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Brian Hayes
The Fibonacci numbers 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, . . . are one of the royal families of mathematics. Like other royalty, they have an ancient pedigree, everybody knows all about them, and no one takes them very seriously anymore. The Fibonaccis and their relations have been thoroughly studied for centuries, so no one would expect much in the way of novelty or innovation to turn up among them. Nevertheless, a whole new branch of the family has just sprouted up. What's more, the new cousins are a highly erratic bunch—sports in the royal lineage.
The pattern in the sequence of Fibonacci numbers is easy to see: Each term (except for the first two) is the sum of the two preceding terms. Expressed as a formula: f(n)=f(n–2)+f(n–1). The new variation on the series changes this formula in only one detail. Instead of always adding two terms to produce the next term, you either add or subtract, depending on the flip of a coin at each stage in the calculation. If the coin comes up heads, say, you add as usual, but if the result is tails, you subtract f(n–1) from f(n–2). In other words, the formula becomes f(n)=f(n–2)±f(n–1), where the symbol "±" signifies that you choose either addition or subtraction randomly and with equal probability.
Here are a few short sequences generated by this random sum-or-difference algorithm:
1, 1, 0, 1, –1, 2, –3, –1, –2, 1, –3, 4, 1, 3, 4, 7, 11
1, 1, 2, –1, 3, 2, 1, 1, 0, 1, –1, 0, –1, 1, –2, –1, –1
1, 1, 2, –1, 3, 2, 1, 3, –2, 1, –3, –2, –5, 3, –8, –5, –13
1, 1, 0, 1, –1, 0, –1, 1, –2, 3, 1, 2, –1, 3, –4, 7, –11
1, 1, 0, 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, –2, 7, 5, 12, –7, 19, –26, 45, 19
Certain properties of the Fibonacci sequence continue to show through here, most notably the alternation of two odds and an even in all the series. But the steady growth of the Fibonacci numbers is replaced by fluctuations of increasing amplitude. The way the numbers seem to vibrate between negative and positive values leads me to suggest the name Vibonacci series; I shall designate them by the symbol v(n).
Looking at the fluctuations, you might conclude that the randomness in the formula has wiped out all traces of order. And it is certainly true that the Vibonacci sequence is nondeterministic. Unlike the conventional Fibonacci numbers, where the nth term has a single, definite value that needs to be calculated only once, the nth term of a Vibonacci series has a distribution of possible values; v(n) is likely to be different every time you compute it. Nevertheless, a great deal of order persists in the randomized sequences. In particular, the absolute value of v(n) grows exponentially as n increases. You can measure the growth rate in simple computer experiments. What's more remarkable, the value of the number that determines the growth rate has been pinned down in a mathematical proof.
The Fibonacci numbers were introduced to the world 800 years ago by Leonardo of Pisa, who also made another major contribution to mathematics: It was he who brought Indo-Arabic numerals into European culture. "Fibonacci" was apparently Leonardo's nickname, a shortening of Filius Bonacci, or son of Bonacci. Of course Leonardo did not call his sequence the Fibonacci numbers; the name was popularized by the 19th-century French mathematician Edouard Lucas.
The whole matter began with a contrived problem about the breeding of rabbits. Suppose a pair of rabbits breeds once a month and always produces a single pair of offspring, which breeds the following month. Each pair breeds twice and then dies. Starting with a single pair of rabbits under these assumptions, how many pairs will be living after n months? The answer is f(n).
Leonardo's fanciful problem is not of any great interest to population biologists, but the Fibonacci numbers are famous for turning up in many other contexts. Their patterns appear in seashells and sunflowers and pinecones; they count the ways of tiling a checkerboard with dominos; they are present in Pascal's Triangle if you know where to look for them. The Fibonacci numbers also played an essential role in the solution to Hilbert's Tenth Problem. They even have their own journal, the Fibonacci Quarterly, published since 1963.
One of the most important properties of the Fibonacci numbers was first noted in the 17th century by Johannes Kepler: The ratios of successive Fibonacci numbers, f(n–1)/f(n–2), form a new sequence, beginning 1, 2, 1.5, 1.666, . . . , 1.6, 1.625. This series converges on a value of 1.618033989 . . . , known as Φ, or the golden ratio. Over the years the golden ratio has acquired something of a cult following, which I would not want to encourage, and yet it truly is a remarkable number. It has the curious property that if you take its inverse (that is, 1/Φ) and then add 1, you recover the original number; in other words f is a solution to the equation 1/x=x–1. This equation can be rearranged as x2–x–1=0, for which the quadratic formula gives the solutions (1+√5)/2 and (1–√5)/2. The first of these numbers is Φ; the second is 1–Φ, or –0.618033989....
Powers of Φ provide close approximations to the Fibonacci numbers. Since Φ is the limiting value of the ratio between successive Fibonacci numbers, multiplying any member of the series by Φ yields an approximation to the next member. Looking at the approximation process through the other end of the telescope, the nth root of the nth Fibonacci number approximates Φ. A more complex formula, (Φn–(1–Φ)n)/√5, gives the exact value of f(n); this strange congeries of irrationals always reduces to an integer, as long as n itself is an integer.
The Fibonacci theme has many variations. Edouard Lucas, the mathematician who named the Fibonacci numbers, has a related series named after him: The Lucas numbers are defined by the same recurrence formula but start with the integers 2, 1 instead of 1, 1. The first few members of the Lucas series are 2, 1, 3, 4, 7, 11, 18, 29, 47, 76. Remarkably, the ratio of successive Lucas numbers also converges to Φ; indeed, it turns out that you can start a Fibonacci-like series with any pair of numbers, and the limit of the growth rate will always be Φ.
Another variation has come to be known as the Tribonacci series. Instead of adding the previous two terms at each step, you add the previous three. A convenient way to get such a sequence started is to pretend that the initial 1 is preceded by an indefinite list of 0s. With this convention, the Tribonacci sequence begins 1, 1, 2, 4, 7, 13, 24, 44, 81, 149. In this case the growth rate is not Φ; instead the ratio of successive terms approaches 1.83929 . . . . The analogous Tetrabonacci series, where each term is the sum of the previous four, begins 1, 1, 2, 4, 8, 15, 29, 108, and the ratio of terms converges to 1.92756 . . . . Clearly this process can be generalized to k-bonacci series. You might want to think about what happens in the limiting case where each term is the sum of all the previous terms. (The answer is given below.)
If the Fibonacci series describes rabbit breeding, what does the Vibonacci series describe? A cute answer might be the breeding of cannibalistic rabbits—animals that sometimes reproduce normally but at other times consume their own young or their own parents. But the inventor of the series had nothing so whimsical in mind. He was working on a problem in numerical analysis, the branch of mathematics concerned with large-scale computations.
The inventor is Divakar Viswanath, a young mathematician and computer scientist who earned his Ph.D. last year at Cornell University. He has spent the past academic year at the Mathematical Sciences Research Institute in Berkeley; in the fall he will take up a position in the departments of mathematics and computer science at the University of Chicago. His paper on random Fibonacci sequences will be published in Mathematics of Computation.
The most symmetric version of the Vibonacci series assigns randomly chosen signs to both of the preceding terms in the sequence; that is, the recurrence formula is v(n)=±v(n–2)±v(n–1). But if you are interested mainly in the absolute value of each term—ignoring the sign—the version with just a single random sign yields the same result. The main question in the study of the series is how fast the absolute value of v(n) grows as n increases. In other words, the aim is to find for the Vibonacci numbers a constant C that plays the same role as Φ does for the Fibonacci numbers. This hypothetical growth rate C is defined as the nth root of |v(n)|, where the notation |x| signifies the absolute value of x.
It is not immediately obvious that |v(n)| should be expected to grow at all in the long run. With equal numbers of random additions and subtractions, you might guess that the series would hover around some fixed average, so that the nth root of |v(n)| would converge to a value of 1, signifying no growth. Or, conversely, the Vibonacci numbers might bounce around so chaotically that the growth rate would never converge on any stable value; the limit of the nth root of |v(n)| might simply not exist.
The question of whether a limiting growth rate exists was settled 40 years ago by Harry Furstenberg and Harry Kesten, then both at Princeton University. For a broad class of random processes, including the one I'm calling the Vibonacci series, they showed that a limit does exist, given a few mild assumptions. Three years later Furstenberg proved that the growth rate is "almost surely" greater than 1. The "almost surely" disclaimer is needed because of the probabilistic nature of the system. Some sequences do fail to grow, and you cannot absolutely exclude the possibility of stumbling onto one. For example, a carefully chosen pattern of alternating plus and minus signs generates the cyclic Vibonacci series 1, 1, 0, 1, 1, 0, . . . . But such exceptional sequences are unlikely; indeed, in the limit as n goes to infinity, they have probability zero. They exist, but you have no chance of ever finding them. Thus Furstenberg's "almost surely" result is actually quite a strong statement. It implies not merely that almost all Vibonacci sequences grow but that any individual sequence grows with probability 1, if it is allowed to continue long enough.
Unfortunately, apart from showing that C must exist and be greater than 1, Furstenberg's theorem gives no information about the magnitude of C. The value 1 is merely a lower bound. There is a complementary upper bound: The value of C cannot be greater than 1.618 . . ., since that is the growth rate of the ordinary Fibonacci series, with all additions and no subtractions.
Numerical experiments provide estimates of C. For small n, it's easy to enumerate all possible n-step Vibonacci seqences and calculate their growth rates by taking the nth root of the final term. Since each of these series is equally likely, the arithmetic average is an estimate of C. For example, there are four Vibonacci series for n = 4, namely 1, 1, 0, –1; 1, 1, 0, 1; 1, 1, 2, 1; and 1, 1, 2, 3. Thus the final terms are –1, 1, 1, 3, and the average of the fourth roots of their absolute values is about 1.08. For n=20 the corresponding estimate of C is about 1.18. But tracing out the entire tree of Vibonacci sequences becomes impractical for large n. At n=20 there are already half a million branches to be tabulated.
Random sampling gives approximations to C for much larger values of n. Figure 1 shows the outcome of a single computer run generating Vibonacci numbers up to v(106). There is no question that this particular sequence is growing exponentially; it attains heights of greater than 1050,000. The value of C calculated from the series exhibits distinctive fluctuations, which appear to diminish in amplitude as n increases, but which also tend toward longer wavelengths at higher n. Convergence is slow. The growth rate appears to be somewhere near 1.13, but from these data it would be difficult to estimate C with greater precision.
Viswanath's approach to determining C is indirect, and indeed it takes a detour through some areas of the mathematical landscape that might seem to have no connection with Fibonacci-like series. But by transposing the problem into another realm, where more powerful tools can be brought to bear, he is able not merely to produce an empirical estimate of C but to prove that the value of the constant must lie in a certain narrow interval. The proof is not a simple one, and here I shall present only a hasty sketch; the details are in Viswanath's paper.
The first step is to recast the Vibonacci process in terms of matrices. The ordinary Fibonacci series can be defined by the matrix equation:
Applying the rules for matrix multiplication confirms that the equation has the expected behavior. In the product on the left side of the equation the first row is given by the sum 0 x f(n–2)+1 x f(n–1), which of course is just f(n–1); the second row of the product is 1 x f(n–2)+1 x f(n–1), which is the definition of f(n).
Repeating the matrix multiplication generates successive terms of the Fibonacci sequence. For example, given the initial terms 1, 1, three matrix multiplications produce the terms 3, 5:
Continuing in the same way generates every Fibonacci number in turn, and only those numbers.
The Vibonacci sequence can also be redefined as a matrix product, the only difference being that there are two matrices to choose from:
At each step in generating the series, one of these matrices is selected at random with probability 1/2. Whenever the second matrix happens to be picked, the minus sign in the lower right corner has the effect of subtracting v(n–1) from v(n–2), rather than adding the two terms, just as in the more direct definition of the Vibonacci series.
Why bother with this elaborate reformulation of the problem if it merely reproduces the same result? Because the study of products of random matrices offers a handy toolkit of useful methods. It allows the Vibonacci process to be viewed in a geometrical context. Suppose that any two adjacent Vibonacci numbers, v(n–1) and v(n–2), represent the coordinates of a point in the x,y plane. Drawing a line from the origin at 0,0 to this point defines a direction in the plane, specified by an angle u or a slope m. The slope is simply y/x, so it is given directly by the coordinates of the point. Now multiply the pair of coordinates by one of the 2 x 2 Vibonacci matrices. What happens to the point? It is mapped into a new point—with coordinates v(n) and v(n–1)—which defines a new direction from the origin. Specifically, multiplying by one of the Vibonacci matrices causes a rotation to a new slope of either (1+1/m) or (1/m–1).
These transformations are easier to understand through a brief example. Starting with a slope of m=1 (equivalent to an angle of 45 degrees), the m→(1+1/m) transformation yields a new slope of 2 (about 63 degrees); applying the m→(1/m–1) transformation rotates the line to a slope of –1/2 (about 333 degrees). If you continue to iterate this process, always taking the last value of m and replacing it with a random choice of either (1+1/m) or (1/m–1), you create a kind of random walk through the space of possible slopes. The progression of slopes seems to have nothing in common with the Vibonacci series, and yet the connection through products of random matrices shows they are really just two manifestations of the same process. (And the connection isn't as mysterious as it might seem. Note that repeating the transformation m→(1+1/m) yields a series of numbers that converges to Φ for any starting m. Hidden in the mapping m→(1+1/m) is the equation 1/x=x–1 that defines Φ.)
The slope m in these formulas can take on any value along the real number line, from negative infinity to positive infinity, but not all slopes are equally likely. The key to understanding the random walk—and also to calculating the growth rate of the Vibonacci series—is identifying the probability distribution that determines the likelihood of every possible slope. Viswanath's main contribution was finding a way to estimate this distribution to any desired degree of accuracy.
The probability distribution is a peculiar one—not at all like the smooth Gaussian curve that describes so many random processes. Instead it has multiple spiky peaks and deep canyons, and if you look closer, you find that the spikes have spicules, and the canyons are creased by smaller canyons. Thus the distribution appears to be a fractal landscape that cannot be described by any continuous function. Viswanath sidestepped this problem by constructing an ingenious discrete partitioning of the real number line. The structure is called the Stern-Brocot tree, after the mathematician Moriz Stern and the watchmaker Achille Brocot, who discovered it more than a century before Viswanath did.
The basic idea of the tree is to divide the set of real numbers into progressively finer—but not necessarily equal—intervals. Writing zero as 0/1 and representing infinity by the notation 1/0, all positive real numbers lie in the interval [0/1, 1/0]. This half of the number line is broken down into the subintervals [0/1, 1/1] and [1/1, 1/0], extending from zero to 1 and from 1 to infinity respectively. The left-hand subnode then splits into [0/1, 1/2] and [1/2, 1/1], and the right-hand subnode into [1/1, 2/1] and [2/1, 1/0]. The general rule is that an interval [a/b, c/d] splits into
[a/b, (a+c)/(b+d)] and [(a+b)/(c+d), c/d]. All the numbers in the negative half of the real line are classified in the same way, and the two halves are joined by a special root node labeled [–1/0, 1/0].
The Stern-Brocot tree has a place in this story because there is a direct correspondence between the random walk among slopes m described above and paths traced out through the branches of the tree. Any such a path can be written as a sequence of left and right commands, giving directions for how to get from the root of the tree to a specific interior node. For example, from the [0/1, 1/0] node, a path of right, left, left brings you to the [1/1, 3/2] node. Suppose the current value of the slope m lies somewhere within this interval. After a transition from m to 1/m, the new slope must lie in the [2/3, 1/1] node, which is the mirror image of the original node; to reach it, you follow the opposite sequence of turns,
left, right, right. Mapping the transformations
m → (1 + 1/m) and m → (1/m – 1) into tree paths is only a little more complicated.Through this mapping, the intervals of the Stern-Brocot tree yield up an approximation to the probability distribution of the Vibonacci series.
Viswanath tabulated all paths through the Stern-Brocot tree to a depth of 28 levels, where the tree has more than 50 million nodes. In this way he was able to calculate the value of C to eight decimal places. His result is C = 1.13198824 . . . . It has the same "almost surely" status as Furstenberg's proof; that is, every instance of the Vibonacci series will grow at this rate with probability 1 if it is continued long enough.
An unusual feature of Viswanath's proof is that it relies on floating-point computer arithmetic. Computer-aided proofs are no longer a novelty in mathematics, but few of them adopt floating-point methods because the results are not exact. Viswanath includes an error analysis showing that any arithmetic inaccuracies are much smaller than the uncertainty introduced by truncating the Stern-Brocot tree at a finite depth.
All the well-known variations on the Fibonacci series also have analogues in the randomized world of the Vibonacci numbers.
It was noted above that the Fibonacci recurrence has the same growth rate starting from any two initial terms. Does the Vibonacci series share this property? Numerical experiments quickly affirm that it does.
A randomized variant of the Tribonacci series defines each term as the sum of the previous three terms with randomly chosen signs. Not surprisingly, the absolute value of the three-term series grows faster than that of the two-term Vibonacci recurrence. Experiments suggest that the random Tribonacci growth constant is about 1.22. For the random-sign analogue of the Tetrabonacci series, with four terms included in each sum, the growth rate is roughly 1.27. It appears that the growth rate continues increasing slowly as more terms are included.
What happens in the limiting case, where all earlier terms are gathered up into the sum? In the pure Fibonacci version, without randomness, the first few terms of this series are 1, 1, 2, 4, 8, 16, 32, . . . . These are the successive powers of 2, and so the exponential growth rate is exactly 2. The random analogue of this series is actually the problem that got Viswanath started on his investigation of the Vibonacci numbers. Working with Lloyd N. Trefethen, his dissertation supervisor at Cornell, he was studying the series r(n)=±r(1)±r(2)± . . . ±r(n–1), where each term is calculated by giving random signs to all the preceding terms before taking the sum. Finding the asymptotic growth rate of this sequence would settle an outstanding question in the theory of random matrices, proposed by Trefethen. Viswanath was unable to find a rigorous solution and so turned to the two-term Vibonacci sum as a simpler model. Numerical experiments suggest that the growth rate for the random sum of all terms is about 1.32.
Another way of generalizing the Vibonacci process is to consider what happens when the probabilities of choosing plus or minus are not equal. Intuition suggests that any bias in the probabilities, favoring either plus or minus, ought to cause faster growth in the absolute value of v(n). In other words, the sequence with equal probabilities should have the minimum growth rate, with C increasing toward Φ in the extreme cases of all-plus or all-minus sequences. Experiments support these inferences, but the exact behavior of the series with skewed probabilities is unknown. The Stern-Brocot proof works only when plus and minus are chosen with equal probability.
Perhaps the most interesting Vibonacci variation has been studied by Mark Embree and Trefethen, who is now at the of the University of Oxford. Instead of skewing the probabilities, they scale one of the two terms in the random sum by an adjustable factor, which they denote β. That is, the recurrence relation is v(n)=v(n–1)±βv(n–2). If you try a value of β=1/2 in this equation, you will immediately see a dramatic change. The sequence no longer grows exponentially; on the contrary, it rapidly dwindles away. In other words, the exponential growth rate is less than 1; numerical evidence gives a value of about 0.929.
Setting β = 1 recovers the original Vibonacci sequence, where of course the growth rate is known to be 1.13198824 . . . . If the series decays for β = 1/2 and grows for β = 1, there must be some intermediate value of β where it is "neutrally buoyant," neither rising nor falling on average. Embree and Trefethen have searched for this point of equilibrium, designated β*, and they find the closest approximation at β*=0.70258.... Computer runs at this setting develop large and erratic fluctuations, but they seem not to veer off into unbounded growth or decay.
Searching for the value of β that minimizes the growth rate (or in other words maximizes the decay rate) turned up more surprises. The minimum cannot be at β=0, because that is another neutral point, where v(n)=1 for all n. Embree and Trefethen found the minimum at β=0.36747.... In the course of the search they discovered that the curve recording the variation of C as a function of b is not a smooth one. The dips and humps in the curve appear to have a fractal structure, similar to itself at all scales of magnification.
A final question: What is the meaning of numbers such as C = 1.13198824... and β* = 0.70258...? Where do they come from? The number f is given by a simple analytic expression, (1+√5)/2. Is there any similar formula for C or for β*? Probably not. Embree and Trefethen point out that C is 0.4 percent greater than the fourth root of Φ; it is even closer to four-fifths of √2, but these numerical coincidences are surely meaningless. Numbers are so plentiful that you can always find relations among them if you look hard enough, but C and β* will probably have to stand on their own as new constants of nature, or of mathematics. Embree and Trefethen suggest calling 1.13198824... Viswanath's constant.
© Brian Hayes
You can find this online at http://www.americanscientist.org/issues/num2/the-vibonacci-numbers/2
© 2016 Sigma Xi, The Scientific Research Society


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Anyone use or own a Bee-Z Smoker? It has a handle with a bower and uses heater coils to burn wood chips.
Is it worth $145?
Printable View
Anyone use or own a Bee-Z Smoker? It has a handle with a bower and uses heater coils to burn wood chips.
Is it worth $145?
I have one - I am not completely sold on it yet. It can be tough to get going - a pain in the neck when I'm checking hives two minutes apart only to find that I have to "light" it again.
Light it? That is your problem... the Bee-z never gets lit. It has a heating element in it that burns wood shavings creating smoke. If you read the Directions it says not to light the smoker like a traditional smoker because it will damage it.
I have one and it works quite well. It is an "on demand smoker" it never gets hot because it only makes smoke when you are pushing the button for smoke. The smoke is cool which is what you want for the bees. I can throw it in the car minutes after using it and not worry about starting a fire.
Plain old smokers work so well and without fail........can someone explain why you would want to spend more money for something that has parts that can fail? :scratch:
Horses and buggy's worked so well too ;) This is like the the automobile of smokers. I can go to a yard, dumps some wood shavings in it and 30 seconds later be smoking the hives... When I am ready to move to another yard there is no concern of cooling it down or dumping it and starting a brush fire... I give it a good shake, put it on the front seat and head to the next yard. No down time lighting and putting out smokers.. as long as I have a charged battery and some wood shavings I am in business.
And in case of failure I have several old smokers as backups.

subset: commoncrawl


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I was observing my bees the other day and noticed they were bringing back a bunch of yellow pollen. What is strange here in WI nothing is blooming yet. The trees havn't even broken their buds. Any ideas where they might be finding the pollen?
I was observing my bees the other day and noticed they were bringing back a bunch of yellow pollen. What is strange here in WI nothing is blooming yet. The trees havn't even broken their buds. Any ideas where they might be finding the pollen?
I found this to be very helpful
Here is a link (hope it works) that if you put in your city & state, you can find out what's currently blooming in your area. Cheers,,
Great links, I found the answer to what pollen is blue in my area of Wisconsin that my bees were bringing in. Siberian Squill. I couldn't find it on the chart, but saw the exact same color and shaped pollen in one of the images of what my bee came back home with.
Not much "appears" to be blooming here in southern Wisconsin, but my bees have been proving that wrong. About every 5th bee has had pollen, but only 1 "detective bee" came back with the blue pollen. Who knows maybe my bees found an M&M plant in my area like what made the news last year in another part of the world!!!
I had lots of yellow/gold pollen yesterday, going into the the wall of the soon-to-be cutout. (Plymouth, WI)
Juzzerbee, it may be that there were no readings for the particular day, but if you click on most recent levels, it will show you what was the last levels/reading, and of what. I would love to see the ladies with blue pollen (not from M & M), I have never seen this.
As always, I should have taken my camera along. Tonight is, sit at the hives and wait. I want a picture if it isn't too common, at least in my area. It really caught my eye. It noticed that the pollen was on her in little platelet shapes instead of the common round/oval style that the others had. Anyone have an idea of why the pollen was attached in a different shape? Take a look at this link, scroll down and on the right is a picture of a bee with the blue pollen on her. It looked exactly like the one in the Siberian Squill picture. It very well could have been something different than that, maybe that plant only grows in Siberia, Ha! I will do a bit more searching. juzzer
Those plants are flowering all over my area right now...I haven't id'ed it as "Siberian squill", but from a few feet away, it sure looks to be the same as the meadow on the wiki site.
One more:
...it's also considered to be somewhat invasive in Minnesota.
Ha, as I searched I found the same site as above. Go UW!!! Next I want to get a piece and find out what it tastes like. juzzer


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Catholic Daily Mass - Tuesday
- Sponsors:
- Location:
- Falcone-Arena House
- When:
- Contact:
Kennedy, Ruth Anne
- Email:
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Daily Mass in Falcone-Arena House Chapel. All are welcome. The Duke Catholic Center is the Roman Catholic community on the Duke Campus. Catholic student leaders organize activities for worship, fellowship, service, and faith development. All are welcome at our Masses and any of our activities. For more information visit our website at catholic.duke.edu or email email@example.com.


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Town Square
Lunch credit cards + kids = worries
Original post made by Elementary Parent, Palo Verde, on Sep 30, 2006
1. How can handing cards out to kids and then presumably collecting them afterwards speed things up? It probably makes two lines instead of one and may speed up the second.
2. How can we be sure that the kids are buying lunch only and no snacks, or not having 2 entrees or 2 drinks and once again, how can we be sure that they are buying the fruits and veggies? Also how can we be sure that they are not buying for friends who would rather have pizza than what they brought themselves? If we put a month's worth of money on a card and it goes in 2 weeks, what happens then?
Please don't ask me to check on line everyday. I would rather give them the lunch money and know that it is spent that day and let them have lunch at school when I know about it, not when they don't like what I have packed for them.
3. Lunchdeposit.com charges a 6% service fee for their service. This amounts in a 6% price increase to parents which seems pretty sneaky when they presumably have our money earning interest until our kids spend it and double sneaky when we were told at the beginning of the year that the price would remain at $3 per day this year when last year the price was $2.75.
4. The lunches may be healthier than before if the kids eat what is supposedly a balanced lunch from the lunch cart, but if they pick and chose only the parts they like and end up eating one bite and throwing the rest away because it tastes nasty, this can hardly be called a healthy lunch. There is already a thread here about how to get the kids to eat lunch and not play too early. This may be a means to that end, but not the one we want.
So I do have worries about this system. I would really like to see if I'm the only one.
a resident of Crescent Park
on Oct 1, 2006 at 6:17 am
We moved from Fremont to Palo Alto 2 years ago. At that time, Fremont unified school ditrict lunch was $1.75 and the food was decent. My kids ate the school lunches there, which was more or less the norm there, and I never have to worry about packing lunches. After moving to Palo Alto, other than pizza and spagatti days, my kids refuse to eat school lunches. And it was $2.75 here for so small quantity, and now $3 plus service fees. The property value is higher in Palo Alto than Fremont, but the food cost should not be this much higher!! Safeway, Wholefoods food prices are the same across the bay. There must be something wrong here.
Now I have to wake up early to cook and pack them hot lunches in thermals everyday. My kids are not picky eaters. My son is in Jordan this year and another reason he refuses to buy lunches is because waiting in line would take up almost his entire lunch time!!
a resident of Crescent Park
on Oct 1, 2006 at 8:40 am
See what Fremont unified offers now for $2.
Web Link
Something is wrong with Palo Alto.
a resident of Evergreen Park
on Oct 1, 2006 at 11:30 pm
Fremont's menu looks pretty good for $2, but there's only one selection per day. Palo Alto kids, of course, want CHOICE, and are willing to pay for it. Every day there are at least 3-4 different options provided, at slightly different prices. And it's pretty darn good-- I've sampled most of the offerings, and they're actually tasty.
The hope with the cards is that they WILL speed up the time spent in line, and process everyone faster. Think we just have to give it a chance and see.
Also, a kid buys a package for lunch that includes beverage, fruit, entree-- they don't get to pick and choose, like two fruits instead of an entree. But then, there isn't anyone sitting with them forcing them to eat it all--- so if they trade with friends, that's their choice and there's little anyone can do about it... Best thing is to educate your child about healthy choices...
a resident of Palo Verde
on Oct 2, 2006 at 9:59 am
I think Like the Lunches has missed the point.
Firstly, I know the package is a total lunch. I know that there are also snacks for sale (healthy?). My point, is that we are giving too much choice. If a child wants to buy two pieces of pizza, then they can buy two lunches. At present, they are limited to what money they have or one ticket. If they decide to buy two pieces of pizza, they join the line again and buy a second (or however they see round it). They can buy lunch if they don't like what parents have packed. They can choose to buy just snacks and chocolate milk.
Of course we are teaching our children about healthy eating, that is why in our house, school lunch only happens once a week (they get to choose which day from the menu), or occasionally a second time when I haven't had time to shop. However, knowing what is a healthy choice and going about it for themselves when they feel they are beating the system is a very different situation.
I read the Fremont menu and was impressed, not only by the price. It seems to me that there is a choice most days with a vegetarian option when the main menu item contains meat. Also, the sides seem to be listed as part of the menu, when I know that my children only ever take an entree and a drink, never the salad or fruit item. Telling them to do so doesn't make much of a difference. I have also been around the lunch tables at lunch time. I see all the apples, salad, nutritious sandwiches, etc. tossed in the trash cans. When asked why they don't keep them til later, most kids say that their parents tell them off when they bring home the healthy parts of their lunches uneaten so they toss them to pretend they are eating healthy.
A few years ago (less than 5), the yard duty personnel made the kids sit and eat and raise their hands to be dismissed when they had finished and their "spots" were tidy. This is not happening now and I think we are just pretending that our kids are eating healthy. They all know what eating healthy means, they just choose not to.
These debit cards for kids, although in principle may seem like a good idea, seem to broaden our children's options too much at too young an age.
Where the lunch lines should be shortened from my experience is at the middle school level where buying lunch often takes up the whole of lunch time.
a resident of Crescent Park
on Oct 3, 2006 at 9:39 am
To be fair to PAUD, I studied the hot lunch programs of our surrounding communities.
-- The relative wealthy communities, Menlo Park/Atherton, Los Altos, went for the ultimate "Choice". The parents would order food from takeout places and pay a few months worth of hot lunches at a time. The food cost of all items add up can easily top $4 per meal and it's questionable whether the food is well balanced.
-- The more modest communities, Mountain View and Sunnyvale, choose "Sodexho" food servies. $2.50 per lunch. Web Link
I have to say, the menu, even with many choices, does not look good.
I guess Palo Alto is somewhere in the middle. Fremont lunch program is just exceptionally well run. So it's not a fair comparison.
Nonetheless, seeing so much food tossed in the blue bin (Addison has a blue bin for kids to exchange food) and most thrown-away, make me question how well we are teaching our kids.
I agree with "elementary parent" that young kids should not be given so many options. It either makes them spoiled or confused. When they can hardly understand additions and subtractions, you expect them to understand debits and credits? When many of them are just learning the difference between plants and animals, you expect them to fully understand carbs and protein, good fat and bad fat, fiber and daily vitamin intakes?
a resident of Charleston Gardens
on Oct 4, 2006 at 11:45 am
My mother, who worked outside the home, packed my lunches, I ate my lunches. There was no school lunch program. So, send the kids to school with lunches you make yourselves, and no money. This is not rocket science. And lunches do not have to be hot to be nutritious.
a resident of Fairmeadow
on Oct 4, 2006 at 12:04 pm
My daughter eats school lunches so far this her first year of middle school, but for years I have packed her lunch and my own lunch most days. I agree with Joy that it's not rocket science, nor does it have to be hot food. Both of us take leftovers, salads, sandwiches, wraps, cheese and bread and fruit, or, in a thermos, soup, pot stickers, pasta, even chicken pot pie (her favorite!). Do it the night before, or heat stuff up while you are making and eating breakfast. I'm a scattered single parent, and if I can get it done, I'm sure anyone can!
a resident of Palo Verde School
on Oct 11, 2006 at 10:04 pm
I have to say that I am really surprised by the tones of a few of the posts. They seem very hostile. The "credit card" is not a new thing in the world of hot lunches. Schools have been using them for some time. It is a good system that helps kids to get their lunches more quickly. A very important benefit, especially since schools recently have been loaded with more to teach in the span of a year, which typically translates into less time for lunch.
Now, THAT isn't fair!
Talk about making it hard to be a little one. Less recess certainly would prompt me to allow someone to have more choice in something that is traditionally enjoyed. Let them have two pieces of pizza or a second chocolate milk. I know that I would be a better learner in the afternoon if I got to have my choice rather than if I had to eat boiled broccoli for lunch everyday. Life is hard as it is.
Things you can control: A healthy start to the day. Morning snack. Healthy afternoon snack. A great dinner.
What I cannot get over, is the price. $3. That seems a bit over the top. I say, bring back the Lunch Ladies of yesteryear who used to cook up big pots of spaghetti and serve it to you right on your plate, usually with a smile. Or what about the chicken drumsticks. Those were good. What happened to that? I remember having to work in the kitchen two or three weeks every year when I hit the older grades. Everyone had to. We had to wash dishes. Help serve. I think I appreciated those lunches and ate every last bit of them, because I knew how much prep went into its creation. And, hey, let's face it, they weren't half bad.
The 6% thing is unfortunate, but, let's give the card system a chance. See how the kids react. Ask them how they like it. You might just be surprised.
a resident of Barron Park
on Oct 16, 2006 at 9:59 am
My family is thinking about moving to Palo Alto. We intend for our children to attend the Palo Alto public school system in two years but we aren't sure which area we prefer. We like the feel of the Barron Park neighborhood but we are not sure about Barron Park and Briones elementary besides the information from Greatschools website. Any information would be very helpful regarding the school and the Barron Park neighborhood.
a resident of Another Palo Alto neighborhood
on Oct 16, 2006 at 10:32 am
You should probably tap in to the AARG discussions, and the choice program discussions. AARG is discussing changing the neighborhood school boundaries right now. And the district is also discussing adding new Alternative/Choice programs, starting with Mandarin Immersion. New Mandarin Immersion would be placed in one of our existing neighborhood schools, which would relocate about 240 kids that would have normally attended that school, to other schools. One more choice program will push about 50% of our PAUSD students out of neighborhood schools, and into a commute model. They are also considering opening a 13th elementary school, and determining where/when that should be, which could also effect what school you would be attending.
So, you probably don't need to worry extensively about where you live in Palo Alto - chances are you wouldn't wind up in the 'neighborhood' school anyway. All our schools are suppose to be equivalently good, (unless we embrace an Alternative/Choice model - which would give us disparate programs across the district) But bottom line, you probably can't manage the school you'll go to by buying in a particular neighborhood at this time, so maybe the location of the school doesn't matter too much?
a resident of Another Palo Alto neighborhood
on Oct 16, 2006 at 1:41 pm
I think you will find that both Barron Park and Briones elementary schools have plenty of space for new arrivals. In fact I think it would be fair to say that if you are moving to Palo Alto, then these two neighborhood schools are the most likely to accommodate new arrivals as these tend to be the schools taking overflow students at present.
You do not say why you don't feel comfortable with these schools. We do have two choice schools and a spanish immersion (possibly a manderin immersion also) program that you can enter a lottery for. These programs can properly best be explained by the relevant person at the District Office on 25 Churchill (cross street El Camino opposite Stanford playing fields and behind Palo Alto High School).
There is a lot of discussion (particularly on this Forum) about new boundaries, but I think it would be fair to say that all the elementary schools run on the traditional lines are fairly similar.
I am sure that if you go into any of the school offices and ask for a tour you will be helped and reassured. Meeting parents at the local parks and chatting to them might be helpful too, particularly if you can find school age children at soccer games on Saturdays.
Good Luck with your househunting and hope you find the right school.


text:
So i figured it needed a up date, BAD!http://i992.photobucket.com/albums/af43/99f150/Car/gator2.jpg[/IMG]]That one got this traverse thing going, that i dont like so i made another.http://i992.photobucket.com/albums/af43/99f150/Car/gator.jpg[/IMG]]this one i got the chrome trim from a 1957 Lincoln Premiere four-door LandauWhich one you like better?Oh also, yes that is "6.7L PSD" wrote on the power dome hood, figured the Q7 could use some competion
Pretty good.
well, for my second time at least... gotta fix "lincoln" above the grille, it looks bad.And i figured i would use a similar grille, seems alot of people dont like the waterfall grille.
I'll take the top one, but I LOVE that you went back to the fifties for inspiration on the second one! welcome to chopping too! practice makes perfect, lol. you'll have a lot of fun as you more and more.The '57 Lincoln had some great lines, including that 4 door pillarless bodystyle new to Lincoln that year. The trim piece you picked up on was a way to accent the also new-for-'57 rear fins. Check out the '56 Lincolns for their clean bodysides and styling. Interestingly, the sides of the '56 were known to be in the 'waterfall' style for their sheer sides.
_________________________________My car blog:http://artandcolourcars.blogspot.com
^^^ Ahh i see,(trim piece picks up the rear fins), i should have moved the tailight up a little like it was the back of the fin. I wanted to do something more with the tail lights but didn't know what.
great effort, love the retro cues, but this one came out looking like a GMC terrain made love to an Audi Q7


text:
Town Square
To the Eds
Original post made by OhlonePar, Duveneck/St. Francis, on Mar 16, 2007
Just a little reminder, political debate is probably the mostly highly protected speech that there is. It's arguably the reason for the First Amendment.
While I realize that you can moderate your own forum, I wonder that you should set a particular set of rules in hopes of limiting discussion of a controversial political candidate. This seems contrary to what you, as *journalists* should want.
I'm sure each of you, as journalists, has had off-the-record sources. There are often good reasons for not using one's name. Many of us, for example, do not want our children penalized by this debate, but still want to be able to bring up important issues.
Particularly if there's an election at stake.
Comments (19)
a resident of Another Palo Alto neighborhood
on Mar 16, 2007 at 6:15 pm
I would like to echo the sentiments here. It appears that you have actually killed off any debate on a very important topic and if you can do it for this, then of course it would be possible to do this again.
Apart from the reasons for anonymity already given, it prevents children not only being targeted but also them getting involved in playground arguments on topics they do not fully understand. My main reason for not wanting to give my name is to prevent their embarrassment as I know that they read this forum themselves.
Keeping anonymous also keeps people able to debate who may be standing for PTA office or other school roles. It means that teachers and those who work in PAUSD can voice their opinions without fear of career ramifications, particularly if their job is not affected in any way about the topics being discussed.
I would ask respectfully that you reconsider your decision.
Thank you.
a resident of Another Palo Alto neighborhood
on Mar 16, 2007 at 6:22 pm
Completely agree.
Fear of retribution against our kids is a valid concern, and in fact has actually already affected at least one kid.
I think that it is better to simply set rules about what you will allow on the forum.
The expression of an opinion, especially backed by fact, is a basic tenet of our freedom of speech. Granted, of course it would be better if we could all simply own our opinions with our full names online, but given the highly emotional nature of many issues and the fact that not everyone is level-headed in their responses, I think that you are putting a severe crimp in the usefulness of this forum by requiring our names when giving our opinions.
Especially when it is opinions concerning the qualifications of people who have thrust themselves into the PUBLIC REALM through putting themselves into the position of holding what are normally elected seats which represent the people.
Otherwise, everyone will simply shut up.
a resident of Another Palo Alto neighborhood
on Mar 16, 2007 at 6:49 pm
I completely agree, especially given the vindictive way certain "people who have thrust themselves into the PUBLIC REALM" have behaved.
a resident of College Terrace
on Mar 16, 2007 at 8:03 pm
I think this is a great idea and I wish registration were required to comment on all Town Square threads.
I have made it a point to try to always comment here under my real name. That disciplines me to only say things that I am prepared to stand behind and that I am willing to be a part of a permanent record.
I think a community discussion is all the more healthy for it being between people who can expect to meet some day, in the flesh, in the community. I think anonymity breeds reckless, vituperative and unconstructive comments. There are people who clearly use their own name here and they (with a very few exceptions) seem to me to be this forum's most thoughtful, generous and thought-provoking participants.
Besides, for those who really need to remain anonymous, the current registration process really isn't that onerous. You can register under any screen name, can adopt an assumed first and surname and then use an email address from Yahoo etc. that does not reveal who you are. It's not like you are being asked your address or credit card number. I don't think Yahoo is going to tell the Weekly staff who you are if they try to track you via your email address.
Bottom line: you can stay anonymous if you really need to.
Registration, though, certainly helps overcome one major problem I have with this forum – that I have no idea with whom I am debating. Threads are full of 'parents' and 'residents' -- how am I to know whether one 'parent' I respond to is the next who responds to me? And what about the screen names we see often? Is every post by Wolf, or Periwinkle , or KS or even Grace Mah and Walter Wallis (how could any one person have the time to be him?!) by them? Maybe. Maybe not.
At least with a unique screen name you know you are dealing with the same person each time.
It's odd that the Weekly should only make this the process for some threads. Please let's all be expected to have a unique screen name at least – it takes seconds to do and it's completely standard at thousands of websites that PA residents use every day – and then we'd at least know the record of the people we're talking with, if not their actual identity.
a resident of Duveneck/St. Francis
on Mar 16, 2007 at 9:40 pm
I don't have a problem with a single moniker. I am always OhlonePar.
The more I think about it the more disturbed I am by the role the PA Weekly is assuming in this instance, which is a sort of protection of a particular candidate for a public office. That just is not and should never be the role of the Fourth Estate. There's a basic conflict of ethics here.
I mean, if a controversial figure's running for office, the paper's job is to report on the controversy, not supress it.
a resident of University South
on Mar 16, 2007 at 9:46 pm
Nothing wrong with controversy, just insulting and bad behavior.
Sorry, it's a judgment call (which many of you may disagree on), but making yourself accountable (in such a small manner) helps to keep yourselves at least accountable to someone, if not yourself.
a resident of another community
on Mar 16, 2007 at 10:04 pm
Everyone should be required to self-identify, same policy as for print media.
a resident of Duveneck/St. Francis
on Mar 16, 2007 at 11:24 pm
Unnamed sources are used all the time in the print media and affect public discourse.
Because I've chosen to keep my anonymity, I've actually been more discreet, not less. I've chosen not to make some information public, even though I consider it relevant because it is private.
Of course, both of you anons should, as a matter of principle, reveal yourselves.
Again, I would point to the reasoning behind the First Amendment and its role in protecting political discourse. It is not the job of a newspaper to protect a candidate for public office.
a resident of Another Palo Alto neighborhood
on Mar 17, 2007 at 11:06 am
Hmmm, maybe I wrote without enough knowledge.
Simon, you mean to say that there is a way to register that doesn't require my real name to be used online? I, like OhlonePar, use the same name all the time, but I agree with you, I am very suspicious about the fact that one person can use many different names on this forum, and basically carry on a conversation with himself if he wants!
I also have had to learn to ignore the "bait" when it comes up, as have many others, and I have noticed that the baiters are fewer.
But, if it is the case that you can register and still be anonymous, what is the point of registering? Is it that someone at the PAOnline knows who you are, and therefore if someone is inclined to be nasty, s/he might think twice knowing that SOMEONE local knows who they are? If that is the case, then I might consider doing it myself. Of course, then I would have to trust the PAOnline people to protect my identity...
I never say anything that I am ashamed of, and would love it if this would be a way for the PAOnline to write me and tell me WHY they deleted something I wrote, which has happened to my complete bafflement.
a resident of Midtown
on Mar 17, 2007 at 6:02 pm
Resident: Yes, you can register with any user name and you don't even have to provide your real name where asked.
If you register and then log on, your name and neighborhood is automatically entered when you post a comment.
But, even if you are registered, if you don't log on you can enter any name/neighborhood you want when posting.
This "restriction" doesn't seem to really restrict anything.
a resident of Another Palo Alto neighborhood
on Mar 17, 2007 at 9:54 pm
Other than it creates a weird 'big brother' esque situation. Who registration 'see's, or can detect the identity of the posters, and why? And what will they do with it? What 'can' they do with it or who can they pass it on to?
And why are the cencors on PAO suddenly showing some pretty obvious selectivity in deleting in favor of a single 'side' on one of the most controversial issues? And responding to people that question their censorship policies that they have the perogative to filter on stuff they don't like and don't think their readers will like?
Its CREEPY, is what it is...
a resident of Crescent Park
on Mar 18, 2007 at 9:12 am
I agree with not happy. Lately, I've had the feeling that some of the censorship is the result of some bias, perhaps a response to an outside directive...can't put my finger on it, but it is CREEPY.
a resident of Another Palo Alto neighborhood
on Mar 19, 2007 at 6:43 pm
The silence from the Weekly on this matter is deafening!!
a resident of Duveneck/St. Francis
on Mar 20, 2007 at 5:29 pm
The other obvious thing is that the controlled thread is pretty slow. The discussion is simply happening elsewhere.
Further note to Eds. These forums are supposed to generate traffic--trying to kill controversy decreases hits.
Also, the BoE is getting slammed pretty hard in a couple of threads right now. How come it's okay to do that, but not criticize someone trying her damnedest to influence local educational policy? And trying to nab a public office?
a resident of Crescent Park
on Mar 20, 2007 at 10:15 pm
The controlled thread is for bravehearts. Clearly those of you who have things to say anonymously (like myself) are cowards. As one post-registration poster exemplified, you don't have to sign in with your real name or real email address.
From the commentes here, many of you are paranoid AND cowardly. Do you really think the Weekly is going to give your emails and names away to "the big cheese"? Give us all a break.
If the malicious mud-slinging (aka "discussion") is happening somewhere else - that's good. No grafitti here.
a resident of Palo Verde
on Mar 21, 2007 at 7:23 am
here here, anonymous! I'd much rather save the Weekly from cleaning up grafitti (purge the inappropriate postings), and see the tagging go on somewhere else. somewhere on another thread (or this one?) someone asked that thoughtful discourse stay on TownSquare and the random other comments (not thoughtful, not respectful) could go somewhere else, like the other local forum at the other paper.
zero tolerance!
a resident of Duveneck/St. Francis
on Mar 21, 2007 at 8:57 am
I think that anonymous and another parent should be put in charge of determining what postings will be allowed on this forum. Those that they consider to be "not thoughtful" or "not respectful" will be immediately removed.
I think that will go a long way in showing people that even newspapers that complain about censorship can do a good job in censoring others (in other words "do as I say not as I do").
a resident of Duveneck/St. Francis
on Mar 21, 2007 at 8:40 pm
Some of us aren't paranoid, some of us simply survived Usenet. It only takes one weird obsessive to make using one's own name online real tiresome real fast.
a resident of Green Acres
on Mar 22, 2007 at 10:01 pm
They just let someone in Crescent Park call me "hysterical" several times for being against the blanket poisoning of a few acres behind Gunn High School. But several strong messages I wrote in other discussions, which did not use name-calling but simply expressed a strong opinion, were deleted.
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Cherries and Berries
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Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength . . .
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Meeting Other New Parents
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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.


text:
Beauties of the Beautiful Game: Greece/Czech Republic
All through the Euro, Playboy.com will provide you with a team-by team preview, complete with sexy girls wearing sexy scarves.
See more of Samantha Shane and Erika Knight.
Greece – Group Record: 1-2-0, misses elimination round
Believe it or not, there are still a handful of people living in the bubble world of 2004 who think Greece can go deep into the Euro 2012. That's just not the case; the bubble is about to pop. 2004 was a miracle for the Greek side, a combination of good luck and good breaks that will not replicate itself this year. Granted, with defenders like Sokratis Papastathopoulos and Avraam Papadopoulos, they'll be difficult to break down in the backfield, but Greece simply does not have the ball movement or striking capabilities upfront. They're playing in a decidedly weak group but they're at least a quarter of the reason for that.
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News flash: everything you thought you knew about the 2012 Czech team is…true. They're bad. Their defense was dismantled in the first game, albeit by an offensively blessed Russian side. Their offense is old, led by Tomas Rosicky (31) and Milan Barros (30) and their goaltender, Petr Cech, while a household name in the soccer business, is playing in his fifth major international tournament. Let's put it another way: the Czech Republic took on four goaltenders for their 2012 roster; Cech's age is the reason why.
Wanna see all the girls who particpated in our Euro scarves shoot? Click Here.


text:
|GTA V Latest News | #GTAV | #GTAOnline
2008 New wave of GTA IV previews and screenshots
Grand Theft Auto IV - General News | @ 11:30 AM MDT | By Neil
Rockstar Games recently provided members of the media with another preview of Grand Theft Auto IV. A number of websites and magazines attended the demonstrations at the company's offices and today the embargo covering these previews was lifted. Ten new screenshots accompany the previews.
New information about the game has appeared on IGN UK, IGN USA, Computer and Video Games, GamesRadar, Kikizo, Team Xbox, GamePro, Gamespot, and VideoGamer.com. As usual, the most in depth preview comes from Kikizo with their 8-page preview including every detail they had time to note down during the 90 minute hands off presentation.
See all ten new screenshots in our gallery!
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text: Just to help folks with sizing: my "true" size seems to be a 9E (from the little foot measuring things) and I'm a 9 in sperry's (but they only fit well with bare feet), a 9 in chucks (though they're tight with anything but thin socks), and a 9.5 in florsheim dress shoes (snug but not tight width-wise). Just got a pair of the katahdins in 9.5W but I think they're a little too loose for me. I just put in an order for a 9W pair and will keep whichever one fits best. Note regarding returns. I talked to the LLBean agent on the phone (great CS, instantly got a human!) and was told I can return the boots at any store, even if it takes me a month before I'm near one. Helps save on the hassle/price of shipping the return out if you have a store nearby.


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text:
What is in this article?:
- What's Wrong Here? Hint: The Odd Couple
- Find the Answer
Can you identify the Code violation(s) in this photo?
How well do you know the Code? Think you can spot violations the original installer either ignored or couldn't identify? Here's your chance to moonlight as an electrical inspector and second-guess someone else's work from the safety of your living room or office. It's your turn to identify the violation. Note: Submitted comments must include specific references from the 2011 NEC.
Hint: The odd couple


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Passing the points of drunk, hammered, shit-faced, and even shit-housed. So incredibly drunk that nothing you say makes any sense or has any relevance to anything whatsoever. You are closing in on death at this point.
Dude, you were so house fucked last night that you thought you were speaking Arabic and that your boxers were space pants. You were also throwing up via your nose and mouth simultaneously the entire time.
by Kataclyzmic May 02, 2011


text:
Business owners in Danville are encouraged to take part in Danville Thursday Night Street Festivals with booths on Hartz and Prospect avenues to show their wares to over 1,500 festival-goers, from 6-9 p.m. July 11 and Aug. 8. Attendees can sample great cuisines, visit shops and businesses, hear live music and have a fun family evening. Businesses can register online at www.discoverdanvilleCA.com, by July 1 for the July event, and by Aug. 1 for the August event. Contact Economic Development Manager Jill Bergman at 314-3369 or email@example.com.
Read the full story here Web Link posted Monday, July 1, 2013, 4:35 PM
Town Square
Businesses sought for Thursday night street festivals
Original post made on Jul 3, 2013
Like this commentPosted by Claudette
a resident of another community
on Jul 3, 2013 at 9:27 am
If you make it Cost Effective for Businesses in Danville and outside of Danville to participate in your Street Parties, you would have been full by now ~ Consider lowing your price for participation :) and I'd participate too. Just a thought ~ Pleasanton Local Professional Artist.
1st Wed Street Parties with a New Addition ARTBlock is Free to Artists to participate, with a 30% Commission of Sales only ~ Tonight I am setting up 5-9pm. Come by and check it out and perhaps consider doing something like this in Danville.


text:
Fallout: Tactics is a squad-based, third person tactical combat game
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that uses turn-based tactics, with emphasis on a lesser number of units.
Key Features:
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Accommodation summary
|Serdar-ı Ekrem Cd, 34430 Istanbul, 터키
The flat is situated in the Galata area close to Istiklal Avenue, that takes you through the heart of Istanbul's commercial and entertainment Pedestrian Boulevard, leading to the famous Taksim Square.
Central for all travel connections. (i.e. 5 minutes walk to the conventional ferries, tramway and Şişhane subway station.)
Less than 10 minutes by tram to get to the old city (i.e. Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace, several historical turkish baths, Grand Bazaar)
2 minutes walk to Istiklal Avenue
10 minutes walk to Istanbul Modern Art Museum
10 minutes walk to the Spiced/Egyptian Bazaar
Neighborhood is safe, with lots of tourists during the day but not crowded like Taksim Square, and is exciting with its vibrant narrow streets to be discovered.
The apartment is very close to Galata Tower on a beautiful quiet street. Famous designers' shops are located on the street, and it's often used as a site for filming commercials because it's considered one of the most charming streets in Istanbul.
Museums (i.e. Istanbul Modern Art, Pera), exhibition galleries, large stores, restaurants, bars, food markets, mosques, churches, synagogues are all within walking distance.
It has a comfortable queen bed for two people.
Crib is available for kids between ages 0 to 6.
Extra single bed (80*190 cm sizes) is also available for the 3rd person upon your request
It is located on the second floor in a secure building and has a number of amenities including:
- Free WiFi internet access
- Updated kitchen with pots, dishes and glasses
- Microwave, moveable two unit burner and refrigerator
- Washing machine located inside the studio
- En-suite bathroom with a shower
- A big table for eating or working
-Hair dryer, bathroom towels, shampoo and shower gel
The studio itself is spick and span and you'll have everything you need for your stay. With the list of amenities available, it is also a great alternative to staying in a hotel!
This studio will make you want to move in and never leave!
숙소규정House rules are pretty much simple and rational I would say. You should really feel like home but also respect the place you are accomodated in. Please respect WC hygiene rules :)
|Weekly rate for up to 2 guests
|37658642 ₩
|Monthly rate for up to 2 guests
|85906092 ₩
|2 명 이상시 가격
|1176796 ₩ 1박당/
|Check-in before
|환불 규정
A gerat location and the perfect size! I had everything I needed for a great stay. The kitchen was well equipped and I made breakfast and lunch there most days. I loved how many windows there were as it made the apartment bright and airy. Fatih was extremely helpful and even had a welcome bowl of fruit and cold waters which was a nice surprise!
Die Wohnung ist, wie auf den Bildern gezeigt. Auch die textlichen Angaben stimmten (ausser die Mikrowelle. Die gab es nicht). Die Lage ist für Ausflüge perfekt.
Die Schlüsselübergabe hat bei An- und Abreise gut geklappt und war unkompliziert. Vom Gastgeber hatten wir nicht viel erfahren, war für uns aber auch nicht relevant. Die Sauberkeit vor allem der Duschkabine und der Waschmaschine liess ein bisschen zu wünschen übrig. Würde die Wohnung aber trotzdem weiter empfehlen.
Appartement très agréable, entièrement conforme aux photos.
Fatih a été un hôte accueillant et très compréhensif par rapport à notre retard à l'arrivée.
Seul petit bémol : le parquet grince beaucoup et l'appartement du dessus également. Du coup, appartement un peu bruyant. Mais l'appart vaut vraiment le coup, dans un quartier très au calme.
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Fatih was really helpful!
We had a nice stay in the flat and found us well hosted. It was a good idea to let the journey from and to the airport organize from Fatih. € 35,-- per way was the best deal we could get and everything worked perfectly.
Thank you for the nice stay in your flat, which is 2 minutes walk from Galata tower and 10 minutes from Tünel!
We can recommend Selma as a guide through Istanbul. She is a really gift. And the € 150,-- per day are well-invested. Ask Fatih for a guide!
Thanks a lot!
Perfect location in the middle of Galata for sightseeing, eating and relaxing. Fatih was a good host and arranged perfectly our transport form and towards the airport. In total a highly recommendable accommodation in the old part of Istanbul.
Top location, top flat
The Terrace is definitely worth it even if the neighborhood is not reassuring.
Perfectly located apartment near the Galatatower. Many places on walking distance. The apartment itself was convenient en clean with fine beds. The host Fatih was very helpful.
we had a great time in istanbul and we liked our appartment. it is situated very good, because it is close to taksim, from where you can get to every place.
a lot of bars and lokantas are arround the orange studio, so you can try every day another restaurant.
the communication with fatih was also quite good. everything went perfect.
Very nice place to stay at the SOHO of Istanbul. Friendly host. Downstairs fresh orange jus for just 2 TL and a lot of nice bars and hot spits arojnd the corner. Remarks; upgrade shower. All the ingredients are there, clean, warm water and sufficient power, but... just demand a better shower head.
- 확인된 숙소의 품질
- 모든 호스트는 전화로 입증되었습니다.


text: We aren't looking past the Giants, but after all the points your Defense has given up against two offenses that don't come close to matching Carolina's offensive firepower, that becomes a very big "if". I'm a lot more worried about the Falcons, quite honestly. Eli, Cruz, and PT are great - but the Giants are probably the least feared Superbowl Champs in years.


text:
Kim Dotcom might be reviving his business fortunes with a mega-launch, but Cracker-jacks Contracting founder Tony Wai is aiming for a more low-key refresh.
Five years on from the launch of crackerjacks.co.nz - an online business that matches contractors with employers across a range of disciplines - in the shadow of the global economic downturn, Wai is rebooting the business to reflect the market changes.
"In some respects [late 2008] was a good time to launch," he says. "In other respects it was the worst time to launch."
People became more open to the idea of contracting as businesses shrank in the wake of the financial crisis, but companies were also shedding contract staff as well as permanent employees.
"Around 2010 it probably changed in that I think a lot of companies recognised that they were too lean," Wai says.
"So what you're seeing now is a slow introduction, and it's a bit piecemeal, still a bit slow, but a slow introduction of talent, whether they be permanent or contracting talent, happening across the board."
The original idea was to charge businesses a fixed monthly fee to connect with a pool of contractors.
The fee was more than companies would have paid to advertise the job themselves but less than using a recruitment company.
Wai, 41, knew through his experience of leading high-growth companies that securing top quality talent at short notice or for fixed periods could be an expensive process, particularly when going to a recruitment firm often added 15 to 25 per cent on top of the hourly rate.
Rapidly changing roles are a feature of growing companies, says Wai, and by lowering the recruitment costs companies were more likely to use contractors.
Patented technology and automated tools manage performance feedback, payroll, tax and insurance cover and Crackerjacks has arrangements with remuneration companies to provide data on appropriate charge-out rates.
Wai says that although the company has been moderately successful, the challenge has been getting a critical mass of candidates on board to provide a wide selection for businesses to choose from. It's meant Wai needed to rejig his original concept to boost the existing pool of 7000 contractors to the 100,000 he considers would form a critical mass.
He is now signing up partners to help draw in contractor talent - employment advertising specialist HainesAttract is one - and a deal with a national recruitment firm is imminent.
Wai says the economic slowdown, which has shrunk the recruitment industry, means forward-thinking recruitment firms are more open to new ways of doing business.
Another advance has been using the social networking site LinkedIn to help candidates maintain up-to-date profiles and to connect with other potential contractors. "I don't see [LinkedIn] as a competitor. They're very much a partner in what we do."
Looking back over the past five years, Wai says that it has been a journey of discovery.
He has managed the growth of Crackerjacks while holding down a part-time role as chief financial officer and New Zealand head of Atlantis Healthcare, a business that creates programmes to ensure patients adhere to prescribed treatments.
Wai says he's very much on the fence as to whether it's better to go in boots and all as an entrepreneur or maintain a job while bringing a business idea to fruition.
An advantage of doing a bit of both is that it gives him more time to consider what is and isn't working.
Wai has also worked to surround himself with a top quality team so his time is spent where it is actually needed. "When you're trying to grow a business it's a lot about you, but then it's so much about your team."
He admits there have been times when he's wondered if it's all worth it. "You get quite demotivated at times because you're constantly trying to, in one end, engender belief to people that this is going to work and the other end you're going: When's it going to turn?"
A real juncture came two years ago when he realised the original software needed major redevelopment with the need for investors - who include not just Wai, but friends and business associates - to tip in more money.
He says it was a long journey to get back on track and investors reignited, but believes the market still exists. Wai says Crackerjacks probably started a little bit early and was leading the thinking around changes in contracting, but the opportunity still exists.
"When you're embarking on a business you've got to take a bit of a long-term view and be very committed to it."


text: During pregnancy a woman has to undergo many changes which sometimes the body finds difficult to adapt to. These hormonal changes affect all the aspects of the human body and the circulatory system is no exception. Some women get highly stressed during their pregnancy period which leads to high blood pressure. It is not advantageous therefore various therapies and exercise courses are available for women, which they might undertake when they are pregnant. These changes may lead to nausea and uneasiness but things return to normal shortly after child birth.


text:
Father of child allegedly murdered by mom wanted custody
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - The father of a child allegedly murdered by his mother was fighting for custody of the boy.
Court records show that Jude Thaddeus Gomez, 37, petitioned for custody of 5-year-old Jude Marray-Gomez last December. A court hearing was scheduled for later this week.
The boy's mother, 42-year-old Shannon Dodson, faces charges of first degree murder in the boy's death. His body was recovered after a fire at the Hill Park Apartments on Friday morning. It's unclear who or what started the fire. Dodson was taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. An autopsy report showed that Marray-Gomez drowned and did not die in the fire. A background check shows no prior criminal convictions for Dodson.
Neighbors tell KRDO NewsChannel 13 that they are shocked and saddened that a young boy's life could end so abruptly.
"I just don't understand how someone could do that to their kids," said Jeffrey Bard. "It's unbelievable that someone would do that.


text:
Apartment Vaci 84/2 near Danubio
숙박 가능인원7
침실 수2
면적75 m²
Floor No.2(with elevator)
- 가족 / 아이들과 친근함
- 부엌
- 세탁기 / 건조기
- 핸디캡 편의
- 엘레베이터
- 애완동물 허용
- 인터넷
Accommodation summary
|Vaci utca, 1056 Budapest, 헝가리
|Acceptance rate
|Response time
|A few hours
|Calendar updated
|5 days ago
The apartment Vaci is one of our most central located apartments, it is very comfortable and could accommodate till 7 people. There are three bedrooms, all with double bed. Double Sofa Bed in one ot these bedrooms. 2 Bathrooms italian style with shower. The kitchen is spacious and furnished with fridge, oven, electric hob, sink and appliances including coffee machine and milk heater. Complete with all accessories to prepare and taste great lunches and dinners for 7 people. The building where the apartment is located directly in Vaci utca, in the heart of Budapest. Internet Wifi Included!
• Initial Cleaning
• Light
• Gas
• Water
• Bed Linen and Towels
• Cookware
• Washing Machine
• Hoover
• Oven
• Microwave
• Toaster
• Coffee Maker
• Hairdryer
• Iron
• Internet
• Deliver Keys before 10.30 P.M.
• AltraCasa Office Assistance during your entire stay
Bed rooms
Apartment with 3 bedrooms: 2 Bedrooms with Double Bed, 1 Bedroom with Double bed and Double Sofa Bed.
Metroline : 1,6 Km M3 Ferenciek Tere Danube : 100 mt Fovám tér (tram):500mt Nagyvásárcsarnok(Market): 600 mt Gellért Bath : 1km National Museum :2km Dohány utcaiSinagogue: 2km Ferenciek Tere :1,5km Vorosmarty tèr : 1,1km
How to arrive
From NyugatiStation :Take the underground line M3 Station (Nyugati pályaudvar) towards Kobánya-Kispest, get off at the second stop at the station Deák Ferenc tér. Head west on Ferenciek tere toward Szabad sajtó út for 120mt, Continue onto Szabad sajtó út 80mt, Sharp left onto Váci utca for 500mt. From Keleti Station:Take the subway line M2 Station (Keleti pályaudvar) Déli pályaudvar direction and get off at third stop at the station Deák Ferenc tér. Take the M3 towards Kobánya line-Kispest, get off at second stop at the station Kalvin tér. Head west on Ferenciek tere toward Szabad sajtó út for 120mt, Continue onto Szabad sajtó út 80mt, Sharp left onto Váci utca for 500mt. From Airport : We offer taxi service to and from Airport at a price of € 25 each way for 4 people, who may be selected during the booking process. Or By Bus from airport : Take bus number 200E from Ferihegy Airport Terminal 1 or 2 and get off at Kobánya-Kispest. Take the M3 metro line towards Újpest Központ-eighth stop and get off at Kalvin tér station. Head southwest on Kálvin tér toward Lónyay utca for100mt, Continue onto Vámház körútfor 250mt, Turn right onto Váci utca for 170mt. By train from the airport: Take the train to the airport towards Nyugati pályaudvar, once you take the underground line towards Kobánya M3-Kispest, get off at the fourth stop at the station Kalvin tér. Head southwest on Kálvin tér toward Lónyay utca for100mt, Continue onto Vámház körút for 250mt, Turn right onto Váci utca for 170mt.
숙소규정Address of the Reception where check-in take place and you will get keys of the apartment:
Ferenciek Tere n.4 - 1053 Budapest
Floor n.1
Door n.1
Ringbell n.1 !
Useful info
Check-in time: from 15.00 (If apartment would be ready in the morning you could check-in directly)
Check-out time: 11.00
Bed linen and towels for all guests will be provided
Extra Fee
Late check-in (after 22.00) : 10 euro price
Extra Services
_ Welcome Packet (1,5 bottle still water, 1,5 bottle sparkling water, 1 liter milk, Nescafè, 1 oranjuice, 1 biscuits pack) : 15 euro price
_ Taxi service from airport to check-in place :
• 1-3 persons 40 euro price
• 4-6 persons 55 euro price
• 7-8 persons 90 euro price
_ Luggage Deposit. You can use luggage deposit on checkout available at our office maximum till 17.00.
Price: 10 euro per reservation.
|Check-in before
|환불 규정
|매우 유연함
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Very spacious, well located easy handling just perfect!! Nothing more to say...
Great place at a great location! I would defiantly recommend it.
Really nice!
The location was really good! We had near everything! The apartment was nice! Good first experience with Wimdu! Thank you so much!
The flat is ok, near the Vaci street, but a little bit nosy - there is a club on the top of a building. Clean, big and nice flat.
Very nice appartment. Only there are no equipment to cook for 6 persons.
It is even not possible to bake an egg..
Service is very good, you can always ask anything you want, very kind host!
Great apartment, very quiet and in a good location, near the metro and the centre of the city. We were 6 and the space is really as described in the site, confortable and clean. Marty is a lovely owner and we could leave our laguages in the apartment till 4pm, after the checkout. We recommend this site and the flat
Marty and Hunor were really nice with us. We arrived Friday 01 am and Hunor was there to show us the house and gave us tips about the city.
Location is excellent in the most trendy area of Budapest full o nightlife and walking distance to evertything.
Information upon arrival was fine. Marty called me the day before and arrangement was made.
The bathroom lacks a shower-curtain. After a shower there is water all over the floor. There is no drain in the floor, so only two options, either to leave it, or soak it op with a towel or similar and wrench it over the bathtub. I did the last, but it felt like half the Balafon Sea was to be removed.
The worst thing we experienced was that I was called by Marty the day before we left. She ment we had to leave 3. december, and was very strong in her belief. I replied that our rent was until 4. december; from nov. 30-until dec. 4., four night, and all confirmed by herself and payed for.
I was very concerned about this call, and told my husband that we were to go to the apartment to check the reservation. Ours was the right one, after several callings, and in the end, Marty told us is was there fault.
It made our last day in Budapest not the best one.
And she even did´t offer a drink or something for the trouble.
I stayed here with some friends and we were all very satisfied with the apartment. Perfect location, very nice apartment and the owner very kind. I recommend it 100%.
Very nice appartment, top located in Budapest city centre! Plenty of facilities just a few steps away...supermarket, bakery, bank, tourist bus stop, metro, restaurants and shops. Welcoming was a bit poor and we got the baby bed only two days later (despite we explicitly asked for it by email after our reservation).
We advise to take the yellow taxi's from and to the airport.
- 확인된 숙소의 품질
- 모든 호스트는 전화로 입증되었습니다.


text:
Going Green: Top 10 Household Products to Avoid
Small steps can make a big difference when it comes to saving the Earth. If you are ready to start going green, take a look at this list of 10 items you should avoid buying and using in your home. Some of these items not only hurt the Earth, they could also be harmful to your family! We suggest alternative choices to help make these eco-friendly changes a bit easier.


text:
Admission Requirements
Applicants to this certificate program must provide the following information for admission.
- Bachelor's degree from an institution accredited by a U.S. Department of Education-recognized accrediting agency or an internationally recognized institution.
- Grade point average of 2.3 or higher on a 4.0 scale.
- A $50 non-refundable application fee is required for initiating an application for admission and may be paid as part of the application process.
To learn more, call 866.736.1751, or email us. When you connect with Capella, we will immediately put you in touch with an enrollment counselor trained to assist you with specific questions and needs for your area of interest.
International Student Requirements
You are considered an international applicant if you completed your highest degree outside of the U.S., regardless of where you currently live. International applications include all U.S. citizens and non-U.S. citizens who have completed their most recent academic coursework, degree, or credential at an institution outside the U.S.
In addition to the above admission requirements, you will need to submit these materials:
- Minimum scores and acceptable tests for proof of English proficiency
- Transcript evaluation
Learn more about international student admissions.


text:
The Gadget Geek's Guide to March Gaming Apps
Don't know which games to download next? Here is the Gadget Geek's favorite gaming apps that came out this month.
Don't know which games to download next? Here is the Gadget Geek's favorite gaming apps that came out this month. Want some free stuff? Head on over to Twitter and tweet @playboydotcom your favorite game you play on your Apple device with the hashtag #PbApps to win one of ten MASS EFFECT™ INFILTRATOR or Commander Cool games!
It may have felt like we've been waiting a lifetime, but Chaos Rings 2 is finally hitting the screens of our Apple devices. With Characters of Chaos Rings 2 designed by Yusuke Naora, the same art director from several of the Final Fantasy titles, it's no wonder why this RPG blows away any other of its game supported on iOS. Following the perils of a man named Darwin who has been captured and must fend for himself in a weird mansion, gamers are forced to choose between sacrificing loved ones and combat in a series of battles in and outside on the manor's grounds. With way more to explore and new types of abilities than the first Chaos Rings, this visually striking RPG game is definitely worth the hefty price tag of $18. But if you haven't already played the first or are more interested in concrete storylines, the price tag may be a little too steep.
Commander Cool
Who says a good game has to be developed by a major gaming company? If you love the sass and blood spatter of Duke Nukem and the 8-bit care free aesthetics of the Super Mario Bros levels, Commander Cool will be your new favorite game on your Apple device. With 35 levels to combat against spikes, henchman and landmines, this is one app that gamers won't get tired of. Sure, the concept is trite, but the humor of shooting henchman into a bloody pulp right beside a shimmering gold coin and smiley clouds is really amusing. You can play Commander Cool on the iPad, but the placement of the controls are a little wonky, so we think for now it's best to play it as an iPhone or iPod touch game.
Can't get enough of Mass Effect? The developers at BioWare have heard your cries. Releasing a new chapter that runs parallel to the events in Mass Effect 3, gamers play the role of Cerberus agent Randall Enzo, gone rogue after experimentations on aliens go too far. Randall then battles his way out of the base to deliver incriminatory evidence to the Alliance. We played this game on an iPad 2 with okay graphics, but this game is one of few that are optimized for the new iPad's retina display. We've heard it looks so good it's like playing on an Xbox360! Even if you aren't a fan of the Mass Effect franchise, it's still a great FPS game to have on your iPad to play while you're killing time. It reminded us of the Severnaya Surface in GoldenEye 007 but with way scarier battles! If you are a heavy Mass Effect gamer, you can upload the points you accumulate in the game to improve your Galactic Readiness Rating which is pretty awesome.
Battleloot Adventure
At first we thought a clever PR company was afoot when we started seeing articles on this game pop up on the internet, but this RPG game holds up thanks to its naïve charm and lighthearted pokes at extreme RPG games. The story is simple. You have to battle a slew of evil-doers to get money to buy more things so you can battle more powerful evil-doers and so forth. Asides from the gorgeous hand drawn backdrops, we also like that you are able to choose a comrade to battle beside you who automatically uses their special powers so you don't have to control two characters at a time while you're in combat. Battleloot is in HD so it's best played on your iPad, playing 60+ quests on your iPhone may get a bit difficult once you're challenging harder levels.


text:
I've never given a thought to dress at our guild. I either wear what I wore to work or I change into jeans and a t-shirt. No one is dressy, but if people came from work they might be business casual.
Even our presenters aren't often dressed up. I think if you came dressed to the nines (an evening gown might get some looks) or in pajama pants, no one would really think otherwise- everyone just wears what they want.


text: I hope to see us draft one of ogeltree, brown or minter. brown appears to be the most NFL ready, ogeltree has the most upside, and minter who seems to not cover well, is a pretty fierce run stopper. if we cant get one of these guys i dunno,,,I just dont want to see any more sintims, jones', or dillard's.


text: Hey everyone, So I can't help but share this with you all. arty: The Mobil Station down the road just started doing a rewards program about two months ago where you earn money off of gas with every purchase inside the store (excluding lottery, alcohol, and gas). For every $20 you spend you earn $0.05 off a gallon, then they also do promos like buy any slim jim and earn $0.03 off a gallon. Anyways I have been racking up my savings like crazy just buying things I would normally purchase, although I have been buying in larger quantities and making less trips to the store. Next time I am going for free gas! (if I waited I would of had free two days later :no: )... On a side note it was really strange watching the gallons move so fast and the money so slowly.


text:
Premiering… recently… (LOL, I'm sorry, lay off me!!) on Cinemax was last year's highly acclaimed film, Darren Aronofsky's "Black Swan".
"Black Swan" is the story of Nina (Natalie Portman), a ballet dancer who covets the prestigious role of the Swan Queen in her company's production of "Swan Lake". The role is demanding, and challenging for her, and not just physically. The performance is a dual role… She needs to be able to portray the virginal, innocent, white swan, but also the seductive, evil, black swan. She is criticized for having the technical proficiency, but lacking the emotional conveyance necessary to perform the black swan portion of the role.
The pressure begins to… get to her.


text:
One man has made it his mission to insure that graves of American services members are legible.
Alexandra Olgin joined KJZZ as a reporter in 2013.
She is originally from Princeton, N.J., but spent the last four years in college at the University of Missouri. She moved to Phoenix after graduating with a bachelor's degree in radio-television journalism.
Olgin is the 2013 National Youth Media Award recipient honored at the inaugural Korva Coleman Community Champions Awards Luncheon in February.
While pursuing her degree, she worked at the NPR affiliate, KBIA, in Columbia, Missouri as a reporter, producer and anchor from 2011-2013. She also worked as a multimedia reporter for the Howard Hughes Medical Institute's SciXchange program, which focuses on making science news accessible to the public.
She spent the summer of 2012 interning for Thomson Reuters Brussels News Bureau, primarily covering the European Union. Olgin also worked for the NBC affiliate, KOMU, in Columbia, Missouri as a reporter, anchor and web editor from 2009-2011.
During the summer of 2011, she interned at Chicago Fox affiliate WFLD with the investigative and special projects unit. She also worked at an online news source called Newsy.com as a staff writer between 2010 and 2011, and as an intern for the Fox Business Network in New York City in 2010.
Olgin enjoys traveling and any kind of outdoor activity.


text:
You're a poet, and I didn't know it.
Tim: Do you think that providing top entrances is important in 'pulling up' the bees and expanding both the broodnest and honey stores vertically?
I could always just offset a top super and find out, but I want to hear your thoughts on this.
Perhaps you could give Tim a 'guest forum' in the TFB forum?
We're not going to get very far on this way off topic thread.
Note: make sure the middle frames get drawn. I have lost a couple hives in winter due to bees getting stuck on oneside. But that was also before I started wrapping hives.
WLC, by giving the bees undrawn in the middle this will help deplete wax builders on strong hives. If the hive seems slow to build thenadd drawn in the middle. I use undrawn to slow a hive down. Drawn to speed a hive up.
Spring/summer they'll use all entrances provided. A lot of bees coming/going.
Thanks Tim.
Would the same kind of space/arrangement considerations apply to honey supers as well?
For example, would moving up two drawn honey medium frames into the next upper honey super do the same thing as moving up two brood frames?
I color code supers, yellow drawn, tan new and gray borrowed (which I lose half the honey out of 200 to the guy with bobcat). But get to use his honey house till I get mine up and running(another project in my free time..lol).
I'm really glad Tim is here. Makes it a little harder for folks to call him a liar to his face, it appears.
Whoah! You have been away a long time, then you come back with so much anger.
Lucky I'm here too, makes it a little harder for you to get away with something like that.
Doubt Tim has a problem with anything I said, but if he did I'm sure he would rather discuss in person, than have the lackey do it for him.
Last edited by Oldtimer; 06-27-2013 at 03:49 PM.
"Thinking Inside The Box"
Looks like we got us some instigators here.
First Dean accuses me of calling Tim a liar, which never occurred, and then this.
By the way, I do have 3 deeps working on one hive, and I'm ready to pull up some more drawn medium frames into the supers to make 7 supers on top.
The other hive just got a new queen and had some issues.
For those more interested in bees than personal argument, it is mid winter here, and I have set up some hives according to the Tim Ives method. My hives winter in 2 deeps, but I've found some very strong ones and given them another box. Done maybe 8 or nine hives. They will be managed this season the Tim Ives way.
Not saying anything silly like I'm a convert, our flow patterns are different and don't know if the method will fit here. But I'll try anything once.
I presume you'll be doing the same raldridge?
"Thinking Inside The Box"
I've been up in the North Country, living in a tent with no internet. I come back and check the thread and you're still whining about stuff I didn't say over a month ago. Maybe you'd care to list a few of the incorrect assertions I made about Tim's approach to beekeeping?
I didn't think so.
I'm sure Tim would be surprised to know he has a lackey. Are you unclear on the purpose of this forum? I brought him up because Randy Oliver mentioned him as a successful treatment-free beekeeper. I tried to relay some information about his methods, from my correspondence with him and other sources, because he was not a member here and I found his approach interesting. I thought other members might find it interesting too, which is apparently correct.
You know, if you get upset every time a new beekeeper has an opinion, you'll be upset constantly.
Oh, wait....
When I spoke in NJ. There was a beekeeper Ed Vaeth that had several 3 deep hives(100% survival). He was pretty much doing what I was, pre 09' pulling a split dropping the 3 rd down then supering. This year he supered up earlier what he could then split the rest. Get on FB, follow what's going on there in NENJ...
Oldtimer... FaceBook
It's just kind of annoying, finding out that you're still nailing yourself up on that "rhaldridge don't gimme no respect!" cross. Yeah, it's true, but you get what you give.
Perhaps you should refrain from making stuff up. I'm still waiting for that big list of things I said about Tim's methods that you claim were incorrect. Of course, we all know you aren't going to come up with anything like that, because everything I said came from Tim himself, from Randy Oliver, and from various web authors who wrote about Tim's methods, after direct observation of his yards.
I'm not planning to follow Tim's methods in every respect, even though I believe that his is a very good system, judging by the results he gets. I'm more interested in making bees than making honey. But I like a lot of the concepts he uses. No treatment, no sugar, big brood nests, survivor genetics-- all good ideas, as far as I can tell.
For example, I now have a couple more hives in the North Country, but when I go back in a few weeks, I'm getting a nuc from some Mennonite beekeepers there who have been treatment free for some years now. I'm going to put it in a horizontal hive similar to what I have here in Florida, because those hives are doing phenomenally well. These horizontal hives are the equivalent of three deeps, and can be supered. Mine are set up so that I could put 9 medium supers on each without any super being more than shoulder height. It seems an interesting experiment to me-- no ladders needed. Also, the long hives are really cheap and easy to build, and even easier to inspect.
But you go on with your name calling and your snark. I guess you're too set in your ways to change.
"He as much as called Tim a liar. As you may have noticed, his groundless surmises were completely wrong in every respect."
That"s not true!
I was right on the money!
"...everything I said came from Tim himself, from Randy Oliver..."
You're using the guy with the ladder and the 'beewasher' as references?
Regardless, non of it has anything to do with treatment free beekeeping. So Tim caught some swarms. The rest is a common beekeeping practice in that neck of the woods.
No 'fat bees' required.