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I can see that working in Danbury CT. but I would be afraid to do that in Upstate NY and Utica is pretty mild compared to most of upstate. A solid ball of bees is warmer then two separate clumps of bees.
I can see that working in Danbury CT. but I would be afraid to do that in Upstate NY and Utica is pretty mild compared to most of upstate. A solid ball of bees is warmer then two separate clumps of bees.
Brian Cardinal
Zone 5a, Practicing non-intervention beekeeping
Wcubed - I must salute you as one of the best observers of bees.
There are however some other factors that handicap the checkerboarding methods. One is separation of different floral sourced honey, and the increased potential of intermingling feed and honey.
The use of more than one deep(or equivalent) for a brood chamber, allows more left over honey or feed from the previous year. Our goal is to have a near empty hive in a deep when dandelions bloom. All honey is collected as the supers are full, keeping the different flavors separate. There is little chance of feed getting into the honey if there is nothing left when dandelions bloom.
What happens to all of the food, be it feed or honey, that is in the checkboarded hives? Have you colored your feed with food coloring to trace where it goes? If it is fall honey, which is usually strong, does it end up in your early summer honey?
I am willing to bet that the law on honey will eventually exclude anything that is over 10 percent feed, which is the testing threshold. How certain are you of the final resting place of that what is left in the hive?
I hope we all try to produce the best product, no matter the method.
Crazy Roland
>What happens to all of the food, be it feed or honey, that is in the checkboarded hives?
good point roland. i'll let walt speak for himself, but after reading his paper i'd be willing to bet that his bees make enough and he leaves them plenty as to not have to feed in the fall.
as for me, i did feed this fall, and can't be sure there isn't any syrup in the one medium i have over the one deep brood chamber on all my 'big' hives.
based on a tip from walt's paper, i plan on moving those mediums down below the deep. they were already getting some brood in them anyway, but the hope is that there will be a bunch of pollen down there by next winter. then i'll have no worries about the syrup.
luckily i have enough drawn medium comb to put one super on each. no checkerboarding will be needed this season. my goal is leave them enough honey this year and try not to feed syrup.
Rolands question is valid, as is his quest for different sources. When I started with std mngmt, and harvested my alloted 2 super average, we often had what I called "laminated honey." As sources changed during main flow, different colored layers were stored in each cell - both sides of the midrib. Have seen as many as 4 layers. We filled our cut comb jars with Dakota light to show up the laminated honey. Sold better than hotcakes.
Since CB, we don't see laminated honey any more. Each of those different sources fills super or two. And when blended in the tanks, the aggregate color is much lighter. That may be because our major source is white clover toward the end of the flow. With CB, colonies still have strong populations at that time.
About the feed: We do not feed in the spring. By leaving enough honey to have a box of honey to checkerboard, there is no need to feed. But even if we did, it would not be a problem. The colony builds brood volume through the CBed supers, consuming nectar/honey as they grow. Put some sugar water in there makes no difference. I'm sure you know how they expand the brood nest, but there may be some who don't know. They consume a band of feed at the top of the brood and prepare that band of cells for eggs. The increase band is arched like the top of the existing brood and is wider at the top. When the cells are prepared for eggs, they bring Momma up to lay that band in a batch. All the cells for the next expansion band are filled with liquid feed. Since those cells are filled, incoming nectar goes into empty cells at the top of the feed whether it is nectar, honey or sugar water. When CBed, nectar accumulation outruns brood nest expansion by a couple shallow supers here during the swarm prep period. There is no reason to believe that sugar water gets moved up into harvest supers. Surely, you wouldn't be feeding at the same time that the colony is storing nectar overhead.
The whole objective of checkerboarding is to break up the band of capped honey reserve that stops brood nest expansion and starts swarm preps. This encourages broodnest expansion through the reserve, storing nectar above all the way. With a double deep overwinter config. you can get more than the equivalent of three deeps of brood, and outrageous populations.
I do have to sometimes feed in the fall. Monitoring the broodnest backfilling at brood closeout, some seasons don't let them get it done. When it gets to early Nov and they still have substantial brood, we crash feed. Comb feeding provides better access to the syrup and they can move a lot of it in a few mild days. There is no danger that it will get into the capped honey overhead.
Wcubed wrote:
There is no reason to believe that sugar water gets moved up into harvest supers.
That is the whole premise that is used in basswood comb honey section production, that nectar store during the queenless period(single deep) is forced into the sections.
Crazy Roland
I'm new and would love to hear more advice on management from WI based beeks. Is there somewhere I could find more info detailing your methods?
Toadman - to respect the OP, please PM me.
Roland Diehnelt
Thought I had a handle on the CB thing: two shallows replace the top deep of a two deep system. You then CB the top 2 boxes a month before apples. Now I am hearing mediums below deeps and moving boxes below the deep. The presentation showed putting an empty medium above the deep and a full medium below the deep. The photo of Walt with the two hives showed WR1 appears to be a shallow, deep, two shallows. So does the CB run 3,(d s s) 4,(mdss) or 5 (mdmss) boxes as the minimum? And is there a reverse done to the bottom somewhere in the mix? The tread also made it sound like the procedure was not followed in the presentation so confused. Yeah I hear about how great the manuscript is but I am cheap and waiting for the movie (figure maybe Michael Caine to play Walt). Maybe a Christmas present? I am still working on drawing comb in some shallows so I am not in the game this year.
Why do we fall, sir? So that we might learn to pick ourselves up Alfred Pennyworth Batman Begins (2005)
minz, for me the take home lessons from the manuscript were more about understanding the life cycle of the colony and their activities coming out of winter and into spring leading up to swarming and beyond, rather than any specific hive configurations.
how many boxes and what sizes can vary with location and the individual beekeeper.
i am adapting my operation to take into account the observations and recommedations made by mr. wright.
i think you will more than recoup your $10 in swarms prevented and increased honey harvest. more importantly you will gain an understanding of what the bees are up to, and that will guide you in your management decisions.
to the op, mike gilmore said it best in post #8. checkerboarding vs. opening the brood nest is not an either/or question. checkerboarding is done pre-swarm, pre-new wax, pre-main flow and involves honey frames above the broodnest. ulbn, (unlimited brood nest), by opening the brood nest is done after this time, and involves the brood frames. no reason why not to use both methods, which is what i plan to try this year.
Like I said those sketches are garbage. Maybe I didn't say it plain enough. FYI, more accurate sketches are free in POV here in beesource. The original article Nectar Management 101 (# 13 down the list) was an early description of the manipulation. That was written before the pollen box was incorporated into full season management. So it just treats checkerboarding. Two articles toward the bottom of the list treat the pollen box.
I'm inclined to agree with you, and I realize how dangerous that is. But it is true that opening the broodnest is not for the amateur. Several factors involved.
In the early season, judging colony population strength is difficult. On a flying day when you can open the hive, a major portion of the bees are out foraging. What you see is not the full cluster size.
You need enough population to avoid brood chilling, if you are expanding the nest volume.
As they build population (explode) to the point of being "crowded" they are likely already in the swarm prep period, and commitment to swarm by starting Q cells is less than 3 weeks away. That may sound like plenty of time but the weekender can easily get "weathered out" for two weeks or more in the spring.
A little complicated to expect of the beginner.
ludicrous?? Strong language. For the record, we have not advocated adding a box of honey in the spring, but we do recommend leaving enough honey on in the fall to have a full box of honey in late winter to checkerboard. Years ago we replaced the upper deep with two shallows (same amount of honey) to provide the flexibility for CB - among other reasons, like reliable wintering in the deep.
Since neither of us has any experience with the other's scheme, neither of us is qualified to critique the other's system.
Would adding a super of honey in late winter still be ludicrous if you got it back with two additional in the buildup period? Would it still be ludicrous if it had the potential for doubling your over all honey crop for the season?
To everything there is a season....
No disrespect Walt. I just don't see it working well here in the Northeast. I can't open my hives as early as you can there in TN, So late winter manipulations are not an option. If I leave them in a Deep and two Supers over winter, buy the time weather is warm enough to open the hive the queen will be laying in the top boxes. The earliest I can really open a hive for a full inspection is going to be mid April. I would probably even have snow on the ground at that point. I have had snow storms some years into the first few days of May.
Always question Conventional Wisdom.
Walt wrote:
I'm inclined to agree with you, and I realize how dangerous that is. But it is true that opening the broodnest is not for the amateur. Several factors involved.
In the early season, judging colony population strength is difficult. On a flying day when you can open the hive, a major portion of the bees are out foraging. What you see is not the full cluster size.
You need enough population to avoid brood chilling, if you are expanding the nest volume.
As they build population (explode) to the point of being "crowded" they are likely already in the swarm prep period, and commitment to swarm by starting Q cells is less than 3 weeks away. That may sound like plenty of time but the weekender can easily get "weathered out" for two weeks or more in the spring.
A little complicated to expect of the beginner.
I agree entirely. You must have a sense of what the hives are capable of.
Bluegrass do not be mislead by his "winter" terminology. Key off the bloom references.
Although I can comprehend what Walt is doing, regional differences in honey flow patterns may be more confounding than climate differences. We also strive to have an empty hive when the dandelions bloom, because after that, they can forage fro their needs. Leaving a super of honey would have no later benefits, and only get in the way.
Crazy Roland
Ed Holcomb says to NEVER let a hive get below 15 pounds of honey - at any time of year, or it will negatively impact brood production, hive population and ultimately honey production. Even months later.
Ed Holcomb says to NEVER let a hive get below 15 pounds of honey .
We have never seen evidence of that. We have seen evidence of an empty hive with nectar incoming , for example a new package on foundation, exploding like crazy.
At the same time, a hive with bees and food, but no incoming nectar, does nothing.
It is the increase in food that seems more important, rather than the level of stores.
Walt - what have you observed. Prove me wrong?
Crazy Roland
Walt, what size cluster do you have in late winter?


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middle school electives
Original post made by ED, Charleston Meadows, on Feb 20, 2013
my middle schooler and i are trying to decide what electives need to be taken in 7th gr. i hear that 2 years of middle school language equates one year of high school language.
i would like to know what other parents think....it is worth doing 2 years of language in middle school and miss out on other 'more fun' electives?? Would doing that decrease the work load in high school?
i would love to get opinions from other parents on why they picked what they did and what they would do different given a chance to redo the decision.
thanks all,
Comments (25)
a resident of Palo Alto High School
on Feb 20, 2013 at 8:52 pm
Middle school grades aren't calculated into college applications, so my recommendation is to take the two years of world language in middle school and the grade doesn't matter (as long as it's a "C" or better). Colleges prefer to see 3 years of world language taken in high school so students who complete one year in middle school only have to take two years in high school. If world language is difficult for the student, then he can take two years in middle school and only take one more year in high school (2 years total, which is minimum for colleges). Grades in freshman year are considered, but if there is any year to earn bad grades, freshman year is more forgiven. So if there is a bad world language grade in freshman year, it's better to earn it then, rather than in both 9th and 10th grades (still not the end of the world, of course).
If the student tries world language and it is way too difficult (depending on the teacher - some are insane) so that the student is getting absolutely nothing out of it, quit the suffering and try again in high school.
Paly offers Sign Language, which fulfills the World Language requirement. However, it's only offered for 2 years and it's not necessarily an easy class (due to the teacher).
German is only offered at Gunn.
Middle school students can take two electives so your child can take world language and another "fun" class.
There are also summer camps which are fun. Definitely, the time to have fun is prior to high school.
a resident of Palo Alto High School
on Feb 20, 2013 at 9:09 pm
I could be wrong about the grade needing to be a "C" or better - it was an assumption. The world language grade does not appear on the high school transcript. If a child is earning a "D" in world language in middle school, it might still count towards fulfilling the requirement, as it is still a passing grade. If that's the case, then the student only needs to suffer one more year of world language in high school and be done with it (hint: get a tutor).
a resident of Another Palo Alto neighborhood
on Feb 20, 2013 at 9:21 pm
There are pros and cons to starting a language in middle school and I would agree with the previous poster and just add a couple of comments.
The 2 year middle school language program is the same course that will be taught as 1 year in high school. In other words, the pace is slower which may or may not work for a student who is likely to do well studying a foreign language. In other words, if you are choosing a heritage language where your child may have some proficiency already it may be too slow. On the other hand, the slower pace can work better for some students and there is also time to enjoy the culture of the language in middle school which may not happen in high school.
The next comment is that the middle schools often arrange a school trip to a country that speaks the language and that may be worth factoring in to your decision.
Learning a foreign language helps English grammar understanding. English grammar rules seem pointless to a middle schooler unless they are learning another language. You may find your child's English language skills improve dramatically when they start a foreign language.
The last comment is that vocal chords are still fairly immature in middle school and it is easier to mimic a sound that is not common in English. Therefore, the younger a student starts a language, the more likely the accent will not sound forced. Generally speaking, if someone learns a language before the age of 12 they will tend to have a native speaker accent rather than a "foreign" accent when speaking with a native speaker.
a resident of Barron Park
on Feb 20, 2013 at 10:04 pm
My child (now a Junior in high school) chose to take video production and industrial technology, and both have served him very well. As a very academic kid, his middle school electives set him up for really interesting extracurriculars at the high school level. I think you can't really go wrong if you go with what your student is interested in. If languages float his/her boat, then the head start will set him/her up for AP and literature classes. If something else strikes his/her fancy, then it's important to explore that part of your student's life. Getting ahead in languages can free up a period sooner in high school, but exploring your interests early has big advantages, too.
a resident of Palo Alto High School
on Feb 20, 2013 at 10:57 pm
@What does your child want: I can't agree. The child needs to fulfill requirements for college so it's not necessarily up to what the child wants. There are plenty of good summer camps outside of PAUSD. Also, Video Production and Industrial Tech can still be taken along with world language because middle school students can choose 2 electives per year.
Plus, I disagree that there's much correlation between English and world language success. World language is actually math aptitude for the first 3 years because conjugating is like solving a puzzle. One of my children excelled in world language but flounders in English. It's more like English beginning in the 4th year, when there is more reading and writing.
@Paly parent: The school trip doesn't really help in learning the language and there are summer programs for world language in other countries so I wouldn't base my decision on it. And it's not necessarily offered every year, depending on whether or not a teacher wants to supervise. Seventh graders are past age 12 and the native speaker accent is the least of concerns. Mastering the language is already difficult since English is not allowed in world language classes in PAUSD (other districts allow English to be spoken up until the AP class). My child who excelled in world language had the native speaker accent by 8th grade - depends on the child.
I'm sorry if I'm coming off as a know-it-all, but with 4 children in college, I've been through it.
a resident of Palo Alto High School
on Feb 21, 2013 at 1:54 am
I'm not a parent, but I am a student. I took 2 years of language in middle school (Jordan, Spanish) to skip a year of language in high school (Paly). It's definitely worth it -- having 2 years of language prepares you better for the second year of high school language, I considered Spanish 2 very easy. It's also really nice that if you're talented with a language, they (Jordan) will sometimes allow you to take Spanish 2 (and I assume other languages) over the summer + you can enter Spanish 3/3H freshman year, and AP sophomore year if you wish. That route is popular because then an AP is taken in a year besides Junior year, which is hectic. Of course, there is never a guarantee that they will always offer this and it's by invite-only if I remember correctly. As for depleting the workload, in my experience, up until AP language classes are relatively little work (-30 minutes, often 10-15 minutes of HW max). Also, during the 2 years of middle school you learn a lot of material which is later taught in Spanish 2, for almost a quarter or half of the class (review).
Another thing to consider is that if you're going to take 4 electives and not a yearlong language, are there really 4 electives that interest you? For me, that wasn't the case + I really enjoyed languages at Jordan. If you'd like me to inquire as to what people in languages other than Spanish think of taking classes in middle school and the benefit in high school, I can ask around if you post the language you're considering.
a resident of Another Palo Alto neighborhood
on Feb 21, 2013 at 9:17 am
All good advice you've been getting.
I will add that you should assess your child's ability in learning a world language and be sure he/she can also handle what is mostly an academic class; it has homework, quizzes and tests unlike the other electives.
In most parts of the world, learning a language is not an elective, it is a core subject and taught from Elementary School. And while it seems unfair for an "elective" here to have this additional burden of hw, quizzes and tests, we are fortunate that our middle schools teach languages with the appropriate rigor.
The other question is - do you believe in the value of your child learning a second language? Motivation and a supportive environment will make a a difference for the overall outcome.
Either way, IF you are going to have your child take a WL in High School, to comply with the 3+ years of world language that UC and many colleges like to see, I suggest you still introduce language learning in some way before High School. Camps, online programs, way before HS to establish a foundation that will have its rewards later.
Especially if your child struggles with it. Unfairly, even kids who love and want to learn a second language can have difficulty in HS. Even smart kids. It's partly the wiring, and partly that HS has other challenges. I would not have my child land cold in a world language class in High School.
To further answer your question "Would doing that decrease the work load in high school?"
Since 2 years of language in middle school are a i year of language credit in HS. That Level I is being done over a 2 year period in middle school, as opposed to doing it all in 9th grade.
The grounding is stronger if you have experienced the language over two years, and the work load in 9th will depend on your child's ability. I would caution to hear "its' easy" in case it's not the case for your student.
If world language gets difficult in HS for your student, if you have the means, seek out outside vendors to fulfill the language credit, and verify with the HS that they will be accepted. I understand they are. If you don't have the means, there are tutoring resources provided in the High Schools, and they should start early with help. Like Math anxiety, world languages can make some kids anxious, and this can be averted with a foundation.
a resident of Adobe-Meadow
on Feb 21, 2013 at 9:38 am
[Post removed by Palo Alto Online staff.]
a resident of Another Palo Alto neighborhood
on Feb 21, 2013 at 11:09 am
The middle school WL grade does not appear on the high school transcript.
I agree that calling WL "easy" is incorrect because for most, it is not, especially in PAUSD. Some teachers are ruthless about students learning the language and treat it as a core class. Back in my days of PAUSD WL, we barely had to speak in class but nowadays, it's part of the grade. I don't think we are "fortunate that our middle schools teach WL with the appropriate rigor." WL in other schools is easier. Colleges see the number of years completed and don't realize how rigorous WL is here in PAUSD. On the other hand, I have a child who found WL easy and is happy to be able to speak in conversations. But she's witnesses many students struggling.
I tried to prep my children in elementary school by having them take afterschool classes for almost a year but it was not worth the time and money and didn't make much of a difference even though it was a good teacher.
a resident of Embarcadero Oaks/Leland
on Feb 21, 2013 at 11:27 am
A couple things to keep in mind -
Starting with the graduating class of 2016, 2 years of a World Language will be required for graduation.
Taking WL in middle school does NOT guarantee you will start in level 2, you need to be proficient enough to be in that class.
Taking WL in middle school does NOT give you a high school credit, it DOES let you start at a higher level (Spanish 2 for example)
Electives depend on the student, art, music or video production in middle school may spark a life long passion.
a resident of Charleston Meadows
on Feb 21, 2013 at 11:30 am
Thank everyone for your comments and helpful insights:
we are in the terman-gunn route and my child would be a non native spanish (or any other WL) speaker. Any input on the terman teachers? i am aware of the hw requirement of WL that the other 'more fun' electives don't have, but thought if this makes the stress slightly less (say that 5 times fast!) in HS, it may be worth it.
thanks again, it is great to get the insights,
a resident of Charleston Meadows
on Feb 21, 2013 at 11:37 am
thanks! it is great to get a student's insight. since my child will be a non native speaker for all WL languages, Spanish is the one of choice, since there is atleast some chance of it being used in this country!
any more insights from your friends would be appreciated too. thanks again.
a resident of Another Palo Alto neighborhood
on Feb 21, 2013 at 1:33 pm
Way to go, School Board, specifically Melissa Baten-Caswell! You continue to up the PAUSD rigor while your children attend private schools. Just because Caswell attended Brown, doesn't mean all students can. Why would PAUSD require WL? Students who are college bound already know to take WL and those who don't can find out from advisors. WL can be torturous in PAUSD. WL teachers better tone it down when it becomes a requirement.
a resident of Another Palo Alto neighborhood
on Feb 21, 2013 at 2:04 pm
"Why would PAUSD require WL? "
I have to say that without a plan to prepare students appropriately before HS, it is insane to require WL as a graduation requirement.
I expect parents to challenge this requirement, for a number of reasons, and it should be challenged without a plan to prepare students. At least now you can take the WL from an outside vendor, and go at a non PAUSD-tortured pace in the event you have a hard time with WLs.
ED - I did not mean to say that the two years of WL in middle school are HS "credit", but was thinking about it's readiness to advance to Level 2. You could likely start at any level in HS with a placement test or a transcript from an accredited place. Many use Lydian Academy in HS, to do WL there instead of PAUSD.
"I tried to prep my children in elementary school by having them take afterschool classes for almost a year but it was not worth the time and money and didn't make much of a difference even though it was a good teacher."
What you describe is not an "official"coverage of Level 1 world language. After school programs are nice for the younger kids, and though it did not work for you, it has been helpful for getting someone to have an ear for a language.
For official coverage of Level 1 and actual HS prep, I was thinking more about an accredited school, online or offline which would be acceptable as a transfer credit. PAUSD must have a long list of programs people have used.
As it is, PAUSD gives some leeway in letting you transfer outside summer from other schools as long as the core requirements for graduation are met in PAUSD. If they take the option to outsource WL credit away, and make WL a graduation requirement, it will be terrible.
a resident of Another Palo Alto neighborhood
on Feb 21, 2013 at 2:28 pm
"WL can be torturous in PAUSD."
I borrowed the torture term from you, in my last, post because it can be really torturous for some students or adults.
To be clear though, the torture is because the process of learning a language, independent of PAUSD, is hard. Nobody can get you through level 1, 2, or 3 without a due process anymore than you could skip from 2nd grade Math to Algebra.
This whole WL situation is already unfair to many students, hard as they try.
PLAUSD - please focus on the students who have struggled, and are currently struggling, all the kids dropping out of WL even though they have made a good effort. Be ready to have a lot of data to make your case that WL works at PAUSD, including how many students go to outside vendors to fulfill the credit for college.
You just can't introduce a requirement as gigantic as this one without a really hard look at student's experience, the students who struggle. And without a re-write of the current options.
a resident of Embarcadero Oaks/Leland
on Feb 21, 2013 at 2:35 pm
For the 10 millionth time - Melissa Baten Caswell HAS a child in the District!!!
As far as the WL grad requirement, PAUSD is working towards aligning the graduation requirements with the CSU/UC requirements. That said, at least at Paly, they have a LOT of work to do in World Languages to ensure that all the kids can pass 1 and 2. As it is now, if you pass the first class with a "C" they don't consider you ready to move on to 2 (they will let you, but the teachers will tell you that you won't be prepared).
Taking classes outside of PAUSD is usually allowed, the exceptions seem to be things that are State grad requirements (and classes where the ego of the Department Head gets in the way).
a resident of Palo Alto High School
on Feb 21, 2013 at 4:34 pm
Not everyone is able to learn a foreign language. My son, who had frequent ear infections from 4 mos of age to 5 years of age, had speech problems as a result. His father and I have always been linguistically gifted, but our son could not learn Spanish or any other language he attempted, and he badly wanted to learn Spanish. He studied hard, listened to Spanish language radio and TV stations, took immersion classes on weekends and had a tutor. No luck, his brain just was not wired for it. A neurologist told us it may have been tied to all the hearing problems he had at such a critical age in language development, and PAUSD exempted him from the language requirement.
And, yes, he did go to college: Foothill and then Davis.
a resident of Another Palo Alto neighborhood
on Feb 21, 2013 at 4:44 pm
Remember this,
Such a situation like your son's would likely merit an accommodation.
Generally speaking though - talking about the rest of the population - you work a requirement in a way which allows students to succeed.
Like with any subject, success comes from an early start, an appropriate curriculum, and not to forget, good teachers, and appropriately class size.
Many WL classes at PAUSD are huge, when smaller is better. Maybe two lanes......
a resident of Palo Alto High School
on Feb 21, 2013 at 6:10 pm
About the WL requirement: It's part of the district's plan to align to UC standards and 2 years of language are required (but 3 recommended) to apply to a UC/CSU. @Remember this: Paly offers sign language. I know a few kids who had trouble with languages (one with dyslexia, for example: (s)he had problems recognizing new words and learning a new spelling system but is doing fine in sign language. The one downside to the class is that since there aren't that many kids enrolled, sign language 2 & 3 are often compressed into one class). @World language elective "Many WL classes at PAUSD are huge, when smaller is better. Maybe two lanes" -- Spanish and French, the most popular, both lane by year 3 (3 vs 3H) and I cannot recall whether Japanese or Mandarin lane out although I think they don't.
"If they take the option to outsource WL credit away, and make WL a graduation requirement, it will be terrible."
I doubt they'll do that. Generally speaking, though, Paly grants off-campus study for classes which either a) have a scheduling conflict or b) aren't offered at Paly in much greater numbers than those of kids who just want to take a class away from Paly. I know that APUSH, for example, is rarely given because the history department recognizes the APUSH class at Paly is generally more rigorous than other off-campus classes.
a resident of Duveneck/St. Francis
on Feb 21, 2013 at 7:37 pm
C, are you familiar with the Charlotte school system (North Carolina, that is)? They also offer sign language in high school. I think that's also true of the Lowell (MA) public schools.
a resident of Duveneck/St. Francis
on Feb 21, 2013 at 7:39 pm
Also Newport Beach -- at least they did a long while ago.
a resident of Jordan Middle School
on Apr 22, 2013 at 12:26 pm
What about taking four electives in two years giving child opportunity to explore and take language course online from accredited school over two summers to have year one language requisite of high school fulfilled
a resident of Palo Alto High School
on Apr 22, 2013 at 2:23 pm
@MK: If a student already knows a language, he can take a test prior to high school and see if he can be admitted into the Spanish 2, French 2, etc. and bypass the Spanish 1A & 1B (or other language)in middle school. I think some kids even test into third year language classes.
a resident of Embarcadero Oaks/Leland
on Apr 22, 2013 at 4:31 pm
MK - I have yet to hear of any PAUSD student being granted credit for an online course and given the attitude at Paly of allowing students to take classes outside of PAUSD, it may be hard to get permission to take a language class online. St. Francis (in Mountain View) offers Spanish over the summer, it seems to be easy to get permission for that.
a resident of Palo Alto High School
on Apr 22, 2013 at 9:20 pm
St. Francis offers classes for high school students, not middle school students. I don't think MK cares about the credit for the classes. The whole point is to get the student to begin high school world language at an advanced level, as if the child took world language classes in middle school. So if the online class can prepare the child enough to be able to test into a second year world language class, then MK's plan will work. However, an online course is no way the same as taking world language in our schools so it's questionable that the student would pass a test to proceed onto a second year world language class after working online. It's better to just take the class in school.
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Cherries and Berries
By Laura Stec | 3 comments | 1,559 views
Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength . . .
By Chandrama Anderson | 2 comments | 1,023 views
Meeting Other New Parents
By Cheryl Bac | 0 comments | 741 views
They Are the Lucky Ones
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One more week to vote!
Don't forget to cast your ballot online. Voting ends May 29th. Stay tuned for the results in the July 21st issue of the Palo Alto Weekly.


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HP's Whitman Talks of Dell 'Cratering' Its Financials, And the DNA of Productivity
Following this afternoon's report by Hewlett-Packard (HPQ) of fiscal Q2 revenue that missed expectations and profit per share that beat, and a higher-than-expected forecast for this quarter, CEO Meg Whitman was kind enough to talk with me by phone this evening.
The shares have rocketed in after hours, currently up $2.88, or almost 14%, at $24.11.
Whitman kicked things off by stating that "The turnaround is on track, and we did what we said we would do, which is important because this was an unpredictable company for a very long time."
By that she means that the company has proceeded along a path laid out at its analyst day event in September. "We have focused on generating cash, and we have generated a lot of it," she said, pointing out that total cash flow in the first two quarters of this fiscal year that began in November now totals the entire amount the company had projected for the full fiscal year.
But Whitman also went through the things that went right and went wrong last quarter. She emphasized that HP's "enterprise services" business has "stabilized," with operating profit up 1.3 points last quarter from the prior quarter, to 2.6%. "We will get some kudos for that."
The company's "3Par" storage product saw sales rise 82%, noted Whitman. "It is the perfect storage product for the new style of IT," she said.
The company's networking business continued to grow, and the company formally unveiled its "Project Moonshot" server family.
On the topic of services, Whitman notes that there has been some benefit from a slower "runoff" of large customers. What she means is that three large customers had previously stated their intention to transition away from HP's offerings, because they were "changing their approach for outsourcing," says Whitman, but that hasn't played out quite as expected.
"We had forecast a runoff in 2013, and it turns out that is happening more slowly. Customers are slowing it down because these transitions are more challenging than they expected. We're actually doing a good job of managing their transitions for them."
The downside of better-than-expected services revenue now, concedes Whitman, is that "It will be harder to grow enterprise services in 2014."
What does she plan to do about that, I asked. "We have brought on a new head of sales, we are really working on strategic enterprise services, on Big Data, working on mobility for our clients, and security, things such as apps modernization. We'll use all of those things to try to make up for some of that expected challenge in 2014."
Personal Computers, of course, were a less glowing side of results, with sales in the "Personal Systems" unit down 20%, year over year. "PCs continued to decline, and our industry-standard server performance was not what we hoped it would be," thanks in part to aggressiveness on the part of Dell (DELL), "but we did the right things in terms of managing the balance between share and profitability," said Whitman.
As far as Dell is concerned, I asked Whitman what she will do if Dell continues to pursue aggressive price cuts as it rolls through an M&A battle between CEO Mike Dell and activist Carl Icahn that seems to leave the company caring little about profit.
Whitman responded,
Well, they [Dell] really cratered their earnings, you're right, and that the strategy you pursue when you are going private, and you're basically going to take on a big chunk of debt and try to then take it public again at a higher price. But we have competed for a long time with very aggressive competition, from Acer some years back, Lenovo, Dell IBM (IBM). We have to figure out a way to compete regardless of who the competitor is. It's about how do we get the right product for the right product segment, and have it be appropriately featured. How do we revive the channel in such a way that they love doing business with us. Listen, we're always going to have very good competitors, we have to be able to compete, to constantly improve our cost structure. It comes back to the notion of continuous improvement.
I noted that the quarter saw some decent quarter-over-quarter operating margin improvement (see my earlier post on the changes in operating margins), and I asked Whitman how much of that improvement was permanent.
"We undertook a restructuring program because I said we had to get costs in line with revenue and we had to regain the capacity to invest; we're slightly ahead of plan on that," said Whitman.
"Now, revenue was down 10% last quarter, and operating expenses were only down 5%. So, some people would say, why didn't you cut it by more. The answer is that as we've made restructuring progress, then we reinvested some of those savings in the business."
But Whitman said HP cannot simply rely on cuts. "We can't take more charges beyond what we have now," she said.
"We must build productivity into the DNA of the whole company" rather than hoping for "episodic" cost savings:
Efficiency has been a bit episodic in this company. There was this pattern of taking out some costs, and then going back to the way we were. We can't go back to the way we were. We have to get improvements in supply chain, greater agility, the right matching of product to customer needs. We have to create a new operating muscle at this company that isn't episodic but regular. General Electric (GE) has done it, many companies have done this. This is what really great companies do. We have to build this into our DNA.
Lastly, I asked Whitman about Cisco Systems (CSCO), which hopes to push aside HP in CEO John Chambers's quest to be the ultimate IT provider. I note that Chambers has always been very complimentary toward Whitman in his remarks.
Allow me to return the compliment. I have a lot of respect for John Chambers. And he helped me a lot when I was at EBay (EBAY). We feel very good about our competitive position. We grew 2% in switching last quarter, they were actually down 2%. As far as selling solutions, we're competitive in that market. We actually coined the term "converged infrastructure." With our services arm we have the advantage we need to sell solutions to these companies. We are the only company that can go all the way from the device to the data center. We just have to get our divisions to dance well together. But I truly believe we are differentiated by the breadth of our product line. Some people think it's a concern, but I think it's a real positive for us.


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This document states the current policies of the British Go Association (BGA). Items in italics were approved by Council on 21st February 2010.
The policies stated in this document, and their application, are subject to the provisions of the Constitution, which can be modified only by a 2/3 majority of those voting at a General Meeting of the Association.
These policies are not intended to restrict our effective operation. Council reserves the right to revise them, or to depart from them in specific cases, where it judges it appropriate to do so, subject to the requirement to conform to the Constitution.
Anybody wishing to propose a change to this document should either contact any member of Council, or raise their proposal for discussion on the bga-policy email list. (Note that this email list can be accessed only after joining the list, through the bga-policy list subscription page, and is open to Association members only. )
For this document and all documents it refers to, the version on the website here is the official version.
Note: some of these policy statements can only be viewed by members of the Association, so you may need to log in to our site.


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Town Square
Slip Sliding Away
Original post made by Jeff, Del Prado, on Jul 12, 2013
Forty two years later, Shadowcliffs has grown to include the main lake and smaller pounds along the Southern edge for canine frolicking, migratory bird rest stops, and clandestine body dumps. Until recently a four flume waterslide was located near the main lake where thousands of children and adults alike slid and splashed. The SC Slides not only provided summer fun, but also created much needed jobs for local teens, provided a source of revenue to East Bay Regional Parks (EBRPD), and drew patrons into our city of Pleasanton to spend their dollars at our restaurants and shops. Despite the vocal protests of many residents of the Tri-Valley and beyond, the EBRPD chose to listen to a small disgruntled group who felt the waterslides were a Socialist plot to brainwash our children into thinking slipping and sliding were appropriate forms of fun over watching paint dry, sitting at an interpretive center, or staring at a rock strewn man-made hill with scrub sprouting from dry parched dirt.
Seeing the Wall Street sized profits attached to the alternative land use ideas put forth by the Anonymous Somebodies Slipping Everfarther into Senility (ASSES), the EBRPD decided without a public vote to tear out the beloved waterslides and replace them with….nothing. Due to a lack of funding, the recommended "Interpretive Center" to be built on the vacant rock strewn hillside, would be postponed until a funding source could be identified. Maybe we could re-build the waterslides and use the profits from that operation to fund the Interpretive Center? The SC Slides ran a profit for all its years of operation, paid its seasonal workers, and contributed to the coiffeurs of EBRPD. Now those funds are gone with no alternative source to pay for park improvements other than raising group use fees, parking fees, and concession fees. In the end, users of Shadowcliffs will pay more for less.
Removal of the Shadowcliffs Waterslides is not the only questionable decision of the EBRPD Board of Directors (BODs). The BODs recently described a plan to start running shuttle vans up the dirt road from the Foothill staging area to the top of the Pleasanton Ridge. The idea is to allow park users who are not able to hike up the two mile hill access to the ridgeline and more level hiking terrain. Proposed shuttles would depart every 15 minutes from 8AM to 5PM resulting in 36 trips daily. Traffic up the ridge trail will soon resemble 580 East on a Friday night heading to Livermore. There will be so many people at the top of the ridge; reservations will soon need to be issued to accommodate the crowds. Rick Dykulous of the EBRPD indicated if the plan is as successful as they predict, they will contract with Squaw Valley Ski Resort to install a high speed quad chair lift or Gondola to service the influx of ridge visitors. In order to fund the new shuttles and future Gondola; hikers, runners, and Mt. Bikers not utilizing the new shuttles will be assessed an additional usage fee to pay for the new transportation infrastructure. Mr. Dykulous is quoted as saying "why should we penalize the users of the new shuttles, when those not using the shuttles are enjoying the stunning and epic views of the public resource that is the Pleasanton Ridge, free of charge? Where is the profit in that?"
Pleasanton and the Tri-Valley have some wonderful public resources including Shadowcliffs, Pleasanton Ridge, and Camp Arroyo as well as many other parks and lakes. We have given over management of these resources to the EBRPD, funding their management and maintenance of the park through use fees and tax dollars. A disconnect occurs when there is a lack of transparency in the decisions and policy making of the EBRPD and a lack of accountability for those decisions by the unelected Board of Directors. If we want to continue to enjoy our parks with unique attractions like the SC Waterslides and be able to enjoy a hike up the Pleasanton Ridge without fear of being run over by a shuttle bus, we need to demand more sunshine into the decisions and planning taking place within the EBRPD organization otherwise it is all going to just slip slide away.
Comments (14)
a resident of Another Pleasanton neighborhood
on Jul 12, 2013 at 3:54 pm
I thought it was the city of pleasanton that swatted down the waterslides because as they put it "no viable vendor came forth" to run/manage the slides or concessions. I would love to see water themed entrrtainment there. With tempertutes rising every summer it would be refreshing.
a resident of California Reflections
on Jul 12, 2013 at 6:03 pm
It was EBRPD, not the City Of Pleasanton that killed the Waterslides. EBRPD has admitted they have put very little funding into Shadow Cliff park compared to other East Bay Regional Parks. They is no funding designated over the next 10 or more years at least.
Shadow Cliff has become dog poop park. You can no longer walk the trails without being threatened by all of the off the leash dogs, and trying to avoid stepping in the multitude of dog poop. It smells of dog poo on an average day and the stench is unbelievable on hot days.
a resident of Another Pleasanton neighborhood
on Jul 12, 2013 at 10:57 pm
We frequent sc and enjoy the dogs. I cant stand the fisherman. They leave trash, cigarette butts and fishing line with hooks still attached everywhere. Beer bottle and bait containers especially.
a resident of California Reflections
on Jul 13, 2013 at 8:22 am
Shadow Cliff, (Word removed by Pleasanton Weekly Online staff)of EBRPD
Who is our representative to EBRPD?
a resident of California Reflections
on Jul 13, 2013 at 10:17 am
Pleasanton weekly please explain why the word Ghetto was removed. It was used properly in context. My meaning is that EBRPD has neglected Shadow Cliff, and it smells of dog poo. Shadow Cliff is the poor step child of EBRPD. How was the word Ghetto inappropriate or offensive?
1. (n.) an impoverished, neglected, or otherwise disadvantaged residential area of a city.
a resident of Another Pleasanton neighborhood
on Jul 13, 2013 at 1:25 pm
@Mike...look at your definition...it is not a residential area of the city. Also, it looks as it is supposed to, it is wildlife.
a resident of Pleasanton Valley
on Jul 13, 2013 at 5:26 pm
When the next election comes for EBPRD you can certainly bet I will not vote for a single incumbent. Getting rid of the slides was ridiculous, it made money, it provided jobs, it payed taxes, it was good clean honest fun, hard exercise (if you walked up that hill a couple dozen times you knew you worked out), the water was clean unlike the human poop bacteria infected water of the lake. Those slides were a win win. Now, it just disgusts me. Yeah, that's what we need, smog belching vans going up and down the hill, kicking up dust, creating washboard and ruts, driving the wildlife away. I shake my head in disgust. Last year we visited Shadow Cliffs at least a dozen times, this year, donut, nada, zip, ZERO.
a resident of Del Prado
on Jul 14, 2013 at 12:38 pm
@Eric- I believe the officials at EBRPD are unelected.
a resident of California Reflections
on Jul 14, 2013 at 3:11 pm
Ayn Wieskamp is our elected representative to EBRPD. She has admitted that Shadow Cliff has not be given it's share of EBRPD resources. She has been unsupportive and bristly when approached about our local issues. Her term is up in 2014 after 16 years, it is time for better representation.
Ward 5 Board Member
Term expires end of 2014
E-mail: firstname.lastname@example.com
Ayn Wieskamp represents: Brightside, Dublin, part of Fremont, Livermore, Newark, Pleasanton, Scott's Corner, and Sunol.
Parks in her ward include: Ardenwood, Brushy Peak, Dublin Hills, Coyote Hills, Del Valle, Mission Peak, Monument Peak, Ohlone, a portion of Pleasanton Ridge, Shadow Cliffs, Sunol, and Tassajara Creek.
a resident of Downtown
on Jul 15, 2013 at 7:47 am
c'mon the city of pleasanton should take on this project, they have a money losing golf course why not add a water slide?
a resident of Del Prado
on Jul 15, 2013 at 9:00 am
@ Don - The SC Waterslides never lost money. In fact, the waterslides made a profit and funneled money back into the coiffurs of EBRPD and paid local taxes which benefited Pleasanton.
a resident of Another Pleasanton neighborhood
on Jul 15, 2013 at 9:25 am
Seems it would give the new stacked-up, high density residents a fun place to cool off, without backing up Pleasanton streets with traffic.
a resident of Downtown
on Jul 15, 2013 at 2:17 pm
@jeff - if they were truly making money (they weren't funneling the profits back into the infrastructure)somebody would be running the slides today. unfortunately there was a tremendous amount of deferred maintenance and if that was the case it was an accident/lawsuit waiting to happen.
a resident of Del Prado
on Jul 15, 2013 at 4:02 pm
The proprietor of the slides was waiting for a long term lease agreement with EBRPD before investing into infrastructure improvements. Why would he pay for improvements if the parks would not renew his lease?
Mr. Kiersted was not getting rich running the slides. I believe he did the best he could to keep the slides running within the confines placed upon him by EBRPD.
You are right though, if he was making huge profits, another vendor would probably have come along to take over. Mr. Kiersted was probably not as concerned about making big profits rather he did it to provide family fun and good summer jobs for our city's teens.
Believe it or not, but not everyone is motivated by money and profit.
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Livermore trustees demonstrating wisdom
By Tim Hunt | 8 comments | 962 views
The Great Divide, and What's Next?
By Tom Cushing | 38 comments | 820 views
Sandia recognizes top girl scholars with math/science awards
By Jeb Bing | 1 comment | 617 views
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.


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If Strahan gets a first ballot election into the hall this weekend I say they do it the first home game next year.......any other guesses? Think that's too soon? Is there a standard timeframe for this kind of thing?
Also came across this article which says it may never be retired but not sure I buy that:


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Heartland Women's Club to meet Nov. 11 in Backus
Heartland Christian Women's Club Morning Connection invites all ladies to "Expanding Your Mind" on Monday, Nov. 11, at Bites Restaurant in Pine River.
A continental breakfast will be served at 9:30 a.m. Cost is $7.
Speaker will be Heidi Studer of Perham sharing "History in the Making." Dan and Pat Neibling of Longville will provide music, "Notes and Words to Inspire." Feature will be "Books and More" by Marian Ridge, explaining the services available at the Kitchigami Regional Library.
Reservations and cancellations are a must by Friday, Nov. 8. For reservations, call Ginny at 218-587-2803, Barb at 218-947-4524, Rita at 218-587-4117 or Elsie at 218-547-0646.


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Attacks on the Press | Botswana, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Guinea, Ivory Coast, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Republic of Congo, Rwanda, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Tanzania
Reports | Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Multimedia, Republic of Congo
Do you believe the free flow of information must be protected? Sign the #RightToReport petition and demand that President Obama immediately:
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Or click here to see the full petition, and join leading journalists like Christiane Amanpour, The Guardian's Alan Rusbridger, Editor of the AP Kathleen Carroll, and Arianna Huffington in signing on.


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The Russian connection: See all our coverage | Read about our investigation
Every once in a while there comes along an act so bizarre and culturally fascinating that it's hard not to stare at, whether you like it or not—like a fatal car wreck. An act like Die Antwoord. Hailing from South Africa, this Africaner rave-rap duo—trio if you include DJ Hi-Tek—has exported to the world a contagious, over-the-top cultural phenomen known as "zef." Rather than define zef, I'll let Ninja tell you all about it.
Ninja is half of Die Antwoord (meaning "the answer"), a slim fellow with gangsta tattoos, a mullet-y coif, and a histrionic glare—though he's quite genial when you meet him in person. Die Antwoord's other half is Yo-Landi Visser, fierce and tiny, with a twee voice, severe beauty, and an inimitable haircut. Actually, I take that back: Lots of Yo-Landi's obsessive fans have copied her do. Together, Ninja and Yo-Landi are outrageous, funny, sexy, twisted, and often unapologetically offensive.
If Die Antwoord started out freaky with their debut album $O$—which landed them a lucrative deal with Interscope Records, they've only gotten freakier with Ten$ion, their new release, over which they parted ways with the label. David Letterman was left nearly speechless after DA's recent appearance on his show: "Well, by God," he said afterward, perhaps ruffled by Yo-Landi's off-putting new insectoid-alien look. (Lucky he didn't hear Ten$ion's more provocative fare—for instance, a track featuring DJ Hi-Tek's repeated threat-promise to "fuck you in the ass.")
In any case, there's something about Die Antwoord that inspires the hell out of artists. Okay, sure, a million kids have probably sketched that one photo of Jim Morrison, and there've been countless portraits of Hendrix, etc., but Die Antwoord has been on the scene a relatively short while and has already inspired a prodigious pile of fan artwork ranging from napkin sketches to surrealistic paintings to spray-can murals. "It's fuckin' cool and super unexpected," Ninja told me in an email this past weekend. "It's cool that you noticed this. We were thinking about this today. It's kinda beserk that our fans bust out so psycho. We obviously love it. It's such fierce interaction we got going."
So what is it about them? Part of it, I think is the fact that Ninja is a talented visual artist who incorporates that side of himself into every aspect of the performance—onstage and off. Check out this twisted little pre-Die Antwoord clip that my seven-year-old daughter loves. And consider the "Evil Boy" video, which she'll be free to watch when she's a grownup: Die Antwoord designed the set and costumes—the awesome rat coat, the forest of penises. They spend a lot of time thinking about the art direction of their videos, and they bathe their clothing and recording spaces in Ninja's distinctive Keith Haring-on-crack graffiti, which features so prominently in "Enter the Ninja."
In his email, Ninja described his multidisciplinary approach:
I love films so much and I have had coffee with one of my favourite directors of all time, David Lynch, who likes our videos (which still totally fucks my head up if i think about it). I have also worked closely with Harmony Korine and Neill Blomkamp who are also fans of our work and also my favourite film makers alive on the planet. I love electronica and I've stayed at Aphex Twin's house for a week and are about to tour Oz with him. Aphex also loves our shit and i fuckin worship his shit. I love music videos and I'm about to hit a project with Chris Cunningham who is the Master Of The Game. Chris loves us and we love Chris. I love photography and I've just made a video with Roger Ballen, which was an experiment to make his images move with high energy. We started Die Antwoord because of Roger Ballen. I love Mr Ballen's work as much as I love Salvador Dali or Bosch, and Mr Ballen loves us like his own children, and says the style of art we make is the same as his. I love the pop music / gangster rap / rave music in Yo-landi's iTunes playlist. I think Die Antwoord's tunes play beautifully alongside the best of the best in these 3 genres. We are about to launch our own toy range, and our own video game. We are working on a full length feature film and a full length animated film. We hit all these things with equal force.
Of course, part of the inspiration may simply be DA's unique look, which screams "Draw me!" Basically, the group demands attention on every level, which is not merely clever marketing, it's something that drives others to create.
Behold these 100-plus fan homages to Die Antwoord. Ninja says his favorite at the moment is this drawing by Jatinder Singh Durhailay, who has a series of pieces in this slideshow. The file names on the images indicate the Facebook handles of the people who posted them to Die Antwoord's page, though not all of them are the artists. I'd love to hear in the comments from some of the people who created this stuff, explaining what inspired them.
I'll leave you with the official video for "I Fink U Freaky."
Click here for more music features from Mother Jones.


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[quote user="AJKilo"]Oh come on LOL don't send the out of towners to Long Island thats just not fair.
If you're taking the train to the game you go from penn station via NJ transit, transfer at SEC (Secaucus junction) to the train to the Meadowlands.[/quote]
Yeah, I knew that guy was being crazy. I know where the LI railroad goes as I have taken it before. Not to mention my dad is from Long island. Silly Giants fans. I'm trying to spend my money in your city, provide some jobs ya know? Every little bit counts.


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Be a part of a unique online community that connects post production professionals and film academics worldwide.
You'll have access to personalize your news feed, access to Live Post Talks and much more. Contribute to the community by posting interesting post production content.
March 14, 2013, 4:32 am
(Los Angeles, California--March 13, 2013) The Hollywood Post Alliance (HPA) has announced the topic for its latest SCRG luncheon panel, Deal Maker or Breaker: Collaboration, which will take place Tuesday, March 19, 2013 at the Beverly Garland Holiday Inn in North Hollywood, CA.
May 30, 2017, 4:08 am
Film editor Joi Mcmillon struck gold on her first feature film: the Academy award–winning 'Moonlight'. She also snagged an Oscar nom herself, becoming the first Black woman to do so for editing. Here's how she did it.
May 30, 2017, 4:07 am
Neill Blomkamp, whose films like District 9 and Elysium make extensive use of vfx and animation, has unveiled his new passion project: Oats Studios, a Vancouver company dedicated to creating experimental vfx-driven short films.
May 30, 2017, 4:07 am
Aeronautical engineer, Army test pilot, animator on "Peanuts" and ASIFA-Hollywood co-founder.
May 29, 2017, 9:12 am
Before joining Rodeo FX in 2015, Philippe Soeiro was at Eclair Numerique where he worked on numerous projects such as THE PIANIST, ALEXANDER, THE TRANSPORTER or THE NINTH GATE. Then he joined Autodesk to work as Lead Product Designer for Flame / Smoke. At Rodeo FX, he worked on CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE and THE SPACE BETWEEN US.
May 29, 2017, 9:12 am
How to use the ReaEQ plugin for cleaning up annoying noises in a vocal, such as plosives and fizzy effs, and reducing click bleed in drum tracks.
May 29, 2017, 9:12 am
On the occasion of the SIGGRAPH 2017, French researchers will present publications on the models of materials.
May 29, 2017, 9:12 am
Really cool VFX breakdown by Atomic Fiction about their work on GHOST IN THE SHELL...
May 29, 2017, 5:21 am
Union VFX presents their work on BRIDGET JONES' BABY...
May 29, 2017, 5:21 am
Finnish recordist Pyry Survo has created a unique sound effects collection, capturing a wealth of hard-to-access recordings from roller coasters and other amusement rides, as well as amusement park ambiences. It was a huge undertaking, and below, he shares the story behind the making of this impressive collection...
May 29, 2017, 5:21 am
Chris's input into this year's THU digital arts festival has resulted in a focus on architecture. As prep, he invited prospective speakers Keely Colcleugh and Fredy Castellanos, from creative visualization studio Kilograph, to the podcast studio.
In this episode of The Cutting Room, we explain just where we have been for the past four months. We'll begin regularly ...
Joe Walker joins Gordon to discuss the editing of Denis Villeneuve's film Arrival. They focus on Time and manipulating t ...
Gordon sits down with Steven Rosenblum to discuss the editing of Birth of a Nation. They talk about lack of footage and how t ...
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The JAPAN KARATE DO RYOBU-KAI (JKR) is a professional, international, karate organization under the leadership of Yasuhiro (Takehiro) Konishi, 10th Dan. JKR branches are located all over the world and are under the guidance of Kiyoshi Yamazaki, 9th Dan, as the Kaicho (President).
The style of karate taught by the JKR is called Shindo Jinen Ryu. This style was founded by Yasuhiro Konishi who learned karate from Gichin Funakoshi, Chojun Miyagi, Kenwa Mabuni, and Choki Motobu. Additionally, Konishi Sensei studied extensively under the founder of Aikido, Morihei Ueshiba. The JKR also has a lineage dating back to the 16th century traditions of Takenouchi Ryu Jujitsu.
Training in the JKR is conducted in the traditional Japanese method, stressing discipline, consistent attendance, etiquette, and hard work. Karate instruction is life-long, and can be continued regardless of age. Modern training in Shindo Jinen Ryu karate-do incorporates elements of karate, aikido, jujitsu, and kendo in the formal curriculum, with an emphasis on philosophy and education. The curriculum also emphasizes Zanshin (the ability of an exponent to gain dominance over an opponent through an alert state of mind) and the maintenance of proper physical posture.
The purpose in Shindo Jinen Ryu karate-do is to develop the whole human being, physically and mentally. Through long-term, dedicated training, students learns to develop and unite Shin (mind), Gi (technique), and Tai (body) in proper proportions. The end result is awareness of one's moral obligations and place in society.
50th Annual JKRi Event: May 4 – 7, 2017 Irvine Marriott
Event Location: Irvine Marriott
Online Registration is now open
Download the Event Packet 2017 JKRi [updated March 13, 2017] for important deadline and fee information.
Use this link to book your room at our special room rate of $115 per night. If you'd like to extend your stay at this room rate please contact Sensei Mina.
Attention Dojo Chos: Please place orders by April 15, 2017 for pick on May 4, 2017 at the US Hombu.
2016 Dan certificates will be given to Dojo Cho or dojo representative on May 4, 2017.


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I wouldn't suggest carrying +p or +p+ ammo in any gun that manufacturer doesn't recommend it. It will speed up wear and tear, and may even damage your gun, making it unsafe to fire. If someone knows otherwise, then correct me, but I can't imagine if the manufacturer says not to do it, then you shouldn't do it.
Enjoy the pf-9 though!


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text: After extracting and filtering through 600 and 200 micron filters my honey was cloudy. I tried to refilter and the honey would not pass through the 200 micron filter. I heated it slightly with a double boiler and refiltered. Within a week it crystallized in my 5 gallon pail. I used the same process and equipment as last year but my honey from last year (1 bottle left) is still liquid. The only difference is I used a cap scratcher this year. Did I do something wrong?


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First 'Facebook murder' trial underway
JONESBOROUGH, Tenn. - Update: Click here for coverage of day two of the trial.
A jury has been selected and the trial is underway for a man accused of killing a Mountain City couple.
Marvin "Buddy" Potter is charged with two counts of first degree murder and one count of felony murder.
There is a lot of emotion inside the courtroom in Jonesborough as family members of the victims are listening to both sides, and are hoping to have some answers.
Both sides gave opening statements and had different theories on what they believed happened on Monday.
A 911 call was played for jury members Monday by the defense during the opening statements of Marvin Potter's trial. "Is his chest throbbing where you can see?" asked the 911 operator. "No, no, there is no pulse on him. I know there is no pulse on him," the caller replied.
The call was placed on the morning of January 31, 2012, when the bodies of Billie Jean Hayworth and Billy Payne, Jr. were found in Johnson County.
"We don't think the facts that you're going to hear from this witness stand is going to back up their theory at all," defense attorney Randy Fallin said. "We have a different theory and a different shooter."
But the prosecutor Dennis Brooks has a different opinion on what happened. "We are going to show you that you are in the [presence[ of someone trained and cold-blooded enough to do that kind of crime, at least he thinks he is," Brooks told the jury.
Police say Potter got angry at the couple after they de-friended his adult daughter Jenelle Potter on Facebook. "An enemy of Jenelle Potter is an enemy of Marvin Potter," Brooks said. "You don't de-friend her or act like you don't want to be her friend without something going on."
But the defense claims the group met and made up a month before the shootings took place. "Before that meeting they were concerned with all the problems going on," Fallin told the jury. "After that meeting there wasn't another mention of problems between the Potters and him."
Jury members were shown pictures of the bodies, how police found them, and listened to testimony from a Tennessee Bureau of Investigation agent that worked the scene. They also read emails between the Potters.
The defense claims Marvin Potter never used e-mail or a computer because he didn't know how.
The trial is expected to last a week. The prosecution will continue to call witnesses on Tuesday.
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Discussion in 'Chevy Truck Accessories' started by lsutoms, Dec 20, 2009.
Does anyone have instructions or know how to take the headlight fixture out of an 09 silverado???
I really don't mean to sound like on of those guys that just states the obvious, but I didnt know how to remove my older ones, so i just yanked the grill off and they are actually bolted to the body... Not sure if that helps, but good luck and merry christmas
I haven't gotta to play with a newer model truck yet, but my Av and all the other 95-06 trucks have pins that hold the headlight in place...
i have 2 bolts on the top of my light under my hood and a bolt on the bottom that you actually have to take the fender liner off to get to but i think i need to take my grill out and dont really know how....
stop at your best auto body and they can help you out!!
just to let anyone who might look at this in the future i figured it all out you actually have to take your grill out which is very simple... if you need help on this haller at me n ill help ya out!
Separate names with a comma.


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August 29, 2011
Three-time Olympic silver medalist Johnny Spillane at home on the waters of the Yampa River.
Stories this photo appears in:
From the Olympic games to big game
Local Nordic Olympians Johnny Spillane, Todd Lodwick as solid with bow as they are on skis
While Northwest Colorado is home to trophy elk and deer, it's also home to hunters who brought home trophies from the 2010 Vancouver Olympics. Nordic combined skiers with ties to Steamboat Springs brought home seven silver medals from last year's Games — enough to hang from every point of a Routt or Moffat county bull. And come hunting and fishing season, two of them — Todd Lodwick and Johnny Spillane — take a break from hunting world titles to set their sights on bow-hunting big game.
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Trial begins in Kalispell newlywed case
MISSOULA, Mont. - On Monday, the trial of 22-year-old Jordan Graham began in a Missoula federal courtroom. Graham, a Kalispell woman, is accused of intentionally pushing her husband of just eight days over a cliff at Glacier National Park in July.
Prosecutors say her husband, Cody Johnson, died of blunt force trauma.
Prosecutors say Graham then lied to authorities, friends and family members, saying Johnson had disappeared on a joyride with out-of-town friends.
Graham has pleaded not guilty to first-degree and second-degree murder and making a false statement to authorities.
During opening arguments, Assistant U.S. Attorney Kris McLean pulled up a photo of Cody Johnson, alive and well, and later pulled up a photo of his body lying face down in water at Glacier National Park.
McLean told the jury that the prosecution will work to show Graham's state of mind before and after the alleged murder.
The opening statement for the defense came from Graham's federal public defender Andy Nelson. He said that Graham finally talked to Johnson about doubts about their relationship and marriage, but the conversation ended with a tragic accident.
Nelson said Johnson grabbed Graham during an argument, and Graham pushed Johnson to get his hand off her.
Nelson said Graham lied to authorities because she was scared no one would let her explain what happened, and scared she would be arrested on the spot.
Prosecutors then called two witnesses to the stand. The first witness was Johnson's friend Jennifer Toren. Toren broke down crying when she described Johnson as a generous, kind man.
She testified that Graham rarely hung out with her and Johnson's other friends, and she asked Graham if she didn't like her. Graham responded, according to texts, that it wasn't that, but rather she was shy and wasn't friends with a lot of girls.
Graham's church friend Kimberly Martinez was later called to the stand. Prosecutors pulled up text messages between her and Graham. Jurors were shown texts from Graham before the wedding explaining that she was getting nervous, and after the wedding saying she was rethinking everything, and was sad. In the texts, Martinez urged Graham to talk to Johnson, and Graham said that Johnson had a temper.
Martinez is expected to continue her testimony Tuesday.
Federal judge Donald Molloy says he wants this trial fast-tracked, and hopes the jury will be able to begin deliberations by Friday. Earlier today, the judge questioned each juror to see what they knew of this case.


text: I have a 2004 Chevy Silverado with power door locks. I bought the truck second hand and I didn't get any remotes from him. I bought a remote on ebay and I'm going through the process to program the remotes and it confirms the programming before I can push the lock and unlock buttons to program the remote. I'm wondering if the truck is set up for keyless entry, is there a way to tell? I assume it is because the truck is able to go into programming mode. Any help would be great!!!


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On this basis, the FACTS, as given in one of the following posts, were that his bees had been killed by neonics. And as they had been killed by neonics, there was no point having bees there again.
It occured to me that if everybody who had a deadout as described, took this advise, there would be very few bees in America.


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It looks like we are going to have the same OC and DC. We will probably have the same injury prone players who will start getting hurt right out of the gate, then injuries will trickle down throughout the entire season. We will try to make do with players who are more or less 2nd and 3rd string caliber players. Nothing indicates the organization has any sense of urgency in fixing these glaring problems, or that they even acknowlege there is a problem.
I bet by game 3 we will alread be down 2 DBs, 1 OL, and 1 WR.... possibly 1 RB.


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Oracle Financial Services Software Limited (referred to as "Oracle Financial Services Software") (Reuters: ORCL.BO & ORCL.NS) is a world leader in providing products and services to the financial services industry and is a majority owned subsidiary of Oracle. Oracle (NASDAQ: ORCL) is the world's most complete, open and integrated business software and hardware systems company. For more information, visit www.oracle.com/financialservices
Oracle (NASDAQ: ORCL) is the world's most complete, open, and integrated business software and hardware systems company. For more information about Oracle, visit oracle.com
Oracle and Java are registered trademarks of Oracle and/or its affiliates. Other names may be trademarks of their respective owners.
Caroline Yu Vespi
Mary Tobin


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I didn't know a lot about the band going into the shoot other than the fact that they are a NINE-PIECE BAND. Actually, they probably told me a lot about the band but that was all my feeble little photographer brain heard: "Nine? Oh crap. How in the living hell am I gonna light NINE guys?".
Jul 232010


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Earthquake overview : A strong earthquake occurred at a shallow depth of 4 to 10 km, depending on the source, in Tajikistan. The local time of occurrence was 04:28. Tell us when you think you have felt this earthquake. Tajikistan-only earthquake list Keep this page open to read more details … [Read more...]
Very strong damaging earthquake in Tajikistan - 6000 people homeless
Last update: May 15, 2012 at 8:13 am by By


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Town Square
Washington D.C. speak
Original post made by Tim Hunt, Castlewood, on Feb 26, 2013
Thanks to the profligate spending by Congress and the president and despite having no budget for four years, there is seeming hysteria about cutting about 2.5 percent of the budget. The laundry list of substantial cuts in services for each state that the White House issued over the weekend was dutifully reported by media outlets. A few of them actually asked the next question—the federal budget is up 19 percent since President Obama took office and the cuts are pretty trivial—what is the big deal.
How many American families have dealt with diminished income—in real terms? You have to remember that a "cut" in Washington D.C. speak is a reduction in the anticipated increase in spending, not spending less money. The sequestration reduces the rate of increase over 10 years, not actual spending. That's the scam that Washington D.C. has played upon the citizens for decades—reducing the spending rate is considered a cut. In an expanding economy the reduction in the rate of growth will close the gap.
It's also worth remembering that the country is borrowing about 46 cents of every dollar that is being spent—a trajectory that makes the unfunded pension liabilities in California and many of its governments look pretty manageable by comparison.
Consider other examples—California's governors and legislatures, most specifically Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, manipulated numbers on revenue and borrowed excessively to close the budget gap on paper over the last decade. The gap was real—revenues had plunged about 25 percent at the depths of the recession and there was no appetite to truly close the gap.
The Bay Area News Group ran a retirement story this week about the Antioch city manager that shows just how dramatically and quickly things can change and require immediate change from government (that's why Pleasanton has numerous reserve funds for economic uncertainty and equipment replacement—and Pleasanton still instituted a hiring freeze when the economy started to go south).
Revenues in Antioch went from $47 million to $34 million over four years as new home construction dried up and sales tax revenue went with it. That required three rounds of layoffs, employee benefit and salary concession and stringent other spending restrictions. It was necessary because cities cannot run deficit budgets.
Oh, for such requirements at the federal level which is addicted to borrowing and spending (revenues this year will be at an all-time high and there's still the 46-cent per dollar deficit spending).
Comments (2)
a resident of Birdland
on Feb 26, 2013 at 10:29 am
Daveg is a registered user.
I believe Tim has objectively commented on this entire sequestration farce. So many people are buying into Obama's scare tactics as he continues his political campaigning on the road rather than actually sitting down with both parties and working out a true, workable plan. It's worth noting that Obama was determined not to face another debt-limit increase before his re-election campaign. He scuttled a bipartisan agreement prior to the election and instead proposed a "sequester." The sequester was initially proposed as a deal so bad that Republicans and Democrats would have to come up with something better. But as deadlines have passed, neither side has provided an alternative that is acceptable to the other. Obama can't be bothered to actually spend a few hours working out a sensible sequester plan with the Republicans. Apparently it's more important to keep on bashing the Republicans if the sequestration goes through as planned.
The Wall Street Journal itself weighed in in an editorial, referring to a recent White House event that Obama hosted, saying that "Americans can expect more such melodrama in the coming days."
And they have been correct!
a resident of Birdland
on Feb 26, 2013 at 9:17 pm
liberalism is a disease is a registered user.
Geez, Tim, how dare you cast some light on the manufactured crisis of leadership that is oblamo. To reiterate one of your salient points, most private sector employees have had to do without for a few years now and all we hear is wring, gloom and doom and claims the world will end when the govt only has to reduce their INCREASE IN ANNUAL SPENDING. Whiny beeyatches, grow up.
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Livermore trustees demonstrating wisdom
By Tim Hunt | 11 comments | 1,369 views
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.


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GDC Europe 2011 headlines
Gamescom 2011 hits 275,000 attendees
Koelnmesse's announced this evening that this year's gamescom hit 275,000 attendees in the five days the show took place.
GDC Europe 2011 attracts 2,100 attendees, returns next year
The 2011 European Games Developers Conference concluded yesterday and official figures show the three-day event attracted 2,100 game professionals representing 57 countries. In all, the conference played host to over 170 speakers and 46 exhibitors. The show is set to return to Cologne next year, August 13-15 2012.
Vita devkits cost much less than kits for PSP and PS3
It looks as through developers interested in creating games for PS Vita won't have to spend as much on devkits as when developing for PS3 or PSP.
IGF Chairman: We have a responsibility to support indie games
Brandon Boyer, chairman of the Independent Games Festival, said today at GDC Europe that gamers have a responsibility to buy games that attempt to push the medium forward.
Amnesia: The Dark Descent sells 400,000
It was hailed as one of the scariest games in years by critics, and now it seems that fans agreed as the developers report impressive sales numbers.
Silent Hill Downpour director says they're doing fine without composer Yamaoka
Silent Hill fans were worried when the latest project lost its long-time, greatly respected composer Akira Yamaoka, but the game's design director says that they're getting along just fine without him.
MercurySteam CEO to give GDC Europe keynote
MercurySteam CEO Enric Alvarez is to give a keynote at GDC Europe, organisers ThinkServices has announced this morning. Alvarez will give a post-mortem of the Spanish studio's development on Castlevania: Lords of Shadow, in which he will "share surprising and inspiring insights into how to create not one, but several AAA video game projects from […]
Epic president Mike Capps to give GDC Europe keynote
GDC Europe organisers have announced this afternoon that Epic president Mike Capps is to give the main keynote at the event next month.
Quantic Dream, Jonathan Blow and Gameforge join GDC Europe 2011
GDC Europe 2011 organisers have announced three more high-profile talks for the mid-August event.
PS Vita, Obsidian and Gamestop talks added to GDC Europe line-up
More heavy-hitting lectures have been added to the GDC Europe 2011 schedule, which is shaping up admirably.
Garriott to keynote GDC Europe
ThinkServices has announced this morning that Lord British himself, Richard Garriott, will be the keynote speaker at GDC Europe in August.
GDC Europe 2011 sessions from Harmonix, DICE, and Ernest Adams announced
New sessions for GDC Europe have been announced, and the talks include ones on game designs, Dance Central, and the lighting effects in Battlefield 3.
GDC Europe 2011: Bulletstorm, The Settlers, Silent Hill and Zynga added to line-up
Four more heavy-hitting presentations have been added to GDC Europe's schedule.
VendenBerghe to return to GDC Europe 2011
Three new sessions have been announced for GDC 2011, including a presentation by conference favourite Ubisoft creative director Jason VandenBerghe, on developing existing IP.
GDC Europe 2011 Latest
IGF Chairman: We have a responsibility to support indie games
Silent Hill Downpour director says they're doing fine without composer Yamaoka
Quantic Dream, Jonathan Blow and Gameforge join GDC Europe 2011
PS Vita, Obsidian and Gamestop talks added to GDC Europe line-up
GDC Europe 2011 sessions from Harmonix, DICE, and Ernest Adams announced
GDC Europe 2011: Bulletstorm, The Settlers, Silent Hill and Zynga added to line-up
GDC Europe 2011: Mortal Kombat, Playdom and Playfish talks announced
Brink, Oregon Trail, and Crysis 2 talks announced for GDC Europe


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The Sky Is Your Stage
There's nothing worse than a fireworks display that doesn't live up to your expectations. So before you light the first fuse, see exactly how your product choices will perform. Just select your favorite products and drag them into the ShowTime player. Then hit "Play Show" to see your creation in action. To save and share your show, be sure to register.
To view this page ensure that Adobe Flash Player version 10.0.0 or greater is installed.


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Settlement provides more certainty for you to manage your energy costs over the next two years
Post by Anna Scarlett
Today we announced a settlement agreement with several parties on the electric and natural gas general rate requests we filed back in April. The settlement, if approved by the Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission (WUTC), would mean a modest two-phase rate increase in electric and natural gas rates. The first would take effect Jan. 1, 2013 and the second on Jan. 1 of 2014.
Better yet, we've agreed not to request additional general rate increases that would take effect before Jan. 1 of 2015. This doesn't mean we wouldn't adjust rates based on wholesale natural gas costs before then (remember, that's a separate part of your bill). For more information about how we adjust those costs, read our Natural Gas Pricing 101 series.
But what it does mean is that you'll have more certainty in your energy rates for the next two years, so you can better plan to manage your energy costs. And your energy prices will still be among the lowest in the nation.
The bottom line
If the commission approves the settlement and you are an Avista electric customer, you would see two separate rate increases:
· Beginning Jan. 1, 2013, if you use an average of 989 kilowatt hours a month, you would see an increase of $1.20 per month, which equates to about 4 cents a day, for a revised bill of $78.69.
· Beginning Jan. 1, 2014, if you use an average of 989 kilowatt hours a month, you would see an additional increase of $1.60 per month, or about 5 cents a day, for a revised bill of $80.29.
Here's how the changes, if approved, would affect you as a natural gas customer:
· Beginning Jan. 1, 2013, the first 70 therms of your bill would actually cost a little less. This means an average monthly bill for 68 therms would decrease by about 38 cents to $60.37. For every therm you use over 70, you would see an increase of about 10 cents per month. So, if your usage is less than 70 therms a month, through energy efficiency efforts, for example, you will really see the benefit of this change.
· Beginning Jan. 1, 2014, if you use an average of 68 therms a month, you would see an increase of 57 cents a month, or about 2 cents a day, for a revised monthly bill of $60.94.
The settlement and what's next
You may be wondering what a rate case settlement agreement is and how it all works. When Avista files a request to increase rates, it goes through a process much like a legal proceeding. Parties representing various groups including residential, small-business, low-income, and natural gas industrial customers, take part and submit testimony and proposals on behalf of their groups.
The commission oversees this process, and is charged with setting rates that are fair, just, and reasonable for customers, while allowing Avista the opportunity to earn a fair return on the investment shareholders make so we can continue delivering safe, reliable energy. When we can reach an agreement like this one, it saves time and the cost of a fully litigated rate case. It is ultimately up to the commission to approve the request.
In addition to Avista, the parties to the proposed settlement are the Staff of the WUTC, Northwest Industrial Gas Users, Industrial Customers of Northwest Utilities and The Energy Project, a low-income customer advocacy group. The Public Counsel Section of the Washington Office of the Attorney General and the Northwest Energy Coalition did not join in the Settlement Agreement. The WUTC sets the schedule for next steps, which include hearing testimony from the parties. For more information, see the WUTC website.
Here are a couple of other resources about how energy rates are set that you might find helpful.
WUTC video: What's Up (and Down) with Energy Rates?
Avista Rates and Pricing: What's Driving the Cost of Energy?


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Need an Allergy Blood Test in Auburn Hills, MI? Simply order online 24/7 and get a fast, affordable Allergy Blood Test at a lab near you (Find More Locations):
Why would I get an Allergy Blood Test?
An Allergy Blood Test checks the blood for antibodies related to allergy. People in Auburn Hills, MI order the Allergy Blood Test for general screening or to guide therapy.
How much does an Allergy Blood Test cost?
Our Allergy Blood Test prices include the doctor's order that you need to get tested in Auburn Hills, MI, all lab fees and taxes, and a pdf copy of your results. For current prices, please CLICK HERE.
We are pleased to offer an Allergy Blood Test in Auburn Hills, MI.
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