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Specific Gravity: Music of Lansing McloskeyPosted by Jay Batzner in CD Review, tags: CD Review, chamber music, Jay Batzner, newear, Stony Brook, voice
music of Lansing McLoskey
various performers
Albany Records
- Specific Gravity 2.72 performed by the newEar ensemble
- Sudden Music performed by Rebecca Duren, soprano; Alan Oscar Johnson, piano
- Requiem v.2.001 performed by Stony Brook Contemporary Chamber Players
- Processione di lacrime (pavan) performed by Philipp A. Stäudlin, saxophone; Zoya Tsvetkova, violin; Scott Woolweaver, viola; Joshua Gordon, cello
- Quartettrope performed by Stony Brook Contemporary Chamber Players
I find myself at a slight loss when trying to describe the music of Lansing McLoskey. Elements of just about every major stream of contemporary American concert music get wrapped together in different amounts in different pieces. A little minimalism here, some neo-romanticism there, atonal expressionism woven throughout, and colorful orchestrations to wrap it all together. McLoskey's musical eclecticism doesn't suffer from a lack of focus; each piece hangs together according to its own rules. I was about to say that McLoskey seems to be the rare composer without an obsession but instead it seems more apt to say that McLoskey is pan-obsessive. An equal opportunity obsessor.
The opening work, Specific Gravity 2.72, splashes with color at first while a slow-moving and determined melody unfurls against the more extroverted material. The second movement, "November Graveyard," replaces these waves of gestures from the ensemble with more subdued and resigned harmonies. The quiet and static aspect of McLoskey's language is prominently displayed in Processione di lacrime for saxophone and string trio. A single harmonic sigh underlies the whole seven minutes while forlorn melodies emerge from the ensemble and then fade into the background. The saxophone might be seen as the "odd instrument out" here but the instrument is perfectly balanced in performance and composition.
One of McLoskey's better known compositions, Requiem v.2.001, takes up the center of the disc. This one piece probably does the most to summarize the various aspects of McLoskey's musical language. Punchy grooves underscore long melodies in the first movement. Thick harmonies and darker colors make for a moody second movement. The violin solo "Trope [virus]" is frenetic and edgy, heightened by the extremely nasal mute sound. "Eulogy" recalls the opening groove from the first movement but maintains the more aggressive and forward trajectory initiated by the solo violin movement. The final "Epitaph – Obit." discards the energy using colors and harmonies similar to the second movement.
While the formal designs of McLoskey's music isn't always taken from a traditional model, his music maintains satisfying and recognizable dramatic shapes. The four song collection Sudden Music gives McLoskey a place to show his adept understanding and setting of text, creating lines and harmonies which, while a bit more reserved than the rest of the music on this disc, still sound like his harmonies.
The final work, Quartettrope, uses the Webern quartet for violin, clarinet, tenor saxophone, and piano as a touchstone for McLoskey's own original work. The first movement starts with the full first movement of the Webern original with McLoskey fusing his music onto the end in true trope fashion. The second movement begins with original McLoskey material and progresses towards the second movement of the Webern. This is not commentary on the Webern nor an attempt at stylistic camouflage; it is extremely clear when and how McLoskey's music stops and the Webern starts. The idea behind the piece is rather interesting and the execution is rather compelling. More than anything, Quartettrope summarizes the mercurial nature of McLoskey's voice and his compositional craft to put it all together.


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Topic: [ask] the best IDE for Ruby On Rails
what do u think as the best IDE for Ruby On Rails code? Currently I use Netbeans for Ruby. It works well, but there's a drawback when using this IDE, it's too heavy.
I need lighther IDE. any suggestion?
Notes: The IDE should be free / open source. I don't want to buy IDE just for writing my Ruby On Rails code.

subset: commoncrawl


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Body. Length 2.8-3.2 mm.
Abdomen. 2S abdominal apodemes large, broad, extended beyond 3S posterior margin.
Male Genitalia. Pygofer lobe angulate. Second point of style apex very short, toothlike, or absent. Third point elongate, longer than half distance between other two points. Angle between basal and third points <90°. Dorsal apodeme of aedeagus with distinct V-shaped ligaments, connected to anal tube and/or pygofer appendages. Aedeagus with preatrium shorter than shaft. Aedeagal shaft curved dorsad, broad in lateral view, round in crossection or compressed |, denticulate distally, with long dorsal distal lobe. Aedeagal apex acuminate in ventral view. Aedeagus ventral processes placed basally, close to shaft, shorter than shaft, divergent only at apex. Aedeagus distal processes short, apical, toothlike or absent.
Coloration. Dorsum yellow or white. Color pattern red or orange. Vertex with oblique lateral vittae. Vertex midline pale. Anteclypeus pale, concolorous with rest of face. Pronotum dark with pale lateral margins or pale with two longitudinal stripes. Mesonotum entirely pale, apex concolorous with rest of mesonotum. Thoracic venter entirely pale. Forewings with oblique vittae, without crossbands. Clavus with continuous vitta parallel to suture. Abdomen pale dorsally.


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Hello everyone,
My wife and I are traveling to Taiwan in early May, and are trying to plan destinations around tea and tea culture.
We are planning on being in Taiwan for about 8 days. Tentatively I think this will give us enough time to see some select places in and around Taipei and possibly Taichung.
Some places in and around Taipei we are thinking about:
- Wisteria Tea House
- Yingge Old Street - Ceramics, Teapots etc.
- Maokong Mountain / Muzha - Lots of teahouses, Tieguanyin grown here.
We'd also like to get out of Taipei and see some remote areas, and stay at some "bed & breakfast" places. It seems like Taichung has some great teahouses, and we might be able to take some excursions from here to see some tea farms or stay in some country inns.
I was wondering if you all might have some recommendations, suggestions or comments. We'd love to experience some great oolong, and hopefully get off the beaten path.
Both of us have never been to Taiwan, so this will be an adventure.
Thanks so much!


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Joseph Djugash and Sanjiv Singh
12th International Symposium on Experimental Robotics, December, 2010.
Not available for download due to copyright restrictions. Please contact the author(s) for a copy.
Copyright notice: This material is presented to ensure timely dissemination of scholarly and technical work. Copyright and all rights therein are retained by authors or by other copyright holders. All persons copying this information are expected to adhere to the terms and constraints invoked by each author's copyright. These works may not be reposted without the explicit permission of the copyright holder.
|Text Reference
|Joseph Djugash and Sanjiv Singh, "Motion-aided Network SLAM," 12th International Symposium on Experimental Robotics, December, 2010.
|BibTeX Reference
author = "Joseph Djugash and Sanjiv Singh",
title = "Motion-aided Network SLAM",
booktitle = "12th International Symposium on Experimental Robotics",
month = "December",
year = "2010",
|The Robotics Institute is part of the School of Computer Science, Carnegie Mellon University.
Contact Us | Update Instructions


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Winds of change may be ahead
Editor, OBSERVER:
Chautauqua County and Dunkirk residents have had the advantage of receiving tax revenues from the operation of the Dunkirk Power station since the 1960s.
At the Public Service Commission hearing earlier this month, speakers indicated that 25 percent of Dunkirk's tax revenues would be lost if the plant closed. This same situation is facing dozens of communities in New York state as fossil fuel and nuclear plants are phased out. Although these closures are necessary for the general public good, it is not fair that these communities become "sacrificial lambs" for the good of the whole state.
True, these communities over time have had an unfair advantage over other communities, and things must eventually be balanced out, but just "pulling the plug" overnight is not fair.
Clean electricity solutions are coming in time, producing new "green" jobs and a better environment for generations to come, as well as bringing new tax revenues, but New York state government must figure out a way to accommodate the change without destroying local economies.
A simple answer is to allow the entire New York state tax base to cover local tax losses until new tax revenues phase in. And begin re-training employees in green technologies without cost. Dunkirk is in an excellent location to take advantage of off-shore and on-shore wind generation, as well as for manufacturing large wind turbines.
Our state government needs to step up to the plate and provide subsidies for these green energy opportunities to take hold.
East Aurora


text: Ariat exclusive ATS technology supports and cushions as you move, promoting good posture and reducing fatigue. At the core of ATS technology is the Ariat ATS composite shank. This patented shank design reduces skeletal and muscular fatigue and injury. Mid-foot support reduces metatarsal stress. The forked shank design allows natural forefoot flex. The ATS footbed has a low-friction surface to protect from heat build-up and blistering. Shock-absorbing gel forefoot cushion reduces skeletal impact stress on knees, hips, and lower back. Cupped footbed chassis offers torsional stability. Ariat knows that your boots need to look good and perform in the arena. The Quickdraw cowboy boots boast a smooth leather foot under an 11" ivory shaft with eight-row stitched pattern. 1.5" horseman heel. Double stitched welt. Leather lined. Easy-on pull straps and modern square toe profile. Imported.


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My latest madness is giving away my novel Sukanya for free, through this blog and Facebook. Read, share, enjoy!
Thursday, July 21, 2011
The street
11 comments:
- Aneela Z said...
What a jannati post! I think someone took the writer's equivalent of Kellog's All Bran this morning..how the floodgates have opened!!!
- July 21, 2011 at 10:02 PM
- March Hare said...
That was most nice, Parul. Like the book you mentioned, this post made me feel all nice and warm inside. (Inspite of the rats.)
- July 22, 2011 at 10:45 AM
- i-me-myself said...
Nice post Parul! Very real..and true..how we turn our back on dirt, filth and reality no?
- July 22, 2011 at 12:31 PM
- Perfect Witch said...
A nice, personal post after a long time. A peep into you Parul!
- July 22, 2011 at 3:07 PM
Now if this were to be posted on fb, you'd accumulate a lot of 'likes' i'll bet.
- July 24, 2011 at 1:43 AM
Why should you feel like an escapist? It IS okay to turn your back on dirty rodents and cynical I've-seen-it-all people? You are a creative person, with 2 curious innocent children. Children bring back some innocence and joy to our otherwise cynical, sarcastic, worldly-wise view of the world.
Don't let a car-driver's absence rob you of that difficult-to-attain non-dirty place :)
- Cuckoo
- July 24, 2011 at 4:33 PM
- WSW said...
This post made me go all squishy (in a nice way) especially the ending.
Wish you would write more frequently!
- July 25, 2011 at 8:48 PM
this is a really beautiful post. very slice-of-life.
- July 25, 2011 at 9:56 PM
Gosh, the mumbai you speak off sounds so different than the mumbai I grew up in more than 23 years ago, yet it seems so timeless. We still have the same potholes, Manholes without cover and A**holes.:)
I have not been to Mumbai in more than 23 years. Today when I do stream studies in the US,I look at the clean, sparkling streams and I still remember the stench of Mahim creek as we drove past it in the 80's full of sewerage and filth and DEAD. For all practical purposes I am American having lived here most of my life, yet somewhere deep down I still consider myself a Mumbaikar.
- July 28, 2011 at 9:48 PM
- dipali said...
This post is why you are a writer, Parul! Loved every every word of it.
- July 29, 2011 at 11:01 PM
- Perakath said...
Driving down Linking Road in his dad's Innova, Perakath honked furiously at the cylinder cart effectively blocking an entire lane of traffic and cursed the day the a*hole pushing it was born.
- August 1, 2011 at 2:36 PM


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Skip to comments.Boy Scouts find small child's skull in lake they were cleaning
Posted on 01/31/2012 12:46:46 PM PST by Charlespg
A human skull found by two teenage Boy Scouts in a lake has sparked off a police investigation - who believe it may belong to a small child.
Hollywood police say divers spent Monday morning searching Oak Lake Park, looking for bones and other evidence.
Spokeswoman Lt Diana Pereira says that so far they haven't found anything after the two 15-year-olds found the skull over the weekend.
(Excerpt) Read more at dailymail.co.uk ...
Sounds more ancient than something put there in recent years.
Down by Hollywood, Fla.?
My memory on this is vague, but am I correct that Adam Walsh's head was never found?
From Wikipedia "Adam's severed head was found by two fishermen in a Vero Beach, Florida, canal on 10 August 1981."
Lots of sick people out there walking amongst us.
They also used a tow truck to drag out a safe.
Head found, body never found.
Until a child gets onto the radar screen at school, do you have any idea how easy it is to just 'disappear' a child...especially if an extended family isn't engaged in the child's life?
So wrong it's scary.
Until a child gets onto the radar screen at school, do you have any idea how easy it is to just 'disappear' a child...especially if an extended family isn't engaged in the child's life?
So easy it's scary.
Nope. Found in a canal by two fishermen.
Until a child gets onto the radar screen at school, do you have any idea how easy it is to just 'disappear' a child...especially if an extended family isn't engaged in the child's life?
So easy it's scary.
I made this point when the allegations against Sandusky and Second Mile came out....you can bet any child sex ring will have bodies buried somewhere.
Remember the case of Rilya Wilson back in 2002, who disappeared from a Florida State foster care home? The female caseworker was supposed to be checking on her once a month, but never checked on the kid for 15 months. Apparently she'd been working a second job when she was supposed to be making home visits, and falsified the reports she turned in. As far as I know the child has never been found, and all that happened to the worker was that she lost her job. It was suspected that her caregiver was responsible for her death, but they only had circumstantial evidence, and the case never went forward. The caregiver(s) were charged with fraud because they continued to accept payments for the child, even though she had gone missing.
OMG that looks just like my mom did the day she passed
Why does the Daily Mail always print the most interesting articles about goings on here across the pond?
It's not so much that the eye sockets of the skull are large, as it is the orbital bones are very thick and strong. But an ape would have a much smaller brain case, different jaw structure, different placement of the spinal column - I'd have to assume the pathologist would recognize that right away.
Do the side by side. Brain case too small and the eye orbits are way out of proportion and should not extend past the temple.
Very primitive skull. Looks like a baby Bigfoot.
I have seen this a zillion times while working at an amusement part several years ago while in school. You would be shocked how many parents just don't watch their kids. Shocking in this day and age of perverts running around.
I keep an eye on my dog closer than many parents watch their kids.
Where's the goofy haired history channel alien guy?
That's gonna make for one wild Boy Scout patch.
Auuuuggg! I can't stand that twitch. I want to reach through the screen, grab him and shove a comb in his face!
The only thing that hairstyle says is, "Hey! Look at me!".
I've seen him - the Tollund Man. He's very interesting.
Indeed he is. You may enjoy this book: http://www.nybooks.com/books/imprints/classics/the-bog-people/
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.


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UNIVERSITY ARCHIVES LOOKING FOR 2011 COMMENCEMENT BOOKLETS: The University Archives is looking to obtain copies of the December 2011 Commencement Booklets. If anyone has a copy and is interested in donating please send them to John Clark at 310 Halle Library. If you have any questions, please contact John Clark at 487-2589 or email@example.com.
EMU DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY REMINDERS: For questions pertaining to crime prevention, please contact Police Officer Candace Dorsey, Crime Prevention Coordinator at 487-0987 or email at firstname.lastname@example.com. The Crime Prevention office is located within the EMU Police Department at 1200 Oakwood Street. For emergencies, call 911. For all other calls, or to report an incident, please call 487-1222. To leave a message on the anonymous tip hot-line, call 487-4847. General questions can be emailed to firstname.lastname@example.com.
DEPARTMENT DIRECTORY UPDATES: If your Department Directory listing is not accurate, please send the updated information to: email@example.com. For questions, contact Debra Burke at 487-6895 or by e-mail at email@example.com. Please note that personal directory listings are populated by Banner and you will need to contact Academic HR or Staff HR to update personal listings.
POST AN EVENT TO THE EVENTS CALENDAR: To submit a new event, click on Submit an Event, or go to the EMU website, click "calendars," then click the green button labeled "Submit an Event" (located on the bottom left) and enter your event information. If you need help or have questions, please contact Debra Johnson at email@example.com or call 487-2484. All events are subject to approval.


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0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.
Here's some pizzas from last night. . . .
Got sloppy with sauce and smeared some accidentally on the rim I think that's what you're seeing.
Craig: re: mushroom pizzas - I don't know what it is. I know you don't precook yours, you slice really thin, and you're cooking a little faster than I usually do, I think. Yet yours look cooked and mine are just limp and sweaty and boring. Blah. Just something I want to pick off and leave. I've had mushroom pizza at one local NY style place here where they slice paper thin but put a ton on, and they cook and taste good, but they're also cooking at probably 650-700 for 8-10 or more. I'm slicing mine thin but not paper thin, I guess I need to try that...? I'm using crimini. Do you toss yours in olive oil first, or salt them, or anything?


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This is a bar cleanser that can be irritating and drying for all skin types. Guys who are still convinced that a cleanser needs to be in bar form to be effective (or at least more masculine than a water-soluble creamy or liquid cleanser) need to know that the ingredients that keep this in bar form contribute to clogged pores and dry, dull-looking skin. This isn't "CARE" for any man's skin; you'd be doing much better with any of Dove's body washes, most of which have neutral scents that men won't shy away from.
Dove Men+Care Deep Clean Body and Face Bar with Dove ¼ moisturizing cream and purifying micro grains provides a deep clean while fighting skin dryness. It thoroughly cleanses and rinses off easily without leaving skin feeling dry and tight like regular soap does. For total skin comfort and the refreshment you want.
Sodium Lauroyl Isethionate, Stearic Acid, Sodium Tallowate Or Sodium Palmitate, Lauric Acid, Sodium Isethionate, Water, Sodium Stearate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine Or Sodium C14-C16 Olefin Sulfonate, Sodium Cocoate Or Sodium Palm Kernelate, Fragrance, Microcrystalline Wax, Sodium Chloride, Propylene Glycol, Tetrasodium EDTA, Tetrasodium Etidronate, Green 5, Iron Oxides, Red 30 Lake, Titanium Dioxide, Yellow 5, Yellow 6
Dove At-A-Glance
Strengths: Inexpensive; available in every major drugstore and mass-market store; some very good body washes.
Weaknesses: The Beauty Bars are not as bad as true soaps, but all bar cleansers present problems for skin.
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Although their Beauty Bars have their share of problems (such as containing drying ingredients and not rinsing well), they're better than traditional bar soap. However, if you can get past your propensity for bar cleansers, neighboring lines at the drugstore offer better, gentler, water soluble cleansers (the kind Dove has offered in the past).
Where Dove holds sway at the drugstore is with its vast selection of body washes. Although the formulas often differ only by fragrance, for the most part they are excellent, affordable options, especially for normal to dry skin. The body washes in their men's line aren't quite as elegant as those in the main line, and guys should know their skin will do just fine with Dove's regular body washes.
Note: All Dove products contain fragrance unless otherwise noted.
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Topic: cant load a specific fixture (messages.yml)
I have a fixture called messages that I try to load in my mygration using the following code:
f = Fixtures.new(Message.connection, # a database connection
"messages", # table name
Message, # model class
File.join(File.dirname(__FILE__), "dev_data/messages"))
I used the same procedure for every other model/fixture and that one is the only one that doesnt work. I have looked to see if <messages> is a reserved keyword or something and didnt find anything.
The error I get when I run the migration is:
== CreateMessages: migrating ==================================================
-- create_table(:messages)
-> 0.0046s
rake aborted!
uninitialized constant Message
Anyone can help? I use the Message model in a lot of place in my application so I hope I wont have to refactor everything with a new name...
Thanks a lot!


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In the Catbird Seat/Joe Kirkish
We celebrate the sad endings of each year, then look forward with hopes for the new – looking back pessimistically, forward, with optimism. And so it should be. And as we look forward, we also refer to the poets of old who could put our thoughts for us, preciously, with the wisdom of ages past.
Hannah Godwin, back in the 1800s, paraphrased a miner's dream of home when she wrote in high hopes:
The log was burning brightly,
'Twas a night that should banish all sin,
For the bells were ringing the Old Year out,
And the New Year in.
Alfred, Lord Tennyson, shortly after, wrote a poem about the death of the Old Year – still pertinent today:
Ring out, wild bells, to the wild sky.
The flying cloud, the frosty light:
The year is dying in the night;
Ring out, wild bells, and let him die.
Ring out the old, ring in the new,
Ring, happy bells, across the snow;
The year is going, let him go;
Ring out the false, ring in the true.
Full knee-deep lies the winter snow,
And the winter winds are wearily sighing;
Too, ye the church-bell sad & slow,
And tread softly and speak low,
For the old year lies a-dying.
More recently, along came a poet for the common persons, Edgar Guest, phrasing what we all thought and felt in the early 1900s:
A happy New Year! Grant that I
May bring no tear to any eye
When this New Year in time shall end,
Let it be said I've played the friend,
Have lived and loved and labored here,
And made of it a happy year.
The poetic thoughts aside, how about the less serious sentiments, but no less profound, from others, beginning with Mark Twain, who gave these bits of wisdom regarding the new year a-coming:
Always do right. This will gratify some people and astonish the rest.
Always keep your words soft and sweet, just in case you have to eat them.
Be like a postage stamp – stick to one thing until you get there.
Be true to your teeth, or they'll be false to you.
Be wary of strong drink. It can make you shoot at tax collectors, and miss.
Before you criticize someone, walk a mile in their shoes; that way you're a mile away, and you have their shoes, too.
Cooking lesson #1: don't fry bacon in the nude.
Drive carefully; it's not only cars that can be recalled by their maker.
Eat a live toad in the morning and nothing worse will happen to you for the rest of the day.
Eat your spinach and you'll grow up big and strong like Popeye; you'll also end up with a girlfriend that looks like Olive Oyl.
Growl all day and you'll be dog tired by night.
If at first you DO succeed, try not to look astonished!
If you and your friend are being chased by a grizzly bear, don't worry about out-running the bear, just worry about out-running your friend.
If you lend someone $20 and never see that person again, it was probably worth it.
If you think nobody cares if you're alive, try missing a couple of car payments.
If you think your wife's jewelry is an investment, try selling a few pieces.
It is better to keep your mouth shut and look like a fool, than to open your mouth and remove all doubt.
It's nice to be important, but more important to be nice.
It's always darkest before dawn, so if you're going to steal the neighbor's newspaper, that's the time to do it.
Take the time to be right; it's faster than being wrong.
The easiest way to find something lost around the house is to buy a replacement.
Work like you don't need the money. Love like you've never been hurt. Dance like nobody is looking.
HAPPY NEW YEAR, one and all, from the Catbird Seat!
Note: For opera lovers, tune to WNMU-FM 90.1, the Marquette NPR radio station, Saturdays at 1 p.m. for the Metropolitan Opera on the Air. If hard to receive, set the radio near a window facing west or get a simple di-pole antenna at any radio shop.
Rotten Tomatoes: still no info from the local theater – sorry.


text: Sudan Khartoum, the capital of Sudan, is situated at the confluence of the Blue and White Niles. Among the tourist attractions here are the Omdurman camel market, the Arab souk and the National Museum. The main areas of archaeological interest include Bajrawiya, Naga and Meroe. Sudan is bordered by Egypt, the Red Sea, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Kenya, Uganda, the Democratic Republic of Congo, the Central African Republic,South Sudan, Chad and Libya. South Sudan South Sudan is a landlocked country located in northeastern Africa. Much of its landscape consists of tropical rainforest and its protected national parks are home to a plethora of migrating wildlife. South Sudan is home to one of the largest animal migration routes in the world, as well as having significant populations of classic safari animals such as elephants, giraffes, lions, and cheetahs. South Sudan also has extensive swamp and grassland regions. The White Nile, a main tributary of the Nile River, also passes through the country. The climate of South Sudan varies but it is mainly tropical. Juba is the capital and largest city in South Sudan.


text:
Emerald Ash Borer - Georgia Info
Georgia Invasive Plant Management Handbook
Invasive Plant Atlas of the United States
The Invasive Plant Atlas of the United States is a collaborative project between the National Park Service, the University of Georgia Center for Invasive Species and Ecosystem Health, and the Invasive Plant Atlas of New England. The purpose of the Atlas is to assist users with identification, early detection, prevention, and management of invasive plants. The focus is on non-native pest plant species impacting natural areas... learn more
The Bugwood Network and Forestry Images Image Archive and Database Systems
The University of Georgia - Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources and College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences - Dept. of Entomology
Last updated on Sunday, February 21, 2010 at 04:22 PM
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The ultralight composite bearing system (ULC) rides on a heat-treated stainless steel inner race to handle extremely high loads. Snap-fit Torlon® ball bearings carry thrust loads. Available in aluminum or hand-polished stainless steel.Torlon® is a registered trademark of Solvay Advanced Polymers.
Address InformationTel: 262.691.3320 | Fax: 262.701.5780 Email: email@example.com Technical Service: email@example.com our other locations


text:
It is far easier to improve fisheries management by involving a few dozen companies than by targeting millions of shoppers in consumer campaigns.The rise of corporate involvement in the seafood certification movement reflects several basic realities. First, that many seafood stocks around the globe have been grossly overfished. Second, that most governments and fisheries management agencies have done little or nothing to halt the plunder. And third, that it is far easier to improve fisheries management by involving a few dozen companies and conservation groups than by targeting millions of shoppers in consumer campaigns.
Corporate pressure is already achieving results and forcing more fisheries to become sustainable.They did so by establishing both a black list of vessels known to be fishing illegally and an industry-wide contract, backed up by random audits, which required suppliers to legally verify all catch. Since the buyers represent 80 to 85 percent of all purchases, and almost all of the European market, the contract effectively shut out illegal vessels, quickly driving down illicit fishing.


text:
December 6, 2013
Stories this photo appears in:
Abandoned animals need second chance
As the weather turns cold and the sky turns gray, nothing warms the heart and lifts the spirit like the unconditional love offered by a companion animal.
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Microsoft's Digital Production Guidelines-Improve Quality for Less Money
April 23, 2010
Bruno Gralpois and Marybeth Turk from Microsoft, along with Jillian Gibbs and Cherie Martin Irwin from APR, outlined principles and processes of Microsoft's Digital Production Guidelines, which focus on improving quality for less money.
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text:
Bill Kauffman
Manager, Media Relations and Publications
Phone: 719-228-6800
E-Mail: email@example.com
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (May 14, 2009) – The FIVB has announced the competition schedule for its 2009 FIVB World Grand Prix, which begins July 31 with three consecutive weekends of preliminary rounds concluding with the Finals Aug. 19-23 at Tokyo.
The 2009 edition involves 12 national teams playing a total of 69 matches over four consecutive weekends in 10 cities. The preliminary rounds are set to take place in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Kielce, Poland and Ningbo, China, on the first weekend, Miao Li, Chinese Taipei, Macau, China, and Osaka, Japan, the second weekend and Hong Kong, Mokpo, Korea and Bangkok, Thailand, the third weekend.
The U.S. Women's National Team opens the premier annual women's international tournament at Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, as part of Pool A. The Americans begin the tournament versus Germany on July 31, followed by NORCECA rival Puerto Rico on Aug. 1. On Aug. 2, the FIVB will have its featured match of the preliminary round as top-ranked and 2008 Olympic Games gold medalist Brazil hosts second-ranked and 2008 Olympic Games silver medalist Team USA.
The U.S. Women travel from Rio de Janeiro to Miao Li, Chinese Taipei, the following weekend for Pool D action. Team USA plays NORCECA rival Dominican Republic on Aug. 7, Netherlands on Aug. 8 and Germany on Aug. 9.
The Americans conclude the preliminary action in Pool I Aug. 14-16 at Bangkok, Thailand. The U.S. Women face Russia on Aug. 14, Puerto Rico on Aug. 15 and host Thailand on Aug. 16.
"We are very excited to compete in this year's edition of the FIVB World Grand Prix," U.S. Women's National Team Head Coach Hugh McCutcheon (Christchurch, New Zealand) said. "This is a great competition and it gives us a chance to play a lot of matches against some of the best teams in the World."
The overall top five teams from the three preliminary weekends plus host Japan advance to the FIVB World Grand Prix Finals to be held in Tokyo. The Finals format is five straight days of round-robin competition among the six participating teams.
The U.S. Women's National Team qualified for the 2009 FIVB World Grand Prix through the 2008 Pan American Cup in which the Americans were the third highest placing team from NORCECA.
Brazil has won four of the last five FIVB World Grand Prix tournaments, including last year's gold-medal performance. The U.S. has won the event in 2001 and 1995 with its last medal being a bronze at the 2004 competition.
In addition to Brazil and the U.S. in the top two rankings in the world, the FIVB World Grand Prix has No. 5 China, No. 6 Japan, No. 8 Russia, No. 9 Poland, No. 10 Korea, No. 12 Germany, No. 13 Dominican Republic, No. 15 Netherlands, No. 19 Thailand and Puerto Rico. China and Japan are the only two teams to appear in all 17 annual events, while USA and Brazil are making their 16th appearances. Cuba, which had played in all 16 previous editions, failed to qualify for the 2009 World Grand Prix. Puerto Rico is making its first-ever appearance in the premier annual tournament.
2009 FIVB World Grand Prix Schedule for U.S. Women's National Team
Pool A – at Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (Maracanazihno Gym)
July 31: vs. Germany, 1 p.m.
Aug. 1: vs. Puerto Rico, 1 p.m.
Aug. 2: vs. Brazil, 10 a.m.
Pool D – at Li Miao, Chinese Taipei (Miao Li Country Gymnasium)
Aug. 7: vs. Dominican Republic, 2:30 p.m.
Aug. 8: vs. Netherlands, 2:30 p.m.
Aug. 9: vs. Germany, 4:30 p.m.
Pool I – at Bangkok, Thailand (Keelawes Gym)
Aug. 14: vs. Russia, 2 p.m.
Aug. 15: vs. Puerto Rico, 2 p.m.
Aug. 16: vs. Thailand, 4:30 p.m.


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Founded in 1999 by the Bray brothers, Billykirk's ruggedly minimalist leather goods are some of the handsomest we've seen. Each piece is expertly crafted by hand in the USA (with some elements made right in the heart of Amish country) using antique tools and master-craftsman techniques. Constructed in heavy canvas and leather from Horween (one of America's oldest and most renowned tanneries), this bag is big enough to fit a 13 1/2" laptop, with plenty of room to spare. A removable strap allows it to be worn messenger style or carried as a briefcase (perfect for when business calls).
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We are pleased to announce that the first class in Entrepreneurship & Innovation, Building Blocks of Entrepreneurship will be offered in two forms this Fall Semester: weekly beginning Friday, September 10th from 10:15-12:45 at Cogswell – and on-line starting Monday, September 13.
The Building Blocks of Entrepreneurship (ENT110) class covers the basics of starting a new company – from development of an idea through execution – and uses small groups to create a basic business plan. The class includes successful entrepreneurs sharing their stories, live and digitally, as well as small group exercises and company visits.
For more information, please contact Trish Costello.
-Bonnie Phelps, Dean of Institutional Advancement


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Style: Wavy
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Weight: 2.6 oz.
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|This article relies largely or entirely upon a single source. (August 2013)
A wallaroo is any of three closely related species of moderately large macropod, intermediate in size between the kangaroos and the wallabies. The word "wallaroo" is a portmanteau of "wallaby" and "kangaroo". The term is not generally used by Australians.[clarification needed][citation needed] In general, a large, slim-bodied macropod of the open plains is called a "kangaroo"; a small to medium-sized one, particularly if it is relatively thick-set, is a "wallaby": most wallaroos are only a little smaller than a kangaroo, fairly thickset, and are found in open country. All share a particular habit of stance: wrists raised, elbows tucked close into the body, and shoulders thrown back, and all have a large, black-skinned rhinarium.
The Common wallaroo (Macropus robustus or wallaroo) is the best-known species. There are four subspecies of the Common wallaroo: the Eastern Wallaroo and the Euro, which are both widespread, and two of more restricted range, one from Barrow Island, the other from the Kimberley.
The Black Wallaroo (Macropus bernardus) occupies an area of steep, rocky ground in Arnhem Land. At around 60 to 70 cm in length (excluding tail) it is the smallest wallaroo and the most heavily built. Males weigh 19 to 22 kg, females about 13 kg. Because it is very wary and is found only in a small area of remote and very rugged country, it is little known.
The Antilopine Wallaroo (Macropus antilopinus) is the exception among wallaroos. It is, essentially, the far-northern equivalent of the Eastern and Western Grey Kangaroos. Like them, it is a creature of the grassy plains and woodlands, and gregarious, where the other wallaroos are solitary. Because of this difference, it is sometimes called the Antilopine Kangaroo.[1]
|Look up wallaroo in Wiktionary, the free dictionary.
- ^ Groves, C. P. (2005). Wilson, D. E.; Reeder, D. M, eds. Mammal Species of the World (3rd ed.). Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press. pp. 63–65. OCLC 62265494. ISBN 0-801-88221-4.


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Phone: (512) 851-2253(CAKE)
Specialty Dishes: Red Velvet Cupcake Balls, Carrot Cake Shake
Host of Food Network's Kid in a Candy Store, Adam Gertler checks out Holy Cacao, a cargo trailer in Austin, TX, serving the latest trend in cake - cake balls on a stick.
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Soft Jersey
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- Lightweight silky knit jersey.
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- Length: 31" from shoulder. Hem slightly shorter in front.
- 95% Rayon, 5% Spandex. Machine wash. Imported.
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Zuma Revenge levels: 16-18 tips
- App name: Zuma Revenge
- Developer: TopPopBox Games
- Genre: Puzzle
- Release: Mar 1, 2012
If you are stuck on Zuma Revenge levels: 16-18 you came to the right place. Below you will find a video walkthrough and some written tips that will guide you through that level. Have fun and enjoy this great game.
levels: 16-18 Walkthrough
This page contains Zuma Revenge video walkthroughs for iOS (iPhone/iPad) called "zumas revenge [hd] [6] - level 16-18" and has been uploaded on Pitchingace88 official channel at Mar 12, 2012.
Still need help with this level? Here you can ask questions and discuss with other Zuma Revenge users.
Hit like if this helped you!
Stuck on some levels in Zuma Revenge? This walkthrough can help you finish the game.


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I've been asking over on paulmccartney.com boards and no one has seen this play yet. I'm desperate for a review of it.
It opened in Nottingham on Saturday and someone is already selling a used ticket in eBay as Beatles memorabilia - but none of us fans seem to have seen it yet!!!
Come on, surely someone has seen it - is it any good? Is it worth me driving to Nottingham to see it?


text: There's nothing quite like a good haunted house, especially when you have a real storyteller giving you the scoop on the otherworldly residents of the place. Every Halloween, some of the best opportunities for touring and staying in haunted houses arise, including historic homes with fascinating architectural and cultural histories in their own right. See full article.


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International Depth in Women's Boxing
Many people have asked how women's and men's Olympic-style boxing differ. While there are more similarities than differences, there are some areas of difference including rules, strategic patterns, and country strength. In this blog I will address current country success in international competition.
There are more than 120 countries, representing five continents, that organize women's amateur boxing. Based on past performances at World and Continental-level tournaments, here's a breakdown of some of the best-performing countries, currently. As women's boxing continues to grow, and more countries develop competitive excellence across weight classes, trends may be expected to shift.
Below is a list of the strongest overall teams, and while some countries might excel in specific weight classes, this list is meant to reflect overall performance, across all weight classes, within the past few years. The list below is not exhaustive, but is simply intended to give an idea of a few of the strongest countries within each Continent (listed alphabetically):
Africa: Algeria, Egypt, Morocco, Tunisia
Americas: Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Ecuador, Dominica Republic, USA (Cuba is in development)
Asia: China, India, North Korea, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand
Europe: England, France, Hungary, Norway, Poland, Russia, Romania, Sweden, Turkey, Ukraine
Oceania: Australia, New Zealand
When women's boxing is added to the 2012 Olympic Games, you can expect to see female boxers from these and other countries. There is great depth across weight classes in women's international boxing. Imagine the kind of tournament we'd enjoy with the top 16 boxers in each weight class, vying for a championship on the World's most prestigious stage. Many of us have seen impressive match-ups over the years, and an Olympics with the top 16 female boxers from around the World would be well worth the ticket price in London!


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Get your green veggie fix with these simple asparagus recipes.
Asparagus offers a host of health benefits. It provides both anti-inflammatory phytonutrients as well as vital anti-oxidant nutrients like vitamin C, beta-carotene, vitamin E and more. Try one of these simple asparagus recipes and make it simple to get your nutrients in a tasty way!
Brought to you by: Spry Living


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Download Migration FAQs
Aquila chrysaetos
IUCN Conservation Status: Least Concern
Ganesh Jayaraman
The Golden Eagle is one of the largest, fastest, nimblest raptors in North America. Lustrous gold feathers gleam on the back of its head and neck; a powerful beak and talons advertise its hunting prowess. You're most likely to see this eagle in western North America, soaring on steady wings or diving in pursuit of the jackrabbits and other small mammals that are its main prey. Sometimes seen attacking large mammals, or fighting off coyotes or bears in defense of its prey and young, the Golden Eagle has long inspired both reverence and fear.
Golden Eagles are one of the largest birds in North America. The wings are broad like a Red-tailed Hawk's, but longer. At distance, the head is relatively small and the tail is long, projecting farther behind than the head sticks out in front.
Adult Golden Eagles are dark brown with a golden sheen on the back of the head and neck. For their first several years of life, young birds have neatly defined white patches at the base of the tail and in the wings.
Usually found alone or in pairs, Golden Eagles typically soar or glide with wings lifted into a slight "V" and the wingtip feathers spread like fingers. They capture prey on or near the ground, locating it by soaring, flying low over the ground, or hunting from a perch.
Golden Eagles favor partially or completely open country, especially around mountains, hills, and cliffs. They use a variety of habitats ranging from arctic to desert, including tundra, shrublands, grasslands, coniferous forests, farmland, and areas along rivers and streams. Found mostly in the western half of the U.S., they are rare in eastern states.
Turkey Vultures have much smaller heads and hold their wings in a more pronounced V-shape than Golden Eagles. Their narrower wings are not as steady and they often teeter as they soar. Turkey Vultures have more contrast between their black underwing coverts and the silvery gray flight feathers that form the trailing edge of the wing. Bald Eagles are more common, widespread, and gregarious than Golden Eagles in North America. Bald Eagles have larger heads and soar with their wings flat across, like a board. Adult Golden Eagles lack both the white mottling of immature Bald Eagles and the white head and tail of adult Bald Eagles. Young Golden Eagles often have white patches under the wing and at the base of the tail—but it's always more clearly defined than the white mottling on the body and wings of immature Bald Eagles. Soaring Red-tailed Hawks have shorter wings and smaller heads than Golden Eagles and are typically pale underneath. Seen from below, dark-morph Ferruginous Hawks are paler under the wing and tail than Golden Eagles. When perched, they have rusty tones in the breast and wing coverts and lack the eagle's golden nape.
Get the Lead Out: Ingesting lead bullet fragments has a devastating effect on wildlife—and humans. Story and photos in Living Bird magazine.
Golden Eagles and Us: Story and photos in Living Bird magazine.
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Uji, my point being, before making a statement like Y-C has "the best organic on the internet," you need to try a lot more organics from more companies.
For instance, I think you tried one from O-Cha (when you were completely new to organic) while they have well over 10. (unfortunately, I do not see the one orgainic on the Ippodo site? Do you have a link?)
Others like Zencha, Rishi, Ryu Mei offer multiple organics.
You can certainly state that you like what you have tried from Y-C. However, jumping to a conclusion of the superlative "best" based on the still rather limited sampling you have done in 3 weeks is likely to be challenged.


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If overpass is the best option on 23, keep it simple
If the city of Marshall is going to go ahead with a pedestrian bridge, or overpass, we urge our city leaders to do it with frugality in mind. We don't want to cut corners on the bridge and end up dealing with extensive maintenance in five years, but we don't think it's appropriate to overspend. In other words, don't go on a shopping spree just to fancy it up; save money where you can.
No one will argue the need for improved safety at the intersection of Minnesota Highway 23 and Saratoga Street, and no one can put a price on a human life, so let's spend some money on an overpass – but please, no frills. Buying safety might not be cheap, but it doesn't have to break the bank, either. There's no need for extravagance, especially when Marshall taxpayers are already on the hook for helping pay for the new sports complex.
Hindsight's 20/20, but this is a project that probably should've been done in conjunction with the rebuilding of the highway years ago – that's why the underpass between SMSU and the high school got fast-tracked, because the road was being ripped up anyway. That would've been the opportune time to address the issue at Saratoga and do something about it. But that didn't happen, so the city is dealing with it now.
It's also dealing, in some respects, with a lack of options.
The best, most cost-effective way to improve safety at the intersection – and along the stretch of that highway within or near city any limits – would be to slow traffic down, but state standards dictate the speed limit on a corridor like Highway 23, and since we're dealing with a state highway, the city's hands are unfortunately tied there; it knows that because it's been down that road before.
Ryan Barney, MnDOT District 8 traffic engineer, said the agency does speed studies on highways after receiving requests from cities to change speed limits.
"What that entails is we look at the road type and condition, location and access points, developments in that area," he said. "We look at existing traffic controls, we even look back at crash history along a corridor."
Barney said MnDOT does speed tests as well to determine the 85th percentile speed – how fast 85 percent of drivers are driving on a highway – to set comfortable speeds for people to drive. The goal, he said, is to limit points of conflict on a highway. The state does have statutory speed limits throughout the state – typically 30 mph in residential areas, 55 mph on rural two-lanes and 65 mph on expressways.
"If you post it too high, people driving slower can create conflict; if you post it too low and drivers feel comfortable driving much faster, that can also create discomfort and create crashes. We use the study to determine what is most appropriate."
Barney said changing – or in this case, reducing – a speed limit isn't as simple as one would think. We wish it was and that cities had more local control over how fast drivers can drive on certain stretches that could be classified as residential. Calling that area residential today might be a stretch, but in 10 or 20 years, things could look a whole lot different out there.
But since the city can't do anything about speed limits, we'll look to its officials to keep the costs of this important safety project as minimal as possible.


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Thinking of hitching down by next week for a wee break. Given it is over ten years since I did any substantial thumb waving, anybody able to offer advice on good spots for catching lifts? Ken there's websites now but all the ones I've seen are great for the Continent but crap for the UK.
Cheers, Keni


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3 Things You Should Know About Small Business: May 16
NEW YORK ( MainStreet) -- What's happening in small business today?
1. Where do Obama and Romney stand on small business taxes? While corporate tax reform is one issue at the election table, a majority of small businesses wouldn't benefit since they claim income on their personal returns.
The Associated Press compares President Barack Obama and Republican candidate Mitt Romney's proposals on small business tax issues.
President Obama's proposal that households making more than $250,000 a year pay a tax rate of as much as 39.6% would not be good for a significant number of small businesses. Still the President's plan includes tax incentives for small businesses that make hires and other new investments as well as doubling the deduction for startup costs and expanding the health insurance tax credit for small businesses.
Romney suggests cutting the top individual rate from 35% to 28%. Still Romney's plan favors big business, since corporations would get a more favorable rate of 25%.
The National Small Business Association says Romney's tax rate cuts would help small businesses, while Obama's proposal, "fails to ensure parity between small and large business, which would only exacerbate the competitive disadvantages small businesses face."
2. View your business through the eyes of a banker. Whether you're sitting on a great idea but can't get a bank loan to fund the project or want to boost sales but can't get extra cash to execute the plan, seeing your business through the eyes of a banker may help your business.
According to an article on Accesstocapital.com, a small business education initiative by Dun & Bradstreet Credibility Corp., here are three tips:
First, since bankers are in the game for profit and profit only, make sure you know the true value of your assets and know that you won't get a loan for more than what the assets could sell for today.
Second, bankers want to see business performance, not business plans -- as in, are you getting paid? The article suggests that applicants "
Finally, make sure to do your homework. Bankers don't make guesses when evaluating your business, so you shouldn't either. "It's your business. You need to know everything surrounding it before applying for a loan. Be the business expert, not just the industry expert."
3. Has the Facebook IPO got you eyeing entrepreneurship? Know this. It's an exciting time in the world of entrepreneurship. Facebook's imminent IPO has surely spawned many would-be entrepreneurs to come up the next best thing. But entrepreneurship isn't for everyone.
According to SurePayroll's Michael Alter there are two types of entrepreneurs: those who come by nature and those who nurture their entrepreneurial desires, he writes in an Inc.com column.


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muchluv wrote:When I grow up I want to be Gelert.
Fallen_Horse wrote:...but it will also mean more work for your body to run 20 miles. So your 20 mile time might go up a bit, but overall if you are happier and healthier then that's what matters most.
muchluv wrote:When I grow up I want to be Gelert.
ultraspontane wrote: I've already made an effort to start eating more.
ultraspontane wrote:I'm six pounds heavier than when I started...
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This thought popped into my head just now, and I am curious to see the results. Personally, I have only been exposed to two peoples' brewing styles consistently: Bryan and Bears x3. Interestingly enough, there hasn't been a lot of "teaching" per se, just more of observing and incorporating; though, mind, when one does offer instruction, it is duly noted.
Peace, love, and tea,
Jess K.


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Classroom zoo
SOUTH DAYTON – Although the zoo may be over 50 miles away, students in the third-grade classes at Pine Valley Elementary were able to view the animals with some help from technology.
The students participated in a virtual zoo visit with Rebecca Balk, long distance coordinator for the zoo, on two separate occasions. Balk first described to the students what instinct and learned behaviors are for the animals at the zoo. Students were able to watch the gorilla camera located inside the zoo as an example. Gorillas use their hands to feed themselves which is an example of instinctual behavior.
"Since gorillas have thumbs, they can pick up their food," Balk said.
Balk told the students learned behaviors are behaviors the animals are taught by their mothers such as learning how to hunt prey.
Behavior is also influenced by the animal's surroundings and adapting to those surroundings. Balk talked about the Indian rhinoceros and how a female will protect her baby. The female rhinoceros will make noises and charge at intruders with her horn to protect a baby rhinoceros.
Since animals are not in their natural habitat while at the zoo, zookeepers try to simulate their natural habitat. In order for the animals to keep entertained in their living spaces, enrichments are provided. According to Balk, an enrichment can be a new treat, toy or interesting food to give to the animals. The gorillas at the zoo are often given enrichments.
"A burlap bag, a sheet or towel is an example of an enrichment," Balk said.
Following the first virtual zoo visit, each third-grade class was assigned an enrichment to make for their respective animal. The animals assigned were the Asian elephant, tenrec, blue and gold macaw and three banded armadillos. For the second virtual zoo visit, students had to research the animals and give Balk basic facts about the animals including location, natural behaviors, diet and what the animal looks like.
Each class will make an enrichment for the Asian elephant as well as one of the smaller animals. For the elephant, students will make an elephant box consisting of fruit, peanut butter and cereal in a cardboard box. Balk said any type of cereal is acceptable for the elephants.
"A general rule for the elephants is if it's found on the shelves of Wegmans, it's safe for the elephants to eat," she said.
For the three banded armadillos and the tenrec, students will be making boxes for the animals to play and burrow in. Each box will be filled with sand provided by the zoo as well as newspapers. Balk stressed the boxes must be one to two inches in height since both animals have short legs and would not be able to climb into anything higher. For the blue and gold macaw, students will be making a spinning treat tube which will be made out of toilet paper tubes, rope and will have parrot treats inserted at the zoo. Balk said the birds love to play with new toys.
The students will get to see the animals up close and present their enrichments while visiting the zoo on June 12. Pine Valley has done the virtual zoo visits for over 10 years with the third-grade class. The classes involved are students of teachers Rose Park, Christina Lyndsley and Kirsten Lewis. For more information on zoo distance learning programs, visit www.buffalozoo.org/distance_learning.html.
Comments on this article may be sent to firstname.lastname@example.com.


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We couldn't help but notice some heritage in the cosmetics of HEAD's latest performance sticks, the MicroGel Extreme and MicroGel Extreme Pro.
Introducing an all new technology, the MicroGel Extremes feature a paint scheme reminiscent of the early Radical racquets, especially the early Twin Tube Radicals. However, beneath the paint the MicroGel Extremes are all new.
The HEAD MicroGel Extreme racquets combine carbon composite fibers in the racquet head with a new material called MicroGel. HEAD claims that the MicroGel material can deform and compress upon ball impact, uniformly absorbing and distributing the impact load around the entire frame. HEAD says the result for the player is a rock-solid feel with improved comfort and stability from the racquet.
The MicroGel Extremes also feature a redesigned hoop shape, with a rounder shape to the head of the racquet. HEAD states the increased real estate allows the ball to slide across the stringbed further, making for more spin-friendly hitting.
HEAD offers two versions of the MicroGel Exreme. The MicroGel Extreme features a light and mobile 11.2 ounces of weight and measures just a tad over standard length at 27.25 inches. The MicroGel Extreme Pro offers the specs of a player's racquet, weighing in at 11.8 ounces and having a healthy 332 (RDC) swingweight.
With several touring pros already making the switch to the MicroGel Extreme racquets, including Ivan Ljubicic and Svetlana Kuznetsova, we eagerly hit the courts for some playtesting. Read on to find out how the MicroGel Extreme and the heavier MicroGel Extreme Pro fared in the hands of our playtest team.
Our team found a high level of control and lots of spin when hitting groundstrokes with the MicroGel Extreme. Most impressed with the controlled response of the racquet was Ryan. "Great control! I hit from the baseline extremely well with this racquet. Softer strings were very preferable as there was a little bit extra vibration, especially with off-center hits. The only time I had trouble was hitting off hard, heavy, extreme spin shots: I had a little bit of twisting going on, like the racquet just needed a bit more heft. Otherwise, good depth and spin were generated with this racquet. Excellent feel at contact and great results."
Finding lots of control from the amount of spin he was generating with the MicroGel Extreme was Chris. "I liked this stick off the ground. I found a good blend of maneuverability and stability. I was able to generate plenty of topspin and found the racquet to perform at its best with faster swing speeds. When ripping the ball with topspin, I found it easy to control depth and direction. I was getting lots of action on the ball and didn't have to worry about hitting long when pounding shots, as most of them dipped sharply inside the baseline. I also liked the way I could whip the racquet around for topspin angles or putting a little curve on down the line passing shots. When hitting my backhand slice I found I could hit through the ball with plenty of racquet head speed, getting enough slice to keep the ball deep and low."
Finding the swingweight, weight and balance of the racquet inline with his preferences was Spencer. "After getting past the more circular, or rounded look of the head, I found this racquet to feel pretty solid from the baseline. A good sized sweetspot and access to spin helped keep my shots inside the lines. I was not particularly fond of the rectangular shape of the handle, as most Head racquets have, but the feel of the racquet was good. The static weight and swingweight, as well as balance, matched up well to my game and what I'm comfortable with, making my timing consistent when striking the ball. That being said, my shot depth was average at best - although I should say that the craftsman, not the tools, should take some of the blame here!"
Granville enjoyed the soft and comfortable response of the MicroGel Extreme sweetspot. "My initial concern for this racquet was the added 1/4 inch in length, but that was dispelled after the first few groundies. I could barely detect the extra length, probably due to the added head size of 100 square inches, as compared to my regular 95 square inch racquet. While I was enjoying that soft, comfortable and forgiving sweet spot, I did notice my balls landing a little short in the court - a direct result of the Microgel Extreme being lighter than my regular 12.0 ounce stick (or the Extreme Pro.)"
Immediately finding the groove with MicroGel Extreme was Jason. "From the get-go, this racquet felt great from the baseline. I felt that the unusually round head gave this racquet a bigger sweetspot than most other traditional, elliptically shaped racquet heads. Being about 6 points (3/8 inch) head light, this racquet provided more than adequate control, and it was maneuverable enough to hit some nice angled shots. Not one to use dampeners, I really enjoyed the feel and feedback this racquet provided. I was able to hit some deep, penetrating shots with both my forehand and backhand. The open string pattern allowed me to really put some topspin on my shots and keep the ball in the court. Cross-court, down-the-line, slices... I could do it all with this racquet."
Offering a solid feel at net, combined with an easy to maneuver weight and balance, the MicroGel Extreme turned in another impressive performance when our testers pushed forward. Finding the racquet to be a useful tool at net was Granville. "Another solid volleying racquet with excellent feel, touch and comfort. This one offered a large and forgiving sweetspot. There was really nothing I couldn't handle with this racquet in my hand. The lighter weight added maneuverability with little, if any, loss of power or punch." Hitting his share of winners at net was Jason. "This racquet offered a very solid feel at net. High, floating balls were easy to put away with a quick snap of the wrist. It offered a nice, firm feel for the punch volleys, while torsional stability was solid."
Ryan also enjoyed the solid response of the racquet when volleying. "This racquet was very solid at net. Maneuverability was superb. I really liked the point of impact with this one. I was getting great pop off the stringbed and good depth. All in all, just a nice, solid feel." Finding a generous feeling sweetspot was Spencer. "As I grew more accustomed to the more circular shape, the sweetspot felt more spread out as well. Maybe this was only mental, but I felt there was less twisting and torque when hitting off-center volleys. I found about average maneuverability at net with better feel and forgiveness."
Enjoying the mobile feel of the racquet was Chris. "This racquet was nice and maneuverable at net. I played quite a bit of doubles during this playtest and was very happy with the performance of this stick. The feel off the stringbed was clean and crisp, and I felt well connected to the depth and direction of my shots. The racquet felt pretty solid - even when the hitting got heavy. I was impressed by the stability and comfort from this racquet, given its light and maneuverable feel."
The MicroGel Extreme offered excellent access to spin and lots of control for our testers on serve. Enjoying the response of the racquet was Spencer. "I thought this was a good control-serving racquet. It was easy to generate spin for kickers out wide, while also being being able to keep opponents on their toes with a variety of placement. The power was average when trying to flatten out my serve with some pace, but overall a very comfortable serving stick." Chris found a very similar response from the racquet. "As from other areas of the court, I found plenty of spin when serving. I was able to consistently work the ball out wide with slice and topspin. I was finding my targets and felt comfortable mixing up serves to keep my opponent guessing. The pace I was generating wasn't exceptional, but I thought this was an easy stick to serve well with."
Granville also found his targets consistently with the MicroGel Extreme. "While very comfortable with excellent targeting, I did see a slight reduction in power with the lighter weight (lighter than I'm used to). That being said, I could still place the ball where I wanted with good pace." Finding lots of spin when serving with the racquet was Ryan. "This racquet was great on serve. I think this is the one area I noticed the circular head shape the most. It seemed like I was able to generate a lot of spin - more than a Babolat Pure Drive, which offers a very similar spec. Pace was still decent, but not as good as with the Pro version." Jason was also grooving on the spin friendly response of the MicroGel Extreme. "My serves were nice and consistent. I actually liked hitting my second serves more with this racquet. I got great spin on my second serves, and I was able to place the ball better as well. I would've liked to get more power off my first than I did, but that can easily be corrected by dropping the string tension a few pounds."
When returning serve, our testers agreed that the MicroGel Extreme offered a mobile yet stable feel. Successfully hitting a variety of returns was Jason. "Being as maneuverable as it is, it was easy to move the racquet to where I needed it. I could even get some returns back on serves into my body. Blocking shots back was not as impressive, though, with some of the shots ending up short or in the net. Taking a full swing at slower paced second serves was not a problem and a joy to do." Chris also enjoyed the maneuverability of the racquet. "This is where the easy access to racquet head speed really paid off. I was able to take aggressive cuts at a lot of serves and really go after my returns. I was also impressed with the directional control when punching a return low and cross court during doubles play. I definitely felt like I had a lot of options when returning with this one."
Finding a solid and control oriented response was Granville. "The MicroGel Extreme was very solid on serve returns, allowing me to 'feather' the slice returns as needed. Alternately, I was able to get on top of the ball and drive it when needed. Even this lighter spec is still over 11 ounces, so it was stable, with minimal torque on off center hits." Ryan struggled to find the groove when returning with the MicroGel Extreme. "Hitting returns was the one area that was a bit tricky, as the racquet twisted a decent amount, making it difficult to return with deep shots." Having better results was Spencer. "Decent maneuverability and the large round sweetspot helped make returns pretty easy. I didn't feel I had any type of advantage, but could get the ball back solidly enough to where my opponent couldn't just put away the next shot. For the most part, my returns were good enough to get me into a rally that wasn't strictly defensive."
The MicroGel Extreme is an ideal fit for today's aggressive game. It offers excellent access to spin, provides maneuverability that is lightning fast from all areas of the court and features a slightly extended length for some additional pop. We found a firm yet comfortable response at impact and good directional control on all shots. The stringbed offers plenty of bite and responds well to the use of modern co-polyester strings. For a livelier response, a nylon multifilament string ups the power of this racquet considerably. All in all, an impressive stick that should be a must hit for young guns as well as those looking for a solid blend of maneuverability, control and moderate power at the 4.0+ level.
|Last Shots from our playtesters
Granville. "I really like this racquet as a companion/alternate to the MicroGel Extreme Pro. I thought it offered some great feel for a slightly larger audience with the slight reduction in overall weight. Slightly underpowered for those who like heavy sticks."
Jason. "Overall, this is a great advanced 'tweener/power player's racquet. This is definitely for a player who can generate their own power. What I really enjoyed most about this racquet was the feel and feedback it provided."
Ryan. "I thought this was a great racquet for a player with a developing swing looking to get a bit more control as their power is beginning to increase."
Spencer. "A good racquet that is reminiscent of the Babolat Pure Drive. Solid feeling with a nice sweetspot. If I have one dig, it would be the handle shape. It's a bit too rectangular for me."
Chris. "Much to my surprise, I preferred this one over the heavier Pro version. I was able to whip the racquet around much better, resulting in more pace and spin on my shots. I felt like I had good control with the racquet and enjoyed the balance of power and control I was finding."
Our team found some solid depth on their shots and a very stable feel from the MicroGel Extreme Pro off the ground. Instantly liking the response and feel of the racquet was Granville. "After only a few ground strokes I knew I liked this racquet. It has a very soft feel and generous sweetspot. I was able to take full swings with this racquet on both sides, getting good depth, pace and control with little transition time between my Hyper ProStaff 6.1. Comfortable off both sides, I was slicing with good feel and control and driving topspin groundies with ease. Good power on reserve when needed. The feel was a little less crisp than my HPS 6.1, but I think string choice and tension would allow me to adjust this. I could play with this racquet and be very happy. Last thought - the grip shape is more to my liking - seems a bit less rectangular than most HEAD racquets." Jason also liked the heavier response of the MicroGel Extreme Pro off his forehand wing. "This racquet provided nice heft to my groundstrokes. I was hitting my forehands deeper with this than with the lighter Extreme. Great for the player with a big loopy forehand. I found this racquet harder to swing with my one handed backhand. It had a bit too much weight for me and I had trouble timing my strokes. Hitting slice on both the forehand and backhand was very comparable to the Extreme."
Finding some solid power and depth on his groundstrokes was Ryan. "If there was any power lacking in the Extreme edition of this racquet, the Extreme Pro solved it. This racquet packs a punch! Groundstrokes were consistently deep, and if anything, I hit long. Again, the racquet vibrated a bit so I preferred the softer multifilament strings over the Sonic Pro poly. Spin was still great, even with the extra power. If anything, my topspin forehand became much harder to handle as the spin and weight of the racquet made for a very heavy ball. Backhand slices were really good with this racquet - another area where the circular head shape may have made a difference, as I was hitting a ton of slice with this racquet." Spencer also noted increased power and a more solid feel from the Extreme Pro. "Though I didn't notice the 1/4" difference in length between the two (this one being a standard 27"), I certainly noticed a difference in power. This stick offered an ease of swing punch that provided penetrating depth. A bit more solid feeling with a nice 'plough-through' effect. Like the Extreme, the Extreme Pro had a nice sweetspot, but I had a more difficult time with control. Not to say the control was bad, but not as consistent as its lighter counterpart."
Impressed by the weight of his shots with the MicroGel Extreme Pro was Chris. "This heavier version offered some nice penetration through the contact zone and felt very solid at impact. I was finding some nice power from the baseline, but I was missing some of the feel that I found with the lighter version. I was still able to control my shots well, but the racquet felt slightly over-dampened. What impressed me the most was the depth and weight my shots had with this stick - reminiscent of my Babolat Pure Drive Roddick, but with not quite as much spin."
At net, the MicroGel Extreme Pro continued to impress with a solid and comfortable response. Enjoying the solid feel of the racquet was Ryan. "I felt my volleys were still really good even though this version of the racquet was a little less maneuverable. I volleyed with a lot of authority with this racquet. My volleys were very crisp and accurate. Depth was also very good." Jason found the MicroGel Extreme pro a great racquet for punching put-away volleys. "Nice and solid. Great firm feel at net. Putting volleys away was decisive. Picking up low volleys was a bit more difficult, as this racquet was not as easy to maneuver - though still fairly manageable."
Appreciating the solid response and head light feel was Granville. "The 100 square inch head provided a generous sweetspot, which added to the overall comfortable feel of this racquet at the net. The racquet's 11+ ounce weight and a head-light balance resulted in a very solid feel. I found power, comfort and control in one very solidly performing racquet." Chris was also impressed by the stability of the racquet at net. "I found a nice solid response at net. The racquet felt very comfortable and stability was very impressive. To me, the racquet felt very maneuverable and I didn't find any hindrance from the added weight. Again, I wasn't finding the crisp response of the lighter version, but I felt in control of my volleys and was able to place them with good consistency." Spencer was generating some nice depth on his volleys with the MicroGel Extreme Pro. "My volleys felt very steady and solid at impact. There was not a lot of twisting on off-center hits, while the pace off the stringbed was impressive. However, I did hit more volleys outside of the sweetspot with this version, as it was slightly less maneuverable."
Our team found some solid access to pace and spin when serving with the MicroGel Extreme Pro. Enjoying some added power on serve was Jason. "First serves had more pop than the MicroGel Extreme. It was definitely more powerful, but I felt it didn't provide as much control as the lighter version. Spin was great on my second serves, and I could really put a lot of action on the ball." Packing some weight into his serve was Ryan. "Serving with the MicroGel Extreme Pro was very different than the lighter Extreme. There was a great amount of pace and spin which made for a very heavy ball that, when used on a kick serve, was pretty brutal. Control was pretty good too. Sometimes the spin and power was a little difficult to reign in, which is why control was only 'pretty good'."
Spencer found some solid pace on serve with the MicroGel Extreme Pro. "I got nice pace out of this racquet when I went after my serves. Spin was nice, as well, while the placement and control, I felt, were average." Finding the specs of the racquet to his liking was Granville. "I was serving confidently right away. Good spin on the kickers out wide with adequate heat when needed. Perhaps the one missing link is the big flat 'heater', which I just did not feel I was getting when I should. I would have liked to try my regular string and tension to remedy this (and feel I could.) That being said, I was still generating good speed on my serve, just no assistance from the racquet to kick it up another notch."
Enjoying the racquet the most on serve was Chris. "My favorite shot with this stick was the serve. I was able to get a good combination of pace and spin. I also found plenty of control, which allowed me to move the ball around the service box with pretty good accuracy. For the playtest we were using mostly our regular multifilament string, but I also played a lot with this racquet strung with HEAD's new Sonic Pro co-polyester, and I was finding much more action on my serves with the Sonic Pro string."
The solid and stable response of the MicroGel Extreme Pro continued to impress our team when returning serve. Finding the solid response to more than make up for any loss in maneuverability was Spencer. "Though a little less maneuverable than the MicroGel Extreme, the MicroGel Extreme Pro added pace and depth to returns. It was nice to be able to take a more controlled swing and still get that solid feel and good pace." Jason was in agreement. "Again, the MicroGel Extreme Pro gets the upper hand for me over the MicroGel Extreme. Torsional stability was great. Returning a big first serve didn't result in a racquet twisting return. Blocking balls back didn't end up in the net either, and I found most of my returns landed with impressive depth."
Chris enjoyed a stable and maneuverable response from the racquet on returns. "I found this racquet to be very solid and very comfortable when returning. I was able to block serves back with very impressive accuracy. The racquet also felt maneuverable when being more aggressive so I was able to take some good cuts at returns. I wasn't finding as much spin with this version, and when I missed I tended to miss deep." Enjoying some control and consistency was Granville. "I was very comfortable with this racquet on serve returns. I was easily directing short slice returns cross court against my serve and volley opponent. When given the opportunity to drive a return down the line I was on it, enjoying control with consistency." Ryan found serve returns to be the deciding shot for his favorite pick of the MicroGel Extremes. "Returning serve with this version of the racquet is what gives my vote to this version over the other. This racquet didn't twist and jerk at all on the returns like the lighter Extreme seemed to do. It was easy to get a good deep return in, even on hard to reach serves. Blocking the ball on big serves still resulted in good depth, and the slice return on the backhand side turned out to be a very effective shot. Most of the time my slice return is more of a defensive shot, but I was able to use it very aggressively."
Our team found more power and weight on their shots thanks to the added heft of the MicroGel Extreme Pro compared to the MicroGel Extreme. Despite being 1/4 inch shorter than the MicroGel Extreme, the added weight of the Pro version made for more power from all areas of the court. With the power came increased stability and a very solid feel at impact. Our testers noted more depth and weight on their shots from all areas of the court with this version. Stronger players who can utilize the mass of a racquet will find a lot of performance from the MicroGel Extreme Pro.
|Last Shots from our playtesters
Granville. "A very solid and worthy addition to the Head performance line. This new stick fills that niche in the player's racquet category somewhere between a Wilson Pro Staff 6.1, a HEAD Radical and a Babolat Pure Drive."
Jason. "At my playing level, I would take the lighter MicroGel Extreme over the MicroGel Extreme Pro. Although the MicroGel Extreme Pro did provide extra stability and pace, the MicroGel Extreme allowed me to really open up on my ground strokes."
Ryan. "The MicroGel Extreme Pro is the way to go for me. A little more weight resulted in a heavier ball that was harder for opponents to control, more depth, and greater spin. A great racquet. The color scheme even grew on me after awhile."
Spencer. "The MicroGel Extreme Pro is a solid racquet that is versatile enough to suit any type of game. Though I prefer the MicroGel Extreme version, the MicroGel Extreme Pro offers many aspects to suit an upper level player and the forgiveness to suit the mid level player."
Chris. "A solid playing stick, but the performance didn't come together for me like it did with the lighter and longer Microgel Extreme. While I served better with this one, I was playing at a higher level from all the other areas of the court with the other version. On paper, this was more my type of racquet, but the results speak for themselves, and I was just playing better tennis with the lighter MicroGel Extreme."
Playtester Profiles
|5.0 baseline player currently using a Babolat Pure Drive Roddick. Chris uses a full-western forehand grip, has a fast swing style and hits both a one-handed and a two-handed backhand.
|4.0 baseliner currently using a Head Flexpoint Radical Midplus. Jason has a fairly aggressive semi-western topspin forehand and hits a one-handed backhand.
|5.5 all-court player currently using a Hyper ProStaff 6.1. Granville is an aggressive player who uses an eastern forehand grip and goes continental on everything else, hits with a flat swing and a one-handed backhand.
|4.5 all court player currently using a Slazenger Pro Braided Henman racquet. Ryan uses a semi-western forehand grip, a one-handed backhand and has a long swing style.
|4.5 Baseline player currently using a Prince Hybrid Hornet MP. Spencer uses a full-western forehand grip, and hits with a one-handed backhand.
Review date: June 2007. If you found this review interesting or have further questions or comments please contact us.
All content copyright 2007 Tennis Warehouse.


text:
Skip to comments.Shrinking Detroit has 12,000 abandoned homes
Posted on 08/15/2005 9:59:30 AM PDT by Pikamax
Shrinking Detroit has 12,000 abandoned homes Sun Aug 14, 5:03 PM ET
Rats or lead poisoning. When it comes to the threats from the broken down house next door, Dorothy Bates isn't sure which is worse.
"When it's lightening and thundering you can hear the bricks just falling," the 40-year-old nurse said as she looked at the smashed windows and garbage-strewn porch. "If you call and ask (the city) about it they say they don't have the funds to tear it down."
There are more than 12,000 abandoned homes in the Detroit area, a byproduct of decades of layoffs at the city's auto plants and white flight to the suburbs. And despite scores of attempts by government and civic leaders to set the city straight, the automobile capitol of the world seems trapped in a vicious cycle of urban decay.
Detroit has lost more than half its population since its heyday in the 1950's. The people who remain are mostly black -- 83 percent -- and mostly working class, with 30 percent of the population living below the poverty line according to the US Census Bureau.
The schools are bad. The roads are full of potholes. Crime is high and so are taxes. The city is in a budget crisis so deep it could end up being run by the state.
And it just got knocked off the list of the nation's ten largest cities.
"Detroit has become an icon of what's considered urban decline," said June Thomas, a professor of urban and regional planning at Michigan State University.
"The issue is not just getting people in the city. It's getting people in the city who can become property owners and stay property owners and pay taxes."
Perhaps the biggest challenge to luring the middle class from the area's swank suburbs is overcoming racial tensions, said Stephen Vogel, dean of the school of architecture at University of Detroit Mercy.
"Suburbanites are taking the bodies of their relatives out of cemeteries because they're afraid to come to the city," Vogel said. "There are about 400 to 500 hundred (being moved) a year which shows you the depth of racism and fear."
Most American cities have experienced a shift towards the suburbs.
What made Detroit's experience so stark was the lack of regional planning and the ease with which developments were able to incorporate into new cities in order to avoid sharing their tax revenue with the city, said Margaret Dewar, a professor of urban and regional planning at the University of Michigan.
The fleeing businesses and homeowners left behind about 36 square miles (58 square kilometers) of vacant land. That's roughly the size of San Francisco and about a quarter of Detroit's total land mass.
While a decision by General Motors to build its new headquarters smack in the middle of downtown has helped lure young professionals and spark redevelopment in some of the more desirable neighborhoods, there is little hope the vacant land will be filled any time soon.
In his state of the city address, embattled mayor Kwame Kilpatrick said even if 10,000 new homes were built every year for the next 15 years "we wouldn't fill up our city."
And Detroit is still losing about 10,000 people every year.
One solution Vogel has proposed is to turn swaths of the city into farmland. In the four years since his students initiated a pilot project dozens of community gardens and small farms have popped up.
But first the city has to get rid of the crumbling buildings that haunt the streets, luring criminals, arsonists and wild animals and creating a general sense of hopelessness.
"It's partly a resource issue and it's partly a bureaucracy issue," said Eric Dueweke, the community partnership manager at the University of Michigan's College of Architecture and Urban Planning.
"It takes them forever to find the proper owners of the properties and serve them with the proper paperwork," he said. "They're tearing them down at the rate of 1,500 or 2,000 a year, so they're really not cutting into the backlog in any significant way because that's how many are coming on stream."
Dorothy Bates has been waiting three years for the crumbling house next door to be torn down. There are nine more on her short block along with several vacant lots that are overgrown with weeds.
Bates does her best to keep her five children away from the rat nests, but the lead creeping out of crumbling bricks and peeling paint drifts in through her windows.
The most frustrating part of it, says her neighbor Larry, is that so many of the abandoned houses could be repaired. The foundations are solid. The buildings are beautiful. Or at least, they were once.
Never has dawned on anyone there that the city income tax might be a contributing factor to the "white flight"...
Or perhaps the absolutely insane people elected to run the "city."
Racism? You mean there actually isn't high crime?
I suppose that I'm very prejudiced against people that want to rob and shoot me. I don't like them at all.
Funny how nobody wants to live in the "most liberal city" in America...
....Shrinking Detroit has 12,000 abandoned.....HOUSES
Lack of regional planning ?
Liberals have the "dodo touch". Everything the touch turns to poop. Detroit, Chicago, DC, LA, SF, Seattle...
anyone else see a trend here?
Detroit was recently named the most liberal city in the country based on voting patterns. I guess voting Democrat has really paid off.
I thought the War on Poverty was supposed to have fixed this sort of thing.
hmmm cities leaving in order to lower their tax base.
I wonder how many residential areas would like to "leave" a municipality.
Whould people really object if Detroit was UNincorporated?
>>I guess voting Democrat has really paid off.
Duplicate thread.
homes is better
Abandoned homes have not family gatherings.
Abandoned homes do not have children comming home from school.
Abandoned homes do not raise children
abandoned homes have no future.
abandoned HOUSES can be buldozed for a soon to be deserted Mall.
Well, if government doesn't plan how our resources are used, then you'll just end up with underutilized resources and sprawl. /sarcasm
PFffft...it ain't racaism, it is lawlessness, and if the criminals are black, so be it. Aint nothing to do with race.
.In his state of the city address, embattled mayor Kwame Kilpatrick said even if 10,000 new homes were built every year for the next 15 years "we wouldn't fill up our city."
Hey Kwame, lower taxes you dpsht! Who the heck names their kid Kwame? 10 to 1 odds they don't speak a lick of Swahili and couldn't find Uganda on a map.
Will the last person to leave Detroit please turn out the lights....
We shall have all this housing available for the refugees from Iraq that shall come swarming to our shores when the successor to President George W. Bush assumes office and summarily withdraws the US troops from the Middle East.
One day... ten, twenty, or maybe thirty years from now.. Detroit will turnaround and have an urban revival. And people will be saying "I wish I had invested in Detroit real estate in 2005!"
I love these codified statements. The real issue here is black-on-white crime, but of course nobody is going to come out and say that.
Good point...
The legacy of PC multicultural liberalism reaps its rewards.
A few years ago my wife and I were visiting Detroit. Having
a little extra time we decided to drive over to the Grosse Pointe area and drive along Lake Shore Drive. This is an affluent area of Detroit with beautiful homes. We then drove west off Lake Shore to gain access to I-94. Just a few blocks in off Lake Shore Drive we drove thru areas that were completely blighted ... what struck us was the contrast between Grosse Pointe and the area immediately west of it ... the contrast was shocking.
You might be right.
socialists rejoice! it worked! Liberal democrats have done what not even the Klan could do.
"Hey Kwame, lower taxes you dpsht! Who the heck names their kid Kwame? 10 to 1 odds they don't speak a lick of Swahili and couldn't find Uganda on a map."
We think alike. A few years ago we had a young man wearing the green, yellow, and red everyday to work. He was always talking activism stuff, blah, blah. One day I asked him what the colors stood for and he couldn't tell me. I said "figures" and walked away laughing. Just reaffirms to me that the black leaders ( not all of course I mean JJ and Al et. al. ) teach only what is necessary to cause unrest and unhappiness.
The west coast cities, LA, Seattle and SF are paradise compared to Detroit, Chicago, DC. I've recently been to all of them, and there is just no comparison.
The west coast cities are like shinning cities on the hill compared to the likes of Detroit.
I think regional planning translates to "keeping neighborhoods from abandoning the municipality of detroit."
I am sure the politicians are thinking they did not tax them enough.
It's racism when you refuse to allow yourself to be attacked by perps because of their color...
Which of course we say is the reason you won't let perps of color attack you...
We demand that you allow perps of certain racial affiliation to attack you...& you will carry cash and you will not cancel your credit cards before 21 days post theft..
I've been there. Was born in the People's Republik of Kalifornia. Never been back after I PCS'd from Camp Pendleton.
I was referring to the high taxes, high crime, etc, inherent to a lib run area.
Next step: encourage urban homesteading by well armed and trained veterans returning from the Gulf. Gentrify! This to preclude the Muslims from getting the same idea in motion. I'm surprised they haven't started it yet.
I'll bet you two thirds of those below the poverty line are not "working class", but welfare. Until those who actually are working class stand up to the bums and the thugs and turn out the leftist politicos who enabled the downfall, nothing will improve. < /rant >
The Conservitive city is Provo Utah..I think a study between the two is advised for the Democrats...maybe they could learn something.....Religion, family, schooling, job/work, all those ugly consertative ideas...oh and by the way..they work
Looking at the two lists, it amazed me to see the correlation between the most liberal cities, and the highest crime rates vs. the most conservative and the lowest crime rates.
Did anyone else pick up on that?
Hey, why don't we just turn the entire city into a prison?
Oh...wait...it already is!
Oh, OK. Like I said, anywhere in Cal is paradise compared to the nightmare known as Detroit. I'd pay 3x the taxes to live in Cal than that place.
You are correct, buy low, sell high. The first of the two steps is to buy low.
However, in a hard left liberal run victimhood stronghold like Detroit as soon as someone shows up with money buying properties, the city will hit them with costs to clean up the rats, lead, asbestos, maintaining the property and anything else liberals object to, or want someone else to pay for.
The new owners will also likely be hit with numerous lawsuits from neighbors for the above items and anything else a lawyer can dream up.
Im sure there is money to be made, but its not without many risks.
Detroit real estate would be a GREAT purchase if one was a seventeen year old kid with a valuable trust fund and had sufficient time to sit upon the investment.
Anyone in their thirties or older will be dead long before Detroit can regain its stature as a top-tier American city, IMHO.
~ Blue Jays ~
They need to raise the taxes on the welfare recipients....as no one has a job in Detroit...other than a government job...
In Los Angeles, Skid Row is now becoming a Chi Chi area for yuppies to live. Old $2 a night flophouses and industrial warehouses have been converted to $2000 + a month 1 bedroom lofts for Yuppies to live in.
I don't think anyone would have predicted this development 20 years ago.
Can you imagine the virtual TRACTS of land that an aggressive buyer could purchase for a song in the worst Detroit neighborhoods? A couple hundred thousand dollars could probably net several square blocks, if I had to take a guess.
I'm not a gambler by nature, but it would be pretty cool to pony-up the money and subsequently hit a homerun. This is what happened to people who invested in Hoboken and Jersey City, NJ or Brooklyn, NY twenty years ago...they're millionaires now. Sometimes makes me wish that I wasn't so averse to financial risk.
~ Blue Jays ~
Perhaps the biggest challenge to luring the middle class from the area's swank suburbs is overcoming
racial tensions the crime problem. . . .
which shows you the depth of
racism and fear the crime problem. . . .
2000 Median income $31,543 Provo, $41,189 Detroit.
Property Tax Rate for Detroit .031, Provo .0063.
Burn them down.
12,000 abandoned homes equates to 48,000 Democratic votes.
Good point, I'll bet every one of those homes is occupied on election day.
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