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November is a month that sees more beauty on the ground than in the sky. Weatherwise it's never been one of my favourite months - and based on web ratings it would appear many New Zealanders agree.
The daily ratings at WeatherWatch.co.nz have, for every November that we've been operating, seen a slight drop off in visitors and a definite drop in peaks (the peaks come from severe weather events). This backs up my theory that November is a "bland" transition month from winter into summer.
September and October are stormier with big extremes in temperatures and wind across the two months, but November is a different month. If spring was a lifetime then November would be the golden years - it may not be quite as full on, but many would argue it's the best time of all.
Gardens are in full flower, lawns are green and rich and growing like mad across a number of regions, daytime highs are about average and the nights, while a little cooler - especially south of Auckland - have been good for sleeping in according to many I've spoken to.
November is a great month really. It reflects the beautiful part of spring. The time when the equinox storms have eased and when gardens are growing, insects are buzzing and birds are swooping.
I'm from a family of gardeners, going right back to my first ancestors who arrived in New Zealand and lived in Tawa in the 1800s. So spring is one of the times my eyes shift from the sky to the ground - watching bulbs burst through the soil, flowers opening up to express their loud colours as grass, along with most other plants, experiences a surge in new green growth.
After returning from three weeks away in the United States and Canada, the very first thing I noticed when I drove home from the airport was just how spectacularly colourful things are here.
It doesn't even have to be spring ... even in winter New Zealand is colourful compared to most other nations. I put this down to less pollution more than anything.
But no matter how you look at it, summer is coming. El Nino looks less likely, which means a summer that has a "mix of everything" is far more likely in my view - which would match every other season this year.


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Job seekers fear gov. shutdown
IDAHO FALLS, Idaho - The Idaho Department of Labor hosted their job fair Tuesday. Although the fair was geared toward former INL workers, the fair received interest from industries as well.
The department expected a turn out of about 250 job seekers, but a over 300 people looking for work filled the fair. Many believe the high attendance was a result of the partial government shut down, leaving them in fear.
Employers were surprised to see both current and former government employees like Jenay McIntier searching for employment. She got a fresh start on the hunt for jobs after feeling the backlash of recent government turmoil.
"My last day at my job was yesterday," said McIntier. "You know having to split my time between work and trying to find a job, I've been struggling to do that."
Other job seekers and government employees said they were struggling as well. Many said they are considering a complete career change or leaving the workforce all together.
"Probably for the first time in my adult working years I'm thinking maybe I'll just stay home and concentrate on family," said McIntire.
Unfortunately not everyone has the option of taking a time-out from the employment race, and many say they are looking for more than just another job, perhaps one with training.
Labor liaison Denise McDonald said people searching a new career must be willing to give it time. Experts say learning a different career could be a lot easier than trying to mismatch skills with a job that many are not properly educated for. More accessible jobs may provide on-the-job training that McDonald said people could get from apprenticeships.
"You're basically being trained on the job site by a journeyman worker that's going to be working with you throughout your whole training period."
In the midst of a jeopardizing political climate and the need for work, McDonald says there aren't many other career-changing options that will keep workers from starting at poor-paying entry-level positions.
Although people were focused on finding employment, the fair also prepared people for the hunt with resume critiques and interviewing skills.

subset: commoncrawl


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When an online merchant or service provider seemingly disappears after failing to hold up his end of the deal.
"I paypal'd that guy on eBay his fifteen bucks three weeks ago, I haven't gotten the merchandise and he's not answering my email. I'm getting nothing but webair."
by Lingster July 06, 2005


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About Washington State Carry Permits:
They must issue you one if your record is clear, you submit the required fingerprints, and you pay the fees. Oh, yeah...and you have to have been a state resident for (I believe) one year.
The "which PD to go to" question, therefore, hinges upon which one will give you an assured appointment to take your fingerprints (because the fees are all the same).
Up here in the islands, permit fingerprints are taken only one day a week. Walk-ins are OK, but they prefer to know that you're coming. They don't do the job during lunch time.
That's all I know.


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French Federation UEFA "B" Licence
French National Degre of Sport Education Level 1&2
Triangle United (2010-present)
Carolina Soccer (2009-2010)
Texas FC ( Jan 2009-Jul 2009)
Director of Soccer Club Lunel (France 2004-2007)
Carolina Railhawks U23- Men's Asst. Coach
Former Professional Soccer Player (France)
USSF "A" License
USSF National Youth License
NSCAA Premier Diploma
NSCAA Director of Coaching Diploma
Asst. Coach of the Raleigh Flyers
Head Coach of F.C. Raleigh United Adult team
Staff Coach for CASL
Staff Coach for FVAA
Director of Coaching, Goldstar SC
Player for UNC Chapel Hill
Pro player with the Raleigh Flyers
Ravenscroft Sports Hall of Fame
Founder of Soccer Dome America (now XL Soccer World) - Triangle's first Indoor Soccer Facility
USSF National "B" License
NSCAA GK Diploma
Played Club for D/CH Strikers


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Business process management
BPM Specialists, Inc. has joined Ernst & Young LLP, expanding its business process management capabilities
BPM Specialists, Inc., a leading provider of business process management technology services, has joined EY. BPM Specialists, Inc. (BPMS) focuses on building enterprise systems, in particular configuring Pega software applications for Fortune 500 companies. Ernst & Young LLP will now become one of the top Pega services providers and EY one of the only organizations to offer a complete end-to-end lifecycle service capability.
The transaction demonstrates EY's long-term strategy of continuing to grow its integrated business and technology service offerings to financial services organizations. Business process management services help clients streamline and improve business processes and manage their operational risk in order to improve overall efficiency, cost savings and their competitive advantage.
This acquisition further strengthens EY's advisory practice as a major player in providing performance improvement, risk consulting and business transformation services.
About BPM Specialists, Inc.
BPM Specialists, Inc., headquartered in Alpharetta, GA, was founded in 2007 and helps clients develop and implement end-to-end enterprise Pega business process management applications. The company is a Pega Gold Alliance partner dedicated to improving the efficiency and cost effectiveness of large enterprises that have invested heavily in Pega. BPM Specialists, Inc's primary offering is high-end US-based Pega expertise, with a concentration on Pega architecture, development, business analysis, testing and support services.


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The act of inhaling gas and alcohol released from fermenting dough. The standard method of dough hits is by punching the dough and sticking one's head in the receptacle as the gas is released.
"John received a tidy out-of court settlement from Pizza Hut after he split his head open when losing consciousness from dough hits."
by Eldrecko2000 August 20, 2007


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she loves roses and is a strong lover. when she loves someone, she loves hard. she always smells beautiful just like a flower. floreira is very unique just like her name. hard headed and stubborn but means no harm. she believes there is good in everyone. secretly she is a cat, loves to play rough during sex. careful, she scratches.
by alwaystheoneforyou December 02, 2013


text: Short answer is no, we were not gracing the halls of the research foundation. To my knowledge, Russell never claimed to have bees in NY, so I dont think that we were set up to back up claims of bees in multiple states. i think Russell suckered us into jumping in and bailing him out of numerous orders that he never shipped.


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Looking for Rexton hearing aids in Springfield? We've got you covered! Over the past few years, Hearing Tracker has helped thousands of people find the high-quality hearing help they need. Browse over 2 hearing centers that work with Rexton near Springfield. Hearing Tracker is independently owned and operated.
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1920s Elegance with a Modern Update
Kennedy Mansion Bed & Breakfast • Tulsa, OK
Escape Kit
- A One-Night Stay for Two in the Gilcrease or Osage Rooms ($89)
- Or, a One-Night Stay for Two in a Country Club or Presidential Suite with In-Room Gourmet Breakfast and a Three-Course Dinner from Vitters Catering ($231)
- Combine Vouchers to Stay Up to Five Nights
The Destination
Take Art Deco glam and marry it with rustic Southwestern charm, and you've got Tulsa, Oklahoma—a city that's a delightful amalgam of urban chic and downhome American soul. Cowboy hats and spurs aside—and there are plenty—Tulsa is something of an artistic haven. From the Tulsa Ballet to the antique shops, art galleries, or farmers' market of Cherry Street and the bustling nightlife of the Blue Dome District, the city overflows with cultural options that play second fiddle only to a taste of chicken-friend steak at one of the area's renowned restaurants.
The Digs
Dripping with 1920s-era nostalgia with all the comforts of a modern hotel, the historic Kennedy Mansion Bed & Breakfast sets the stage for a romantic stay awash in period-style ambience—think: queen-size beds with lacy trim, hardwood floors, broad window frames, and extra-long antique soaking tubs for your pleasure. With breakfast-in-bed options and lush, ivy-laden grounds to lose yourself in, this place is the epitome of romance.
"Filled with warmth, hospitality, relaxation, and has a great location. The owners opened their doors and hearts in every way. The breakfast menu is a wonderful way to start each morning. The Kennedy Mansion is rich in history and quite a unique place."-- BedandBreakfast.com
escapes 30-day promise
LivingSocial gives you up to 30 days to return your unused voucher for a full refund. Once you've made a reservation, you are subject to the merchant's cancellation and refund policy. If you want to secure your preferred dates of travel, we strongly recommend that you complete reservation with the merchant within 30 days of your purchase—after that, LivingSocial will not issue any refunds.
the fine print
- Limit 5 per purchaser, additional as gifts
- Up to five (5) vouchers may be combined to extend stay
- Reservations required; subject to availability
- Not valid on group or existing reservations
- Merchant cancellation/re-scheduling policy applies; voucher subject to forfeiture
- Based upon double occupancy
- Sales tax not included and will be collected at redemption
- All deal components must be redeemed during one stay
- Voucher cannot be combined with any other discounts, vouchers, or gift certificates
- Other conditions apply • PAID AND PROMOTIONAL VALUES EXPIRES ON August 31, 2013 • PAID VALUE DOES NOT EXPIRE • PAID VALUE EXPIRES ON August 31, 2018 • PROMOTIONAL VALUE EXPIRES ON August 31, 2013 • Enjoy By August 31, 2013
Other conditions apply
Except where noted in the fine print:
• Cannot be combined with any other offer or promotion
• Tax and gratuity are not included
• Merchant is responsible for the quality of the products or services provided to you at redemption
• LivingSocial Terms and Conditions - https://www.livingsocial.com/terms
Original Price:
- 0% savings
- remaining


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You are here
Safety Tips
Heatstroke Prevention for Babies
Car safety for babies goes beyond car seats. Here are a few more things to keep in mind when your baby is in and around cars.
Top Safety Tips
- Heatstrokeis the leading cause of non-crash, vehicle-related deaths for children, and it can happen to anyone.
- Avoid this tragedy by remembering to do these three things:
- Avoidheatstroke-related injury and death by never leaving your child alone in a car, not even for a minute. And make sure to keep your car locked when you're not in it so kids don't get in on their own
- Createreminders by putting something in the back of your car next to your child such as a briefcase, a purse or a cell phone that is needed at your final destination. This is especially important if you're not following your normal routine
- Take action.If you see a child alone in a car, call 911. Emergency personnel want you to call. They are trained to respond to these situations. One call could save a life.


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Moderators: Three Stars, dagny, pfim, netwolf
Rylan wrote:The doomed man simply smiled a wry smile and simply said, "I wouldn't do that."
The attackers, taken aback by this apparently unflappable pirate, recognized who they were dealing with and backed off.
redwill wrote:When I postedredwill wrote:The simple, true fact is that I am Sir Henry Morgan, and I am green.
I was telling the truth. I was honestly trying to help the village. (Granted, that would have changed )
Willie Kool wrote:Please accept my apologies for questioning your honor, sir.
redwill wrote:Oh, and may I add, WK, that your observations exposing me were some of the most brilliant moves I've ever seen in a Warz game. I said to myself at the time that if WK wasn't the real angel -- i.e., if you didn't really know I was not the angel and were just a blue solving a puzzle -- that I would admit to being in awe.
Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 1 guest


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In a year that finds most top-tier politicians promising jobs, jobs, and more jobs, independent gubernatorial candidate Lincoln Chafee is betting his political future on a different message: trust me.
The campaign has planted thousands of "Trust Chafee" signs in Rhode Island lawns. The bumper stickers — white text stamped on blue-and-green ovals — are de rigueur in Warwick and on the East Side of Providence.
The logo sits atop the chafeeforgovernor web site and appears, with a flash, at the end of campaign commercials.
There's a certain logic to the appeal. The family name gleams with an upright, Yankee patina that dates back to the earliest days of Rhode Island. And the candidate's father John Chafee, a well-regarded governor and senator, ran as "the man you can trust."
Chafee's own tenure as a Senate Republican was marked by high-profile opposition to the Bush Administration on the Iraq War and tax cuts. And after he lost his re-election bid in 2006, he quit the GOP and endorsed Barack Obama for president, cementing a reputation for principled independence.
"Chafee," says Providence College political scientist Tony Affigne, "may be one of the few politicians in the country, and certainly the only one in Rhode Island, who can put up 'Trust Me' lawn signs credibly."
But with voters so intently focused on the economy, one big question hangs over the campaign: is trust enough?
It's a Tuesday afternoon and the candidate, his collar a bit askew, is making the rounds at the East Providence Senior Center: a stop at the card table, a brief tour of the workout room, and off to the cafeteria.
Chafee, who served as Warwick mayor before moving to the Senate, has never been particularly skilled in retail politics. He is soft-spoken. Sweet, but a bit awkward. Some of the seniors seem eager to engage, but he can manage just a few wooden lines in response — "I'm working hard" or "moving Rhode Island forward."
Whatever his shortcomings as campaigner, though, it is clear that Chafee can draw on a remarkable reservoir of good will: "God bless you," says one man, "we need an honest politician."
"You remind me of your father," adds another senior, approvingly.
Chafee's popularity has never really flagged. When Democrat Sheldon Whitehouse booted him from the Senate four years ago, the challenger harnessed a national wave of anti-Republican feeling, not any real distaste for Chafee himself.
And since then, Chafee has dropped what former Brown University political scientist Jennifer Lawless calls the one thing voters didn't trust about him: the "R" after his name.
Indeed, there seems a sort of collective guilt in the state over Chafee's Senate ouster that could redound to his benefit on November 2. But the candidate is hardly without critics. And if he needs any reminder, he gets it this afternoon: "You're the guy," says one man, seated in the cafeteria, "who wants to tax us to death."
The indelicate charge refers to Chafee's signature campaign proposal: imposing a one percent sales tax on currently exempt items — food, clothing, and medicine among them.
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Roger Harris, David Schneider, Amos Esty, Brian Hayes, Michael Szpir
BIRDING BABYLON: A Soldier's Journal from Iraq. Jonathan Trouern-Trend. Sierra Club Books, $9.95.
While deployed in Iraq, Sgt. 1st Class Jonathan Trouern-Trend began a Web log to record and share his bird sightings. On walks around Camp Anaconda, a large base north of Baghdad, and on occasional forays into other parts of the country, Trouern-Trend spotted more than 100 species, a number of which were new additions to his "life list." At first he was surprised by the attention his blog received, but he thinks he knows now why people so appreciated his brief dispatches: "To read about something as universally familiar as the migration of birds, or watching ducks in a pond, fulfilled a need to know that something worthwhile or even magical was happening, even in the midst of suicide bombings and rocket attacks." Birding Babylon, a small but compelling book, is a compilation of some of the entries recorded over the course of his year-long tour of duty. The blog, which Trouern-Trend continues to update, can be read at http://birdingbabylon.blogspot.com—Amos Esty
Negative Math:How Mathematical Rules Can Be Positively Bent. Alberto A. Martínez. Princeton University Press, $24.95.
Children seldom have much trouble with 2 + 2 = 4 or 2 x 2 = 4, but -2 x -2 = 4 is another matter. Why should two negatives make a positive? Whatever explanation you might suggest, why doesn't it also apply to -2 + -2 = -4? Generations of students have stumbled over this issue. One of them was Henri Beyle, who recalled of his school days in the 1790s: "When I spoke of my difficulty about minus times minus to one of the experts, he laughed in my face." Perhaps if Beyle's teachers had been more sympathetic and less dogmatic, he would have gone on to a career in mathematics instead of writing novels under the pen name Stendhal.
Beyle gets plenty of sympathy from Alberto A. Martínez, who shows that the concept of negative numbers has perplexed not just young students but also quite a few notable mathematicians, such as Sadi Carnot and Augustus de Morgan. And with good reason: The rule that minus times minus makes plus is not in fact grounded in some deep and immutable law of nature. Martínez shows that it's possible to construct a fully consistent system of arithmetic in which minus times minus makes minus. It's a wonderful vindication for the obstinate smart-aleck kid in the back of the class.—Brian Hayes
SKY IN A BOTTLE. Peter Pesic. MIT Press, $24.95.
Why is the sky blue? That may be the single most common question about the natural world—and one of the most beguiling. The 13th-century scholar Roger Bacon believed the sky took its color from a "heaven of water" beyond it; Swiss mathematician Leonhard Euler thought air contained "a great quantity of small blue particles." As recently as 1862, Sir John Herschel listed the color and polarization of sky light as "the two great standing enigmas of meteorology."
That's because the answer is surprisingly complex, involving chemistry, optics, atomic physics and cosmology. The conventional explanation is that the rarefied upper atmosphere scatters sunlight's shorter wavelengths. But if not for a quirk of human vision, our sky would appear violet, and if our atmosphere were denser it might look orange or red. The saying "as sure as the sky is blue" overlooks a wealth of fascinating subtleties.
Physicist and historian Peter Pesic lucidly explores those subtleties in Sky in a Bottle, which takes its title from experiments like that conducted in 1871 by physicist John Tyndall, who briefly produced a color he compared to "the deepest and purest Italian sky" by shining an electric lamp through vapors at low pressure (see apparatus above). Pesic's book becomes a pocket history of science, with thinkers from Aristotle to Einstein contributing new ideas, conjectures and discoveries to explain that serene, impassive blue.
Their efforts have been well rewarded. Ultimately, investigation of the sky's color helped establish the physical reality of atoms, and our modern understanding involves even quantum theory. "For myself," Pesic writes, "I find it strange and beautiful that such simple questions lead to such deep realizations about the nature of the universe."—Greg Ross
THE REAL MARS: Spirit, Opportunity, Mars Express and the Quest to Explore the Red Planet. Michael Hanlon. Carroll and Graf Publishers, $35.
The Real Mars introduces readers to facts, theories and fantasies about the fourth planet from the Sun, which has fascinated us since ancient times. The first half of the book focuses on the late 19th and 20th centuries. Without getting bogged down in detail, Hanlon discusses the main debates, explaining how some controversies have been resolved by technological advances and how others have emerged. The text is liberally sprinkled with images of the planet and its surface taken by Viking, Pathfinder and most recently the twin rovers Spirit and Opportunity.
There are a few curious omissions. In the section where works of Mars-related fiction are discussed, the excellent trilogy by Kim Stanley Robinson (Red Mars, Green Mars, Blue Mars), which offers a seminal account of how the planet might actually be colonized and terra-formed, is not mentioned. The book's longest chapter covers recent successful voyages to Mars, devoting the most space to Spirit and Opportunity, arguably NASA's most successful planetary mission to date. Yet there is not one picture of the rovers themselves. However, these flaws are minor. This is a well-written introduction for nonexperts, sure to inspire further interest and study.
Shown above is a photo of Pathfinder's cushioned airbag landing system.—Roger Harris
FAB: The Coming Revolution on Your Desktop—From Personal Computers to Personal Fabrication. Neil Gershenfeld. Basic Books, $26.
In FAB: The Coming Revolution on Your Desktop—From Personal Computers to Personal Fabrication, MIT professor Neil Gershenfeld points out that not so long ago, digital computers were huge, costly, room-sized contraptions to which only the techno-elite had access. Nowadays, of course, computers of far greater power are found in every college dorm room. Gershenfeld contends that a similar evolution will take place with the high-tech fabrication tools used in industry: computer-controlled milling machines and routers, laser cutters, water-jet cutters, even 3-D printers. Soon, Gershenfeld posits, such devices will start cropping up on home and office desktops, allowing regular folks to build customized goods for their own use rather than contenting themselves with what's available on store shelves. He gives dozens of examples, largely drawing from his experiences teaching a wildly popular MIT class titled "How to Make (Almost) Anything."
Gershenfeld relates many charming anecdotes and displays a lively sense of humor, but, sadly, the thesis he presents remains difficult to accept. Although the general premise—that computerized machine tools will become increasingly accessible—is not unreasonable, the notion that everyone will soon be making anything (or almost anything) they want seems just plain fanciful. Gershenfeld's description of his five-year-old twins as "shop users," ones able to design and build rather complicated toys (seen above) with a laser cutter, convinced me he was sorely overstating his case. Were such young kids able to master the rather challenging tasks involved, which I doubt, would parents welcome into their homes machines that could swiftly blind or maim their children? And even with inexpensive fabrication tools widely available, the economics of custom fabrication will never rival mass production. Hence I suspect that Wal-Mart has nothing to worry about. Rather, I imagine that the personal fabrication Gershenfeld champions will more resemble making one's own clothes: a creative and satisfying but not particularly cost-effective or popular endeavor.
Gershenfeld's credibility also suffers from some silly technical blunders. He erroneously refers to Avogadro's number as the number of molecules of an ideal gas that can fit in one cubic centimeter, and he mistakenly calls the machine language that a microprocessor runs "microcode," to give two examples. Still, there is plenty of food for thought in this book, which provides a rare view of the world of computer-controlled fabrication tools, devices that few people have ever seen. But be forewarned—the window Gershenfeld provides has a very rosy tint.—David Schneider
THE SINGING LIFE OF BIRDS: The Art and Science of Listening to Birdsong. Donald Kroodsma. Houghton Mifflin, $28.
Some birds learn their songs from their neighbors, whereas others appear to have a genetic program that encodes the tune like the paper roll on a player piano. It's a deep puzzle why avian vocalizations are inherited in such very different ways. In The Singing Life of Birds, Donald Kroodsma, professor emeritus at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, explores this and other avian musical mysteries by examining the songs of 30 different bird species. Each offers lessons on some fundamental questions about avian vocalizations. One of the more delightful songsters we learn about is the brown thrasher (Toxostoma rufum, shown at right), whose prolific repertoire may number in the thousands. How often does the brown thrasher repeat his songs? How does he remember all of them? Does he make some up as he goes along? Nobody (except the bird himself) knows the answers. And so it goes for many other songbirds who hold their melodic secrets close to the breast.
The book comes with a 98-track CD of birdsongs that correspond to sonograms (graphs that plot a sound's frequency over time) found in the text. Looking at a sonogram while listening to a song allows a listener to see components of a bird's vocalization that pass too quickly for the naive human ear to catch them. If you are struggling with learning the song of a bird, studying a sonogram can bring clarity to a string of sounds that seems too complicated to resolve and remember. In combination with Kroodsma's engaging explanations, the CD and sonograms offer a unique perspective on how our feathered friends communicate to the world through song.—Michael Szpir
You can find this online at http://www.americanscientist.org/bookshelf/pub/short-takes-on-six-books
© 2016 Sigma Xi, The Scientific Research Society


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As a home owner, you know there are plenty of things to keep you busy around the house. The last thing you want to worry about is maintaining your lawn, especially when the average American home owner spends more than 40 hours a year on lawn care. Isn't there a better way to use your time, energy and money?
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forum: Everything else
Pages: 1 2 3 | Home » Everything else » Jamie Baird - The Fitness Coach
#21 Mon 17 Nov 08 8:59am
Re: Jamie Baird - The Fitness Coach
Hi Proud Mom,
If you don't mind, I'd like to add to Jamie's suggestions on the subject of "bad backs". I used to dance (ballet) and play competitive tennis. Both of these pursuits, in combination with an inherited narrow disc space between two vertebrae in my low back eventually took their toll, and I had disc surgery.
For every common "bad back" complaint, there's a physical component, that can be attributed to weakness (including: overweight, repetitive injury, lack of muscular "core" strength, a degenerative condition, poor waking and/or sleeping posture) or a sudden injury or force to the spine. I believe there's also a relationship between back pain and ones emotional landscape -- the stress you mention. When back pain is acute, we often feeling unsupported, as though we are "carrying the world on our back or shoulders". This tends to result in muscle tension and, if left unresolved, severe muscle spasming.
As Jamie mentioned, heat and massage play a role in alleviating the symptoms of a "bad back", particularly during an acutely painful episode, but I've found that the most effective means of managing back health is prevention: exercise. It can be terrifically dull, and challenging to motivate and sustain yourself with an exercise routine (it's SO easy to slip out of the "noose" of self-discipline.) But I've found that this pales in comparison to the ugliness of doing battle with chronic back (and leg) pain and having to manage the acute episodes that turn your life upside down for a period of days, weeks, or months.
It's often tricky to balance (or even begin!) a regular exercise routine with family demands (and without doubt, young kids and household work provide their own workout!) but one of the best strengthening exercises you can do for your low back, can actually be done before you even get out of bed in the morning, if your mattress is reasonably firm and you've tossed the pillow aside:
Extension Exercise
-- Lie face down, hands level with your chest and palms against the mattress.
-- Inhale through your nose.
-- Exhale through your mouth and bring yourself to a push-up, raising ONLY your UPPER body off the mattress. Your hips, pelvis and legs remain in contact with the mattress at all times.
-- Using a very fluid, up-down motion, WITHOUT PAUSING, do 10 of these modified push-ups. Do 2-3 repetitions, twice daily, if possible.
Of course, this can be done on the floor, but I've found that being able to do it before I get out of bed in the morning and again at night, makes it that much easier to maintain a routine.
Beyond this, Yoga and Pilates are now my eat-breathe-love pursuits. I have better core strength (back and abs) now than ever before. Pilates gives me increased strength, but Yoga gives me strength, increased flexibility, stress reduction and meditation. Whatever path you choose, exercise has to mean something to you in order to hold a place of priority in your life. It's about directing kindness to yourself and valuing your need for self-care, while giving so much to your other relationships.
I hope you find some of this helpful!
#22 Mon 17 Nov 08 11:09am
Re: Jamie Baird - The Fitness Coach
Hi Saltedm8,
Thanks for the post. It can be very difficult when your stuck in front of a computer all day at home. If you see the sticky "top 15 home exercises" that should get you started. The only exercises that really would make a nosie in your flat is skipping, jump jacks and jump lunges. Skipping might be an issue indoors anyway, depending on how much space you have. The other 2 can be done quietly if your light on your fee and use your knees and hips to absorb the landing. All the top 15 exercises require very little equipment if any. To replace dumbells you could fill up a pair of small water bottles with sand or gravel.
To get some regular cardiovascular exercise (which I think you need) I would recommend getting out of the house and go for a 20-30min walk or even a very light jog. A good way to break into it would be 4min walk, 1 min run (x4-6). Then as you start to feel fitter 3min walk, 2min run. I think also getting yourself out of the house will also be good for you, get some fresh air and get away from your computer. Its entirely up to you when you do it, early morning, half way through the day or early evening.
Also sitting at a desk for extended periods is not great for your body, so any chance to get it moving will help. Every 30mins stand up, have a stretch and move around for 5mins.
Let me know how you get on.
#23 Mon 17 Nov 08 11:13am
Re: Jamie Baird - The Fitness Coach
Hey cupcake
Thank you so much for your comments, very helpful indeed and much appreciated.
I think it is also very important to mention to everyone out there who does suffer from lower back pain is to seek professional help as early on as possible. The quicker the diagnosis the quicker the problem can be sorted out. Lower back pain can be attributed to many many different things and one course of treatment for someone might be totally inapporpriate for someone else.
#24 Mon 17 Nov 08 11:19am
Re: Jamie Baird - The Fitness Coach
Hey Mrs Gibba,
Great work with the walking. What you can get for your bike is a trip computer. They are relatively inexpesive these days and what they do is record all the distances that you do to and from the station. The trip computer will log all the miles you clock up and you can then see how far you are cycling each week. Then the following week you can aim to better it.
Most cycling stores have them or go online to amazon or wiggle. A good brand is "cateye".
Last edited by TheFitnessCoach (Tue 18 Nov 08 5:12pm)
#25 Mon 17 Nov 08 4:10pm
Re: Jamie Baird - The Fitness Coach
Hi Jamie The FC,
I absolutely agree that it's important to have a medical assessment (history and physical) to differentiate and treat a pattern of common, mechanical back pain from that which requires surgery. But it seems to me, that in general, people need to take greater responsibility for their own health and well-being, which again echoes JO's work.
You know, in North America, the second most common symptom-related complaint seen by docs is lower back pain; the first being the common cold. This is an enormous number of people and a lucrative market for unscrupulous practitioners. Studies have repeatedly shown that the majority of back pain has no precise cause, and that less than 3% of back pain sufferers actually require surgery.
As I see it, the silver-lining here is that if we've caused or contributed to our pain and discomfort, armed with knowledge and awareness of our posture, movements and habits, we can also alleviate it ourselves. Incidentally, making it a habit to sleep with a good, thick pillow between your knees and thighs can do WONDERS to alleviate lower back pain caused while sleeping, and keep your spine properly aligned.
Cupcake say: Just say know. Read!
#26 Thu 20 Nov 08 6:12pm
Mrs Gibba
- Forum champ
- Member since Thu 14 Apr 05
Re: Jamie Baird - The Fitness Coach
Hi guys, so week three was a good week for me. Average steps 8,687, against a target of 7,302. Also, for the first time since doing this I hit 10,000 (long walk in the woods on Sunday), and then repeated that on Tuesday. So really happy with that.
target this week is 7,800 - yes I know lower than I hit last week, but I want to ensure that I sustain my increases.
Thanks for the idea about a bike computer - I'm getting a new bike for Crimbo, so might just get one to go with it.
Mrs G
#27 Fri 05 Dec 08 10:59am
Mrs Gibba
- Forum champ
- Member since Thu 14 Apr 05
Re: Jamie Baird - The Fitness Coach
Last week did 8214 steps as an average, making good progress!!! However, to get much higher, will really have to concentrate on getting a good walk at lunch time.
Mrs G
#28 Thu 18 Dec 08 1:44pm
- Member Occupation Admin assistant (catering company)
- From Berkshire
- Member since Sun 12 Oct 08
Re: Jamie Baird - The Fitness Coach
Hi Jamie,
How important is diet when starting a new fitness regime? I'm going to join the gym in January (like everyone else, lol), but I was wondering what is best. I've got 3st to lose, is exercise alone going to shift that eventually? I'm going from basically a standing start so I'm hoping it would make a difference even if I don't change my eating habits!
#29 Fri 30 Jan 09 4:03pm
Re: Jamie Baird - The Fitness Coach
Does winter suck? Yes!
Do you fcking hate the treadmill? Yes!
Do you need inspiration? Yes!
Pages: 1 2 3 | Home » Everything else » Jamie Baird - The Fitness Coach


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With Ergon's new TP1 Cleat Tool, you're able to easily and accurately set your cleats to the optimal positioning on your shoes. You start by placing your shoes -- with loosely attached cleats -- into the template. The reference handbook then walks you through the steps for dialing in the perfect fit, with you finishing off the installation by tightening down the bolts. It's that easy. The Ergon TP1 template allows the accurate adjustment of the three important axes when installing cleats. The fore/aft position, the stance (Q-Factor), and the foot angle are all taken into consideration when you set your shoes on the platform. The included handbook is also a guide to the basic contours of the foot and leg, the biomechanical consequences, and a simple step by step manual for using the TP1. Additionally, you can log any adjustments you make to your cleats for later reference. Take the guesswork out of installing your cleats by using the accurate and easy-to-use TP1. The TP1 Cleat tool is available in Crank Brothers, Look KEO, SPD, and SPD SL options. - $29.95


text:
Ute Pass flood prevention project nears completion
Designed to keep runoff, debris away from U.S. 24 in Cascade
EL PASO COUNTY, Colo. - It was last July that the first flash flood from the Waldo Canyon burn scar closed U.S. 24 in Ute Pass, and a project to prevent future flooding is almost finished.
You can see the work being done as you drive along the highway, across from the Eagle's Nest Wellness Center. The Colorado Department of Transportation is removing excess dirt, building concrete structures to trap sediment, upgrading culverts and installing a second drainage pipe.
CDOT spokesman Dave Watt said the project will reduce flooding by improving drainage into Fountain Creek, and protect the highway from heavy runoff and debris.
"Our improvements seem to be helping," he said. "As we finish them, we hope it'll be even safer. Again, it should be another two weeks. But so far, we have not had major slides in those areas like we did last summer."
Lono Ho'ala, the owner of the Wellness Center, said he's glad the work is being done but is skeptical about its effectiveness.
"I don't think they're aware of how much water comes off that mountain," he said. "The last flood we had last week dang near washed away that concrete wall. When you see the amount of water that's coming off that, I think that thing is a waste of money."
Watt said the project should be finished by mid-August. CDOT is spending $2 million on several flood mitigation projects through Ute Pass, he said, and all should be finished by September.


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text:
Meeting Date : May 21, 2013
Download Minutes : Download File
Download Minutes : Download File
Read the W&WW Reports in the "document center" of this website. There are three reports to read: Water, Sewer, and a Transfer Feasibility Report from the Dutchess County Water & Wastewater Authority.
All users of Tivoli water & sewer are urged to study these reports and attend the presentation on the 22nd. Find out the facts about the state of the water & sewer systems and the costs we face to fix them.


text:
Weight Loss Drugs Prescription and OTC »
" What are weight loss drugs and how do they work?
Taking a weight loss drug may not result in weight loss by itself. But using diet pills can help an overweight person stay on a diet because nearly all of these medications work on"...
Benzphetamine hydrochloride is a sympathomimetic amine with pharmacologic activity similar to the prototype drugs of this class used in obesity, the amphetamines. Actions include central nervous system stimulation and elevation of blood pressure. Tachyphylaxis and tolerance have been demonstrated with all drugs of this class in which these phenomena have been looked for.
Drugs of this class used in obesity are commonly known as "anorectics" or "anorexigenics". It has not been established, however, that the action of such drugs in treating obesity is primarily one of appetite suppression. Other central nervous system actions, or metabolic effects, may be involved.
Adult obese subjects instructed in dietary management and treated with "anorectic" drugs, lose more weight on the average than those treated with placebo and diet, as determined in relatively short-term clinical trials.
The magnitude of increased weight loss of drug-treated patients over placebo-treated patients is only a fraction of a pound a week. The rate of weight loss is the greatest in the first weeks of therapy for both drug and placebo subjects and tends to decrease in succeeding weeks. The possible origins of the increased weight loss due to the various drug effects are not established. The amount of weight loss associated with the use of an "anorectic" drug varies from trial to trial, and the increased weight loss appears to be related in part to variables other than the drug prescribed, such as the physician-investigator, the population treated, and the diet prescribed. Studies do not permit conclusions as to the relative importance of the drug and non-drug factors on weight loss.
The natural history of obesity is measured in years, whereas the studies cited are restricted to a few weeks duration; thus, the total impact of drug-induced weight loss over that of diet alone must be considered to be clinically limited.
Pharmacokinetic data in humans are not available.
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text:
Hey all,
What do you think about this week's story about Joshua Lemke, 28, being arraigned for allegedly killing his younger brother Jonathan.
-jordan (reporter with the Danville Weekly)
Town Square
Man in his late 20s allegedly kills his younger brother
Original post made by Jordan M. Doronila, Danville, on Feb 2, 2007
Like this commentPosted by Andy
a resident of Danville
on May 24, 2007 at 6:23 pm
Our family has known this family for quite sometime. It is so sad to hear what all this family has gone through. The family was always a great family and were great to be around. I pray for Josh, Miah, and Justin that there is someway to get through this. Josh has always had emotional issues, and I hope he finally gets the help that he needs. Without knowing more of the crime, I cannot say more then I pray for them all.


text:
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text:
SWEET SINGING: Metropolitan Opera soprano Barbara Frittoli performs two programs with the BSO, including Verdi's Simon Boccanegra.
Opera is the big word for 2009. The touring TEATRO LIRICO D'EUROPA brings back good old-fashioned opera with big voices and full-bodied choruses in Verdi's Aida (January 16-18) and Mascagni's Cavalleria Rusticana and Leoncavallo's Pagliacci (Cutler Majestic Theatre, March 6-8; 617.824.8000). OPERA BOSTON's The Nose (Shostakovich) should be nothing to sneeze at, with Gil Rose conducting baritone Stephen Salters (Cutler Majestic, February 27 + March 1, 3; 617.451.9944). With his BOSTON MODERN ORCHESTRA PROJECT, for John Harbison's 70th birthday, Rose leads a long-overdue performance of Harbison's Shakespeare opera, A Winter's Tale (Jordan Hall, March 20; 617.585.1260). BOSTON LYRIC OPERA has glamorous soprano Marquita Lister in Dvorák's moonstruck Rusalka (Shubert Theatre, March 20-31; 617.542.6772). Sir Roger Norrington and the HANDEL AND HAYDN SOCIETY offer a rare shot at Haydn's Orfeo opera, L'anima del filosofo (Symphony Hall, January 23, 25; 617.262.1815).
To see live HD telecasts of METROPOLITAN OPERA productions, go on line to find the nearest movie theater. But what I'm most looking forward to is Verdi's glowering Simon Boccanegra, with James Levine leading the BOSTON SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA and the Met's star Verdi soprano, Barbara Frittoli, tenor Marcello Giordani, legendary baritone Josû van Dam, and bass James Morris (Symphony Hall, January 29, 31, February 3; 617.266.1200). Levine and Frittoli return for two Mozart arias on a program with Gunther Schuller's new commission, Where the World Ends, and some Brahms (February 5-7).
Levine concludes his appearances with three programs of Mozart symphonies, early (February 12-13 and 14, 17) and late (February 19-21). BSO guests include Dutch cellist Pieter Wispelwey playing the Haydn Second Cello Concerto under Bernard Labadie, who also leads music from Mozart's Idomeneo and a rare performance of Handel's complete Water Music (January 15-17). Kurt Masur conducts only Mendelssohn (January 22-24, 27). Stylish pianist Jean-Yves Thibaudet plays the Liszt Second Concerto under Yannick Nûzet-Sûguin (February 26-28). Alan Gilbert, the new NY Philharmonic director, leads Sibelius, Rachmaninov (with pianist Stephen Hough), and Ives (March 5-7, 10). Herbert Blomstedt delivers the Goode (Richard, that is) in Mozart's Piano Concerto No. 18 (March 12-14, 17). Hans Graf returns with the Brahms Double Concerto (Janine Jansen and Alisa Wallerstein) and Bruckner's Symphony No. 7 (March 19-21, 24). Charles Dutoit has a Franco-Russian program with violinist Lisa Batiashvili (March 26-28).
The CELEBRITY SERIES OF BOSTON brings two incisive and insightful international artists, German violinist Christian Tetzlaff and Norwegian pianist Leif Ove Andsnes, in their first Boston appearance together — a varied program of Mozart, Brahms, Janácek, and Schubert (Jordan Hall, January 31; 617.482.6661). The London Symphony Orchestra under Valery Gergiev plays Profofiev's Fifth Symphony and accompanies pianist Alexei Volodin in Beethoven's Emperor Concerto (Symphony Hall, March 25). Yo-Yo Ma and the Silk Road Ensemble return in two concerts (Symphony Hall, March 8-9). Celebrity Series chamber groups include Philharmonia Quartett Berlin, the principal string players of the Berlin Philharmonic, in Mozart, Lutoslawski, and Schubert (Jordan Hall, January 23), and the Orion String Quartet with clarinettist David Krakauer playing Wolf, Del Tredici, Golijov, and Beethoven (Jordan Hall, April 18). Live chamber music will surely be a part of the Mark Morris Dance Group's spring visit (Cutler Majestic, March 19-22). Mezzo-soprano Anne Sofie von Otter joins jazz pianist Brad Mehldau for an evening combining classical and jazz (Sanders Theatre, February 13). The Celebrity pianists are Angela Hewitt (Jordan Hall, February 22), Lang Lang (Symphony Hall, March 1), and Murray Perahia (Symphony Hall, March 29).
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Town Square
Menlo Country Club golf course project
Original post made by do you care, Woodside: other, on Mar 17, 2012
Public Hearing Notice
Notice of Availability/ Intent to Adopt a Mitigated Negative Declaration
Public Review Period: March 19, 2012 through April 17, 2012
Project Title:
CEQA2011-003, CUSE2010-0008, CUSE2011-0008, and GRAD2010-0004
Menlo Country Club, Golf Course Renovation and Tennis Facilities at 2300 Woodside Road
Project Description:
The Menlo Country Club is proposing to renovate the golf course and tennis facilities. Two of the four tennis courts will be relocated to the southwest quadrant of the property adjacent to the other two existing tennis courts. A new tennis court building is proposed adjacent to the tennis courts. Out of the approximately 5,000 trees on the property, the project proposes to remove 53 native Significant Trees and 166 non-native Significant Trees. There are an additional 126 trees proposed for removal that do not qualify as Significant Trees. The project includes approximately 180,000 cubic yards of grading (total of cut and fill quantities). Additionally, approximately 63,000 cubic yards of sand that will be brought onsite to cap the golf course. The project requires a Grading Exception for grading quantities totaling over 1,500 cubic yards. An amendment to the existing Conditional Use Permit (CUP) is required to update the Program Statement and exhibits (plans), and a new CUP is required for the work within the stream corridor pursuant to Woodside Municipal Code Section 153.208(F).
The negative mitigated declaration and attachments are available on the Town's website or at the Town office. Do you care? If so comment in writing and attend the Planning Commission Meeting April 18th at 7PM.
Comments (46)
a resident of Woodside: other
on Mar 17, 2012 at 7:52 am
I can't believe this project qualifies for a Negative Declaration without exploring less distructive to the environment alternatives. The number, size, and character of the trees to be removed is criminal and all for the ego of a few. Quite destructive to the character of the setting and no real gain over the existing course which can be improved within its existing routing. Further the ambiance of the driveway entrance will be awful as revised by driving thru a new "parking lot" and bare tennis court complex virtually inaccessible to children from the pool area. If one were objective there can be no mitigation to the distruction contemplated when requiring an EIR would force consideration of an alternative routing of the course, e.g., as it is now, thereby saving the trees, pond and other habitat friendly structures. I feel strongly the Town must decline the request but look favorably toward a project which allows for "fixing" the course as it is currently routed.
a resident of Woodside: other
on Mar 18, 2012 at 5:26 am
This golf course reconstruction will be huge by Woodside standards. It will involve destruction of 345 trees, 4542 large truckloads entering or leaving the property over a 15 month period, and an equivalent of 9000 large trucks of soil being moved about the property to change the grading and configuration. It will involve a huge impact on the environment including birds, wildlife, drainage and air quality not to mention traffic on Woodside Road. There will be several public hearings as follows:
Open Space Committee March 22, 2012 at 5:30PM
Architectual and Site Review Board March 26 at 4:30PM
Planning Commission April 25 at 7:30PM
The public notice and copy of the mitigated negative declaration can be found at this link
Web Link
a resident of Woodside: Woodside Hills
on Mar 18, 2012 at 9:16 am
Just learned of a huge project planned for Menlo Country Club.
The project will result in some 5000 plus heavy trucks departing and entering the club through the main gate into Woodside Road. Traffic on Woodside Road on week days is terrible as commuters use Woodside Road (Highway 82)between 101 and 280. The town of woodside has imposed restrictions for the hours these trucks will not be allowed
on 82 to from 7 am to 9 am and from 2 pm to 4 pm. This would appear to be because of traffic generated by Woodside High School. However,
this is totally inadequate. Woodside Road west of High Road is already in bad condition after several efforts to fix the road bed.
Further mitigating measures should be required by the town of woodside before this project should be allowed to significantly impact on the traffic on Highway 82.
a resident of Woodside: Kings Mountain/Skyline
on Mar 18, 2012 at 4:53 pm
This tale sure sounds familiar:
Web Link
If the club goes bankrupt, what's the impact to Woodside? Could we be looking at high density housing at this location 20 years from now?
a resident of Woodside: other
on Mar 19, 2012 at 12:05 pm
Would you people rather have a condo developement? Do you care justify your numbers they to be rather convientley high? If you are going to point out how many trees are being taken out, how many trees are on the property and how many are they adding? You should know this you seem to have all the numbers.
a resident of Woodside: other
on Mar 19, 2012 at 12:10 pm
Bob, see page 7-9
Web Link
a resident of Woodside: other
on Mar 19, 2012 at 1:22 pm
Where and what is pages 7-9?
a resident of Woodside: other
on Mar 19, 2012 at 1:56 pm
Bob, the above web link should take you to the Town of Woodside published Mitigated Negative Declaration. Just click on the "web link" and it should open if your are patient for it to load. The answer to your question of how many trees, species, and replacement plan is detailed starting on page 7 and ending on page 9. It is simply to large to post here. If you can't get it here then go to the Town of Woodside city hall and they will give you a copy.
a resident of Woodside: Woodside Heights
on Mar 19, 2012 at 3:14 pm
Educator is a registered user.
I think it is great that Menlo Country Club is planning to renovate its 100+ year old golf course. The Club pre-dates the Town of Woodside by half a century and was built by the founders of the Woodside area. A true connection to our past...we should support renovation of a golf course just as we would a well-worn home.
a resident of Woodside: Woodside Heights
on Mar 19, 2012 at 6:13 pm
Jon Castor is a registered user.
Friends who know the golf course have been telling me for years that a major renovation is needed, and I'm sympathetic to Educator's point of view. However, as John observes, Woodside Road west of High Rd is failing again, after several repair attempts. The last work crew was on site for quite a while, raising hopes for a real fix, however the roadbed is already cracked and tipped. Past Woodside Rd 'fixes' have clearly been inadequate. Do you care advises that some 4500 trucks would enter and leave the CC. Perhaps Menlo CC project transport mitigation fees could underwrite much of a project to finally properly engineer and re-construct the road. As it is the road is not up to the current traffic load.
a resident of Woodside: other
on Mar 20, 2012 at 9:46 am
Educator, no problem with fixing the course in its current configuration and thus retaining its character. But to re-route the holes causing the destruction of many heritage and other large trees as well as substantive excavation altering the contour of the land impacting natural drainage is unnecessary and harmful to the environment. Replacement trees on a one for one basis is not mitigation as the size differential is considerable. Educator, you will not recognize the original setting and the club's founders would be quite dissapointed with this needless and costly project totally out of character with Menlo tradition. With approval of this project the Town might as well require a ne name for the club.
a resident of Woodside: other
on Mar 20, 2012 at 12:44 pm
Disgusted It would be interesting that you know that the founders of the club would be disapointed in this. They are all dead, they probably wouldn't approve of women memebers,minority members, etc. Times change sometimes for the better despite what some people think. Also what the founding would feel about has notheing to with the planning commisson.
a resident of Woodside: other
on Mar 20, 2012 at 1:36 pm
Bob, you certainly are entitled to your opinion, and yes time brings change, some better, some worse. Nonetheless, the massive destruction of the environment with the re-routing of the course I believe would have been totally out of character with those founding members who resided in Woodside I can only believe due to their apprreciation for the environment, not to live there to destroy it.
a resident of Woodside: Woodside Hills
on Mar 20, 2012 at 2:38 pm
A big project like this should create a lot of jobs and help the local economy. I don't know why so many people in this state reflexively say no to anything economically beneficial to our communities. It's just one of many reasons CA is in a free fall. I think we are still ahead of Mississippi, though. So we got that going for us, which is nice.
a resident of Woodside: Woodside Heights
on Mar 20, 2012 at 2:55 pm
Educator is a registered user.
The Founders of the Club would more than likely be proud that today's members love the course as much as they did and are willing to devote significant personal resources (as did the Founders) to maintaining and updating the course to modern standards. I agree with Drew, this project could bring a lot of sorely needed jobs to the area. It would also generate fees for the Town. Everyone wins.
a resident of Woodside: other
on Mar 20, 2012 at 3:23 pm
Educator states "It would also generate fees for the Town". Do you know what fees and how much?
a resident of Woodside: Woodside Heights
on Mar 20, 2012 at 3:39 pm
Educator is a registered user.
I have no idea how extensive the fees would be for a project of this type, but those of us living in Woodside know that the simplest "permitted" modifications to our homes involve building and planning fees.
a resident of Woodside: other
on Mar 20, 2012 at 3:57 pm
Educator, maybe I can help you by referring you to the town's schedule of fees. Unfortunately this does not look to be a pot of gold for the town as it just involves small charges for tree removal, checking grading and plans. I would guess it amounts to a very small amount since, except for a shack type tennis outbuilding, it does not involve building construction.
Web Link
a resident of Woodside: Woodside Heights
on Mar 20, 2012 at 4:15 pm
I have been a resident of Woodside for 24 years and feel we are all very lucky to have Menlo Country Club in our back yard. The setting is serene and will only get better with a layout that makes more advantageous use of the land for years to come. Golf has changed dramatically over the last 100 years, and Menlo Country Club plans to provide golfers of all levels the ability to enjoy the game. When residents remodel their homes today, they take a fresh new look at the best location for their home and update the property with the latest designs and improvements which will last for years …this is what Menlo Country Club is doing. Menlo Country Club is an owner of their property, just as other residents are owners of their property, and they are updating their golf course for the 21st Century. They have compromised their optimal plans by not using additional adjacent acreage they own. Why shouldn't we allow them to build a course that still provides the Town with an "Open Space" feel for the 21st Century and beyond.
a resident of Atherton: Lindenwood
on Mar 20, 2012 at 4:17 pm
Digusted, I'm struggling with your phrase "massive destruction of the environment"... it's a golf course becoming a slightly different golf course. I'm wondering how anything ever got built in this community.
a resident of Woodside: Woodside Heights
on Mar 20, 2012 at 4:41 pm
Educator is a registered user.
I doubt the Town's fee schedule anticipated a project of this nature. Just the grading, engineered drainage, engineered water/irrigation, and cart paths would add up. I never expected a pot of gold, but I would expect the Town will find a way to generate some revenue for itself, and that will help keep their staff happily employed and paid.
a resident of Atherton: West of Alameda
on Mar 20, 2012 at 4:49 pm
I am struggling with the all the claims of "mass destruction" and then the quotes stating that there will be very little real changes -
....... "this does not look to be a pot of gold for the town as it just involves small charges for tree removal, checking grading and plans. I would guess it amounts to a very small amount since, except for a shack type tennis outbuilding, it does not involve building construction"
As I understand it, the club is not expanding it's footprint just updating the exisiting course and laying it out differently. It will still be an 18 hole golf course not a 24 or 28 holes course!
a resident of Woodside: other
on Mar 21, 2012 at 5:37 am
CEQA (California Enviornmental Quality Act) is a very difficult process for the average person to understand. It is rather complex and a haven for administrators, specialists, and lawyers. In this case, the Town of Woodside as the lead agency has chosen to declare the application to be a Mitigated Negative Declaration under CEQA. The numerous multiple items they have checked as likely causing "Potentially Significant Damage" are mitigated as described in the declaration. Of course, it a complex and subjective classification but the Town had better get it right otherwise they are open to lawsuits. The next higher classification is an Enviornmental Impact Report (EIR) which if done right would fully protect them and allow an in depth study of the issues and avoid further expensive litigation. Menlo Country Club would pay for the EIR and it would not cost the Town.
This is why it is so important to inform yourself on what is going on in the review process and comment to the Town Of Woodside Planing Department as you see fit.
More a more complete discussion of the process here is a link.
Web Link
do you care?
a resident of another community
on Mar 21, 2012 at 8:36 am
I am suprised the tree huggers are not demanding counselling for those trees considered "insignificant"....
a resident of Woodside: Woodside Heights
on Mar 21, 2012 at 8:43 am
Educator is a registered user.
Under the California Environmental Quality Act, the potential effect can be reduced to a level of insignificance...or mitigated. So in this case, yes, the Town, in my opinion, has correctly determined a Negative Declaration.
The country club has planted most of the trees on the property, and they have carefully maintained them for over a century. Why would anyone expect that their practices would change? Of course they will be good stewards of their land.
a resident of Woodside: other
on Mar 21, 2012 at 11:13 am
I have no problem with bringing the course up to date technically with sand capping improved traps and much better greens. I do have a problem with unnecessarily taking out a significant volume of trees within the existing course footprint. Sufficient yardage can be achieved by extending some of the tees while maintaining forward tees to accommodate the vast majority of players. As we follow golf on TV we see than many of the more interesting and difficult holes are the short ones, e.g. #10 at Riviera. As I see it, it all comes down to whether or not this proposal actually meets the standards for a MND. Mitigation to attain a level of insignificance is clearly a subjective determination. And I disagree with the Town's conclusion as well as with Educator's concurrence.
Educators, as to being good stewards, why are so many of the trees to be removed diseased. Have they been subject to good stewardship? Can we expect the new trees to be properly cared for beyond the monitoring review period?
I would prefer an honest assessment of alternatives and impacts which an EIR would require. Actually an EIR requires evaluation of five alternatives one of which is to do nothing which I do not favor. So, clearly, the objective here is NOT to allow consideration of one obvious alternative which is fixing the course as it is currently configured and to do so to the level of the same standards as proposed. This would achieve all the current up to date qualities desired for course playability, save the 300 plus trees, is less disruptive to the community, and be a boost to the economy. Why not require this?
a resident of Woodside: Woodside Heights
on Mar 21, 2012 at 11:25 am
Educator is a registered user.
Disgusted, Clearly the members would like to see it re-designed into a more modern and playable course. You might prefer that as well if it were your course.
I still think the Negative Declaration is the correct determination.
a resident of Woodside: other
on Mar 21, 2012 at 11:56 am
Digusted What on earth does Rivera #10 have anything to do with this discussion? You are allowed to disagree, but that does not mean you are right.
a resident of Woodside: other
on Mar 21, 2012 at 5:46 pm
Educator states Under the California Environmental Quality Act, the potential effect can be reduced to a level of insignificance...or mitigated. So in this case, yes, the Town, in my opinion, has correctly determined a Negative Declaration.
Gosh, Educator, I hate to keep coming back at you but honestly it is apparent you do not understand the terms you are using. Here is a CEQA dictionary that might help you with the terminology.
Web Link
a resident of Woodside: other
on Mar 21, 2012 at 6:58 pm
Educator, what is a more modern and playable course? One that reroutes the layout and destroys the environment; or one that makes the existing layout playable under any expected weather condition? And does so without environmental harm.
a resident of Woodside: other
on Mar 21, 2012 at 7:31 pm
Menlo Country Club call the project a Renovation when in fact it is a Remodel of the entire course. It is this fact that necessitates the massive removal of some 300 plus trees. You cannot replace such significant trees of more than 50 years with the mitigation of replanting such trees 1 for 1.
A Renovation in Place within the present foot print would not need the removal of any significant trees and the pond on the golf course would continue to be a habitat for wildlife.
a resident of Woodside: Woodside Heights
on Mar 21, 2012 at 9:17 pm
I find it remarkable that some are considering the golf course project at Menlo Country Club to be causing mass destruction. This can't be further from the truth. Menlo Country Club has been a steward of this land for over 80 years. Menlo Country Club has paid taxes, provided employment and planted many of the trees that are on their property, all of which have benefited the Town of Woodside. The people commenting purchase their residences with the knowledge of Menlo Country Club's existence. Like all property owners Menlo Country Club should be afforded the right to upgrade and update their property. Many residents update and upgrade their properties and I'm sure create more of a relative impact than what Menlo Country Club is proposing. A completed golf course renovation or remodel lasts for several decades if not longer. This can not be said for most homes owned inside the Woodside Town limits.
a resident of Woodside: Woodside Heights
on Mar 21, 2012 at 9:42 pm
Educator is a registered user.
Removal of 2.4 trees per acre doesn't sound massive to me. I've taken that many out on my own property in the past two years...and was given permits to do so. It actually sounds quite reasonable.
a resident of Woodside: other
on Mar 22, 2012 at 6:15 am
A quote heading the Town of Woodside's policy on Land Use:
A man is rich in proportion to the number of things he can afford to let alone.
Henry David Thoreau
a resident of Woodside: Woodside Hills
on Mar 22, 2012 at 6:41 am
I am struck by the arguments here that there are some in our community who might prefer that there be multiple housing units on this property rather than a golf course that has been there for a hundred years. Menlo Country Club should be a cherished asset to the town of Woodside, and something they should be very proud of. Just as San Francisco is the proud home to many golf courses and clubs. Why is it that The Olympic Club can get permission to restructure its courses frequently (to add yardage for professional golf tournaments like the upcoming US Open), yet Menlo Country Club is being derided for trying to make the first major remodel of the course in what could be over 50 years? I believe Menlo Country Club has done an amazing service to the town of Woodside through its care of the property for the past 100 years. And I further believe that Menlo Country Club will do the same for the coming 100 years. If this land were left dormant there would be massive erosion, significant loss of trees from weather and land changes, and any disease (as mentioned earlier here) would run rampant rather than at least be controlled. Menlo Country Club is a steward of the land, and will continue to be so. Updating the course will not in any way harm the land that is there - it will improve it for future generations. Why are we against improvement?
a resident of Woodside: Woodside Heights
on Mar 22, 2012 at 7:11 am
I am an active supporter of the Peninsula Open Space Trust and consider myself environmentally aware, but I honestly can't understand the angst about this golf course remodel. We have to be realistic: the country club and its golf course have existed on this plot of land for over 80 years. They own this land, just like all of us homeowners own our land, and they have a right to remodel. This is a once-per-century remodel: if only the same could be said for all of the mansions that dot our landscape here. From what I understand, the club has promised to keep 90% of its trees and replace the ones it needs to take out. Please, people, let's be sensible. There is a balance between caring for the environment and letting bureaucracy stand in the way of everyone's right to update and use their own property. I personally would much rather see this land used as a golf course than as a bunch of homesites, which is what it would invariably be if the club weren't there, and what it may become if the club can't update its own property like anyone else.
a resident of Woodside: Woodside Heights
on Mar 22, 2012 at 7:16 am
Educator is a registered user.
FairPlay, Highlander, and Resident...you are all spot on, and I agree with all your comments.
a resident of Woodside: other
on Mar 22, 2012 at 11:20 am
Many have posted confusing the issue of fixing a golf course that is lacking proper irrigation and drainage with those of property rights, stewardship responsibilities, embellishing the economy and other irrelevancies. Yes, the course needs a refresher. .... Fix the irrigation and drainage for year around playability; and improve existing greens and improve and add more traps. All that is fine and would be considered enhancing the property and following what I hear is good stewardship practices.
I too am a long time supporter of POST and other like environmental associations and a Town resident for well over 30 years. For the record, due to environmental concerns over a particular habitat, I understand the Menlo Country Club backed off from a proposal that extended the golf course footprint as well as rerouting it. Now we have essentially the same program and my concern remains totally with tree removal and excavation, now all within the existing footprint with no material benefit to the course. Yes that is one person's opinion. The Olympic Club's improvements are essential for a PGA venue which status Menlo Country Club could never achieve. Is it worth the approximate 350 trees to gain a meager 350 yards of golf course? That's one tree per yard! Most of that lengthening could be achieved within the existing routing? Further, this additional acreage devoted to a golf course will require additional irrigation and at a time when our water resource is scarce.
Now, if I were a resident of Woodside Hills or Heights I'd really be concerned with the visual impact on looking over an area where many large trees will be removed from within a golf course footprint. Kinda like expanding acreage of a farm at the expense of wooded land.
a resident of Woodside: other
on Mar 22, 2012 at 1:05 pm
Digusted If you are going to focus on the amount of trees being taken out, it would be interesting to find out what 300 trees really means. My guess is that 300 is a tiny percentage of all the trees in Woodside. I don't think it is that big of a deal. As far as views from Woodside Hills I think most focus on their view of the entire bay area rather, than their view of Menlo Country Club.
a resident of Woodside: Woodside Heights
on Mar 22, 2012 at 4:10 pm
Why would someone who is not a member of the Menlo Country Club care about the course layout? I would have to assume that the members want the course changed, and that is why the club has filed this proposal with the Town. They have proven to be wonderful stewards of the property - keeping it in shape, planting trees and flowers and shrubs, caring for the stream that passes through the property, etc.
I completely agree with those here who have likened this to a homeowner wanting to remodel their property - or in many cases tear down what already exists and start over. It looks as though Menlo Country Club has plans to replace the removed trees. And it is certainly my expectation that the Club will still be around in another hundred years.
Menlo Country Club has been a wonderful neighbor and citizen in the town of Woodside. We should not stand in the way of their wanting to continue to be so.
a resident of Woodside: Woodside Heights
on Mar 22, 2012 at 4:55 pm
As a neighbor for 19 years and long term member of the club, I can attest that the designers have worked hard to minimize the environmental impact while making golf course changes that are critical to the playabiity of the course. This sentiment is shared by the vast majority of members and speaks to the importance of rerouting problem holes to make the golf experience, which is a core component of the Club's long term vitality, competitive with other courses. No club founder would champion the problems with the current course that this new plan so successfully addresses. The fact the design preserves so many of the trees in this very large area with the course improvements is impressive.
a resident of Woodside: other
on Mar 23, 2012 at 5:59 am
This thread started with an alert that the Town was holding public hearings and considering permitting the Menlo Country Club application to renovate the course. Many of the posts have been interesting and hopefully educational about the project and process. It seems,however, that there is misunderstanding on what the project physically accomplishes and why it is being undertaken. Neighbor states changes need to be made "changes that are critical to the playabiity of the course" and that "the importance of rerouting problem holes to make the golf experience, which is a core component of the Club's long term vitality, competitive with other courses." These statements contrast with others that just say the course layout is just fine and all that is needed is a fix of the drainage, irrigation and other infrastructure items. They say there is no need to destroy 345 trees, regrade, and reroute the course for a course that has served its members well for so many years in its existing configuration. For the non-golfers and non-club members this is probably not interesting but the topic a necessary ingredient in the permitting process. It will not be discussed as the Town has declared a Mitigated Negative Declaration and alternatives to any project need only be discussed when it decides the project needs to be reviewed as an EIR study. It might be also interesting to point out that the permitting is a Woodside issue but there are less than 40 Woodside members of the Club and about 240 members who live in other communities who might not share the same environmental objectives as Woodside citizens.
The following link goes to an interesting discussion of re-routing as opposed to renovation.
Web Link
a resident of Woodside: other
on Mar 23, 2012 at 10:43 am
Issues relative to playability of a golf course necessarily center on course maintenance which in turn relies on adequate irrigation and drainage, not course layout. It matters not that the course designer was modest in the environmental impact of a rerouting. What matters is that there is an impact, and to me a significant one involving many large heritage or other trees inside the course footprint. Therefore, the issue is whether or not that should be allowed based upon the proposal's conformity to the Town's policies relative to open space and impact on the habitat. I contend it does not conform given the paucity of the mitigation measures, e.g., one smaller new tree for one large heritage oak, and that a remodel is unnecessary. However, a renovation in place is necessary. As the web link above suggests tee repositioning and green and trap enhancements together with necessary improvements to the irrigation and drainage will result in a very playable course throughout the year, AND without requiring the removal of a single tree.
The article also talks about the golf experience as relying more on individual camaraderie among members and friends than on the course's length and layout. I see false arguments presented in an attempt to justify removing 345 trees for an equivalent number of additional yards to the course. One poster assumes the club's membership favors this proposal yet I am told it has never been the subject a membership vote. So how the membership really feels is mere conjecture!
a resident of Woodside: Woodside Heights
on Mar 23, 2012 at 12:09 pm
Educator is a registered user.
Neighbor is correct. The overwhelming majority of members do support the submitted plans.
While we are stating facts, Do you care's membership numbers are totally incorrect. There are significantly more Woodside members than stated. Check your facts.
a resident of Woodside: other
on Mar 23, 2012 at 2:09 pm
Educator, how can you assert "the overwhelming majority of members do support the submitted plans" when the plan have never been submitted to a vote of the membership so I am told. Also do you care was a little off, say less than 25%of the membership is from Woodside. Question, Is the outsider pushing Woodside into something it really should not do given its stance on the environment and open space?
a resident of Woodside: other
on Mar 24, 2012 at 9:49 pm
the facts: there are 49 members of Menlo Country Club residing in Woodside.
There was never a vote of Menlo members to do a specific golf course project. Thre is no claimed "overwhelming mandate". There was a vote to authorize the boatd to spend $250,000 or more to advanve the golf course project. The board wanted a concept 1 which included use of some extra hitherto unused acreage which died at the town because of wood rats issues. The board at Menlo then moved ahead with concept 2 which is a remodel of the golf course but within the present foot print of the golf course. It is this concept 2 that would require the removal of some 300 plus trees.
There is an alternative concept 3 or a Renoation in Place which would result in the same improvements as concept 2 but would not require the removal of any healthy significant native trees. This alternative would cost less and meet all environmental concerns.
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My new career path..tell me what you think?
Currently I work as NOC/ linux support, so I'm gaining networking and linux experience. I just obtained my Linux+ this week and I want to learn more about linux but would the RHCSA/RHCE be useful for pentesting or is that just overkill?
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Tell me what you think?


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The New School
African Time: Screening and Discussion with Producer
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