text: Home Healthy Eating Heart-Healthy Foods Email Heart-Healthy Foods Include foods like salmon, spinach, chickpeas, sardines and wine in your diet to keep your heart healthy and strong. Categories: Healthy, Heart Healthy Thumbnails of Previous Next http://foodnetwork.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/food/fullset/2011/12/2/3/FN-HG_chickpeas-heart-healthy_s4x3.jpg.rend.snigalleryslide.jpeg Chickpeas Any bean is a welcome addition to a heart-healthy diet. Black, kidney, lima, navy, pinto and garbanzo (aka chickpea) beans are all high in cholesterol-lowering fiber. Chickpeas are also packed with vitamin B-6, which helps lower homocysteine. High levels of homocysteine mean a higher risk of heart disease. Learn more about the benefits of beans. http://foodnetwork.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/food/fullset/2011/12/2/0/FN-HG_sardines-heart-healthy_s4x3.jpg.rend.snigalleryslide.jpeg Sardines This underappreciated fish packs a heart-healthy punch. Sardines contain heart-healthy omega-3s like other fatty fish, but sardines with soft bones give you the added bonus of calcium and vitamin D. Both work together to help reduce the risk of heart disease (along with strengthening your bones). http://foodnetwork.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/food/fullset/2011/12/2/0/FN-HG_spinach-heart-healthy_s4x3.jpg.rend.snigalleryslide.jpeg Leafy Greens A diet high in magnesium may help lower blood pressure, triglycerides and increase the healthy HDL cholesterol. Foods packed with magnesium include leafy greens like spinach and Swiss chard, as well as sweet potatoes, quinoa and cashews. http://foodnetwork.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/food/fullset/2011/12/2/0/FN-HG_wine-heart-healthy_s4x3.jpg.rend.snigalleryslide.jpeg Wine Whether you prefer red or white, studies conclude that a modest amount of alcohol of any kind can help decrease the risk of coronary heart disease. The Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommend up to one drink per day for women and two drinks per day for men. One drink is considered 12 fluid ounce of beer, 5 fluid ounces of wine and 1.5 fluid ounces of 80-proof distilled spirits (like vodka or rum). http://foodnetwork.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/food/fullset/2011/11/17/0/FN-SR_milk-destress_s4x3.jpg.rend.snigalleryslide.jpeg Milk Studies show that foods high in calcium and vitamin D can help reduce the risk of heart disease by up to 15 percent. Studies also show that most folks don't get enough milk each day. Add milk to smoothies, cereal and coffee, or drink a tall glass with meals and snacks. http://foodnetwork.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/food/fullset/2011/11/17/0/FN-SR_salmon-destress_s4x3.jpg.rend.snigalleryslide.jpeg Salmon Fatty fish like salmon and tuna are packed with omega-3 fats, which help lower triglycerides (fat in your blood) and total cholesterol. Salmon also contains vitamin B-12, which is shown to help lower the risk of coronary heart disease. http://foodnetwork.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/food/fullset/2011/10/11/0/HE_almonds-02_s4x3.jpg.rend.snigalleryslide.jpeg Almonds Adding almonds to your diet has been shown to help reduce the lousy LDL and total cholesterol. Almonds can also help lower C-reactive protein, another risk factor for heart disease. http://foodnetwork.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/food/fullset/2011/12/9/0/FN_heart-healthy-oatmeal_s4x3.jpg.rend.snigalleryslide.jpeg Oats Oats have soluble fiber, which helps reduce cholesterol. Although rolled oats may be your first choice, don't count out other forms of oats like oat bran, oat flour and steel cut oats. http://foodnetwork.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/food/fullset/2011/8/10/0/Thanksgiving-2011_DA0406-hummus-dip_s4x3.jpg.rend.snigalleryslide.jpeg Coming up Heart-Healthy Recipes These delicious, healthy recipes from Food Network have tons of flavor and are low in saturated fat. Advertisement Continue to Next Photo


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Seeing Differently or 31 Days in October9/30/2009 10:45:00 pm
It seems I've been talking about flickr a lot lately. Mostly in the course of discussing pedagogy and Brain Rule #10 in the context of my flickr assignment. One of the points I often bring up is the experiment I did with myself, inspired by folks who, like D'Arcy, are taking a photo a day. Every day. All year.
I just don't have that kind of stamina. I've twice in the past managed to sustain it for about a month; 31 Days. Every time the experience has changed the way I see the world around me. I notice things I've missed even though I walk past them every day; like that little tree ... I never noticed it until I started taking a picture a day for the 31 days of March, 2008.
This is what happened in October of last year when I did this again with a larger group of teachers from around the world:
Anyway, I'm starting this up again and you're invited along for the ride. I've already heard from a couple of Manitoba educators who are interested in doing this and some folks from MICDS in St. Louis might join in the fun too; they might even have a few students join us ... I really like that idea.
I'm going to tag all my photos 31DaysOct09. Feel free to use the same tag. Tagging all your photos allows you to create nifty little slideshows of them like the one I have above. Even if you use the same tag as me you can pull out just your photos if you want to create your own slideshow.
If you'd like to join, with or without your students, you can sign up for the flickr group I started. We're starting tomorrow, October 1st. If you start late, that's OK too. There are no rules. We're just going to have fun ... and maybe start seeing things differently together.

subset: commoncrawl


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Tagged: Junior Lake Monster Home Run
Highlights from Cubs Loss Today (Almora, Lake) (VIDEO)
The Cubs ninth inning today was, well, not worth talking about. However, there were some good things that happened today, see below!
Albert Almora makes a great catch (just a bruised knee, he's okay)
Junior Lake displays some huge power
Zeke DeVoss with an RBI single


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Skip to comments.Certification of Microstamping Technology (No Pistols for Sale in CA)
Posted on 05/17/2013 6:58:34 PM PDT by ConservativeInPA
It appears microstamping is now the law in CA. (effective immediately) Read at the link. Seems like a typical Friday document dump from the fascists.
The purpose of this bulletin is to inform California licensed firearms dealers, California Department of Justice certified laboratories, firearm manufacturers with firearms listed on the Roster of Handguns Certified for Sale in California, and all other interested persons/entities of the Department of Justices certification on May 17, 2013 pursuant to Penal Code section 31910, subdivision (b)(7)(A) that the microstamping technology is available to more than one manufacturer unencumbered by any patent restrictions.
In 2007, Assembly Bill 1471 was passed and signed into law, requiring all semiautomatic pistols to be equipped with microstamping technologya microscopic array of characters that identify the make, model, and serial number of the pistol, etched or otherwise imprinted in two or more places on the interior surface or internal working parts of the pistol, and that are transferred by imprinting on each cartridge case when the firearm is fired. (Pen. Code, § 31910, subd. (b)(7)(A).) The legislation further provided that this requirement becomes effective when the Department of Justice certifies that the technology used to create the [microstamp] imprint is available to more than one manufacturer unencumbered by any patent restrictions. (Ibid.)
(Excerpt) Read more at oag.ca.gov ...
Watch Ny, Ct, Nj, Md, and Co fall in line.
This law is hideously stupid. The microstamping can be filed down. A firing pin can be replaced. Or you can simply shoot cases into a bag. Liberals are so effing stupid. By way, I have an extra Beretta 92fs firing pin for sale ($449). Just kidding.
"By way, I have an extra Beretta 92fs firing pin for sale ($449)"
Sell it on Amazon LOL
I haven't missed the beaches in several years.
Or buy a revolver...
Read that as no new tech for Ca gun owners. Existing guns are grandfathered. It will be interesting to see how updates to existing pistols will be effected.
CA ComDem Insanity!
So, who exactly has this miraculous, fool proof, patent-free technology?
I'm a little fuzzy on the patent part. I thought CalGuns owned the patent and wasn't sharing. Maybe there is a new patent of different design, and/or Obama's people in the Patent Office are not protecting IP.
This is BS! "If we don't hang together, we will hang separately".
And to think, back in 1982 the voters of California turned down Proposition 15 which would have banned handguns in California.
Since that day the anti gunners have been working overtime trying to find ways around the will of the people.
Can't ban handguns? limit magazine capacities, Ban certain frame metals. ban lead bullets. ban certain style features. Force new "drop tests" on them.
Now, require microstamping of all handguns! make it illegal to have a non microstamped firearm. Nibble, nibble nibble.
It never ends.
Frig-Um, If I was a Hand-Gun Manufacturer I'd pull out of this market and any other that enacts this encroaching insanity.
Gun manufacturers are already paying a yearly extortion fee to CA to be on the gun roster, aka, Safe Gun List. What an effing oxymoron.
>> "Or buy a revolver..." <<
Or just put a dab of clear laquer on the base of the cartridge.
Anyone wishing to do something nefarious could do any number of things, thus the statute is feckless toward its stated purpose.
Criminals break laws without compunction daily.
I doubt that there ever will be a "straw that broke the camels back" in Californicate before universal government mandated involuntary servitude is implemented there.
The power to "register," as we are seeing currently with "the power to tax," is the power to destroy.
Do revolvers have to have microstamping too?
And they thought the San Andreas was a major fault line...
Microstamp THIS bitches!
My understanding is that the law in CA does not require microstamping on revolvers; only semi-automatic pistols. I haven't seen anything about semi-auto rifles, but I don't think CA hasn't seen a real modern rifle in years, at least those that have standard capacity magazines (30 rounds).
Of course, they don't say how much new manufacturing equipment will cost for the privilege of doing business in CA. But I see a market for some entrepreneur to make microstamped firing pins with custom witty sayings on them, just like AR15 dust covers. :)
I wonder how much money, time, and paperwork has been spent on all those fired cases that must be sent to the police in those states that demand that? If they had even one "blind squirrel" success with that, they'd have touted it for weeks, and started a campaign for "voluntary" submission of empties from all guns.
That is your choice, which I respect. My family (wife and daughters) and I own quite a few. They are fun to shoot and they are also excellent for self defense. They are not as easy to master as revolvers, but we shoot often. Reload time of a semi cannot be matched by a revolver. That is the major difference in self defense situations.
Do the idiots who came up with the law expect gang bangers to buy a pistol with microstamping registered to them and then use it in a crime?
"Do the idiots who came up with the law expect gang bangers to buy a pistol with microstamping registered to them and then use it in a crime?"
You betcha! In their gang colors too.
Of course not. This is not about such things. It is about making the citizens more vulnerable and thus more dependent upon the almighty government nanny.
If you are planning on committing a crime with it, you won't buy a gun through normal chances.
Yes. That occurs at the first stop as they illegally cross the border.
Speed loaders are pretty quick.
Don't bet your life on that revolver reload time...
Yep, you just need to practice.
Okay Kamilla. Feel free to tell us specifically what patent free technology you are talking about and demanding .
As it is you are being very vague about it and I don't think it will stand a challenge gun.
Be interesting to see someone test how the stamping works if say a coat of shellac was put over the primers.
There appears to be some possible scam going on, as, the state of calif appears to have deemed that there are now two methods of microstamping available for use, thus, the microstamping law may now come into force. In the letter authorizing this, the state DOES NOT PROVIDE SOURCES FOR WHAT THESE MICROSTAMPING METHODS OR TECHNOLOGIES ARE.
as far as I know, no new microstamping technology has been introduced, and the deeming by the state seems to be just like what the government did with deeming obamacare passed.
in addition: FOR MICROSTAMPING TO BE EFFECTIVE, THE FIREARM, AND THE MICROSTAMPED SERIAL NUMBER, MUST BE REGISTARED TO THE OWNER - basically mandatory registration.
Therefore - it would be to everyone's best interest, to push firearms manufactures to NOT PRODUCE MICROSTAMPED FIREARMS and drop the california market.
Why?...... because, once california gets away with microstamping and firearms registration, it will go nationwide....
think about it....
"Reload time of a semi cannot be matched by a revolver."
Just cuz you can't do it....
That's the point. This is a multi-step process.
1. Create the illusion that the gun itself is dangerous.
2. Pressure honest people into freely giving up their guns
3. Pass laws making guns harder to get legally.
4. Ignore address the criminal with a gun issue.
5. Regardless of the real facts, always sensationalize gun violence to make it look worse than it actually is.
6. Convince the people that the government needs to do something about the violence.
7. Work to totally restrict all law abiding citizens of owning the means to protect themselves thus making the government able to enact whatever law they wish at the people's blessing just in hope it makes them safer.
This goes one daily in many places.
Since you want to get personal, I'd like to see you reload 15 rounds in your 6 round wheel as fast I can in my pistol. By the way, I have nothing against revolvers, I own a few.
When I went to work for the Sheriffs department in 74 I carried a S&W Model 19. When I recieved my gold badge my brother who worked for the US Marshalls gave me a Colt Python and I carried it for a few years. I got pretty quick with the speed loaders. That old Python rides the ranch with me daily and I'll bet I can still reload it pretty fast.
Lord knows I love my revolvers but it's not about how fast you can reload any more, it's more about not having to. The last duty weapon I carried before I quit the SO and went into the oil business was a Browning Hi-Power. I was pretty fast with the revolvers but I would still have to reload twice to keep up with the Hi-Power. Having to stop and reload puts one in a very dangerous position.
In NY, the advantage of a high capacity, semi-auto pistol over a revolver has narrowed considerably now that we are limited to seven rounds in the magazine and one in the chamber. My every day carry weapon is a Ruger SP101 2.25" revolver with .357 in the wheel. Thanks to lots of practice, I can reload the revolver using a speedloader almost as fast as I can can switch out the magazine of my Springfield XD9 — without the risk of error. Indeed, for most civilian defensive situations, the error-free simplicity and knockdown power of a revolver makes up for the slightly slower reload time.
What do I mean by "error-free simplicity?" The unfamilier stress of a sudden life or death defensive encounter will increase the error rate and mistake factor no matter how perfectly we can switch magazines and resume fire when practicing at the range. With a semi-auto pistol, the magazine needs to be properly aligned for insertion into the grip with the head of the cartridge facing forward; the magazine needs to be fully inserted until it snaps into place; all safety devices (i.e., trigger, grip) need to be properly disengaged; a proper grip is essential to prevent stove pipes and other "FTE" jams; and each cartridge needs to be perfect so that the spent shell is properly ejected and the next cartridge is properly chambered. A revolver, in contrast, will go bang every time the trigger is pulled and the hammer falls on a live round. There are no safety devices to get in the way; stove pipes and other FTE jams due to limp-wristng are never an issue; and a defective cartridge is easily by-passed by pulling the trigger again.
I started with autos and now like revolvers.
I have had too many jams with with Semis and am switching over to revolvers in the near future. Just too much trouble and the maintenance is troublesome.
Although some reviewers have indicated that the SP 101 snubbie is on the large end for concealed carry, I think that really depends upon the person. I'm 6'2"/210 lb. and conceal the SP 101 in the front pocket of my cargo shorts, chino pants, and suit pants using an Uncle Mike's pocket holster with the shirttails out or a sweater or sport/suit jacket for added cover. I also carry the SP 101 on the belt and IWB using a Simply Rugged Silver Dollar Pancake Holster.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.


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You may have caught some of the strong discussion that followed Kate Sheehan's post on Drupal from earlier this week. Karen Schneider also discussed the post here.
It's interesting to note that despite the fact that there wasn't much about Drupal in most people's 2009 predictions, there has been a lot of discussion about drupal in the blogosphere as 2008 turned into 2009.
Read More »
A very cool animated video that takes you through some of the key developments in Internet history. (Hat tip to the Lone Wolf Librarian)
History of the Internet from PICOL on Vimeo.
Jenny Levine posted this over at Shifted yesterday. Definitely one of the best and most far-flung social networking metaphors that I've heard.
It seems like 2008 was a hectic year for everyone, librarians included. After going through the most media-saturated election in history and a late-year financial collapse, I think we were all ready for 2009 to get here.
We begin the new year in tough times--there's no question about that. The economic challenges we face are a genuine threat to our ability to do, or in some cases keep our jobs. Funding is falling short across the board. Libraries are closing or cutting back hours. Librarians are struggling to fund adequate technology for their patrons while demand for services going up.
But with all that's happening, its encouraging and heartening to know that people in our profession are pushing forward, as determined as ever to blaze new trails despite whatever temporary obstacles may be present. Read More »
I came across this post earlier today at one of my favorite blogs, the effing librarian. HotStuff 2.0 is yet another awesome pathway in and out of the blogosphere, but this one is designed specifically for librarians, information enthusiasts and blibliobloggers.
Users interested in finding active or popular blogs on specific topics can use the search feature, which will list the most recent blog posts (by blogs registered on the site) using that word. Bloggers and people interested in usage statistics can use HotStuff as one measurment for a given site's popularity. Read More »
Library Stuff posted this article from The Morning News in Northwest Arkansas.
The Fayetteville Public Library received $250,000 in 2008 in corporate and foundation contributions from the Fayetteville Public Library Foundation, said Cathy Rew, director of administrative services at the library. In 2009 the library will receive $142,000 in corporate and foundation money. Read More »
LibraryStuff posted this article last week discussing how information overload is detrimental--apparently really, really detrimental--to productivity in American workplaces. With an estimated cost of 900 billion dollars annually, you might want to try this information overload calculator to reduce stress on your library.
you might want to try thisinformation overload calculator
to reduce stress on your library.
We're wrapping up our 2008 here at ALA, and as we head into the Holiday, I wanted to take this opportunity to thank all of our readers for helping to make this a great year for ALA TechSource. It's been a privilege to come on board as your editor and to be able to spend time discussing exciting new developments with you. I'm looking forward to an even better 2009!
As we take our Holiday break, we won't be posting much over the next two weeks, but we we will be back at full speed in early January.
Best wishes from all of us at TechSource. Have a great Holiday!
This article from the Chronicle of Higher Education discusses Utica College's new Sensitive Compartmented Information Facility (SCIF), which eventually will serve as a facility for government agences to store and examine extremely sensitive documents in a secure environment.
There's been some discussion on the web about whether or not employers should be discriminating against gamers, given some claims that people who use their computers to play games will inevitably do so at the office and thus be less productive employees.
A vigorous discussion on has broken out here.
Is this a vicious stereotype? Is there some truth to it? It seems like there's a lot of mixed messages about gaming going on in our society. I can't say I'm shocked by this, but I'm also saddened given how much librarians have tried to advocate the idea that gaming is a useful educational tool that can be used to help children learn and gain valuable problem-solving skills. Read More »
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Gay marriage media bias?
To the editor:
Has The Journal now joined the left wing media bias in support of gay marriage? Over a week has passed since the upper front page article on a couple's lawsuit against CA's Proposition 8. I'm waiting for The Journal to afford equal top front page space from a traditional married couple of one man and one woman who voted for Proposition 8. Or go to anyone else from the 41 states that affirm that marriage is between a man and a woman or go to any of the 30 states that have protected our society with state constitutional amendments confirming the God-ordained definition of marriage.
No amount of lawsuits can change the fact that society needs children and children need a mom and a dad. As the young girl so eloquently asked the legislators, "Who can I live without, my mom or my dad?" Without traditional marriage, we would be one generation away from no more children being born. You can't redefine marriage just like you can't redefine the composition of water.
Gay activists like to use the idea of choice in marrying someone of the same sex. Yes, it is your choice to sin against God's 6th commandment. People have a choice to steal also (7′ corn.). Does that make the choice of stealing OK? People have a choice to kill and commit murder (5th corn.), whether through abortion or violence. Does that make the choice of killing OK?
What is the next step in the gay marriage definition of marriage? Can two men and a woman get married? How about one man and three women? Or maybe a man and his dog or cat that he loves so much? Where will it stop?
Maybe The Journal could find a married couple (1 man & 1 woman) someplace who would be willing to comment on how legalizing gay marriage is harmful to society in general and submit it for front page publication. Here are ten examples of harmful effects that would occur immediately or over time with a legalization of gay marriage. 1) Taxpayers, consumers, and businesses would be forced to subsidize homosexual relationships. 2) Schools would teach that homosexual relationships are identical to heterosexual ones. 3) Freedom of conscience and religious liberty would be threatened. 4) Fewer people would marry. 5) Fewer people would remain monogamous and sexually faithful. 6) Fewer people would remain married for a lifetime. A Dutch study found that the average male homosexual partnership lasted only 1.5 years. 7) Fewer children would be raised by a married mother and father. 8) More children would grow up fatherless. 9) Birth rates would fall. 10) Demands for legalization of polygamy would grow.
More details at www.frc.org.
Myron Fluegge
New Ulm


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Joy's Jaunt: See a $10,000 bill, find out how the banking system works (or doesn't) at the Dallas Fed
Who knew that there was so much fun to be had with money that didn't have to do with spending it? Back in July, I wrote about the fascinating tour you can take at the U.S. Bureau of Engraving and Printing plant in Fort Worth. That tour's about how paper money gets made. Last week, I finished the currency cycle, with a visit to the new, permanent "Economy in Action" exhibit that opened in mid-September at the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas.
Although the Dallas Fed previously has offered limited tours to school classes and other groups, because of this exhibit, the general public can now go inside the Fed (and take pictures — as long as you're not paying particular attention to stuff like security measures; that's considered a major no-no). The group tours have seen about 3,000 people annually up to now; Fed officials expect that number to grow with the public exhibit.
If the Engraving and Printing tour was all about getting money made, the Fed tour is all about circulation — putting those greenbacks into our eager hands, and thus into the economy.
In a strategic mix of private and public control of central banking, the local Fed is one of 12 private Federal Reserve Banks nationwide. They work with the government's Federal Reserve Board of Governors to set interest rates and make other decisions affecting the economy. The Federal Reserve System went into effect in 1913, after a series of depressions and panics caused by the country's previously chaotic banking practices.
You can tell where your paper money first entered circulation by looking at the letters on the bill. A "K11" — the "K" corresponds to the 11th letter of the alphabet — for instance, is from Dallas. A "G7" means your cash is from the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago, the seventh district.
"The Economy in Action," which starts in the lobby and continues through a dedicated more-than-9,000-square-foot first-floor exhibit space, showcases the Fed's history and purpose, how money enters and stays in circulation (or doesn't), and how the Fed affects the regional and national economies — and vice versa.
At the entrance to the exhibit, a 12-foot-diameter aluminum globe slowly rotates, high above panels spotlighting the economy in the 11th District, which includes Texas, northern Louisiana and southern New Mexico. The globe is strikingly gorgeous when lighted at night; you can see it from Woodall Rogers Freeway and along Pearl Street.
As you go through the exhibit, you'll also find fascinating historical tidbits and artifacts, including a $50 bill issued by the Continental Congress in 1778 and a $10,000 bill from 1934 (the highest denomination now in circulation is $100), interactive displays and quizzes that'll challenge teens and adults, and a ghostly bank teller who recounts the wild days of "free banking," when just about anyone could print currency.
You can hear a re-creation of the late-18th-century debates between U.S. Treasury Secretary Alexander Hamilton and Secretary of State Thomas Jefferson about central banking (Hamilton was for it, Jefferson against). As a fellow visitor pointed out, Hamilton sounds an awful lot like Sean Connery. Farther along, you'll see a tribute to Dallas Morning News founder George Bannerman Dealey, who was instrumental in bringing the Fed to the city.
In the most riveting section — trust me on this; I'm not that into economics, but I was completely absorbed — you'll see how interest rates set by the Fed affect the economy, what inflation has done to the prices of everything from footballs to gas since the 1950s, and how the Fed has responded to national crises such as 9/11 and Hurricane Katrina.
You can test your knowledge of the Fed, navigate a tilting, tabletop maze where you attempt to keep the banking system stable (not easy!) and check your skills at distinguishing counterfeit currency from the real thing.
You don't get to go into the Dallas Fed's five-story vault, of course, but there is a nine-screen video wall that follows two $20 bills through the super-secret facility. If you're sof thearted like me, you might get a tad anxious awaiting the fate of "Old Bill," the weathered, scruffy note who guides youngster "Billy," still crisp and unfaded, through the hallowed corridors. Will Old Billy be deemed unfit for circulation and … gasp … shredded?
I won't give away the ending, but the Dallas Fed shreds about $20 million in currency every day.
2200 N. Pearl St., Dallas. Hours are Tuesdays through Fridays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Free. Recommended for sixth-graders through adults. Travel light; you'll be going through a metal detector. Cameras are allowed. There's no parking on-site, but visitors can take public transportation or park in hotel, street or other parking nearby (regular fees apply). 214-922-5276. economy-in-action.org.
You can see my previous story on the tour at the Bureau of Engraving and Printing here.
Follow Joy Tipping on Twitter at @joytipping.


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Waste dropoff season begins
FAIRMONT – Starting today, folks can drop off their solid waste in a safe and legal way.
"Summer is the time to do this; we're not open in the winter," said Billeye Rabbe, solid waste coordinator for Faribault and Martin counties. "It's an important aspect of keeping a household clean and in order."
The solid waste collection events include household hazardous waste every Wednesday through September, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Prairieland in Truman. The collection is free.
Items can include, but aren't limited to, aerosol cans that aren't empty, aluminum cleaners, ammonia-based cleaners, household insect spray, degreasers, floor care products, furniture polish, metal polish with solvent, oven cleaner, paint (latex or oil) and window cleaner.
"If it says 'danger,' 'poison,' 'caution,' or 'warning,' you can't dispose of it in the trash," Rabbe said.
If the product is released from the container, which could happen in a packer or garbage truck, it can be dangerous, "so they have to be handled differently," Rabbe said. "They're worried about it getting into land or groundwater. That's why it needs to be taken out of the garbage stream."
Sometimes, whether something is deemed hazardous is determined by how much of a product remains in a container, or if it's solid or liquid. For instance, an empty aerosol can should be placed in the regular garbage.
"If it's liquid paint, then it needs to come to the HHW collection," Rabbe said.
Rabbe noted that the solid waste office will still take ag chemicals from farmers at no cost.
"We're supplemented by the Minnesota Department of Agriculture," she said.
Rabbe says she hears some questions frequently. One involves the number of items someone can bring. Those with many items probably should give Rabbe a call beforehand.
"We're pretty busy on Wednesdays, so we might want to make special arrangements for another day," she said.
Another thing people want to know is whether they should pour similar products, like paint, into one container?
"Absolutely not," Rabbe emphasized.
The people who handle the products need to see each label. Just because it is all paint doesn't mean it can all be treated the same.
The household hazardous waste collections aren't the only ones; sanitation companies will accept appliances, electronics, furniture and garbage during business hours. Call them for details.
Rabbe also will host specific days in most communities in the two counties, beginning with a collection for Delavan on Tuesday.
"The first big day is May 11 in Kiester," she said.
Elmore's is May 16. For a complete list, contact Rabbe at (507) 238-3115 or (888) 783-3110.
She also mentioned that Blue Earth Chamber of Commerce is organizing a citywide cleanup from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday at the Faribault County Fairgrounds. Household waste is free; there is a charge for other items. For more information, call Cindy Lyon at (507) 526-2916.
Appliances such as refrigerators, freezers, dehumidifers, stoves and dishwashers cannot go in the regular garbage.
"It's illegal to dispose of anything with a cathode ray tube in the garbage," Rabbe said.
"Most parts are recyclable; every part of the computer is recyclable," Rabbe said. "We make sure they go to licensed recyclers."
Fairmont's big collection day is June 11, Rabbe noted. It's one of the few places that tires will be accepted.
"If you can't make it, call me and we'll work something out [on the tires]," she said.
One of the last opportunities will be the Martin County cleanup Sept. 18, but Rabbe hopes folks won't wait that long.
"Honestly, I do make lots of arrangements for a lot of people in between times," Rabbe said. "If you have a question, don't be afraid to call."


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Top 10 Tom Hanks Performances
This acclaimed actor has rarely appeared in anything other than a memorable or award winning film. He has played everything from a women's baseball coach, to an astronaut, kid stuck in a man's body, simpleton and soldier. Just to keep things real, we won't be including his animated adventures and sticking to live movie projects. Join WatchMojo.com as we count down our Top 10 favorite Tom Hanks performances.


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On December 3, 2013, the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) launched Lives Without Limits, a campaign to promote the importance of including persons with disabilities in international exchange programs. President Obama has made disability rights a core part of U.S. foreign policy. Within ECA, this means continuing our work to make all programs inclusive and accessible.
The Lives Without Limits campaign provides a platform for ECA partners, disability advocates, alumni and participants with disabilities to share their vision for a life without boundaries. It includes a webpage featuring a series of video interviews with exchange program alumni with disabilities, and it invites visitors to share their own stories and experiences on social media, using the hashtag #WithoutLimits.
A few of our exchange alumni have already shared their experiences. For Sri from Indonesia, "Living #WithoutLimits means that I can do daily activities, I can get a job, and go everywhere by myself." For Ikhwan from Kenya, international exchange, "gave me my very first bike ride, my first time on a roller coaster" and "helped me improve my confidence." Pilar from Argentina shared that "Living #WithoutLimits to me is to empower each other to speak up." Visit our Lives Without Limits webpage to hear from all our participants who have already shared their stories.
This year, as we mark International Day of Persons with Disabilities, we are emphasizing the ways that international exchanges help remove barriers and create opportunities.
Please be part of the conversation and post what working toward an inclusive community and living #WithoutLimits means to you.
Join us on social media using the hashtag: #WithoutLimits.
I look forward to hearing from you!
About the Author: Evan Ryan serves as Assistant Secretary of State for Educational and Cultural Affairs.
For more information:
- Video: "Lives Without Limits"
- Video: "State in 60 Seconds -- Disabilities Treaty"


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Alumni Honored as Teachers, Counselor of the Year
Jeff Cantrell, '03 MA'06 MAE'09, is the 2014 Muncie Community
Schools Teacher of the Year. Cantrell teaches social studies to all
secondary students in the Day Treatment area at the Youth Opportunity
Sue Panzica, '75, MAE '77, PhD '08, was named Teacher of the Year in South Bend, Indiana. Panzica teaches kindergarten at South Bend's Swanson Primary Center. She's been teaching for 37 years, 20 of those years in kindergarten. She was also selected as a Top Ten finalist for 2014 Indiana Teacher of the Year.
Lee A. (Miller) Maxwell, '86, Bradenton, Fla., a middle school science teacher, was named 2013-14 Teacher of the Year at Imagine School of North Manatee, a charter school in Palmetto, Fla.
Warren S. Popp, MA '62, Sacramento Calif., received the 2013 Arthur S. Marmaduke Award as California's High School Counselor of the Year.
Teachers College Alumni Recognized as Superintendent of the Year
Philip S. Stevenson, '72 MA '76 EdS '88, Centerville, Ind., superintendent of Centerville-Abington Community Schools, is the District VI Superintendent of the Year, representing east central Indiana.
E. Ric Frataccia, MA '73 EdD '78, Valparaiso, Ind., superintendent of Portage County School Corporation, was named District I Superintendent of the Year for northwest Indiana.
Charles R. Brimbury, MAE '04, Peru, Ind, superintendent of Peru Community School Corporation, was named District III Superintendent of the Year, representing nine counties in north central Indiana.
Teachers College Alumna Shanan Riegle Receives National Teaching Award
Shanan Riegle, '99, MAE '05, was selected by the National Council for Economic Education to receive the John Morton Excellence in the Teaching of Economics Award at the middle school level. Her achievement was honored at the 52nd Annual Financial Literacy and Economic Education Conference in Baltimore, Maryland on October 4, 2013. Reigle was invited to give a presentation on best practices from her classroom at the conference session, "Award-Winning Teachers Share Best Practices." The honors also included a $500 cash award, and expenses paid to attend the conference. Riegle is a teacher at Yorktown Middle School in Yorktown, Indiana.
Teachers College Alumni Society Board Members Recognized for Service
Teachers College Alumni Society Board members were recently recognized for their service. Pictured from left to right are: Tracy Hendricks, '89; MA '98 (BSU Alumni Association liaison to the Board), with departing Board members Michael Garringer, '74, MAE '77; Philip Metcalf, '70, and Maria (Truong) Esterline '03, and Dean of Teachers College, John Jacobson. Garringer and Metcalf served on on the Board from 1999-2013, and Esterline served from 2004-2013.
Alumna Kelly Scott Named to Indiana Teacher of the Year Finalists
Kelly Jean Scott, MAE '02, has been name as a Top Ten Finalist for the Indiana Teacher of the Year Award. She has been educating
children for more than seventeen years. Kelly
graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Education with a Kindergarten Endorsement
from Anderson University in Anderson, Indiana in 1996. She began her career in St. Louis, Missouri,
creatively educating students in kindergarten, first, and second grades. She returned to her hometown of Anderson,
Indiana in 2000, teaching students in various schools in the area. She received her Master of Arts in Education
from Ball State University in Muncie, Indiana in July of 2002, followed by her administrative
license in 2004.
Kelly has been a Data Coach and an Interventionist at Storer
Elementary School in Muncie, Indiana since 2009. This educational role has allowed her to see
learning growth in students of different ages and abilities. She is an advocate of the 8-Step Process,
using assessment to drive her planning and instruction, so that every child has
an opportunity to succeed.
Kelly was nominated as Storer Elementary Teacher of the Year
in May of 2013 by her principal, Ingrid Grubb.
In June, she was nominated to represent Muncie Community Schools in the 2014
Indiana Teacher of the Year contest. She
created an educational portfolio, submitting it to the Indiana Department of
Education in July. Her underlying
message is that every person can learn, as long as someone believes in them and
motivates them. She tells a story of
teachers that have made a difference in her life, and in the lives of the
students around her. In September, Kelly
received the exciting news that she had been selected as a Top Ten Finalist.
Kelly is married and has two children. In her "spare" time, she enjoys writing,
running, and participating in drama.
Teachers College Alumna Kate Powers Named Among "Best Teachers of English" for 2012
Powers, '05 (Student Affairs Administration in Higher
Education), was recently recognized by The Prague Post Endowment Fund as one of
the "Best Teachers of English in the Czech Republic for 2012." Powers
began teaching at Sunny Canadian International School in 2009, and in September
2010, became the Head of English Studies. The school uses Content and Language
Integrated Learning to teach the Czech curriculum bilingually: half in Czech,
half in English. The
fifth annual Best Teacher of English competition was supported by a grant from
the U.S. Embassy's Small Grants program.
Photo:© Walter Novak 2013. 2012 "Best Teachers of English awardees. Kate Powers is pictured second from right.
Teachers College Alumna Mindy Willard Honored as School Counselor of the Year
Ball State Teachers College alumna Mindy Willard was named the 2012-13 School Counselor of the Year by The American School Counselor Association (ASCA). The ASCA award "honors professionals who devote their careers to serving as advocates – and often lifesavers – for the nation's students." Willard is the sixth counselor nationally to receive the honor and the first in Arizona. The Counselor of the Year finalists were selected based on criteria that included counseling innovations, effective counseling programs, leadership and contributions to student advancement.
Willard started as a counselor at Sunset Ridge in 2004. Among her achievements and innovations at Sunset Ridge is Club Ophelia, a program to increase self-esteem and resiliency in seventh- and eighth-grade girls.
She previously won the Arizona Multi-level School Counselor of the Year award in 2007, and she and Sunset Ridge were presented the prestigious RAMP Award (Recognized ASCA Model Program) in 2011, and Sunset Ridge was one of 77 schools nation-wide recognized by the Southern Poverty Law Center Teaching Tolerance program in 2011.
Alumna Sarah Strohmenger Honored with Distinguished Thesis Award
A graduate course in student affairs administration is where the idea began for Sarah Strohmenger's award-winning master's thesis, Examining the Experiences of College Women About Body Modification: Searching for the "I" in Tatoo.
Strohmenger's thesis has been selected as the Ball State University Alumni Association Distinguished Thesis for 2012-13. Her work was selected by an intra-university committee of faculty scholars based on its originality, significant contribution to knowledge, and potential for publication.
According to Strohmenger, the idea for her research began in a graduate course in student affairs administration. As the class had discussions about gender issues in higher education, the topic of body image, particularly among college women, came up.
Strohmenger's research included conversations with both students and people who have worked in higher education for some time. "What was surprising for me," says Strohmenger, "was to see how excited people were to talk about their tattoos, and why their tattoos are so important to them. It was also eye-opening to learn about the assumptions that exist about this topic, and how important it is for people to be having conversations about it."
Strohmenger will be honored at the Annual Graduate Student Recognition Reception in March. She will receive a plaque and a $400 honorarium.
Dr. Marilyn Skinner Among 2012 Indiana Women of Achievement
Teachers College alumna Dr. Marilyn Skinner is a 2012 recipient of the Indiana Women of Achievement Award. She was recognized for Distinction in Early Childhood Education. Skinner currently serves on the Teachers College Dean's Advisory Board, and has been the Director of the IU Kokomo Early Childhood Education Center for seven years, where she implements creative strategies for community children to achieve success in kindergarten. Her prior service in education included time as a classroom teacher, assistant principal, and principal. She was also the first woman to serve as assistant superintendent in the Kokomo school system.
Dr. Skinner served as the BSU Alumni Council President in 1982, and was honored with the Benny Award in 1983, and the Ball State University Distinguished Alumna Award in 1984. She holds bachelor's and master's degrees in education from Ball State University, and a doctorate from Indiana University.
Indiana Women of Achievement Award recipients are Indiana women, by birth or adoption, who enrich the lives of others through their outstanding accomplishments in a variety of fields.
Teachers College Alumnus Nathan Boyd Receives GOLD Award
Nathan Boyd, '02, the principal of LaSalle Intermediate Academy in South Bend, Indiana, recently received a GOLD Award from the Ball State University Alumni Association. The GOLD Award (Graduate of the Last Decade) recognizes the accomplishments of recent graduates who have demonstrated their promise and potential for outstanding endeavors through involvement in various aspects of life after college.
The U.S. Department of Education named LaSalle Intermediate Academy a Blue Ribbon School. Blue Ribbon Schools are among the highest performing schools in their states. LaSalle is one of six schools in St. Joseph County to earn the distinction since 2003, and one of 269 schools in the nation to be honored at a recognition ceremony in Washington, D.C. in November.
Boyd was also recognized in 2011 by the Black Alumni Constituent Society with an Award of Achievement.
Teachers College Alumnus Honored with Benny Award
Teachers College Alumnus Philip Metcalf, '70, was honored with the Benny Award, which recognizes those who have contributed their time, energy, and talents in service to Ball State University or the Ball State University Alumni Association. Metcalf is the career and technical coordinator for the Wawasee School Corporation in Syracuse, Indiana.
Veteran Chemistry Teacher to Receive Indiana Woman of Achievement Award (09/23/11)
Deanna York has been selected as a 2011 Indiana Woman of Achievement in Education. The Indiana Woman of Achievement awards recognize Indiana women who enrich the lives of others through outstanding accomplishments in a variety of fields. Recipients were honored at an award dinner, hosted by Ball State University's College of Sciences and Humanities, on October 19.
York is an award-winning chemistry teacher at Ben Davis High School in Indianapolis and a published writer. She has taught high school chemistry for 21 years and is known for her innovative lab experiences that engage students and allow for hands-on learning opportunities. First-year chemistry students have the opportunity to experience over 100 days in the lab.
She has published two editions of a chemistry lab manual titled Teacher Friendly Chemistry Labs and Activities and created the website "thechemistryteacher.net" to help other science teachers inspire their classrooms. York is a local, state, and national presenter of teacher friendly chemistry workshops. Her expertise lies in building a classroom that is laboratory driven while considering teacher set-up time and materials. She uses inquiry labs for discovery, cookbook labs to teach content, and problem-based labs for authentic assessment.
Her awards include the 2009 Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching, which is the highest recognition K-12 mathematics or science teachers may receive in the United States. In addition, she has received the 2010 Wayne Township Extra Mile Award, the 2003 Indiana University Armstrong Educator Award, and the 2002 Golden Apple Award. She has been selected numerous times by a Ben Davis Top 30 Senior as that student's most influential teacher. As a school leader, she has served as a building literacy leader, School Improvement Plan chair, lead chemistry teacher, president of the Indiana Alliance of Chemistry Teachers, and question writer for the National Panasonic Academic Tournament.
York earned a B.S. in secondary education and M.A. in general science at Ball State University.
Tammy Brant Named National Physical Education Teacher of the Year (05/16/11)
Tammy Brant is a physical education teacher at Selma Middle School, Selma, Indiana. The National Association for Sport and Physical Education (NASPE) named her the National Physical Education Teacher of the Year. She received her award from Indiana Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Bennett. This award is given in recognition of outstanding teaching performance and the ability to motivate today's youth to participate in a lifetime of physical activity. Brant became a finalist for this award in March when she was named the Midwest District Middle School Physical Education Teacher of the Year at the NASPE national convention.
Brant's enthusiasm for physical activity motivated her to apply and receive $15,000 in local grant money. She was able to purchase heart monitors for each of her students to help them gauge their individual level of fitness and progress. She has also worked with a registered dietician to implement nutritional lessons, teaching her students how physical health and nutrition go hand in hand.
"When I stop by Mrs. Brant's class, I see someone who is totally engaged in her lessons and is very much respected by her students. She has a passion and desire to make fitness attainable for everyone," says Dennis Thompson, Principal, Selma Middle School.
Brant has 16 years experience teaching physical education, the last 8 at Selma Middle School. She received both her bachelor's and master's degrees in physical education from Ball State University. For the academic year 2004-2005, she received BSU's Korsgaard Graduate Student of the Year Award. Other professional achievements include receiving the Indiana Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (IAHPERD) Middle School Teacher of the Year and qualifying Selma Middle School with NASPE STARS distinction. STARS is an evaluation tool that measures excellence in physical education classrooms across the nation.
Ball State Alumna Receives Teacher Educator Award (04/27/11)
Marianne Berlin is one of eight teachers to receive the Martha Lea and Bill Armstrong Teacher Educator Award for the academic year 2011-2012. This award is given to a select group of K-12 teachers in the state of Indiana. The teachers will participate in professional development opportunities that enable them to work with the faculty and undergraduates in the School of Education at Indiana University Bloomington in a variety of capacities, including teaching, research, and special projects and events.
Berlin has spent her entire teaching career in the Monroe-Gregg School District. She has served in a variety of positions that include teaching second through sixth grades and serving as an elementary principal. As a teacher, her lessons were creative fostering a love of learning in her students while concentrating on academic standards. Currently, she is the instructor/director of the Media Center at Monrovia Elementary School.
In 2006 Berlin received a Lilly Foundation Creativity Grant allowing her to trace the footsteps of Indiana author, Gene Stratton Porter. When teaching second grade in 2008, she received the IPL Golden Apple Award. During the last few years, she has received various grants allowing her to purchase materials for the library.
Marianne (Welty) Berlin received both her bachelor's (1972) and master's (1974) degrees in elementary education from Ball State University.
Golden Apple Award presented to Bryan Fountain (04/25/11)
Bryan Fountain is a recipient of a 2011 Golden Apple Award. WTHI-TV Terre Haute honored five Golden Apple winners at a public ceremony on the Terre Haute campus of Ivy Tech Community College on April 22, 2011. The Golden Apple Award was created in 1989 to recognize and reward five outstanding K-12 educators within the WTHI-TV viewing area. Recipients receive a cash award, prizes, a Golden Apple statue, and much deserved campaign of recognition on WTHI-TV.
Fountain is a third-grade teacher at Loogootee Elementary West and is also its assistant varsity track coach. If one were to walk into his classroom, one might find students in workstations conversing or using an iPod touch. His hands-on teaching is creative and exciting with inquiry-based lessons and projects.
Fountain is quick to point out that this award is not about him, but about his current and past students and their parents. They are the ones who motivate and inspire him.
He received a bachelor of science degree in elementary education from Ball State University in 2006. He comes from a huge family of teachers—who value education and have given him great advice during his young teaching career—and has known his entire life that he was to be a teacher. He is appreciative of Ball State for preparing him to go into the classroom and be the best that he can be, and for his college professor Dr. Jim Stroud for providing guidance and supporting his thoughts and dreams.
Michael Baer's Classroom Making a World of Difference
Michael Baer is a teacher of physics, chemistry, earth and space science at South Adams Junior/Senior High School in Berne, Indiana. He was selected as the 2010-2011 Ball State Teachers College Innovative Education Grant recipient for his project titled "Dots in Blue Water." The grant helped purchase materials to construct a water purification unit, which will be capable of treating the water supply for one medium-sized village in Haiti. This project has grabbed the attention of the media, and it has grown from a classroom project to a school vision where the entire school community has rallied around it. Money is being raised for 12 students and 12 teachers and advisors to make the initial trip to Haiti in June. Baer has been asked if the Dots in Blue Water organization could assist in providing pure water in other parts of the world, including Japan, Nicaragua, Ethiopia, Kenya, and the Dominican Republic. According to Baer, this "grant has helped us enable our students and school community to "Make a World of Difference."
In 1976 Baer received a B.S. in secondary education (biology/chemistry) from Indiana University, and in 2001 he received a M.A.E. in secondary education (physics and astronomy) from Ball State University. During his 35 years of experience in education, Baer has been a successful teacher, department chair, coach, dean of students, and director of student guidance.
He has received many teaching awards, including the IU School of Education Armstrong Teacher Educator Award (2009-10), Walmart Teacher of the Year in Adams County (2007-08), National Education Association and White House Commission Distinguished Teaching Award (1987), and the Indianapolis Star Distinguished Teacher Award (1987).
Baer has also won other teaching honors that include a Lilly Endowment Teacher Creativity Fellowship for Scratching the Surface where he participated in various paleontology, archaeology, and meteor digs across Central and Southwest United States during the summer of 2005. Currently, he is an advisor for the BrainPop online learning website and the Real Life Science Guy TV series/That's Amazing online video resource.
In his spare time, you might find him in other creative endeavors such as composing and performing music.
Ron Ward named Indiana Middle School Principal of the Year (Nov. 2010)
Ron Ward was recognized by the Indiana Association of School Principals as the 2010 State Middle School Principal of the Year at its Fall Professional Conference. He was also named District Middle School Principal for District 8.
In the past 33 years at North West Hendricks Schools, Ward has been a teacher, athletic director, assistant principal, and during the last 21 years, a principal. The last 8 years he has been principal of Tri-West Middle School, a school that has been identified as a school to watch for 2011 by the Indiana Middle Level Education Association. "Schools to Watch" is a national program that recognizes schools for their academic excellence, social equity, and developmental responsiveness to students. Tri-West was chosen because of its strong academics.
Under Ward's leadership, many changes have taken place, including classes that are available at the eighth-grade level for high school credit, middle level teaming, and academic teams that have won state awards. Ward has empowered his faculty to make decisions to improve student learning, and he has acknowledged and showed appreciation for their contributions.
Ward received his B.S. in 1977, M.A.E. in 1980, and administrative certification in 1983 from Ball State University. In 2004, he received an education specialist from Indiana State University.
BSU G.O.L.D. award presented to Adam Drummond (Sept. 2010)
Adam Drummond was a recipient of a 2010 G.O.L.D Award at BSU. The Graduate Of the Last Decade (G.O.L.D.) Award annually recognizes the outstanding accomplishments of recent graduates of Ball State University. These alumni have already demonstrated their promise and potential for outstanding endeavors by quickly becoming involved in different aspects of life after college.
Drummond earned a degree in elementary education in 2002, an M.A. in student affairs administration in higher education in 2005, as well as an administrative license in 2008, from Ball State University. At Huntington County Community School Corporation, Mr. Drummond has held the positions of classroom teacher, technology integration specialist, teacher trainer, assistant principal, and currently, principal of Lincoln Elementary School."
Drummond has distinguished himself as a conscientious and energetic educator and administrator," states Susan Kovalik. "He has a deep understanding of what it takes to support teachers to improve classroom instruction." He was involved in the creation of a professional development model for elementary teachers. Drummond, along with the efforts of three colleagues, developed a systemic approach to creating professional development and ongoing education about teaching using brain-based research, literacy, and technology in the classroom. His latest role of building principal has given him the opportunity to implement a school-wide theme entitled "Learning and Living the Lincoln Legacy" that has invigorated an entire elementary school.
He welcomes opportunities to learn and to teach, traveling nationally to conferences as a speaker on professional development programs, developing teacher leaders, and gender research. In 2008 he joined a delegation from Huntington University to travel to China to train Chinese teachers how best to teach English.
In addition to his educational endeavors, he is a youth leader for his church, and he has remained active in his fraternity at Ball State.
Michael Necessary named District VI Superintendent of the Year (09/14/10)
Copyright © 2017 Ball State University 2000 W. University Ave. Muncie, IN 47306
800-382-8540 and 765-289-1241


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Topic: Joining more tables in query
This should be easy, but I don't know the correct way to do it in Rails.
My app tracks a recreational sports league. Models include Game, Team, Player and Report (where players can submit writeups on their games). I want to be able to show reports while referencing the game (of course), the player (author) and the player's team.
Relevant models:
class Game < ActiveRecord::Base
has_many :reports
class Report < ActiveRecord::Base
belongs_to :game
belongs_to :player
# (one team per season, but many over several seasons)
class Player < ActiveRecord::Base
has_many :teams, :through => :rosters
class Team < ActiveRecord::Base
has_many :players, :through => :rosters
has_many :games
belongs_to :season
Controller method:
def show_reports
week = params[:week] || 1
@games = Game.find_all_by_season_and_week(session[:season],week)
Rails (very nicely) joins the player columns, so I can loop through games and show reports, along with player name:

Reports for <%= session[:season_name] %>

<% for game in @games %>
<% if game.reports.length > 0 %>
<%= game.date.strftime("%b %d, %Y") %>: <%= "#{game.time}, Field #{game.field}" %>
game.reports.each do |r|
<%= "Report by: #{r.player.first_name} #{r.player.last_name}" %>

<%= "#{r.text}" %>
<% end # each %>
<% end # if reports %>
<% end %>
But I'd also like to add team info, like:
<%= "Report by: #{r.player.first_name} #{r.player.last_name}, #{r.player.team.nickname}" %>
Is there some 'built-in' way to include data from teams table? Do I need to add a :join to the find() method? How efficient is this? BTW, how do I view the actual SQL query Rails is building?


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France Hotels
Hotel search
Hotels in France
France is the premier destination for romantic getaways, historic sightseeing, and cultural experiences. French culture has since the Middle Ages been considered to be the height of refinement and charm. Today, France is well known the world over for its gastronomic delights, wine and perfume making, enchanting architecture, and ancient towns and cities. There are hundreds of towns and cities throughout France to choose from, each offering its own flavor of attractions and unique blend of sights and experiences, from the Medieval charm of Annecy, to the colorful streets of Eguisheim. France has plenty to appeal to anyone, history lovers and shopaholics alike. Finding your ideal hotel in France can be a daunting task, especially with thousands to choose from. With Hotels.com, you can find your perfect hotel which is well suited to your budget and expectations. Hotels.com has thousands of user submitted hotel reviews, hotel photo galleries, and hotel locations provided via Google maps.
What's France Like?
France offers something for everyone, from the vineyards in the south, to the metropolitan fashion cities in the north. Shoppers as well as history lovers will find plenty to see and do. Disneyland in Paris is one of the most iconic family destinations, and its short stop from Paris means that you can continue your holiday into the city. The 17th century baroque Château de Versailles is just a short stop from Paris, and is the world's most visited Château thanks to its stunning interior and inspiring gardens. Chartres Cathedral in the city of Chatres is a fine exactly of French Gothic architecture, which has only undergone minor changes since the 13th century.
Tips for Getting Along with Locals in France
France is a country which offers different experiences depending on where you travel. For instance, Parisians can often seem to be in a rush, whereas the French from areas in the south such as Marseille and Toulouse are thought to be more welcoming. Regardless, it would be advised to bring a pocket phrase book wherever you go, as communicating with the locals will be much easier. Summer throughout France takes place from June to August, with the southern regions experiencing more pleasant weather. During the Summer, temperatures in the north average around 20°C in the afternoons, whereas the south experience temperatures of around 28°C. Planning your holiday ahead of time by visiting the Hotels.com website and checking out what is going on around your hotel via the Google maps applet will ensure that you are able to get the most out of your time, wherever you choose to visit in France.
France travel guides
Corsican Cuisine: 5 Foods You must Taste
The cuisine of Corsica is French and Italian-influenced although most dishes are very unique and ext...
5 fun facts about the French Riviera
Come and rub shoulders with the rich and famous this summer in the pristine French Riviera!
5 Fun Facts about Paris
Here are 5 fun facts on Paris from Hotels.com
Top 3 Destinations for a Christmas Holiday in France
Dreaming of spending Christmas in France, but can't decide where to go? Consider the type of Christm...
5 Fun Facts about Bordeaux, France
All experienced travelers know that France can be quite a challenge (and highly enjoyable) to explor...
Trending now in Paris
- Most bookedPullman Paris Montparnasse
278 people looked at this hotel in the last hour
Most recent review
"This is a large hotel with all the modern amenities. We were taking our first trip to Paris and weren't sure how well we would get around without knowing French. Staff is fluent in English and helpful with directions. You can take Le Bus Direct from either Orly or CDG directly to Gare Montparnass..."
A Traveller, Dec 2016, US
236 people looked at this hotel in the last hour
Most recent review
"Hotel is a good base from which to explore - we used the metro to reach most parts of the city over three days"
A Traveller, Dec 2016, GB
138 people looked at this hotel in the last hour
Most recent review
"turn left from the platform and across from the station is the hotel. Very convenient. Check in was quick. The room was very small- dont be deceived by the photo. However, it had everything one might need as long as no luggage! Heating was overly efficient so it tended to be too hot- even with a..."
A Traveller, Nov 2016, GB
Trending now in Nice
- Most bookedAlbert 1'er Hotel Nice, France
364 people looked at this hotel in the last hour
Most recent review
"Loved this hotel the value and location was just what we wanted....easy to get about...we walked everywhere..very safe shopping,restaurants easy to get tour buses..all good"
S, Nov 2016, US
102 people looked at this hotel in the last hour
Most recent review
"The hotel was modern, nice but small rooms. Staff were helpful. The downside was that the air conditioning was a problem. Apparently the hotel changes it to hot only after the summer season, so it was too warm and when we opened our windows to have cool air at night it was so noisy we could not s..."
S, Oct 2016, AU
90 people looked at this hotel in the last hour
Most recent review
"Excellent for access to airport. We stayed near the Hotel Negresco in a VRBO for a week and enjoyed the proximity to all the sites, restaurants, beaches and transportation to places of interest. The night before departure we stayed in the Novotel for an early flight the next morning. It was ex..."
A Traveller, Oct 2016, CA
Trending now in Cannes
- Most bookedRadisson Blu 1835 Hotel & Thalasso, Cannes
236 people looked at this hotel in the last hour
Most recent review
"When the bar was hired out there was no where to get a drink in the hotel Air con stopped working One tea bag per day per two guests 33cl of bottled water £8 TV buffeting every night "
A Traveller, Oct 2016, GB
173 people looked at this hotel in the last hour
Most recent review
"I have stayed here previously and now it is even better. Highly recommended to anyone who seeks comfort and luxury. "
i, Sep 2016, GB
57 people looked at this hotel in the last hour
Most recent review
"We had a lovely stay here. It's perfectly located for the Croisettes Beach, had an amazing 'to die for' roof top pool and bar with a lovely view of the Carlton Hotel and the Beach/Sea. Each floor is uniquely themed for different continents of the world, so the decor is all very interesting. Staff..."
A Traveller, Sep 2016, GB
Trending now in Avignon
- Most bookedAvignon Grand Hotel
156 people looked at this hotel in the last hour
Most recent review
"I would stay here again, no doubt. Coffee in the room was a real treat."
A Traveller, Oct 2016, US
146 people looked at this hotel in the last hour
Most recent review
"This hotel is great with clean room and great staff and is centrally located to most sights in Avignon which is the best hub to visit small towns in the Provence area."
F, Nov 2016, US
91 people looked at this hotel in the last hour
Most recent review
"Our first night we stayed in a beautiful large room but unfortunately it faced a small street with a local bar not far away. We were still very jet lagged and exhausted and were woken up at 2 AM but four intoxicated individuals who decided to have a loud discussion/argument right underneath our ..."
A Traveller, Nov 2016, US


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Rarely does a racquet come along that garners as much attention and mystique as the professional players that use it.
The HEAD Prestige, in its various incarnations, is such a racquet. It has been the go to choice for some of the game's most entertaining, artistic and popular players.
Marat Safin, Gustavo Kuerten, Goran Ivanisevic and Henri Leconte head the list of players revered as much for their charisma and mystique as their on-court achievements. Each of these players possesses the shot making skills capable of inspiring a standing ovation, and each of these players has chosen to use a form of the Prestige racquet during their careers.
The Prestige is renowned as a racquet offering exceptional feel and control, so it's not surprising many professional level players have used it. The appeal of the Prestige line has also successfully made the transition to the amateur ranks. The same feel, control and precision enjoyed by the pros has long been pleasing Prestige fans of all ages in amateur competition and club play.
Looking to the future, as HEAD Tour players Donald Young and Gael Monfils move away from junior competition towards professional play, they have chosen the latest Prestige as their racquet of choice. While their place in tennis history is yet to be written, when we hit the courts with their favored Flexpoint Prestige racquets, we were sure HEAD had another winner in the making.
Here we test all three versions of the Flexpoint Prestige: the Mid, Midplus and Midplus XL. Read on to find out how this latest development in the Prestige legacy holds up.
HEAD Flexpoint Prestige Mid
Our team found a controlled response from the Flexpoint Prestige Mid when trading groundstrokes. Finding the precision he's come to expect from midsize racquets was Granville. - "Kind of like hearing a favorite old song, the Mid has that familiar crisp response. The Mid also has a small sweet spot, but when you key into it it's something to remember. Anyone considering this racquet knows what to expect, a performance racquet created for the highest levels of competition. Your game needs to be in order to get the most out of this racquet. Precision is very high and power is on the low side. This racquet is created for the player who generates their own power and wants nothing from a racquet other than putting the ball on a dime." Enjoying some nice slice with the Flexpoint Prestige Mid was Brad. "Control was the first thing that came to my mind when I first started hitting with this racquet. Right out of the gates it was easy to see why many consider the Prestige line to be a part of the upper echelon of player's racquets. Off the ground I felt that I needed to have early preparation and make good contact with the sweetspot in order to get good depth on my groundstrokes. I found that the sweetspot on this racquet was small and when I did hit the ball off-center, I was not nearly as accurate or powerful. The thin beam of this racquet made it easier to slice the ball, especially on backhands. I soon found myself slicing a lot of balls back when hitting my backhand."
Finding the Flexpoint Prestige Mid to be the most powerful Prestige Mid he's used was Chris. "From the first forehand I hit, there was no doubt that this was the most powerful version of the Prestige Mid I've used - and I've had the pleasure of hitting with almost all of them. The racquet felt noticeably firmer than any previous Prestige Mid. Gone is the soft and buttery feel of the Prestige Classic 600. I found it to be replaced by a much firmer and more solid feel. While I have always loved the feel of the Prestige Classic 600, I must say the bump up in power was quite welcome. I found all the classic control of a midsize racquet, but I enjoyed some added pace and weight on my shots. One downside was spin. Switching between the Flexpoint Prestige Mid, the Liquidmetal Prestige and the Prestige Classic 600, the Classic version just felt more spin friendly - especially when hitting with slice." Jon found a solid response from the racquet. "The Mid was very stable and very solid from the baseline. I enjoyed the added control of the dense string pattern and small head size. From the baseline this was my flavor of choice from the Flexpoint Prestige lineup."
We found lots of control, touch and feel to help us finish off the point at net with the Flexpoint Prestige Mid. Chris enjoyed a crisp response from the racquet at net. "At net, the Flexpoint Prestige Mid felt much crisper and firmer than previous Prestige racquets. I thought this version offered a much cleaner and more solid feel compared to the Liquidmetal Prestige it replaces. While I enjoyed the Liquidmetal Prestige, its feel was a tad hollow at net. With the Flexpoint Prestige, HEAD has remedied that, and this one feels nice and solid on the volley. Control was exceptional and I felt like I could park my volley on a dime with this racquet." Granville found the racquet to reward good form with solid and precise results. "This is one of the few racquets that I affectionately call a 'scalpel'. It is a tool for the craftsman at net. The head-light balance made it feel quick in my hands and the crisp response offered positive feedback. When well prepared with the racquet out front and weight moving forward - there's nothing better. The heavier weight allowed the racquet to do much of the work."
Brad enjoyed the maneuverable feel of the racquet at net. "I played mostly doubles while playtesting the Flexpoint Prestige Mid. When I was able to get the ball on the sweetspot and make good contact with the ball, my volleys landed deep into the court and they felt crisp and solid. However, if I didn't strike the ball cleanly, I found my volleys landed short and with less pace. The maneuverability of the Flexpoint Prestige Mid made it easy to get the racquet around and into place, and I felt that volleys were one of the better shots with this racquet." Jon would have liked a larger lot on which to build his net game. "Volleys were comfortable, but I would have liked a larger sweetspot and a few more square inches to the racquet head. Sometimes on off-center hits the ball would just drop short, whereas if Ihad had slightly more hitting surface I felt my volleys would be more effective. Control was great, though!"
The controlled response of the Flexpoint Prestige Mid made for some consistent serving from our playtesters. The Mid was Chris' favorite of the three Flexpoint Prestige racquets when it came to serving. "I found the racquet to cut through the air very well when serving. The feel of a midsize on a fast swing is one of the reasons I've always enjoyed hitting with sub 95 square inch racquets. Again, the Flexpoint Prestige Mid offered more power than previous versions and I found decent pace on my serves. Out of the three headsizes tested, this one was my favorite on serve. I found the most amount of spin from the racquet when serving. I think the faster racquet head speed helped me keep some height to my kick serves." Finding more control, but less pace on his serve with the Flexpoint Prestige Mid was Brad. "I found that my serves lacked a little bit of power when serving with this racquet. The extra weight, compared to my RDX 500 Midplus, made it harder to generate racquet head speed. I did find that I had a lot more control and was able to place the ball out wide easier than usual. I really struggled with my second serves with this racquet. I normally hit a kick serve for my second serve, but I found it hard to generate much kick/spin with the smaller headsize and tighter string pattern."
Finding more power from the Flexpoint Prestige Mid compared to its Liquidmetal predecessor was Jon. "I enjoyed serving with the Flexpoint Prestige Mid. Power was good and control was excellent. I could keep my first serve in the service box more consistently than with the other versions. The Flexpoint Prestige Mid did feel slightly stiffer and more powerful compared to the Liquidmetal Prestige Mid." Granville found the racquet to offer a very controlled response on serve. "When I served with the this racquet, I had the sense I could place the ball on a dime. Underpowered when compared to most of the racquets on the market today, I did not gain much when going for a heater. Also, timing was critical. If I was a little off the racquet the feel was unforgiving and my shots ended up slightly short of the mark."
The Flexpoint Prestige Mid offered our team a solid and control oriented response on return. Jon enjoyed the control he found when returning with the racquet. "I felt confident returning serve with this racquet. It had excellent weight and balance and the control was awesome. The power level was noticeably lower than its Flexpoint Prestige siblings." Granville offered, "Here is where the weight of the racquet comes into play. If I got the racquet in front and got my weight moving forward then the racquet's mass alone would get the ball over the net and on target. If I was ahead of the ball and could take a good swing at it, I could take the offensive right away. This is a racquet where you won't be generating a lot of your own speed, but will be using the pace of the ball to generate your power."
Finding a solid response from the racquet was Brad. "Like all other aspects of this racquet, it was all a matter of making good contact with the ball. When I did strike the ball cleanly it was easy to place the ball where I wanted. The weight and solid feel of this racquet made it easy to block the ball back, but the smaller headsize and sweetspot made it difficult to always get good pace and depth on my returns. I noticed quite often that my opponents were able to get my returns back with more pace than I returned it to them with." Chris found the weight and mobility of the racquet a good fit for his returns. "I thought this racquet offered a nice balance between mass and maneuverability. There was enough heft to keep the racquet stable when returning big serves, yet I was able to take a good cut at the ball when given the opportunity. I found plenty of control and found myself more confident when stepping up to receive serve. I enjoyed the firm feel of this racquet on the return. The firm feel seemed to fall somewhere between a Prince Diablo Mid and a ProKennex Type C Mid."
Fans of midsize racquets should drop everything and get out and demo this racquet RIGHT NOW! Offering surprising pop for a mid, this version of the Prestige line seems a most fitting update. Players are hitting with more and more power these days, and we feel this racquet gives midsize fans the chance to keep up. While the focus is still on control and precision, there's a noticeable bump in power compared to other versions of the Prestige Mid. We also found the solid response and stiffer feel made for less racquet twisting on off center shots, resulting in increased comfort compared to the previous Liquidmetal version. All in all, a solid option for advanced players.
|Last Shots from our playtesters
Chris - Doesn't feel much like a Prestige Classic, but it is a great midsize racquet. This one was my favorite to serve with out of the three head sizes. From all areas of the court I found some nice pop, a solid feel and felt I got plenty of feedback for touch and placement shots. All it needed was a leather grip.
Granville - "This is one of the few racquets where you can easily detect the flex of the frame. It felt good, but I was left wondering how the racquet would respond if it did not flex so much."
Brad - "I found this racquet to be too demanding for my playing style and power level. You have to be pretty accurate and consistent to play everyday with a racquet like this."
Jon - "I liked the control and feel of this racquet. It was my favorite out of the three."
Our team found the Flexpoint Prestige Midplus to offer greater comfort, more margin for error and a tad more pop when compared to the Mid. Brad found the larger headsize a better fit for his game. "I felt a lot more comfortable playing with the Flexpoint Prestige Midplus. The bigger sweetspot was noticeable right away and I didn't have to be as accurate when striking the ball. The most noticeable thing for me on groundstrokes was the increase in power and spin. I found that more of my shots landed deeper in the court, which gave my opponent less time to set up for their groundstrokes. The bigger sweetspot made it easier to hit my topspin backhand and I didn't find myself slicing the ball back as much. My backhand slice was still effective, but I felt that I couldn't cut the ball as well as I did with the midsize racquet. Although I noticed that the control with this racquet was not as precise, the level of control was still very high." Finding a solid blend of spin, control and pop was Jon. "The Flexpoint Prestige Midplus had noticeably more power than the Flexpoint Prestige Mid. Topspin was great and control was good. It did feel a little stiffer and more powerful than any version of the Prestige Midplus I have hit to date. This racquet was spin friendly and it was easy to take advantage of this strength while hitting deep groundies. I was able to keep my opponents deep and push them off the baseline."
Chris enjoyed the Flexpoint Prestige Midplus the most out of the three head sizes when it came to trading groundstrokes. "My favorite of the three off the ground, this one offered me the best combination of control, feel and spin production. I was able to hit with good consistency with this racquet. I didn't find any areas of my game where the racquet didn't feel solid. I was able to hit my slice backhands with good spin and accuracy, my topspin forehand had good pace and spin and I found good spin and control on my two-handed backhand. The racquet felt well weighted and offered a much firmer response compared to the Liquidmetal Prestige Midplus. This Flexpoint version of the Prestige Midplus just felt solid on every hit - much more so than the previous Liquidmetal version." Granville also found the racquet a great fit for his groundstroke game. "I felt the Midplus was really the perfect headsize for this racquet model. With the Midplus the ball seemed to sink a little deeper into the stringbed, offering that extra millisecond of dwell time, which can make a huge difference in confidence and control. I also found the stringbed accommodated more topspin potential. In addition to the added control, I could generate a bit more pace with a full swing and end the point with one stroke, given the proper opportunity. I was most confident with the Flexpoint Prestige Midplus as my shots were landing deeper into the court."
The Flexpoint Prestige Midplus continued to impress our team when it came time to attack the net. Jon found a solid fit for his net game with the racquet. "This was my favorite of the three we tested for volleys. This Midplus version was solid at the net. The weight and balance was very comfortable and the racquet was very maneuverable. Control was on par with my Dunlop Muscle Weave 200G." Chris also preferred the Flexpoint Prestige Midplus at net. "This one was my favorite of the three at net, too. It was a pleasure to volley with this racquet. I loved the solid response and found some nice pop on punch volleys. Similar to the DNX 10 we recently tested, this racquet offered some nice 'plough through', and never felt overpowered by the ball. Power came from the weight of the racquet. When I was moving forward with the racquet out in front, I was hitting some solid volleys. I also found excellent touch and feel at net with this racquet. On a good day, the racquet felt very much like an extension of my arm - I couldn�t ask for more than that."
Granville's opponents were toast when he got to the net with the Flexpoint Prestige Midplus. "Volleys with this racquet were bread and butter. I found a generous sweetspot with good pop, making my volleys crisp and decisive. It offered the same great maneuverability as the Midsize, but more pop as a result of the larger stringbed." Brad enjoyed the larger headsize at net too. "Like groundstrokes, volleys were easier with this racquet than the Mid. The Midplus had good touch and feel. I found my volleys were landing consistently deeper with greater pace."
The majority of our team found some extra pace, spin and consistency when serving with the Flexpoint Prestige Midplus. Jon said, "I enjoyed the extra spin the Midplus generated over the Mid, making my kick serve more lively and harder to return. The extra pace was welcome on my first serve, too." Finding a consistent groove on serve was Chris. "My serves were very consistent with this racquet. I did not get exceptional spin or pace, but I was able to find my targets. I've never been a big server, and with this racquet even my stronger first serves were coming back. However, I was making a high percentage of first serves and I was able to start most points off from a slightly offensive position."
Brad found the needed confidence to go for the heater up the T with the Flexpoint Prestige Midplus. "Serves with this racquet were a lot more enjoyable compared to the midsize version of the racquet. I felt like my power on serve was similar to when I play with my RDX 500. Also, I was a lot more comfortable hitting my first serve up the T." Finding some good pace and accuracy with his serves was Granville. "I found that the added headsize gave me that extra pop I need and have become accustomed to with Midplus racquets. Targeting was spot on and consistent. You can feel the flex of the racquet, and it feels good."
We enjoyed returning serve with the Flexpoint Prestige Midplus. Our team found a solid blend of spin, control and stability. Chris said, "I found excellent control when returning serve. The racquet felt solid and stable both when blocking returns and on aggressive swings. I felt I could hit bigger returns with other racquets, such as a Flexpoint Radical or Instinct, as they allow me to take a bigger cut at the ball. This one offered a greater emphasis on control. Once I got the racquet moving, its mass provided depth and pace to my shots." Jon agreed with Chris's assessment. "I returned well with the Flexpoint Prestige Midplus. It didn't matter whether I blocked a tough serve back or went big on the return, the racquet just felt solid. The added headsize over the Mid was a welcome addition."
Granville found the Flexpoint Prestige Midplus to allow for greater shot selection when compared to the Midsize on the return. "Like the Midsize version, this racquet had the mass to do much of the work for me - given the proper shot preparation. The added benefit of the larger head gave me a bit more pace to work with and allowed a bit more flexibility in shot selection." Brad also found increased confidence in his returns when moving up the Flexpoint Prestige Midplus. "The bigger sweetspot on this racquet, compared to the Flexpoint Prestige Mid, definitely made it easier to block the ball back. The increase in power made me feel more confident in my returns since I didn't have to worry about striking the ball as cleanly."
We found the Flexpoint Prestige Midplus to offer the broadest appeal of the three Prestige head sizes. Offering a larger, more forgiving stringbed compared to the Mid and a much more maneuverable feel compared to the Midplus XL, this frame proved popular with all playing styles. Our team appreciated the bump up in power compared to the Mid, yet still found plenty of control and touch. Our team especially liked this racquet at net, finding a high level of control, feel and plenty of pop to finish off the point. This racquet deserves to be at the top of the demo list for 4.5+ level all court players.
|Last Shots from our playtesters
Chris. "This racquet fit my game better than the Mid or Midplus XL versions. I liked the solid and stable response from all areas of the court, and I was able to access more spin on a consistent basis compared to the other two. I also thought this was a great improvement over the Liquidmetal Prestige Midplus, as it felt more stable from all areas of the court."
Granville - "It is really a fun exercise to compare the Mid and Midplus side by side. They play VERY similarly, with the Midplus offering just a bit more power."
Brad - "The lower swingweight and bigger headsize made this racquet my favorite of the three Flexpoint Prestiges."
Jon - "This was a good racquet overall. It is a good choice for a player who wants a classic feel, yet it offers slightly more power than the Mid."
Our team found the added length and heft of the Flexpoint Prestige Midplus XL to bring some increased firepower to their groundstroke games. Immediately noticing the increase in power was Brad. "Out of the gates I noticed the increase in power between the Midplus and Midplus XL versions of this racquet. At first I struggled to control my groundstrokes, as I had to get used to the extra length and power. A lot of my shots were landing beyond the baseline, but once I adapted to the power and feel of this longer version, I didn't have a problem with over-hitting. I did notice an increase in spin compared to the others, but not enough to make a big difference. Also, I struggled with my slice backhand with the Flexpoint Prestige Midplus XL, as I couldn't seem to keep the ball low." Chris enjoyed the feel of the racquet on his backhand wing. "I thought this was a great racquet for hitting two-handed backhands. The weight, length and solid feel fit my backhand very well. On the forehand it felt like there was much more racquet to get around. While I could hit my forehand with lots of pace, I struggled to find my crosscourt angles, and I wasn't as able to pull my opponents wide as well with this racquet. The racquet swings with noticeably more heft than the other two Flexpoint Prestige models, and the extra heft made it the most demanding of the three."
Granville struggled to find the groove with the Flexpoint Prestige XL. "The higher swingweight doomed this racquet for me. Some racquets are simply not meant to be XLs (longer), and for me the Prestige is one of those racquets. The added length made the racquet feel very sluggish on the backswing. Furthermore, I had to adjust my hitting zone on my groundies to compensate for the added length." Jon also found the Flexpoint Prestige Xl to feel hefty at the baseline. "The first thing I noticed was the added power of this racquet compared to the other two. It also felt almost head heavy due to the high swingweight and was less maneuverable from the baseline than its standard length siblings."
The Flexpoint Prestige XL drew mixed results from our team at net. Getting the most from the racquet on his volleys was Jon. "Volleys were comfortable and the level of control was excellent. I found the added length to be a welcome addition at net." Brad was not as comfortable at net with the Flexpoint Prestige Midplus XL. "At net, this racquet was not nearly as effective as the Standard length Midplus. The extra length and higher swingweight made it harder to get the racquet head around where I needed it to be. Also, with the extra length, I lost some of the feel for the ball, which made it harder to hit drop and touch volleys."
Granville would have liked a more head light balance from the racquet at net. "Despite the similar specs on balance with the Mid and Midplus, the Midplus XL just felt head heavy, thus less maneuverable." Finding a solid response from the racquet at net was Chris. "Very solid at net but not as maneuverable as the others. I found plenty of pop and was able to stick some nice deep volleys with this racquet. I found good feel and control. There was a lot of mass to put behind a volley with this racquet and the racquet never felt overpowered."
With some extra length and heft to the racquet, the Flexpoint Prestige Midplus XL seems like a good racquet for big serving. However, our team struggled to find the groove and consistently tap into the racquet's potential. Granville said, "The serve is perhaps the one stroke where the added length could be a benefit. With some modifications to my timing and toss I was able to hit some powerful serves with good targeting. I just don't like changing my strokes to accommodate a racquet." Chris struggled with his timing on serve with the Flexpoint Prestige Midplus XL. "I didn't find as much of an advantage with this longer version as I'd expected on serve. I almost never hit a hard flat serve these days, but was hoping to find some extra pace and spin from the added length of this racquet. While I did find some additional pace, it was not a huge improvement over the regular Midplus and I never served as well as I did with the Mid. Every now and then, I'd find the zone with this racquet and get some great pace and spin on my serves. However, those instances were just too few and far between for any real advantage."
After an initial adjustment, Brad served well with the Flexpoint Prestige Midplus XL. "Serving with this racquet took a bit to get used to, but once I got my ball toss dialed in, the extra length really worked to my advantage. I found it easier to get my wide serves in with this racquet compared to the Mid or Midplus versions. I think the higher swingweight of this racquet made it harder to generate racquet head speed on my serves, but the extra bit of reach made up for it." Jon found it harder to get his serve dialed in with the Flexpoint Prestige Midplus XL. "I noticed some added power but I had trouble adjusting to the length and heft of the racquet. I found myself choking up a bit in order to gain consistency. The spin and power were great, the control was my only issue - probably just me."
Our team found good stability and control from the Flexpoint Prestige Midplus XL on returns. Quickly finding the groove on his backhand was Chris. "My backhand felt very dialed in with this racquet. I liked the weight and feel. I liked the way the racquet head came around with good pace on my backhand. On the forehand, the racquet was harder to maneuver and took a longer adjustment. As with every Prestige I've used, this one offered plenty of control and good targeting." Granville struggled with the length and weight of the racquet on return. "Again, I felt somewhat handicapped with the Flexpoint Prestige Midplus XL on the return. The racquet felt somewhat sluggish due to the length and balance."
Brad found the racquet to reward good technique on the return. "Service returns with this racquet were decent as long as I didn't get jammed with the ball. Flat first serves coming into the body were difficult to get back. When I had extra time to set up for the ball on slower serves, I was able to get good pace and depth on my shots. Also, serves that I had to block back were a lot more effective compared to the mid." Finding power and control over maneuverability was Jon. "As with groundstrokes, when returning serve this racquet felt head heavy. While it wasn't especially maneuverable, it offered great power for a player's racquet and good control."
The Flexpoint Prestige Midplus XL brings plenty of heft, stability and control to all areas of the court. As with the other version tested here, we found a high level of feel and a very predictable response from the stringbed. Extended length player's racquets aren't that abundant these days, and this one will definitely appeal to advanced players who prefer a longer racquet. However, we feel HEAD could have broadened the appeal of this one by making the racquet more headlight and keeping its swingweight in line with the standard length versions. With a swingweight pushing the 340 mark, this one will feel demanding for all but the strongest of players.
|Last Shots from our playtesters
Chris. "I found XL to be the most demanding of the three due to the increased length and swingweight. I think if HEAD had made this racquet 11-12 points headlight like Tecnifibre did with the TFight 325, this would have been a dynamite racquet. At its current weight and balance, it just felt too sluggish and demanding."
Granville - "This one just didn't feel right, period."
Brad. "I would definitely prefer to play with this racquet over the Midsize, but not over the regular Flexpoint Prestige Midplus. I felt that the only drawback to the XL over the regular Midplus was the heftier swingweight."
Jon - "Initially I had a hard time getting used to the Flexpoint Prestige Midplus XL. It took a few games to adjust, but eventually everything just fell into place. However, it came in as number 3 on my list in this group."
Playtester Profiles
|5.0 baseline player currently using a Yonex RDX 500 Midsize. Chris uses a full-western forehand grip, has a fast swing style and hits a two-handed backhand.
|4.0 baseline player currently using a Yonex RDX 500 Midplus. Brad uses a semi-western forehand grip, has a medium swing style and hits a two-handed backhand.
|4.5 baseline basher with a big kick serve currently using a Dunlop Muscle Weave 200G. Jon uses a semi-western forehand grip, has a full fast swing style and hits a one handed backhand.
|Granville 5.5 all-court player currently using a Hyper ProStaff 6.1. Granville is an aggressive player who uses an eastern forehand grip and goes continental on everything else, hits with a flat swing and a one-handed backhand.
Review date: May 2006. If you found this review interesting or have further questions or comments please contact us.
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