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|Prince Tour 98 ESP Scores
Fans of the Prince Rebel series of racquets, take notice: There's a new name and a boost in spin and comfort with the addition of Prince's ESP (Extreme String Pattern) technology. With a super open 16x16 string pattern, the Tour 98 ESP allows players to swing with confidence, knowing the ball will hook inside the lines. Like the previous Rebel 98, this Tour has an ultra soft, plush feel and plenty of control to urge users to aim for the lines and go for their shots. Mark and Spencer couldn't stop raving about the racquet, claiming that it took their games to new heights. However, Chris and Andy wished for a bit more heft so it could pack a little more punch. All in all, the new Tour 98 ESP is a must try for players who like comfortable, maneuverable and spin-friendly racquets.
For the most part, our playtest team enjoyed the great spin potential and fast, comfortable feel that the Tour 98 ESP had to offer. The racquet landed right in Spencer's wheelhouse. He said, "First off, I love how the specs lay out. They translated into a fast racquet, and I was able to get some good power and spin from the baseline. The spin was apparent from the first hit. I could see the ball jumping up a bit higher on my opponent's side of the net. That allowed me to come to the net when I hit a deep ball, making it tougher for my opponent to pass. Also, I'm always happy to get some added power due to my lack of it. The Tour ESP delivered there as well. It offered a nice balance of power and control."
Mark got a boost in confidence from the baseline, and he enjoyed how comfortable the racquet felt even after a long practice. He offered, "It was a bit strange to go back to my own racquet after playing with the new Tour 98 ESP. I felt like I had to make an adjustment to my own racquet and not the newer one. I am definitely more of a grinder than a point ender, but I did get confident enough with this one to hit repeated heavy shots deep to either side of the baseline. Plus, the open pattern left my arm feeling pretty fresh after some two-hour sessions, even with a full bed of poly."
Chris found the racquet comfortable, forgiving and spin-friendly, but he wished for a little more weight to get his shots moving through the court. He said, "This racquet felt much lighter and faster than its specs would suggest. I was able to get lots of racquet head speed and was swinging through the ball very quickly. The ESP technology combined with the large EXO3 ports to make this a very lively, forgiving and extremely comfortable racquet. The sweetspot felt huge! The level of spin I was getting on all of my shots was also huge. The open string pattern really grabbed the ball and spat it out with a lot of spin. The result was a loopier topspin shot that traveled higher over the net before dropping nicely inside the lines. Obviously, that kind of shot ups consistency, but as with the Wilson Blade 98S, this one had my topspin shots sitting up too much. I had to work harder to drive the ball through the court because the racquet simply did not have the mass to it that I like. There's a lot of room to add weight because the swingweight is very low for an 11.6 ounce racquet. To help me get some additional drive to my shots I'd be adding lead tape for some additional plow through."
Like the others, Andy enjoyed the fast feel and massive spin potential, but he also wished for a bit more heft. He explained, "For the most part I enjoyed the control and easy access to spin this racquet offered from the baseline. For as light and fast as it is through the air, I felt like I had good command over my groundstrokes and could get them to hook into the court with the high spin potential. However, I did feel at times (since it was so light) that I would lose control of the tip of the racquet, and it would come through too fast. This resulted in a lack of control. Also, my shots didn't have the kind of weight moving through the court that they normally would."
Our playtesters also enjoyed the fast feel of the Tour 98 ESP around the net, which made it easy to get into position and react quickly. However, the lack of mass was apparent, too. Mark had no issues, though, and he quickly adjusted to the racquet and was volleying with aplomb. He offered, "I usually start most sessions with short-court groundstrokes and volleys, which is where I immediately knew that I loved this frame. The ball pocketing, whether the incoming ball was at low or high speeds, was very noticeable. It gripped the ball well and I volleyed from anywhere on the court with confidence."
Spencer also found it easy to volley with this racquet, although at times he was a bit disconnected from the ball. He explained, "I felt I volleyed well with this one. Some of that I have to chalk up to good approaches setting up easier put-aways. That said, if there were one thing that was lacking here for me, it would be touch. I've experienced better touch with some other sticks, but with all the positive attributes of this racquet, I can't complain."
Also finding the racquet easy to wield was Chris, but he wanted more mass to make it easier to get pace and depth on some tougher volleys. He said, "This was a super easy racquet to maneuver at net. I found it to be very fast and responsive. I was able to catch up to low stretch volleys and flick them back with a nice angle shot. However, when I was caught deeper in the court I found the racquet lacking some of the mass needed to find depth. It was also easy to hit floating balls short because this racquet required some added effort to really put some stick on my shots."
Echoing the sentiments of the group was Andy, who thought the racquet lacked some stability and feel at net. He said, "This racquet was easy to get into position around the net. It's also has a soft and plush feel, so shots hit off-center didn't result in much discomfort. However, it didn't have enough heft to make it feel solid, and it twisted and turned in my hand if I didn't find the middle of the stringbed. Also, I didn't feel all that connected to the ball, so I lost control a bit when I tried to go for more finesse shots."
The lack of heft was noticed most on serve. Our team thought the spin potential was good, but they were left desiring more pace as the ball left the racquet. Chris felt the Tour 98 ESP was similar on serve to another racquet featuring Prince's latest technology. He explained, "I was able to serve with more pace with this racquet than I was with the Warrior 100 ESP, and I was getting close to the same amount of spin. My serves were consistent, but they lacked pace and penetration compared to many other racquets. My serves sat up a little with this racquet, and there are plenty of strong returners here at TW to make me pay for anything left hanging. Not to sound like a broken record, but I really needed more weight in the racquet."
The control was there for Andy, but he still didn't feel all that effective when serving. He offered, "I felt like I could locate my serve well, and I also found good spin potential. However, with the lack of weight I couldn't get the ball moving through the court enough to bother my opponents. I don't have the biggest serve, so if I lose some MPHs I have trouble holding serve. I found returners were getting too many good looks on my serve because it sat up for them to hit."
Even Mark, who really enjoyed this racquet, thought it could've used a little more weight for serves. He said, "This is the only area that I could say that I would have liked it to be slightly heavier, but that is being pretty picky. Overall, the Tour 98 ESP was very predictable and versatile on serve. I would play tournaments with this frame, even without any weight added."
On the contrary, Spencer was able to use the massive spin potential to serve more effectively than usual. He raved, "This is where I probably saw the biggest difference in my game. Not only was I getting more pop, but also the ball was really jumping with good effectiveness. I was able to kick the ball more than usual, giving my opponents a tougher time returning. It even allowed me the confidence to serve and volley on occasion. This was the highlight for me of this playtest."
All of our playtesters really enjoyed returning serve with the Tour 98 ESP. It possesses Andy's most important attributes for returning serve. He said, "Returning serve was my favorite shot with this racquet. It's maneuverable and offers good control, which are the two most important elements to me when returning serve. I could step in, take the ball early and have no trouble directing the return where I wanted it to go. A little more weight would've been nice for chipping returns back deep, but I thought the racquet was fine to return with as is."
The maneuverability allowed Spencer to use all kinds of returns. He said, "Being able to wield this stick pretty easily allowed me to return pretty well. I was able to vary my returns."
Chris liked returning serve with the Tour 98 ESP once he dialed in the feel. He said, "With a control-oriented poly, like Prince's Tour XC, I found a more consistent response that allowed me to take a good rip at the ball with the Tour 98 ESP. While not quite as sweet as the Warrior 100 ESP, this was a good returning racquet for me. I could use my opponent's pace, and the racquet was light enough to allow me to take the ball early. This is also a very comfortable racquet, and I appreciated that when not catching a big serve return cleanly."
Mark thought the racquet allowed him to do more with his returns than usual. He explained, "The version I played with had just the right blend of weight and balance to allow me to swing through some of my returns, instead of simply chipping them back into play."
Chris - "I liked the spin and comfort the most."
Spencer - "The comfort, feel and spin. This racquet works really well for my game."
Mark - "I felt like the Tour 98 ESP was made for me from the very first swing. I could not believe that I didn't have to make any sort of major adjustment, even though I have been playing with many of the newer, extremely open patterned racquets that are due out in 2014. The feel, weight, amount of frame flex and balance felt almost perfect for me. It also had a unique sound at contact of the ball, which I liked. It has a very predictable feel with loads of comfort, and I really felt like I could 'hold' the ball on the strings longer than with other racquets I have played with."
Andy - "Good control and spin potential. It's also soft and comfortable, even on hits off-center. It's fast through the air and easy to get around your body."
Chris - "Too light and lacking a little feel if not strung with the right string. Prince Tour XC felt great, Wilson's Rip Spin did not -- although I like that string in other racquets. I needed the swingweight to be at least 20 points heavier to get better plow through."
Spencer - "Not my preferred colors in the cosmetic, but that's just being superficial."
Mark - "I suppose it's not really too much of a dislike, but after playing with the Prince Tour 98 ESP I have to re-evaluate my list of top racquets, and pretty much place this one at the top."
Andy - "It's simply too light for me. My shots didn't have much weight behind them and the racquet would twist in my hand against harder hitters. It's also didn't possess enough feel for me when going for touch shots."
Chris - "I prefer the Warrior 100 ESP over this one. Both are very light and fast with huge spin potential, but the Warrior was better on returns and groundstrokes for me. Fans of the EXO3 Rebel 98 should try this one; they play similarly, but the Tour 98 ESP has added spin and mobility."
Spencer - "I did test the Rebel 98 and have to say they are quite similar. The Tour 98 ESP offered better access to spin, and I enjoyed the overall experience a little bit more."
Mark - "I play with a slightly modified Steam 99S, but even in stock form the comparison has to be made. They both play and grip the ball like a ping pong paddle, even though the beam on the Steam 99S is firmer than the Tour 98 ESP. Because I feel that the wide open string pattern has a lot to do with what makes this racquet worth talking about, and there are not too many of them on the market (yet), it is hard to compare with most other racquets, even if they have a 16x18 or 16x19 pattern. Those now seem like dense patterns to me, and although I still like the 18x20 pattern, the way the ball comes off the stringbed is quite different than the new ESP patterns."
Andy - "It reminded me a lot of the Wilson Blade 98S, which offers great spin potential and control in a very soft and light frame. Both racquets got pushed around a bit and didn't add a whole lot of punch to my shots."
(Scores are determined by averaging individual play test scores)
|Chris' Scores
|Spencer's Scores
|Mark's Scores
|Andy's Scores
Chris: 5.0 all-court player currently using the Volkl C10 Pro 2012. Chris uses a full-western forehand grip, has a fast swing style and hits a one-handed backhand.
Spencer: 4.5 baseline player currently using the Wilson Steam 99S. Spencer uses a semi-western forehand grip, and hits with a one-handed backhand.
Mark: 5.0 lefty all-court player with a one-handed backhand. He currently plays with the Wilson Steam 99S.
Andy: Open level all court player with a semi-western forehand grip and a two handed backhand. Andy currently using a Wilson Blade 98 18x20.
Review date: October 2013. If you found this review interesting or have further questions or comments please contact us.
All content copyright 2013 Tennis Warehouse.


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About this blog
I See Elsie
The Ithaca College London Centre
Friday, March 1, 2013
Paige Erlich, who majors in Intergrated Marketing Communications talks us through her weekend trip away to Barcelona.
1 Comment
I can't believe I just discovered this blog page! Unfortunately I was never lucky enough to study abroad during my time at IC, but that didn't stop me from visiting Barcelona for a week over break, especially since one of my best friends was studying there in the fall '12 semester.
Many of your experiences are similar to mine. I saw La Segrata Familia which was the first church I had ever been too, the Picasso Museum on the other side of the city and Park Guell with its exquisite view overlooking most of Barcelona. Talk about a cultural shock. The Spanish people are so nice and welcoming and I was given a great tour of the city by my friend.
We then walked around the Gothic Quarter and checked out a bunch of little restaurants. Needless to say, the food was delicious! Their delicatessens revolve around seafood and meat. The nightlife was just as beautiful. People in Barcelona really know how to have a good time. I met so many different people on my friend's abroad program and that honestly made it one of the best parts of travelling. I wasn't the only one who felt like a stranger in a different country. You really build a connection with those you travel or stay with, whether students on a program or a family at the hostile. In fact, one of the people I met who I had a lot in common with offered me a job which I later took at www.carpartkings.com (I love cars). Anyway, Barcelona proved to be one of the most beautiful places I ever had the pleasure of visiting. Great food, people and overall vitality in the culture. I'd go back in a heartbeat.
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subset: commoncrawl


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Do or do not. There is no try. – Yoda
I discovered this quote when I was a teenager, most likely in 8th or 9th grade, tackling my first novel (a sum total of 50 pages – my record at that time). Before each chapter I would type in an inspirational quote that I liked, and stumbled upon this fantastic one by Yoda. I adored it; succinct and powerful. Almost every day I find myself thinking about this quote, or daydreaming about quoting it to others.
The biggest reason I love this quote is because I find it to be so poignant. When I first began to contemplate this quote, and what it meant for me, I realized that whenever I say that I'm "trying" what that typically translates into is that I either haven't started yet or I'm mostly just thinking about doing it without actually doing it. "To try" ends up being a weak excuse – that many people readily accept – because "trying" is expected and encouraged. It's very much in line with that whole "shoot for the moon and land among the stars" mentality for me. Even if you don't get where you want to be, at least you tried.
In the end, I reject this concept. For me, I very much have a "go with Plan A all the way" mentality. Part of this is because having back-up plans for your back-up plans is exhausting – you waste a lot of time and energy formulating these plans, stressing about these plans, and then later executing them when earlier plans collapse. Recently, I had this problem myself and I existed in such a nebulous space for many weeks. Then, I received some guidance and in my heart, I felt secure with this – even though it lacked the same certainty as the other choice and would require more work from me.
I believe in finding one thing you want to do, and doing it full throttle. That's why "do or do not, there is no try" is my favorite quote.
I'm participating in National Blog Posting Month (NaBloPoMo).
30 Days of Blog Posting.
If you click the badge, you'll be taken to the NaBloPoMo and you can join in yourself!


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Truth in Vodka
June 8, 2010
The Truth in Vodka campaign for Sobieski, an unheard of Polish vodka, debunks many of the myths and gimmicks surrounding overpriced vodkas, and urges consumers to focus on what's in the bottle.
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Pizza & Pages Book Group
Category: KidsCategory: Teens
Location: Children's Program Room
Readers in grades 6 & 7 join Librarian Cathy Townsend to discuss the novel I, Q. by Roand Smith this month. Participants enjoy a pizza dinner while they discuss this exciting spy story.
Registration required. Please call 203-594-5002


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I was wondering why stuffs like "Paul Is Dead" are still fascinating people around the world nowadays. I could see that has many sites on the web about that weirdness. How morbid are some people... Why did they still spend the time for that?? I think that in 1969 might be kinda curious to many people but 33yrs later there are "freakys" digging up those weird stuffs yet!!!
PAUL IS LIVE, and that´s a WASTE OF TIME!!


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Short Cap Sleeve Print Dress
Short cap sleeve dress with printed detail.
Unfortunately, the dress you are looking for (
Style: MP-66983
Name: Short Cap Sleeve Print Dress
) is no longer available at PromGirl.
Don't worry, we have lots more dresses to choose from! See below for other suggestions that we think you will love!


text: Enjoy a day out on the field even in wet conditions with the Game Winner® Men's Red River Mossy Oak Break-Up® COUNTRY Rain Jacket, which is made of 100% polyester with Dura-Stop technology for wind-blocking protection and Dura-Proof technology for waterproof protection. Featuring a polyester mesh lining, the rain jacket offers 2 waterproof zippered waist pockets and 1 waterproof zippered chest pocket for secure storage. Attached 3-point adjustable hood.


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Veterans Network
Support Services
We want you to succeed. That's why we have programs designed to help you make the most of your education, from your application and earliest days on campus through graduation and the next phase of your life.
Our Student Academic Success Center provides academic support services and advising for those who have not identified an academic program of study (or major); our Counseling Center offers support services to assist with your transition to college and civilian life. Finally, our Career Center is ready to guide you into non-military employment in the private and public sectors.
The following individuals have been designated as primary contacts for student veterans. Please feel free to request assistance from these individuals but be assured that others can assist if she/he is not available.
Academic Advising | Student Academic Success Center
Joyce Van Baak
(616) 331-3588
Melanie Retberg (new) or Bonnie Ulmer-Graves (transfer)
(616) 331-2025
Affirmative Action
Dwight Hamilton, Office of Equity & Inclusion
(616) 331-2242
Career Center
Troy Farley
(616) 331-3311
College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
Betty Schaner
(616) 331-8585
Counseling Services
Nick Debernardi
(616) 331-3266
Disability Support Services
Kathleen VanderVeen
(616) 331-2490
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(616) 331-3401
Family Housing
Kristen Evans
(616) 331-2120
Family Support Group
Linda Rettig
(616) 331-3588
Financial Aid | Scholarships
Detwann Johnson
(616) 331-3234
Food Pantry
Brittany Dernberger
(616) 331-2748
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(616) 331-2177
Registrar's Office | GI BILL Certification
Sharon Hall
(616) 331-3327
Student Accounts l Payments
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(616) 331-2209
Student Services l Dean of Students Office
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(616) 331-7188
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Vocational Rehabilitation | Chapter 31
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Page last modified February 3, 2014


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Lovely Located near the Panthéon G05408
Maximální počet hostů4
Počet místností2
Velikost59 m²
Floor No.(with elevator)
- Kuchyně
- Televize
- Výtah v budově
- Pračka / sušička
- Internet/WiFi
Accommodation summary
|Rue de Poissy, 75005 Paris, Francie
|Typ nemovitosti
|Ident. objektu
|Acceptance rate
|Response time
|A few hours
|Calendar updated
|A month ago
Apartment's equipments at your disposal: dvd player, hifi stereo, internet access by WiFi or ethernet cable, TV with international channels, clothes line, coffee machine, cooking plates, dish washer, freezer, fridge, kettle, micro wave, oven, toaster, vacuum cleaner, washing machine, iron, iron table, household sheets, towels
Living/Dining room approx. 215 sqft, with a window facing west on a quiet courtyard, furnished with: an arm-chair, four chairs, coffee table, desk, dinner table, fireplace, wooden floor
Bedroom n°1 approx. 130 sqft, with a window facing a courtyard, furnished with: bedside table, book-case, closet, a sofa bed for two people, TV with international channels, wooden floor
Bedroom n°2 approx. 150 sqft, with a window facing a courtyard, furnished with: bedside table, closet, a big double bed, wooden floor, ensuite bathroom
Bathroom: bathtub, washbasin, hair-dryer, tiled floor
Additional information: heating and continous hot water with a gas boiler, door code, no smoking, wooden floor, elevator
Ideally located, this apartment is situated in the very heart of Paris, close to Pantheon, Notre-Dame and the very well known rue Mouffetard for its night life and its restaurants , the Jardin des Plantes and Luxembourg gardens. It is in a short walking distance to the Ile Saint Louis, place Saint Michel, Saint Germain des Pres, with Le Cafe de Flore, Les deux Magots or la brasserie Lipp. Saint Germain des Pres is also one of the trendiest area in Paris, known for the fashion stores as Yves Saint Laurent or Louis Vuitton and many others. Many shops and stores are close to the apartment: bakery, butchery, supermarket, open air market, theater, restaurant, cafe...
The nearest metro station is Cardinal Lemoine.
If you arrive early or leave late, you can store your luggage in an automatic locker located nearby: City Locker (Gare du Nord, Gare de l'Est, Le Marais, Hotel de Ville, Chatelet, Saint-Germain, Saint-Michel, Notre Dame, Opera, Madeleine, Saint-Lazare)
Domovní řádRegular check-in time is between 2pm and 8pm (after 8pm only self check-in is possible).
For arrival on Sunday/bank holidays, 50 euros will be charged.
An early check-in between 10am and 2pm is available for an extra charge of 50 euros (if the apartment is available).
Regular check out time: before 10 am
For departure on Sunday/bank holidays, 50 euros will be charged
Based on availability and at least with a 24 hours notice, a late check-out between 10am and noon is available for an additional cost of 50 euros.
We will ask you to sign a rental agreement, to respect your obligations and not to smoke in the apartment.
For rentals over 21 days, you will have to pay your consumption of electricity and gas (on meter reading).
The security deposit is equal to the amount of the rent for rentals of less than 21 days (Possibility of taking an imprint bank card with Visa or Mastercard).
For rentals between 21 days and 6 months, we charge one month's rent, and 2 months rent for rentals of more than 6 months.
|Weekly rate for up to 4 guests
|1081 €
|Monthly rate for up to 4 guests
|3250 €
|Maximální délka pobytu
|1 rok
|Příjezd po
|Check-in before
|Odjezd před
|Stornovací podmínky
Ohodnoďte tomuto hostiteli i další ubytování
Marvelous apartment, the landlady Diane is extremely pleasant and efficient. Everything worked smoothly.
Highly recommended
The flat was pleasantly decorated and clean. Good location, just by Notre Dame and Boulevard St Michel, and this is a very good asset of course. Unfortunately a very noisy musical bar underneath in the street played loud music until the early hours in the morning. Three of the rings in the cooker did not work from the very beginning of our stay, and the handbook instructions about this particular appliance were not too precise, so we had to work out how to operate the only working ring, it took a while. We indicated this to the agency, but the cooker was not repaired during our stay. The coffee machine did not work from the very beginning of our stay, but it was replaced a couple of days after we arrived. The area is full of restaurants of all types and prices. For us a good point was bookshops nearby, and walking distance from the Centre Pompidou library. The flat was well furnished with plates and pots. The shower cubicle is rather comfortable in size, and the main bed is big and provided with a comfortable mattress. The heating system was efficient. There is a big television set. Wifi internet worked only sporadically for the first half of our stay, but it was fine in the last few days. All in all, we had a pleasant stay despite the problems indicated here.
recommendable !
nice apartment, with an excellent location. It was fully equipment and an adorable furnitures. No noisy, even been in the latin district, but no views and weak wifi. To summ up, we recommend the apartment.
Lovely apartment
It was the same flat we rented last year,so we did like it, otherwise we wouldn't have. The only change was we didn't meet anyone this year, not even for check-in and that was a little disconcerting at the beginning. But everything went fine, citylocker included, and Diane via email and the people on the phone were really helpful. We hope to rent it again next year.
The app looks pretty much like the picture show, clean and charm. getting keys and check out was easy. Very nice place close to metro,buses.Thank you!
I thought everything worked out OK, but I think it was a little poor information about the arrival and also when we left nobody came to check on the apartment. Also I thought it was very dusty and the bedding didn't fit to the duvet. The location though, was very good.
The appartment was clean, comfortable and well equiped and was ideally located to explore Rue Mouffetard and the surrounding area. Great for my business trip but even better for couples staying for a weekend or longer in Paris. Definitely recommended. Thanks too to Thomas for the friendly welcome. Merci!
This was a lovely apartment in a great position. Although the area is not particularly picturesque, the apartment was within spitting distance of a metro station, restaurants, supermarkets etc. and an easy walk to the river, Notre Dame, Latin Quarter, several museums etc.
The apartment was fully equipped with everything required for a pleasant stay, immaculately clean and very spacious for a Parisian property. Comfy beds too.Our friends were happy to sleep in the bunks and the four of us had plenty of room
The one fault we encountered - a leaking hose from the dishwasher, was dealt with promptly and our encounters with the very pleasant team members for receipt and return of keys was professional and problem free
Our only complaint was a minor one - the towels provided were very thin and small and more than one per person plus a couple of hand towels would have been welcome.
This is a fantastic apartment in a superb location and comes highly recommended.
- Ověřenou kvalitu ubytování
- Prověření každého hostitele
- Bezpečné platby prostřednictvím SSL šifrování


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By now, you've probably heard of Korean pop star PSY or at least heard of his song "Gagnam Style." PSY has danced with talk show host Ellen DeGeneres and Britney Spears, appeared on "Saturday Night Live" and all over YouTube (not to mention the hundreds of tribute/parody dances) with his smash hit.
It's now even having an effect on infants. In this video, this little one named Benjamin absolutely refuses to eat without his "Gagnam Style."


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NPE wrote:Beautiful pot and beautiful setup - looks wonderful!
victoria3 wrote:Nice set up for your special new pot. Cork pad is a nice idea. Does the oolong taste different brewed in this clay?
NPE wrote:victoria3 wrote:Nice set up for your special new pot. Cork pad is a nice idea. Does the oolong taste different brewed in this clay?
Inspired by 茶藝-TeaArt08, I have tried my very best high mountain oolong in one of the gorgeous unglazed little kyusus I have from Andrzej and have found that the tea was more fully flavoured and lasted for many more infusions than in any other teapot (glazed or unglazed) that I brewed the tea in previously. Superb match!
victoria3 wrote:TeaArt08 & NPE thanks for your replies. I'm beginning to get into high mountain oolongs and so far have only brewed in glazed or glass vessels. I am curious do your unglazed pots have any smell of clay or as someone else mentioned rock? Also, if you leave just water in the teapot overnight does the taste of water change? I assume there must be minerals in the clay...
NPE wrote:I have compared three teapots in how they influence the taste of the water: a Yixing from EoT, a bizen-esque from Petr Novak and the unglazed little kyusu from Andrzej Bero.
1st round of comparison: the smell of the hot water when filled into the teapots:
Yixing - almost an unpleasant smell that reminded me strongly of Dutch maatjes..
Petr Novak - a smell like hot sand, very pleasant (Holiday!!!)
Andrzej Bero - not a very strong smell at all, more like a fresh breeze.
2nd round of comparison: drinking the cooled down water after I left it in the teapots for about 4 hours:
Yixing - A slight taste of the sheng I have been using it for in the +/- 6 months since I got it. Surprisingly the water seemed to have picked up a bit of colour as well.
Petr Novak - very fresh and clean taste. I had a mental image of a spring in sunshine.
Andrzej Bero - very clean taste here as well but somehow more crisp and full of energy. Difficult to describe, actually, but I guess that is exactly what makes this clay work so very well with the high mountain oolong.
debunix wrote:Oh my oh my oh my.... (drooling on keyboard)


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Just wanted to share that I'll be at the game tonight with my daughter cheering on the Bucks. Looking forward to seeing Sullinger, Thomas, and Craft in person for the first time.
Should be a pretty good game and I'm anxious to see how we match up with Florida as they have a ton of depth down low and they'll keep rotating them in there. I think we're more athletic overall, but we need Sully and Dallas to stay out of foul trouble, otherwise it could be a long night.
I'm guessing no one else is in the area and going to the game, but we'll do our part to bring home the win. Go Bucks!


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Climate changes will impact forests/maple industry
For many of the region's maple syrup producers, the 2012 sugaring season was unlike any they'd ever experienced. Several of the smaller producers I spoke with last year told me that it was their worst season ever. A few said it lasted literally one, or less than one week. A few didn't even bother to tap. According to the Department of Agriculture National Agricultural Statistics Service, syrup production in New York state decreased by more than 36 percent; from 564,000 gallons with a value of just over $22 million in 2011, to 360,000 gallons with a value of just under $12.3 million in 2012.
We had an unusually warm winter last year. I can recall a friend of mine lightheartedly calling January, March-uary. And the month of March felt more like May. In fact, scientists at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration said it was the warmest March on record for all of the lower 48 states (and the government has been keeping records since 1895).
Daytime high temperatures in our region ranged from the high 60s through the low 80s for weeks, shattering previous records on a nearly daily basis. Nighttime low temperatures remained where maple syrup producers would've liked daytime highs to have been.
Sugaring is a weather-related industry. Production hinges on the freezing nights and daytime thaws that cause sap to run. Fewer freeze-thaw days translates to fewer sap runs which, in turn, translates to less syrup being produced. Optimum sap production occurs when nighttime temperatures fall into the 20s and daytime temperatures range in the 40s, preferably with sunny skies, allowing the season to gradually transition from winter to spring.
In recent years, scientists at Cornell University, at the University of Vermont's Proctor Maple Research Center, and elsewhere have been looking closely at changes in the onset and duration of the maple sugaring season. In testimony before Congress in 2007, Proctor Maple Research Center director Timothy Perkins said the Vermont sugaring season now begins about 8 days earlier and ends about 11 days earlier than it did 40 years ago. A Cornell study, which was funded by the New York State Agricultural Experiment Station and NOAA, and completed in 2010, looked at the relationship between sap flow and temperature at thousands of locations from North Carolina to Quebec and as far west as Minnesota. Those researchers also determined that starting dates for tapping maples in the Northeast are now about a week earlier than in 1970. By scaling down global climate computer models to regional scales, in order to project localized daily temperatures into the year 2100, the Cornell study concluded, as well, that in northern regions like ours, the overall number of sap flow days probably won't change much. The peak season, however, will continue to shift; becoming earlier and earlier over time.
In an article written by Cornell University life sciences writer Krishna Ramanujan, published in the Nov. 10, 2010 edition of the Cornell Chronicle, Brian Chabot, a professor of ecology and evolutionary biology who co-authored a paper on climate change and maple sugar production, which appeared in the journal Climate Change in September of that year, is quoted as saying, "By 2100, we can expect to begin tapping maples closer to Christmas in the Northeast." The article goes on to say that, according to Chabot, maple syrup production in Quebec may actually benefit from climate changes.
The picture is quite different, however, for producers in locations at the southern end of the sugar maple range. Rumanajan's article goes on to say that Chabot believes that maple production south of Pennsylvania will likely be lost by the year 2100, due to lack of freezing. And studies conducted by the United States Forest Service indicate a substantial reduction in suitable habitat for sugar maple in this century, with the southern range being most profoundly affected. Those studies suggest that the viability of syrup production could be further impacted as trees become more stressed by extreme weather and resulting disease and insect pressure.
Following a comprehensive review of more than 50 years of long term data on environmental conditions at the USFS Hubbard Brook Experimental Forest in New Hampshire, a group of 21 scientists recently released a paper maintaining that winters there are becoming both shorter and milder; that over that period of time, there has been a rise in the amount of rainfall and a decrease in snowfall; and that soil thaw is no longer closely tied to spring plant growth, creating a transitional period that results in the loss of important soil nutrients. The report also states that, in the absence of an insulating snow pack, exposed soils are more susceptible to freezing, which damages tree roots. As a result, there has been an increase in mortality. The study concludes, as well, that sap yields have been reduced, apparently as a result of warming winters.
A 2002 Environmental Protection Agency Climate Action Report notes that "climate change is likely to cause long-term shifts in forest species, such as sugar maples, moving north out of the country." And a study conducted by the USFS, which looked at on-the-ground movement based on latitude, not computer modeled simulations, confirms the northward movement of 40 major tree species growing in 30 eastern states. The results of that study, which looked at 15 northern species, 15 southern species, and 10 species found in both regions, were published in 2009 in the journal Forest Ecology and Management and determined that 11 of the 15 northern species have shifted North by latitude. When commenting about the study, Chris Woodall, of the Forest Service's Northern Research Station in St. Paul, Minn. said, "This is no longer conjecture."
Maples, like poplars, ashes and several other deciduous species, have seeds that are light enough to be dispersed over several miles by wind. As such, they can expand their range comparatively easily and quickly. As sugar maples migrate north (and to higher elevations), those left behind in warmer environments will eventually be displaced by better adapted, faster growing species, like oak and hickory.
Migration of tree species is nothing new. For example, in response to changes in climate toward the end of the last ice age, forest communities gradually migrated northward in the wake of receding glaciers. The current northern migration, however, appears to be occurring at an unprecedented rate.
Whatever the cause, the effects of a changing climate (e.g. heat stress, decreased soil moisture) are likely to significantly impact many of our commonly occurring tree species. And maple syrup production is not the only agricultural industry likely to be adversely affected as climates shift.
But that's another story.


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I have been there a few times and I was disappointed in it. The dough is lifeless. They smash the dough with a hydraulic press before dressing the pizza. OK for the starving college student set but this is not a pizza for an aficionado.


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3 Days in Avignon: Suggested Itineraries
By Viator, March 2015
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Lavender Tours
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Provence Wine Tasting
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Wine Tasting in Chateauneuf dude Pale from Avignon including lunch 7042P5
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Avignon Food Specialties
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Provence Le Grand Tour
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Toy Poodle
Basic Toy Poodle Information
- Lifespan: 12 - 14 years
- Height: 10 - 10 inches
- Weight: 4 - 8 pounds
Medical Conditions Seen in Toy Poodles
- Otitis Externa
- Cushing's Disease
- Urolithiasis
- Diabetes Mellitus
- Epilepsy
- Hypothyroidism
- Glaucoma
- Intervertebral Disk Disease
- Cryptorchidism
- Legg-Calve-Perthes Disease
- Progressive Retinal Atrophy
- Patellar Luxation
- Entropion
- Atlanto Axial Subluxation
- Cataracts
- Chronic Valvular Disease
- Deafness
- Distichiasis
- Hydrocephalus
- Patent Ductus Arteriosus
- Tracheal Collapse
Toy Poodle Traits
- Jogging Partner
- Lap Dog
- Good with Children
- Warm Weather
- Cold Weather
- Grooming Requirements
- Shedding
- Barking
- Ease of Training
Toy Poodle History
- Although the standard poodle is the original version of the poodle, it wasn't long before smaller versions appeared as well.
- The first good evidence of toy poodles in Europe dates from about 1700, although it almost certainly predates that time.
- The toy poodle was originally used as a lap dog, circus performer, and gypsy trick dog.
- The French aristocracy became enamored with the poodle and adopted it as its own. It eventually became the national dog of France.
- The French upper class enjoyed styling and even dying its hair in a variety of fashions.
- The first evidence of toy poodles in America dates from 1846.
- The AKC recognized the poodle in 1887. Only later did they split the breed into three varieties according to size.
- After a period in the 1920s during which they almost vanished from the American scene, poodles staged a comeback in the 1930s.
- Poodles were the most popular breed in America from 1960 to 1982, the longest continuous run of any breed.
Toy Poodle Behavior Concerns
- Makes a biddable and affectionate companion.
- Playful and very good with children, although very young or unruly children may hurt it with rough play.
- Friendly to strangers, other dogs and other pets.
- Does best with reward-based training involving food, games or praise.
- Eager to please, bright and responsive, poodles are among the easiest of dogs to train.
- Loves to learn tricks.
- Excels at obedience and agility competitions, as well as therapy dog work.
- Some may bark a lot, but can be easily trained not to.
Toy Poodle Suggested Exercises
- Makes a well-mannered and alert housedog.
- A daily walk around the block, coupled with several play sessions, will meet its exercise needs.
- Enjoys retrieving small objects.
- Does well in dog parks as long as large dogs are segregated.
- Games and tricks provide needed mental exercise.
- Its thick coat provides some protection against cold weather, but its small body size makes it vulnerable to chilling.
Toy Poodle Grooming
- Coat is curly, harsh and dense.
- Brushing and combing every other day is necessary to prevent matting.
- Most people have their dogs professionally clipped every six weeks.
- Most people opt for a pet clip where the hair is fairly short all over.
- Shedding is below average.
- The eyes should be checked regularly for hair or lashes that may irritate their surface.
- No breed is actually non-allergenic, but poodles may cause allergies in fewer people compared to other breeds.
- Hair growing inside the ears may need to be plucked out or clipped.
Suggested Toy Poodle Nutritional Needs
- Poodles tend to stay in good weight or to be a little overweight. The thick coat can sometimes obscure weight problems, so be sure to use your hands to feel.
- Adult dogs should be fed a balanced diet, with restricted calories if the dog starts to gain too much weight.
- Small snacks can cause weight problems in tiny dogs.
- Toy poodle puppies should be fed often to prevent hypoglycemia, a serious condition to which very small puppies are prone. Frequent small meals of high protein, fat, and complex carbohydrates may help guard against this condition.
Did you know?
- Grapes and raisins are harmful to dogs.
- Some dog parasites are transferable to humans.
- Many common pet ailments may be detected early and prevented by visiting your veterinarian twice yearly - saving both time, money, and most importantly, ensuring the best quality of life for your dog.
Come visit us, we would love to see you!
We are here to help! Book an appointment today to continue your pet on a path to great health and wellness
Ask the Vet
Have unanswered pet health questions? Dr.Donna Spector, with 10+ years of hands-on Internal Medicine experience, is here with your answers every Friday.


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Housing Recovery Could Blunt a Fiscal Cliff Standoff
NEW YORK ( TheStreet) -- As Republicans and Democrats brace for a budget standoff based on ideological differences on tax hikes and their impact on small business, lawmakers may find common ground by including housing market relief into discussions on how to grow Main Street America.
It's clear after Republican House majority leader John Boehner took to airwaves for a second time since President Barack Obama's re-election that a partisan budget divide may push the United States over a so-called 'fiscal cliff' of tax increases and government spending cuts scheduled for early 2013.
But in scoring the points made by Boehner about resisting tax increases that could harm small businesses versus a Democratic platform to end Bush-era tax cuts on top earners - including a recovering housing market to the debate could create room for negotiation.
Notably, Boehner's refusal to restore pre-Bush tax rates on those earning $250,000 and over hinges on the negative impact the hike would have on small businesses, which often declare earnings as personal income.
Small business hiring is one of the weak parts of recent monthly employment reports, notes the National Federation of Independent Business , and a bump up in high income tax rates could impact roughly one million small businesses, according to calculations from the Joint Committee on Taxation .
If small business is the focus of whether a budget deal - a so-called 'grand bargain' - can be reached, then it's time for lawmakers in both parties to widen the scope of their discussion on how to bolster that segment of the U.S. economy, which Bureau of Labor Statistics data suggests is a key missing ingredient to employment.
Tax rates, whether they remain at current levels for small business or if they increase to pre-Bush levels, aren't the only factor holding back growth and hiring in the sector.
Other key issues include still shaky consumer confidence, weakness in large European and emerging market export economies - and most crucially - fragile small business access to capital by way of bank credit or home equity borrowing.
The widespread consensus among economists, including Lawrence Yun of the National Association of Realtors, is that home equity - the positive difference between a home's value and an owner's mortgage liability - is a key source of capital for small businesses, in contrast to thawing equity and debt options that are available to mid-and-large-sized businesses.
Unfortunately, as a result of the housing bust the 20-City S&P Case-Schiller Home Price Index remains far below pre-crisis levels , and homeowner equity is roughly half what it was at the housing market peak in 2006.
Depressed home values remain a key constraint for small business creation and widespread negative home equity in many hard hit regions precludes real estate assets from being used a source of capital for hiring or expansion.


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Topic: Finding ruby on rails programmers?
Hello everybody. I'm having a hard time trying to locate an experienced company that will handle a new web project for me using the ruby on rails platform. What is the correct procedure in locating experienced companies or individuals that handle custom web development projects for a fee? Is there a directory of some sort?


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Meridian Project presents DARK MATTERPosted by s21concerts in Concert Announcement, tags: animation, astrophysics, cosmology, multimedia, new music, performance, planetarium, video, Video Art
Meridian Project is pleased to announce the premiere of DARK MATTER, a multimedia performance exploring cutting edge research in dark matter detection. Dr. Jeremy Chapman, a recent graduate of Brown University's Particle Astrophysics Group, will discuss the latest developments in dark matter research in combination with new music written and performed by Joshua Lantzy, Jacob Richman, Jamie Topper, and Kirsten Volness, and new video/projections by Caroline Doherty and Jacob Richman complemented by the planetarium's Zeiss star projector.
Meridian Project presents DARK MATTER
April 25 and 26, 2014
2 pm and 7 pm (doors 6:30)
Museum of Natural History and Planetarium
Roger Williams Park, 1000 Elmwood Avenue, Providence, RI
Tickets: $3 | Donations accepted in support of the artists
Cash only at the door; first come, first served
Facebook | Twitter
These performances are made possible in part by a grant from the Rhode Island State Council on the Arts, through an appropriation by the Rhode Island General Assembly and a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts.
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Keaton, Buster
Buster Keaton 1895–1966
(Born Joseph Francis Keaton) American director, actor, screenwriter, and producer.
Keaton's silent films are among the most important works in the development of American comedy. His films of the 1920s are now considered as impressive as those of Charlie Chaplin. Keaton's films are a mixture of comedy and pathos, with Buster playing a protagonist trying to extricate himself from dangerous situations. Stunts were filmed in long shot, so that their danger is fully apparent to the viewer. In front of the camera, Keaton had the ability to remain stoical and aloof through the most outrageous situations, a talent which won for him a large following in the 1920s.
Keaton began his theatrical career at an early age. He appeared in his parents's vaudeville routine, and was called "the human mop" because they threw him all over the stage. Keaton later claimed that this experience helped him perform the difficult stunts that he staged in his films. He worked in vaudeville until 1917, when he appeared in his first film, The Butcher Boy, with Fatty Arbuckle. Throughout the early and mid-twenties, Keaton made many popular shorts and features, including Cops, The Three Ages, and Sherlock Jr. At this time, Keaton had total artistic control over his films. However, by the time he made his best films, The General and Steamboat Bill Jr., stifling restrictions had been put on his work, such as the hiring of co-directors and artistic supervisors. In 1928, when his contract was transferred from United Artists to MGM, Keaton became little more than a hired hand in the films in which he starred. His work deteriorated steadily, personal problems sapped his skills, and many people thought he was dead until the 1950s. At that time, Keaton began to appear once again in films, including Chaplin's Limelight, and critical reevaluations of his early work began to appear. Most of these were extremely favorable.
Keaton's most important physical asset was his face. Impassive, never smiling, "The Great Stone Face" seemed ready for any disaster. Critics today see Keaton as a solitary film-maker, an artist who planned his films and routines very carefully (when he was allowed to). Admirers say that his films are beautiful as a result of creative and exciting photography. Many critics feel the scenes Keaton shot in the Northwest wilderness for some films (particularly The General) are still unsurpassed. Above all, Keaton created films in a slapstick style that audiences still find engaging today.
R. E. Sherwood
In one of his earlier comedies, "The Paleface," Buster Keaton captured a quality of wistfulness that marked him as one apart from the ordinary run of movie gag-grabbers. It is this same quality that has made Chaplin great.
Keaton returns to the mood of "The Paleface" in "Go West"—a comedy which, when viewed analytically, is in fact a soul-stirring tragedy. It is the story of a boy, known on the program as "Friendless," who is kicked about from pillar to post—from New York, N.Y., to Needles, California—until he finally finds a startling treasure of human warmth and sympathy in the person of a brown-eyed cow. For this cow he conceives a devastating affection, and his loyal heart is shattered when an inexorable ranch-owner compels him to lead his bovine girl friend to the slaughterhouse.
A [James Matthew] Barrie, a [Ferenc] Molnar, or a [George Bernard] Shaw could not have conceived a romance like that. It is the utterly mad but oddly significant sort of story that could flourish only on the screen.
Buster Keaton plays it with his usual dead pan, and with occasional sidesteps into the realms of ridiculousness. In these moments he is terribly funny, but for the major part of the picture, he is inexpressibly sad.
Toward the end, a herd of cattle breaks loose in a city street—and here, unfortunately, Buster Keaton loses control. The cows refuse to do their bit toward the development of screen art, and the story ends lamely.
But "Go West" is a good picture—the best, I think, that Keaton has done since "Our Hospitality."
R. E. Sherwood, "The Silent Drama: 'Go West'," in Life, Vol. 86, No. 2246, November 19, 1925, p. 26.
James Agee
Keaton worked strictly for laughs, but his work came from so far inside a curious and original spirit that he achieved a great deal besides, especially in his feature-length comedies. (For plain hard laughter his 19 short comedies … were even better.) He was the only major comedian who kept sentiment almost entirely out of his work, and he brought pure physical comedy to its greatest heights. Beneath his lack of emotion he was also uninsistently sardonic; deep below that, giving a disturbing tension and grandeur to the foolishness, for those who sensed it, there was in his comedy a freezing whisper not of pathos but of melancholia. With the humor, the craftsmanship and the action there was often, besides, a fine, still and sometimes dreamlike beauty. Much of his Civil War picture The General is within hailing distance of Matthew Brady. And there is a ghostly, unforgettable moment in The Navigator when, on a deserted, softly rolling ship, all the pale doors along a deck swing open as one behind Keaton and, as one, slam shut, in a hair-raising illusion of noise. (p. 85)
James Agee, "Comedy's Greatest Era" (© copyright The James Agee Trust; reprinted by permission), in Life, Vol. 27, No. 10, September 5, 1949, pp. 70-82, 85-6, 88.∗
Penelope Houston
The hero of The General is a little engine driver, turned down by the Confederate recruiting sergeants, dismissed as a coward by his girl, who, in pursuit of his stolen engine, penetrates the Unionist lines, spies on a military conference, rescues the girl, recovers the engine and steams back in triumph to the Confederate encampment. The exploits are preposterously heroic; their manner of execution is brisk but detached. Confronted with the outlandish or the alarming—the disappearance of his train, the discovery that in setting fire to the railway bridge he has placed himself on the wrong side of the blaze, or that, in his grand scheme to fire on the enemy train, he has directed the cannonball straight into the cab of his own engine—Keaton remains imperturbable. This, one feels, is how he expects things to behave; there is no need for undue alarm. It is out of this laconic, matter-of-fact acceptance, this obstinate persistence in effort, however misguided, this untroubled, dream-like logic, that Keaton builds his comedy technique. The film advances in a series of triumphs and setbacks, with each check stimulating him to fresh activity, fresh displays of ingenuity. The train puffs past first the retreating Confederate troops, then the advancing Yankees, while its driver, sublimely unaware, busily saws wood for the engine. It runs steadily towards an obstacle across the line while Keaton, spread-eagled against the front of the engine, comes as close to trepidation as we ever see him before he...
(The entire section is 622 words.)
Christopher Bishop
Where the goals in Chaplin's films are social, physical, and explicit, those in Keaton's are metaphysical and implicit. Chaplin's art is rooted in a period which could believe in social solutions, while, for Keaton, there are no solutions—or rather, the solutions, like the problems, lie somewhere just outside the frameline, somewhere beyond the film's conclusion. His films, unlike Chaplin's, end happily, his ambitions and those of his girl meeting finally at one point. But these endings suggest a temporary adjustment of ultimate divergences; any solutions fate may provide for this man are essentially irrelevant. One critic has spoken of "the admirable play of horizontals and verticals" in his films; the fundamental disparity between Keaton's line and that of the other characters is final and immutable. Keaton is willing to join in the game, a game not entirely innocent, in which the stakes may be life and death—but it is not his game, and one senses that, for him, all has already been lost.
Keaton moves in a windless vacuum of his own, his directions suggesting the trajectory of a bullet moving through a wind tunnel, buffeted by whirlwinds of ceaseless violence. His lack of engagement extends to his audiences as well, from whom he has always seemed separated as if by a glass and soundproof wall. His lack of emotional response, his endlessly rigid and inflexible behavior imply a previous hurt which even he cannot remember, but which controls his every movement. The dignity and silence of Keaton's suffering speak, as do Garbo's, of an immensity of early sorrow which cannot be put into words. There is in his films always something withheld, a little turned away from the audience, the nature of which is open to conjecture. It is this quality of reserve which in the end makes his performances so powerful. (p. 14)
Christopher Bishop, "The Great Stone Face," in Film Quarterly (copyright 1958 by The Regents of the University of California; reprinted by permission of the University of California Press), Vol. XII, No. 1, Fall, 1958, pp. 10-15.
Paul Rotha
Keaton at his best as in The General, College, and the first two reels of Spite Marriage, has real merit. His humour is dry, exceptionally well constructed and almost entirely mechanical in execution. He has set himself the task of an assumed personality, which succeeds in becoming comic by its very sameness. He relies, also, on the old method of repetition, which when enhanced by his own inscrutable individuality becomes incredibly funny. His comedies show an extensive knowledge of the contrast of shapes and sizes and an extremely pleasing sense of the ludicrous. Keaton has, above all, the great asset of being funny in himself. He looks odd, does extraordinary things and employs uproariously funny...
(The entire section is 201 words.)
J.-P. Lebel
Keaton's profoundly visual kind of comedy depends on his skill in directing which permits him to use space itself as an element in his gags. And thus by using different shots of a railway track describing a hairpin bend on a steep slope together with shots of a locomotive prankishly advancing and retreating, Keaton can gallop through woods, tumble down the slope and scale rocks (The General). Ultimately this turns into a sort of abstract locomotive ballet. Using an ingenious system of deceptively crossing railway tracks (one of the two, no longer in use, is suspended in the air), Keaton then superposes two trains going at top speed, one forward, the other (his, the General) backward, and after having led us to...
(The entire section is 3712 words.)
Penelope Houston
The Boat has all the resilience, pig-headedness, and strangeness of the best Keaton films. It ends perfectly; but if it were to go on one has no doubt that this extraordinary family (wife and children behave like extensions of Keaton himself) would next be found setting up some ultra-ingenious desert island shack. The survival power of the Keaton character is never seriously in question. But the element of melancholy … still bites. Keaton's humour is seldom destructive except at his own expense; and the collapse of the house at the beginning of The Boat seems to me one of the most strangely and sorrowfully and totally comic moments in cinema.
By now, the principles of Keaton films...
(The entire section is 1068 words.)
Stanley Kauffmann
Keaton has never been forgotten, but he has been comparatively neglected. That comparison is, obviously, with Chaplin. Now some points seem clear. As performer, Keaton is certainly Chaplin's equal. As director, he is Chaplin's superior, more flexible in his camera movement, more sensitive to pictorial quality as such. As producer of whole, organic works, he is not quite as good as Chaplin. As manager of his career, he is not remotely in Chaplin's league. Chaplin had great business and promotive sense; Keaton had practically none. (p. 20)
Artistically, there are close similarities and wide differences between them. Both understood the body as the source of comic life, both had incredible control of...
(The entire section is 446 words.)
Gerald Mast
[Only] Buster Keaton could rival Chaplin in his insight into human relationships, into the conflict between the individual man and the immense social machinery that surrounds him; only Keaton could rival Chaplin in making his insight both funny and serious at the same time. On the one hand, the Keaton canon as a whole is thinner, less consistent than the Chaplin canon; the character he fashioned—with his deadpan, blank reaction to the chaos that inevitably and inadvertently blooms around him—lacks the range, the compassionate yearnings, the pitiable disappointments of Chaplin's tramp. On the other hand, Keaton made a single film, The General, that is possibly more even, more unified, and more complex in...
(The entire section is 906 words.)
Norman Silverstein
The year 1922 has been celebrated for the appearance of [Eliot's] The Waste Land and [Joyce's] Ulysses. It was also the year The Reader's Digest began publication. Buster Keaton's "Cops" (1922), I would maintain, is a great work of art, belonging with Eliot's poem and Joyce's novel rather than with the trivial works with which it has been associated because its discourse has depended on gags. (p. 269)
Keaton's gags are more philosophical than slapstick in that they test the nature of reality. In "Cops," objects prove to have a side so hidden as to allow indeterminacy to reign in our perception of the received world….
If things have a hidden side, people also...
(The entire section is 319 words.)
Penelope Gilliatt
Keaton's character in "Sherlock Jr." is very much Buster's. Sherlock is cultivated, well dressed, virtuous, and fortunate. He is the forerunner of the well-heeled central figure of "Battling Butler" (1926), of the posh college son of the old captain in "Steamboat Bill, Jr." (1928), and, most of all, of Rollo Treadway, the augustly decorous hero of "The Navigator" (1924, but later than "Sherlock Jr."). In the beginning of his dream, The Boy is constantly buffeted by the alien film's overcutting by what Keaton once called to me "the homeless camera." (Like Renoir, among most other great directors, Keaton detested restless editing, and chose that audiences be able to watch in their own time what he was doing.) No sooner...
(The entire section is 262 words.)
E. Rubinstein
Keaton's addiction to his scrupulously well-made plots grew out of his awareness that the most astonishing comic invention demands the most conventional of dramatic contexts. But as this awareness apparently intensified over the years, it also began to threaten to limit his work. In Seven Chances (1925) and Battling Butler (1926) the plot exacts too much of our attention, repeatedly subduing Buster to its complex needs, cheating us of occasions to watch the Keaton body at work. (p. 244)
In The General (1926) Keaton has conquered the problem with a success no one could have anticipated. Here the plot attains a Euclidean harmony of shape even as it forces its protagonist again and...
(The entire section is 899 words.)
Andrew Sarris
One of Buster Keaton's inimitable images is worth a thousand words of explicatory prose…. This kind of hyperbolic heraldry gets me into trouble with people like Walter Kerr, who chides me … for describing Buster Keaton as "cerebral." I stand by my opinions, however, as I would much prefer to have people see Keaton's movies than sob over his memory…. But if any group can be credited with saving Keaton, it is that body of European intellectuals and academics who steadfastly regarded Keaton as an immortal artist rather than as a dated comic. And if Keaton has become, like Chaplin, a figure of speech in the discussion of cinematic style, it is because his films have been studied as high art, and not merely enjoyed...
(The entire section is 387 words.)
Paul Warshow
[When Fleming's Gone With the Wind was re-released in 1967, the distributors tried to "modernize" the film.]
An analogous thing has been done recently to Buster Keaton's silent comedy feature, The General…. And here the changes are even more serious, not least because The General, unlike Gone With the Wind, is a masterpiece by one of the great film-makers (perhaps the greatest film-maker of the silent era).
The distributors have made basically two kinds of change: one, the less serious, in the visuals; the other, far more serious, because fundamental, in the sound track. Both seem to have been carried out, at least in part, in the futile and misguided...
(The entire section is 804 words.)
Garrett Stewart
Buster Keaton wrote, starred in, and directed movies when the movies were still in awe of themselves and their very gift for movement. Keaton's kinesis happened also to coincide with the crisis of mimesis in other narrative forms, the growing doubt about story's responsibility toward that "real" world which cinema had so recently learned to simulate and resee. The art of duplication had turned dubious. In the process it had also turned in on itself to discover why. Perhaps the most analytically disposed of all the silent film-makers outside the Russian school, certainly among American directors, Buster Keaton was quick to avail himself of film's position at the fountainhead of modernism. As the period's greatest...
(The entire section is 2698 words.)


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Please go to the links provided for the most up to date information about all USAT events. If there is not a link provided that means we are finalizing details for that event. Links will be updated as appropriate. OTT SCHEDULE JWCOTT SCHEDULE
Please go to the information packets for all event information first. The categories, dates, equipment needed, and much more information is in these packets in a very detailed manner. OTT PRE-EVENT MANUAL JWCOTT PRE-EVENT MANUAL
You can see by the schedule weigh in and check in for the January team trials are by weight category and event. Please plan your travel according to the weigh in times. We will not make accommodations for flights booked after the closing of check-in and weigh-in. The weigh in and check in are at the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, CO (MAP). When you arrive on complex, after stopping at the guard shack make a left and go to the West Wing. The West Wing will be the building in front of you. You also can ask the guard to direct you to the USA Taekwondo registration at the West Wing.
Please bring some form of picture ID to the weigh in. Junior National Team Trials participants are REQUIRED to bring a valid US Passport as their form of ID. NO EXCEPTIONS.
In order to have a confirmed status, all checklists must be satisfied as well as 2012 OTC paperwork. All participants are require to provide this paperwork. If you would like to provide it before the event please email it to email@example.com or fax it to 719-623-1394.
OTC housing is available on a first come first served basis. We have a limited number of beds available for both of these team trials. Time is of the essence in reserving your housing. No housing applications will be accepted without payment. You will find the applications at the housing tab on the event links provided. OTC HOUSING CMR HOUSING
Cheyenne Mountain resort is our headquarters hotel for these events. The phone number or link for reservations is also at the housing links on the appropriate event tabs.
We are in need of volunteers for these events. If you are interested in volunteering email go HERE or email Minjae Cho at email@example.com
The purpose of the system is to facilitate meaningful competition on a national scale that rewards USA Taekwondo athlete members at all skill levels for both participation and achievement at USA Taekwondo and USA Taekwondo-Sanctioned Events during each event year. For the 2012 calendar year, points will be earned in sparring only; Poomsae will eventually be added. Accumulated points will be scaled according to the importance/size of the approved event and the achievement of the athlete. For black belt sparring 12 and older, points will be awarded to the age and weight class in which the athlete competed. For all other divisions, points will be awarded to the age/belt color in which the athlete competed. All points accumulated in 2011 will expire at the end of the calendar year. The points earned by each athlete will be used in various manners throughout the year. In an effort to avoid randomized seeding at the 2012 Junior Olympics and National Championships, total points accumulated at that point in the year will be used for seeding purposes, with the exception of 14-17 and 18-32 black belts. Additionally, points will be used to award athletes with the highest point totals in their division and clubs with the most overall points.
These team trials holds a 6.5 point ranking and is one of the highest rated USAT events in the 2012 calendar year that will award points.
USA Taekwondo commits to you, our members and participants in the upcoming team trials that we will make an announcement telling you which PSS we will use at the upcoming team trials this week. We are sorry for the delay but this is a tremendously sensitive area and we want to ensure we make the correct decision for our athletes and for our organization. Thank you for your patience and understanding.Thank you and we look forward to seeing all participants at the United States Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs in January.


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One question that is quite often asked is "What length golf club a person should use?"
This is very difficult to address as it is not always a black or white answer.A good example of this can be found when shopping for jeans. For example, a man does not purchase jeans based upon their height, rather two important pieces of information.If that person knows what their waist and inseam measurements are, they can purchase a pair of jeans that will most likely fit (but not always) without having to try them on.Then the jeans can be selected or paired down based upon the color/finish and leg cut – both of which are personal preferences.
The most common method used to recommend the length of a golf club is a height-based chart. Custom golf clubs are usually available in two primary lengths (excluding juniors) and somewhat based on statistics, like the average height of an average male and female.The average woman's height in the U.S. is approximately 5' 5" (165.1cm), with about 68% between 5' 2" and 5' 7". The average male is approximately 5' 10" (177.8cm) with nearly 68% between 5' 6" and 5' 11".The difference between the finished stock men's and women's clubs is usually 1" difference in the length.
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With this in mind, some charts will use these proportions; that is for each 5" or 6" of height differential, the golf clubs should be 1" shorter or longer. Of course, each manufacturer has their own idea for what standard length of their clubs will be that is why the actual lengths were omitted and the Length Factor could be applied to what one would consider to be "standard length".
Length Based Chart
HeightHeightLength Factor
6-9 to 7-0206 – 213Add 2″
6-6 to 6-9198 – 206Add 1 1/2″
6-3 to 6-6191 – 198Add 1″
6-0 to 6-3183 – 191Add 1/2″
5-9 to 6-0175 – 183Standard Length
5-6 to 5-9168 – 175Subtract 1/2″
5-3 to 5-6160 – 168Subtract 1″
5-0 to 5-3152 – 160Subtract 1 1/2″
4-9 to 5-0145 – 152Subtract 2″
For instance, we have a 5' 5" lady and a 6' 2" man.The difference in height is 9".Using the ratio of every 6" of height there should be a 1" change in length then there should be a 1 ½" difference between their 5-irons. For example, recommend 36.5" for the lady and 38" for the man (or 36.75" / 38.25"). One might wrongly assume that that we should use the same proportions as is in this case where the women is 87.8% of the height of the man, therefore the length should also be 87.8% (or 33 3/8" which would be extremely too short). Height-based charts have existed a long time and based upon proportionality.
It is interesting in the fact that junior club lengths do not use this same 6" to 1" formula.Rather for each 2" (or 2 ½") of added height equates to 1" increase in length.
For taller individuals, it is logical to assume longer golf clubs are recommended.But it should be noted that a 1" increase in club length does not necessarily make the club 1" longer from the floor to the ground.It is the sin of the lie angle that is the length component in the vertical direction. In the diagram on the left, a representation of a 1" at 61° amount to a vertical increase 0.874". This will be important when we discuss methods other than height based charts.
Wrist-to-floor (WTF) Measurement
Wrist-to-floor measurement or WTF for short is a common method in which the golfer stands with their feet together in street / tennis shoes with their arms hanging straight down and relaxed. Then someone measures from the floor to the crease just above the wrist.That reading then is indexed by the golfer's height to suggest the club length.The most common example of this is the Ping® Iron Color Code Chart.
Statistically, the average WTF measurement is 48.9% of the person's height.If everyone was proportional to this percentage, then height-based charts would have the same effect.However, statistics are based on averages and not everyone will have proportionate arm lengths to their height, thus requiring not only different lengths than what their height may indicate, but also the lie of the club.
Ft. in.in48.9%
4′ 0″48"23.47"
4′ 2″50"24.45"
4′ 4″52"25.43"
4′ 6″54"26.41"
4′ 8″56"27.38"
4′ 10″58"28.36"
5′ 0″60"29.34"
Ft. in.in48.9%
5′ 2″62"30.32"
5′ 4″64"31.30"
5′ 6″66"32.27"
5′ 8″68"33.25"
5′ 10″70"34.23"
6″ 0″72"35.21"
6′ 2″74"36.19"
Ft. in.in48.9%
6′ 4″76"37.16"
6′ 6″78"38.14"
6′ 8″80"39.12"
6′ 10″82"40.10"
7′ 0″84"41.08"
7′ 2″86"42.05"
7' 4"88"43.03"
In the chart above, we can see that a 5' 10" male on average will have a WTF measurement just shy of 34 1/4", while the average female that stands 5' 4" would be just a hair over 31 ¼". The 6" difference in height equals approximately a 3" difference in the WTF measurement and to 1" length change.Well, at least in theory between men and women stock clubs.If you consider that a 48" junior golfer has a WTF measurement of nearly 12" less than the 70" golfer would suggest that the junior golfer get a 5-iron that is 4" shorter than a typical men's club.However, the math does not add up as most junior charts will suggest a 48" junior to have a 5-iron in the neighborhood of 9" shorter.
Part of this can be explained by the fact that the WTF measurement coupled with the golfer's height is only a starting point.The actual wrists at impact will be lower than the wrists in an erect, standing posture as the player will bend at the knees and waist and have a certain arm angle away from their body when swinging a golf club.Each person may have a slightly different comfort zone as to which of these angles feel best, thus the actual person's wrist at impact will not always be the same proportion to the player's WTF measurement when comparing one player to another.In addition, at impact the wrists may be slightly higher off the ground than at address.
One of the key things to understand is when the person's WTF measurement is not proportionate to their height, then the length (and perhaps lie) of the clubs should be different than what their height would indicate.For golfers who have an actual WTF measurement greater than the chart, then the clubs should be longer and/or more upright than their height would indicate.Conversely, for golfers who have an actual WTF measurement less than listed in the chart, then the clubs should be shorter and/or produced with a flatter lie angle than their height would indicate.This explains why a tall individual could use "standard" clubs off of the rack if their arms were disproportionately longer.
For example, let's say we have a 6' 2" man that has an actual WTF measurement of 35.75" verses 36.19" in the table, as this person may have a little longer arms or shorter legs than average.We could simply adjust the length by reducing it by 1/2".Remember above that the 1/2" of club length will not exactly the same as the 1/2" in the vertical direction (0.5" x sin 61° = 0.44").If we did not make this change, then the golfer would have to grip down on the club, bend less at the waist or knees, or raise their arms higher producing a non-athletic position (in more extreme conditions).At 6' 2", the person might have been suggested a ½" longer club, but due to his lower WTF position standard length golf clubs may be fit fine.
Golf club lie also has an effect on the length as well. The diagram on the right shows the "Triangle" formed by the length of the club (A), distance in the vertical direction from the butt end of the golf grip to the ground (B) and the horizontal distance from the back edge of the heel of the club to butt end of the club (C).In the following charts, the lie angle of each club will be listed as well.
By altering the lie of the club, a manufacturer could theoretically change the B length.Below in the chart are 4 clubs that are the same length, but different lie angles.For each 1° increase in the lie angle, the butt end raised approximately 1/3" off of the ground with the center of the sole touching the ground.In lieu of making the club longer to accommodate a taller individual or one with a high WTF measurement, some golf clubmakers may opt to change the lie angle.
One of the reasons for this is due to the effect of golf swingweight of the club.All the combinations of length and lie in the following chart will produce a situation where the center of the sole of the club is touching the ground and the butt end is essentially the same height off of the ground.If we have a standard weight 5-iron (256g) and a lightweight steel shaft, the swingweights will be approximately that listed in the chart.
A common lie angle for a 5-iron is 61°, therefore the length of the 5-iron may be 37.25" to achieve the B length.This combo may be very well for a lady golfer that is 5' 8" with a 33.25" WTF measurement.A C6.5 swingweight would be perfectly normal in what you would see in a standard length woman stock set.However, let's say this was a man we were talking about that might have the same proportions of the lady golfer, or perhaps taller but with long arms.Instead of the shorter club with the lighter swingweight, the clubfitter or manufacturer may suggest a 38" 5-iron that had a 2° flatter lie angle.This would make the golf club swingweight in the normal range you would see for a male golfer.
It is easier to control the swingweight by manipulating the lie than by adding (or removing) weight from the head from a production standpoint. Most clubhead are made to narrow weight ranges from one manufacturer to another and there is a limit on how much weight can be added to a club. So you may see tall golfers get a combination of extra length and a more upright lie as not to make the clubs feel too heavy or shorter golfer a shorter length / flatter lie combination so that it does not become too light.
But, more importantly is making sure the golfer has the proper swing plane as a result of the length / lie suggestion that will allow the golfer to make solid contact.Furthermore, not just for one club, but the rest of the clubs throughout the set since most places fit on a mid-iron and build the rest of the set around that using normal progressions in length (i.e. 0.5" length increments).
A few years ago I fitted an individual that presented a unique challenge. His name was Mike and a professional in the medical field.Through referrals, he contacted me for a fitting.He explained on the phone that he had a birth defect in which his whole arm length was only the length of that to a normal person's elbow position.He wanted to play golf, but physically could not bend far enough down to grip a club.I asked him to stop by as I had some ideas that I thought would help him out.
Mike was approximately 5' 8", but a WTF measurement of 43".To put this in perspective, his WTF might be more equivalent of someone standing 7' 4".In addition, he was of average strength at best and not built like that of an individual much taller and physically stronger in which to compensate for heavier weights caused by the need for longer clubs.After some calculations, experimentation and fast-stetting epoxy we ended up making a partial set – a few of which I would like to share.His driver was only 2" longer than normal (47"), his 5-iron was 43.5" (5.5" longer than average) and his PW was 42" (6.5" longer than average).
Today, what I remember most about Mike was not his unique physique or the challenging fitting process, rather he was by far the happiest customer I could every remembered who picked up their clubs.He was so proud of "his" set of clubs. Finally he had something that fitted him that he could enjoy that the majority of golfers take for granted.
So unless you have average proportions, you might find that slight alterations in the length and lie might allow you to make better contact with the ball, lower your score and make the game more enjoyable.


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SCSU Now
Professor's book garners awards
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Bill Meissner is earning critical praise for his novel about a baseball player who discovers a Native American burial ground beneath a ball field he's building.
"Spirits in the Grass," a University of Notre Dame Press title, won a Midwest Book Award in the general fiction category from the Midwest Independent Publishers Association. Learn more at undpress.nd.edu.
Forward Magazine, a Michigan bimonthly that reviews titles from independent publishers, named the novel a finalist in its general fiction category.
Midwest Booksellers Association declared it a Midwest Favorite.
The Minneapolis Star Tribune said: "Meissner pulls together threads of race, romance and mystery in this novel about middle age, choices and change."
Wrote a reviewer in Booklist, the magazine of the American Library Association:
PEN/Hemingway prize-winner Susan Power, a Hamline University professor of Lakota ancestry, said: "His words are supple as grass, his language a graceful dance that is a pure joy to read."
Meissner, an English professor, directs St. Cloud State's creative writing program.
Among his seven published books are two collections of short stories, "Road to Cosmos" (2006) and "Hitting into the Wind" (1994), and a collection of poems "American Compass" (2004).
"Hitting into the Wind," which was published by Random House and then by Southern Methodist University Press, earned book-jacket praise from novelists Kurt Vonnegut, Jr. and W.P. Kinsella.
Vonnegut, author of the classic American novel "Slaughterhouse-Five," called Meissner "a storyteller with remarkable gifts."
University of Notre Dame Press published "Road to Cosmos" and "American Compass."
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text: Longitude (deg): -2.8. Latitude (deg): 52.2. Longitude (deg/min): 2° 50' W. Latitude (deg/min): 52° 20' N. Vice county name: Hereford. Vice county no.: 36. Country: England. Stage: Living animal. Identified by: Malcolm Storey. Comment: in small woodland stream. Category: macro-photograph. Image scaling: highly enlarged. Real world width(mm): 0. Background: white background. Photographic equipment used: Canon EOS400D digital SLR and MPE 65mm x1 to x5 macro lens.


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Balaton man killed in crash
A Balaton man was killed in a head-on crash west of Windom, shortly after 6 p.m. on Tuesday.
Jason Steffes, 39, of Balaton was found dead at the scene of the two-vehicle crash, State Patrol said. Steffes was traveling west on Minnesota Highway 62 when his Ford Taurus and a Ford Super-Duty pickup driven by 24-year-old Cody Falk of St. James collided, Patrol said.
The vehicles collided head-on in the westbound lane, State Patrol said.
Steffes was wearing his seat belt, Patrol said.
Falk and the passenger in his vehicle, 20-year-old Nathan Gisch of Mountain Lake, were taken to the hospital in Windom with non-life threatening injuries, State Patrol said.
Both the 2008 Taurus and 2011 pickup were destroyed, State Patrol said.
The Cottonwood County Sheriff's Office, Windom Police, Windom Ambulance, Windom Fire Department, Heron Lake Fire Department and MnDOT assisted State Patrol at the scene.


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San Antonio Spurs Tony Parker Autographed Memorabilia and Collectibles
Tony Parker is a legendary NBA point guard who currently stars the San Antonio Spurs. Parker is widely regarded as one of the best basketball players to ever play the game and recorded an incredibly impressive career as a mainstay member of the Spurs dynasty. Known as a fantastic scorer and one of the fastest players in the entire NBA, Tony Parker has held a reputation for being one of the best scorers from in the paint for the majority of his illustrious career.
Beginning his professional basketball career in the French league, Tony Parker entered the 2001 NBA Draft upon after he was invited to the US to play in a special Nike Hoop Summit that was held in Indianapolis. During the contest between American and European players, Parker starred the match-up and scored 20 points to spark the interest of numerous Division I colleges. Although Parker returned to France to continue his career, he make it known that he would enter the Draft in 2001, where he was selected by the Spurs 28th overall.
Despite starting his NBA career as a backup player on the Spurs roster, Tony Parker quickly found his place in the starting rotation leading and started 77 games in his rookie season. As a rookie, Parker was seen as an amazing player who could create space for his teammates and completely increased the speed of the game. He ended the season leading the Spurs in both assists and steals, which earned him a spot on the All-Rookie first team as the first foreign player that plays guard to do so.
Following his rookie campaign, Tony Parker played in all 82 regular season games as the Spurs starting point guard and improved his role as a playmaker, averaging 15.5 points per game, 5.3 assists per game, and 2.6 rebounds per game. The following postseason led a San Antonio Spurs NBA Championship and Tony Parker's first ring. Despite a great follow-up to their championship season, the Spurs were denied consecutive titles by the rivaled Los Angeles Lakers in the 2004 NBA Playoffs. San Antonio rallied in 2005 and Parker played a key role in leading the Spurs to a second NBA Championship.
As of the 2005-2006 NBA season, Tony Parker broke out as the game's next leading player as he earned his first All-Star selection and posted incredible statistics for an 18.9 ppg and.548 field goal percentage. Denied back-to-back championships once again, Parker absolutely dominated the court in 2007 and led the San Antonio Spurs to a third championship with a sweep over the Cleveland Cavaliers as the NBA Finals MVP.
In the seasons after the Spurs 2007 NBA Championship, struggled to reach the Finals and suffered a devastating Game 7 loss in the 2013 NBA Finals to the Miami Heat. Seeking retribution after falling just short of the title, San Antonio commanded the NBA during the 2013-2014 Season for a 62-20 record and their perennial place in the postseason. As the Spurs defeated the OKC Thunder in the Western Conference Championship, Tony Parker alongside Tim Duncan and Manu Ginobili broke the record for most wins in Playoffs history by a trio of players playing together. Parker then led the San Antonio Spurs to the NBA Finals for the second straight year and eventually a fourth NBA Championship as they defeated the Heat in five games.
Over more than a decade, Tony Parker has collected a massive number of team and individual awards for his play, including four NBA Championships and six All-Star selections. When it comes to foreign players in the NBA, none have made the remarkable impact on basketball that Parker has. As one of the best guards in NBA history, authentic Tony Parker memorabilia is a must-have for any serious sports collection and all die-hard basketball fans.
- Tony Parker Signed Basketballs: Tony Parker is an NBA icon that will always be remembered for his exceptional professional basketball career and credited with completely redefining the game. Take home a piece of NBA history and honor a player that changed the sport forever with a Tony Parker autographed basketball. A Tony Parker autographed basketball is the ultimate centerpiece for any sports room or collection that will acquire worth over time.
- Autographed Tony Parker Jerseys: Parker created his NBA legacy all while wearing a San Antonio Spurs jersey. Responsible for leading the Spurs to four NBA Championships and creating a basketball dynasty in San Antonio, there's no better way to honor the All-Star point guard than a signed Tony Parker jersey. Show San Antonio Spurs pride and commemorate a franchise great wherever you choose to display a rare Tony Parker autographed jersey.
- Tony Parker Signed Photos: From his rookie season onward, it was clear that Parker has unrequited talent that would put him among the greatest basketball players ever. Capture noteworthy moments from throughout the San Antonio star's career and preserve basketball history with a Tony Parker autographed photo. With a variety of signed Tony Parker photos to choose from, Spurs fans can remember their favorite basketball moments forever and invent in sports memorabilia of value.


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The State Department's Global Philanthropy Working Group, which I co-chair with Special Representative for Global Partnerships Kris Balderston, is focused on creating a global ecosystem that promotes philanthropy and encourages a culture of giving abroad. One of the most effective ways we can do that is by harnessing a quintessential American asset -- the generosity of our own people.
We see that spirit writ large today, as we mark #GivingTuesday, a movement of non-governmental organizations (NGOs), corporations, volunteer organizations, faith-based organizations, and retailers all dedicated to helping people in need. More than 1,500 partners in all 50 U.S. states have come together to build campaigns that benefit community centers, to support philanthropic efforts to help women and girls around the world, to design programs that teach digital literacy, and to create volunteer efforts.
American generosity has always been robust, particularly at the individual level. In 2010, for example, the collective giving abroad of American foundations, corporations, private and voluntary organizations, individual volunteers, religious organizations, and universities and colleges reached $39 billion. That total exceeded the U.S. government's foreign aid for that year by almost $9 billion.
The Working Group, is the sixth and newest pillar of Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton's Strategic Dialogue with Civil Society. The Dialogue seeks partnerships with civil society representatives from around the world on topics including democracy and human rights, governance and accountability, labor, religion and foreign policy, and women's empowerment.
Since the inception of the Working Group, we have identified and reached out to foundation leaders, who are emerging as international engines of change, greatly expanding the scope and magnitude of global giving. We have asked them to share best practices and identify shared goals and challenges, so we can learn from one another.
In early conversations, for example, we learned that many charitable organizations are hindered in their giving by restrictive regulations. We worked with the U.S. Treasury and other government departments to reduce those barriers. And in September, Secretary Clinton announced revisions to U.S. tax regulations that will reduce the cost of making equivalency determinations, opening new channels for foundations to expand and support the work of more civil society organizations around the world.
Our mission continues. I am working with Special Representative Balderston, to explore ways in which we can support and strengthen the global network of civil society organizations. By doing that, we can help more people empower themselves to build their own futures, and to bring benefits to those who need it most in their communities, whether they are local, regional, or global.
W.W. writes:
against above Philanthropy No to self decalred superbeings -
We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.
That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn, that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security.
Saima A. in Pakistan writes:
Hi Scott Beale,
I am happy to read this Global Philanthropy... Recently I am selected as finalist for Atlas Corps Community leaders Initiatives for January 2013 pilot class. I am very excited to contribute in this specific assignment. Wish you all the best for future course of actions. Hope we will stay connected though we are located in different worlds but our vision is same.