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On the morning of January 2nd, still bleary eyed, I checked my email to find a charming notification informing me that I'd received an electronic greeting card. Yay! I thought to myself: The first targeted malware of 2011 plopped right into my lap.
I immediately pulled up my research machine, browsed to the URL in the message (don't try this at home, kids), and found my test system swamped in malware. After classifying the files and their source URLs into our definitions — I didn't want this to happen to you, after all — I turned the computer back off and slept until Tuesday, when I resumed my analysis.
As it turns out, the payloads delivered by the drive-by download are as common as sand at the beach, but some of the techniques used by the malware's distributor to obfuscate the true nature of the executable payload files (which may have been stored on what appears to be a hijacked, legitimate server running Joomla) are fairly novel, and also a bit ridiculous.
Our festive drive-by started with a browser exploit against the outdated version of Internet Explorer running on my test system. The page looked like it was trying to load a flash video, and displayed just a link that says "You need to update to the latest Flash Player." Without waiting for me to click the link, the page pulled down and executed the first payload, a downloader called adobeupdate.exe that's relatively recent to the scene: Trojan-Downloader-Karagany. We first wrote about this trojan in November.
Karagany quietly copied itself to the desktop, naming the file err.log####### (where the # signs indicate a random number from 0 to 9, which changes each time you run the Trojan). This behavior is virtually identical to what we saw two months ago.
What was interesting was just how the malicious Javascript running on the server hosting the drive-by pulled down the Karagany payload. The payload was embedded in the source HTML of the driveby page, but it looked like a jumble of binary nonsense data. However, a Javascript file called within the context of the page performs a little computational gymnastics with the jumbled data, as shown in this screenshot.
The malware was first encoded in Base64, then the Base64-encoded version of the file was, byte by byte, reversed. The command within the script that switches the data back to a readily decodable format is called "reverseBase64Chars." The end result was a double-encoded binary data embedded in the page, which looked like junk. However, when a victim visits the page, the script runs, and the script does the required byte-flip on each character, then decodes the Base64, as it writes the file to the victim's PC. The infographic below illustrates the malware distributor's elevator pitch description of the process.
Looking back at the research I had done in November, it appears that this double-decoding baloney has been part of Karagany's infection behavior since I first looked at it, but I hadn't noticed it the previous time. It's worth noting that as silly as it seems, the process appears to be effective at masking the true nature of the binary — the file is hidden in plain sight, so to speak.
Karagany's previous payload was a rogue named Antivirus 2010. Its new rogue payload carries the oddly generic moniker Antivirus Scan. These bogus products report that a raft of infections have taken control of the PC, and try, without a hint of subtlety, to coerce you into paying as much as $70 for a useless "subscription."
Hey, after all, Antivirus Scan's Web site claims to provide powerfull protection, even in the Standart Edition. The $70 Ultimate version must be really good, because the description says "Buying this version, you obtain an ultimate protection. Since this day you can feel safe."
That's a lie, since forever. And what about these testimonials?
Thanks to this fraud, Gary in London is finally able to read his Apache server logs free of the fear and loathing that previously accompanied such a task? Well, free of the fear, anyway.
Among the tricks this rogue employs are the fake scan, the fake "detection of malicious activity" dialog box;
…the "fake System Tray warning message balloon"
…the fake firewall alert
…and the instant classic, "randomly opening a new tab in the active browser to a porn site" trick.
That one never gets old, except, of course, when the porn site the rogue's creators chose to load is offline.
I can also appreciate the recursive irony when a rogue antivirus infection displays a warning message about a (supposedly different) rogue antivirus infection.
All well-deserved mockery aside, though, I hope the real lesson gets across: Avoid links that point to electronic greeting cards, especially when those links come from a source you don't know, and point to a site you've never heard of. Electronic greeting card emails are, quite possibly, the most hackneyed trope in social engineering. It's fun to get into the holiday spirit, but you shouldn't let your guard down for a second, even when you've been on vacation.


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The maximum credit is $2,500 for qualified tuition and related expenses for each eligible student. The American Opportunity Tax Credit reduces the amount of federal individual income taxes you may have to pay. A portion of the American Opportunity Tax Credit, 40 percent, is refundable even if you do not have a tax liability.
The amount of your American Opportunity Tax Credit is phased out (gradually reduced) if your modified adjusted gross income is between:
You cannot claim an American Opportunity Tax Credit if your modified gross income is $90,000 or more ($180,000 or more if you file a joint return).
You can claim the American Opportunity Tax Credit for the first four years of an eligible student's postsecondary education when the student is enrolled at least half time in a program that leads to a degree, certificate, or other recognized educational credential for one academic period. Generally, you can claim the American Opportunity Tax Credit if you pay qualified tuition and related higher education expenses for an eligible student who is either yourself, your spouse, or a dependent for whom you claim an exemption on your federal tax return. You cannot claim the American Opportunity Tax Credit if your tax filing status is married filing separately.
Qualified tuition and related expenses are tuition and fees required for enrollment or attendance at an eligible education institution and course materials defined as books, supplies and equipment needed for a course of study. You must reduce the qualified expenses by the amount of any tax-free educational assistance you received.
Eligible educational institutions are any college, university, vocational school or other postsecondary educational institution eligible to participate in student aid programs administered by the United States Department of Education.
You may be able to claim a American Opportunity Tax Credit in the same year in which you received a distribution from either a Coverdell Education Savings Account (ESA) or a Qualified Tuition Program (QTP), but you cannot use expenses paid with a distribution from either a Coverdell ESA or a QTP as the basis for the American Opportunity Tax Credit. You cannot claim the American Opportunity and Lifetime Learning Tax Credits for the same student in the same year.
Related Links
Note: documents in Portable Document Format (PDF) require Adobe Acrobat Reader 5.0 or higher to view.

subset: commoncrawl


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Allen Won't Take NATO Military Job
WASHINGTON—Marine Gen. John Allen, who spent the past 19 months in Afghanistan overseeing efforts to end America's longest war, said Tuesday that he was retiring from the military so he could spend more time with his ailing wife.
Gen. Allen, 59 years old, met Tuesday with President Barack Obama to announce his decision to end his military career instead of pursuing the job of North Atlantic Treaty Organization supreme allied commander in Europe.
Although senior Pentagon officials had urged Gen. Allen to stay on in some capacity, he opted to retire instead of facing a Senate confirmation hearing that could have focused renewed scrutiny on his personal life.
Gen. Allen's nomination for the coveted NATO post was put on hold last fall when he became ensnared in the scandal involving Central Intelligence Agency Director David Petraeus, who retired as a result of an extramarital affair.
In the course of an investigation, federal agents unearthed a series of emails between Gen. Allen and Florida socialite Jill Kelley that were turned over to the Pentagon to determine if there had been an improper relationship between the two. Investigators eventually cleared Gen. Allen of any wrongdoing, but the lengthy examination took a toll on Gen. Allen and his family.
The contents of the emails have never been made public. In a recent interview with the New Republic, Ms. Kelley said that some of Gen. Allen's emails had been "flirtatious," but that the two had never had a romantic relationship. Gen. Allen couldn't be reached Tuesday for comment.
In a statement released after the White House meeting, Gen. Allen said he needed to spend more time with his wife, Kathy, after 35 years in the military.
"It is profoundly sobering to consider how much of that time I have spent away from her and our two precious daughters," he said in the written statement. "It is now my turn to stand beside them, to be there for them when they need me most."
Gen. Allen didn't specify the nature of his wife's illness in his statement. But allies of the general said she had long-standing health issues, including an autoimmune disorder.
Where Are They Now?
An FBI cyberstalking inquiry last year led to the revelation of an extramarital affair involving then-CIA Director David Petraeus. Here is an update on some figures in the scandal:
- David Petraeus resigned Nov. 9 from the CIA and has kept a low profile since then.
- Paula Broadwell, Mr. Petraeus's biographer and mistress, was notified in December she wouldn't be prosecuted following the FBI probe.
- Jill Kelley, a Florida woman who socialized with Gens. Petraeus and John Allen, accused Ms. Broadwell of stalking her online. The Pentagon investigated the propriety of her emails with Gen. Allen and cleared him of any wrongdoing.
In Afghanistan, Gen. Allen served as commander of coalition forces and oversaw plans to rapidly train Afghan security forces so U.S. troops could end major combat operations later this year.
On Tuesday, Mr. Obama praised Gen. Allen for overseeing the difficult military transition in Afghanistan. "John Allen is one of America's finest military leaders, a true patriot, and a man I have come to respect greatly," Mr. Obama said in a written statement. "I wish him and his family the very best as they begin this new chapter."
Some officials close to Mr. Allen had raised the possibility that Mr. Obama could offer Gen. Allen another military position in the U.S. to allow him to spend more time with his wife.
But officials said Tuesday that another job in the military was never under serious consideration. "What other four-star job doesn't involve a lot of stress and travel?" a senior U.S. military official asked.
Gen. Allen was dispatched to Afghanistan in July 2011 to succeed Gen. Petraeus as Kabul-based commander just as Mr. Obama was announcing plans to begin pulling troops out of the country.
During his tenure, Gen. Allen established a solid working relationship with the often-prickly Afghan president, Hamid Karzai, and eventually re-established ties with the Pakistan military in the wake of the May 2011 raid that killed al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden.
Gen. Allen was also forced to deal with a series of setbacks, ranging from an increase in Afghan soldiers turning their guns on U.S. troops to the arrest of an American soldier charged with killing 16 Afghan civilians.
Defense Secretary Leon Panetta praised Gen. Allen as one of the country's "most outstanding battlefield leaders" and "a brilliant strategist" who had proved pivotal to the U.S. effort in Afghanistan.
"Gen. Allen's selfless dedication to our troops and to their mission was a source of inspiration to those who served with him, as well as to those of us here at home," Mr. Panetta said. "He has earned the lasting thanks of this nation for carrying the heavy burden of leadership with utmost professionalism and courage."
—Adam Entous
contributed to this article.
Write to Dion Nissenbaum at email@example.com


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The True Power a Hacker Possesses
The funny thing about acting like a douchebag and not knowing it is that someone else always will. After doing my banking online one day I realized that something was wrong with my computer but I couldn't put my finger on it. I had control over my computer but at the same time I didn't??? Yep, believe it or not a REAL HACKER took control over my whole system and blocked me out of everything even changed all my passwords and went on my Facebook. The hacker elite got hacked himself. Oh, I forgot to tell you the most embarrassing part about my story, I'm 27 years old.
Instead of being embarrassed for being taught a lesson I started getting scared and a little paranoid….. OK a lot of paranoia… Look at all the banking I do online including EBay, PayPal and everything else I have on there. So for the past three months I have been trying to learn as much as can about everything……. I had no clue that my computer skills that I thought I had was a complete joke and school is way too expensive for me to afford now. Then I find this site, filled with people who do possess the knowledge for real and use it to protect the unprotected. Some of my fears have lifted but will never go away.
My goal now is to teach myself the best I can using the internet and hopefully some of you. When I start to understand some of the basics I want to start a website as a side project with everything I learn being added as I go. I haven't fully thought this idea out yet but it will come together. I bought a few books from barns and noble the other day called The Networking Bible, Hacking for Dummies, and Visual Basic. I don't know if this is a good place to start or not. Knowledge is understandably expensive but I think it needs to be given to everyone who wants it.


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I don't know about you, but I've been stressed out lately. Current worldwide turmoil, our economy, political nastiness, home and work stress all combine into a cocktail of negativity and tension that for me culminates in restless sleep and shoulder muscles I could crack a walnut with. So what can you do to relieve stress? Good question.
After doing some research (translation: 5 minutes on Google) I've determined that most advice regarding stress is well, stressful. Personally, telling me to reduce or cope with stress by finding another job or changing my entire lifestyle or giving up my comfort vices, only serves to stress me out even further. There has got to be a way to relieve stress that doesn't involve me moving to California and opening a yoga studio. I don't want to change ME, I want to improve how I cope with stress.
So, here are my tips. Be they obvious, controversial or stupid, these things have really been working for me lately. I hope they'll work for you. (And hey, don't forget to share your stress tips in the comments.)
1. Get off Facebook – Facebook can be a deep pool of negativity and stress. If everyone you follow is stressed chances are their status feed is only contributing to your malaise. If you can't pry yourself away then hide the friends that are too negative. Even better, consider using an app like Buffer or Hootsuite to post your updates without having to actually be on Facebook. Continue Reading "8 Tips for Stress Reduction. Hint #1: Get Off Facebook!" »


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The Wanamaker Place Project
Sep 19, 2013
John Wanamaker was a force to be reckoned with. He was a pious man of drive and purpose, devout about Christianity and the customer experience. He was intuitive about where the market was going. He was the first to put electricity in stores, the first to install phones and radios, the first to rise above the clamor of a bartering bazaar and establish price tags and a system of stated value and cost. He knew the value of a dollar and was wise to the inherent and still persistent questions around marketing and advertising - which part works?
Today, AOL is headquartered at 770 Broadway, an iconic structure stretching across 9th Street, from 4th Avenue to Broadway, above the original Wanamaker Department store, one of the greatest brands in the history of retail. It is in this spirit that our portfolio of premium ads, The Wanamaker Place Project, recognizes the legacy of John Wanamaker and his ability to provide real value to his customers while dazzling them with an exceptional experience.
The Wanamaker Place Project is our ad innovation platform and architecture, which encompasses our portfolio of ad products spanning rich media, native ads, mobile and multi-screen units. It is a comprehensive way of organizing and bringing our rich media and ad format innovation to market.
Like fashion and retail, advertising is about what's hot and what works. It's about being ahead of trends. It's about merchandising and branding as well as price and inventory. It's a global business built on pace, positioning and product. AOL's heritage, similar to John Wanamaker, is about the pursuit of innovation in the name of great customer experiences.
Our intention to beautify the Web via content and advertising began three years ago with the launch of Project Devil. It was then that we re-imagined what the web could look like. Today, we are launching a new set of premium ad products designed to further the potential, the impact, the nature and the beauty of advertising. They include:
- Loft – This AOL original unit anchors itself to the top of the page as the user scrolls down, giving brands a unique and persistent presence. Built in HTML5 to create a uniform experience across desktop and tablet, the banner spawns out of traditional banner and anchors itself to the top of the page as the user scrolls down the page, creating an unobtrusive encouragement for users to interact with brand content. Users can expand the anchored banner to reveal rich functionality like mapping, videos and coupon downloads while staying on the page content.
- Reactive Wallpaper – An exclusive offering that gives advertisers the ability to host subsequent, in-view brand messaging in the rails as a user scrolls down the page. Advertisers can also leverage additional assets and showcase video in a lightbox – so the user can watch without leaving the page.
- Multi Screen/HTML5 – Pictela's new multi-screen applications travel seamlessly across desktop, tablet and mobile – essential to reaching a growing multi-screen audience.
- Native – Through a guided process that relies heavily on analytics and experience, our team of editors and designers helps brands to craft seamless content that resonates with consumers, increases brand visibility and drives the social conversation.
- IAB Mobile Rising Stars – AOL is one of the first mobile publishers to offer this variety of IAB rising star and innovative mobile formats - including Filmstrip, Pull, Adhesion and Full Page Flex plus an innovation of our own, Mobile Footnote – at scale across AOL's Mobile Web properties
The Wanamaker Place Project is a nod to the past with an eye on the fast-moving present and a belief in the future of premium and performance driving experiences made possible through content and advertising.


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Carol Jean Grande
Carol Jean Grande
Carol Jean Grande, 69, of Crosslake, died Tuesday, June 11, 2013, at Castleridge Care Center in Eden Prairie. Funeral services for Carol were held Saturday, June 15, 2013, at Crosslake Lutheran Church in Crosslake, Minn., at 1 p.m. with Pastor Nate Lundgren officiating. Visitation was one hour prior to services at the church. Interment at Pinewood Cemetery in Crosslake.
Carol was born Dec. 29, 1943, in Los Angeles, Calif., to Orlin and Charlotte Sackett. She came to Minnesota in the early 1950s and lived in various places in southern Minnesota. Carol moved to Crosslake 13 years ago and married her second husband, Andy. She loved to hunt and fish with Andy and she also enjoyed accompanying him to the golf course. Carol will be remembered as a strong-willed person with a good and loving heart.
Carol is survived by her children, Richard Boerner and Lynn (Jeff) Priess; grandchildren, Matt, Jon and Adam; stepdaughter, Barb Rasmussen; stepgrandson, Joel; sisters, Shirley Sackett and Nicki (Al) Scharn; and many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents and husbands, Robert Boerner and Andy Grande. Memorials are preferred.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Brenny Funeral Chapel in Crosslake.


text: went ahead and did a split on Tuesday. I was attempting to follow some information and checking the frames for the queen. I couldn't find her so I put frames with fresh eggs and capped brood in another box. I checked it quite often and don't see the development of any queen cells. Today I looked back into the old hive and saw two frames full of about 20+ emergency queen cells capped. I must of moved the queen to the split. I am wondering how this will work. If there are going to be 40 or more Virgin queens emerging, does that mean they will swarm? Or will one queen survive? Won't she be injured?


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Sour Punch Straws Blue Raspberry - 2 oz. - 24 ct.
$ 21.98
About this itemA sourishly, scrumptious treat you can pick up, twirl around, slurp-up and chew-up.
A pioneer in the sour category, Sour Punch has become a hit with kids and teens for almost a generation. Sour Punch Straws are sweet candy straws covered with a delicious sour coating, making it a wonderful treat to eat or use it to slurp up your favorite drink! Now available in eight flavors, the brand offers the best variety of any sour item. Sour Punch from American Licorice Co.® - providing family favorites since 1914.
- Sour Punch is a top-selling national Sour Candy segment brand and is available in a variety of forms and flavors
- Perfect for vending or C-store


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Angela Cole crowned Miss Pequot Lakes
Pequot Lakes High School junior Angela Cole was crowned Miss Pequot Lakes onFriday, April 5, in the high school auditorium.
Cheyenne Wilson, a senior, was crowned princess. Malyssa Engren, a junior,was chosen Miss Congeniality.
Fourth-grade escorts are Katie Nelson, queen escort; Leah Johnson, princessescort; and Megan Buffington, Miss Congeniality escort.
Other contestants were juniors Sarah Rudlang and Madison Davis-Biessener.Their escorts were fourth-graders Maliah Carlson and Jackalyn Fox.
All contestants and escorts, along with 2012 royalty, danced an openingnumber to a music montage from the movie ³Pitch Perfect.²
The competition included casual conversation where contestants answered twoquestions each ‹ one they had previously chosen and another surprisequestion; talent; and evening gown. Contestants had earlier personalinterviews with the judges.
The 2013 royalty will represent Pequot Lakes at parades and festivities, andthey will receive scholarships upon successful completion of their firstsemester of higher education.
The 2012 royalty included queen Jeannette Watt and her escort, Alexa Fyle;princess Josie Nistler and her escort, Mariah Beavers; and Miss CongenialityKim Jessen and her escort, Mariah Rickard.


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It will cost you as much to haul one hive 1000 miles as 400 hives.
It will cost you as much to haul one hive 1000 miles as 400 hives.
Hi Thanks
That would work better ,Now that i think about it a bit more
236 hives could easily weigh if doubles or 1 1/2 story 20,000 to 30,000 or more. Add this to the trailer weight and you are TOO HEAVY! Total gross on trailer would be way over 16k. total truck/trailer would be from 32k to 40k. If singles, the weight would probably be from 12k to 18k. still overweight on a 16k trailer. I have a 24 k gooseneck with aluninum deck and a 3500 dodge. with 144 hives (1 1/2 story)and a swinger I would gross out over 30k. 96 hives and swinger 26k. with no swinger I could haul about 144 hives. Bees are heavy....gotta ad truck(8k) trailer and bees. THats why I bought a freightliner!


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The growing control of government by wealthy elites in this country is cause for serious concern. As corporations and well funded special interests groups pour ever-larger amounts of money into political races, government decision-making is becoming more and more the private arena of a tiny minority. At the same time, concerns about electronic balloting and disenfranchisement of people of color are weakening our democracy, distracting from the debate over ideas that should be at the center of a healthy political system. When democracy is weak, the chances to remedy other injustices shrink with it.
With more than 2 million people in jail, the US has a higher percentage of its residents incarcerated than any other nation. Most people behind bars are poor and working-class individuals. A disproportionate number of those in jail are people of color. This terrible imbalance surely represents a human rights crisis, as it demonstrates that equality under the law is more a concept than a reality. The use of capital punishment--again, disproportionately used against people of color--despite growing evidence that innocent people may have been executed, is equally disturbing. These trends demonstrate how politics and prejudice drive the criminal justice system in the US.
The crimes committed against people who aren't even citizens--immigrants just trying to come to this country--represent another kind of rights abuse in the US. Every year, hundreds of people die trying to cross the US-Mexico border. Torture and physical abuse of immigrants are not unusual. The US government, which has dramatically militarized the border in recent years, is largely responsible for these violations.
Finally, assaults against workers' rights to organize remain common. From farmhands in California to home care workers in Florida, workers who try to form trade unions are spied on, harassed, threatened, suspended, fired or deported. This sort of repression is intolerable since it violates the basic constitutional guarantee to freedom of assembly. Respect for basic liberties must not stop at the workplace door.
In the face of these crimes and abuses, people of conscience in the US must rededicate themselves to guaranteeing peace and justice here in our own country.


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stevie brown... this guy is a playmaker i was really down on him in preseason after he got trucked in the endzone by the jags rb i dont even know if he is still in the nfl. also he has a bad game vs the pats in preseason. i was pissed when he made team and when people asked weeks ago who we should cut once sash came back and i said him. boy was i wrong he has made big plays and has looked good out there
domenick hixon... i was probally the #1 hater for this guy in preseason i have always been a fan of his but NUMEROUS times i said he should have been #4 or #5 on depth chart once season started due to his lack of production in preseason. he is a professional and desereved more respect then i was giving him
ab.... i said he was slow cant hit holes and didnt run with fire anymore after the dallas game. sunday he showed us why we all love him he looked just as good as his rookie and 2nd year minus alitte speed.
i am a very postive fan sometimes homerish and i never talk bad about our player but this year i called these 3 out and needless to say ive never enjoyed being wrong so much in my whole life.


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Adj. To be in a state of complete and out of control rampage.
That man is unable to control his impulses concerning that woman with the very loud cell phone. Woah, snap. He is hitting her with a coffee mug. He's rampagerous.
by Mr. Sponge February 14, 2006
The vengeful act of crapping on a lover's chest while they sleep.Buy the plush


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If you are looking to balance your mind, spirit and body within the Brixton area in the South West of London SW2 1BZ, you need to go check out Mahala Yoga - Brixton . This gym has everything-yoga and could even be considered the go-to place for the ultimate experience. As long as it has to do with mind, spirit and body, Mahala Yoga studio has just the thing for you. With classes for Hot Yoga Vinyasa Yoga, Yoga, Mat Pilates, Vinyasa Flow and Hatha Yoga, your exercise routine is certain to stay fun, engaging and more importantly, effective.
It is extremely apparent that Mahala Yoga Studio has the knowledge and spirituality needed to provide high quality yoga training, and the education and experience of the yoga instructors will certainly come to you as a benefit. The coach and instructor, Mahala Wall knows how important all elements of the mind, body and spirit are when it comes to achieving complete and thorough health and fitness, and every aspect is thoroughly explored throughout each training class.
In addition, the Mahala Yoga has set up retreats for those of you who are intrigued to thoroughly dive into the calm and serenity of yoga. This is a pure example of the above and beyond kind of experience that you will receive from taking classes at the Mahala Yoga studio. The friendly and welcoming staff are eager to provide you with the lifestyle and relief that you are looking to achieve.
Mahala Yoga also offers teaching programs, so if you are ready to teach others everything that you know about yoga, and thoroughly change the lives of them in the meantime, check out the opportunities provided. You could become the yoga teacher and icon that you have always wanted to become!
The Mahala Yoga studio offers their classes to you at a variety of times throughout the week, so be sure to check out when the next yoga class that you're interested in is scheduled.
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Evidence that one receives or makes phone calls while on the toilet. The rim-tone is characterized by the anal shriek of seal-breaking accompanied by the splashing sounds of loaf impact and/or groans of relief - all with that peculiar reverb from a toilet stall.
I was trying to reschedule my physio appointment over the phone, but I couldn't hear the therapist over the cacophony of his rim-tones.
by Mr. T.M.I. June 06, 2007


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Town Square
Who is an informed resident?
Original post made by Community courtesy, another community, on Jun 3, 2009
Today, neighbors in the Livorna West neighborhoods were defining an informed resident. Clearly, such specification is based on research resources and willing study. Since June 2000, the original members of our regional effort to create well-informed neighborhood groups that could act in accordance with knowledgeable interests know that the regional result is thousands of informed residents.
What complicates this definition is political restriction on the definition of an informed resident. If one searches beyond allegiance to Contra Costa aggregated politics, then factions of county supporters will claim that such an informed resident is ignorant and misinformed.
At present, as your forum often illustrates, there are many informed residents with diverse views and positions. Many more informed residents read your forum with dismay for the commentary of county surrogates and their campaign to disallow the reality of citizen leadership of our governments.
SO, let's start a new exchange: What is an informed resident?
Hal, as a community courtesy
Comments (6)
a resident of Alamo
on Jun 3, 2009 at 7:40 pm
Any guesses as to who considers himself the MOST informed resident?
a resident of another community
on Jun 4, 2009 at 7:25 am
Oh, Dolores, let me guess, oh PLEASE let me guess, oh pretty please?
Here is my list for the most informed residents:
Joan Buchanan
Karen McPherson
Diane Barley
Brad Waite
Roger Smith
Who else might be added?? Getting back to the question, "What is an informed resident? and, Who is an informed resident?"
Hal, as Halamo
The Alamo Towne Fool
@ODDs, a Saloon for Fools
The Hotel Snaysmuth
2625 Crescent Moon Lane
West Willimantic CA 94507-1078
a resident of another community
on Jun 7, 2009 at 3:34 pm
a resident of Alamo
on Jun 8, 2009 at 7:27 am
Great to see a little humor surface...that was humor wasn't it...I thought so...at least you got a smile out of me...thanks I needed that.
a resident of another community
on Jun 8, 2009 at 3:20 pm
Dear Dolores,
A very humorous response to this forum was received that asked just how much information does a resident in 94507 need to know. The humorist went on to describe the lack of excitement in any of the political goings-on and the difficulty of stay focused on commentary.
As Julia noted the same result, we might both work harder to simply make the commentary humorous. What with grand juries not being painos or piano players, we likely have found our way to such humor.
a resident of another community
on Jun 9, 2009 at 12:50 pm
I think in this case they may not be laughing with you, but at you.
As the self labeled "Towne Fool" perhaps that is what you were hoping for?
Then again maybe it is just me.
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Livermore trustees demonstrating wisdom
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Material Matters
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2017 guide to summer camps
Looking for something for the kids to do this summer, learn something new and have fun? The 2017 Summer Camp Guide features local camps for all ages and interests.


text:
Quotes of the day
posted at 10:41 pm on January 27, 2014 by Allahpundit
[A]cross the country, resistance to legal marijuana is also rising, with an increasing number of towns and counties moving to ban legal sales. The efforts, still largely local, have been fueled by the opening, or imminent opening, of retail marijuana stores here and in Colorado, as well as by recent legal opinions that have supported such bans in some states…
Though it seems strongest in more rural and conservative communities, the resistance has been surprisingly bipartisan. In states from Louisiana to Indiana that are discussing decriminalizing marijuana, Republican opponents of relaxing the drug laws are finding themselves loosely allied with Democratic skeptics. Voices in the Obama administration concerned about growing access have joined antidrug crusaders like Patrick J. Kennedy, a Democratic former United States representative from Rhode Island, who contends that the potential health risks of marijuana have not been adequately explored, especially for juveniles — and who has written and spoken widely about his own struggles with alcohol and prescription drugs.
"In some ways I think the best thing that could have happened to the anti-legalization movement was legalization, because I think it shows people the ugly side," said Kevin A. Sabet, a former drug policy adviser to President Obama and the executive director and co-founder, with Mr. Kennedy, of Smart Approaches to Marijuana. The group, founded last year, supports removing criminal penalties for using marijuana, but opposes full legalization, and is working with local organizations around the nation to challenge legalization.
"If legalization advocates just took a little bit more time and were not so obsessed with doing this at a thousand miles per hour," he added, "it might be better. Instead, they are helping precipitate a backlash."
Colorado Springs, sometimes known as the "evangelical Vatican," successfully banned weed commerce in Colorado. Yakima County, Washington, plans to ban marijuana businesses once legal weed goes into effect in the state. Yakima City Council member Dave Ettl told the Times, "There's some money that's not worth getting." In Oregon, where recreational weed will most likely be on the ballot this year, lawmakers are debating a bill that would let municipalities ban or limit medical marijuana sales.
The backlash movement is reminiscent of the post-Prohibition era, when "dry towns" popped up to combat the legalization of alcohol. History shows that this wasn't an effective tactic in the long term. Still, the backlash movement will make legalization more complicated than it already is. Tension exists, of course, between federal and state law. While President Obama and Attorney General Eric Holder have come out and said state-by-state legalization is okay, there are still a myriad of issues that threaten to upset the process. Banks, for example, are hesitant to take money from legal weed businesses, forcing dispensaries to deal entirely in cash.
DEA chief Michele M. Leonhart slammed President Obama's recent comments comparing smoking marijuana to drinking alcohol at an annual meeting of the nation's sheriffs this week, according to two sheriffs who said her remarks drew a standing ovation.
Bristol County Sheriff Thomas M. Hodgson said he was thrilled to hear the head of the Drug Enforcement Administration take her boss to task.
"She's frustrated for the same reasons we are," Hodgson said. "She said she felt the administration didn't understand the science enough to make those statements. She was particularly frustrated with the fact that, according to her, the White House participated in a softball game with a pro-legalization group. … But she said her lowest point in 33 years in the DEA was when she learned they'd flown a hemp flag over the Capitol on July 4. The sheriffs were all shocked. This is the first time in 28 years I've ever heard anyone in her position be this candid."
But some people like Mario, a 31-year-old graduate student who works part time at a restaurant, are still turning to the black market for their weed…
"I'm afraid that information could get somehow compromised," he said about his fears of his loans being affected by being on a medical registry. "The last thing I'd want is to get my federal funding cut off."…
"It's human nature; nobody wants to be on a list," said Nelson, a cheerful woman with a curly halo of light red hair and thin purple glasses. "So people have continued to foster the black market."
"Some check-the-box items that should take a couple of hours take a month," Kennedy says. Lining up payroll services or security or lawyers or even a bank can be arduous, as many of those companies fear legal ramifications. The Colorado Bar Association recently prohibited attorneys from working with marijuana-related businesses for just this reason—which means that, for now at least, pot businesses can't hire a lawyer to draw up a contract or close a deal. And even Privateer, with its multimillion-dollar investment deals, was turned down by 16 different banks for a simple checking account…
Meanwhile, an astonishing amount of this fast-growing industry is still conducted in cash—a situation that can leave businesspeople a little jittery. "I've been in rooms with a million dollars," Kennedy says. "It's not a good feeling." Companies have to pay for security to prevent robberies, and getting loans is a headache. "We wanted to build a farm on a piece of property where anyone with a credit score over 700 could get it," Cooley says. "Mine is over 800, but I couldn't get a loan. Last year, when we were jumping through hoops becoming permitted, instead of a line of credit, we stopped taking salary."…
And then there are all the requirements from the Justice Department, which, as a condition for allowing the businesses to operate without FBI raids, has mandated a long and complex set of regulations that the new businesses are struggling to meet. Washington's marijuana-legalization initiative, for example, includes a provision that bans retail stores within 1,000 feet of a park, church or school. "In some parts of our state, it's tough to get 1,000 feet away from anything!" Heck says.
"It's a tough issue. We talk about the comparison to alcohol, and obviously alcohol is legal and I'm hardly a prohibitionist, but it does a lot of damage," [Chuck] Schumer said. "The view I have, and I'm a little cautious on this, is let's see how the state experiments work."…
"I'd be a little cautious here at the federal level, and see the laboratories of the states, see their outcomes before we make a decision," he said.
Todd then asked the senator if he believes states should be allowed to legalize marijuana without federal intervention.
"Yes," Schumer said. "I think having the states experiment is a good idea."
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Found on the trademark office, are these patent drawings of the Volkswagen Jetta Coupe, or as the German automaker named the concept version of the car at the Detroit Auto Show in January, the NCC (New Compact Coupe).Those skimming the photos may notice a couple of changes over the concept model that was motivated by a gasoline-electric hybrid powertrain. These include the more production like grille and addition of fog lamps up front, and the visible exhaust tail pipes at the back.The fact that Volkswagen filed these drawings doesn't guarantee that the company will go ahead and produce what we like to call, the poor-man's Audi A5. However, since Volkswagen has no plans to bring the Scirocco to the States and given that the NCC is more or less a coupe version of the all-new Jetta, we can't see why it shouldn't make it into production.Link
Hopefully it looks identical to the concept!
Hopefully it makes the concept look dull (since the concept is pretty dang dull...)
--"If everyone is thinking alike, someone isn't thinking." -- George Patton
Bellanca5.0:Hopefully it looks identical to the concept!+1
___________________The C63 kicks you in the gut with torque and power-slides. Either you will love it or get the hell out of its way.---------------------------2015 VW VW GTI Autobahn2012 VW Passat 3.62011 VW GTI2005 Mercedes C3202006 VW Passat 2.0T2004 VW Golf GL
Bellanca5.0:Hopefully it looks identical to the concept!EuropeanCars:+1The latest photos of the sedan put me to sleep, but I really found the coupe to be good looking.
Bellanca5.0:Hopefully it looks identical to the concept!EuropeanCars:+1+2That is beautiful.
Meh, it's something I'd never buy. Strange how I've mourned the loss of conservative designs, yet everything VW makes puts me to sleep. Good looking car, but not exciting enough to get me interested.
Hooray! There is an affordable A5 everyone. I expect the headlights to be different but everything else should be pretty close to this design. Hopefully, Volkswagen has the cajones to bring it to the States. It may just be a patent for Europe...
____________________________Edgy, Controversial, Dangerous...
Looks like a BMW coupe.
stunning. hopefully they will make a performance model eventually (R?)
_______2012 Race Red Mustang Gt


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There is growing concern the level of physicality in netball's transtasman league is getting out of hand after claims of rough-house tactics marred another round of the competition.
Magic shooter Irene van Dyk sparked controversy at the weekend after speaking out against the aggressive approach of the West Coast Fever defenders in her side's round three loss in Perth.
Her criticisms follow former Silver Ferns shooter Donna Wilkins' angry outburst after copping an elbow in the back from Firebirds defender Laura Geitz last week and reignited simmering tensions between the New Zealand and Australian sides.
Van Dyk's criticisms may yet land her in hot water with ANZ Championship officials, but her franchise coach Noeline Taurua said she fully endorsed the shooter's comments.
Has netball become too violent? Here is the latest selection of Your Views:


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You are right about that. Almond pollination is a giant brothel, and we are the pimps,exposing our girls to strange diseases!
You are right about that. Almond pollination is a giant brothel, and we are the pimps,exposing our girls to strange diseases!
I appreciate the replies pertaining to the post and the others too. I think I have decided not to have the bees.
I have no water source other than my pool.
I have no shade.
I don't want to upset the local beeks as you call them.
I would, however like to someday have two hives of my own after I do more research and learn much more so that I might take good care of them.
What kind of building do you use for indoor winter? Also how bad are your winters? Thanks.
"I reject your reality, and substitute my own." Adam Savage
What kind of building do you use for indoor winter? Also how bad are your winters?
We use potatoe cellars these are large buildings here. But are set up to hold potatoes at the same temprature for long periods of time. we set at 41-43 degrees. Very large fans are set to run for 30 min and off for 30 min.when the fans run they push air building pressure in the building drawing fresh air in and pushing old warm air out. When the fans are running you cant open the door because of the pressure. There are two bays to each unit, each having its own fans and set of controls..They can also be set up to refrigerate and all have humidicells for adding moisture to the fan blown air if it is needed to cool.
Winters here are windy and not as cold as what you get for the most part. We do get below 0 for maybe a week we used to get snow but the last sevral years not to much. we had more rain than snow this winter we are definitley not mild but no where near what you have.
We have been really cold this year....and windy...very windy. I been thinking about putting up a windmill..but knowing my luck the wind will quit blowing.
I'm working on building "bee" houses to block the wind...and bears (hopefully).
Do you grow them spuds ya put in them buildings?
"I reject your reality, and substitute my own." Adam Savage
Quote "An acre is an area, not a distance. So "an acre away" doesn't make a lot of sense."
I chuckled when I read this, only because people not from around here laugh at us when we talk about distances in minutes rather than miles. "my bee yard is about 7 minutes down the road"
Ellie, I think the trick here is to exploit the fact that bees can be a creature of habit. The trick is to get them conditioned to an appropriate water source before the get a chance imprint on the pool. Could the pool be covered while the bees are initially imprinting on their water source? Also the spot you are training them to must be reliable, do not let it run out or they will go looking. Also I believe sea salt or mineral salts can make the water more appealing and provide some useful micro nutrients. All things being equal (attractive elements like chlorine) they will usually prefer the nearest water source. Floats valves or irrigation timers could help.
John B Jacob www.oldsolbees.com
I agree 40 colonies per acre usually is the maximum unless you want the weakest hives robbed out. The exception is nectar flows. But without strong flows, like in clover or citrus or other orchard in bloom, anything over 40 will tend to promote robbing and weaker colony strength in general. You take a look at California holding yards and it is amazing any of the bees survive that ordeal.


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Moji Knee Ice Wrap - $74.25
So, you're probably wondering what makes the Moji Knee Ice Wrap different than your home-remedy, bag of frozen peas and athletic gauze tape combo' Besides not being able to eat Moji's proprietary gel, the two systems are light years apart. As the name implies, the Ice Wrap is designed for cold compression therapy. This is made possible, in part, by what Moji calls its Cold Cell. Basically, this is the pliable, Dri-Lex fabric container that's responsible for containing the frozen gel. Upon first glance, you'll notice the asterisk-like shape, multiple channels, and honeycomb fabric design. And more than just an eyebrow-raiser, this shape assists in the Cold cell's conformity to your knee. However, we should note that there are a few variables involved with this function -- one being the gel itself. Instead of simply wrapping coarse, wet, and brittle ice over the skin, Moji's gel softly adapts to your shape and is free from condensation. So, you can say goodbye wet, clammy skin. Further aiding the precise fit is the wrap itself. This is made possible by the compressive qualities of the stretchy Polartec fabric. The combination of the pliable cell and compressive wrap make the system compatible with the articulation of your knee, permitting a full range of movement.To utilize the wrap's targeted cold compression, Moji recommends positioning the cell over the center of the knee cap, and then adjusting the compression straps from the thigh and the calf. Keep the cell in the freezer until you're ready to apply the compression. Moji says that the cell will remain cold for the recommended 20-minute icing protocol. The Moji Knee Ice Wrap is available in one color and four sizes from One to Four. - $74.25


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Foam-Railway Causeway and Gunnison Bay, Great Salt Lake
Foam accumulates on the railway causeway dividing the north arm (Gunnisson Bay) from the south arm (Gilbert Bay) of the Great Salt Lake. The red water is due to highly pigmented bacteria-like Archaea and to a green algae (Dunaliella rubens)that has red pigments. The massive amount of foam is thought to be caused by high levels of dissolved organic carbon (DOC), but this is currently under investigation. Salinity of the water at this site was 31.4% (314 ppt).
Photo 2 August, 2010
Photo 2 August, 2010
Photo Details
Wayne Wurtsbaugh
See all User Photos
- Registered:
- January 2000
- Posts:
- 900


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The sister of a woman killed in a cycling accident has made an emotional plea at her funeral for motorists to share the road with cyclists.
Jane Farrelly, 50, became the latest cyclist to die on New Zealand roads last weekend when she was killed while on a group ride with friends near Taupo.
Mrs Farrelly's death - which happened in view of her husband, Ian Farrelly - is the second cycling fatality this year and has led to renewed calls for safety and awareness from cycling advocates, the Government and those grieving her death.
The Minister for Transport Safety, Michael Woodhouse, has urged caution, saying one mistake could easily lead to death.
Cycle Action Auckland believes the area where Mrs Farrelly died is so dangerous for cyclists it's, "like we are lambs to the slaughter".
Yesterday, Tina McCullough, Mrs Farrelly's sister, asked drivers to think carefully about their actions when near cyclists on the road.
Ms McCullough, also a cyclist, had a clear message for drivers.
"We're mums, we're dads, we're daughters, sons. Share the word, share the road," she told mourners at the Manukau Memorial Gardens chapel in south Auckland.
She also urged cyclists to be vigilant on the road.
Mr Farrelly was cycling behind his wife when she was knocked off her bike and dragged under a truck.
He met his wife when he was 17, and struggled to contain his emotions as he spoke in the packed chapel yesterday.
"Wife, friend, soulmate and mother," Mr Farrelly said. "You've stood up to the mark."
He described the circumstances of last Saturday's accident as "brutal" and a tragedy which should never have happened.
It would be a struggle to move on without his wife of 26 years, he said, leaving a "void that may never be filled".
Warm stories from Mr and Mrs Farrelly's two teenage sons, Ben and Nick, drew smiles and even chuckles from mourners.
The elder, 19-year-old university student Ben, told how his mother strived to do the best for her sons.
She was a member of the board of trustees at his primary and high schools, he said.
"This is how she made sure the schools we were going to were fine."
At the time of her death, Mrs Farrelly, worked in logistics at K-Mart and was the chairwoman of the board of trustees at James Cook High School in South Auckland.
Members of the school's kapa haka group paid tribute to Mrs Farrelly in an emotionally charged performance at the end of the funeral service.
Representatives of the Manukau City Veterans cycling club, wearing yellow jerseys lined the chapel exit to farewell their fellow club-member.
Each year about 10 cyclists die on the roads and Mr Woodhouse said too many live were being lost.
"Tragedies such as this not only take a life too soon, but leave a massive hole for the family left behind, their friends, and the wider community," he said.
"We all need to be mindful of others sharing the road, particularly where cyclists and pedestrians are involved as one small mistake can so easily end in fatality."
Cycling Action Auckland chairwoman Barbara Cuthbert said a lack of roading infrastructure in popular cycling destinations such as Taupo was an increasing danger for cyclists.
Aucklanders travelled to cycle events in Taupo in their thousands to compete and train. The region was profiting from those cyclists and as such should invest in better, safer roading for them, Mrs Cuthbert said.
"It's almost like we are lambs to the slaughter. I wouldn't have said that a year ago but I am now.
"Many Taupo roads simply don't have shoulders. My feeling is that if the district is making money from events and is encouraging out-of-towners to ride the roads they need to ensure that road is safe. The bottom line is that all rural roads that being used for events and training need shoulders."
Police yesterday said the investigation into Mrs Farrelly's death was in its early stages and no charges had been laid.
- Additional reporting Steve Deane


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Last Modified: Saturday, September 29, 2012 2:38 PM
By Carl Dubois / Special to the American Press
Last night I worked my last Friday night at the newspaper -- and maybe at any newspaper. A little more than two years after moving here to be the sports editor at a wonderful twice-weekly paper in the Willamette Valley in Oregon, I accepted an editor position with CBSSports.com. One of many benefits of the position is I can work at home, which means I don't have to leave the beautiful Pacific Northwest.
For most of the past 29 years, I worked in newspapers. You think it's hard to get the ink off your fingers? Try getting it out of your blood.
My journalism career is now entirely in the digital world. It's an odd feeling, with mixed emotions. The opportunities ahead of me are exciting, but there's a sadness about leaving newspapers. When I walked out the door late last night after putting the paper to bed, it was hard to believe it might be the last time. After handing the new sports editor my key and my final time sheet, I told the story about how I started in the business in August 1983 at the American Press. It was not the most direct route to newspapers, and I won't bore you with all of the details.
What I didn't say was that a decade earlier, I'd unwittingly created the karmic echo that would bounce back to me and reward me with the bittersweet blessing and the crazy curse that is nearly 30 years of newspaper work. After one of many basketball games featuring Reigel's Roadrunners, the McNeese State Cowboys of the Lake Charles Civic Center days, I wandered down near the court for a closer look. A few feet from press row, something caught my eye. It was a small book about the basketball team, with pictures, statistics, stories and much more. For a boy who loved to read and loved sports, it was a revelation. "What is this? Where do you get one of these?"
It was a McNeese State basketball media guide. Louis Bonnette, the sports information director at McNeese who retired in July, called them brochures, but as I got into sports journalism, the prevailing term was media guide. Holding one in my hands near the Civic Center court, I was fascinated. And I quickly walked away, taking it home with me.
Yes, I stole it. My apologies to the reporter who needed it on deadline that night and couldn't find it (although I'm confident Louis gladly gave him another brochure).
Funny how this karmic thing works. The media guide stole something from me -- a big piece of my heart and mind. The seed was planted for many years of sports writing, even if the launch party was a decade away. Many days and long nights later, there were times when I couldn't tell you if the career was a reward for being opportunistic and resourceful or a punishment for my thievery. Maybe it was a mostly sweet mixture of both.
Somewhere along the way, I misplaced that media guide. Who knows? Maybe someone copped it from me when I wasn't looking. That would only be appropriate.
The ink is still in the blood, if not on the fingers. Well, hold on there: I still see some residue, and I'm in no hurry to completely wash it away, even if it's a dead giveaway of my fittingly rewarded guilt.


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We have listed all of the single Mother assistance programs that we have located in Lakeland, Georgia. Our list of assistance programs is by no means inclusive and is always growing. If you know of any single Mothers assistance programs or locations in Lakeland please help contribute by Adding a New Listing.
5 Roquemore Circle
Lakeland, GA - 31635
(229) 482-3686
Lanier County DFCS is a local Division of Familiy and Children's Service Office where you can apply for numerous assistance programs including: 1. AfterSchool Services: The Afterschool Care Program provides funding to faith-based, community-based and public agency organizations through a Statement of Need (SON) solicitation process. The objective of the SON is to obtain the services of quaRead more


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"Scarlet Empress" (top) and "The Last Concert of Marlene Dietrich" by Sue Kosmalski
UTSA Satellite Space presents 'Marlene Dietrich: Angelus Novus'
(Feb. 17, 2005)--The UTSA Department of Art and Art History presents the exhibit, "Marlene Dietrich: Angelus Novus," Feb. 18-March 6 at the UTSA Satellite Space in the Blue Star Contemporary Art Center. The exhibit features manipulated images of the film star by UTSA visiting artist Suzanne Kosmalski.
An opening reception, free and open to the public, is 6-9 p.m., Feb. 18 at the Satellite Space, 115 Blue Star, South Alamo and Probandt streets. Gallery hours are noon to 6 p.m., Friday-Sunday, or by appointment.
Today's headlines
- La Prensa Foundation is newest member of UTSA Lone Star Society
- UTSA alumna Jordan Kaufmann wins $50K for new stent-graft start-up
- UTSA begins new way-finding sign installation this summer at Main Campus
- USA Today: UTSA long jumper Tyler Williamson rescues three-year-old boy
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With manipulated images of the mid-20th century films and later concerts of Marlene Dietrich, the exhibition responds to the public career of the German chanteuse and actress. Kosmalski's tribute includes a video installation, animation, sculpture and digital prints.
According to the artist, she pictures the legendary icon as an "angel of history through the gaze and sound of media." Kosmalski's process included extensive research and a lengthy development process.
For the minute-long projected video, she digitally altered 700 still images from Dietrich's entry onto the stage for her last concert. Each frame was imported into a computer program to play back in a repeating video sequence with adjusted color and speed. In the video loop, Dietrich enters and exits the stage -- arriving, yet not arriving.
Still photos in the exhibit are from black-and-white feature films of the period. Giclee prints, which involve a digital archival print process, were altered and colorized to match record covers of the periods represented in the exhibition prints.
The exhibition was inspired by the Paul Klee painting of the same name and the Walter Benjamin poem, "Poem of History." As a witness of the 20th Century from the cabaret, cinema and the live stage, Dietrich was a persona shaped by Berlin of the 1920s. Created in a world rife with change, the works anticipate the speed and fury of progress with Dietrich presented as an embodiment of a world in flux.
Kosmalski earned a master of fine arts degree from the University of Minnesota, Minneapolis. She has exhibited at the Walker Art Center and Soap Factory in Minneapolis.
For more information, contact Julie Shipp, UTSA Satellite Space, at (210) 212-7146 or (214) 532-0220.


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Person who draws the most profits in one year, for all those involved, from the marketing of women to the public, as sexual objects.
Minnesota Fresh (Mann Fresh) and his stable of ladies, pulled in well over 200 racks per city, this year alone, making him first tier candidate for Pimp Of The Year Honors.
by Mann F. January 02, 2012


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Hi all! I'm very new with bees, and learning all I can! I installed my bees from a 3# package a week ago into my Warre (2 boxes), and they are busy busy! They have built out half of the bottom box, straight beautiful comb, but haven't started anything at all in the top box. My understand was they would start in the top, and build down down down... do I need to do anything? Or leave it and see what happens? Do I have backwards bees? I did a line of beeswax on each top bar in both boxes, and I do have a jar feeder in the upper box as it was pretty chilly over the weekend, and they drank all but about 3T of the quart so I gave them more today... does having the jar at one side of the top box prevent them from building comb up there? A guy in my bee club who used to have Warre's told me to feed this way, but thought Id ask here as well! I'm doing everything I can to leave them alone and let them be...I just want to make sure we get started strong! Thanks for any wisdom you can share!
~Concerned new bee mom


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Crosslake Monster Dash 5K, Spooktacular Halloween Party set Oct. 26
The fourth annual Crosslake Monster Dash 5K is scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 26, at the Crosslake Community Center.
The run will feature chip timing by Karma Race Management. Free child care for ages 4-10 is offered during the race. Prizes for best costumes and race divisions will be offered.
The day will get under way at 8:30 a.m. with registration. At 9:30 a.m., the children's Spirit Sprint will begin for ages 4-10. Children who register for the Spirit Sprint will receive a long-sleeved shirt, refreshments and candy. At 9:45 a.m., the supervised children's program with fun activities will be held inside the community center while parents participate in the Dash.
At 10:15 a.m., the Monster Dash will begin, featuring both walkers and runners. Registrants will receive a long-sleeved shirt, refreshments and the chance to win prizes from local businesses.
All proceeds from the event will go to the Park and Library Foundation of Crosslake (PAL), which is a 501(c)(3) non-profit that supports parks, recreation and library services for the greater Crosslake area.
Registration is $25 through Oct. 21; then the cost is $30. Registration for the children's Spirit Sprint is $15 through Oct. 21 and $20 after that date.
Registration for the kids does not include the 5K race. If children would like to participate in both the 5K and the Spirit Sprint they must register in the adult division.
"Like us" on Facebook to have the chance to receive discounts and prizes before the event. Registration is available at zapevent.com or the Crosslake Community Center.
The 14th annual Spooktacular Children's Halloween Party with games, prizes and candy will run from noon to 2 p.m. at the Crosslake Community Center, sponsored by the local Lions Clubs.


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An exaggerated stepping movement, typically characterized by placing one foot in front of the other in an absurd, roundabout manner. Best demonstrated by by Monty Python's John Cleese, in a sketch about the "Ministry of Silly Walks."
"Well sir, I have a silly walk and I'd like to obtain a Government grant to help me develop it."
(From The Ministry of Silly Walks)
(From The Ministry of Silly Walks)
by uclafalcon December 16, 2003


text: Curvy beauty Taylor Lee specializes in making men's dreams come true. This busty Vegas dancer knows how to mingle, saying the best part of living in Sin City is all the people she gets to meet. Save your plane fare and head over to the members area now to see Taylor's full performance.


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basically, an excuse for some people to hate Japanese. In World War II the Japanese military attacked the U.S. station in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. This led to the U.S. entering the war. While people here can forgive Germany for what the atrocities the Nazi government did, they still hold a grudge against ALL Japanese people, despite the fact that General Hideki Tojo(the fascist dictator of Japan) and his cabinet were tried as war criminals and executed, and Japan and the U.S. are now allies, yet for some the hatred remains. This is the Pearl Harbor excuse.
Despite the fact that in the War of 1812 the British burned Washington D.C., we have forgiven them for that but we haven't forgiven the "Japs" for the Pearl Harbor attack. We keep using the Pearl Harbor excuse for our "Jap-bashing".
by I Saw U2 Live Twice November 10, 2006


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AMD and Nvidia need to step up to the 4K challenge
Posted on 30th Sep 2014 at 09:30 by Antony Leather with 125 comments
Some may disagree here, but to me, I'd welcome more pixels than my current 24in 1,920 x 1,200 main monitor offers. As I have two screens, I've also considered investing in a super-wide screen too.
There are some fantastic-sounding options here in the ultra high resolution department as well. LG and AOC have 34in 3,440 x 1,440 monitors plus Dell and LG have recently announced their own curved versions (WANT). The prospect here for immersive, high resolution gaming is pretty compelling but the extra screen real-estate is useful for all manner of other tasks too. I've played with super-wide monitors before as well, as you can read about here, and despite older 30in models only sporting 1,080 vertical pixels, I didn't find this too restrictive when editing photos and the like.
However, there's one major issue stopping me splashing some cash on a new ultra HD monitor. This is the fact that I'd need to invest twice as much again in the graphics department to be able to get playable frame rates in games. I've never been one to tone down graphics settings in order to get playable frame rates; this is partly the reason I find myself writing about PC hardware for a living, apart from the fact I caught the upgrade bug two decades ago.
However, even if I was prepared to drop a little in terms of detail settings, this still wouldn't be enough to allow even a £400 single-GPU graphics card to handle all the latest games, never mind my aging GTX 660 Ti. Even Nvidia's latest effort – the GTX 980 was a long way from achieving playable frame rates in Crysis 3 in our review; you'd need to opt for a monster such as AMD's R9 295X2 in order to get some headroom at 4K.
Something else that concerns me, though, is that there's not much effort going on to address the main issue here, which is that higher resolutions are going mainstream. Windows 8.1 achieved a lot in terms of 4K scaling, though there are a few more issues to iron out, not least of all by software companies with their own program scaling.
However, we're nearly at the point where it makes absolute sense to aim for 4K in a mid to high-end system, rather than a super-high end one as is the case at the moment. This doesn't mean I think those of us with limited wallet power won't consider splashing out £300-400 on a 4K-capable graphics card, but the fact is that once 4K monitors fall in price further, mid and high-end enthusiasts will have a bit of a problem on their hands.
They can afford a 4K monitor, but not the graphics card/s to power it in games. We haven't had such a big reason to upgrade our graphics card since Crysis landed but AMD and Nvidia need to do more to make these ultra high resolutions more attainable outside of super-expensive systems. In the past, you've needed to invest heavily if you game on triple screens, for example, and I think this needs to change.
4K is waiting to take off, be it in super-wide or standard aspect ratio monitors. In addition, true 4K gaming is also something the latest consoles lack. So this is also a huge opportunity for PC gaming to take a giant leap forwards and offer something tangible when it comes to a better gaming experience.
In short what we need is a GTX 970-type graphics card that can handle the latest games at 4K – something in the region of £250-350 – not the £700 odd that you'd currently need for something like the R9 295X2. So come on AMD and Nvidia, rise to the challenge and give us more reasonably-priced 4K-capable graphics cards.


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Volunteer cooks fried rice at Asian Festival
Volunteers needed for 21st annual ITC Asian Festival held on Feb. 9
By James Benavides
Public Affairs Specialists
(Jan. 16, 2008)--UTSA's Institute of Texan Cultures is recruiting volunteers to work at the 21st annual Asian Festival, Feb. 9, on the museum grounds. The Year of the Rat celebration will host more than 40 organizations representing countries and cultural groups from across Asia.
Today's headlines
- La Prensa Foundation is newest member of UTSA Lone Star Society
- UTSA alumna Jordan Kaufmann wins $50K for new stent-graft start-up
- UTSA begins new way-finding sign installation this summer at Main Campus
- USA Today: UTSA long jumper Tyler Williamson rescues three-year-old boy
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Volunteers are needed to staff booths, give directions, provide guest services and fill other roles at the festival. Volunteers are asked to work a four-hour shift to receive complimentary admission to the festival.
A mandatory orientation session is 6 p.m., Wednesday, Jan. 30 at the ITC auditorium, (801 S. Bowie St. at Durango). Credentials, including wristbands, parking permits and rules and regulations will be issued.
Volunteers must submit a sign-up sheet before attending the orientation. For a sign-up sheet, call (210) 458-2216 or sign up at the Institute of Texan Cultures Web site; select the Asian Festival link.
For groups or companies that would like to participate, contact the volunteer coordinator at (210) 458-2275.
The 21st annual Asian Festival is 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 9. Admission is $8; $4 for children, seniors and military with ID.For more information, visit the Institute of Texan Cultures Web site or call (210) 458-2330.


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We've built an inital prototype of a fancy garden hive. This is a medium super. We're thinking of having a deep hive body with a banner in the center for a name or farm name. What do you think of the design?
We've built an inital prototype of a fancy garden hive. This is a medium super. We're thinking of having a deep hive body with a banner in the center for a name or farm name. What do you think of the design?
I can't quite tell what I'm looking at. Is that a side of a box with the fingers of the box joint on either side? Is it wood? Pretty impressive.
Nobody ruins my day without my permission, and I refuse to grant it...
Should have had more detail, it's an 8-frame medium, the front of the box. It takes a bit to cut out and we run mediums, so I thought we would start with that before moving on to deeps. That way, I get to use the prototypes!
looks nice - id just worry about decay - looks as thought you carved out about 3/8 or so of the wood to get the honeycomb cells ???
id be upset to order a box that would only last 2 years in the weather ???
maybe if you dipped the whole thing it might last
but great job on it
We figured it would need to be stained/coated or dipped heavily. The other way of making it would be to make the board thicker to accommodate the carving and then sloping it back into 3/4" so the main thickness is 3/4" solid. We may go a head and cut one of those to see how it would look. We were also a bit worried about the final thickness of the panel.
We were also thinking of making it from sassafras instead of pine for more durability, plus we can get the sassafras locally. I think red cedar would also be very pretty. We can drive a bit and get cypress. That would probably also help on the longevity of the boxes.
A box like this would be expensive, so youd definitely want it to last quite a while.
Handholds, cleats?
Handholds on all sides except the front. Could put one in the front and do the carving around it.....do you think that would distract too much from the carving? Could do cleats on the sides and rear also. A cleat on the front I don't think would work well with the carving.......opinion?
KB.. i like it,looks great.
We also manufacture lots of cedar hives for sale,and already make a pretty hive for gardens with stand and gabled roof,but have been thinking of doing something similar to yours for a while now,but perhaps not quite as elaborate.
Have also been toying with the idea of making a few out of english walnut,have plenty of that at the moment. Obviously same as yourself,would not be selling them cheap,made for a select kind of market really,as opposed to the normal production hives. Love to see a picture of one of yours when all made up complete.
http://www.exmoorbeesandbeehives.co.uk/ Buckfast UK.
We looked at the hardwoods, but they are tough on the carving tools, plus many of the hardwoods are dense making for heavy boxes. I'm going down to medium 8's right now. I have a few old boxes that are made out of oak. We cut them down to 8's and they still feel twice as heavy as the pine boxes.
You are correct that we are looking at a select market. These would be show hives, award/prize hives, birthday/christmas gifts and such. There are plenty of folks who can make the basic boxes significantly cheaper that we could, plus we really don't want to make that type of box.
Do you use the red or white cedar? How is the market for those boxes in the UK?
We are probably a couple of weeks away from assembing a complete hive. Will post though, when we get there.
Hi KB
we use nearly all western red cedar,it's the most popular timber used for hives in the uk,plus pine for the frames,we sawmill and kiln dry all our own timber,and we tend to concentrate on good quality finnished hives. Cannot make them fast enough,as there is rather a boom going on with beekeeping over here at the moment...seems everyone wants to be a beekeeper for the last couple of years,great for buisness, but cannot last at this level i'm sure...lol.
http://www.exmoorbeesandbeehives.co.uk/ Buckfast UK.
Thanks to everyone for their comments so far. We really appreciate the feedback.
I would suggest using your carved panels (without handholds) to make three-sided displays for honey with shelves. Shelves could strengthen the assembly and a lightly built Garden Top could bee used. The display could "grow" by adding sections...
I think you might be able to come up with other uses for hive/bee themed carvings. Perhaps signs, or some sort of gift item. A HONEY sign with the bee relief could be nice.
Think beyond the box....
Trying to think inside the box...
Instead of making the carving part of the front side piece why not make a free form plaque that would wrap around the handhold? Then just glue it on. As mentioned above the plaques would make nice signs for folks selling at flea markets, farm shows etc.
I'd buy a 10 frame med with all 4 sides done for my wife. She'd really like that.
A guy at our club has been making some with the word honey on all 4 sides. She already has one of those.
Nice Job
I think that most of the whining about bee boxes being to heavy is because folks only use handholds, and not cleats. Finger tips are not made for lifting, especially gloved finger tips. I have always had beveled cleats on all boxes. I am weak with MS and I only whine about deeps filled with honey.
To achieve cleats I would incorporate a twisted branch across the ends with a swarm hanging from it. Or a bench with hives on top.
Do I have the concept right? Would folks mind having a plaque project out from the hive box?
On signage, we can make signs currently up to 24" X 26". With an equipment upgrade we can go 24" X 56".
Ok, here is our second effort in which we framed the panel to help strengthen it and for nailing. Please note that we are using hive body parts we have on hand which are not select grade. These are just prototypes.
Here are a couple of more designs we've produced. We have one more that we are currently working on and that will complete our intial set of designs.
Very nice, I'm tempted to buy one of those machines.