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10 Female 80s Cartoons That Ushered Us Into Manhood
Enter the late 80's. It was a tender time in a young boy's life. Our bodies were changing in strange, unsettling ways, and our parents, as usual, had failed us at every turn. Luckily, Television was there to do their job for them. Inside that glowing box we found a bounty of fictional vixen, drawn to exacting specifications and designed to fill us with feelings we wouldn't understand until years later, when we spent the night at the house of the kid whose parents had the Spice Channel.
10. Gadget from Chip N' Dale's Rescue RangersThe Show: A group of rodents living in the park solve major crimes throughout the city, and believe it or not, you're not huffing glue. Well, maybe you are, but the show was real, and Chip wore an awesome bomber jacket.
The Object Of Our Misguided Affection: Gadget Hackwrench was a brilliant inventor, pilot, and mechanic who also happened to be a field mouse. A field mouse that seemed to have fashioned a tiny auburn wig out of locks of human hair, and whose ability to turn discarded soda cans into airplanes put MacGyver to shame.
"Chip and Dale aren't the only ones who are going to be storing nuts in their mouth."
The Internet Fallout:Something For The Ladies (Or Budding Homosexuals): According to the show's Wikipedia entry, Chip was modeled after Indiana Jones and Dale after Magnum, P.I. How'd you like to be the meat in a Harrison Ford and Tom Selleck sandwich?
9. April from The Teenage Mutant Ninja TurtlesThe Show:TMNT introduced us to a giant ninja rat, a man-sized alligator, a clan of feet, a guy who was a brain inside a jar inside another guy, and all other manner of mutated horror we had no way of understanding. But God bless us, we begged our parents to buy it all anyway.
The Object Of Our Misguided Affection: April O'Neil, fiery reporter for Channel 6 news and one of the turtles' only human friends. She was also one of the only female characters who wasn't some kind of hideous monster, so that helped.
"I'd like to bebop her rocksteady! Krangggggg!"
The Internet Fallout:Something For The Ladies (Or Budding Homosexuals): Look, I don't want to cast aspersions on my female readers. So I say, if curiosity got the better of you and you wanted to be quad-teamed by turtles named after Renaissance painters…hey, who am I to judge?
8. Cover Girl from G.I. JoeThe Show: The least realistic, but most effective Army recruitment video ever made,G.I. Joe taught us about the inherent goodness of American values and the inherent evil of foreigners and people with lisps.
The Object Of Our Misguided Affection: Cover Girl, like most of the Joes, was named after her occupational specialty. Once a supermodel, Cover left the sexist world of high fashion behind to get grunted at by a bunch of testosterone-fueled, sweaty guys who haven't had sex for two years.
"I know she's breezy and beautiful, here's hoping she's easy."
The Internet Fallout:Something For The Ladies (Or Budding Homosexuals): Pretty much the whole rest of the show. Go nuts, ladies.
7. Cheetara from ThundercatsThe Show: Take some Superman mythology, the Herculoids milieu, some He-Man mentality and a bunch of cats, and you're halfway there. The other half involves a demonic mummy god, yeti knights, robo-bears and a heaping helping of Snarf.
The Object Of Our Misguided Affection: Cheetara, the only adult female Thundercat, served as the outlet for our pubescent needs. The fact that she was often depicted wielding a staff that grew when she held it didn't hurt either.
"Thunder-, Thunder-, Thundercat BLOOOOOOOOOW me!"
The Internet Fallout:Something For The Ladies (Or Budding Homosexuals): Lion-O's the obvious choice, but with that whole "mind of a child" thing, you might be getting a call from CPS. I'd stick to Snarf, the lovable comic relief. Hey, he may not be a looker, but he'll make you laugh! That's what women want, right? Dear God, please tell me that's what women want.
6. Tarra from The HerculoidsThe Show: During the prehistoric phase of life on the distant planet Quasar (not to be confused with an actual quasar), a family of humanoids must battle every day for their fragile lives, their only aids a dragon that shoots lasers, rhino that shoots boulders, immense radioactive ape, and two sentient beanbag chairs.
The Object Of Our Misguided Affection: Tarra was the matriarch of the caveman family, and while her crude smock of a dress was a little more concealing that Wilma Flintstone's, at least her hair wasn't a cubist bun. Plus she wore shoes (I always imagine Wilma's feet as scabborous, misshapen lumps. Just me?).
"Forget Tundro, baby, you can fire my energy rocks anytime."
The Internet Fallout:Something For The Ladies (Or Budding Homosexuals): While Tarra's busy with us, you're welcome to give her husband Zandar a try. He's your basic He-Man clone, so there's plenty of fun to be had. Be warned though: Zok likes to watch.
5. Smurfette from The SmurfsThe Show: A French cartoon about little blue people who live in mushroom houses, have a nearly one-word vocabulary, and do…actually I'm not sure what they do. Harvest things? Make shoes? They're blue. I think I said that already. Moving on.
The Object Of Our Misguided Affection: Smurfette got our attention for two reasons: One, because she was the only female smurf and two, because all the other smurfs vied for her affections with a ferocity that led us to believe she had a magic vagina. Although if there was only one vagina within a hundred miles, I guess that'd be magic enough.
"I'd like to smurf the smurf out of her smurf with my dick."
The Internet Fallout:Something For The Ladies (Or Budding Homosexuals): I'd have to go with Hefty Smurf, the jock of smurf village. He takes care of his body, sports some wicked heart tats, and is widely acknowledged as having a smurf like a jackhammer.
4 and 3. Daphne and Velma from Scooby DooThe Show: A group of kids who should be in College are instead tooling around the country in a van (occasionally with the Harlem Globe Trotters or Marx Brothers) in an attempt to eat giant sandwiches and prove that monsters are really just old men in masks.
The Objects Of Our Misguided Affection: Daphne was the looker of the group, and Velma was the brains, incisive wit, and heart. Also, Velma's breasts were much larger. Between them, they represented the perfect woman (which is to say, a good-looking girl with large breasts).
Insert Scooby Snack reference here.
The Internet Fallout:Something For The Ladies (Or Budding Homosexuals): Fred, the all-American 60's surfer dude with the white sweater and bizarre fetish for ascots. He's aggressive, leaderly, and the only real option besides a talking dog and the skeeziest motherfucker you've ever laid eyes on.
2. Wonder Woman from Super FriendsThe Show: A group of superheroes who are also best friends gather for weekly parties and to politely pretend like Superman couldn't do everything himself. This tree fort-like scenario also attracted two bumbling teens and their dog, whose presence is never fully explained. I think they may have been auxiliary Robins Batman was hanging on to just in case.
The Object Of Our Misguided Affection: Wonder Woman was a goddess who came from a race of Amazons as an ambassador to man's world. In order to establish a precedent of proud femininity, she flounced around in a corset and flew by squatting in an invisible plane above people's heads.
"The only thing I wonder about that woman is whether she'll let me have sex with her."
The Internet Fallout:Something For The Ladies (Or Budding Homosexuals): Batman. Batman Batman Batman. In fact, this is the only entry on this list where I'm kind of more attracted to the subsidiary recommendation than the primary one. After all, Wonder Woman's just a beautiful goddess from beyond the stars. Batman is Batman.
1. Jessica Rabbit from Who Framed Roger Rabbit?The Show: Okay, it's actually a movie, but it did come out in the 80's. And when it did, it represented not just the pinnacle of sexy cartoon ladies, but their uncomfortable emergence into the world of actual eroticism. I'm pretty sure there were just as many dads sweating to frames of Jessica as there were kids wondering why they were no longer concerned about the dangers of cooties at all.
The Object Of Our Misguided Affection: Jessica Rabbit, a cartoon character so arousing she gets visible rises out of several of the film's live action characters. What's more, she did it all without ever changing her clothes and with what appear to be two amphibious slits where her nose should be.
The Internet Fallout:Something For The Ladies (Or Budding Homosexuals): To my mind, Eddie Valiant is the clear choice. He may not have the spontaneity or physical elasticity of Roger, or the tall, dark and handsome qualities of Judge Doom, but he does have one thing going for him that they don't: a real, live, honest to goodness penis. And that puts him well ahead of every other man on this list. Here's to you, Eddie.
When not examining the details of his own perversions, Michael serves as head writer for and co-founder of Those Aren't Muskets!


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subset: commoncrawl


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on February 10, 2013 - 1:00 AM
Dear Car Coach: I was filling my car with gas the other day and it was cold and icy. The lady next to me was taking salt from the lot and putting it on her car. I had to ask what she was up to and she told me she was melting the ice on her car. I didn't want to tell her that this didn't sound so smart. Maybe she'll read this column and you can present it in a nicer way than I might. – C.B.
Dear C.B.: I would have tried to tell her, but some people believe everything they read on the Internet or hear. You are correct. Road salt will severely damage anyone's car. While some states use ash or rock salt, New York State uses common rock salt and sodium chloride, which is the primary de-icing chemical added to clear the roads. The United States as a whole uses up to 12 million tons each year. The state Department of Transportation reports that it uses an average of 950,000 tons of salt annually. This much salt mixture can destroy roadways and cars. On the positive side, road salt creates a lower freezing temperature on road surfaces, leading to less ice on roadways. While this salt can save countless lives during snowstorms, it could also shorten the life of your car.
Anyone who foolishly places this road salt on their vehicle is increasing the chance of creating corrosion on components and destroying their paint. Over time, salt can eat away the paint on your vehicle, lead to rusting problems on the frame and even damage to the undercarriage. Keep in mind when the air temperature reaches the 30s, the road salt will start to eat away at your vehicle. This concern leads many people to head to the car wash during the winter.
Dear Car Coach: I've owned a 2005 Acura TL since it was new, and have really enjoyed it. Now I am looking to replace it with a Crossover SUV and have narrowed it down to three: A 2013 Acura RDX, a Hyundai Santa Fe Sport Turbo or a 2014 Kia Sorento.
Based on your experience, I would appreciate any thoughts or suggestions. I have driven all three. – W.C.
Dear W.C.: I have also test-driven all three vehicles. All are great choices. Here are some things to consider when are narrowing down a new or used car choice. Besides looking at your payments, check with your insurance agent as that may help you make the final choice.
Here are my brief thoughts on each.
The 2013 Acura RDX has intuitive interior controls, smooth engine power and comfortable front and rear seats. However it lacks optional safety features like blind-spot monitoring.
The 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport Turbo offers good performance for the price with many standard features plus an outstanding warranty. I thought the steering felt a bit numb.
I really like the new technology package with larger navigation screen and UVO on the 2014 KIA Sorento; I prefer the performance of the six-cylinder. The four-cylinder was low on power for my taste. This vehicle has fantastic fuel economy and a lower base price with the long 10/100,000 warranty like the Hyundai.
Remember when buying any new car, NEVER pay the price on the window sticker. Do your homework, and compare dealers locally and on the Internet to get your best price.
Dear Car Coach: Three months ago, I changed jobs and now drive a total of 3.4 miles round trip on local roads, at less than 40 mph. It takes me less than five minutes to get to and from work. Before that, for the last nine years, I drove 40 miles round trip. There's 110,000 on my 2004 Saturn Ion with the five-speed manual transmission, and I make sure it stays in excellent condition. I always use Valvoline full synthetic oil, and change the oil and filter every 5,000 miles. Given the change in driving time, do you recommend a change in the interval for oil and filter change, or oil type? Also, my MPG has dropped from 34-35 to around 28. I assume this is to be expected? – P.M.
Dear P.M.: Any high mileage car should use full synthetic oil to lengthen the life of the engine. Oil changes can be at 7,500 miles intervals as synthetic oil doesn't break down like regular oil will with heat. Short trips will affect fuel economy. For best mileage, check your tire pressure once a month with the number inside your driver's door and keep up on all recommended maintenance.
email: email@example.com


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Bread for your soup – Molasses Fennel Rye Bread
Molasses Fennel Rye Bread
wow!!! ha un aspetto invitante davvero irresistibile, felice di averti incrociata oggi se ti va vienimi a trovare ciao rosa
My beautiful Ilva, stunning images. I know, prob sound repetitive when commenting on your photos. It's just not my fault that you keep 'uping' your game all the time. I really like the colour of this bread. Sunday I was at a restaurant near Tower of London and the bread basket presented me with the most delicious slice of this malt bread. Dark as yours – the flavour was just slightly on the sweet malty side if such thing exists. I fell in love with it. And the first thing I thought when I say the first picture was how the colour reminded me of that bread. I'll check ou Bread Baking Babes because I've been hit by a great surge to bake different breads, breads that I do not find easily and I cannot always go to a nice bakery. Now I'll have to start by baking this bread since I need to compare the taste with that of my wonderful Sunday meal. have a great week. A massive hug.; o )


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2010 Alcestis
The 40th Annual Classical Greek Theatre Festival
Directed by Hugh Hanson
Musical Score by Cathy Neff
"Behind every great man is an even greater woman." The Fates have granted King Admetos the privilege of living past his time. But the gift comes at a price - he must find someone willing to take his place when Death comes to take him. His wife Alcestis, not wishing her children to be fatherless, volunteers to go in his stead. In a cowardly fashion, Admetos allows her to do so. Only after he admits his weakness does his friend Heracles come to the rescue. Euripides stunning tragicomedy explores the powerful themes of sacrifice and rebirth.
Summer Spence as Alcestes and Ryon Sharette as Admetos.
Photos by Gary Oakeson.
Click here for Aclestis Study Guide


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Pentax K-x Review
Latest Camera Reviews
Panasonic Lumix DMC-G80 Review
Your Comments
138 Comments | Newest Oldest First | Post a Comment
Wow, an essential rating!
As I may be getting my first DSLR soon, this camera needs serious consideration.
It's such a pity that Jessops don't sell Pentax anymore as they are the only camera shop I can get to easily.
Essential! I actually got a little chill on the back of my neck when I saw that rating. I then went back and re-read the review and ended up shaking my head in agreement. Kudos to Pentax for putting out such a quality instrument.
The only negative I've heard so far is the lack of AF points highlighted on the viewfinder. Is this a hindrance to most?
Just a big thanks for this and all of the excellent reviews (and news). THANKS!
It looks like Pentax have finally got back to being Pentax, and thank the gods for that! It all went wrong with their first autofocus camera and hasn't gone right until now.
When you look back at how impressive (and indeed cheap) cameras like the LX, ME Super, 67 and the old warhorse the K1000 were it's depressing to look at some of their more recent output. Indeed I owned and loved some of those cameras I listed. It's heartening to see that they can still do it.
Now all they need to do is apply the same attitude to the rest of the range. Especially down at the entry level because Pentax were always great at being able to bring something near to pro-quality to the entry level cameras. In particular the ME Super and K1000.
Big thanks .All of the excellent reviews .Thanks
Thank you, so much for all your hard work and great reviews.))) Got a little question for you guys, I'm debating about my New Years gift))) What would you recomand "Pentax Kx" or "Sony a - 500 ... If you got any information on "Sony" would love to see it ...))) Thank you so much in advance ...
@Combat Wombat
I digress. K10D was an amazing bang for the buck when it happened.
However this "entry level" camera is something even more amazing. I`m "downgrading" my K10D for it.
Wow. The K7 has been getting such mixed reviews, especially in regards to its high-ISO performance. The Kx seems to be the superior camera in this regard. I'm shooting with the K10D now also, but the Kx has me very excited. Honestly, if Pentax stuck the Kx sensor into the K7, I would buy it in an instant. I could care less for the reduced HD video quality… DSLRs exist primarily to take pictures, not movies!
This is arguably the best entry level DSLR on the market right now.
It's feature packed and has the new Sony sensor which seems to be fantastic at high ISO.
The only issue I've seen is a problem with certain rechargeable batteries. A few people seem to have issues which is a little concerning.
I've heard reports of some people using the popular Sanyo Eneloops and experience issues with battery life and the camera showing battery low and shutting down even if the batteries have charge. I'm not sure if a firmware upgrade can fix the issue.
Here in Australia the Kx 18-55 kit can be picked up locally for $739 AUD which is £405 at the moment which is a great price.
Go Pentax!
All very well and Pentax - justly renowned for its strong clunkers, the old Spotmatic in particular - is to be congratulated. However. Is it strong? Can it survive the rigours of field work? Or is it just another plastic party-goer?
All very interesting and Pentax - justly renowned for its solid clunkers, particularly the Spotmatic and its luvverly lenses- is to be congratulated. And it's good to see the big boys - Nikon and Canon - cop a bit of a kick around the nether regions. However. Is this new offering from Pentax strong? Can it survive the rigours of field work? Or is it just another plastic party-goer? With digital, seems to me all bets are off when it comes to brand loyalty. Nikon and Canon might be well advised to forget gimmicks and produce a strong box, with an optical viewfinder, a depth-of-field button, some sort of light meter, a shutter button, a metal lens mount to which can be attached a chunk of quality glass and a thin strap. And a written guarantee that the shutter will work - every time. Pretty much like an early Leica, really ...
It seems the KX is available in 100 different colour cobinations, at least in Japan.
AA Lithiums are much lighter than normal AAs and probably lighter than any rechargeable battery pack.
Looks like an interesting addition to the Pentax line-up.
Vitamines: Thanks for that vital info. It's just what I have always craved - a camera in my choice of colours. Basically, black. Question is: Do I wear it, or use it to take pics?
@Tony Jenner
why do colors bother some of you? do you want yours black? okej, you have your choice, i want mine green, is there any reason why i should prefer black too? black is boring.
"Do I wear it, or use it to take pics?"
both, of course! don't you?
Er, qwer. Have you ever found yourself in the outback of Australia, 45C to 50C in the shade. And a job to do. Taking pictures, archival, shooting RAW. Stone shearing sheds, bleached human bone ... colour of the camera is not an issue. But the camera must work. Under all conditions.
no, i haven't been there, but if i would, i will be much more happier with a blue camera.
well actually i think you are right, color doesn't matter, everybody should have the pink one… with the yellow grip :D
I am planning to buy myself a new camera (light, entry level DSLR) and I am currently contemplating between Pentax K-x and Canon 500D. Since I am no professional photographer, thought to ask for opinion here on which one to get?
I am choosing white because I plan to be taking the camera outdoors a lot and white will prevent the camera from heating up too much in the sun.
Also perhaps easier to take candids of people on the street.
i would pull the trigger right now if i could find a blue one with the 55-300mm f/4-5.8 ED Lenses included, I only find the black one.
"this little DSLR actually feels quite impressive, " - not at all. I've tested one K-x and if feels like Alpha 330 - cheap, uber-small DSLR - hate that. :/
@ cori.
Blue (and red) are said to be avail "in November". The multi-colored limited edition goes on sale (Japan only) Nov. 2. I wouldn't expect the blue or the red until after then. You can sign up for an availability email alert at B&H.
Note that the 18-55 lens comes the same color as the camera body. The longer lenses do not.
Is the 55-300 lens worth $200? Is it worth $100 more than the 50-200? (Thanks.)
Mark - Your review starts off saying "best quality setting of 1280x720 pixels at 30fps" but then later says 24fps. About this CMOS-sensor camera, the review says, "anti-static coating on the CCD helps repel dust…high speed, vibrating CCD-shift mechanism…a sticky pad at the base of the CCD". Also, the review errantly mentions the K-7 in many places:
"works with almost any lens that you attach to the K-7"
"When you turn the K-7 on"
"the K-7 offers a Hyper Program function"
"There are some notable drawbacks to the Pentax K-7's video mode."
"The K-7 can be set to Auto Aperture Control"
"Handholding the K-7D and shooting video is very difficult"
Lastly, the product images were shot from much too close and contain massive distortion - should have been further away and used a telephoto lens to take these shots.
Is there really an expectation for an entry-level, sub-$650 camera to do serious field work? I would expect the K7 or K20D to be the preferred model for someone wanting that sort of camera. I think the Kx should be acknowledged for what it is, not for what it is not. I wouldn't expect a Toyota RAV4 to be a good offroading vehicle, but I would expect the Landcruiser to be. That's how I view the Kx and K7. Kx = Cheap and capable within reason for its price.
That's odd, I find the D5000, XSi, XTi, and A330, A300, A230, etc. to feel like absolute toys with their small thin grips.
The K-m and K-x feel to me a lot more solid with the grip - I've held one with a 70-200/2.8 and it felt a lot better than the other brands with smaller lenses.
Thank you for all your hard work!
Something to mention is that we fans in China did some comparison between K-X and K-M which shows K-M has more close to pentax-like color, and K-X seems neutral (mixed with Canon and Nikon) and seems to overexposed a little with the same ISO/shuttle/aperture and focus.
Just picked up K-X and I am totally blown away. Granted I am new to SLR's but was torn between this and the Canon 500D/T1I. And at the end of the day I went for the underdog and so glad I did. The Canon felt cheap to me and I did not like the menu system and some of the reviews where mixed, not a bad choice but the k-x just has so much going for it and its bleeding edge as it was only just realeased a couple weeks ago!
To answer a few questions for folks..
1. Not having the view finder points is nothing. You can hear the camera beep when in focus and also there is a ton of icons in the viewfinder, one of which shows you when your in focus, its not in the center of the viewfinder, but right at the bottom and glows when focused.
2. As the the batteries, I have been using the supplied lithium for 3 days now, taken a few hundred pics and many videos..still at 100 percent on the battery guage. I just now purchased Rayovac Hybid which are as good as if not better than Sanyo Eneloops. However I have yet to charge them up/try them out and hoping they work well.
3. This review suggests there is no autofocus when taking video…this is not the case at all atleast for me, it certaily does autofocus. The down side there as is the case with any DSLR with video, you pickup the lens movement on the microphone. So your better off just using manual focus anyays if you plan to record sound, but there is an option to mute while recording which is cool too.
4. I got the kit with both the 18-55 and also 50-200mm and have to say they are both very high quality lenses for sure. The picture quality is fantastic and I am new to SLR's so yet to explore all the manual settings.
5. I have read through most ofthe manual and will admit I dont understand most of it..the manual is excellent its just that the SLR terminoligy is new to me. But thie K-X offers so many features its silly so I will be playing with it for a long time to come. I do think the auto-photo setting is fantastic though. Allows anyone to pickup and shoot pics right away. The ability to autodetect iso and phases is really cool!
Anyways, if you have any doubts whatsoever, I can tell you for the $700 I spent on the k-x with 2 lenses, you cant go wrong. And this was a big purchase for me too especially these days with the economy being what it is..but I feel it was money very well spent and the camera will not be obsolete in a year.
fan of pentex from k1000 era. feel sad that this camera company is no more powerful as it was. and indian fan do believe that it is due to management's lack of vision.
pentax has every thing an indian can like but company does not sell their dslr here.
I bought a DSLR a few weeks ago and was also considering the K-x. The lack of focus-point visualization in the viewfinder, however, put me off. I hardly considered the K-20, as they are quite a good deal now, but finally went for the Nikon D5000, which is lighter and has also very good image quality.
Just my 2c.
Don't get me wrong, I don't think Pentax' recent output has been poor. It just hasn't been what Pentax were been traditionally known for.
They often made cameras which had the necessary features to produce high quality images at a lower price than the competition. It wasn't that they somehow managed only to select the necessary features and leave off the unnecessary stuff. It wasn't just the entry level either. The LX was a top quality camera costing less than the competition's equivalents. When AF came along they seemed to lose their direction.
Funnily enough when you hear the management talk today they suddenly seem to be talking like the Pentax of old.
There is a fatal flaw in your RAW ISO comparison shots. It seems like you used either the accompanied jpeg thumbnail from raw file or way too big compression for the already from raw converted jpegs, because the samples show notable compression artefacts :(.
Does any one have experience using older Pentax lenses ( A or M or K lenses ) with the K-x or K-7?
@PETER: You can use all Pentax lenses (K, A, M, F, FA, FAJ, DA) and all M42 lens (with M42 adapter).
All works perfectly…
And 645 and 67 lenses with an adaptor.
I am interested how the 'pre A' lenses behave on the camera. It is my understanding that the camera lacks the mechanical linkage that would typically open the diaphragm on the lens. Does that mean the M and K lenses need to use stopped down metering and focusing? or am I not interpreting this correctly? Thanks.
You need to use stopped down metering and manual focusing. You focus and whatnot wide open, and push a button in M mode to get a shutter for the aperture you selected. You can also trap-AF on these lenses, which is quite nice.
Reviewer, PLEASE rectify the error in camera model as mentioned by Clone Warrior. It leads one to believe that you weren't sure which model you were testing. It behooves you to be clear.
Readers, I keep seeing this being compared to SLRs in the 1000 USD range, which is unfair, don't you agree? Apples to apples should be weighted to price range as well.
My question is, would you choose this over the Panny GF1, and if so, why?
Yianni: About the battery issues - couldn't it be cos they're using bad batteries, they should have quite high mAh. I think that this choice of batteries makes this camera so attractive (And of course the price) when compared to Canon 500d for an example.
The review complains that you can't change shutter speed during video recording. Umm…think about that one for a second.
think about what? it records 24fps, so you have a possible range from 1/6000 to 1/25.
if you cant change it… which is the default fixed speed?
I bought this camera last Sunday…I'ved research , which camera has everything…I'ved checked all Electronic shops here at Illawarra…and I have seen at Warrawong, DSLR on sale ...thier price in Australian dollar 777.00…with 18-55mm lens…. Pentax cameras,I thought it's made in Japan….a mistake, it's assembled in Philippines…at first I was worried , might not be good camera….but when I'ved tried taking some photos….I was really satisfied and happy with my Pentax Kx ...got a an excellent shots ( I'm not a Profi but I fell like (LOL) with my photos…sample of my images visit…..http://starlight50.multilpy.com
Unfurtunately pentax did'nt supply an ac- adopter & video cable in the box….I also bought sandisk extreme 111 memory card ...8gb and get more warranty for 3 years….
Making video clips is also excellent , very good quality….in Photography so many creative programs…..many things to learn…..but I love learning things…I'm 59 years old ...and I want to make my brain busy… learning the new technology…it's really interesting
Now Pentax Kx have 5*****stars
excellent DSLR .....those who purchased this camera have fun ......
First off have had this Camera for a couple weeks now and its great!
My only issue and question to anyone that can help is regarding recording video at 720p:
I am unable to record the highest level video (3 stars at 16x9) for more than a few seconds and it just stops recording. I contacted Pentax and their support was pretty clueless, polite but clueless non the less. If I down grade the quality to 2 stars then records does not stop after a few seconds. I did change back to 3 star quality and 4x3 and that too does not encounter the stop after few seconds of recording bug. Has anyone one else experienced this issue with highest video recording at 16x9 wide screen mode? Please please let me know as I think this is a bug and hopefully can be corrected with firmware updated.
Aaron: Though I think it MIGHT be an issue with the camera, I am more inclined to think it is an issue with your memory card. Either has a flaw, or it may not be fast enough to handle the highest video quality. Try the camera out with a different card, or just buy a new class 3 SDHC card, which is the minimum speed you'd want for reliable HD video. luckily, memory cards are pretty cheap nowadays.
Thanks for your response…do you even own the camera? That was my first question was to have someon respond who actually owned it…Yes, I have tried a 2 GB, 4 GB and even 8 GB card all different brands with the same issue. As metinoed if I set the video to 2 Star quality there is no problem or 4x3 no problem either..its almost as if the camera cant process video at 720p at 16x9, which ironically is the default setting!
Aaron: You need a class 4 SDHC card. class 4 rating means the card can sustain a minimum write speed of 4MB/s. Both my Pentax K-x and Canon TX1 can record HD@720p and they both "choke" on any SD card with a rating lower than class 4. when you record at a lower quality(ie 2 star) there's less data to write to the card so it doesn't "choke".
Thank you Howard. That makes a lot of sense for sure, I dont believe there any specific requirements on class 4 SDHC listed anywhere. I have several different SDHC cards and non indicate class 4 on them so will assume they are not. Sounds like a good suggestion and I will have to pick up class 4 to test. Will be sure to post my results.
Actually, I was able to tell, I have 2 Class 6 (would think better than class 4) Transcend MicroSDHC 4gb and 8gb cards. I also have a 4 GB Kingston that appears to be a class 4, which meets or excceed your suggestion. The only thing I can thing of is that fact they are MICROSD with an adapter, but they should be plenty fast enough.
Henry, what kind of a card are you using as I would be willing to purchase that card if it works.
Aaron: Class 6 should be more than enough. the class rating is identified by a logo that looks like a "C" with the class number in it. but then again where i live we have lots of fake products. so what i do is test the SD card by copying a large file(ie 1GB) to the SD card, time it and calculate the actual write speed. make sure your card reader is fullspeed USB2 connected directly to a fullspeed USB2 port on the PC(don't use USB hub).
If its a class 6, its 6MB/s write speed minimum, shouldn't matter if its a microsd form factor.
can any one tell me how low(price) it can go ? i am planning to buy on Christmas
The review here says the Pentax K-X cannot be plugged into a digital TV because it does not have a digital outlet. Any owners verify that for me? I guess to show HD vid clips on TV you have to take out the SD card and put it into another player device?
Geoff, thats basically right.
The camera can be plugged into TV composite video connection (although cable not provided) but this is not high definition. I have not tried this yet but would prefer to plug in my SD card into our Blueray/DVD player anyway.
can any one tell me how low(price) it can go ? i am planning to buy on Christmas
I'm debating between the KX and the G11. A friend has just given up DSLR for the more compact G11, claiming it will? perform just as well as a DSLR (i say slow continuous shooting mode and shutter lag notwithstanding), and that IQ will not suffer, especially in low light situations. Is it all about lenses with DSLRs? can the G11 match the KX with 18-55mm lens? Same DOF, HDR, options….etc etc?
Pentax have release firmware V1.01 for the K-x.
Have installed it and it appears to be helping with the battery issue. Will test further and report back.
I can confirm the firmware 1.01 seems to make a big difference to my camera. I have just shot over 400 shots and downloaded them on a 2000mA NiMh batteries and they are still going strong. Indicator has now gone orange but still going.
Jonathan - How can you tell what version of firmware the camer is running?
Switch on while holding down the Menu button. Might need to have an empty memory card - not sure.
Funny thing I am seeing with the 1.01 fimrware, seems like it takes longer for the auto preview on the lcd after taking a picture. Unfortunately does not address my issues with HD video only writing for a few seconds on a class 6 SD card. Also wanted to add, I was in disney and took some fantastic pictures. Unfortunately, I lost about 300 picturs that got corrupted. Not sure if the issue was with the 32 GB Generic SD Card I have, or the camera itself. I just picked up a Sandisk ULTRA 2 16 GB card that writes at 15mbs and I can now do 720p HD VIDEO without any issues, so I suspect the issue was my card (i posted about this problem on this forum) Anyways, I dont see anything particularly earth shattering with the new firmware..beyond the slower lcd viewing of pictures. Also want to mention, I do believe the battery power management has been improved and less flakey.
I ordered the camera online, and it arrived after just over a week. Since I have not used an SLR digital camera before, it took a while to figure it out (have owned Me Super since the 1980s, and a Samsumg Digimax for a few years, and have taken thousands of photos over the years). The strange thing was that from the start, not all the shots took, but usually only between 1 and 3 out of 4, and often only in one run (either it worked several times, or it did not work at all). I thought that I may not have used it correctly, and reset it to default settings. After that, it only took shots in-doors, but not in sunlight—resulting instead in a black screen and image. I called Pentax, and they told me that I should return the camera right away, which I did. Not sure whether I should give it another try, though…
I bought this camera about 3 weeks ago (partly based on this review), instead of the Nikon 5000 and Canon Rebel Xsi I was also considering. I am EXTREMELY happy with my choice!
Everyone seems to be mentioning problems with battery life. Once I received the camera, I inserted the batteries that came with it. I have been playing with the camera a LOT, trying to figure it out, taking lots of pictures, taking some videos… and now 3 weeks later… i STILL have the same batteries in it.
The only time I seemed to have problems with the battery life was when using Live View. The battery indicator turned red. So I simply turned off the camera and turned it back on again and used the viewfinder instead. The battery indicator returned to showing full.
All that to say, if you are avoiding this camera simply because of the battery life issues that some have noted, I really think you should reconsider. This camera is GREAT. And as I said, its been 3 weeks with the same batteries. Pretty amazing if I don't say so myself.
I just received my Kx and i am very dissapointed, because the pictures are not sharp (using te Tamron 18-200mm lens, even when sharpness is set to maximum My Lumix FZ28 and TZ4 produce much sharper and brighter pictures. Can the Tamron lens be the cause of the unsharp pictures ??(unsharp in autofocus mode and manual focus mode)
Another point is battery life. My brand new Duracell NIHH 2650 mah batterys were exhausted within a few minutes, but fortunately the new firmware V1,01 solves the battery problems
Martin from Holland
@martin smaling
Maybe you have a bad Tamron. Their quality control is not exactly good.
Try taking the same shot with your Pentax kit lens and the Tamron. Then compare. If the Tamron looks soft, get it exchanged.
Good luck.
Hi Mark, tnx for your comment. The strange thing is that everything looks bright and very sharp in the optical viewfinder, so perhaps the lens is not the problem after all. I contacted the store and the told me that they got back a lot of DSLR's of different brands from first buyers who use a good compact camera, due to dissapointing image quality of their entry level DSLR. Very stange I think!
I have the k-x with 18-55, 50-200 and Quantarary 70-300 I picked up on Ebay for $30! All 3 lenses take fantastic pictures! Just my 2 cents, I think either you lens, camera or settings are faulty.
@martin smaling
I had a 18-200mm Tamron on a Pentax K100D that gave reasonably crisp pictures between 18 and 135mm and then more and more soft to 200mm, it's normal. A 12 mpix sensor needs even better lenses if you are claiming for the optimal quality.
It's usefull to know that compact cameras are set by default to give oversharpened picture, and may be you are used to this kind of looking. DSLR's are set to a lower amount of sharpening to give place for post processing. If it is not your lens, it may be that.
Well, i like the sharpness of my FZ28 but low light performance of the KX is a lot better. So now I must decide keeping the Kx or send it back to the dealer…
I have had a few compact / bridge cameras and I find the K-x to gives sharper images provided the photographer has the focus correct and appropriate aperture.
Focus is more important with an DSLR because the camera is capable of providing a narrow depth of field and it is easy to get it wrong. Auto focus often tries to compromise focus where is thinks it should be. I tend to use spot focus quite a bit for this reason.
Hi Jonathan,
I ordered the sigma lens and the kit lens because test on the web show that these lenses provide sharper images as the Tamron lens..
I will try spotmetering
Thanks ,
The picture straight out of mine Kx are also not that sharp, even with the sharpness set on the maximum in the camera but when I sharpen them in Picasa or in an other foto program they look OK.
I have the Sigma 18-50 mm Macro f 2.8 lens.
I just received the Sigma 18-200 lens and pictures look a bit sharper than with the Tamron but still less sharp compared with my compacts (partialy caused by the dept of field). But low light performance is great and allows me to shoot pictures which aren't possible with my compacts. So it depends on the situation which camera I prefer to use…. By the way, I directly installed the new firmware because the Kx's batterylife was very short using the old firmware…
Seasons greetings,
I have also a Fuji F31FD which is praised for its good picture quality by the reviews and I was at the beginning disappointed with the pictures, they were unsharp.However after sharpening in Picasa they look perfect. The Pentax is for me the same story, sharpen the pictures in Picasa and they are just fine.
The overall picture quality of the Pentax is better than my compact specially for the color accuracy and the high ISO performance.
Guys Great News.. Finally the DPREVIEW's Review for K-X is out chk out the Final Conclusion:
As you can see it is "HIGHLY RECOMMENDED" :)
It is the Best DSLRs for 550$ Budget ..
Amazon has a good deal on the pentax k-x with 2 lenses.
In case anyone is interested then Pentax K-x 12.4 MP Digital SLR with 2.7-inch LCD and 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 AL and 55-300mm f/4-5.8 ED Lenses (Black) is for 644$
I do not know how to post links here, but using this link will give you the offer (copy/paste in browser url).
The catch is that it says that it will ship in 1 month. On the other hand based on shipping statistics it may be shipped in 10 days or less.
This is my first dSLR purchase and I am really happy about my choice.
I read several reviews and settled on this fabulous genius camera.
I am considering my first DSLR and thought I was 'sold' on a Canon XSi. Until I found the Pentax. I need to do some more research, but it sounds like the K-x might be the winner!
People having trouble with memory cards should know that the *cheap* class 6 cards are vastly outperformed by a name-brand class 4. They are also probably a lot more reliable with your irreplaceable memories. I'll try to save $10 somewhere else and not skimp on a memory card.
I just got my Pentax K-X. I am a beginner SLR camera user, and I really like my camera so far! The manual is really easy to read and follow (I have NO IDEA what all these settings do!!!) You can choose to point and shoot as well, if youre like me and need to follow the learning curve. The only complaint I have is that it takes 4 AA betteries! I played with my camera for about 2 hours and KILLED a pair of lithium batteries! Don't even bother with cheap no-name batteries, they won't even let you take a picture. I have a charger and rechargeable batteries, but I have resorted to carrying an extra 2 sets so I don't run out of power. There is an optional power AC adapter that plugs into the wall, I will be ordering that asap.
Other then that it's a great first time camera!
You may want to update to the latest firmware to help with any battery issues. I used the supplied lithiums for nearly a week and no issues even with the original firmware. I have a couple of sets of the Rayovac Hybrid batteries and they work great! The external power cord is a waste if you ask me and very expensive. All this allow you to do is power on if you output video/pics to a tv (no hdmi or hd here) or if you decide to pull pics off the camera/memory card. I would recommend skipping the power cord and just pulling the sdcard to xfer pics to your camera.
Jackmaddy is right, Carrie. I got mine about 3 weeks ago, and the rep had installed the firmware to all K-X models in the shop already. The supplied Energizers are still going strong after all that time, with about 30 minutes of use every day, if I were to average it out. Bar still showing full charge.
Ordered some Sanyo Eneloops online, and suspect battery issues will be non-existent, given how good the stock batteries are lasting.
Enjoy your new toy!
Hi Carry,
I have the KX for a few weeks now, and I like the camera evere day more! At first I was a little dissapointed about the less sharp pictures compared with my Lumix FZ28. But handling, low light performance, speed and features are great.
If you install the new firmware V1.01 from the Pentax website, the battery issue is solved and you can shoot hundreds of pictures with 4 AA NIMH 2500mAh batterys, and keep shoting even when the battery indicater is red
Thanks!!! I shall try that! : D
Call me CRAZY…I have attempted to install the firmware that you wonderful ppl have told me about, but it WON'T load! So this is what I'm doing…
1. Download file, saved to my desktop.
2. Follow SIMPLE steps on readme file. (I am doing it with the batteries and camera hooked up to my computer)
3. Follow instructions on truning camera on and hold menu down. This brings up a folder. I then copy the kx…firmware into the folder. It doesn't do anything. I try to turn the camera off then on again, this folder just comes up, and it doesn't load.
Now, I know what you're thinking, but I'm pretty computer LITERATE! Any ideas of what the heck I'm doing wrong???
The camera can't be plugged into the computer to update flash. Must put file on to root of flash card folders, then disconnect camera from PC and then do power on with menu thing.
The camera being plugged into PC puts it in a different mode altogether.
Oh and I do extract the file once in the folder…then the player thing comes up…after that I'm hopeless…
Jonathan thanks for the help, but I do not have a card reader, therefore I need the camera connected th the PC to load the file no?
In the readme file it says nowhere to unplug the camera before turning on the power while holding the menu button…
Do I understand correctly?
No you can use the PC / Camera to put the file on the card (after extracting the file on your PC first).
But then Power off camera, unplug PC lead, and repower camera holding menu button.
Hi Carrie,
If you are not sure and expecting problems: here in Holland you can send the camera to the Pentax servicecentre and then they install the new firmware, free with no costs. Maybe that is possible in your country too??
Do you have a friend with a cardreader? Than it is very simple. Copy the file on an empty formatted SD card. Put the card into the camera. Switch on camera while pressing the menu button at the same time (Camera must be unplugged from your PC!). Installing new firmware starts and will take a few minutes. After that switch off camera and remove the SD card with the new firmware
Just one more remark: be sure to copy the new firmware directly on the SD card(is called in the root)and NOT in one of the folders created on the SD card by the camera!
I got it!! I was putting the file in the folder….silly me!!! : P Thanks again for all of your advice!!!
Great Carrie! And you are not silly. When I am updating an electronical device here(TV DVD Camera, etc)then sometimes it works, but not always!
Good luck
Martin(The Netherlands)
I just purchased one of these last night - found it at a bargain price of £200 and couldn't resist. Really looking forward to getting it and even more so now after reading your comments. This will be my first DSLR purchase and I'm looking to get an 85mm f1.4 MF lens to go with it - I can't wait - I will post my results and my thoughts about this camera as soon as I get it! :)
RE: overheat..£200? where did you find that…sounds like a deal!
I am realy confused, i have three options for my first dslr but it really boils down to 2. I am getting:
1) Pentax Kx.
2) Olympus E-450.
3) Canon rebel XS. All these cameras are for £290 but the canon is second hand, the Pentax is without warranty for some reason but hasnt been used while the Olympus comes with a 1 year warranty and is brand new. The olympus would seem like the rational choice but i have read so many reviews on the Kx and all of them claim this to be the DSLR everyone should have, should i go for it or should i go for the safer option olympus (just because it has a 1 year warranty). Keeping in mind this would be my first dslr. any help would be appreciated. thank you.
I have the Pentax K-X and love it! I too looked at the Canon Rebel x-s and Olympus, but decided to buy the Pentax, I have no regrets so far! It is my first SLR camera as well. One thing to consider is if it has a lens package with it, does it come with a zoom lens as well as the 18-55mm lens? Its a definate plus to get the two lenses. Hope that helps! The warranty issue is a tough one tho!! :(
Choosing an entry level DSLR bcomes a matter of preference in the end - the technology of all the major brands is extensive and good quality - not much between them. Buying a new camera without a warranty overrides whatever preferences you might have, I believe. Get the camera with the warranty. If you get sold on the Kx by reading the excellent reviews it gets, then go buy a new Kx with a warranty!
@Zain: What, no warranty? Why not? Can it not be purchased directly from Pentax, then? My take on warranties is that it is perhaps worth the gamble. I think all 3 cameras you mentioned would easily live out the year hassle-free.
I spent HOURS (I really mean months) researching, and had read reviews on all 3 of the cams you mentioned, and many more. In the end, I kept coming back to the K-X.
Thankfully, the analysis paralysis cleared up, and I got my butt into the shop and came away with the K-X, and 2 lens kit.
I couldn't be happier (it must sound like I write ad copy for a living….but no).
It's solidly-built, quick, loaded with options. The other 2 felt plasticky in my hands.
Hope that helps.
From the second I saw the preview of the K-x back in October I was hooked. The day that it came out I went to B&H to get it. Best decision I have ever made. As a first time DSLR owner I am very happy. I love photography and this camera so much now that I decided to start a Pentax K-x blog to talk about it.
Check it out at http://www.kxuser.com.
I'm trying to post as frequently as possible and since the k-x is geared towards newbies, like myself, it has beginner information.
Anyways, the k-x is a great starter camera.
Pantex has always been my camera of choice ever since I took photography at uni back when they were just SLRs. Bought my first DSLR some years back, Pentax *istD. For a student the price then did set me back a bit. Great that the prices are much more afforable. Has any one used the *istD model and the Kx? Check out come on my picasaweb album
I am unable to use lenses from a Pentax ME. I fit the lens to the camera. The next stage is to set the focal length but this line of the menu is greyed out. Has anyone else experienced this?
Hi Peter. Have you set the option in Menus "Enable use of Aperture ring"?
There are some very good pointers on shooting older lenses on Beginners forum at PentaxForums (http://www.pentaxforums.com)
Entry Tags
hd video, hd, 12 megapixel, beginner, 2.7 inch LCD, DSLR, prosumer, pentax, 4.7fps, k-x, Pentax K-x Review, kx


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pretty much the same as 'nom', but AUM. louder. more expressive.
guy 1: so we're in her room, and yknow, AUM.
guy 2: wow, the farthest i ever got was a nom!
guy 2: wow, the farthest i ever got was a nom!
dari otrik Minggu, 03 April 2011
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Can you define these popular missing words?
Short for the scientific word ohms. It is generally used as a funnier term, it is louder in representation, and is sometimes not allowed to be used in scientific writings. It's more like a nickname, used by students.
If you have six Aums and a voltage of six volts what is the current?
dari Daniellahappy Minggu, 26 Januari 2014
Short for "abstinince until marrage", you know, the week when your teacher talks about oral sex! 8-(
@#$% we have AUM today
dari Greg B Selasa, 17 Mei 2005


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I have been hearing with the new stats mastery becomes more important than haste, at what percent does haste become less valuable than mastery?
thanks in advance =D
I havn't raided since the beginning of Cata so I haven't done much with simcraft since then. You might have a look at askmrrobot.com and see if that works.


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an online mod dat lets you play GTA San Andreas online wit other people,best mod out www.sa-mp.com
lets smoke sum cones n play sa-mp eshayz!!!!!!!
de email@example.com 26 Iunie 2007
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Can you define these popular missing words?
a verb which stands for playing San Andreas MuliPlayer.
Zelly: Yo sup dudes, it´s so fucking boring lets go samp!
Cyles: Hell yeah we gon blast on them noobs!!!
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de SMD Prod 18 Martie 2007
Smiling at my phone - Replaces the often misused "LOL" and "LMAO" when a person finds something funny and is merely smiling at their phone but not actually laughing.
That's really funny I can' t believe you said that SAMP
de Mr_Biggs 12 Aprilie 2011
Samp is dried corn kernels that have been stamped and chopped until broken but not as fine as Mielie-meal or mielie rice -- 'From wikepedia'
I ate samp with my BBQ sausages
de johnoutthere 24 Ianuarie 2012
STFU, you pansy-ass samp.
de martyr 07 Aprilie 2003


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Millions in path of major winter storm
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CommentsThe views expressed are not those of this site, this station or its affiliated companies. By posting your comments you agree to accept our terms of use.blog comments powered by Disqus


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Average Ratings
8 out of 9 people recommended this car.
Consumer Reviews
Jeeps best value years are 1996-1998
by Sold my X5 for a jeep Grand Cherokee... from Indianapolis, in | July 22, 2014
I've had my prior jeep going tail first down a Colorado mountain road, and gathered it up; to head first and continued to work…. Few vehicles have the overall abilities that are as affordable and comfortable as the 96-98 Jeep GC... When Buying, look underneath for oil leakage, if select -track place in 4wd and verify smooth turning to avoid expensive blown VC, check AC, and be aware that the "limited" comes with leather and premium sound. Perhaps you might want to hold out for heated seats, but be prepared to not buy the first you see.
Purchased a new car
Uses car for Work
Does recommend this car
Great truck
by Jeep Fan from Maine | August 6, 2012
Gotta love this little workhorse. My jeep has been used and abused and still acts brand new. I love my jeep, most reliable car i have ever owned.
Purchased a new car
Uses car for Commuting
Does recommend this car
first jeep but not the last
by jim from savannah | February 7, 2012
bought used less than a year ago and one of the best used cars i have owned. my only concern is the mpg but better than my old truck. took it from savannah to upstate new york and it performed great. love the curise control; that and the radio controls are right on the steering wheel and helps you keep you eye on the road when searching for stations.
Purchased a new car
Uses car for Just getting around
Does recommend this car
Best truck I ever bought!
by Jeeper from Michigan | November 10, 2011
I have a 1996 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4x4 limited edition with the 4.0 inline 6 engine. Now I've had it for about a year now and I still wouldn't trade it for anything. Its 15 years old and now has 45,000 original miles on it. For those of you who want a short review just to compare to other vehicles, here it is. These first generation grand cherokees are reliable. They are different than any new grand cherokees and in my opinion, better. Pretty much every single component stands up to the test or time, and they are very resistant to rust. As far as drivability goes, its a small SUV and drives like a truck. Its a lot of fun to drive and you have the confidence to tackle pretty much anything in your path. Comparing this to most 90's and early 2000's suvs, this is the most capable and reliable. I Highly recommend driving one before buying. Now fort those of you who are really into getting one of these and want some more info, here it is. I'll cover most aspects starting with comfort. 1993-1995 seats are plush and super comfortable. In 96-98 they changed and made them a little smaller and modern, but still very comfortable and great for trips. Those of you who worry about it being too squishy and having no support, it has lumbar support, so no worries. The seats aren't very tall so a taller person will have to pull the headrest all the way up. Handling is different from many other cars. It is not tight at all but very easy to steer. There is some play but thats the way they are supposed to be. I got used to it after a week of ownership. It does have some body roll. Enough that you may lean a little bit on tight or fast turns but surprisingly good considering its suspension. In later grand cherokees, you lose visibility and softness that I have only found in these first generations. FEATURES! Pretty much any stock chrysler stereo is going to impress over competitors systems. Most have the Infinity Gold 6 speaker sound system which is very clear and very powerful. You will not be disappointed. Located underneath the digital automatic climate control(optional), There is a "Vehicle information center" which lets you know if something is open or if you need an oil change or EVEN IF YOU HAVE A BURNT OUT BULB! Thats impressive. You also have outside temp, an average and instant mpg gauge and much more. Interior room: Now these jeeps are meant for offroading, not hauling kids and diapers to moms house. You can in a pinch, but the spare tire takes up some room in the back. Headroom in the back is good but with small doors it is hard for larger people to enter and exit. Rear seats fold flat to increase cargo room and it is easy to strap cargo onto the roof. Most amenities are still fully functional even after 15-20 years. Every single thing in mine still works including power windows, seats, mirrors, and all components. Mine has the 4 liter 6 cylinder and power isnt bad. Its nothing super fast but gets the job done and still climbs hills no problem and you can get almost 25 mpg highway if you are light footed. This jeep always surprises me with features I have discovered one by one, and with its off road performance. Ive never been stuck and I pull out about 15 people each winter no problem. The 4 wheel drive systems that are offered are far more advanced than other systems offered at the time. If you are considering one, I would recommend looking for a limited model if using for a daily driver. There are still many of these out there and you can pick one up for a very good price. I would recommend this vehicle to anybody who wants a reliable, capable, comfortable truck/suv that is on a budget. It is truly a well engineered truck. I hope this review helps!
Purchased a new car
Uses car for Having fun
Does recommend this car
Buy it only if the maintenance has been kept up!
by Mike from Petaluma, CA | March 15, 2010
This year of vehicle could be a good one if the maintenance had been kept up by the previous owner/owners. The engine is a reliable one I have the 4.0 which is alittle weak on power but after a tune up always starts without hesitation. Alot of this vehicles controls are modular in that all you have to do to replace the is unplug the old one and plug in the new one. It is simple to work on. With the 4.0L engine there is plenty of room in the engine bay to get around. I've had to play alot of catch up maintenance on this vehicle perhaps, because it wasn't well taken care of. But I am sure onece I get every thing that needs to be done to this vehicle done, I will have a nice 4X4 for camping or anyother utilitarian use that I may have.
Purchased a new car
Uses car for Outdoor sports (hiking, cycling, etc.)
Does not recommend this car
Best Jeep We Have Owned
by Mike from Hartford | September 14, 2009
Original owners of a 1996 Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited for 13 years. Only minor repairs after driving over 200K miles. Stellar performance. Extremely reliable and we got more than 20 miles/gallon with mostly highway driving. 1996 was a version change and incorporates a number of features that you see on SUVs today. Rugged and very dependable. Highly recommended.
Purchased a new car
Uses car for Work
Does recommend this car
King of SUVs
by Jeep Lover from Washington DC | March 5, 2008
Jeep defined the SUV standard by which every other car maker learned and came to understand SUV. In defensive driving camps, where all different makes of SUVs are used, the choice and confidence votes from the instructors all point towards the Jeep Grand Cherokee. It may not be as plush and luxurious as the Range Rover, or as technology loaded as some of the Japanese SUVs, but for power, traction, handling and reliability in bad conditions, it's hard to beat. Although Jeep has received bad ratings and reviews, my experience with my Jeep Grand Cherokee has been great.
Purchased a new car
Uses car for N/A
Does recommend this car
Our money's worth
by Coonhunter from Indiana | August 24, 2007
Purchased at 67000 miles, and it just went through an accident which was terrifying and ended in total loss. Flipped on top, no injuries sustained. We'll miss it, it was in the top five of our lifetime, and certainly the best value for the money.
Purchased a new car
Uses car for N/A
Does recommend this car
This thing goes through anything
by Jeep Fan from Rochester MN | June 27, 2007
The only bad thing about this jeep is gas mileage, but other than that this beast goes through anything. Off road it handles bumps and hills with out a problem. It will take you where you need to go whenever you want to go there.
Purchased a new car
Uses car for N/A
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text:
April 4, 2016 - Industry News
The FMCSA ordered truck driver Yakov Zaverukha off the road after he was pulled over in his truck with a blood alcohol level seven times over the legal limit.
Tags: FMCSA, Alcohol, Out-of-service, Imminent Hazard
January 2, 2014 - Industry News
Trucking will go into 2014 with two major safety proposals pending: electronic logs and a searchable database containing the results of driver drug and alcohol tests.
Tags: Regulations, FMCSA, Drug Testing, Alcohol, Drivers, CSA
October 28, 2013 - Industry News
The American Trucking Associations is calling on U.S. media outlets to "stop their inaccurate and sensationalized reporting" on a review of 36 studies claiming that a number of commercial truck drivers use drugs or alcohol while behind the wheel.
Tags: Drivers, ATA, Drug Testing, Alcohol
August 12, 2013 - Industry News
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has announced the CSA Safety Measurement System website has been updated with new snapshots of fleet performance and two new violations.
Tags: FMCSA, CSA, Hours of Service, Alcohol
March 27, 2013 - Industry News
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration is getting closer to proposing a rule that would create a national clearinghouse for drug and alcohol test results.
Tags: FMCSA, Drug Testing, Alcohol, OMB
February 18, 2013 - Industry News
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration ordered a California-based truck driver to cease operating after he was cited for numerous egregious violations of federal regulations, the most recent involving being arrested for intoxicated driving.
Tags: DOT, FMCSA, Alcohol
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New law cuts couple's chance of adoption
January 13, 2013
Joseph and Mercedes LeBlanc have been on a more than two-year, $50,000 emotional roller-coaster ride that has seemingly ended in heartache, despair and a search for answers....
And how many children right here...have been waiting for a 'forever family'...but to spend $50K for a child half a world away....sorry...I just don't get it...never did and never will...Charity begins at home.
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Came here to say exactly this, Andy. I just don't understand what the fascination is with adopting children from Russia when there are thousands in the US begging to be adopted. I'm sure adopting a child in the US costs far less than $50K as well.
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Did you two even read the article? They had been turned away from US adoption agencies because of guidelines and restrictions. I know of several families in the area who have adopted outside of the US because they have been turned away from adopting US children because of silly guilelines and restrictions. So I have no problem with a family, who tried to adopt here in the US but was turned away, from going outside the borders to adopt.
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People adopt from overseas because even though it cost a ton of money there is way less B.S. No Russian mother is going to come knocking a few years down the road and want their kid back.
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Ladydog: YOU need to read that article !...Nowhere was there any mention of this couple exhausting adoption possibilities in THIS country. But then again...we have a story that could be filled with half fact and half fiction...reporting in this paper isn't the best....
Non the less...spending all that money when you can find local children that need fostered or adopted....really...take care of your own!
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To spend any amount of money, let alone $50K, to adopt a child is ludicrous. Borders on buying a child.
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I do believe the SG is a little late with this story, as I just saw on the news a few days ago that this was changed and not going into effect untill 2013.
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It is sad that the Leblancs may not be able to adopt the Russian girl they'd been matched with - but there are no guarantees in adoption and Russia is not required to allow Americans to adopt their children. Adopting Russian kids is a privilege - one that Russia can revoke at any time for any (or even no) reason at all. The Leblancs knew and accepted this risk going in - adoption rules/laws change all the time. Spending $50k in no way, shape or form guarantees anybody a baby (not even here in the USA). The Dept of State even has a special website devoted to posting notices about changing laws related to international adoptions .(and has suspended adoptions from Guatemala, Nepal, Cambodia and others in the past decade or so).
It's also important to note the US violated the adoption treaty that came into force on Nov1 2012 first, by failing to allow Russian officials consular access to an abused Russian-born boy in Florida (Maxim Babayev). Why shouldn't Russia violate it too??
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I guess it was assumption on my part when they said they couldn't adopt in the US that they had exhausted possiblities of doing so here in the USA. But that being said... Why in the world does it cost $50,000 to adopt a child?! It's like what someone said, it's almost like buying a child. You would think if it was a loving home where the child will be well provided for they would be more than happy to let that family have a child. No wonder people don't adopt more often. Sounds like an all out nightmare with finances, waiting, and problems with the systems.
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i think adopting children from outside of the usa is crazy when there are kids here who desparately need a loving home. however, our rules regulations and love of money in this country make it rediculously unable to do so for most people. ive been told it costs 50 grand alone just to START the adoption process. so maybe we all would be able to take an AMERICAN needy child under our wings if the rules and guidelines werent such bs. ok, a child abuse clearance and criminal clearance for you and everyone under your roof i can get, and you mustnt be on welfare. otherwise, make it a little*****easier.
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Money for the lawyers to read all the jargon is ludicrous. Adoption sounds very tricky, yes, borderline buying a good (the child) to 'own' and say you have. This whole story is mind boggling. There are local service's that can help these individuals 'foster' a child, with the possibility to adopt. What is it about foreign babies people feel drawn to? I hope it isn't for show and tell.
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In response to my case: Why not adopt here? It is as difficult and expensive as abroad. We tried for a couple of years. Nothing.
In the US you don't adopt babies, you adopt grown up children from foster care. We cannot be foster parents because we are not parents yet, we want a baby. To get a baby you need to contract a birth mother and pay all her expenses, living and medical, and she can walk away any time.
My money has gone to adoption agencies, bureaucracies, and travel agencies, not to any orphanage. The documentation, here or abroad, must prove beyond doubt you are not a child trafficker, abuser, or unstable, just a willing parent with financial means. They don't ask that if I want to have a baby of my own, as irresponsible as I could be.
Adopting internationally is not just "fashionable", and the system here does not make it easy or attractive, either.
Finally, the bilateral agreement has no teeth, it is just a requet for more training and scrutiny for us.
4 Agrees | 1 Disagrees | Report Abuse »
Joseph, there are babies in the foster system. Actually, entire families minus the parents are in the system at this present time. Bonds between mother and child can start at any age. I cannot believe that you are having such a problem adopting, is there another issue besides having no biological children of your own? This might be a strange question, but, are you both American citizens?
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We have been married for 15 years before we began the process of adoption. It can be easy to adopt from this country if you find the right agency that is willing to do the work. We began with a local agency and they had us convinced that we could only adopt from a foreign country. After four years with still no results, we decided to look for another agency. The agency we found was "A Labor of Love". The lady running the agency was very kind and helpful. A year and four months later, our little angel was in our arms. It was the most wonderful experience of our life. Our adoption costs were far less than $50,000. (Although it was over 8 years ago). We also did not have the crazy idea of flying (multiple times)and taking "gifts" to these other countries as well as being scared about being alone in another country. We did not have to pay for medical or any other expenses for the expecting mother. You just need to stay strong in your faith and let the Lord h
2 Agrees | 0 Disagrees | Report Abuse »
Is an American orphan more deserving of a loving family than a Russian orphan? I think not, look at the big picture, people. Every child deserves a loving family, whether he/she be domestic or abroad. These people wanted to help a poor, innocent child, don't criticize them for not doing it in the US.
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no child anywhere is undeserving, however, let the russians adopt russians, let japanese children live with japanese families and let americans adopt americans. with so many kids in our country needing loving families its ludicris to be forgetting about american kids in need to go to another country and get one.. sounds to me like russia is turning on america now because of one dumb governmental situation, but, thats our govt, dumb
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I think this would be the case regardless of who is coaching them.
But I think it's also a matter that they're still trying figure out their style as well. And that takes time. Some skaters figure out the style thing but aren't necessarily the most technically proficient. I think the Shibs are the opposite -- they have a great technical foundation - quiet blades, good timing, clean edges -- but they haven't always had the programs to show them off.
I think their bronze-winning FD was actually a great fit for them. So the question is what other kinds of style of music would work for them?
The qualities that are holding the Shibs are their youthful and wholesome image. They are not sexy. They appear to be innocent. Much of ice dance is predicated upon a couple's sizzling chemistry, charisma, and sex appeal, something the Shibs lack and may lack even when they're fully adults. They also appear gentle. Others have mentioned the Kerrs and the Duchesnays as brother and sister teams, who didn't focus on romance (for obvious reasons) but had passion, grit, and drama.
I would imagine programs that focus on child-like wonder and beauty would bring out the Shibs' personalities. Maybe a program skated to the theme of Grave of the Fireflies (Japanese anime about a brother and sister struggling to survive in post-WW II Japan). Something that would contrast them from the other couples - their innocence and playfulness.
FWIW, Tessa was 17 and Scott was 19 at their first World Championships in 2007. Meryl was 20 and Charlie was 19. The Shibs first WC was at age 16 and 19. So I think V/M and D/W worked out whatever growth spurt issues they had at the junior level. And when they were going through juniors, YouTube was just starting, so their rise in the junior ranks were a lot more low key.
The age difference is also a factor for the Shibs. 2010 was not great year for them. They fell off the podium at WJC after getting silver the year before. Alex was 18 years old, the age Maia is now, and he definitely sprouted like a weed that year. So the age difference has been a problem because basically they had to go through not one but two different growth spurts as well.
My hope is that Maia is done growing for the most part and that they could get used to their current bodies and take it from there.
I thought that FD was really beautiful, but too subtle for anyone to appreciate except for their ardent fans.
As for your other comment there is plenty to keep them from "flying up the ranks". The fact their results and rank have been regressing solidly and non stop since their World bronze, and now they have even dropped won the pecking order in their own country. The fact that two thirds of the teams who are ranked higher than them right now (I add I&K of Russia to that since even though they finished behind the Shibutans at Worlds they have placed higher in virtually every other competition the last year plus and just had a bad event at Worlds) aren't going anywhere anytime soon. The only ones who probably are soon gone are Virtue & Moir, Davis & White, and Pechalat & Bourzat, but new teams will emerge too, they always do. Along with the fact they haven't improved in a long time now, and in fact their skills in many way seem to already be on decline.
Maia and Alex will have to find ways to bring greater depth and intensity to there performances without off-putting raunch. This may be a tall order, but that's what choreographers are for.
As well as their other challenges, Maia had her freshman year at college this season. The Shibs have always been very serious about education, and dealing with college at the same time as growth and injuries, has to have been difficult.
I don't think the Shibs are as handicapped in range of expression as many people do. Meryl and Charlie have a sort of brother-sister vibe, too, and they never do the sultry temptress thing. These performers are actors -- they don't have to be in love in real life to portray the idea of romance on stage.
Edited to add: Although if they did want to go the humor route, she could be a young girl sneaking out to try on her hoochie-coochie at a nightclub and he is the stern older brother sent to scold her and bring her back home.
Last edited by Mathman; 06-21-2013 at 04:33 AM.
Well, this is a bit off-topic, but I was looking at their Worlds SD protocol and I noticed that one judge gave them 4.75 for IN!! A mistake, I suppose...
I don't know if the Shibs' decline is due mostly to a) factors within their control or b) politics. 4.75 for IN?? That, to me, is politics.
Consider them relative to, say, I/K. The general consensus is that the Shibs have struggled to find appropriate programs the last two years, and have also had some technical glitches here and there. But I/K have had similar problems. And until Worlds this year, it didn't seem to affect I/K as much in the scores. That, to me, suggests politics at play. Maybe there is still a continuing backlash against their 2011 bronze?


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REALLY bad governor of New Jersey, one of our worse in recent years (trust me, I live here) who puts his gay lover in charge of state security and otherwise screws up the state.
Don't hat him because he is gay, hate him because he sucks!
লিখেছেন- Matt I 10 de সেপ্টেমবার de 2004
Trending Now
Can you define these popular missing words?
Top Definition
Former Governor of New Jersey
McGreevey:"My truth is that I'm a gay American."
The Truth: McGreevey gave his boy-toy a job that he was completely unqualified for.
The Truth: McGreevey gave his boy-toy a job that he was completely unqualified for.
লিখেছেন- Buddy Ackerman 18 de অগাস্ট de 2004
Synonym for homosexual. Derived from the former governer of NJ, the homosexual James McGreevey.
Take that mans penis out of your ass, don't be a McGreevey!
লিখেছেন- Lexicon Master 14 de অক্টোবার de 2004
A closeted bi or gay person who hides behind a straight marriage, but has gay encounters or gay lovers on the side. Usually gets caught and/or outed. Especially applies to people in the spotlight (politicians, movie stars, sports figures). Based on outed closeted NJ Governor Jim McGreevey.
You'd wouldn't believe how many conservative republicans are living the mcgreevey lifestyle.
লিখেছেন- TJ Kim 27 de সেপ্টেমবার de 2004
A car accident in which a car is struck forcefully in the rear by the front end of another car.
Damn dude i just got McGreeveyed on the way home!
Yeah i heard he got into a pretty bad McGreevey on Rt. 70.
Yeah i heard he got into a pretty bad McGreevey on Rt. 70.
লিখেছেন- ahhduhh 6 de ডিসেম্বার de 2004
An anonymous homosexual encounter in a rest stop on the New Jersey turnpike.
He was busted in a McGreevey at the Molly Pitcher rest stop.
লিখেছেন- adam294 27 de জুন de 2007
To do something extremely gay, referring to New Jersey's former governor, James McGreevey.
Anthony: I can't swallow today.
Me: Wow, you just pulled a McGreevey
Me: Wow, you just pulled a McGreevey
লিখেছেন- DehDehDeh 6 de মে de 2006


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Today's technology in agriculture — GPS that allow tractors to drive themselves with exact precision, and computers that collect worlds of data for a range of reasons — is a blessing, farmers and ranchers will often tell you.
But like many blessings, it comes with its potential curses.
Producers, ag experts and other officials stress that the information collected by this new technology — data regarding production yields, and farmers' inputs of seed, water and chemicals, among other things — is viewed as extremely valuable to the large agribusinesses that sell those products to the farmers and ranchers.
In a nutshell, farmers and ranchers want to have a say in how their information is used.
Many questions have been raised, and ag organizations, producers and others are preparing for the debates that lay ahead.
It's already to the point that, on Tuesday, Brian Marshall, a Missouri farmer, testified on behalf of the American Farm Bureau Federation to the House Small Business Committee in Washington.
"There's just a lot of questions out there ... and I'm sure there are a lot of other questions that no one's even thought of yet," said Carl Sousek, a Prague, Neb., farmer of corn, soybeans and alfalfa, who also raises cattle, and serves as the chairman of Nebraska Corn Growers Association's executive board, and is a committee member with the National Corn Growers Association. "It's certainly on our radar. There's a lot of discussions that need to be had."
Among the questions out there:
Should companies have access to such information — compiled on the fields and tractors that are the private property of the farmer or rancher — if the farmer or rancher doesn't want to share it?
And how is that regulated?
If the farmer or rancher is willing to share the information, should the companies using that information compensate the farmers and ranchers providing it?
And how should they be compensated?
Are companies already using such information to their advantage without the knowledge or consent of the farmer or rancher?
These are the questions Mace Thornton, director of communications for the American Farm Bureau Federation, was asking rhetorically during an interview this past week.
They're the same questions that many farmers, like Dave Eckhardt near LaSalle, Colo., also are asking.
"There's just a lot there that we don't know," said Eckhardt, the recently elected president of the Colorado Corn Growers Association. "I'm sure conversations will only continue to grow."
While testifying in Washington Tuesday, Marshall stressed that farmers are right to be concerned about data privacy, in part because the information collected is valuable to companies.
"For years, farmers have used technology advances to better match varieties of seeds, production inputs and management practices with specific field characteristics," Marshall said before the committee. "While farmers have been experimenting for well over a decade, only now is the industry starting to consider all the uses of this transformative technology."
Also of concern, he said, are the risks to privacy that farmers could face related to the release of information about pesticide use or biotech crops.
In addition, "Farmers should have a say in and be compensated when their data is sold," Marshall stressed to the committee.
Another data privacy issue of concern to the Farm Bureau centers around the use of unmanned aircraft systems, better known as drones, for commercial purposes in agriculture and forestry.
Marshall, in his presentation to the House committee, and Thornton, in is his interview, said operators of drones should be required to gain the consent of the landowner or farmer if surveying or gathering data about the landowner's property below navigable airspace.
Further, the Farm Bureau opposes federal agencies using drones for regulatory enforcement, litigation, and as a sole source for natural resource inventories without the consent of the landowner below navigable airspace.
Thornton explained this week that the American Farm Bureau Federation has spent recent months talking with farmers and ranchers about these "big data" concerns, and now wants to bring big agribusiness to the table.
John Deere and Monsanto have been particularly willing to enter the conversation, he said.
"Right now, it's all early in the conversation," he said, adding that no lawmakers in Washington have introduced any legislation concerning the use of farmers and rancher data. "But there's still a long way to go."
Eckhardt agreed.
"Who knows what we don't know?" Eckhardt said. "But it's best we find out, and figure it all out, before it's out of our hands." ❖


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LEWISTOWN - Isabella Mannino is an extremely ambitious young lady.
She is 10 years old and is currently in 5th grade. She is known to many simply as, "Izzy."
Her father, Vince Mannino, describes her as "one of those kids that just does things." She plays saxophone, soccer, sings in the school chorus, is a member of a ski club, and is a ballet and contemporary dancer. She manages to do all these things and keep a steady stream of As and Bs on each of her report cards.
Article Photos
Photo submitted by VINCE MANNINO
Isabella Mannino, 10, bakes and sells cookies to benefit various charities. Her latest project is an attempt to raise $2,000 to purchase equipment for the Cardiac Rehab Center at Lewistown Hospital.
Photo submitted by VINCE?MANNINO
Isabella Mannino prepares a fresh batch of cookies that she plans to sell and donate the proceeds to charity.
In addition to all of her other extracurricular activities, she thoroughly enjoys baking. She has even discovered a way to monetize her homemade cookies. And it's what she does with the money from her sales that separates her from the average 10-year-old.
A few years ago, Isabella was watching Sandra Lee on the Food Network and was inspired by what she was witnessing. Sandra Lee was urging viewers to organize bake sales to donate to their local schools or other chaitable events in their neighborhood. Shortly before tuning in that day, Isabella had learned about National Breast Cancer Month and it was fresh in her mind. She decided to harmonize those ideas.
Izzy decided that she was going to bake cookies and donate the proceeds to charity. Originally, she chose the name "Izzy's Cookies for Cancer," but opted to change the name last year to "Izzy's Cookies for Caring" to include other organizations and places in need of help like animal shelters and the like.
"At first, I sat at a stand in my front yard but nobody stopped by so I started to walk around the block in my neighborhood going door to door," says Isabella.
Initially, the project did not start out as well as she hoped. Izzy says that her first sale only amounted to $7. But shortly after, she had amassed $127 and she donated it the Lewistown Hospital's Cancer Center.
Recently, she spoke at Rotary Club of Lewistown meeting about Cookies for Caring and distributed cookies to the members afterward. In turn, she generated $130 in sales that she presented to Phyllis Mitchell, Rotarian, and public relations director for Lewistown Hospital.
Izzy's Cookies for Caring has a Facebook page where orders can be placed by messaging her. She usually sells cookies for 25 cents each but says "people have given me as much as $20 for a single cookie." She also adds that she tells those people that they don't need to offer so much, but they often insist. At the moment she says she has about 10 dozen orders to prepare for several local businesses.
Isabella is curently taking on a project to raise money for a piece of medical equipment for the Cardiac Rehab Center that costs more than $2,000. It's an ambitious project, but Isabella is confident that she will be successful.
Isabella hopes that other people her age will follow her lead and become interested in taking the opportunity to give back to their community and help those in need.
In the future, Isabella plans to become a doctor. She says that when she has saved enough money, she plans to own her own restaurant, too.
Izzy's Cookies for Caring can be on the web at www.facebook.com/IzzysCookiesForCancer.


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JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Both Stetson men's and women's tennis matches at the Atlantic Sun Championships have been postponed until Saturday because of the rainy weather in Jacksonville, Friday morning.
The Hatter men's match with No. 1 seed ETSU started as scheduled at 9 a.m. and got through doubles play with the Bucs taking the first two to go up 1-0 in the team match, and that's when the rains came.
After a lengthy delay stretching into the early afternoon, it was decided by coaches and conference officials to resume both men's semifinals matches, Saturday morning Apr. 19th. No. 4 Stetson and ETSU will start at 9 a.m., with singles play, while No. 3 FGCU and No. 2 North Florida will begin at 11 a.m., looking to wrap-up doubles play.
The Stetson's women's match with No. 1 North Florida was set to begin at 12 p.m., Friday, but now will begin at 1 p.m., Saturday on the Ospreys' home courts. No. 4 SU and UNF will play at the same time No. 2 ETSU and No. 3 FGCU battle in semifinals action.
Both men's and women's title matches have been moved back a day, and now will take place, Sunday, Apr. 20th, with the men playing at 10 a.m., and the women at 1 p.m., at the UNF Tennis Complex.
Fans can follow @StetsonTennis on Twitter, as well as sign up for Hat-Alerts, the athletic department's official text messaging system for match and tournament updates.
Gohatters.com will have Stetson recaps and atlanticsun.org will provide comprehensive championship coverage with up to date brackets and records. Live stats are also available on the A-Sun women's tennis website as well.


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is known for its tendency to deny problems with its popular gadgets,
making life miserable for customers when such problems occur.
While Apple's iPhone
4 antenna issues are currently stealing the show, there's
perhaps no better example overall than Apple's spotty
track record on security.Security research firm
Secunia just released a list of vulnerabilities and Apple for the
first has come out on top as the most vulnerable. Secunia
warns, "[The] graph is not an indication of the individual
vendors' security, as it is not possible to compare the vendors
based on number of vulnerabilities alone."Apple's
supporters were quick to attack the report. AppleInsider writes:
all vulnerabilities are equal: Secunia outlines five levels of
criticality ranging from minor "not critical" issues to
"extremely critical" problems that can result in remote
exploits without any interaction from the user, and for which active
exploits are already known to exist. Yet Secunia's vulnerability
report totals throw all these various types of flaws together into
sums that are frequently used for meaningless comparison purposes.
ironic that almost simultaneous to the report another significant
security flaw in Safari aired. Safari -- Apple's browser
software -- has oft seen releases so
buggy to the point that they were unusable. Safari 5
certainly offered some improvements in that department, but it
apparently doesn't fair particularly better in the security
department than past
releases, including Safari 4 which had a flaw so
severe it prompted a Department Homeland Security warning.While
the latest
Safari bug isn't as bad an exploit as some go, considering it's
not a route to installing malware, it can result in the theft of your
personal info. It all starts with one of Apple's features in
Safari -- autofill. Different from the standard browser's
autofill, which remembers users names and passwords for certain
sites, Safari has an even more ambitious autofill which maintains
info about a user in their address book card and offers up these
details when needed.Unfortunately, Apple didn't appear to
realize that it was necessary to screen what it allows to access this
data. Security researchers revealed that a simple web form can
grab much of this data -- first name, last name, work place, city,
state, and email address -- no questions asked.Such info
could be used in phishing schemes. It could also be used in
blackmail schemes if the users were visiting naughty websites.
Ultimately, it represents a gross threat to privacy that easily
surpasses Apple's recent loss
of iPad buyers' email addresses (a problem that was largely
carrier AT&T's fault). Apple was informed of the problem on
June 17, 2010, but since has done nothing.The flaw was
discovered by Jeremiah Grossman, founder of WhiteHat
Security.Security problems are hardly something new for Apple
though. The iPhone has increasingly been attacked.
One security researcher suggested its security was so poor that it
was "useless"
to businesses. Apple has made some improvements with each
release of its iPhone OS, but they didn't stop malicious
worms from cropping up in the iPhone 3GS generation.On
the computer side, Apple also has had numerous past issues.
Its weak
memory protections in its past two operating systems -- Tiger and
Snow Leopard -- have spawned a number of successful
attacks. Worse yet Apple's latest OS -- Snow Leopard --
shipped with an outdated vulnerable
version of Adobe Flash.Apple has made some gains -- its
new OS does come with mild antivirus protections (though
Apple quietly
recommends users purchase dedicated AV software). And the
OS does offer working DEP (data execution prevention), though it
ships with a virtually broken address space layout
randomization (ASLR) implementation (which rival Microsoft's Windows 7 flawlessly implements).Ultimately, though
what is really killing Apple is its slow patch time. Apple's
"there is no problem" mentality has made it the slowest
company at patching, according to recent surveys. It took
it a year to finally last year (June) patch a major
Java hole. Unfortunately, such performance is more the rule
than the exception to it.
quote: In the real world Windows user are attacked in their hundreds of thousands by real and actual exploits. So many real Windows attacks that it's not news anymore.
quote: Here is a news story based on fact - there are no viruses attacking Macs - none.
quote: In reality using a Mac is much safer than using a Windows PC and many millions of people know that, hence the steady rise in Mac sales. Windows will be forever tarnished as unsafe because it was so hugely unsafe for so long at the peak of its popularity.
quote: Most of the consuming public are like the hypothetical mum above. They want to get tech gadgets out of the box, including computers, and expect to be able to just turn them and use them safely. And why shouldn't they expect that?
quote: In reality using a Mac is much safer than using a Windows PC and many millions of people know that, hence the steady rise in Mac sales.
quote: This means that many millions of people (and businesses) have had real and actual experience of being attacked and compromised whilst using a Windows PC whilst almost no one has had a similar actual experience using a Mac.
quote: Anyone advising her to use a Windows machine like that would be asking for trouble but you can do that with Macs safely - I have seen many people do just that and nothing bad has ever happened to them
quote: I think consumers got tremendously tired of tech kit that didn't work, or was really complex to use, or needed tweaking and constant vigilance and care. Apple, after the return of Jobs, deeply recognised this and tried to make kit that came closest to being the sort or kit people wanted.
quote: next quarter Mac sales will be up again and Apple will probably have higher revenues than Microsoft.
quote: I'm sorry, but you make it sound as though setting up any machine except for a Mac is as complicated as configuring some mid-90's Linux distro. If you're referring to Windows in a similar context, you couldn't possibly be further from the truth. When was the last time you actually used Windows?
quote: The truth of the matter is this: if you had to give your completely non-techie mum a PC and you knew that she was going to just get it out of the box, turn it on and in its fresh from factory state connect it to the internet 24 hours a day what platform would you advise her to get?
quote: They also added the Apple store which was a stroke of genius because, once fully established, the Apple store made buying tech kit or getting tech advice from Apple an order or magnitude easier and more pleasurable than doing it with any other computer supplier.
quote: They want to get tech gadgets out of the box, including computers, and expect to be able to just turn them and use them safely. And why shouldn't they expect that?
quote: next quarter Mac sales will be up again and Apple will probably have higher revenues than Microsoft.
quote: Lose the arguement (which happens 100% of the time),
quote: Hey, fucking moron! It's not 1998 anymore! Jesus, have you even USED Windows lately??