aren't directly in touch with those who bring their ideas to fullness. Our case in point: snow removal. The two most commonly used pieces of equipment are the scoop loader (payloader) and the snowblower, neither of which has ever offered any protection for the operator should they catch an obstacle under the snow. Safeloader technology offers the first and only safety protection for those two important pieces of equipment. We'll show you how this new technology can protect your operators and keep your equipment running longer.
Room :
Exhibit Booth 259
Grant Hanson, SE
Owner, Inventor of Snowalker, Glenridge Inc., Glenwood, MN
Showcase: Learn How to Maximize the Value of Your Used Assets
We will provide you with the most efficient and effective sales channel for your used and distressed inventory, using the best- in- industry platform, designed to exceed your needs.
Room :
Exhibit Booth 259
Gregory A. Koltek
Major Accounts Manager, IronPlanet, Elm Grove, WI
AVL-The Next Best Thing to Being There
Every year, citizens call asking when a truck will plow their street, if one is even in their area, or that their street has been missed altogether. Historically, determining where a truck is, where it has been and if a street has been missed required a supervisor field visit to visually determine the status of streets. GPS has changed that. GPS provides route information in terms of efficiency, accuracy and coordination. Agencies are able to reduce fuel and vehicle costs by reducing the miles being put on the units, idle times, and more efficient routing. It provides the ability to monitor routes for missed streets, cul-de-sacs or trouble locations. This information can also be published on public websites allowing citizens to view the locations of the units and updates are forwarded to Twitter and Facebook. This session will present Olathe's & Overland Park's experience with real-time GPS units for snow events and the subsequent benefits to other operations. We will provide an overview of our evaluation and decision making process, visuals of the mapping system in use, what we would have done differently and our future plans for GPS.
Room :
Learning Objectives:
Convince governing bodies of the benefits of adopting a smart growth technology
Coordinate activities during snow removal operations
Identify missed streets and trouble locations
Gregory L. Scharff
Superintendent of PW Maint, City of Overland Park, Overland Park, KS
Danny Turner
Street Maintenance Superintendent, City of Olathe, Olathe, KS
Fleet Services
FCC Rule Changes, Interoperability and Winter Operations
The FCC has issued rules requiring public safety users to narrowband their radios by January 1, 2013. Many public safety agencies are not aware these requirements. This presentation will provide an overview of the requirements and the effects that narrowbanding will have on radio systems. Being able to communicate with other public works agencies as well other public safety providers (police and fire) is important during both emergencies and routine events. Information on public works mutual aid response and IPWMAN, Illinois' public works mutual aid association will be discussed. This presentation will focus on both technical changes required by the FCC and the important functions that radio communications and interoperability provide for public works operations with a focus on snow and ice operations and disasters.
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Learning Objectives:
Present information on FCC requirements for radio system changes.
Promote the importance of communications and interoperability in public works
Discuss experiences with communications interoperability in public works operations.
Tim Peters
Federal Highway Administration-LTAP, Springfield, IL
Emergency Management
Free Road Weather Information - At Your Fingertips
Each day, traffic, incident, maintenance, and emergency managers and staff, as well as the traveling public, make decisions that directly affect roadway safety, mobility and the environment. To this end, the FHWA Road Weather Management Program has supported a number of initiatives involving Road Weather Information Systems. These include Clarus and Aurora. This information is a key source of free information for your agency and is available with a keystroke. Come see how your agency can benefit from these great weather services
Room :
Learning Objectives:
Communicate what weather management programs are available through the FHWA
Determine what benefits their agency would receive from participation
Advocate participating in the Clarus system
Brenda Boyce, PMP
Booz Allen Hamilton, Overland Park, KS
R. Mark DeVries
Application Expert, Vaisala Inc, Marengo, IL
Jon D. Tarleton
Head of Transportation Marketing/Meteorologist, Vaisala, Inc., Saint Louis, MO
Emergency Management
Supporting Snow and Ice Contingencies thru the Private Sector
This session will discuss the best practices on gaining support from the private sector to supplement snow and ice management operations. Learn how to write a request for proposal that will apply to both small and large organizations and how to maximize your municipality's "Blizzard Contingency" without blowing the budget.
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Learning Objectives:
Acquire support from the private sector to supplement snow and ice management operations.
Compose a proposal that will apply to both small and large organizations.
Increase your municipality's "Blizzard Contingency" without blowing the budget.
Eric P. Hartmann
Vice President of Operations, Tovar Snow Professionals, Inc., East Dundee, IL
Emergency Management
You Are The Key for Safe Winter Roads and Good Fishing
Chlorides are a persistent pollutant and a growing problem for Minnesota's freshwater systems. An innovative approach to chloride pollution prevention has been started in 2006 and has grown in popularity and success in Minnesota. It is a statewide voluntary certification training program directed at winter maintenance professionals. The training program that has been developed goes through all aspects of winter maintenance and how to integrate science into maintenance activities to significantly reduce salt use but not lower level of service. Over 3,000 people have been trained and certified since the program started. Significant reductions of salt use, cost savings for maintenance organizations and more innovative winter maintenance efforts have been documented. This presentation will outline the MN voluntary certification program, including training topics, successes, failures of developing and implementing a statewide program. Participants will be encouraged to think about how a similar program could be implemented to help the winter maintenance industry and freshwater eco-systems of their communities.
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Learning Objectives:
Explore the benefits of maintenance and environtmental professionals working togther to develop a sustainable maintenance program for your roads, lakes and drinking water.
Acquire information about a popular state-wide winter maintenance training program.
. Inspire the changes needed to improve your industry.
Connie Fortin
President, Fortin Consulting Inc., Hamel, MN
Storm Water / Flood Control
Refreshment Break on the Exhibit Floor Non- Compete Exhibit Time
Prize Drawings on the Exhibit Floor
Automating Your Brine & Blending Systems
What is the future of brines and equipment to produce brines? This session will focus on how salt brine is used for anti-icing and deicing operations. Included will be discussions on costs, effectiveness and challenges associated with brine operation. Don't miss this opportunity to see new ways to save money and provide excellent service for your community with the use of salt brine.
Room :
Learning Objectives:
Identify opportunities for automation
Compare their agency's brine and blending systems to those of the Presenters'
Determine how to automate their operations
R. Mark DeVries
Application Expert, Vaisala Inc, Marengo, IL
Bret Hodne, PWLF
Public Works Director, City of West Des Moines, West Des Moines, IA
Robert Westman
McHenry County Division of Transportation, Woodstock, IL
Engineering and Technology
Deicing Liquids: A Case Study with the City of Overland Park
Liquids are often uncharted territory in the highway deicing world. However, improved resources exist to help new liquid users understand how to start a liquid program. After an overview on liquid technology, the City of Overland Park will discuss how they have experimented with liquids and found a successful approach for effective snow & ice control. They will talk about their experiences using de-icing liquids and their approach in deciding when to use them. They will also share the issues and benefits their approach has encountered. Criteria for choosing the right liquid for the right climate will be discussed, including the right storage temperatures, corrosion reduction, ultra low temperature performance/cost trade off, and environmental impacts of different liquids, including how to mitigate the impact to concrete and vegetation. In tough budget times, liquids can reduce cost, improve level of service, and reduce environmental impact providing a win-win-win for the government-citizen-environment.
Room :
Learning Objectives:
Explore how to improve deicing performance with liquid technology
Demonstrate that liquids can be used to improve a highway program, when implemented properly
Explain how liquids really work
Jason Bagley
Business Director - Specialty Products, Compass Minerals, Overland Park, KS
Richard J. Profaizer
Mgr. Maintenance Operations, City of Overland Park, Overland Park, KS
Engineering and Technology
Operator Challenges During the Snow Season
Join in an open discussion about challenges that operators face each year during the snow season. Every agency has its own unique challenges. Take this opportunity to listen to what others are doing and to share your own ideas. There is no right or wrong answer because every agency is unique. This discussion will be led by two operators from the City of West Des Moines, IA. Some of the topics discussed will be: application rates, cleaning cul-de-sacs and dealing with parked cars.
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Learning Objectives:
. Evaluate their winter maintenance program.
Collaborate ideas with other agencies.
Expand ideas to improve efficiency.
Matt Dolan
Public Works Operations Specialist, City of West Des Moines, West Des Moines, IA
Nathan Geil
City of West Des Moines, West Des Moines, IA
Snow and Ice
Successful Use of Alternate Fueled Vehicles for Snow Removal
Recommended Practices for Fleet Mechanics and the Technology Behind it….The use of Alternate Fuels for Public Fleets is not just a trend but a necessity to reduce our dependence on foreign oil, advance our national security and create clean energy jobs here at home. The use of alternate fuels demonstrates that municipalities are dedicated to doing business in the most SUSTAINABLE WAY possible as well as reducing the cost of operations for tax payers. During this session, the City of Milwaukee fleet manager along with alternate fuel subject area experts will share their successful experience in the use of Bio-Diesel and Compressed Natural Gas for snow removal equipment, and the use of electric hybrid vehicles by snow administration staff. The City of Milwaukee is currently the largest fleet in the state using Bio-Diesel, displacing well over 508,000 gallons of diesel fuel since 2006. City uses Bio-Diesel in all snow removal equipment during winter months. Fleet mechanics will learn the methods to keep engine and fuel tanks clean and snow removal equipment operating without trouble. The latest natural gas engine technology will be discussed to as well as how an agency can plan to convert its fleet to alternate fuels for snow removal equipment.
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Learning Objectives:
Implement recommended maintenance practices based on successful implementation of BIO-DIESEL and CNG operated snow equipment in Milwaukee.
Provide greater knowledge of the technology behind CNG engines and electric hybrid vehicles.
Discuss the proven methods to keep engines and fuel tanks clean and snow equipment operating without trouble while using alternate fuels e.g. BIO-DIESEL and CNG.
Rich Cregar
Professor/Faculty, Wilson Community College, Clayton, NC
Jeffrey Gerdin
Territory Manager, So. Wisconsin, Cummins NPower LLC, Oak Creek, WI
Venu J. Gupta, PE, PWLF
Dir-Facilities Dev & Mgmt, (retired), Gainesville, FL
Jeffrey A. Tews, CPFP
Fleet Operations Manager, City of Milwaukee, Milwaukee, WI
Fleet Services
Why You Need A Winter Operations Plan and Manual
This presentation will focus on the importance and benefits of a comprehensive manual and guide attendees through the process of developing a new manual or revising an existing one. It will be useful for any agency (local, state or special district or institution; rural, suburban or urban; small to large) regardless of how much snow it typically receives. New topics to be discussed cover Debris Management and Sustainability.
Room :
Learning Objectives:
Assesstheir agency's current practices, procedures, policies and plans regarding snow removal and ice control
Compare to recommended best practices by other agencies and organizations
Develop a comprehensive and systematic winter operations manual that provides better information, improves communication, ensures continuity and consistency and reduces liability exposure
David L. Bergner, PWLF
Principal, Monte Vista Associates, LLC, Mesa, AZ
Jay A. Wells, MS
Maintenance & Operations Superintendent, Washington DOT, Olympia, WA
Tuesday, May 1, 2012
Be an Award Winner - How To Involve Your Team
This session is presented from the team at the City of Beloit that won the 2009 North American Excellence in Snow & Ice Control Award. The team is represented by fleet, operators and management who worked diligently for years to transform an out-of-date snow & ice program to a cutting edge, role model program that is operated 12 months of the year. The program's sole purpose is saving the city money by being sustainable while at the same time providing a high level of customer service. Hear from the unique perspective of three levels of the team that make this work for the City while you learn what it takes to be a winner!
Room :
Learning Objectives:
Assemble an award submittal for the APWA North American Snow & Ice Excellence Award.
Inspire your staff to participate in changes in technology, while reducing costs and being environmentally friendly.
Convince your elected officials, local media and residents that change is required and perhaps service levels will need to change.
Dan Lutz, CPFP
Fleet Manager, City of Beloit, Beloit, WI
Bruce Slagoski
Streets Supervisor, City of Beloit, Beloit, WI
Brad Trewyn
City of Beloit, Beloit, WI
Christine M. Walsh
Retired, City of Beloit, Beloit, WI
Career and Personal Development
Reducing Fleet Creep
In today's tough economic times, with skyrocketing repair and replacement costs, fleet managers across the world are looking to other options. One of which is the cross functioning of equipment. We all have seen how versatile a skid steer loader can be with all of the available attachments. This case study of the City of Conover will take it a step further with an overview of Unimog and discussion of the success the city has had with their hooklift program. They have greatly curtailed Fleet Creep by purchasing trucks mounted with hooklift hoists instead of mounting specialty beds whether a dump body, flat bed, box bed or leaf bodies and have not purchased a so called dump truck since 2000.
Room :
Learning Objectives:
Enhance their vehicle operations
Challenge their agency to reduce fleet creep
Implement a hooklift program.
Ronald D. Brown, CPFP
Fleet Maintenance Supervisor, City of Conover, Newton, NC
Fleet Services
Salty Shoulders - Do We Really Lose 30% of Dry Salt?
Do we really lose 30% of dry salt versus treated or wet salt? For years this has been an accepted fact based on a study done in Michigan. McHenry County partnered with Compass minerals to put this to the test using dry salt, treated salt, pre-wetted salt and the new slurry generators. This session will discuss the results of this case study. It will explain how treated and wetted salt can be a benefit to your agency.
Room :
Learning Objectives:
Evaluate dry salt vs. treated salt
Discuss the benefits of wetting materials
Compare previous tests vs. this test
R. Mark DeVries
Application Expert, Vaisala Inc, Marengo, IL
Neil Rosenburgh, PhD
Technical Development Manager, Compass Minerals UK, Winsford, GB
Successful Mitigation of Frost Heave
Heavy traffic during the spring thaw causes faster degradation of the pavement and leads to increased maintenance fees. To reduce the damage, many northern states and most Canadian provinces implement spring load restrictions for heavy traffic. Given that conditions often veer from climatology, imposing load restrictions at fixed dates every year is not optimal: it can lead to increased road damage and/or increased costs to the transportation industry. AMEC has developed an objective guidance system to help Departments of Transportation determine the appropriate dates to begin and end seasonal load adjustment periods based on the subsurface conditions. Arrays of subsurface probes combined with intelligent subsurface forecasts provide advance warning when restrictions will be needed, giving the road transportation industry enough time to adjust their plans.
Room :
Learning Objectives:
Recognize the benefits of flexible seasonal load restrictions.
Determine how subsurface temperature forecasting can aid in the decision to apply load restrictions.
Analyze subsurface model performance in Nova Scotia where this technology is actively being used to determine dates for spring load restrictions.
Elizabeth Loder
Meteorologist, AMEC, St. John's, NL
Engineering and Technology
Streets, Roads and Bridges
Sustainability and Winter Maintenance Operations
Sustainable winter road safety is a structural and preventative approach in which the motoring public's safety along with good road maintenance is incorporated. The purpose of this presentation is to aid in the coordination or creation of a platform for the exchange of views, knowledge and experience regarding the process of how to design a sustainable road infrastructure that is best geared to the present and future needs. With operations taking part in the discussion and review of the planning and design, items such as snow storage, turning lanes, sight line obstructions, drainage, traffic calming devices and pedestrian needs may be identified, evaluated and modified to fit the long term maintenance programs of your operations best practices. The presentation will illustrate typical design layouts that have presented scenarios which influence how operations must either change or adapt. The results can affect everything from your Fleet, staffing, budgets, operational practices and Levels of Service to the local economy and essential (emergency) services. By knowing your agencies limitations and abilities, you will be better prepared to not only provide, but also resolve and recommend alternatives.
Room :
Learning Objectives:
Recognize the needs of other internal branches within your agency when it comes to road and asset building infrastructure.
Create a review process / protocol or action plan of how roads / asset projects are commented on.
Discern the operational and economic consequences of not being pro-active instead of re-active.
Warren Nicholishen, CSR CIG CST
Mgr Transp & Operation Svcs, Municipality of Port Hope, Port Hope, ON
Engineering and Technology
Streets, Roads and Bridges
Coffee Break Non-Compete Exhibit Time
Showcase: Ice Melt Products – Are Deicer Performance Claims Full of Baloney?
Exhibitor Showcase Presentation: All ice melters are accompanied by claims of how they perform: melting in different temperatures, environmental friendliness, how they are safe for concrete, pets or vegetation, etc. Some ice melters are marketed by attacking other products with negative performance claims. Since there are no generally accepted standards for measuring the performance attributes of ice melters, it has led to a plethora of misleading and confusing claims. Most snow and ice managers would readily acknowledge the helpfulness and utility of a "Baloney Detection Kit" for deicer performance claims. A "Baloney Detection Kit" can help skeptical thinkers separate fact from fiction and marketing hype from reality. The purpose of this session is to review several common performance claims and apply the "baloney detection" tools to determine the merit of each claim in order to make the most informed ice melter purchasing decision.
Room :
Exhibit Booth 259
Learning Objectives:
Review several common deicer performance claims
Identify origins of performance claims and discuss the applicability of performance claims to real-world situations
Utilize a "Baloney Detection Kit" to help them differentiate credible from misleading performance claims
Joseph B. Althouse
Technical Representative, Occidental Chemical Corporation, Ludington, MI
Prize Drawing on Exhibit Floor
Exhibitor Showcase Presentation
Here's the Keys, call if you need anything, see you in 12 hours.
WWhat type of training do you offer your operators for snow removal? Listen to operators from the City of West Des Moines talk about how they developed an in-house training program as well as a metro snow plow operator training class (SPOT). Many of the ideas came from the Minnesota DOT's SPOT program. In this day and age with increased liabilities and equipment technology, the need for training is more important than ever.
Room :
Learning Objectives:
Expand upon their current training program.
Build a program to produce more efficient snow plow training.
Promote the importance of operator training.
Matt Dolan
Public Works Operations Specialist, City of West Des Moines, West Des Moines, IA
Nathan Geil
City of West Des Moines, West Des Moines, IA
Managing the Public's Winter Driving Expectations
Who are the customers in our communities? How do we meet public driving expectations? What are the latest communication tools? How do you measure all that data? Hear the latest strategies about how to communicate with the community during storms including the latest storm information, road conditions, and other important news. Learn techniques to obtain feedback from the public, and what the community's expectations are when they hit the road during storms.
Room :
Learning Objectives:
Communicate quickly with the public and media on breaking information.
Develop a crisis communications plan fo winter weather.
Integrate social media into crisis communications in an effective way.
Larry Schneider
Street Superintendent, City of Fort Collins, Fort Collins, CO
Emergency Management
Partners in Snow Removal Operations - Enlisting The Help of All City Departments
Municipalities struggling to meet budget constraints often look to labor costs, because that is usually the largest expense in any Public Works operating budget. So what can a Public Works official do to get the snow removal operations completed when layoffs, elimination of positions, or the intentional failure to fill vacant positions deplete the staff, and how do you keep all the vehicles on the round when an operation goes around the clock? One Wisconsin city addressed this problem in a way that allows personnel from other departments, and even non-represented employees, to take an active part in snow removal operations.
Room :
Learning Objectives:
Create a snow removal operation that begins with the goal of filling every vehicle with an operator around the clock.
Identify and schedule personnel from other departments that can be enlisted to help out with snow removal operations.
Implement a program for training individuals from other departments to qualify for a CDL so they can operate snow removal vehicles, and/or other small equipment that doesn't require a CDL.
John Prijic
Streets Superintendent, City of Kenosha, Kenosha, WI
The Weather's Influence on Pavement Temperature and Condition
This presentation will focus on the way different weather factors and situations impact pavement temperature and condition. Not only the current weather conditions will be addressed, but also how a good weather forecast can lead the attendee to make plans about pavement changes in the near future. The ultimate goal of the snowfighter is to return roads, sidewalks and parking lots to clear and dry conditions ASAP. However, Old Man Winter has other ideas. Air temperature and pavement temperature are rarely the same before, during or after a snow event. Sunshine, cloud cover, wind speed and direction, air mass changes and radiation cooling can cause minute by minute or hourly changes to pavement temperature and condition. Additionally, existing chemicals, the make-up of the pavement and base and even the color of the pavement cause different pavement areas to react differently during winter weather. Knowing and understanding pavement temperature and condition characteristics can save a lot of money. Come learn how questions such as how many man hours, what type of chemical and how much, can be answered more efficiently with knowledge of pavement behavior.
Room :
Learning Objectives:
Recognize and evaluate how different weather conditions impact pavement condition.
Prepare a plan of attack that includes the type and amount of chemicals to fight snow and ice.
Manage costs by planning a cost efficient snow and ice fighting operation.
David F. James
Sales & Marketing Meteorologist, Murray & Trettel Inc, Palatine, IL
Streets, Roads and Bridges
Engineering and Technology
Winter Maintenance Training for Mechanics
Winter maintenance training is usually focused on the operator because they are the people who are on the roads, maintaining them for the benefit of the motoring public. Sometimes we train or should train our supervisors because they are the ones calling the shots. But seldom if ever do we train our mechanics specifically for winter maintenance. Not how to plow or apply liquids but why we plow and why we use liquids. Mechanics are an invaluable part of any winter maintenance operation because without a functioning fleet we can't do our job. Managers sometimes implement ideas they learned while at the Snow Conference such as adding liquid to you winter operation without consulting the mechanics as to what demands this new technology will add to their job. Empowering the mechanics with knowledge on why we want to use liquids, the benefits of it and how it is used allows the mechanics to understand what the operator of the equipment needs that equipment to do. It makes the mechanics part of the solution.
Room :
Learning Objectives:
. Identify how their mechanics can benefit for Winter Maintenance Training
Enhance their winter operation by including training for their mechanics
Assess the benefits of including their mechanics in winter maintenance training..
John Paul Johnson, CET
OPERATIONS MANAGER, Wellington County ON, Guelph, ON
Fleet Services
Showcase: Lidar Technology and Winter Maintenance
This presentation will focus on the use of laser rangefinders in the process of snow removal and asset management. Laser rangefinders represent a fresh approach to traditional manners of operation. Specific to snow removal the discussion will include ways in which to measure salt volume while in storage facilities, as well as measuring the volume in trucks as they enter and exit the facility. Furthermore, there will be discussion on the use of mobile laser systems for mapping of roadways to plan for growth and development.
Room :
Exhibit Booth 259
Dan Freveletti
Measurement Devices Ltd. (MDL), Chicago, IL
Lunch Non-compete Exhibit Time
Showcase: Blend Boss
This presentation will discuss the benefits of incorporating VariTech Industries, BLEND BOSS – chemical mixing system into a municipality's snow and ice regimen. The BLEND BOSS is a stand-alone chemical blending station that will allow up to, three different liquid de-icing chemical products to be blended, in-line prior to storage or application tank loading. Product Benefits: ability to produce "hot mix" blends using any de-icing chemical; adjust blend before and during a storm as precipitation or temperature changes; ability to fill truck as needed; unit is password protected to prevent unauthorized changes; closed-loop control ensures fast efficient blending with auto shutdown.
Room :
Exhibit Booth 259
Benjie Schoenrock
Product Manager, FORCE America Inc, Alexandria, MN
Showcase :Leveraging GPS Technology to Improve Fleet Productivity
With shrinking budgets, governments are mandating fleet reductions and fuel efficiency as a way to cut costs. Brian Miles of Networkfleet will demonstrate how GPS technology can answer these questions and provide actionable information for public works fleet managers, including: • Work status - What roads were snow plowed and when? • Fleet utilization – can I reduce my fleet size? • Excessive idling – how can I reduce fuel usage and meet new emission standards? • Automatic meter readings – how to collect accurate odometer and engine hours in order to schedule preventative maintenance. • Integration into fleet maintenance applications – capturing meter readings and getting DTC codes into fleet maintenance programs to streamline the process and reduces costs. • One GPS system for all departments – Setting up one system that can meet all departments' fleet management needs.
Room :
Exhibit Booth 259
Brian K. Miles
Strategic Account Manager, Verizion Networkfleet, Fenton, MI
How to Setup an Internal Snow Training Session/Roadeo
This session explains how Johnson County setup an annual Training Session with Snow Fighters to include a practical on-site Snow Rodeo with existing staff. You will get insight on how to include all staff, to increase staff morale, bolster better communication and utilize the hidden talents of your existing staff. Items to be discussed will be: training videos considered and used, documents passed out, snow policy review, assignment of staff to equipment and routes, and what goes into setting up an internal Snow Rodeo: how to do it, techniques incorporated and why, scoring procedures, changes to make the Rodeo better for the following events and closure of the event. The goal is to show how other agencies can provide department training at a no to low cost that will boost morale, improve internal communications, and achieve a safer more productive Snow Fighter.
Room :
Learning Objectives:
Conceptualize how to put together a Snow Training Session and Snow Rodeo with internal staff
Teach existing staff and have fun while getting effective training accomplished.
Motivate staff and build internal morale boosting efforts that benefit the Traveling Public, and department
Greg Parker
COUNTY ENGINEER, Johnson County Secondary Roads, Iowa City, IA
Smart About Salt - How to Manage Salt Use in Parking Lots
Environment Canada undertook an extensive study of salt use for winter maintenance which prompted a working group who developed a Code of Practice for Managing Road Salts. The problem was that they did not address salts used on private lands and seriously under-estimated the amount of salts that are used on private and public parking lots. To remedy this, they created a program called Smart About Salt and with the assistance of partners in the building owners' management group, parking lot maintainers and Provincial organizations formed a Smart About Salt Council. The focus of the council is to develop training and encourage the property owners and facility maintainers to use new technology, techniques and alternatives to rock salt as well as reduce, where possible, the amount of salt being applied to private lands. This presentation will give an overview of how it got started, how it works and the successes and challenges that have been encountered.
Room :
Learning Objectives:
. Identify how SAS can be beneficial in their municipality
Recognize the importance of such a program for their municipality
Advocate for the adoption of this type of program in their jurisdiction.
John Paul Johnson, CET
OPERATIONS MANAGER, Wellington County ON, Guelph, ON
Parks and Grounds
APWA National Excellence in Snow & Ice Control Award Winners
We are proud to announce the winners of the APWA National Excellence in Snow & Ice Control Award: the City of Ankeny Public Work, Ankeny IA and the City of Overland Park Public Works, Overland Park, KS. This session provides a platform for this year's winners to describe their programs and what they did to warrant winning the national Award. This session is a great way to learn new best practices and to see what advancements are being made by a couple great Midwest agencies. The City of Ankeny Public Works department prepares for winter year round. Just like every snow flake is different, each snowfall presents a different challenge to keep our streets effectively cleared for drivers. The department's mission is to provide a safe and unobstructed transportation network throughout the City with minimal delays or disruptions and 24-hour emergency access is always maintained. They also aim to accomplish the needed snow and ice control without causing unnecessary harm to the environment. As a city, public safety is focused on 365 days of the year, but is especially heightened during the winter maintenance season. Though preparation for snow and ice control occurs all year, an intensified readiness extends from as early as August until the temperatures warm in the spring. Each year, the City of Overland Park implements its snow and ice control program which runs from November 1 to April 1. This program is a unique blend of precision management, innovative use of technology, and dedicated staff. It starts with the City's cultural mission to make quality snow and ice control one of, if not THE highest winter mission. This cultural mission has developed the snow program into a citywide effort, one that enjoys cooperation and support across all departments. In general, the program establishes a thorough plan for quality of services, staffing, equipment, material resources, training, and customer service assistance. Their session will outline the City's innovative use of technology and resources to create a comprehensive snow and ice control program. From the unique use of underground caves to store salt to the creation of a customized public information system, the program has received several awards, including the 2011 Excellence in Operations Program Award from the Kansas City Metro Chapter of APWA.
Room :
Learning Objectives:
Communicate the value of preparing for snow and ice control all year
Evaluate their agency's plan for quality of services, staffing, equipment, material resources, training, and customer service assistance.
Determine what changes to implement to improve their agency's chances to win the award
Dennis R. Guillaume
Public Works Administrator, City of Ankeny, Ankeny, IA
Paul Moritz, PE
Assistant City Manager, City of Ankeny, Ankeny, IA
Alan L. Olson
Retired, Ankeny, IA
Richard J. Profaizer
Mgr. Maintenance Operations, City of Overland Park, Overland Park, KS
Gregory L. Scharff
Superintendent of PW Maint, City of Overland Park, Overland Park, KS
Let's Talk Winter
Managing winter operations is a significant challenge. Not only are there storms to deal with, managers are faced with the challenges of how to incorporate new technology, secure funding, maintain service levels, deal with an aging workforce, increase recruitment and retention and provide effective training. This panel of featured conference speakers will discuss the present and future challenges of winter operations.
Room :
Learning Objectives:
Compare other agencies policies and procedures to their own
Determine if technology enhancements, methods improvement, or equipment upgrades are needed in their agency
Identify training needs and potential training resources
Paul G Brown
Director of Snow and Ice Operations, MassDOT, Boston, MA
Diana W. Clonch
President, D. W. Clonch, Columbus, OH
Jay A. Wells, MS
Maintenance & Operations Superintendent, Washington DOT, Olympia, WA
Snow and Ice
Recommended Maintenance Practices for Snow Fleets- Before, During and After the Snow
Before, During and After the Snow Keeping your snow-fighting equipment in top shape is a continuous process that begins when the last snow of the season has fallen. Learn about the different stages of winter preparedness, how to avoid having to do basic and emergency repairs when you need your equipment the most, and how to optimize snow equipment and related repairs without impacting day-to- day fleet operations.
Room :
Learning Objectives:
Prepare snow-fighting equipment to be in peak condition before it is needed.
Implement an effective repair program during snow and ice events.
Complete a comprehensive inspection and prepare equipment for storage and readiness for next winter.
Venu J. Gupta, PE, PWLF
Dir-Facilities Dev & Mgmt, (retired), Gainesville, FL
Jeffrey A. Tews, CPFP
Fleet Operations Manager, City of Milwaukee, Milwaukee, WI
Fleet Services
Exhibitor Showcase Presentation
Communicating Your Snow Plan
This presentation will focus on communications - speaking with the public and communicating your plan effectively. It will include communicating with residents that call in, educating residents and businesses up front as to what to expect during a storm, handling difficult people and the use of social media to keep your community up to date. Highlights of communication plans from various communities will be highlighted to help you better let your town know what is happening.
Room :
Learning Objectives:
Develop a communication plan for your snow operations
Communicate effectively with the public in a variety of media
Enhance your current plan with best practices from other agencies
Laura L. McGovern, PE
Senior Vice President, Alfred Benesch and Company, Chicago, IL
NJDOT Embarks On the Road to AVL/GPS
The New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) entered the world of GPS/AVL just in time for the 2011 winter season. GPS/AVL was installed in all 500 of their snow fighting equipment. At the same time, NJDOT contractors (totaling over 1500) were provided radios so they could also be tracked. The MARVLIS system was used to track the movement of the snow fleet. This initiative helped bring the state complaint with P25 interoperability. Come see how one state implemented GPS/AVL on a large scale.
Room :
Learning Objectives:
Evaluate the effectiveness of implementing GPS/AVL on a large scale.
Inquire about the step NJDOT took to determine which vehicles to include and how to set priorities.
Discern if their agencies could implement AVL/GPS on a scale of this nature or should they just implement the GPS without the ability to visualize the actions of the equipment?
Richard Mark Shaw, MPA
Asst Commr of Ops, NJ Dept. of Transportation, Trenton, NJ
Fleet Services
Closing General Session: The Glass Ain't Half Empty, It's Just Too Big!
Keynote Speaker: Mark Mayfield, CSP, CPAE Mark Mayfield is one of those rare individuals that is equally adept at performing standup comedy and presenting high content speeches. He excites, educates and always entertains. Content based, yet comedy driven, it's pretty simple what he does... he talks about VERY SERIOUS stuff in a VERY FUNNY way. If you want to learn about change, or teamwork, or stress, why not have a great time doing it? Mark is the author of the popular book Mom's Rules, a comedic yet poignant look at those things Mom said to us as kids, and has been inducted into the CPA Speaker Hall of Fame by the National Speakers Association. From comedy shows to seminars, his philosophy is simple... say it with humor and people will take the message home. A national convention planner recently called Mark "one of the very few, really funny, inspiring men in America today." This session will be a humorous approach to the serious subject of creativity as the key component in coping with change. You'll learn change theory and creative exercises in this upbeat, fast paced program that will leave you laughing and also leave you with some great change management skills.
Room :
Harley-Davidson Event
Wednesday, May 2, 2012
Technical Tours: Milwaukee Repair Garage, Wausau-Everest, Western
Exhibit Floor
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© 2016 American Public Works Association.


text:
Top Definition
the period of time starting when you first realize you're excited and ending when you have a complete erection
I started bonering when Julia gave me that backrub at work this morning.
Beküldő: BBoyStance23 2010. szeptember 2.
Trending Now
Can you define these popular missing words?
The act of hands-free, semi-masturbation between two dudes.
Two (or more) guys rubbing their penises against each other.
Two (or more) guys rubbing their penises against each other.
"Did you guys fuck last night?"
"No, we spent most of the time bonering."
"No, we spent most of the time bonering."
Beküldő: jdandy 2010. január 19.
Dude! Check out that fine ass over there maan, I think I'm bonering!
Beküldő: FatalError 2004. március 10.
Generally getting excited about something
I am totally bonering for our upcoming ski trip.
Beküldő: BBoyStance23 2010. augusztus 22.
Buffering media footage as it is downloaded, specifically for pornographic material (e.g. a video)
I was readying my supplies as the porno was bonering. It was a large file, so there was a lot of bonering.
Beküldő: BBoyStance23 2010. augusztus 22.


text:
I'm glad to let everyone out in Perl Land know that DBD::mysql
4.015 is released. Per the changelog:
* BUG #56664 fixed t/40blobs.t skip_all logic (W. Phillip Moore)
* BUG #57253 Fixed iteration past end of string (crash). (Chris Butler)
* Added a new parameter for old behavior- mysql_bind_comment_placeholders which
will make it possible to have placeholders bound within comments for those who really
want that behavior.
* Fixed bind_type_guessing - always on now. Numbers will not be automatically quoted as they are now.
You can get the latest release at:


text:
An NBC TV News story about foreign-farmed shrimp, catfish, and tilapia reinforces another reason to choose Vital Choice and American seafood overall, versus Asian imports.
We offer only wild and cultured Pacific seafood and Portuguese sardines and mackerel of unquestioned purity
And FDA tests rarely find residues that violate the law in farmed American seafood... leaving aside the envrionmental and/or nutritional downsides associated with some farmed fish.
Although many producers follow the rules, seafood imports remain problematic, as NBCs Today Show quoted one Congressional committee.
The report on the Today Show summarizes the ongoing story of antibiotic and pesticide residues in farmed shrimp, tilapia, crab, and catfish.
They also interviewed a spokesman from the National Fisheries Institutewhich represents American importers of foreign farmed seafood as well as American fishing interestswho defended the quality of most farmed Asian seafood.
But you cant tell by taste or smell whether imported seafood is toxin-tainted, and the FDA only tests about two percent of imports.
Illegal levels of contaminants found in eight percent of Chinese imports, 16 percent of Taiwans, and disturbing proportions of farmed seafood from Vietnam and other East Asian exporters.
Sure, some of the fearsome publicity about Asian imports is encouraged by domestic fish and shrimp farmers, but the data backs up their warnings.


text:
Pictures of the Day
Secretary of Defense Robert Gates stood at Kandahar Air Field in Afghanistan Thursday. Mr. Gates said the U.S. will pour thousands of troops into Afghanistan by next summer, and can expect to commit a sustained force for several more years. (Scott Olson/Reuters)
A supporter of Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez signed a petition Thursday in Caracas in favor of a proposed constitutional amendment to abolish term limits. (Fernando Llano/Associated Press)
The Dalai Lama greeted thousands of people who came to hear him speak in a Warsaw sports arena Thursday. The Tibetan spiritual leader met with Polish President Lech Kaczynski Wednesday, drawing criticism from China. (Alik Keplicz/Associated Press)
A now-sparsely populated forest was pictured Thursday in Madagascar. The area of Manantenia now lies barren and unfit to sustain crops. (Gregoire Pourtier/Agence France-Presse/Getty Images)
A staircase from the World Trade Center was moved to its final resting place at Ground Zero in New York Thursday. It is known as the "Survivor's Staircase," as it served as an escape route for people fleeing the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. (Seth Wenig/Associated Press)
A South Ossetian family cooked on a woodstove in their Tskhinvali apartment Thursday. Essentials such as heating and runing water remain in a poor state since the August conflict (Kazbek Basayev/Agence France-Presse/Getty Images)
A worker checked oilfield pipes Wednesday in preparation for oil and gas exploration in Yilong, Sichuan province, China. The country's November crude oil imports hit the lowest level this year amid the global economic recession. (Reuters)
A woman cried as workers tore down her Zhengzhou, Henan province, China, home Wednesday. Homeowners claim officials are forcefully evicting them to reap the benefits of real estate deals. (Agence France-Presse/Getty Images)
Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe and his wife, Grace, attended the funeral of Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front political leader Elliot Manyika Thursday in Harare, Zimbabwe. Amid calls for his resignation, Mr. Mugabe said Thursday his government has stopped a deadly cholera outbreak. (Philimon Bulawayo/Reuters)
An injured girl was rushed to a hospital Thursday after a suicide bomber killed at least 55 people at a restaurant near Kirkuk, Iraq. Kurdish officials were meeting with Arab tribal leaders to discuss long-standing ethnic tensions. (Marwan Ibrahim/Agence France-Presse/Getty Images)
A woman was locked up in a transparent suitcase with a sticker reading "stop human trafficking" on a luggage belt at a Munich airport Thursday. Amnesty International staged the event to mark the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights by the United Nations. (Oliver Lang/DDP/Agence-France Presse)
A delegate walked past a polar bear dummy at the entrance of the United Nations climate change conference in Poznan, Poland, Thursday. The sign references the polar bears' plight in the face of global warming. Representatives are negotiating a successor to the Kyoto Protocol. (Kacper Pempel/Reuters)
British Prime Minister Gordon Brown arrived for the first day of European Council summit in Brussels Thursday. Participants at the two-day European Union summit will try to hammer out a climate change package and details of a joint economic stimulus package. (John Thys/Agence France-Presse/Getty Images)
Jubilant Republic Windows & Doors factory workers in Chicago celebrated Wednesday after voting to approve a $1.75 million deal, ending a six-day sit-in. Bank of America agreed to extend a loan to Republic in order to give severance pay to the laid-off workers, who cheered "Yes we can." (E. Jason Wambsgans/Chicago Tribune via Associated Press)
Laborers worked at a construction site of a temporary bridge over the Ganges River in Allahabad, India, Thursday. Despite the economic slowdown, the World Bank expects India's economic growth to expand 5.8% next year and 7.7% in 2010. (Jitendra Prakash/Reuters)
Birds that are believed to have migrated from Siberia flew over Haryana, India, Thursday. (Amit Gupta/Reuters)


text:
This deal has ended.
Shop4tech.com offers this Stainless Steel Odor-Removing Soap for $4.95. Better yet, code JM15 drops it to $4.21. With free shipping, that's the lowest total price by $3. This stainless steel bar boasts the ability to remove odors such as garlic and onion from hands better than "real" soap. There is no sales tax (except CA).No longer available


text:
Tiramisu Ice Cream with Baked Coconut Flats from Jersey Girl Homemade
Unfortunately, I don't have a recipe for you guys today. Instead I'll share some photos that resulted from previous confectionery adventures and get my bottom in the kitchen working on a much better post for you next time! And I promise, it won't take six months.
This is actually my take on Sweetapolita's (who, by the way, is one of my biggest bakercrush) Chocolate Espresso Bundt Cake with Dark Chocolate Cinnamon Glaze. Go HERE for the recipe.
Love, Peace, and Dessert


text:
AR Murugadoss praises Nanban Vijay
AR Murugadoss watched the movie at a special screening in Chennai. Later, he shared his opinion with his fans on Twitter. He wrote, "Watched Nanban Vijay has given a rocking performance! Can't wait to get back working with him soon...once the strike ends!"
However, the shooting of AR Murugadoss' next project Thupaki starring Vijay and Kajal Aggarwal has been halted due to the ongoing strike in the Tamil film industry.


text:
After install plugin, wp-admin crashes.
The Support Forums will be in read-only mode for a scheduled maintenance window on 01 September 2016 14:00 UTC - 20:00 UTC. More information.
After install plugin, wp-admin crashes.
After install plugin, wp-admin crashes.
Crash Situation: after you change default language from English to each other.
Native english site hasn't the problem. Other languages has the problem. For example: if your site is in portuguese language, after you set the portuguese language as default, the wp-admin will crash.
I used translatethis and it works just fine. You don't even need a plugin, just paste the javascript in you template.
+1 for Translate This Button plugin. Easy to use, very fast translation, nearly a seamless user experience when translating a page. I am running it with WordPress 3.3.1 and it is functioning perfectly.
Unfortunately it looks like the plugin author is not actively updating the plugin.
This topic has been closed to new replies.


text:
A year to the day after the NBA began what would become a memorable, even triumphant season, it looks as if we might have another one after all.
It might not be as much of a success. The league and its players might have poisoned those waters with the months of bickering and finger-pointing since the feel-good Finals. But at this point, they finally seem ready to take what they can get.
The 15-hour negotiating sessions that began Wednesday did not lead to predictions that a deal was imminent, but there was genuine optimism. And no one called anyone a liar.
With much work still to be done, particularly on the split of the basketball related income, the progress made was fragile. The sides agreed that it could all fall apart again. No one was ready to predict that their progress would be able to stand the stress test of Kevin Garnett or Paul Allen entering the room. Talks broke off last week over the BRI split, and that did not come up in the latest marathon discussions of system issues.
They will continue to dicker over issues that make eyes glaze over, from the stages at which the luxury taxes would become increasingly punitive to the maximum raises permitted to players using Bird rights.
They did, however, leave the door open for something that actually does interest fans.
Neither side ruled out the possibility of an 82-game season. David Stern said there are many factors that would have to be weighed, beginning with availability of arenas in a reworked schedule, the number of back-to-backs (and likely back-to-backs-to-backs) that would have to be played and the ability to sell tickets to that many games in such a short period. Derek Fisher said the chances were "slim."
Still, if they can reach agreement in the next few days, they can begin the season by late November. If they can play 82 games, they would be able to cut the losses in revenue and salaries enough to perhaps bend just a little more on the revenue split. They might even feel a different sort of urgency to get this thing done. Instead of needing to lose paychecks and revenue, they might be moved to work to get the benefits of a full season before it is too late.
More important to fans, if they can have a real season, they might be able to put these aggravating months of self-serving labor squabbling behind them.
Amputating a month of the schedule immediately following the phenomenal 2010-11 season would be the equivalent of the Rockets changing from the championship era uniforms to the clown suits that followed. Horrible moves. Horrible timing.
In the case of the NBA, the league was riding high not just because of all the attention that followed The Decision, the spotlight on The Heatles and a terrific postseason culminating in the Mavericks' entertaining triumph, but because of the rise of an engaging new generation of stars.
It is easy to root for Kevin Durant, Blake Griffin and Derrick Rose. It does not take advance studies in hoops to appreciate a guy that can humbly put up 40 any night, or jump over a car to dunk or carry his team to the league's best record. The big markets – LA, Boston, New York and Chicago – were all relevant at the same time, something that does not happen often. There was renewed hope for small markets – led by Oklahoma City and Memphis. Ratings were up. Attendance was up.
A week ago, the league seemed ready to flush much of that. If it can put together an 82-game season after all, will anyone really care how they got there?
(Yes, I've seen the daily comments from those that don't like basketball and feel the need to tell us. I don't like asparagus, but I don't think anyone really cares. I know many people that worship soccer. I can't imagine why I would need to make a point to them that I don't.)
If the NBA has an 82-game season, all the bickering and posturing could be forgotten. David Stern will have to get his owners to accept more compromise, particularly on the share of income. Billy Hunter will have to get a deal he can recommend to his players, especially if he has to give a bit more on the split and exceptions limitations. And then we can stop talking about both of them and get back to the sport, its stars and the Rockets' search for a center.