text:
ARSC T3E Users' Newsletter 138, March 6, 1998
On-Line T3E Tutorial
ARSC's self-guided T3E user tutorial is now on-line, at:
The tutorial is appropriate for new users, or experienced users who are novices in a particular skill area, such as MPI or SHMEM. Everyone is welcome to try some of the labs, and all feedback is appreciated.
Monte Carlo Methods: A Parallel Implementation
[[ This is the third in a four part series on Monte Carlo methods. ]]
In the previous two issues, Giray Okten introduced the history and theory behind Monte Carlo methods. The goal of the second half of this series is to introduce parallel implementation.
A parallel implementation must:
- distribute tasks and recombine results
- generate non-correlated sequences of "random" numbers on the processors.
- and, ideally, produce identical results in serial and parallel execution.
The example below is a simple SPMD code consisting of two modules written in C. The main module is a front-end which handles the I/O and parallel work. It reads the user's request for the overall number of simulation events and, using a formula printed in newsletter #132:
/arsc/support/news/t3enews/t3enews132/index.xml ,
apportions these across the PEs. All PEs, including the "master," call the "simulate" module, which simulates the events and returns the result. Given that the tasks are nearly identical in size, and the work required to farm them out and recombine them is absolutely minimal, a "master-slave" approach would be of no benefit and would lead to lots of idle time on the "master." (In programs like this, where all PEs do similar work, but one of them is singled out for additional managerial activities, that PE is often referred to as the "overseer" instead of the "master.")
Once the "simulate" modules return, the PEs synchronize. The results are gathered to the "master," which computes the global average and prints a report for the user, and all PEs loop to process more simulations.
Starting with the main module, one can easily swap "simulate" modules. These can test pseudo- versus quasi-random sequences, try different schemes for avoiding correlation between sequences, and (the fun part), solve different problems.
The "simulate" module in this example computes PI using Buffon's needle experiment (see Giray's article, newsletter #136 ). As a reminder, this is a 2-dimensional model which requires two random variables for each event simulation. The example uses Cray's drand48() linear congruential pseudo-random number generator and parallelizes it using the "leap-frog" approach mentioned in newsletter #133 .
An important feature of the sample is that it produces identical results in serial or parallel runs. For this to occur, it is necessary that all PEs use the same seed value, and that elements from the pseudo-random number sequence be paired identically, whether running in serial or parallel. The following table gives an example of possible correct pairing of random values:
event rand vals serial parallel (NPES=3) ----- --------- ------ ----------------- 1 r[0] PE 0 PE 0 r[1] 2 r[2] PE 0 PE 1 r[3] 3 r[4] PE 0 PE 2 r[5] 4 r[6] PE 0 PE 0 r[7]
Each PE grabs its pair of random values for its current event, "leap-frogs" over those to be used by the other PEs, grabs the next pair, etc. Unfortunately, this is accomplished by actually computing the intervening values and throwing them away, which, for a relatively trivial computation like the buffon experiment, significantly decreases efficiency. For this reason, "leap-frog" is a poor solution for this problem, and speed-up on double the number of processors is on the order of 60%. For a simple example, however, it seemed a good place to start.
"Sequence splitting," as described in-depth in newsletter #133 would be a better solution. A quasi-random sequence, in which one can compute the n-th element in the sequence without computing (and throwing away) the n-1 preceding elements, would also be better. (Reread Giray's articles for more on quasi-random sequences.)
Here is a sample run of the program. The parameters specify 10 reports per run, 100,000 events per report, for a total of 1,000,000 events, and a random seed of 1. A run on one processor ("mpprun -n1") is, again, identical.
yukon$ mpprun -n7 ./pbuffon 100000 10 1 [0] 100000 31825.000000: avg: 0.318250000 [1] 200000 63713.000000: avg: 0.318565000 [2] 300000 95753.000000: avg: 0.319176667 [3] 400000 127498.000000: avg: 0.318745000 [4] 500000 159238.000000: avg: 0.318476000 [5] 600000 191120.000000: avg: 0.318533333 [6] 700000 223020.000000: avg: 0.318600000 [7] 800000 254518.000000: avg: 0.318147500 [8] 900000 286358.000000: avg: 0.318175556 [9] 1000000 318063.000000: avg: 0.318063000
To estimate PI from this simulation, one simply substitutes the result from the experiment (0.3180630) into the analytical solution (see newsletter #136 ):
and solves for PI.
This yields an estimate for PI of: 3.14403.
This is certainly not the best way to estimate PI, but it's of historical interest, as a number of early experimenters did indeed conduct the physical version of this experiment, for that purpose.
Here's the C-code, starting with the main module. The "simulate" module starts with the comment: "FILE: pbuffon.c".
/*-------------------------------------------------------------------- FILE: pmc.c PURPOSE: Parallel front end for simple monte-carlo simulation functions. DESCRIPTION: Sets up an environment on the Cray T3E to run a single function on a variable number of processors and accumulate and print results in stages. The function, called "simulate", is expected to make the number of attempts, or event simulations prescribed by user arguments. It must return the total value, not the average, of "successes." For example, "simulate" might return the value 100 after 600 throws of a single die, if a success were defined as a "1" coming up. All averaging is done later in this main module, after results from all processors are accumulated. The simulate function must itself obtain independent sequences of "random" values on each PE. This front end passes through the PE number, total PEs, and a user supplied "seed" which may be used. COMMAND LINE ARGS: 1) Total number of trials to make per step (or line of output). 2) Total number of steps. 3) Random seed. --------------------------------------------------------------------*/ #include <stdio.h> #include <stdlib.h> #include <mpi.h> #include <math.h> /* DIE quits all PEs providing a bit of feedback. */ #define DIE(str,mype) error_fatal(__LINE__,__FILE__,str,mype) void error_fatal(int line, char *file, char *msg, int mype ); int simulate (int mype, int totpes, int usrSeed, int nruns, double *resTot); /*--------------------------------------------------------------------*/ main (int argc, char **argv) { int mype,totpes,mproc; int err,usrSeed; int myRunsPerRep,runsPerRep,nReps,penum,subtot; int repNum,runsDone; int *nrunsArr,nrunsAccum; double resTotal, *resArr,resAccum,resAvg; int n; /* Set up MPI */ if (MPI_Init(&argc,&argv) != 0) DIE ("MPI_Init err.",mype); if (MPI_Comm_rank(MPI_COMM_WORLD, &mype) != 0) DIE ("MPI_Comm_rank err.",mype); if (MPI_Comm_size(MPI_COMM_WORLD, &totpes) != 0) DIE ("MPI_Comm_size err.",mype); /* define master PE */ mproc=0; /* verify correct number command line args */ if (mype==mproc && argc!=4) DIE ("SYNTAX ERR, EXPECTED: runsPerRep nReps usrSeed",mype); /* All processors synchronize */ if (MPI_Barrier (MPI_COMM_WORLD) != 0) DIE ("MPI_Barrier err.",mype); sscanf (argv[1], "%d", &runsPerRep); sscanf (argv[2], "%d", &nReps); sscanf (argv[3], "%d", &usrSeed); /* Each PE Calculates number of actual runs it will make per report */ myRunsPerRep = (runsPerRep + totpes - mype - 1) / totpes; /* Master creates arrays for gathering results */ if (mype==mproc) { if ((nrunsArr = (int *) malloc (totpes * sizeof (int))) == NULL) DIE ("Malloc failed",mype); if ((resArr = (double *) malloc (totpes * sizeof (double))) == NULL) DIE ("Malloc failed",mype); /* Initialize result accumulators */ resAccum = 0.0; nrunsAccum = 0; } /* Iterate through requeste reports */ for (repNum=0; repNum<nReps; repNum++) { /* Each PE does its share of the simulations for the * current report */ runsDone = simulate (mype, totpes, usrSeed, myRunsPerRep, &resTotal); /* Gather results back to master */ if (MPI_Barrier (MPI_COMM_WORLD) != 0) DIE ("MPI_Barrier err.",mype); if (MPI_Gather (&runsDone,1,MPI_INT, nrunsArr,1,MPI_INT,mproc,MPI_COMM_WORLD) != 0) DIE ("MPI_Gather err.",mype); if (MPI_Gather (&resTotal,1,MPI_DOUBLE, resArr,1,MPI_DOUBLE,mproc,MPI_COMM_WORLD) != 0) DIE ("MPI_Gather err.",mype); /* master computes totals and prints report */ if (mype==mproc) { for (n=0; n<totpes; n++) { resAccum += *(resArr + n); nrunsAccum += *(nrunsArr + n); } resAvg = resAccum / nrunsAccum; printf ("[%d] %d %lf: avg: %12.9lf\n", repNum, nrunsAccum, resAccum, resAvg); } } /* All done... */ if (MPI_Finalize() != 0) DIE ("MPI_Finalize err.",mype); } /*-------------------------------------------------------------------- error_fatal: cleanly exits all PEs, prints diagnostic info. --------------------------------------------------------------------*/ void error_fatal(int line, char *file, char *msg,int mype ) { fprintf (stderr, "FATAL ERROR in file: %s line: %d PE: %d message:\n*****\"%s\"\n", file, line, mype, msg); fflush (stderr); globalexit (1); } /*-------------------------------------------------------------------- FILE: pbuffon.c PURPOSE: Use simulation to try to obtain a solution to the Buffon needle problem. A needle of length l is tossed into a grid of parallel lines with spacing d, and the probability of an intersection computed. DESCRIPTION: This model assumes: =================== d = 2*l, and uses a length, l, of 1. Simulation method: ================== The displacement of the center of the needle from the closest line is chosen from a random distribution on the range [0..1]. Then the angle theta of the needle with respect to a perpendicular to the parallel lines is chosen, from the range PI/2. A "success" occurs when if the intersection of the resulting line and the parallel grid line is at a distance less than half the length of the needle. USAGE: "Simulate" function intended as computation module for "pmc.c". --------------------------------------------------------------------*/ #include <stdio.h> #include <stdlib.h> #include <mpi.h> #include <math.h> #pragma _CRI inline (get_next_rand_pair) /* globals variables to communicate pseudo-random numbers. One per dimension. */ static double rand1, rand2; /* Seed the Cray pseudo-random number generator. */ void seed_generator (int usrSeed) { unsigned short seed[3]; seed[0] = seed[1] = seed[2] = usrSeed; (void) seed48 (seed); } /* Each PE extracts adjacent pairs of pseudo-random numbers from the sequence * and throws away the pairs used by the other PEs. This function must * be called first and only once. It advances to mype's first pair */ void skip_to_first_rand_pair (int mype) { int n; for (n = 0; n < mype ; n++) { (void) drand48(); (void) drand48(); } } /* Assumes that "skip_to_first_rand_pair" has been called. Returns the * next pair of numbers from the pseudo-random sequence, and advances * to the next pair. */ void get_next_rand_pair (int totpes) { int n; double my_rand; rand1 = drand48(); rand2 = drand48(); for (n = 0; n < totpes - 1; n++) { (void) drand48(); (void) drand48(); } } /*-------------------------------------------------------------------- Simulate: PARAMS: [input] mype, totpes: can run on a serial machine... set to 0 and 1. [input] usrSeed: All PEs use same seed. [input] nruns: Total number of attempts to make. [output] resTot: Total number of successes. RETURNS: Total number of attempts (should equal input value of nruns). --------------------------------------------------------------------*/ int simulate (int mype, int totpes, int usrSeed, int nruns, double *resTot) { static int doInit = 1; int runN; /* On the first call to simulate, initialize the psuedo-random number * sequence. */ if (doInit == 1) { seed_generator (usrSeed); skip_to_first_rand_pair (mype); doInit = 0; } *resTot=0; for (runN=0; runN<nruns; runN++) { double h, theta; get_next_rand_pair (totpes); h = rand1; theta = rand2 * M_PI / 2.0; if (h <= cos (theta) * (1.0/2.0)) *resTot += 1.0; } return nruns; }
Next Week: "Monte Carlo Methods: Scientific Applications and Advanced MPI Support"
[[ We're forwarding this excerpt from a message received from Greg Morrow and Robert van de Geijn "for the PLAPACK team." PLAPACK is not installed at ARSC, but interested ARSC users are encouraged to submit a software request form:
or e-mail " firstname.lastname@example.com ". ]]
During the last two years the PLAPACK project at UT-Austin has developed an MPI based Parallel Linear Algebra Package (PLAPACK) designed to provide a user friendly infrastructure for building parallel dense linear algebra libraries. Now that this infrastructure has stabilized, we have started developing libraries. The first solver available, PLA_Gesv, solves general linear systems. PLAPACK provides a high level abstraction for coding dense linear algebra algorithms. It is often believed that such a high level abstraction comes at the price of lower performance. We are happy to report that while this is temporarily true for smaller problem sizes (where the fact that we have not yet optimized the infrastructure is still noticeable), the higher level of abstraction allows for more sophisticated algorithms to be implemented, which attain higher performance for larger problem sizes. More information: http://www.cs.utexas.edu/users/plapack email@example.com The PLAPACK Users' Guide is available from The MIT Press: Robert van de Geijn, "Using PLAPACK: Parallel Linear Algebra Package", The MIT Press, 1997 http://mitpress.mit.edu/
Quick-Tip Q & A
A: {{ You use "qsub my_baby" to submit a job to NQS... and it vanishes! }} If the normal NQS channels seem broken, check e-mail on the T3E host. NQS sends e-mail (all by itself) !!! A common situation is when your request exceeds the restrictions on all queues. Here is a quick NQS tutorial. Issuing this command: t3e% qstat shows all queue names. Executing: t3e% qstat -f <queue-name> shows the restrictions on the named queue. On yukon, the "grand" queue is the largest (though not the longest), and the command: yukon% qstat -f grand shows (among other things): <REQUEST LIMITS> PER-PROCESS PER-REQUEST ---------------------- ----------- ----------- MPP Processor Elements: 90 MPP Time Limit: 14400sec 14400sec If, on yukon, I made this (unsatisfiable) request: qsub -q mpp -l mpp_p=128 -l mpp_t=4:00:00 ./my_baby NQS would e-mail the (indecipherable) job log and this (reasonably articulate) explanation: The following request limit(s) are too large for any destination queue: Per-request MPP processor element limit; Last destination queue attempted: <grand@yukon> This indicates that NQS tested my request against every destination queue serviced by the pipe queue, "mpp." The last queue it attempted was "grand@yukon," and my "Per-request MPP processor element limit" of 128 PEs was too large for any of the queues. If you get a message like this, and don't understand it, forward it to your center's help desk. Q: You've ftp'd a file to the Cray from your PC. There is a load of ^M characters at the ends of the lines. How can you get rid of these?
[ Answers, questions, and tips graciously accepted. ]
Current Editors:
E-mail Subscriptions:
Ed Kornkven ARSC HPC Specialist ph: 907-450-8669 Kate Hedstrom ARSC Oceanographic Specialist ph: 907-450-8678 Arctic Region Supercomputing Center University of Alaska Fairbanks PO Box 756020 Fairbanks AK 99775-6020
Subscribe to (or unsubscribe from) the e-mail edition of the
ARSC HPC Users' Newsletter.
Back issues of the ASCII e-mail edition of the ARSC T3D/T3E/HPC Users' Newsletter are available by request. Please contact the editors.


text:
Cowboys owner Jerry Jones says team is grieving
A fan holds a sign for Dallas Cowboys player Jerry Brown who was killed in an automobile accident during an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Dec. 9, 2012, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Michael Keating)
CINCINNATI (AP) — The Cowboys bowed [auth] their heads, put hands over their hearts and honored a teammate killed in a car accident during a moment of silence before their game on Sunday, their minds never far from the NFL's latest tragedy.
Dan Bailey's 40-yard field goal as time ran out gave Dallas a 20-19 win over the Cincinnati Bengals that provided a few seconds of relief from two days of grief.
"There was a feeling of numbness on the field, but they focused and found a way to win today," coach Jason Garrett said. "It is a day that I am never going to forget. However, it is a tragic day for all of us."
The Cowboys learned on their flight to Cincinnati on Saturday that linebacker Jerry Brown had died in an accident overnight. Defensive lineman Josh Brent — the car driver — was charged with intoxication manslaughter in Irving, Texas, for the early morning accident.
Brent was released from jail on $500,000 bond about an hour after Bailey's kick won the game in Cincinnati, leaving the Cowboys had a lot of thoughts racing through their heads.
"The last 24 hours has really been something I've never experienced," quarterback Tony Romo said. "It's something I've never experienced, and I think a lot of guys will tell you that. It's just been a roller coaster of emotions.
"It was a very — and still is — a very difficult thing that this football team is dealing with."
It was the second week in a row that an NFL team played a game one day after a team member died. Kansas City linebacker Jovan Belcher fatally shot his girlfriend, then killed himself at the Chiefs' practice complex in front of his coach and general manager.
Playing the day after their tragedy, the Chiefs beat the Carolina Panthers 27-21 for their second win of the season.
Garrett told the Cowboys (7-6) on Saturday night that it was important to play well against the Bengals (7-6). Both teams needed a win to stay in the thick of playoff contention.
There was no ignoring what had happened.
One of the visitors' metal lockers at Paul Brown Stadium had a strip of white athletic tape with "53 JERRY BROWN" attached to the top, a wooden stool inside sitting upside-down. Brown's No. 53 jersey was on the sideline during the game — defensive tackle Jason Hatcher held it up after Bailey's kick decided it.
There wasn't much of a celebration by an emotionally spent team.
"I don't remember crying this much other than maybe the day I was born," defensive lineman Marcus Spears said. "With Josh's situation and Jerry being gone, you felt it."
Players couldn't keep the tragedy out of their thoughts during the game, finding their minds wandering on the bench.
"I rarely let my emotions get the best of me," fullback Lawrence Vickers said. "Today they did, but this was the place to do it."
Owner Jerry Jones spoke with Brown's mother twice on Sunday. The team plans a memorial on Tuesday.
Jones wishes more had been done to help Brent, who had a DUI arrest in 2009.
"Personally, I have spent a lot of time over the past 12 hours thinking what might have been said and done," Jones said. "I know there are many things that might have been said or done. So the answer is yes. But I know that's the way things happen when you have a tragedy."
Cornerback Brandon Carr was with the Chiefs last season and was close to Belcher. He attended a funeral on Saturday, then rejoined the Cowboys as they started dealing with their own grief.
"Honestly, I couldn't do it myself," said Carr, who had an interception against Cincinnati. "My teammates have had my back since Day 1 with what transpired last week (in Kansas City) and then today."
Players around the league also were touched by it.
San Francisco 49ers defensive lineman and special teams standout Demarcus Dobbs thought about it before a home game Sunday against Miami. Dobbs was arrested early Nov. 30 — his 25th birthday — on suspicion of driving under the influence and possession of marijuana. He missed last week's game at St. Louis but was active for Sunday's game with the Dolphins.
Authorities said Dobbs was alone and involved in a single-car accident in which he hit a chain-link fence and a bush but didn't sustain any injuries.
"It was a wake-up call to me what happened to me," Dobbs said on the field before the game. "The thing that happened in Dallas, it makes me grateful that God was looking out for me. It could have been a lot worse in my situation.
"What happened in Dallas is unfortunate. It just goes to show what could have been. I'm grateful that I'm here and able to be on the team and go on and continue my life. That saddened me to hear that, but it made me count my blessings even more."
AP Sports Writer Janie McCauley in San Francisco contributed to this report.
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subset: commoncrawl


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So I've been doing these weekly online broadcasts on how to create armor the way I do it (traditionally, and out of metal).
Here's a pic of the chest armor we've done so far. This is 14 gauge aluminum (street sign) armor. Everything dished, curved, and planished properly then sanded down smooth.
This will be a set of light armor (Boba style) once she's done, and will be on display at CV before being sold.


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"Sebastian, Torch of Friendship," photograph by Ricardo Romo
UTSA, S.A. Chamber present group art exhibit
By Tim Brownlee
Assistant Director of Public Affairs
(May 21, 2009)--The Greater San Antonio Chamber of Commerce and The University of Texas at San Antonio will host a reception at the opening of two art exhibits. Free and open to the public, the event is at the chamber offices, 603 E. Commerce St., from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., Thursday, May 21.
Today's headlines
- La Prensa Foundation is newest member of UTSA Lone Star Society
- UTSA alumna Jordan Kaufmann wins $50K for new stent-graft start-up
- UTSA begins new way-finding sign installation this summer at Main Campus
- USA Today: UTSA long jumper Tyler Williamson rescues three-year-old boy
Article tools
The first exhibit features photographs by UTSA President Ricardo Romo and sculptures by James Hetherington. The Romo photographs will be for sale to benefit the UTSA-Fox Tech Scholarship Fund. The second exhibit showcases work by UTSA students.
>> View a video invitation to the reception.
Romo's photographs have been exhibited at numerous Texas galleries. Hetherington has participated in solo and group exhibitions across Texas and New Mexico. His commissioned murals and sculptures are on display as public art in Texas (Corpus Christi and San Antonio) and in California (Oakland, San Francisco and Berkeley). The Romo-Hetherington exhibition was curated by Arturo Almeida, UTSA Art Collection curator.
Curated by Edward Hayes Jr. '09, assistant to the curator of the UTSA Art Collection, the student exhibition features paintings, photographs and mixed-media pieces by Angel Axioma Alcala III, Esteban Delgado, Carlos Donjuan, Bora Lee, Lupe Mendoza, Juan de Dios Mora, Aaron Muñoz, Gissett S. Padilla, Erin Stafford and Cornelia White Swann. Hayes received his UTSA M.F.A. degree this month.
For more information, contact Karen Evans, Greater San Antonio Chamber of Commerce, at (210) 229-2127.


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I'm pretty anxious to get started on a Rick Baker ANH Cantina character. Going to be sculpted in WED clay (50 lbs coming) and cast in thick latex. Who knows if I'll even make more than a single copy but my copy will be a display copy. I'm a huge Cantina alien fan and can say with 99% certainty that this character has never been subject to a fan-made sculpture and mask. Tom Spina Designs has done a lot of weird Cantina alien masks but even still I had a lot left to choose from that he hasn't already mastered.
Character is Brainiac...aka Pons Limbic (sometimes Star Wars names are really stupid...)
He's not seen a ton but there are some usable photos online. He has a real vintage 50s alien look to him with a nice brain head, simple expression, and cool veins that travel the length of skul and have a subtle blue tinge. Right now I'm looking for reference photos if anyone knows of any. I wish I had access to pre-production polaroids. Not only looking for better shape and detail photos, but color and size reference as well. I'm not too tech savy but I'm sure I can figure out screen grabs. Going to watch ANH again to go through the scene and see where he's visible.
My plan is to sculpt him oversized anyway. It was a static pull over mask and no make-up involved. I generally know how big a mask has to be on someones head and can tell whether it's a tight fit or a lot of space inside. If I sculpt it too big I can always use the first casting as a master copy and make a one-piece copy mold with it. Since latex shrinks 20% after it's pulled out of mold and cures, it would then shrink down another 20% with a one-piece copy mold. So I have 20-40% shrinkage to work with in relation to the original sculpture size. Don't see that being an issue.
I guess my main thing is photos. Not sure they exist but if anyone can help that would be awesome!
Here's a quick photo to show the character and to show what kind of photos I have to work with at the moment. Thanks in advance!
Attachment 67046


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|Topic Review (Newest First)
|GREAT info in this thread. Tagged for future reference!
|fyi, if you find yourself in the position to upgrade to the Pro Series, they are MUCH EASIER to clean!!
This is a very useful thread I have a Eheim 2217 canister for a 50 gallon aquarium. Presently, I have 35 fishes in there (this is the current staff): one Discus, Gymnocorymbus ternetzi (black tetras) (4), Paracheirodon innesi (neon tetra) (8), Hyphessobrycon megalopterus (phantom tetra) (6), kryptopterus (8), Rasbora heteromorpha (3), Rasbora espei (1), Pangio kuhlii (2), Botia kubotai (3) and Xiphophorus maculatus (2). I also have a few species of shrimps: Atyopsis moluccensis (3) and Neocaridina heteropoda (yellow shrimp) (4). I have to do two 40% water change every two weeks.
Post 5 from momotaro is very complete, but the other commentaries from the members are also useful. I read this post about eight months after the implementation of my aquarium. At that time there were signs of eutrophisation.
As my 2217 is superior to the volume of my aquarium, I am only at my second cleanup of the media, which means once every 8 or 9 months. Contrarily to what is proposed in this thread, I never got rid of the small balls and did not boiled them, I just rinse three times and agitate 2/3 of them with the aquarium water, whereas I treat all of the cylindric media. I do not want to disturb the bacteria equilibrium too often. This is why I take care of the small balls.
Although I imagine that cleaning regularly the filter is good to remove nitrogen in organic form of bacteria and various debris (and probably other chemical elements are also removed)
At some point I had some difficulty in restarting the filter. Pulling down the smaller or exit tube of the canister so that it flowed into a bowl on the floor, instead of having to fight for gravity to push the water two feet higher gave a really good pressure. Once primed this way the propeller would easyly push the water in the aquarium once the exit tubulure was replugged.
|thank you for asking. this answers a question that i had recently been asked by my mother. now i will know what to tell her.
|I use 2-eheim 2217s in my 75 gallon tanks. I clean them every two months. The key is one month i clean one then the next month i clean the other one. This helps keep the good bacteria alive. Its always worked for me. Hope that helps. joe h
|Great thread! I've been looking for this info. I have a 2213, and love it.
Eheim 2180 not flowing
The flow of my 2180 is non existing. However when I hit the large prun button down it flows . Yet when I release the button no flow. Obviously it is working and pumping when the button is down . So what can it be?
|I think that's all good information with one exception, I have found it a pain if you turn inlet and outlet quick connects in different directions, later on you will want to rearrange your plumbing and that will somehow stand in your way and with only just a moment of thought you will never hook them up backwards, Jinks.
|Posting as a personal future reference
When you disconnect the hoses from the canister, they are left hanging down, full of water, shut off by the valves. You can manually open the valves, in the 2026 that is done by pushing that little lever on the bracket that holds the two hoses and fits them into the canister. If you open that valve, you will drain water from the tank, flushing a lot of the crud out of the lines since the flow is so fast.
If you do not flush the line, the crud builds up and when you restart the canister a cloud of crud blows out of the output line, messing up your fresh clean water.
I try to clean my canisters every 2 months, the planted tanks and discus absolutely need it that often, the fish only tanks are not so critical.
|Dood Lee
|I clean my canister every 2-3 months. To clean the hoses (I only clean them once a year) I use a flexi-brush. It's a brush that is attached to a long piece of rigid string with a weight on the end. I got mine from Dr. Foster and Smith, but you can probably find it locally or at other online vendors.
|pizza snob
First off a big THANK YOU for so many informative responses! Also thabk you to jimmydrsv for telling me about this forum. I am very impressed and will be making thi smy new home.
Now, my responses:
MoMoTaro: Yes, you can use this Q&A for your FAQ.
Hypancistrus: Will I increase the DO in my tank by underfilling my tank by several inches so that there is a physical drop from my output water hose to the tank water? My output hose runs to the top of my tank and sits vertically across so that the water falls with a waterfall effect to the tank. I notice many more air bubbles when I run it this way instead of running it vertically or covered with water so that there is no drop. Good idea, bad idea? Forgive me but I can't imagine using tap water to clean the cannister, mech, or filters is a good idea. What about the effects of chlorine? Isn't that why it is important to de-chlor a tank BEFORE adding tap water after a change? I have just recently learned to shut OFF my filter while I am doing a water change. Previously I would leave it on but someone said even though I drop in dechlor before the tap water, there is a chance that the new tap might get into the filter before the dechlor has a chance to work. I have always used clean tank water to clean the filter and mech so far.
Anona: Not sure I understand your backflush suggestion? Are you suggesting I remove the output hose from the tank, place in a 5 gallon bucket and turn filter back on to force water into the bucket instead of the tank? I am not sure I understand? I do this already to fill up two 5 gallon buckets and then use that water to clean my cannister, filters, and media.
Thank you all for the tip on the white crud on the o-rings. I will clean them with a q-tip.
I will have to
Additional Questions:
How often does everyone clean their cannisters?
How do you properly clean the hoses? Do they make a brush THAT long? My hoses are like 4 feet long! Doe sit pay to buy a second set of hoses so one set is always clean?
I am having a difficult time judging the tempature of the water comign out of my bathroom faucet as it travels into my 50 foot python and then into my tank. I have an electronic themometer on my tank but I constantly have to run from the tank to the bathroom to adjust the water temp as it goes up or down. Do they make a special fitting that goes between the faucet and python connector to show temp of water? Anyone else have this problem?
Should Bio-Media be disturbed/cleaned in filter tank water?
Thank You all again for your responses. I will now go read the FAQ on EHEIM cannisters which I did not know existed until now.
Pizza Snob
Eheim Pro 2128 here. I also have your exact same tank.
Originally Posted by pizza snob
1) Between the trays there are two black o-ring that help seal the first tray to the second. After 9 months of use, my O-Rings have white crud on the o-ring to the point that is is no longer black. Was this white stuff the lubricant that initally came on the o-rings or is it not meant to be there? Should I strip it clean until o-ring is black and apply the small tube of lubricant that came with cannister? Can I use vasoline? Should the O-ring be black or white?
http://www.labdepotinc.com/Product_D...~pid~9419.aspx (The three nylon models.)
No need to apply any lubricant. What I did was I purchased two additional input connectors (part number 7342200 - you can get them here.) I then insert an input connector in every black o-ring on each tray, so there is one in between each tray, and one in between the top tray and cannister cover.
Originally Posted by pizza snob
2) How long can the media survive "outside" of water? I have cleaned my cannister 3x in 9 months. I am afraid that when I remove the layers of media and place them outside the cannister for extended periods of time (1 hr to 2 hrs) the good bacteria may die. Is this true? Should I remove them and keep them in cleaned tank water in a 5 gallon bucket until ready for replacement in my cannister again?
Originally Posted by pizza snob
3) After I replace all the layers of media and filters, I am having a problem aligning the top most tray tube with the hole in top lid of the cannister. The holes line up so I can see clear to the bottom but it looks as if the top most tube is not long enough to seat properly in the lid. It isn't a problem of alignment so much as a problem of the tube not looking like it is long enough to extend into the hole in the top lid. Pads and trays are placed in the correct order.
Originally Posted by pizza snob
4) How do I "prep" a new (white) fine filter pad before replacing the one I have. I know enough NOT to simply replace it with a new pad as there will be a nitrite spike. Can I leave the new pad in a bucket of tank water for 2 weeks before I place in the cannister? How can I prep the pad to be ready for replacing?
What I think might be happening in your tank is a lack of DO (dissolved oxygen). The Oceanic 42 hex tanks are tall and they have the least surface area of just about any other tank on the market. These tanks need airstones if you put the glass cover on. You may not know it, but the fish inside your tank are stressed from a low DO level. They may be getting just enough to get by since your stocking level is light. When you take the filter off for cleaning, you stop the water flow completely. As I said, the majority of the bacteria live inside the tank, near the tank bottom in the substrate. When you disconnect the filter for several hours for cleaning, the nitrite consuming bacteria (nitrospira) will be the first to die off due to lack of oxygen. When you restart the filter and test the water, I would expect to see a nitrite spike. That's what I think you are seeing.
If you inject CO2, you will only need to turn it up slightly to offset the "outgassing" effect from the airstone.
I use and recommend Rena Micro Bubblers and Tetratec Deep Water Air Pumps. Remember, airstones are not intended to be used just for "effect." They turn the water, create additional flow, create surface turbulance, and increase dissolved oxygen. Large bodies of water have massive ammounts of surface area, a closed covered tank (especially hex's like ours) have hardly any in comparison. The airstone(s) will compensate.
|Think my gf called the white stuff chair padding. lwm only had 2", but my eheim was missing so much media it fit nicely.
|Dood Lee
The coarse blue pads, the ehfimech, and the ehfisubstrat you can use indefinitely (or until the wear out). The white pads you can replace - there is no prepping needed as the white pads are there mainly for mech filtration. I think it would be best to keep the tray with the ehfisubstrat (the bio media) in a bucket of tank water so the bacteria doesn't die off.
Here is my cleaning routine for my 2026:
1) Remove trays - place top tray in bucket of tank water.
2) Bottom tray (with ehfimech and coarse pads) are rinsed.
3) Replace trays, and put on new fine white pad (if needed).
BTW, the black rings that are on the tubes in the trays aren't lubricated. That white build up happens to me too. I just wipe it off with a napkin or a cotton swab.
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Reviewed By James H (Simsbury, CT) Reviewed for a 2012 Toyota RAV4 —11/26/2014 4:45 AM
Excellent quality of construction. Only installation issues have to do with the vehicle (needed to trim a little off the engine top cover) and trimming the bracket where the MAF hooks on - took longer to take the stock airbox off the car. Great new sound without being over the top obnoxious :-)


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I tried to find info on Peter Petrovich. Nothing came up on google or wikopedia. How can I find information about him?
I tried to find info on Peter Petrovich. Nothing came up on google or wikopedia. How can I find information about him?
I think he's talking about the Prokopovych Beekeeping Institute in the Ukraine.
Kind regards
Yes, Tim is right. You have to google the Ukrainian spelling not the Russian spelling of the man's name. His name is Peter Prokopivych. He operated up to 10,000 colonies of bees around 1810 if my memory is correct, in the first movable frame colonies that had bee space!! Sorry for the mistake in language. I speak Russian not Ukrainian, though many of the words are very close in sound and spelling. That is why I also have Natasha along to translate when I travel there. TK
I hear ya Ted, I just hate it when I get my Russian and Ukranian words confused.
"People will generally accept facts as truth only if the facts agree with what they already believe."- Andy Rooney
Petro Prokopovych
Wi, what did you learn about the man? Pretty interesting beekeeper, huh?? TED
There are a few videos about Carpathian bees in youtube. Type in "Apis Mellifera Carpatica" and it should come up.
They look very similar to carniolans in the videos
basically it is a variation of carniolians due to the ecosytem it has adapted to. This bee is VSH and highly hygenic in its housecleaning abilities. You will see very little detritus on the bottom of the hive in a colony headed by Carpathian bees. Like Russell has said the wrong bee -primorsky bees-was selected for resistance to Varroa. There were two other good races of bees that show a lot of promise for resistance that were overlooked. They are the Carpathian bee and the Mnt Gray Caucasian bee. TK
Tell me if I have the history correct:
Varroa have lived with Apis Cerana for thousands of years in east Asia. Because of mountains, deserts and frozen tundra, Apis Melifera and Apis Cerana had not come into contact with each other for thousands of years. Russians pioneers took Melifera with them when they moved into east Asia 150 or so years ago. Varroa, of course, invaded the Melifera that had been brought to east Asia(Primorsky region). Most of the hives died of varroa, but some survived and then thrived in that area. Many years later beekeepers brought some hives from Primosky back to western Russian. The varroa that came with them invaded the Melifera hives and from there spread to the rest of Europe, Africa and the Americas reeking havoc as they spread. The reason Primorsky bees were used to breed from for resistance to varroa is because they had been in contact (and survived well) for 150 years.
Pretty close... the original stocks were actually Ukrainian bees that were being transported in backpacks and carts through the primorsky region while the Russians escorted the Ukrainians away from Russia. The Cerana has long adapted to varroa and are virtually not effected by them... the primorsky region is just outside of the livable boundaries of Cerana, during the late summer, the bees (Cerana and Ukrainian) met during foraging... thus the jump from Cerana to Mellifera... the Mellifera would have been easily wiped out if it were not for the terrible winters and short spurts of flow... thus breaking the brood cycle over and over and allowing the Ukrainian bees to adapt to multiple swarming while killing varroa over the winter... this climate and situation was much like a treated apiary today... in the fact that varroa levels were kept in check by something other than just the bees...
The spread of varroa into Russia was mostly due to the growth of the countries agriculture further towards the primorsky region... the Russians do not keep primorsky bees and actually look at them as "junk bees" for their excessive swarming and tiny clusters.
The largest spread of varroa on Mellifera came from the Philippines. Where both species were kept side by side.
Hope this helps.
I may should add that several strains of varroa exist across the globe... each one is an adaptation to its surroundings. Type (r), (j), and (ng) are the most noted, but current studies are showing that their adaptations are much more extensive and so many variations may actually exist.
This is important to keep in mind because as your bees are adapting, so are the mites... in time, the adaptation of the bees and mites alike may be able to move varroa from the destructor class, back to the parasite class, like has happened with Cerana... after all, it is the unbalance of both mite and Mellifera that causes them to destroy their hosts completely... not much good for their species either if all the bees are gone.
Just something to think about...
Where did the destructor class originate? Were they with Cerana or did they adapt as they came into contact with Melifera?
If destructor moved into an area of Melifera that were never treated, would they die out quickly (along with most bees) leaving only the parasite class that would balance?
"Wi, what did you learn about the man? Pretty interesting beekeeper, huh?? TED"
I learned that its pretty hard to find much literature on someone from Russia.
I would love to read some of his writings. He supposedly has around 60 articles published. I will be looking some more. I am sure his ideas and thoughts must be interesting. I would like to know how he made increase for one, if he reared queens, etc.
I searched the internet the past few days to see pictures of the different races of bees which has been discussed in the forum.
Most of the bees such as Carpathian, Macedonian, Ukranian, Russian, Cecropian and Bulgarian all looked pretty much the same as typical Carniolan. All had large dark body with grey to silver hair covering the body.
I guess it will be very hard to distingush them by visual examination only.


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Public Tours
Free tours of the permanent collection and current exhibitions take place every Saturday at 12.30pm, and every Sunday at 11.30am, 12.30pm and 1.30pm. The Saturday tour is a Family Tour, which will encourage families with children of all ages to discover our artworks.
See 'What's On' for the next public tour.
Free tours are available to Irish primary and secondary schools, but must be booked in advance. There is a charge for guided tours for schools from overseas.
Tá turais le fáil i nGaeilge, ach ní mór duit réamhfhógra maith a thabhairt dúinn, le do thoil.
These tours are for all parents, guardians and carers of infants and children. Tours take place on the 3rd Wednesday of each month at 2pm. See 'What's On' for the next New Parent's tour.
The Gallery regularly offers tours for the deaf and hearing impaired, the visually impaired and the blind.
Guided tours of the collection may be booked for private groups, schools and university groups, special interest groups and individuals. A minimum of 2 weeks notice is required. Bookings will be accepted up to 3 months in advance. Groups may choose a general tour or specify a theme in advance. There is a charge for private guided tours.
Have you ever thought of giving a member of your family or a friend a gift of a personal tour of the National Gallery of Ireland? This special gift gives the recipient the opportunity to view the Gallery's treasures guided by one of our team. Tour Gift Vouchers (Price: €50.00) are available from the Gallery Shop.
Please be aware that many artworks will not be on show during the Gallery's refurbishment programme. Guided tour group numbers may also be reduced to 15 or less in certain cases determined by environmental conditions in the gallery
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Tickets for 'Vermeer and the Masters of Genre Painting: Inspiration and Rivalry' now on sale. Opens 17 June.Find out more
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a place for zinesters - writers and readers
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Started this discussion. Last reply by The East Village Inky May 19, 2010.
Started this discussion. Last reply by Alex Wrekk Oct 30, 2009.
The Toronto Zine Library is run by a collective of zine readers, zine makers and librarians who are looking to make zines more accessible in Toronto. We believe that zines are still an important medium of communication, and that they should be cherished, protected, and promoted. Our aim to do this through our public collection of zines, conducting related workshops at our physical library and abroad, and by holding events that promote zines as a method of open communication and free expression.
We hope to see you at our events, or just browsing through our collection!
Physical location:
The Toronto Zine Library
2nd Floor, The Tranzac Club
292 Brunswick Ave., Toronto, ON.
{just south of Bloor St., & a few blocks West of Spadina Ave.}
Staffed hours:
Sundays 1-3pm
Tuesdays 6-8pm
Wednesdays 6-8pm
Mailing address for donations:
The Toronto Zine Library
c/o Patrick Emm
15 Thorndale Ave
Toronto, Ontario
Posted on February 25, 2012 at 9:35am 0 Comments 0 Likes
The Toronto Zine Library and Community Noise invite you to check out our benefit rockshow to raise funds for library upkeep.
The youth of Etobicoke play hardcore punk…Continue
Posted on June 28, 2011 at 12:00pm 0 Comments 0 Likes
Hey you! Remember that awesome zine you used to do? Well it's time for another issue already!
And you! Never done a zine before? No more excuses!
This July the Toronto Zine Library invites you, nay, challenges you to take part in our 2nd annual 24 Hour Zine Challenge. We'll provide the tools:…
Posted on May 17, 2011 at 5:00pm 0 Comments 0 Likes
Hey everyone! It's been a while since we've updated. Here's a quick rundown of what's happening at the TZL...
After some scheduling conflicts we are now resuming our regular staffed hours Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 6-8pm and Sundays from 1-3pm. If you have a large group or a research project or just can't make it any of those times we can sometimes arrange hours by appointment.
The library is gearing up for…Continue
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We invite you to take part in the First International Exhibition "ZINESHOW" in Ukraine. Participation is free. Any technique. Any theme and format. No return. Deadline: 15/04/2013. Exhibition on the blog http://zineshow.blogspot.com All works will be exhibited also in the gallery "tymutopiyapres" http://tymutopiyapres.blogspot.com is not a commercial gallery. Welcomed but not "necessarily" summary of your zine or about you or your creative work (this is necessary for further elucidation of the project and possible documentation). Zines for the exhibition please send air mail: "Zineshow" A/C 9875, Sadivnycha 19/1, 79038, Lviv, Ukraine.


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Orbital cellulitis is an acute infection of the tissues immediately surrounding the eye, including the eyelids, eyebrow, and cheek.
Orbital cellulitis is a dangerous infection with potentially serious complications.
Bacteria from a sinus infection (often Haemophilus influenzae) usually cause this condition in children. Orbital cellulitis due to this bacteria used to be much more common in young children up to age 6 - 7. However, such infection is now rare because of the HiB (Haemophilus influenzae B) vaccine.
The bacteria Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pneumoniae, and beta-hemolytic streptococci may also cause orbital cellulitis.
Orbital cellulitis infections in children may get worse very quickly and can lead to blindness. Immediate medical attention is needed.
Symptoms of orbital cellulitis may include:
Tests commonly include:
Other tests may include:
The patient usually needs to stay in the hospital. Treatment includes antibiotics given through a vein. Surgery may be needed to drain the abscess, or relieve pressure in the orbital space around and behind the eye.
An orbital cellulitis infection can get worse very quickly. The patient must be carefully checked every few hours.
With prompt treatment, the person can make a complete recovery.
Orbital cellulitis is an emergency that requires immediate treatment. Call your health care provider if there are signs of eyelid swelling, especially with a fever.
Receiving the HiB vaccine according to recommended schedules generally will prevent most haemophilus infections in children. Young children in the same household who have been exposed to this bacteria may receive antibiotics to prevent getting sick.
Proper detection and early treatment of sinus, dental, or other infections may prevent the spread of infection to the eyes.
Wald ER. Periorbital and orbital infections. In: Long SS, ed. Principles and Practice of Pediatric Infectious Diseases. 3rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Elsevier Churchill Livingstone; 2008:chap 89.
Olitsky SE, Hug D, Plummer LS, Stass-Isern M. Orbital infections. In: Kliegman RM, Behrman RE, Jenson HB, Stanton BF, eds. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 19th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2011:chap 626.
Durand ML. Periocular infections. In: Mandell GL, Bennett JE, Dolin R, eds. Principles and Practice of Infectious Diseases. 7th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Elsevier Churchill Livingstone; 2009:chap 114.


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that organization is an absolute EMBARRASSMENT ... I really find it amusing on multiple levels
Hmm... would we take Sanchez as a backup? Maybe in an actual football organization he might be serviceable in that regard.
I'm Commander Shepard, and this is my favorite team in the NFL.
I don't think it's the organization or even the talent surrounding him. IMO, his first two years were a fluke where they went to the AFCCG. I just did not feel the Jets were THAT good and felt they stumbled into it. And to hear them talk about them still in the running for the #8 spot in the playoff picture is an absolute joke. Even if they 'run the table' (I really hate that saying because commentators seem to love saying it this time of year), let's face it - the Jets do NOT deserve to be in the playoffs. They are NOT a playoff-caliber team. And Mark (lack of talent to throw to) is just too skittish and can't take the heat of NY. He's a CA boy and isn't built for what this town dishes out (like Eli did) They are a team with absolutely NO identity because their owner is more concerned with being on the back page of the Post and Daily News rather than winning football games. Mr. T. does not know how to draft talent and instead they waste their money bringing in Tebow for the sheer purpose or building their super-special-secret Wildcat offense around which must've been SO super secret because I never saw it. The ploy to bring TT in here under the guise of building an offensive juggernaut which was going to confuse defenses and have them running in circles backfired on them and now Rex has no choice but to use generated 'talking points' in interviews rather than answer point-blank about the success of the decision to bring Tebow in.
In my mind, the Jets will never be taken seriously until their owner (like JJ in Dallas) hands over the reigns to a competent GM who can draft well and a coach who believes in discipline. They hate playing second fiddle to the Giants and twice in the last five years following their SB wins the Jets pulled these stunts (5 years ago they brought in Favre, this year was Tebow) only to make the Jets relevant and get everyone talking about anything except the Giants winning the Superbowl.
The Giants may be boring compared to the Jets, but their concern isn't about media hype and splashy headlines. The only splashy headlines I want the Giants to make is on the back page of the first Monday in February. But even when the Giants win, it seems all WFAN can talk about is how dismal the Jets are. Their falling apart after the TT acquisition is more newsworthy than the Giants going about business as usual - and that's okay by me.
In a nutshell, Rex and Mr. T need a serious intervention by TC and J. Reese
I did specifically say backup. I.e., he holds a freaking clipboard (he seemed to be able to do that quite well yesterday)... Because as Broadway says, he's only good as a backup. We've had our own first round bust (Carr, who was #1 overall in 2002) as our backup for some time now... but he's getting super old. I'd also just love to see Sanchez as a Giant in camp just so he can demolish the Jets in the back end of the preseason game just to show up the Jets organization for what it is: a joke.
I'm Commander Shepard, and this is my favorite team in the NFL.
Last edited by Jet-Blue; 12-03-2012 at 04:37 PM.
Gawd no! Wouldn't want any Jet on the Giants contaminating us with the loser virus!


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55+ Driver Improvement Courses offered in area cities
The Minnesota Highway Safety Center will offer the following 55+ Driver Improvement four-hour refresher courses:
• Sept. 19: 5-9 p.m., Pequot Lakes School.
• Sept. 19: 5:30-9:30 p.m., Crosby-Ironton High School.
• Sept. 20: noon-4 p.m., Lutheran Church of the Cross, Nisswa.
• Sept. 23: 9 a.m.-1 p.m., Emily United Methodist Church, Emily.
• Sept. 27: noon-4 p.m., Pine River State Bank.
The Driver Improvement Course is open to the public; pre-registration is required. A Minnesota Highway Safety & Research Center certified instructor teaches this class.
By using the most up-to-date research in the field, participants will be provided the latest information in regard to driver safety, new laws and vehicle technology.
Fee for the four-hour refresher course is $20. For more information or to register, visit www.mnsafetycenter.org or call 888-234-1294.
People age 55 and older who complete the course qualify for a 10 percent discount on their auto insurance premiums for three years, according to Minnesota law. First-time participants must complete the initial eight hours of training and a four-hour refresher class every three years to maintain the discount.


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Hi all,
Im comming into my third year as a beek. Have two hives, one wooden one poly. Both with pierco frames. Had a modest honey crop this past year. (the poly hive was new this year.) Having a great time.
Looking forward to tapping into the collective knowledge of this forum.
I'm so glad that i stumbled upon it.


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WLUML calls for the immediate release of FEMEN activists, including Amina Tyler, and demands that the Tunisian government drop all charges. WLUML does not endorse FEMEN's tactics or specific platforms, but we find the imminent imprisonment of FEMEN activists for exercising their right to freedom of expression to be a violation of fundamental human rights. However we may feel about nude protest as a method, it is critical to defend the right of free expression, particularly in the post-dictatorship countries of the Middle East.
WLUML board member Karima Bennoune offers her valuable insight on the issue of radical jihad in the aftermath of Boston bombings.
Saudi Arabia has introduced a campaign aimed at tackling domestic violence against women in the kingdom. The King Khalid Foundation funds the campaign, which is a royal, family-run organization with clear ties to the Saudi government.
Local prosecutors are pursuing a statutory rape charge against 40-year-old restaurant manager Riduan Masmud, who allegedly had sex with the girl in a parked car outside the Sabah state capital Kota Kinabalu in February. The girl is now 13 and his defense is that he married her.
Mohammad Yazdi, a clerical member of Iran's Council of Guardians, a constitutional body responsible for ensuring that legislation adheres to Iran's Constitution, as interpreted by Iran's religious scholars and Islamic law, and for vetting presidential candidates has announced that Iranian laws "do not allow women to become presidents".
A senior female member of Imran Khan's Movement for Justice party (PTI) was shot dead outside her home in Karachi.
Not one bullet was fired, not one smoke bomb was dropped as scores of Muslims were attacked and some were burnt alive in Myanmar last week. The security forces just looked on. In a country where they routinely use brute force against political dissidents, villagers who protest land grabs and even monks, their passivity was sadly revealing.
If, as seems likely, Mr. Mohammad cannot repay his debt to a fellow camp resident a year from now, his daughter Naghma, a smiling, slender child with a tiny gold stud in her nose, will be forced to leave her family's home forever to be married to the lender's 17-year-old son.
The following is an exchange based on a recent Dissent article by Meredith Tax. To take part in the debate, you can visit Dissent's Facebook page. In her essay "An Expedient Alliance? The Muslim Right and The Anglo-American Left," noted feminist Meredith Tax makes a number of accusations. Most of them center on the Left's "support of the Muslim Right," which has in Tax's view "undermined struggles for secular democracy in the Global South." Tax argues that "left-wing alliances with fundamentalist groups" amount to a betrayal "of the majority of their co-religionists, who do not wish to be represented by extremists."
Once again we share unspeakable horror at the carnage against citizens, this time in AbbasTown, Karachi. Once again we express our condemnation and outrage. Once again we wonder how many more times we will do this before there is resolve to deal with religious militancy.


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The University of Colorado at Boulder will host the annual Big 12 Senior Student Affairs Officers Workshop June 2 through June 4.
The workshop for senior student affairs officers from the Big 12 conference gives school representatives an opportunity to get acquainted, exchange ideas and explore topics of mutual interest.
The CU-Boulder student affairs office will conduct the workshop covering such issues as meeting the needs of a diverse student body, collaboration with academic affairs, fund raising, greek affairs, strategic planning and program evaluation and assessment.
Additional sessions will include briefings by representatives of each university, round-table discussions and campus and facility tours.
Jean Kim, vice chancellor for student affairs, said, We are pleased to host the Big 12 workshop. It gives us an opportunity to showcase some of our facilities and programs as well as learn how our counterparts are handling current issues facing students.


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Posted by Nigel Fenwick on November 28, 2011
It's the perennial issue for many CIOs and often the No. 1 challenge for new CIOs: "How do I align IT with the business?" And while this is perhaps the most important challenge for IT groups struggling with a bad reputation across the business, it's certainly not the most important challenge for IT groups with a solid track record of success. For these teams, the challenge is how to move beyond alignment.
In the report Beyond Alignment: BT Strategic Planning, I highlight how critical it is for IT to help formulate business strategy. The research suggests that how a firm develops and manages business strategy is pivotal to the question of how IT can move beyond alignment. Unfortunately, there are a number of challenges with this:


text: Hey guys. Im new to the forum. I just purchased a 86 Chevy K-10. It has a 305 with a quadrajet. A 3 speed with overdive stick, and 3.73 gears. This truck is totally untouched and as stock as they come besides some dual exhaust. The truck has 101k on it. The truck is an 86 but was built in 85. This thing is really lacking on power which I figured it would. So my first question here is, what can I do to this thing. I know I can swap just about anything into it, but id rather not right now. My thought is to start eliminating the emisions stuff and put a open eliment air cleaner and headers on it for starters, What do you think about this? Any troubles I may run into? Thanks in advance. Brandon


text: 03 Jun 2016 Sacha Baron Cohen: best jokes and lines Previous slide Next slide 1 of 35 View All Skip Ad Sacha Baron Cohen, who was born on October 13, 1971, has created some of the best modern-day comic characters, including Ali G, Borat and Brüno. Here are his best lines. 100 jokes by 100 comedians Back to image


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St. Petersburg Wedding at Postcard Inn from Shipra Panosian PhotographyLet's talk about fabulously chic weddings for a moment, shall we? Fabulously chic weddings held at the always breathtaking Postcard Inn with enough crazy gorgeous DIY details to fill your entire Wednesday with pretty. Because that, my friends, is exactly what this is. A picture
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text:
Volume III
First Things First
What's New
- 2005 Nation's Report Card released;
- Secretary Spellings writes OP-ED piece on accountability;
- Assistant Secretary Luce answers questions for Ask the White House;
- OII's Office of Non-Public Education releases brochure on how private schools can become supplemental educational services providers;
- CharterAmerica is first weekly worldwide webcast on charter public schooling;
- AEI to sponsor conference on educational entrepreneurship; and
- Project GRAD cited in GAO report
- Fourth graders who attend charter schools are making strides in reading and math, plus information on
- Raising student achievement,
- Reading, and
- Technology
"First Things First" Starts with Student Achievement as the Goal
Weary after a day of work, Rosa Parks sat down at the front of a Montgomery, Alabama, bus and refused to give up her seat to a white man. Her decision, nearly 50 years ago, galvanized civil rights activists. The strong, yet demure lady passed away this week at the age of 92, but her contribution to the civil rights movement endures. In 1988, Mrs. Parks called on the public to carry on her legacy by bringing America's youth "peace, justice, equality, love, and a fulfillment of what [their] lives should be."
The No Child Left Behind Act focuses attention on the civil right of every young person to have a good education. Five years before the federal law, a reform initiative called First Things First began its mission to close the achievement gap. Developed in 1996 by the nonprofit Institute for Research and Reform in Education (IRRE), First Things First (FTF) works with districts and schools to meet state and federal education requirements. School districts that partner with FTF must commit to strengthening relationships among students, school faculty, and families; improving students' engagement in school by aligning coursework with rigorous state academic standards, and allocating resources such as time and space to achieve these goals.
FTF implements three strategies to achieve its goals: instructional improvement, a "Family Advocate System," and small learning communities. FTF focuses on improving teaching and learning at each school around three instructional goals: Engagement, Alignment, and Rigor (EAR). FTF schools strive to be places where students are engaged, emotionally, behaviorally, and cognitively, in their coursework; instructional leaders help teachers align lesson plans, materials, and assignments to reflect the academic standards from the district and the state; and teachers infuse rigor into their classroom practices so these standards are clear to each learner. FTF also keeps teams of teachers with the same students for multiple years in elementary school, all three years in middle school, and all four years of high school to provide better continuity in the learning experience.
Administrators and other instructional leaders visit classrooms and use a technology-based tool called "Measuring What Matters" to assess teachers' effectiveness in achieving engagement, alignment, and rigor in their classes. During these visits, administrators use multiple research-based indicators of each of the EAR instructional goals. These checklists are loaded onto personal data assistants (PDAs). Data from the PDAs are then compiled into reports that are used to guide instructional improvement at the individual teacher, content area, small learning community, and building levels.
The Family Advocate System aligns with the program's goal of strengthening relationships among students and faculty in participating schools. In the Family Advocate System, each faculty and staff member within an SLC is assigned to work with 15 to 20 students and their families for the entire time those students attend the school.
Family advocates have a number of responsibilities, for which they receive training and ongoing support. The first includes working with students during an assigned period at some point in the school day. Every FTF school sets aside time for students to meet with their advocates, although the frequency varies from school to school. The objectives of the meetings are the same across FTF sites. During each 30- to 60-minute session, advocates focus on getting to know the students individually and as a group, developing positive relationships, establishing a sense of community, and providing support so that the students can excel in school. Many advocates use this time for one-on-one conferences, while the rest of the group is involved in activities such as writing in journals or studying in pairs.
Advocates also are responsible for contacting students' families informally each month by telephone or mail and meeting face-to-face at least once per semester during conferences typically held at the school. During a semester conference, at which the student is present, the advocate speaks with the family about the student's accomplishments and the challenges he or she is facing, both in terms of behavior and academic performance. The advocate then works with the student and his or her family to create an "action plan" that outlines behavioral and academic goals. The advocate, student, and family members endorse this plan, which is used to guide discussion in future sessions and conferences. The plan is revised throughout the year based on the student's progress.
Finally, in the FTF framework, school buildings are divided into more manageable, close-knit units called small learning communities (SLCs). SLCs typically consist of 10 to 20 staff members and no more than 180 students at the elementary level, and 325 students at the middle and high school levels. At the secondary level, students take all of their core classes in their SLC, but they may venture out of their individual communities to engage in music, art, physical education, or other elective classes across communities. Students remain in their SLC for multiple years. For example, students stay in their SLC throughout all three years of middle school and all four years of high school.
Summer training institutes offer additional time for FTF staff to focus on instructional improvement, as well as to orient new faculty. Family advocates receive training during this time, and teachers learn instructional strategies that are designed to accelerate the progress of students who are struggling in subjects such as reading and math.
Currently, FTF is operating in 30 elementary schools, 13 middle schools, and 24 high schools in Kansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Pennsylvania, and Texas. Fourteen more high schools and four more middle schools in California, Pennsylvania, Florida, New Jersey, and Wisconsin will begin implementation next fall. Kansas City (KS) Public Schools was the first district to partner with FTF in 1998, placing the initiative in all 43 of its schools through a staggered process.
One of the most recent schools to join the First Things First family in Kansas City is Frank Rushton Elementary School. The school houses a diverse student body of approximately 46 percent Hispanic, 30 percent African American, 20 percent Caucasian, and 4 percent Asian students. Eighty-four percent of the students are economically disadvantaged, and many hail from areas as diverse as Mexico, India, China, Pakistan, Kenya, and the Caribbean. About twelve different languages are spoken at the school. The school has three small learning communities called the Red, White, and Blue Academies. Each academy contains kindergarten through fifth grade students and teachers. All teachers "loop" with their classes for two years. This strategy adds continuity to the program and allows teachers to devote more time to instruction once the students and parents are familiar with each other and with the teachers' expectations.
Last year, Frank Rushton met all targets for Adequate Yearly Progress determined by the state, and test scores show growth in achievement between 2004 and 2005. For example, in fifth grade reading, the percentage of all students scoring exemplary on the state reading achievement assessment rose six percentage points, with the percentage of African American students achieving at the exemplary level going from 0 percent to 4 percent and at the advanced level going from 0 percent to 25 percent. The percentage of Hispanic students reading at the exemplary level nearly doubled between 2004 and 2005.
Frank Rushton Elementary School's success mirrors results from a 2004 report from Youth Development Strategies, Inc. that examined FTF's impact on Kansas City schools. The report shows that elementary students in the district were 61 percent more likely to score proficient in 2002-2003 on the state reading test, as opposed to students in the rest of the state who were 8 percent more likely to score at that mark. Test scores on state math tests also improved after FTF was put into place. A more recent study from Manpower Demonstration Research Corporation shows that FTF results extend into Kansas City's middle and high schools as well. All middle schools improved reading and math scores over the eight years that FTF was implemented across the district. In the four high schools using FTF strategies, reading and math scores also increased. Attendance and graduation rates improved, and dropout rates decreased as well.
Nearly 50 years after Rosa Parks sat at the front of the bus, this country continues to grapple with providing its citizens, especially its youngest ones, with equal rights, namely, with equal access to a high-quality education. U.S. Secretary of Education Margaret Spellings has called improving American education the "moral imperative of the 21st century."
In 1999 the former Office of Educational Research and Improvement (OERI) at the U.S. Department of Education awarded IRRE a grant to expand First Things First into high schools in five locations: Kansas City, (KS); Houston, (TX); Riverview Gardens, (MO); as well as Shaw and Greenville, (MS). The initiative receives support from the Ford, Bill and Melinda Gates, Ewing Marion Kauffman, and William T. Grant Foundations.
- Institute for Research and Reform in Education (IRRE)/First Things First
- Frank Rushton Elementary School
- First Things First at Wyandotte High School, Kansas City, Kansas
What's New
From the U.S. Department of Education
National and state-by-state results of the 2005 Nation's Report Card in reading and mathematics, detailing fourth and eighth grade achievement on the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) have been released. Results show steady growth and gains by America's schoolchildren, particularly among younger and minority students. African-American and Hispanic fourth-graders posted the highest math and reading scores in the 15-year history of the test, and African-American and Hispanic eighth-graders posted the highest math scores yet. (Oct. 19)
U.S. Secretary of Education Margaret Spellings explained the value of testing and accountability in an OP-ED article in USA Today. She wrote, "Accountability assessments are valuable tools. They let students see the rewards of hard work...and parents know if their child's school is measuring up." Under No Child Left Behind, students in grades 3-8 are assessed annually, based on state academic standards. We are seeing results at the elementary school level, but "high school scores have barely budged," and "they need a boost." (Oct. 20)
Tom Luce, Assistant Secretary for Planning, Evaluation, and Policy Development, answered questions for Ask the White House, an online, interactive forum where the public can gain information from administration officials. Assistant Secretary Luce covered questions on NAEP results and closing the achievement gap. He also discussed tools available under No Child Left Behind to help spur student achievement. (Oct. 21)
Office of Innovation and Improvement
OII's Office of Non-Public Education, with support from the U.S. Department of Education's Center for Faith-Based and Community Initiatives, has developed a brochure with information on how private schools can become supplemental educational services providers. The free brochure can be ordered from ED Pubs under item number EU 0149H. (Oct. 21)
Charter Schools
CharterAmerica, the first weekly worldwide webcast dedicated to charter public schooling, was launched for back-to-school. The October 19 program welcomed charter school leaders who are passionate about arts-based schools. Another program focused on dual-language schools for deaf students (see Innovator, October 13, 2005 for article on Minnesota North Star Academy featured on the program). Sponsors of the program include Volunteers of America of Minnesota, Leadership for Educational Entrepreneurs, and the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools. (Oct. 19)
The American Enterprise Institute will sponsor a conference on educational entrepreneurship on November 14 in Washington, DC. The conference will cover why entrepreneurship matters, what risks are associated with it, and how to participate. Speakers will present research and practical guidance for entrepreneurs and policymakers interested in opportunities in the education marketplace. (Oct. 19)
The OII grantee, Project Grad (see Innovator, March 8, 2004), was cited along with First Things First (see feature) in the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) report PDF (5MB), to Congress as a program that shows potential for improving graduation rates. The report on what education can do to help states better define and enhance graduation rates said that Project GRAD-Atlanta officials noted higher test scores and increased college attendance as indicators of the success of the program. (Sept. 2005)
Innovations in the News
Charter Schools
According to the National Alliance of Public Charter Schools, 4th graders who attend charter schools are making strides in reading and math, based on the results of the 2005 National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP). NAEP test results show that low-income and minority charter school students, in particular, are making gains. [More-U.S. Newswire] (Oct. 19)
Educational providers such as Michigan-based National Heritage and New York City-based Mosaica and Edison Schools are expanding into Ohio. Mosaica opened nine schools in Ohio this fall and is implementing its signature academic model: a strong liberal arts curriculum administered to students through technology and individualized learning plans. The schools also will have a longer school day and academic year to reinforce students' learning. A recent study from WestEd found that Mosaica students surpassed their expected academic growth rates by over 17 percent. [More-The Plain Dealer] Oct. 17 (see also the Innovator, Sept. 8, 2003)
Raising Student Achievement
Engineering is a recent addition to the curriculum of some Massachusetts' high schools. Students apply the principles of civil, mechanical, and electrical engineering in hands-on science experiments as they build various inventions. The new curriculum is part of the broader effort to introduce more students to careers in engineering. Today, over 100 of the 316 high schools in the state offer engineering and are preparing students to take the new engineering and technology MCAS exam. While the test does not currently count towards graduation, it will be one of the four science tests that students must pass to graduate starting in 2010. [More-The Boston Globe] (Oct. 15)
Reading Is Fundamental (RIF), an OII grantee, made the first "Gift of Reading" awards to four individuals and one company for their support of children's literacy. The awardees are Rebeca Maria Barrera, founder of the National Latino Children's Institute; Tennessee Governor Phil Bredesen; Hugh B. Price, former president and CEO of the National Urban League; James E. Rohr, chairman and CEO of the PNC Financial Services Group; and the Committee for Economic Development. The honorees endorse ideas such as access to preschool, having reading material in the home, and parents reading daily to their children. [More-Hispanic Business] (Sept. 27)
Capital One has teamed up with RIF through a three-year $1.25 million grant. RIF will use the funding for the Family of Readers program, which provides free books, parent workshops, and literacy resources to at-risk students from birth through eight years of age and their families at locations across the country. [More-Corporate Social Responsibility] (Sept. 28)
Students enrolled at Clement Middle School (CA) are using iPods to help them with their reading. Books are recorded onto the portable MP3 players. This enables students to read along in a book while the audio plays on their earphones. While tapes and CDs make it difficult to go back to earlier parts of the story, the iPod makes it easy to repeat dialogue or sections of interest. With the help of the iPod, students learn the pronunciation of new words and read books at their own pace. [More San Bernardino Sun] (Oct. 18)
Students at Rea Elementary School (CA) are enrolled in the Read 180 project a new program that uses technology to improve the reading, speaking, and writing skills of students who are below grade level. This fall, Rea became the first elementary site in the Newport-Mesa Unified School District to implement the Read 180 program for students struggling with English. Classrooms consist of three stations: a row of computers where students engage in reading and writing activities, a table for independent reading, and another table where students do exercises with the teacher. [More- The Daily Pilot (The article is available from the Daily Pilot online archives for a fee)] (Oct. 18)
Last Modified: 08/12/2009


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Reviewed By Lee S (Lodi, NJ) Reviewed for a 2014 Toyota Tundra —2/19/2016 7:49 AM
Installed this about 2 weeks ago. Running the wire and air hoses was the biggest time consumer of project. Mounted pump in cab becuase I did t think it would hold up to the weather under the truck. There was just enough wire and hose to complete the job. ( had 3' left over so be careful). I don't care for the fuse connector for the power but it does work. I can Raise the level of the bed about 2". My recommendation it to make a good plan as to where you will be mounting and running all pa


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Pathetic: Jarrett backtracks from Fox News bias claim when asked about MSNBC
posted at 6:26 pm on October 27, 2009 by Allahpundit
Credit CNN here. Not only did Campbell Brown follow up with a question about MSNBC after this sorry hack went into Fox-bashing mode but CNN.com actually posted a write-up noting her lame retreat when confronted. Say, did you know that the White House is "calling everybody out," not just Fox News? Keep watching those Sunday morning chat shows; I'm sure Axelrod and Emanuel will be on again soon to lay out their arguments against CNN and MSNBC.
The money line? "We're going to speak truth to power." The ultimate expression of self-righteous victimhood, offered here by … a senior advisor to the most powerful man on earth.
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FBI illegally shared surveillance data on Americans with unauthorized third parties and federal contractors
- Ed Driscoll
- Speaking truth to power « The Truth in Black and Right
- The New Editor
- Another White House Fox News whiner – Valerie Jarrett (then cowardly backtracks) | Fire Andrea Mitchell!
- The WyBlog
- A tired phrase jumps the shark « Internet Scofflaw
- GayPatriot » Obama Flack's Telling Comment about Speak "Truth to Power"
- Ironic Surrealism v3.0 » Peeing Their Pants in Fear of Fox News' Success Media Matters Debuts a New Video "Rise Of The Conservative Media"
- Why is White House fighting Fox News? - Politics and Other Controversies - Page 38 - City-Data Forum
- DBKP - Death By 1000 Papercuts - DBKP
- Michelle Malkin » Look who called out Fox News-basher Valerie Jarrett
- Are Some MSM's FINALLY Waking Up? LOOK who called out Fox News-basher Valerie Jarrett « Romanticpoet's Weblog
- The Snooper Report
- "Big Tent" Plague: AZ GOP Tool David Smith Goes After Bloggers | Stephen Kruiser
- danielsaltman
- www.editedforbias.com » WH Jarrett ….backpedal
- Valerie Jarret Get's Punked on CNN for attacking FOX News « VotingFemale Speaks!
- Hey Valerie Jarrett? Here's some Bias! Go Declare War On It! snicker sincker « VotingFemale Speaks!
- Weekly Roundup - Seton Hall College Republicans
- I Am Skeptical « Faux Populi


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- Ombre Mariner Throw $59
- Awning Stripe Throw $59
- Cozy Blanket $79 – $99
- Diamond Organic Blanket $79 – $129
- Jorden Wool Blanket $159 – $179 Sale $126.99 – $142.99
- Monogrammable Throw $59
- Spacedyed Mohair Throw $39
- Herringbone Mohair Throw $69
- Faux Sheepskin Throw $99
- Hayden Organic Blanket $89 – $109
- Ribbed Knit Throw $79
- Down Blanket $149 – $169
- Polar Loft Blanket $139 – $159
- Organic Patchwork Knit Throw $129
- Essential Cozy Throw $49
- Solid Faux Mohair Oversized Throw $69 Sale $39.99 – $69
- Faux Fur Oversized Throw - Chinchilla $199
- Alpaca Faux Fur Oversized Throw $199
- Ruched Faux Fur Oversized Throw - Gray $249
- Ruched Faux Fur Oversized Throw - Taupe $249
- Faux Fur Oversized Throw - Gray Ombre $199
- Faux Fur Oversized Throw - Caramel Ombre $199
- Cozy Cable Knit Throw $129 Sale $79.99 – $129
- Faux Fur Throw $129 – $249
- Ruched Faux Fur Throw - Ivory $149
- Ruched Faux Fur Throw - Taupe $149
- Ruched Faux Fur Throw - Gray $149
- Faux Fur Throw - Chinchilla $129
- Faux Fur Throw - Caramel Ombre $129
- Faux Fur Throw - Gray Ombre $129
- Faux Fur Ruched Oversized Throw - Ivory $249
- Alpaca Faux Fur Throw $129
A throw and blanket is a household staple, and purchasing the right one can make it a household favorite. When purchasing a throw, make sure you are keeping the look and style of your space in mind. The fabric and color you choose needs to fit with your overall decor. Many people tend to air on the side of a solid color throw, but make your throw experience fun by finding patterns. Your room deserves it!
A throw can serve many purposes and there are tons to choose from. Here are seven suggestions to finding just the right throw or blanket for any room.
1) A throw or blanket make great accessories. A colored blanket can add that pop of personality to a boring bedroom, or soften up flat texture. Try adding a fleece or sherpa throw over a polyester bedspread for extra dimension.
2) Blankets make great gifts for all ages. From a baby to an adult, everyone likes to cuddle up against soft fabric. You can't go wrong with a solid neutral color that's machine washable. And when in doubt, it never hurts to purchase a throw that's hypoallergenic.
3) Blankets can act as accessories outside the bedroom as well. Throw a bold color over a boring, sand colored chair to give it a little life. This with a matching pillow ties in your desired color or theme. Don't be afraid to play around with color. Ombre is a popular style and can break up solid colors that need variety. And you can always find some cool patterns that have an accent of your current color that helps introduce a more bold one.
4) Experiment with soft fabrics and consider what level of weight you'd prefer for your throw. If you live in a cold environment, you'll want a thicker throw - cowhide provides great warmth and makes a bold fashion statement in any room. If you'd like something light and airy, try a bamboo or polyester blend.
5) Make your throws personalized by adding monogram stitching. Because throws can be a real keepsake, people will love having something that is personal to them.
6) Experiment with layers. Find colors that mix and match and layer them on top of each other for a decorative effect. Think outside the box, try placing a luxurious herringbone throw in a basket.
7) A lot of throws have matching pillows, so take advantage. Pillows are the ultimate staple for decorating a room, so allow yourself to find a great statement fabric, like chenille, and your favorite color to spread throughout the room. If everything is a solid color and you're wanting something seasonal and modern, try using patterns that incorporate your room's dominate color in a subtle way.


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Town Square
Le Petit Bistro
Original post made by nat, Midtown, on Apr 12, 2007
The snails had very little garlic and were pretty tastless, just oily.
The duck was dried out and hard to chew and was flavorless.
The vegetables consisted of a little bit of mashed potatoes and some ordinary veggies one gets anywhere, nothing interesting.
The crepes were the special of the night. They were filled with raw apples and strawberries with a little whipped cream and a dab of chocolate sauce was added on top. I couldn't even eat it after two bites. I've had fruit filled crepes before and expected partially cooked fruit and added flavoring. This was like taking a tortilla and wrapping it around just cut apples and strawberries with no sauce. The bit of whipped cream didn't help. The entire thing was dry.
Perhaps this was an off night. However, I recommend avoiding this restaurant.
I hope this review is added to the others on this restaurant.
a resident of another community
on Apr 13, 2007 at 1:46 am
I could not disagree more, Le Petit Bistro is a fabulous restaurant, with excellent French cuisine. When I had dinner there, owner and chef Jean Michel prepared the salmon especially for us without the puff pastry and added asparagus spears. The salmon was prepared perfectly and was delicious.
I have to ask the resident from Midtown what is wrong with raw apples and strawberries - does everything have to be cooked with added artificial flavorings? I had the fruit dish which, after the salmon, complimented my palate perfectly.
Le Petit Bistro is a rare thing today, a genuine French restaurant. Maybe the resident from Midtown should eat at highly spiced Italien or Mexican restaurants because that's obviously the kind of food he likes. I personally prefer the nuance of fine French cuisine.
I thoroughly recommend Le Petit Bisto and, if you like fine French cooking, this is the place to go.
a resident of Crescent Park
on Apr 13, 2007 at 3:13 am
Is the original poster the same person who posted at least two other reviews of other restaurant at the same time? He or she seems to be positive on Cafe Sophia and negative on other restaurants. Perhaps an employee or owner?
a resident of Midtown
on Apr 13, 2007 at 2:28 pm
I'm not an employee, just a occasional customer, of Cafe Sofia.
I've had great French food both abroad and in California. I love French food. However, the restaurants I liked closed years ago; I don't even remember their names, except for Pear Williams the original.
I liked Le Petit Bistro years ago too. Last year, it was merely disappointing but still pretty satisfactory. This past April 7 it was awful. Perhaps there was a substitute chef. Obviously, one had to know what to order. In a good restaurant, that should not be the case; everything should be good.
A crepe which is dry and tasteless is not a crepe. Real liquor in some kind of sauce (no artificial flavoring) usually helps. Fruit which is not totally raw or which is of excellent quality is also a help. The apple was not in slices, but in CHUNKS and not sweet.
When were you last there Brigit?
By the way, your post is in twice.
That happened to me once and I brought that to the attention of the webmaster so the second one could be removed.
a resident of another community
on Apr 20, 2007 at 8:50 pm
Tonight (April 20th) we again had a delicious dinner at "Le Petit Bistro". I ate a perfectly prepared coq au vin with just enough "vin" to enhance the flavor of the "coq". My partner had the Coquille St. Jacques which he said was delicious. My desert was a bowl of fresh fruit which I thoroughly enjoyed. Or, as Natalie describes it, fruit which is totally raw.
We had a thoroughly satisfying dinner - excellently prepared, and again I can only say: Try this fine French restaurant, you'll like it!!


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someone posted that already sang, where have you been?
Check this guy out! He is too much!
someone posted that already sang, where have you been?
He is screaming like a little girl!!! I think that he is definately in touch with his feminine side!! Funny as sh*t!!!!
Originally Posted by scheistermeister
I've had my head down in board affairs too much. Someone at work showed me this morning.
that was soooo freakin hilarious!!!!!!!!!! everyone, you gotta watch this one...the awesome part is that the joke is on a peta member!Originally Posted by SangRun Hunter
"The friendliness and charity of our countrymen can always be relied upon to relieve their fellow citizens in misfortune.... Federal aid in such cases encourages the expectation of paternal care on the part of the Government and weakens the sturdiness of our national character...." -- President Grover Cleveland
Teach a man to fish, but if he'd rather turn around and steal your catch, shoot him.
What a fuggin' homo. How'd he survive childhood?
I'm sure they had to pic and choose who they played that joke on!!!!!
If that were me I would have drop kicked the "little man" across the room.
And then hauled arsh!
Always consider potential Allies. Never dismiss that they may be the enemy until proven otherwise. Be careful how you hold both; You could turn one into the other. (63DH8)
There will always be a large group of people that will be preyed upon, consumed by predators just like in a school of fish.
Some fish don't venture out into the deep water, others do so only when they've developed big teeth, but most just swim along looking at how blue the water is.(GN Member)


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The sixth generation of the BMW 5 Series Sedan (F10) was produced from 2011 - 2016 with LCI updates arriving in 2014. In the US BMW offered a hatchback 5 Series Gran Truismo (F07) and the rest of the world also go a Station Wagon/Touring version F11.
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F10 xDrive
For those who did not see it on the home page.
Now to see what options are available to order.
Pess Release:
Pricing Announced for 2011 BMW 5 Series xDrive Sedan Models
535i xDrive and 550i xDrive to arrive in October 2010.
Woodcliff Lake, NJ June 18, 2010 Just as BMW enthusiasts across the nation begin taking delivery of the new 2011 535i and 550i Sedans, BMW is pleased to announce pricing and availability for the xDrive variants of the sixth-generation 5 Series. Arriving in October 2010, the 2011 535i and 550i xDrive Sedans will retail for $52,775 and $62,875, respectively, including $875 Destination and Handling. These prices represent a $2300 premium over their traditional rear-wheel drive counterparts.
For the new 5 Series, xDrive intelligent all-wheel drive has been updated to match the performance and character of the 7 Series xDrive models introduced last year. BMWs Integrated Chassis Management (ICM) is able to identify and limit understeer by shifting torque rearward (initially 80% to the rear axle) while preserving the stability for which xDrive has been so widely recognized. As a second step, ICM can then apply a precise combination of throttle and individual rear-corner braking in order to maintain neutral handling in a corner regardless of road surface conditions.
Every BMW xDrive model receives standard Hill Descent Control. This selectable function allows the driver to descend slopes in extremely slippery conditions while maintaining control at a pre-set speed.
Additionally, all 2011 5 Series xDrive models feature BMWs 8-speed automatic transmission, celebrated for smooth shifting, sportiness, and efficiency. Compared to the excellent 6-speed automatic in the previous-generation 5 Series, the 8-speeds wider spread of ratios allows the engine to run at lower speeds for improved efficiency. Yet even with this capability, the steps between adjacent gears are reduced; this means a stronger, smoother flow of power during acceleration. To minimize response times and maximize acceleration, downshifts can be made directly between top gear and the lowest available gear for the current road speed.
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A highly advanced version of the basic tea bag manoeuvre where the executer performs a traditional Slavic dance whilst dipping his ball bag in and out of the recipient's mouth.
I was tea bagging her and I thought - hey i'm gonna involve the Cossack.
by Beastman and Skeletor March 20, 2008


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1 Game of the week
Bulldogs v Storm
Not a tough one to pick this week. The two best sides have made it through, so count that as a success for a new finals system that rewarded higher finishing teams with home advantage. As an aside, the impact of the new system on the Warriors wasn't as great as some predicted.
2 Wrestle-mania
The key to the Bulldogs' chances isn't called Des or Ben, or even Michael. No, according to our friends at the Daily Tele it's a man called Nevel - the club's wrestling coach. Marcos Nevel, who became a Brazilian ju-jitsu master studying under the famous Gracie family, was appointed Bulldogs wrestling coach late last year. "Over the past 10 or 12 months, I can see the improvement in their defence," says Nevel. Best keep an eye out for those rear naked chokes, guillotines and Achilles ankle locks then.
3 The other Inu
Discarded Warrior Krisnan Inu isn't the only player in Sunday's grand final to be plucked from the scrapheap. Unwanted by Wayne Bennett at Newcastle, Cairns-born Tonga prop Richard Fa'aoso was given a lifeline midway by Storm coach Craig Bellamy. Fa'aoso hasn't been quite as successful as Inu - he has played just five games and hasn't scored a try - but he will get a run out on Sunday as a replacement for injured prop Jason Ryles.
4 Bringing out the best
Servicing the beast at grand final time tends to bring out the, er, best in the game's media. A couple of great yarns that have caught Set of Six's eye this week: "Des Hasler says the tough road to the finals will hold the Bulldogs in good stead"; and Bulldogs skipper Michael Ennis says the club's win over Melbourne earlier in the season will "count for nothing". Tomorrow - "It's going to be a big game," says the Storm's match-day coach driver.
5 GF relationship bust up exclusive
In other ripping news, Billy Slater has revealed his relationship with the club's physio is in tatters. Once close, the pair now barely make eye contact in the car park. "It's not an issue for the physio," said a stoic Slater. "I don't even see the physio any more. I just make sure I recover well and manage my own training. If I need to sit out a set here and there, I do that." No word from the physio about being to left to feel Slater's cold shoulder instead of his sore knee.
6 Money talks
It's probably just a negotiating tactic but Craig Bellamy has revealed he will leave the Storm if the club don't match his salary expectations when he renegotiates his contract. "People say it's not about the money," said Bellamy. "It might not be at the top of the list, but it's probably second. It's the same for players. I don't know how much longer I will go on, but I won't be going another 10 years, or even five. You want to do the best you can; that's how I am thinking. The next contract will be my last." Hello Craig, it's Owen here ...