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Note: This website is no longer being updated and is being maintained for archive purposes by the Department of Botany, National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution. Please see About the Project for further details.
VII. Pacific Coast
The Pacific coastal region of tropical South America, sometimes called the trans-Andean region, is a geographically coherent unit even though it is extremely heterogeneous phytogeographically due to its extreme variation in precipitation. It forms a mostly narrow strip along the western side of South America stretching from La Serena just north of 30°S latitude in northern Chile north across the Equator to include the drainage of the Atrato River in Colombia as well as the adjacent Urabá region and the climatically similar wettest part of the Magdalena Valley. Thus the "Pacific Coast" region includes the narrow strip of Caribbean coast that marks the northern limit of Chocó Department, and reaches a northern limit at Cabo Tiburón on the Panama border near 8°45'N.
To the west this region is delimited by the Pacific Ocean and the Panama border. To the east the region is less precisely delimited by the Andean escarpment. The separation of the coastal region from the Andean region is often placed near the 1000 m elevational contour (Gentry 1993a; Dodson and Gentry 1991; Forero and Gentry 1989).
In the geologically and geographically complex region of northern Colombia where the Andean Western and Central cordilleras reach their terminations, vegetation similar to that of the Chocó extends around the northern tips of the two cordilleras into the Magdalena Valley. The wet-forest Nechi area is clearly a part of the Chocó phytogeographically and is logically included in the Pacific coastal region of South America even though the area's rivers drain north into the Caribbean. The moist and wet forests of the central Magdalena Valley are phytogeographically more distinctive and might well be considered to constitute a separate region coordinate with Amazonia or the Mata Atlântica. However, for the purposes of this summary review, the part of the Magdalena Valley between 5°30'-7°30'N is considered under the rubric of the Pacific Coast region.
Ecologically this region runs the gamut from among the wettest to the driest extremes of the neotropics, and the world. In general the northern Chocó region is perhumid, whereas the Sechura and Atacama deserts of Peru and northern Chile are perarid. Coastal Ecuador is transitional, ranging from perhumid rain forest in the north to desert in the south-west on the Santa Elena Peninsula. One of the Earth's wettest places is at Tutunendó in the Colombian Chocó, which receives 11,770 mm of annual precipitation. No rainfall has ever been recorded in parts of northern Chile's Atacama Desert.
In Colombia there is a north-south gradient of lessening precipitation, with the Caribbean coastal region more strongly seasonal. In Ecuador, vegetational zonation depends largely on proximity to the offshore Humboldt Current; precipitation zones are generally parallel to the coast, with the westernmost extension of the country (between Cape San Mateo and the Santa Elena Peninsula) the driest and the Andean foothills the wettest. Due to the strength of the Humboldt Current, coastal Ecuador and the Galápagos Islands are the only places in the world where desert and near-desert conditions reach to the Equator. In Peru and northern Chile the precipitation gradient also decreases from north to south, with the tropical dry forest of the northernmost part of coastal Peru grading into progressively drier desert to the south.
The Chocó pluvial forest is one of the few places in the world with the over 8000 mm of annual rainfall that categorize true tropical rain forest under the widely used Holdridge system of vegetation classification. The perhumid, or pluvial, forest occupies most of the lowland coastal region of Colombia south of 7°N latitude, extending along the base of the Andes across the Ecuador border to a southern terminus near 0°30'N. The Chocó pluvial forest is physiognomically as well as floristically distinctive, being characterized by many features that are normally restricted to mid-elevation cloud forests, including extremely thick coverings of moss and other non-vascular epiphytes on branches and tree trunks and prevalence of hemi-epiphytic climbers rather than free-climbing lianas. There are unusually high densities of trees of small (2.5-10 cm dbh) and medium (10-30 cm dbh) sizes (Gentry 1993b), unusually low densities of large trees, and overall low biomass (FaberLangendoen and Gentry 1991). Holdridge-system wet and moist forests, which are physiognomically (as well as floristically) distinct from pluvial forest, cover most of lowland north-western Colombia north of 7°N, and the north-western part of Ecuador, extending southward as a narrowing strip along the Andean foothills almost to the Peruvian border. Even in the Chocó itself there is a mosaic of wet and pluvial forests, with the low coastal cordilleras generally relatively drier and covered by wet forest. The wet-forest and moist-forest regions have the free-climbing lianas, large emergent trees and high biomass that characterize Amazonian and most other such neotropical forests.
Like Amazonia, the lowland Chocó includes a mosaic of different vegetation types. Several of the most distinctive are swampy, including the best developed and most species-rich mangroves of the neotropics, with at least 15 species of mangroves or mangrove-associated plants, most of which do not occur on the Atlantic coast (Gentry 1982b). In the lower Atrato River drainage of the northern Chocó, there are nearly pure stands of Raphia palm in frequently inundated areas, and in less swampy areas "cativales" with single-species dominance by the legume Prioria copaifera. There are also extensive herbaceous swamps. Scattered along the Pacific coast northward from Esmeraldas, Ecuador are singlespecies dominated freshwater and brackishwater swamp forests respectively dominated by Campnosperma panamensis and Mora megistosperma, in addition to the more continuous mangrove formations.
Not surprisingly considering the heavy rainfall, the soils of most of the Chocó region (see CPD Site SA39) are highly leached and nutrient-poor. Much of the region has typical red-clay lateritic soils but some areas, especially near the base of the Andes and in the floodplains of major rivers, have relatively young less-leached soils. Relatively rich soils are especially prevalent in the southern part of the Ecuadorian Chocó. A peculiar soil type of unusual botanical interest is the white clay that occurs in much of the Bajo Calima region of Colombia's Valle Department and also west of Lita in northern Ecuador. This clay is especially associated with such distinctive Chocó vegetational features as gigantic sclerophyllous leaves and unusually large fruits (Gentry 1986b, 1993b).
The relatively small, anomalously low-latitude, dry-forest area of south-western Ecuador (cf. Kessler 1992) and north-westernmost Peru is very different from the adjacent moist and wet forests in its almost complete loss of leaves during the dry season. The vegetation of this Tumbes region is distinctive among neotropical dry forests in the prevalence of large emergent Bombacaceae trees, which tend to have grotesque growth forms and give the forest a very distinctive aspect. Another peculiarity is the extreme density of herbaceous vines that cover trees and ground alike during the wet season.
The Pacific Coast desert region forms a continuous strip over 3500 km long from near the Ecuador/Peru border at 5°S latitude to La Serena, Chile near 30°S. In the coastal desert regions vegetation is extremely sparse, even entirely lacking over large areas which instead may be covered with drifting sands. Botanically the most interesting part of the coastal desert is the "lomas", a curious archipelagolike formation of mostly ephemeral and geophytic herbs which grow in the condensation zone where winter fogs are intercepted by steep hills adjacent to the coast (see CPD Sites SA42 and SA43). While the lomas have a lush seasonal growth of herbs for several months, for most of the year the plant life disappears entirely, leaving apparently bare desert.
Due to its isolation by the Andes from the rest of lowland South America, the trans-Andean Pacific coastal region is characterized by a high level of endemism, leading to a concomitant need for conservational focus. The flora of the humid Chocó has been very roughly estimated as likely to include 8000 vascular plant species, c. 20% of them strictly endemic (Gentry 1982b). Although there are no endemic families in the wet part of Pacific South America, several genera are endemic and some of them have undergone significant speciation, including Trianaeopiper (17 spp.) (Piperaceae) and Cremosperma (16 spp.) (Gesneriaceae). The flora of coastal Ecuador below 900 m elevation with the Tumbes area of Peru is estimated to consist of c. 6300 vascular plant species, with c. 20% or 1260 species strictly endemic to the region (Dodson and Gentry 1991). The dry-forest portion of coastal Ecuador contributes c. 1000 species to this total, most of them not shared with moist or wet forest, with a similar endemism rate of 19%. Several small genera are endemic to Ecuadorian dry forest, whereas the adjacent moist forest has no endemics.
The predominant families in Chocó are generally those well represented in other parts of the lowland neotropics. For example among the almost 4000 vascular plant species listed for Colombia's Chocó Department by Forero and Gentry (1989), the largest family is Orchidaceae, followed by Rubiaceae, Leguminosae, Melastomataceae, Piperaceae, Compositae, Gesneriaceae, Araceae, Palmae, Bromeliaceae, Solanaceae and Euphorbiaceae. Similarly for the Florula of the Río Palenque Science Center in the Ecuadorian Chocó band (Dodson and Gentry 1978), the largest family is Orchidaceae, followed by ferns, Leguminosae, Araceae, Piperaceae, Compositae, Moraceae, Solanaceae, Gesneriaceae, Gramineae, Rubiaceae, Euphorbiaceae, Melastomataceae and Bromeliaceae. Although somewhat less speciose, predominantly hemi-epiphytic families like Ericaceae and Guttiferae are conspicuously more prevalent in the lowland Chocó than in lowland forests of Amazonia or Central America.
When data for plants of dbh 2.5 cm or more in 0.1-ha samples are compared, Leguminosae, Rubiaceae, Palmae, Annonaceae, Melastomataceae, Sapotaceae and Guttiferae are the predominant families in Chocó pluvial forests (Gentry 1986b). Most noteworthy are the preponderance of Guttiferae, Melastomataceae, Myrtaceae and Bombacaceae as compared to similar samples in Amazonia and Central America. Other families, like Bignoniaceae and Meliaceae, are less prevalent in Chocó pluvial-forest samples than in most other moist lowland neotropical forests. Following this much-replicated sampling technique, the Chocó pluvial forests are the most species-rich in the entire world, although almost equalled by some Upper Amazonian samples.
Certain genera tend to be strikingly species-rich in the Chocó region, although most of them are also among the largest genera elsewhere in the lowland neotropics. The largest genus is Piper, both in Chocó Department and at Río Palenque. Other exceptionally speciose genera in Chocó Department are Psychotria, Miconia, Anthurium, Thelypteris, Peperomia, Maxillaria, Cavendishia, Elaphoglossum, Solanum, Trichomanes, Heliconia, Epidendrum, Columnea, Clidemia and Guzmania (Forero and Gentry 1989). At Río Palenque, Piper is followed by Ficus, Solanum, Peperomia, Philodendron, Pleurothallis, Anthurium, Epidendrum, Maxillaria, Thelypteris and Heliconia (Dodson and Gentry 1978; Gentry 1990a). Most of these species-rich genera are epiphytic, and most of the rest are understorey shrubs and herbs. It has been suggested that such taxa are prone to unusually rapid speciation leading to extreme local endemism, with the Chocó region's foothill cloud forests the epicentre of this phenomenon (Gentry 1986b, 1989; Gentry and Dodson 1987). In the extreme example of the Centinela ridge in central-western Ecuador, a 20-km² area of cloud forest may have supported 90 locally endemic species, about a tenth of the entire flora (Gentry 1986a; Gentry and Dodson 1987; Dodson and Gentry 1991).
The dry forest of coastal Ecuador and adjacent north-western Peru is floristically similar to continentally interior neotropical dry forests, with dominance of Leguminosae trees and Bignoniaceae lianas. Perhaps its most striking floristic feature is the unusual diversity of Bombacaceae (Gentry 1995). In the driest regions, as on Ecuador's Santa Elena Peninsula, Capparidaceae are especially prevalent. This overall region has unusually high endemism for dry forest, with 19% (c. 190) of its species endemic (Dodson and Gentry 1991).
The offshore Galápagos Islands (volume 2, CPD Data Sheet site PO7) constitute essentially a depauperate subset of this flora where only the bird-dispersed and a few wind-dispersed (pogonochore) species of the coastal dry forest arrived, and sometimes speciated. The entire Galápagos native flora includes only c. 541 species of vascular plants (Wiggins and Porter 1971; Porter 1983; Hamann 1995). Endemism is 41.4%, with most of the 224 endemic species being rather obscure herbs (Porter 1983); the dominant dry-forest trees are conspecific with those of the mainland.
Floristically, the coastal desert of Peru and northern Chile has little in common with other equatorial lowlands in South America and more in common with the high Andes. The predominant families are mostly herbaceous or shrubby, and include Compositae, Malvaceae, Cactaceae, Boraginaceae, Cruciferae, Aizoaceae, Portulacaceae, Solanaceae and Umbelliferae (Rundel et al. 1991). The coastal desert area is characterized by very strong local endemism in the lomas formation, with two speciose nearendemic families (Nolanaceae and Malesherbiaceae, both shared with Mediterranean Chile) and genera such as Calceolaria, Palaua, Tiquilia and Nolana showing significant lomas radiations (Rundel et al. 1991). Both diversity and endemism are greater in the lomas of the southern part of the coastal desert, with 62% of southern Peru's lomas flora endemic (Müller 1985). There is also a sharp floristic break near the Peru/Chile border with only 7% of the region's species occurring on both sides of this climatic barrier (Rundel et al. 1991). Although the individual lomas have relatively small floras usually of less than 100 species (with 230 in the richest, the Paposo area), there is such a strong degree of local endemism that the coastal desert contributes an estimated additional 1000 species to the Pacific coast total (Rundel et al. 1991).
Species of economic importance
The Chocó region has a very large complement of useful plants and presumably a very real potential for conservation via extractive reserves and other sustainable uses of forest products. Moreover, many of the useful species of this region appear to be locally endemic, and a very different set of genera and families are of economic importance in the coastal Pacific wet forests than in Amazonia or Central America. Included among the region's useful plants are many fruits such as the wildly popular local delicacy "borojo" (Borojoa patinoi). RomeroCastañeda (1985) lists 42 Chocó fruit species that are edible, including such otherwise rarely consumed genera as Montrichardia, Aechmea, Crataeva, Leonia, Malvaviscus, Patinoa, Maripa and Pentagonia. Several of the unusually large fruits that characterize Chocó species are consumed, including Orbignya cuatrecasana and Compsoneura atopa. Another peculiarity of the consumption is that various fruits are consumed as a source of starch rather than for their sweet sugary taste (Gentry 1992c). A surprising number of the edible species are recently scientifically described or have yet to be described (Gentry 1992c).
The region is rich in plants used for fibres, including many palms (Bernal 1992) and aroids (e.g. Heteropsis, Philodendron - Gentry 1992c); the fibres of Carludovica palmata (Cyclanthaceae) form the basis of Ecuador's "Panama hat" industry (Miller 1986). There are also plants with horticultural potential. A good example is Anthurium andreanum, among the world's most widely cultivated aroids, which is endemic to a small region of western Colombia and north-western Ecuador; its collection was an important source of income for the Quaiquer Amerindians until local populations were decimated. A major effort is currently underway to revitalize the harvest of "tagua" (Phytelephas), formerly much used for buttons and as an ivory substitute, as a conservation-motivated sustainable extractive industry (Calero-H. 1992; Bernal 1992; Ziffer 1992). Canning of palm hearts (from Euterpe oleracea) is a significant local industry with six factories along the Colombian coast (Bernal 1992). In coastal Peru, the manufacture of "algarrobina" from Prosopis fruits to flavour drinks forms an important local industry.
The Pacific coastal region's abundance of tree species includes many species that have been harvested for timber. Again a very different taxonomic complement is exploited locally than elsewhere in the neotropics. Among the most important timber trees are several of the species that form single-species dominated stands including Prioria copaifera ("cativo") in the north, which is rapidly disappearing; Campnosperma panamensis ("sajo"), which is the single most important central Chocó timber species, accounting for 16% of the regional timber production in 1982; and Mora megistosperma ("nato"), with 280 km² harvested by 1982 (CVC 1983). In the high-rainfall part of central Chocó, Goupia and various Humiriaceae are the major timber species. The coastal Ecuador wet forest has lost its timber industry along with its trees; the formerly most important timber tree of the region, the rather recently described endemic Caryodaphnopsis theobromifolia, has been reduced to a few trees in the 1-km² Río Palenque reserve. The extremely hard wood of Tabebuia chrysantha ("guayacán") is the most exploited timber of the coastal Ecuador dry forest; as it has disappeared, the handicraft industry formerly dependent on it has turned to painting inferior woods so as to create imitations of the prized species.
The conservation status of the Pacific coastal region of South America is generally grim. Both the Colombian Chocó and coastal Ecuador were singled out by Myers (1988) as two of the world's 15 evolutionary hot spots in need of special conservation focus. The lomas formations have also been heavily impacted by human use, including pollution from mining, overgrazing during the winter growing season and even construction of new towns, but fewer species may be at risk (Ferreyra 1977).
Overall, 96% of the forests of coastal Ecuador have been destroyed, in an area of high regional and local endemism; only 1% of the coastal dry forest remains. Isolated cloud-forested outlying ridges apparently have significant complements of extremely local endemics. When deforestation of one of them was completed, on the 600 m elevation Centinela ridge south of Santo Domingo de los Colorados, perhaps 90 species of plants went extinct (Gentry 1986a; Dodson and Gentry 1991), one of the most massive local extinctions from tropical deforestation to date. The concept of "Centinelan extinctions" has even entered the conservation literature (Wilson 1992).
While three-quarters of the Colombian Chocó forest remains intact, large areas in the north and south are completely deforested, as is the Bajo Calima area. If the suspected pattern of high local endemism prevails in floristically poorly known Chocó, similar extinctions may be anticipated there as well, if deforestation continues unabated. Also, the Magdalena Valley has significant endemism and has been mostly deforested.
As in many other parts of the tropics, deforestation is the major contributor to the loss of biodiversity in the Pacific coastal region of South America. Western Ecuador is a particularly poignant example of this change (Parker and Carr 1992). Even though the rate of population increase dropped from 3.2% per year a few years ago to 2.4% by 1992 (World Population Data Sheet), Ecuador's population continues to grow alarmingly. Aggressive road-building and agricultural settlement programmes have accelerated forest loss as has a sociopolitical climate where privately owned forested lands are considered "unused" and susceptible to expropriation, either officially or extraofficially via squatters (Dodson and Gentry 1991). Unlike many tropical areas, the relatively rich soils of much of western Ecuador make agriculture sustainable as well as profitable, increasing the pressures on forest remnants.
The same processes that have already led to the devastation of western Ecuador's forests are currently in operation in western Colombia, where they are aggravated by environmental impact from large-scale commercial operations including oil-palm plantations (especially in Nariño), banana plantations (Urabá area), paper-pulp production (mostly in lowland Valle) and timbering (especially in northern Chocó). According to Myers (1988), 28% of the Colombian Chocó has already been deforested.
Over-exploitation of natural resources is also a problem. For example, mangroves are extensively harvested in the Buenaventura area for construction timber and tannins - virtually the entire 2420 km² of mangrove forest having been exploited at least once; 21,292 m³ per year of mangrove wood were being cut by 1982 (CVC 1983). Worse, in Ecuador mangroves are being replaced entirely by shrimp farming operations. The once extensive "cativales" of northern Chocó have been decimated by timbering operations as has much of the Atrato region's upland forest. By 1982, 23% of the Pacific coast forests of Colombia had been harvested for timber, including well over 5741 km² in the southern and central coastal region alone (CVC 1983). Most of the northern Chocó has been assigned to timber concessions.
Several large conservation units have been designated in this region (see CPD Data Sheets), with a total of c. 11,000 km² officially protected in the Pacific coastal lowlands. About half of the total is in the wet northern region, including four lowland National Parks in Colombia plus the lowland part (to 100 m) of Paramillo NNP (which has 4600 km²) in Colombia's Córdoba and Antioquia departments and the Cotacachi-Cayapas/Awá reserve area in Ecuador. There is no conservation unit in the Magdalena Valley. Two large dry-forest National Parks total c. 1300 km² - Machalilla in Ecuador and Cerros de Amotape in northern Peru. There are two national sanctuaries in the Peruvian Desert region, Lomas de Lachay and Paracas, totalling 360 km² - however 60% is marine. In addition most land in the Galápagos Islands is designated as a National Park. Thus the remaining natural vegetation of the Pacific coastal region, except the Magdalena Valley, might seem to be well protected.
However, attempts at direct conservation via National Parks have been notably ineffective in much of the Pacific Coast region of South America. For example the only legally protected dry forest in coastal Ecuador is Machalilla NP, but as much as 75% of its surface area remains effectively in private hands and the forest has been largely decimated since the park was established (in 1979) (contrary to IUCN 1982 - see Arriaga 1987; Parker and Carr 1992). Cerros de Amotape NP in Tumbes, Peru, still effectively protects some dry forest, but is seriously threatened by livestock browsing and fire. The large Cotacachi-Cayapas Ecological Reserve in northern Ecuador, which spans what was originally an intact ecological gradient from the high Andes to the coastal lowlands, is being seriously encroached along its boundaries (Parker and Carr 1992). Most of the lowland part of Paramillo NNP at the north tip of the Western Cordillera in Colombia has been clear-cut for cattle pasture, apparently since the park was established (in 1977). Most of Los Katíos NNP in the Urabá area of Chocó near the Panama border was deforested while the park was in the process of being established (in 1973). It is obvious that a much greater effort is needed if such reserves are to be effective.
A number of novel conservation strategies seem to have been more effective in conservation than the underfunded and understaffed National Parks. In Ecuador the best preserved dry forest is the Arenillas Reserve (200 km²) protected by the military as a buffer along the Peru border. In Colombia watershed protection has been exemplary by the Corporación Valle del Cauca (CVC) for its electricity-generating system on the Anchicaya River. Small private reserves like La Planada in Colombia and in Ecuador Río Palenque and the Universidad de Guayaquil's Jauneche are playing an important conservation role, which needs to be expanded.
Perhaps most significant of all, there is growing appreciation of the significance of conservation, with local sustainable-use initiatives, generally supported by NGOs (non-governmental organizations), seen in part as a mechanism for protecting forest populations of people and their cultures from being overrun by outsiders from adjacent montane areas. Recently established indigenous reserves that occupy a significant part of the still-forested Chocó will hopefully play a similar role. Even some of the large companies notorious for forest exploitation have begun to see the importance of forest conservation, to the extent of setting aside and protecting reserves on their own initiatives. Ecotourism, currently almost non-existent in this region, is perceived as a potential new source of income that could be compatible with conservation of biodiversity and local lifestyles as well. The connection between widespread deforestation and energy rationing due to lack of hydroelectric power from empty or silted-up reservoirs has become widely recognized.
Centres of Plant Diversity and Endemism
SA39. Colombian Pacific Coast region (Chocó)
SA40. Ecuadorian Pacific Coast mesic forests
SA41. Cerros de Amotape National Park region
SA42. Lomas formations
SA43. Lomas formations of the Atacama Desert
Return to: South America Overview
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of my free time hiking remote mountain trails, playing violin, and driving through the countryside with the top down, singing along to Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog. I spend my non-free time writing software and running a small tech company.I'm a singer in the park, a walker in the rain, a dancer
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State police are still investigating a March 22 explosion and house fire in Penn Forest Township, Carbon County.
A silver or gray four-door pickup truck was seen just prior to or during the 2:30 p.m. explosion at 44 Sugar Pine Drive in the Marty Axman Development, police said. The truck at the time had ladder racks attached to its bed's passenger side.
No injuries or fatalities have been reported. Anyone with information is asked to contact police at 570-459-3890.
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A co-operation agreement was signed in 2005 by the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe and the Committee of the Regions of the European Union. The fields of interest and methods of co-operation of the two institutions were formalised in 2009, on the basis of the more general memorandum of understanding concluded in 2007 between the Council of Europe and the European Union.
The cooperation agreement reaffirms, in particular, the principle of complementarity between the Congress and the Committee of the Regions, as well as mutual respect for their skills. The political direction of this cooperation, as well as its major themes, are agreed once per year at a meeting of the Secretaries General of the Congress and the CoR.
Contact Group Congress/Committee of the Regions
The Contact Group Congress / Committee of the Region is composed of six members of each institution and meets at least twice a year. Other members of the Committee of the Regions and of the Congress can be associated with the Contact Group meetings as observers. The presidency of the Contact Group rotates every two years between the two institutions. On the basis of the thematic and political priorities for cooperation established by the Presidents and the Secretaries General, the Contact Group defines annually the common activities. More specific activities can be added by the Contact Group to meet new needs or take account of changes in circumstances.
Different forms of co-operation
Local election observation missions carried out by the Congress have been open to members of the Committee of the Regions since 2006. Congress observation delegations now systematically include members of the Committee of the Regions - who are involved throughout the observation process.
Inter-regional cooperation in the Black Sea area, multilevel governance and local and regional democracy in "Eastern Partnership" countries have also been the subject of consultative meetings between the two organisations.
Countering corruption at the level of local and regional administrations is also a common priority - an activity first launched at a joint Conference in Messina (Italy) in May 2010.


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Photographic Visions
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Attention Right-Brainers!
You're an artistic visionary, right? In your head you imagine clever image fixes, fanciful photo manipulations, and artworks of startling genius. But when it comes to bringing these visions to life on your computer—well, that's the hard part. If this sounds familiar, then Photoshop wiz Al Ward's innovative and personal guide to the art of photo manipulation might just be the key to making your dreams come true.
Photoshop for Right-Brainers doesn't hamstring you with follow-the-leader, cookie-cutter techniques. Instead, the book explores the artistic creation process, demonstrating how Photoshop can open pathways for originality and keep you from getting stuck creatively. You'll start off doing real-world Photoshop work to get a firm grounding in the essential tools and techniques. Then you'll work through complex projects, honing your skills and learning how to translate even your wildest visions into reality. By the end you'll be able to generate mind-blowing photographic art of your own.
Inside you'll learn how to:
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815 Wheeler Avenue Huntsville, Alabama 35801
Lewis Morris
Interim Chief of Police
(256) 427-7001
|Dr. Harry Hobbs
Communications Relations Officer
(256) 427-7043
House Move May Impact Traffic
Huntsville, Alabama (May 11, 2012) Don Kennedy and Sons House Moving Company will be moving a house on Monday, May 14, 2012. The move will impact traffic in the areas of SW Nick Davis Road, Old Railroad Bed Road, McKee Road., Will Raby Road, Bo Howard Road, Beaver Dam Road, Pulaski Pike, and Leroy Drive.
The following lists the starting point and final destination of the move:
The move will start at approximately 9:00 a.m. on Monday, May 14, 2012, starting from 1659 Nick Davis Road in Harvest heading SW on Nick Davis Road, turn right onto Old Railroad Bed Road, continue onto McKee Road, continue onto Will Raby Road, continue straight onto Bo Howard Road, make a slight right to stay on Bo Howard, turn left onto Beaver Dam Road, turn right onto Pulaski Pike to Leroy Drive ending at 3610 Pulaski Pike.


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Events in Perugia
Perugia hosts various events throughout the year. To help you better organize your stay in Umbria we have selected a few among the most interesting and fascinating events that take place in Perugia and in Umbria. There is an events for mostly anyone: young people looking for prime and esclusive events, family-oriented happenings, artistically & prominent gatherings for the art and music connoisseurs and many more you could ever think of. Here's a brief presentation of some of the most important events in the city of Perugia.
Umbria Jazz Festival
Every year, during the month of July (for a period of time of almost 2 weeks), the city of Perugia is populated by jazz musicians that, by playing without interruption in the very heart of the historical center of Perugia, animate all streets & squares with their divine notes. The event, which is largely appreciated at an international level, gives the city of Perugia a magical atmosphere which attracts so many from all over the World. Highly recommended. www.umbriajazz.com
Usually takes place mid-October. Eurochocolate is Perugia's world-famous chocolate festival. 10 days during which a great number of exhibition & events are ringed one after another for the pleasure and ultimate fun of all chocolate lovers. The beautiful scenery in which it sets (the very heart of Perugia's historical center) is but a plus of this delicious and exquisite event. If you wish to read more about the events and its past edition visit the website www.eurochocolate.com
International Journalism Festival
Usually held at the end of April. An annual series of workshops and conferences that analyzes the World of Journalism worldwide, and its hottest topics. The best part of the festival are the number of important spokespersons that are invited and hold conferences. Keep your eye on the next edition, you will not be let down, we promise. Have a look at the International Journalism Festival officiale website www.festivaldelgiornalismo.com.
Each of these events has allowed Perugia to become a popular destination throughout the year. During summertime Umbria is enlivened by a plethora of small, yet intriguing, events: it will be our pleasure to point them out and let you know more about them as you arrive at the hotel. In this regard, if you wish to find more about them prior to your arrival we suggest you start following our blog Lovely Umbria and its special section Umbria Mon Amour that collects a series of interesting articles on the most exciting ongoing and upcoming events in Perugia and Umbria.
Special Deals & Last Minute Offers
Offerta Estate Perugia Umbria
Ponti e Festività di Primavera
Assaggiare l'Umbria: Cantina Carapace a Castelbuono
Offerta Pasqua a Perugia
Offerta Hotel Eurochocolate Perugia
Last minute Perugia – Pacchetto We taste Beer
Last minute Perugia – Degustazione in cantina
Last minute Perugia – Pacchetto Gourmet
Pacchetto 50 Special per gli amanti delle due ruote!
Last minute Perugia – Cultura con gusto alla scoperta di Perugia
Last minute Perugia – Wine lovers l'Umbria per gli amanti del vino
Last minute Perugia – Typically Umbria


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Definition of equalize in English:
(also equalise)
1 [with object] Make the same in quantity, size, or degree throughout a place or group: the purpose is to equalize the workload among tutors
More example sentences
- For more than two decades, lawsuits to equalize school funding have been wending their way through the courts in 44 states.
- This is extremely good value for money as the budget is used to equalise wealth throughout the EU with a higher share going to develop the poorer nations of Europe.
- In a reply to a correspondent you further elaborate that the rate of profit is being equalized throughout the entire economy.
1.1Make uniform in application or effect: Britain is required to equalize pension rights between men and women
More example sentences
- The possible equalizing effect of public education would be lost.
- That suggests that selection for recombination properties was sufficiently strong to overcome equalizing effects of migration even for such mobile organisms as fruit flies.
- The second column in table 1 contains the results with a weighting scheme that equalizes the total effect of direct and second-order interactions.
make equal, make even, even out/up/off, make level, level (up/off), make uniform, make the same, make consistent, regularize, standardize, bring into line, balance, square, match
2 [no object] British Level the score in a match by scoring a goal: Morgan equalized ten minutes into the second half
More example sentences
- Town fought back well with Chris Alderson scoring two goals to equalise.
- Michael McGinn scored and they had a chance to equalise but Shipley scored again minutes from full time.
- Ten minutes later they equalised when James Dunne scored from a corner kick.
level the score, even up the score, draw
- noun
- Example sentences
- Ms. Bauer has asked that the balance of her equalization be satisfied by the court ordering the husband to assume her share of certain joint debts.
- If equalization in education, seen in elementary, middle and high schools, is extended to the universities, we have no future.
- The long avoided move was made after strong criticism from German tourist operators, who insisted on price equalization.
For editors and proofreaders
Line breaks: equal|ize
Definition of equalize in:
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= trending


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How to Host a Murder: The Wall Street Scandal
Episode 10
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The Wolf Of Wall Street
Who lost the most money on Black Monday? This morning, all eyes focused on Bonds & Trage and its larger-than-life founder, the infamous and tyrannical Jon K. Bonds. Starting in the trading pits some 30 years ago, Bonds built his small firm into a financial services giant. A master deal-maker and confidant of New York money and power, Bonds has sometimes been unscrupulous in his determination to undermine his rivals, particularly competitor Churnham & Burnham.
Confidential sources inside the company indicate that Bonds may soon step down from his position. His age, 56, is not believed to be the primary factor. The U.S. Attorney General's office is reportedly investigating Bond's possible involvement in stock manipulation and conspiracy schemes. If Bonds does leave the company, his successor will face the difficult task of guiding both the battered firm and the wealthy Argonaut Fund through the Black Monday disaster.
Corey Pratt Bonds, Stockard Ann Bonds, Wirth Les Bonds, Portia F. Olio, Lolita X. Posure, Abercrombie Trage, Cassandra Antell, Robert Ublynd.
Corey, Jon K.'s eldest son and vice president of corporate investments at Bonds & Trage, is thought by many to be his father's successor. Educated at exclusive and prestigious schools, Corey's refined personality fits perfectly with the distinguished and traditional atmosphere of the mahogany-panelled offices at Bonds & Trage. Considered one of America's most eligible bachelors, Corey was recently featured as "Bachelor of the Month" in Metropolitan magazine. Although many glamorous women have tried to change his mind, he claims to be too busy for a serious relationship.
Costume Suggestion: Suit with vest, fob watch on a gold chain, old school tie.
Jon K.'s lovely and vivacious daughter, "Stock,'' has inherited her father's fierce independence and determined spirit. Pursuing her own career outside the family firm, she is currently working as an agent for Freud U. Lent, the hottest contemporary artist of the 1980s. Stock has a contract to distribute Lent's work through Olio's, a fashionable art gallery that skyrocketed to international fame when Freud U. Lent burst onto the world art scene a couple of years ago. A passionate art connoisseur, Stock has helped her father build his celebrated collection of old masters and contemporary art. These endeavors have left her little time for suitors, and she is unmarried.
Costume Suggestion: Elegant attire, possibly a suit.
Wirth was an infant when Jon K. Bonds adopted him and raised him as a son. Wirth has already made his mark on the world of politics, having just become New York's youngest senator. His recent election victory has been attributed to his dark good looks, casual manner and straightforward approach to major issues of the day. Wirth is viewed as a righteous defender of the common man, and he vowed to rid the state of corruption in his election platform. He has focused on white-collar crime, particularly the activities of insider traders on Wall Street. Many notable figures in the financial community are very concerned about his growing power and influence. There is already speculation that Wirth would be an outstanding candidate for president of the United States, but he is noncommittal at this point.
Costume Suggestion: Dress shirt with top button undone and tie pulled down a couple of inches, shirt sleeves rolled up.
Portia's ancestral title is Countess Portia F. Posure Marie Emm Olde Olio, but she is known as Portia (sounds like the car her chauffeur drives) to her friends and associates. Descended from Italian nobility, her stately manner complements a shrewd intelligence. Each of Portia's four marriages to elderly department store moguls has ended in tragedy. By wisely investing her inheritances through Bonds & Trage, she has managed to amass a considerable fortune. A favorite of society watchers, she regularly appears on lists of the world's best-dressed women, and she loves to fly to Paris and Milan every few weeks to shop. Art is her passion, and she owns the majority of the renowned Olio's gallery.
Costume Suggestion: Very elegant attire, as befits one of the ten best-dressed women in the world.
Portia's daughter from her first marriage, Lolita, grew up with a "silver spoon" in her mouth. She led a very dull and lonely existence until a few years ago. Shuffled from one boarding school to another, she finally arrived at Marie A. Richman's famous finishing school in Paris, where she blossomed from a shy, dull girl into a sparkling debutante. She returned to New York after graduation and developed her hobby of photography into a promising career. Her voyeuristic style won critical acclaim with her first exhibition, "Surveillance and Love," at Olio's Gallery. She is now hard at work on her next exhibition, "High on Love." Her loving godfather, Jon K., gave her shares in the Argonaut Fund.
Costume Suggestion: Classy and practical dress, French beret, a camera.
Known to everyone as "Arby," many consider him to be the silent force behind Bonds & Trage. He is a financial wizard with a razor-sharp mind and a flair for creative financing, which has guided the firm through some hard times. Arby and Jon K. started with virtually nothing and built their company into a powerhouse on Wall Street. Despite the company's public profile, Arby is an intensely private person, almost reclusive. Divorced many years ago, he spends his free time pursuing two passions: an unrivaled collection of bow ties (reputed to be New York's largest), and Italian opera. He has his own box at the Met.
Costume Suggestion: Suit with vest, bow tie.
Heiress to the Antell family fortune, she is also a high-powered social columnist for a major New York newspaper. Known as "Cassy" to her friends, her detractors use less flattering names (such as "Piranha" and "Pit Bull") once they appear in her column. Despite bitter protestations about the accuracy of her stories, none of her subjects has ever sued for libel. Only 30 years old, her far-reaching reputation belies her tender years. Cassy is known for her glittering entrances at all the right parties, and frequently those entrances have been on the arm of Jon K. Bonds. Some of her pettier detractors joke that she is so social she would attend the opening of an envelope.
Costume Suggestion: Evening gown and jewelry.
Known to friends and associates as Rob, he is a partner in the prestigious New York law firm of Biggs, Borrow, Steele & Ublynd. A long-time friend and confidant of Jon K. Bonds, he is solely responsible for handling Jon K.'s personal legal affairs. Coming from a humble beginning in entertainment law, Rob is characteristically outspoken and dresses ostentatiously, in sharp contrast to his more conservative peers. Rob is a man of vision, and he thinks big. His flamboyant personality and good sense of humor make him a sought-after companion in the entertainment world of Wall Street's elite. The prefix "mega" is an important part of his vocabulary: he frequently describes the mega-contracts he negotiates for mega-deals worth mega-bucks.
Costume Suggestion: Flamboyant, bright clothes, a tie and wire-rimmed glasses.
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Players: 8
Weight: 700 grams (estimated)


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Insects 2012, 3(2), 553-572; doi:10.3390/insects3020553
Endosymbiont Tolerance and Control within Insect Hosts
1 Department of Microbiology, Biocentre, University of Würzburg, 97074, Germany 2 Animal Ecology I, University of Bayreuth, 95440, Germany
* Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Received: 21 April 2012 / Revised: 31 May 2012 / Accepted: 5 June 2012 / Published: 15 June 2012
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Insect Immunity)
View Full-Text | Download PDF [119 KB, uploaded 15 June 2012]
AbstractBacterial endosymbioses are very common in insects and can range from obligate to facultative as well as from mutualistic to pathogenic associations. Several recent studies provide new insight into how endosymbionts manage to establish chronic infections of their hosts without being eliminated by the host immune system. Endosymbiont tolerance may be achieved either by specific bacterial adaptations or by host measurements shielding bacteria from innate defense mechanisms. Nevertheless, insect hosts also need to sustain control mechanisms to prevent endosymbionts from unregulated proliferation. Emerging evidence indicates that in some cases the mutual adaptations of the two organisms may have led to the integration of the endosymbionts as a part of the host immune system. In fact, endosymbionts may provide protective traits against pathogens and predators and may even be required for the proper development of the host immune system during host ontogeny. This review gives an overview of current knowledge of molecular mechanisms ensuring maintenance of chronic infections with mutualistic endosymbionts and the impact of endosymbionts on host immune competence.
Keywords: insects; immune response; endosymbiosis
This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY 3.0).
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Ratzka, C.; Gross, R.; Feldhaar, H. Endosymbiont Tolerance and Control within Insect Hosts . Insects 2012, 3, 553-572.View more citation formats
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Ratzka C, Gross R, Feldhaar H. Endosymbiont Tolerance and Control within Insect Hosts . Insects. 2012; 3(2):553-572.Chicago/Turabian Style
Ratzka, Carolin; Gross, Roy; Feldhaar, Heike. 2012. " Endosymbiont Tolerance and Control within Insect Hosts ." Insects 3, no. 2: 553-572.
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Factory Expansion Continues in Kansas City Fed District
Bucking trends seen in other regions, manufacturing activity in the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City's district remained in expansion mode in August, according to a report released by the bank Thursday.
The Kansas City Fed's manufacturing composite index–an average of the indexes covering production, new orders, employment, delivery times and raw-materials inventories–remained at 3 in August from July. Readings above zero denote expansion.
The Kansas City Fed's expansionary report contrasts with manufacturing data from other regional Feds. The Fed Banks of New York, Philadelphia and Richmond all reported factory activity in their respective areas contracted in August. These disappointing reports have contributed to worries about the strength of the U.S. recovery.
Kansas City regional manufacturers have been helped by the expanding farm and energy sectors.
"Factory activity in our region continues to be buoyed by strong growth among agriculture and energy-related manufacturers," said Chad Wilkerson, Kansas City Fed economist.
Even so, the subindexes were mixed this month.
The production index, in a month-over-month comparison, fell to -2 from 2 in July. The shipments index slipped to -2 from 0. The employment index improved to 8 from 4.
Demand continued to seesaw. The new orders index strengthened to 1 in August from -5 in July but it had been 10 in June after falling to -15 in May.
Prices pressures eased further. The prices-paid index fell to 28 this month from 39 in July. The prices-received index declined to 4 from 14.
Despite the fall in the prices-received index, Wilkerson said that firms on net still planned to raise selling prices heading forward.
The report said producers were "fairly optimistic" about the future although most expectations indexes for the next six months showed weakness.
The composite expectations index fell to 9 this month from 14 in July, while the production expectations index dropped to 12 from 21. The future employment index also slipped, to 12 from 17.
The Kansas City Fed district includes Colorado, Kansas, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Wyoming, northern New Mexico and western Missouri.


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Amp Fest Clash of the Bands is now open
All WA unsigned bands are eligible to enter this competition and there's a prize pool worth over $20,000.
This year's Amp Fest Clash of the Bands competition is now open for young, original, unsigned West Australian bands. The participants will have the chance to take part in band development workshops and performances and play at the final at the University of Western Australia on June 10, 2006.
The Amp Fest competition was initiated by a youth advisory council put together by the Cities of Subiaco, Nedlands, and the Towns of Claremont, Mosman Park and Vincent. The winners receive recording time at Satellite Recording Studio, gain mastering time with James Hewgill Music and will also experience professional recording of one song on the 2006 AmpFest Compilation CD.
There will be three heats taking place during May. Heat one is at HQ in Leederville on the May 12, heat two is at Memorial Hall in Mosman Park on May 19, and heat three will be at Claremont Town Hall on May 26.
Amp Fest Clash of the Bands was first held in 2003 to promote youth and talent development. Over 700 people attended the heats that year, and the event has grown ever since.
Last year's winner, Mink Mussel Creek, is a four-piece band that compose their own songs, blending elements of country, psychadelia, folk, glam, blues and rock to create a unique sound.
Competition entry forms can be downloaded from Amp Fest's web site (www.ampfest.com.au) and must be submitted to the Town of Claremont by 5pm Tuesday April 18, 2006.


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Touch Mobile introduced their latest promo called rewards points where you can earn corresponding points on every reload using your TM SIM. This Astig Rewards is available to all their prepaid subscribers nationwide, there is no membership and registration needed as long as you're using their network SIM.
You can earn points on every reload or by sharing. Sharing is open to TM and Globe subscribers where you need only P1 charge for every successful points sharing transaction. If you're familiar with Globe Rewards, this works almost the same to that from how to redeem items, balance points, share, list of store partners and more.
TM Astig Rewards how to
How to REDEEM items using your points?
If you already earned more points, you can now check all available items you can redeem. For as many as five (5) points, you can have a redeemable item which the SULITXT5.
Here's how:
Just text REDEEM (space) ITEMCODE send to 4438
How to share TM Astig rewards points?
Sharing is another way of earning point where a TM subscriber is allowed to share their earned points from their number and pass it to another number. You can also set password when sharing points for security purposes. P1 per successful transaction made.
Here's how to share:
Just text SHARE (space) 10 digit receiver mobile number (space) No. of points then send to 4438
SHARE 9067891234 100 send to 4438
How to balance inquiry or check your TM Astig rewards?
Checking you remaining or earned points using your Touch Mobile SIM is the same Globe Telecom Rewards Balance procedure. Aside from the steps on how to check points, you also receive an automatic message from 4438 stating your current points after you reload you SIM.
Here's how to:
Just text BAL to 4438
How to know all the list of ITEM and rewards code?
Just text ITEMS to 4438
For list of codes:
Text REDEEM (space) ITEMCODE to 4438
That's all guys, to those who don't want to receive notifications from 4438 just text STOP to 4438.


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Less Risk Taking? Readers Offer Explanations
Is the U.S. economy losing its risk-taking mojo? A page-one article in today's Wall Street Journal pointed to a large body of evidence — including long-term declines in the rates of entrepreneurship and job turnover — that the answer is "yes."
That argument has generated a lot of discussion, including more than 100 comments on the Journal's Web site and a slew of emails from Journal readers. Here is a sampling of those responses, edited slightly for length and clarity:
I'd be curious to know if there's any correlation between the lack of people willing to take the risk of starting a new business and the increasing amount of student debt. As you mention in the article, "Young people are more prone to start companies or move for jobs." However many young people are becoming buried in student debt, which makes the risk associated with attempting to start a new business even that much greater. I'm a prime example of that. I had done a good bit of work on a business plan that I think could positively affect education as it is drastically evolving, particularly in the US. I'm a 25-year old risk taker, and would love to take a chance like this on something that could be big. However, my $800/mo student loan payment causes me to ultimately keep my fairly stable job in private equity that pays well. I can say with a good bit of certainty that if I were not burdened by the student loan debt, I would have attempted starting that business… My fear is that by the time my debt is paid off and I am ready (on paper) to take that risk, I will be older, potentially have a family, and would no longer have the energy or ability to put in the 100 hour weeks that it would require.
–WSJ reader Ryan Patton, via email
Here's another possible factor in the decline of entrepreneurship: no more wolves at the door.
My Dad used that expression to explain his motivation for starting his company and building it up over 14 years. The proverbial wolves at the door kept him working hard, taking risks, hiring people, and investing in the company so that he could fend them off with success.
In other words, fear is a key motivator.
My Dad's parents were depression era kids. His Dad wasn't able to provide my Dad and his brother with much material wealth. My siblings and I can't make the same complaint, so we never heard the wolves at the door like my Dad did growing up or running his business.
My Dad paid for a terrific private college education for me and my three siblings. He gave me a start in media. And since graduating college in 1984 I've found gainful, lucrative employment almost continually.
Success breeds success. My late boomer generation was raised, by and large, quite comfortably. My Dad's generation either lived with or heard first-hand about privation. That gets into your blood and motivates risk-taking.
No one jumps out of a perfectly good airplane.
–WSJ reader Paul, via email
The banking system for the last four years has basically forgotten start-up businesses. Most larger banks would not touch a start-up unless the owner had large sums of cash or other assets with the bank. A good example is when I started OBXtek (my third business) we had wanted a $200,000 line of credit from our bank BB&T. We had cash balances of somewhere between $50k and $200k. In order to get a LOC with them they wanted personal guarantees by me and my wife, a second on the house, and buy a certificate of deposit that would become additional collateral. We obviously changed banks and I ended up self-funding the company.
Wall Street has forgotten about small businesses and more concerned about their own greed than developing a strong entrepreneur base within the US.
Most Universities in this country teach business but NOT Entrepreneurship and very few professors who teach business ever owned a business because there is TOO much risk. Of course they all pontificate about Entrepreneurship but have absolutely no idea what it is or how to do it!
–Bruce "Ed" Jesson, president & CEO, OBXtek Inc., Tysons Corner, Virginia, via email
The '80's were the start of the digital revolution, with enormous productivity increases, a lesser need for employees, and the ability to reaching all corners without much effort – and cornering markets (i.e., Amazon). The New Normal is digital, not analog. This explains why venture capital money concentrates into digital (the Silicon Valleys).
Further to that, government has expanded exponentially, creating self-sustaining bureaucracies that busy themselves with rules and regulations imposed on – essentially – the private sector, putting the bar higher at every turn and exhausting entrepreneurs' energies on meaningless formalities and bleeding them with ever-increasing social burdens.
–WSJ reader JL Danis, via email
I meet with people who are unemployed almost weekly. Many express a frustration at being let go in mass employee reductions by large corporations when they stress that their particular division or group was doing well and that it was the OTHER parts of the organization that were failing. They felt unjustly fired and are looking to work in a small business where their talent and work effort is more directly measured with the results of the organization. In short they have faith in themselves and not in management…
In support of your article we also see many small business owners who own businesses in more "industrial" industries that are struggling with a succession plan because subsequent generations do not want the stress and aggravation of the 24/7 lifestyle of owning a small business. Many of these small business owners will struggle to realize a material financial event at the end of their careers to reward them for their business legacy…which is their company. There will be an enormous loss of small industrial businesses (and know how) in this country due to the lack of institutional private equity interest in these businesses, lack of economic development programs targeting these industries and most importantly a lack of experience and willpower in the younger generation.
–WSJ reader Jeffrey Kadlic, co-founder and managing partner, Evolution Capital Partners, Cleveland, Ohio, via email
Even in the supposed heyday of the early 1980s, the rule of thumb was that nine out of ten failed in their first three years. And in our new economic paradigm, of the deliberate effort to weaken labor bargaining power, reduce regulations, foster the growth of an increasingly predatory financial services industry and rein in government (and let us not forget that government has been a major spur to innovation, both through financing R&D and critical infrastructure, as well as through regulations that spur innovation, as tougher fuel standards) has, despite its billing of being business-friendly, instead simply redistributed income and wealth to the top 1%.
Unfortunately, I can't track down a source, since I saw it back in pre-Internet stone ages, but one factoid I read right after business school stuck with me: the most common characteristic of people who started new businesses back then was that they'd been fired twice. That applied to my father, who was fired once and later forced out as a result of a reorganization that had him supposedly slotted to take over a division when it turned out the guy running it had no intention of giving up his post. If you have the personality to thrive in or at least tolerate being on the corporate meal ticket, you need to be nuts or have delusions of grandeur to throw that over and take a flier on a new business.
–Yves Smith, Naked Capitalism
The day and age when large companies are run by their founders has passed. When founders are still running and owning their companies, they have a long term view and are willing to take risks. On the other hand public companies and CEOs have to manage investor and Wall Street expectations so investment in human capital is an easy victim when times become just a little difficult to meet the numbers. Taking risks mean a higher likelihood of not making the numbers which directly impacts their own bottom lines. The need for quarterly reporting exacerbates this.
–Onward Lam, in comments
Explaining this decline is simple: Firstly is fewer immigrants (of the right kind) which are a known source of risk-taking and new ventures, and secondly the aging of the US workforce.
Generally, immigrants are not held back by US regulations, tax-rates, and usual factors. And they don't ask anyone for permission to take a risk.
Reversing this decline requires that we admit the right people to the U.S. and retain recent graduates of our universities instead of sending them home to their native country.
We are shooting ourselves in the foot.
–Steve Paul, in comments
Underwater mortgages, two income households, and still just barely making it. There is no longer an ability to "take risk". The middle class has been successfully undermined to where they cannot get into the game any longer. They depend on the dual incomes just to do what they believe is "right" by their families.
Moving? For most middle class folks these days, they depend heavily on their social networks just to get by. Grandma and Grandpa, if they even got to retire, are the babysitters while the parents work 10-12 hours a day. Childcare is a luxury increasingly out of reach, let alone having an actual parent available to raise our children…
Every market, every sector, is dominated by big corps. Competing against them is folly. Sure, there is still some opportunity out there, but not at all like it used to be. Its the culture this country has created. Now we will live with it, for better or worse.
–Bernie Karlowicz, in comments
I was on the bubble this year on going independent in my business (I do IT consulting) and I thought it prudent to seek out the advice of an accountant before making the jump. We went over my business plan and talked about our current tax situation and the numbers worked out to about me forking over 45% of my income in federal/state/local/Medicare/social security/Obamacare taxes before paying one single bill. To be honest it was a complete let down for what I wanted to do. I was figuring with 1,400 billable hours a year I could break even to my current 9-5 job, but with theses new numbers that pushed it up to almost 1,900 which was completely unrealistic. I scrapped my plans and I continued to drone on for a consulting company. Just another example how government overreach prevents people from achieving prosperity.
–Mike Carroll, in comments
As a successful and well-off thirty-something, I can tell you why I take fewer risks than I might: health care. The inability to guarantee reasonably priced health care insurance for me and my wife and my children in the private marketplace keeps me tethered to a job when I might be more creative and more successful on my own.
Now I don't know if Obamacare is going to help or hurt this situation. I do know that for my entire working lifetime, health care insurance inflation has far outpaced general inflation and the growth in my wages, and that happened under both Democrat and Republican presidents and Congresses. Solve health care – make it possible for the young old to work part time, for the young to create businesses and take risks without putting their entire future on the line due to an unlucky health break – and you'll see risk-taking return.
My coworkers (physicians) and my patients frequently tell me they can't change their job, or reduce their hours, or strike out in a new venture, because they need the safety of health care.
–Eugene Axelrod, in comments
Being an entrepreneur isn't for everyone. I know I prefer to just work, get my check every two weeks. Now my daughter on the other hand, she thrives on being her own boss. She quit a job she said was "killing her soul" and started her own alternative health business. I admit I was skeptical, but she's survived and is thriving from that leap of faith. I'm proud of her.
–Sabrina Messenger, in comments
People complain about economic mobility, but then they stay at the same old job that's not going the way they want and they don't start businesses. Entrepreneurship/small business is critical for economic mobility and for job creation. People need to stop buying junk and invest in themselves if we're going to improve our nation.
–Hazel Grace Dircksen, via Facebook
Patent trolls are killing innovation. As soon as a startup makes any headway, they get struck down by nonsensical lawsuits for concepts and ideas the troll doesn't have the resources or knowledge to develop. They just use it to make money and stifle others through litigation.
–Mitch Dussault, via Facebook


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The band — guitarist Chris Graves, bass player John Trujillo, lead singer and rhythm guitar player B Wishes and drummer Sandy Ficca — mixes things up with songs by Jason Mraz, The Pretenders, Stevie Wonder, Sublime, Adele, David Bowie, Ben Harper, Amy Winehouse and Michael Jackson for danceable fun at 9 p.m. Friday, May 3, at Habaneros, 142 N. Front St., Medford. Cover is free. Call 541-779-9770.
Location, ST | website.com


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A transcript of Francis Maude's speech is available here.
The modern world generates a staggering quantity of data and the business of government is no exception. At this event we will explore the latest Policy Exchange research on how the public sector could make better use of big data and analytics to boost efficiency, reduce waste and improve public service delivery. We will also discuss the challenges of finding a balance between realising value from data and protecting civil liberties.
The Rt Hon Francis Maude MP, Minister for the Cabinet Office, will speak about the government's progress to date and his vision for unlocking the power of data across government to deliver joined-up, personalised, efficient and effective public services.
James Petter, Vice President and UK Managing Director at EMC, will share his perspectives on the big data opportunity for the public sector, lessons from the private sector and what it will take to make this agenda a success.
This will be followed by a Q&A discussion chaired by Hetan Shah, Executive Director at the Royal Statistical Society.
CHAIR | Hetan Shah | Executive Director | The Royal Statistical Society
Rt Hon Francis Maude MP | Minister for the Cabinet Office
James Petter | UK Managing Director | EMC2
Chris Yiu | Head of Digital Government | Policy Exchange
This event has kindly been supported by EMC2


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View the original review at: http://www.countryweekly.com/reviews/say-no-more-clay-walker
Seven must be Clay Walker's lucky number - his seventh album, Say No More, is an eclectic offering that hits the emotional jackpot.
Then again, maybe luck has nothing to do with it. After all, this is a solid bunch of songs, performed by a guy who knows how to wring every ounce of honest emotion out of a country melody. Clay has always performed honest songs about life's real issues—and scored six No. 1 hits in eight years doing it. But Say No More is a step up to an even richer musical plateau.
The opening title track of this 11-song collection sets the tone for a journey through timeless truths about life and love. It's a tipoff that the other songs we'll hear - mostly about falling out of love - will mirror feelings and passions with which we all are familiar. In the same endearing, Texas-bred style his fans have grown to love, Say No More delivers an engaging mix of sophisticated honky-tonk, contemporary ballads and gentle country rockers.
Clay celebrates a love once only dreamed of in "Real," using all the raw emotion in his strong tenor voice. In "Could I Ask You Not To Dance," his mournful regret is palpable. Clay sings the praises of a bond that helps him through the tough times in "You Deliver Me," and one simply too deep for words in "So Much More."
He throws in two more playfully minded songs for good measure: the Bob Wills-inspired "Texas Swing," and a fiesta-style remake of Ritchie Valens' timeless 1959 hit "La Bamba."
Lighthearted departures aside, it's the tenderness on this album that may just compel you to hug the one you love—or make you wish you had someone to hug. Say No More provides 11 first-rate reasons why Clay Walker's got verifiable staying power.
[1] http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00005A3VJ/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00005A3VJ&linkCode=as2&tag=counweekmaga-20
[2] http://www.countryweekly.com/reviews/20-greatest-songs-varese-sarabande


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Definition of asylum seeker in English:
asylum seeker
A person who has left their home country as a political refugee and is seeking asylum in another: only asylum seekers who are granted refugee status are allowed to work in the country
More example sentences
- The delays in according immigration status can have significant adverse effects upon a successful asylum seeker.
- This can sometimes take more than a year, during which time the state must support the asylum seeker.
- A cousin had previously come to this country in 1989 as an asylum seeker.
For editors and proofreaders
Line breaks: asy¦lum seek¦er
Definition of asylum seeker in:
What do you find interesting about this word or phrase?
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Share Photo
Chelsea's Frank Lampard, facing, celebrates scoring with teammate Florent Malouda during their English Premier League soccer match against West Bromwich Albion at the Hawthorns stadium, West Bromwich, England, Saturday, April 16, 2011. (AP Photo/Simon Dawson) NO INTERNET/MOBILE USAGE WITHOUT FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION PREMIER LEAGUE (FAPL) LICENCE. CALL +44 (0) 20 7864 9121 or EMAIL email@example.com FOR DETAILS


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Help me choose: Wireless cards
|The latest wireless standards are the standard with Dell notebooks
WiFi cards are based on the global 802.11 standards, and enable laptops and other devices to connect to the internet and each other. Today, most Dell notebooks ship with built-in 802.11n WiFi cards, which are fully backward compatible with previous versions of wireless standards and routers.
All 802.11 wireless cards offered by Dell have been certified by the WiFi Alliance.
|WiFi cards require a certified wireless router with an internet connection to connect to the World Wide Web. So if you don't already have a router connection set up in your home, you may want to consider adding a wireless router to your laptop purchase today.
802.11n wireless cards are available as either single band 2.4GHz or dual band 2.4GHz and 5GHz options.
5GHz requires a 5GHz-capable wireless router and is recommended for areas where there is high congestion from other wireless routers, microwaves and cordless phones.
|Which wireless card is the right one for me?
|Intel® Wireless Display
|Intel My WiFi Technology
|Dual Band 2.4 & 5GHz
|Intel Centrino® Advanced N- 6230 & Bluetooth 3.0
Dual band support for streaming HD video and music
|300 Mbps*
|Intel Centrino Advanced N- 6235 & Bluetooth 4.0
Dual band support for streaming HD video and music
|300 Mbps*
|Intel Centrino Advanced-N + WiMax 6150
4G WiMax ready + WiDi
|150/300 Mbps*
|Intel Centrino Wireless-N 1030 and Bluetooth 3.0
Web browsing, WiDi + Bluetooth
|150/300 Mbps*
|Intel Centrino Wireless-N 1000
|150/300 Mbps*
|Intel Centrino Wireless-N 2230
|300 Mbps*
|What is Intel WiDi?
Intel® Wireless Display (WiDi) is a technology that allows you to wirelessly connect media from your laptop to your TV so you can enjoy all of your personal and online content on the big screen. Just sit back and experience your favorite home movies, videos, online shows and more on your TV with amazing image clarity and sound.
Laptops with Intel WiDi technology now can support 1080p playback, but they require a compatible adapter and TV with 1080p support.
|What do you need to connect?
It's easy to connect your laptop to your TV with Intel WiDi. For the best seat in the house you need three components:
|A TV Adapter: A NETGEAR® Push2TV® Adapter that supports Intel WiDi (sold separately)
|A Dell laptop powered by an Intel Core™ i3, i5 or non-quad-core i7 processor with an Intel Centrino Wireless-N 1000 or Centrino Advanced-N 6200 wireless card
|An HDTV with either an HDMI™ or composite AV input, or any HDMI or composite AV-enabled display, including a projector
|Intel My WiFi Technology, included with Intel Centrino wireless products, turns your Microsoft® Windows 7 laptop into a WiFi personal area network that enables you to wirelessly connect with other WiFi-enabled devices such as phones, cameras, digital picture frames, projectors, printers, MP3 players and other computers.
|Intel 4G WiMax technology
Smart performance, ultrafast connectivity
4G WiMax* gives you incredibly fast wireless access to the internet — up to four times faster than 3G wireless — for your Dell laptop and other devices, wherever you are in the city. These levels of speed and freedom allow you to work, surf, watch movies, stream music and more from your favorite locations in any 4G WiMax area. When you access a 4G WiMax network, you have complete mobile access to all the web has to offer.
Killer Wireless-N: Smart, fast networking
Killer™ Wireless-N products are high-performance, wireless network adapters for laptops. Killer Wireless-N products combine the speed, intelligence and control required for today's online games.
Smart, fast networking:
The Killer Wireless-N family includes Advanced Stream Detect™ technology designed to automatically classify and prioritize latency-sensitive network traffic for online games, high-definition (HD) video and high-quality audio to maximize your online experience.
Killer Wireless-N Benefits
Speed — Designed for fast downloads, smooth online gaming and streaming video.
Intelligence — Killer Wireless-N includes Advanced Stream Detect designed to automatically detect high-priority traffic such as games and voice chat, and automatically prioritize it over less important "network noise …"
Maximum Control — See which applications are hogging your wireless bandwidth. Set limits using Visual Bandwidth Control™ or shut them down completely with Application Blocking so they don't interfere with your online games, voice chat or downloads.
|Killer Wireless-N Modules
Killer Wireless-N 1202: Maximum 300MB/s 11n networking and Bluetooth® for gaming, HD video and high quality audio.*
It is designed to provide improved performance and advanced control by automatically classifying and prioritizing gaming, video and audio network data to provide a superior, uninterrupted online entertainment experience.
The Killer Wireless-N 1202 high-performance, 2x2 multiple-input and multiple-output (MIMO) WiFi module introduces Bluetooth for the first time, providing users with the ability to play online games or stream media while simultaneously having Bluetooth connectivity, an essential feature for online gamers who use Bluetooth-enabled peripherals.


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EL PASO, Texas -- UTEP attempted 31 more free throws than the Hornets on the way to a 30-for-45 charity stripe parade, and the Miners defeated Sacramento State, 69-51, in a non-conference men's basketball game Saturday evening at the Don Haskins Center.
Sacramento State was whistled for a robust 29 fouls, saw two of its players foul out (Cody Demps and Jordan Salley), and UTEP was in the bonus with 13 minutes left in the first half, and 12 minutes remaining in the second half. The Miners did convert on just 66.7 percent (30-for-45) of their freebies, but the team made 19 more free throws than the Hornets (11-for-14) which provided the difference in the game. The Miners were whistled for just 16 fouls.
Sacramento State played a good portion of the game without team co-captain and starting point guard Dylan Garrity, who injured his left ankle with 8:21 remaining in the first half. He did return for the final two and a half minutes, but did not play at all in the second half because of the injury.
Although the disparity at the free throw line was glaring, Sacramento State also shot a season-low .288 (17-59) from the floor while producing a season worst in field goals made (17). The Hornets went just 6-of-22 from the 3-point line (.273) and were outrebounded by a 45-30 margin. Conversely, UTEP shot .439 (18-41) from the floor, and outscored the Hornets in the paint by a wide margin (28-12).
The game marked the first-ever meeting between the two teams and UTEP was able to improve to 5-4 while Sacramento State dipped to 2-4. The Miners, who just lost to sixth-ranked Kansas by four points last weekend, also improved to 4-1 at home. Tonight concluded a run that saw Sacramento State play four of its last five games on the road, going 1-4 over that stretch.
Garrity opened the game by burying a 3-pointer on the Hornets' first possession and no team led by more than seven points the first 13:30 of the opening half. However, UTEP used a 14-0 run late in the first half to stretch a two-point lead to a 32-16 advantage with 2:12 left in the first half. Six different Miners scored, and the Hornets went 0-for-7 from the field while turning the ball over five times during the run.
Sacramento State would get no closer than within 13 points of UTEP's lead the rest of the evening as the Miners led by double figures the final 25:55 of the contest. UTEP opened up a lead as large as 21 points midway through the second half before settling for the 18-point win.
The loss for the Hornets overshadowed another nice performance from junior shooting guard Mikh McKinney, who finished with a game-high 22 points. The team co-captain shot 8-of-17 from the field and 4-for-4 from the free throw line while also tallying four rebounds, three assists and a steal in a game-best 37 minutes. McKinney, who now leads the team in scoring at 14.8 points per contest, has scored in double figures in all but one game this season and has two 20-plus point efforts in his last three games.
McKinney was the only Hornet to score more than six points, as 13 of the Hornets' 14 players on the roster made an appearance in tonight's game. Freshman center Eric Stuteville had six points and five rebounds in 17 minutes, Garrity had six points, and forward Joey Quigley had three points and a team-best seven rebounds. Freshman Nick Hornsby added five points and an assist, and senior Kendell Groom finished with four points.
Demps, who is the team's third leading scorer, had just two points and four assists before fouling out in 21 minutes. The team's fourth leading scorer, Salley, had no points and four rebounds before fouling out in 11 minutes.
Three players scored in double figures for UTEP, comprised of McKenzie Moore (14 points, 7 rebounds), John Bohannon (13 points, 9 rebounds) and Matt Willms (12 points). Julian Washburn led all players with 10 rebounds.
Sacramento State has just three games remaining on the non-conference schedule, and will return to the court a week from today when the team hosts William Jessup on Saturday, Dec. 14, at 7:05 p.m.


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JEDDAH: The Islamic Development Bank (IDB) has approved, during the 295th meeting of its Board which convened in Jeddah, US$ 705.18 million of new financing focusing on infrastructure, and human development in member countries and education sector in Muslim communities in non-member countries.
Of the approvals, US$ 630.05 million were allocated to the infrastructure sector inclusive of US$ 224.4 million for "Upgrading and Reconstruction of Ujar-Zardab-Agjabadi Road in Azerbaijan Republic"; US$ 220 million for "Assiut (El-Walidia) Thermal Power Plant Project in Egypt"; US$ 87.45 million for the "Rural and Water Supply and Sanitation Program" in the countries of WAEMU (West African Economic and Monetary Union comprising Benin, Burkina Faso, Cote d'Ivoire, Mali Niger, Guinea Bissau, Senegal and Togo), US$ 58.2 million for "Upgrading the Dedougou-Tougan Road Project" in Burkina Faso; US$ 20 million for "Rural Electrification Expansion Project" in Barisal Division in Bangladesh.
As well as US$ 20 million for contributing to "Completion of the Extension and Modernization of the Bamako-Senou International Airport Project" in Mali.
On the human development front, the Board approved US$ 73.83 million which included; US$ 60 million for "Health System Strengthening Project" in Surinam, US$ 9 million for "Basic Education Support Project in Priority Areas" in Cameroon, and US$ 4.83 million as additional financing for "Health System Development Support Project" in Benin setting the IDB total financing for this project at US$ 24.83 million.
In the same framework, the Board Members also approved US$ 790,000 under the IDB Waqf Fund as grant to a number of educational projects in Muslim communities in Fiji, New Zealand, Rwanda, and the United States. (QNA)


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As parents, you want the best for your kids. But finding fun activities to keep them moving can sometimes be challenging. With his kids, Certified Personal Trainer Jerod Langness has found that if the activity is fun and relates to things they enjoy, they are more motivated to participate. He has found that limiting sedentary rituals such as watching TV and playing on the computer, creates an environment to challenge their creativity to find fun activities. The kids have actually come up with some pretty cool ideas themselves, along with their parents, to stay active and healthy.
Using music can bring out activity for many kids. His girls create dance routines to their favorite songs and perform them after dinner. He says it's amazing the difference from music to TV on how the kids move. His girls challenge their minds by trying to design dances that fit the music, along with breaking a sweat practicing the moves.
Being an active parent can make a big difference in how your kids respond to exercise. Kids love to imitate adults, especially their parents. When they see their parents enjoying a healthy lifestyle, they want to share that same joy. He brings his kids to cheer on their mom when she runs her races, and they watch dad play around on the basketball court. The real magic happens when you, as parents, join them in their fun. Instead of sending them in the backyard to play, join them. Show them your moves on the trampoline or the court. Teach them the dance moves that you did when you were young. Ask them to show you exercises that they do in gym class. You'll be amazed at how much fun you will have, and the confidence your kids will have because you were willing to take the time to play.
Depending on the season, Jerod has his girls in different activities. They have tried many different things over the years. The one big rule they have is that if they started, they have to finish. They are not allowed to quit until the season is done. Because of this, they have developed coordination and skills from different activities. This has helped them during summer months by encouraging them to come up with creative things to do inside and outside the house relating to things they have learned in different practices and activities. As a Personal Trainer, this has helped Jerod to come up with activities that kids can relate to and enjoy. The activities work on developing their coordination, improving their reaction time, challenging their balance, and improving their overall skills for the sports the play. He has tried to design exercises that kids can progress through, and also enjoy doing. Some are not easy, but the kids definitely enjoy the feeling of accomplishment when they overcome the challenge.
The overall goal is to keep kids healthy. There's an uphill battle with our busy lifestyles, easily accessible processed food, and technology that makes it possible to go an entire day without leaving your living room and have everything at your fingertips. Jerod says we need to be honest with ourselves and take responsibility as parents to show kids how important being healthy is. The reward is priceless. "We have the opportunity to spend quality time with our families, and make a difference in their lives by choosing a better way," said Jerod.
Here are some examples of exercises he does at home with the kids:
1. Soccer toe touches – stand with one foot on a soccer ball. Switch feet as fast as possible, back and forth while still maintaining control of the soccer ball. Set a goal of either repetitions or time to hit for each set.
2. Lateral lunges – stand up straight. Step to the side, keeping your feet facing forward. Squat down on the leg that you stepped with. Be sure to push your weight through your heel. Return to standing and repeat with the other leg. Try doing 20 total repetitions.
3. Floor crunch with ball raises – Lay down on your back with your knees bent and feet flat on the floor. Hold a ball above your chest with your arms straight. Raise your upper body to where your shoulder blades are off of the floor. Imagine you are trying to touch the ceiling with the ball. Lower your upper body back down without letting your shoulder blades touch the floor and repeat. Try 15 to 20 Repetitions.
These exercises work on some key movements related to sports improvement. With a balanced program, you can develop your skills and coordination.
For more information regarding fitness and nutrition, contact Jerod at 24 Hour Fitness, 719-244-9532.


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BERKELEY -- "Rape is rape. No is no." Sexual assault is never justified and the person assaulted is never to blame.
That was the clear consensus among the dozen or so participants at a sexual assault awareness workshop Oct. 12 at the south-of-campus Trinity United Methodist Church. Sponsors included Bay Area Women Against Rape; the Associated Students of the University of California; the Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network; and Councilman Kriss Worthington's office.
"This is a culture that normalizes sexual assault," said workshop coordinator Ella Bastone, a UC Berkeley senior. "It's a culture that makes it OK for sexual assault to happen and makes it invisible when it happens."
In Berkeley, reported rapes jumped from 20 in 2011 to 39 in 2012; 18 were reported during the first six months of 2013, according to Berkeley police. (It's not clear how much the increase was due to more reporting or to a greater number of assaults.) Most of the incidents were perpetrated by someone known to the person who was assaulted.
A key element in stopping rape is bringing the subject out of the shadows, said Aquiela Lewis, a spoken word artist and survivor of both childhood and adult rape.
"I was raised not to tell anybody," Lewis said. "But if you keep it inside, you're not going to heal."
Lewis now speaks out about her trauma. Her healing began with writing. "I wrote out what I was feeling," she said, advising survivors, "Just start writing. It could be a word, a sentence. Sometimes you'll have those blocks when you can't write or you can't talk."
Bastone, trained as a rape crisis counselor, said the healing journey for survivors varies.
For some people, "reporting can be a really empowering journey," she said. But reporting may not be right for everyone because it means "having to relive those experiences as you go through the different bureaucratic avenues," she said.
A survivor may choose to advocate for others who have been assaulted. "It can be empowering to get involved in the activism," but the burden of educating the public shouldn't be placed only on the shoulders of survivors said Bastone, noting she has not personally experienced sexual assault.
Councilman Worthington said one way peers can address "rape culture" is by intervening before an assault occurs. At a party, for example, "if it seems like someone's being pressured, if it looks like someone's being forced and you're not sure, instead of ignoring it and walking in the other direction, you should intervene and make it clear that if somebody needs support, you're there to support them and that they can say yes or no," Worthington said.
Worthington's advocacy for rape survivors is not academic. As a teenage foster child, he was raped by an acquaintance of the family caring for him.
"It was one of the worst experiences of my entire life," Worthington said. "Being whipped and beaten (by foster parents) didn't hurt me anything like being raped did."
Worthington had no support at the time. "I was afraid to talk to anybody, to admit that it happened," he said. "I was afraid people were going to blame me; I was afraid of the guy who was doing it. It's one of the most horrible things that can happen to you short of death."
After seeing a younger foster child nude with the abuser, Worthington got up the nerve to tell his foster mother, who then kept the perpetrator away from the house.
Participants want to hold workshops throughout Berkeley. "It's a community health issue," Bastone said. "We need every single person to be engaged in the conversation." BAWAR's 24-hour sexual assault hotline is at 510-845-7273. To contact workshop participants, email email@example.com.


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Derek Adams is looking for Ross County to stay ahead of chasing St Mirren when they meet in the Clydesdale Bank Premier League at Victoria Park on Tuesday night.
The 10th-placed Highlanders want to bounce back from a 2-1 home defeat to Dundee United at the weekend as their stuttering SPL form continues following a solid start to the season.
County boss Adams said: "We have had an excellent start to the season but we will take it one game at a time, we have always been able to do that. St Mirren coming up here is a good game for us, they have come off a positive result against Dundee and so we are looking forward to it."
The Buddies are on a high following their 3-1 win over Dundee which brought to an end their six-game losing streak in the league and victory for Danny Lennon's side will see them leapfrog their hosts.
Adams acknowledged an unusual SPL table which sees 10 points separating the top 11 sides as he hopes to move further away from Saints and bottom side Dundee.
He said: "It is the nature of the league. It is very tight and we have teams who can move up and down the league quite quickly. We are still sitting in a very good position and we are not far off the top half of the table.
"We have a different idea here. We are just up from the First Division and our main focus is to stay in the Premier League and we will try to do that."
There was certainly plenty to talk about when the two sides met in Paisley in September, when Saints won by the odd goal in nine.
Adams added: "We played very well in the first half, we were 2-1 up at half-time and in total control of the game. They picked up a soft penalty kick just after half-time to make it 2-2 and that affected us.
"Being at home they got a lift from that and made it 4-2, eventually we got it back to 4-4 and then they scored with a very fortunate goal at the end. It was a good game but hopefully we are on the right side of the scoreline tomorrow night."
- Soccer
- Sports & Recreation
- Clydesdale Bank Premier League
- Derek Adams
- Dundee United
- St Mirren