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Wow. Last season, 2009/2010, I was able to graft and grow queens every day of the season. All through 2009, from January 2009 through most of 2010, until just this past November 2010, when we had an unseasonal hard frost, and the drones my colonies had been keeping, suddenly vanished. Despite feeding pollen substitute and a little sugar syrup, more than half of my colonies have also stopped raising brood. We've continued to have frosty nights for most of the past several weeks. This rarely happens, and it makes me sad through those winters that it does. We did have some good rains, that came with the cold. They should help inspire lots of wildflowers, if it ever warms up so they can grow and bloom.
2011 can still become a very productive season, if it warms up and the wildflowers grow, or if it just warms up as I continue to feed.


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''When a Moon Pie Hits You in the Eye'' by Bobbi Yancy. (Special to the American Press)
Last Modified: Thursday, January 17, 2013 1:51 PM
By Jordan Gribble / Special to the American Press
The Henning Cultural Center, 923 Ruth St. in Sulphur, will present the works of local masters in its Artisan's Gallery Masterworks Exhibit through Feb. 14.
"It's a collection of over 10 artists from the Artisan's Gallery society who all do shows together. The styles range from photography, sculpture, pencil drawings and acrylic and oil paintings," said Thom Trahan, center director.
"Each artist sort of has a set medium that they typically work in that they're known for and were able to bring a couple of pieces from their selected medium."
The works on display will also be for sale, Trahan said. Local artists presenting their works are Charlene Kaough, Sue Zimmerman, Sally Cappel, Gloria Yang, Bobbi Yancey, Melinda Antoon Cormier, Ronald Gibson, Anita Ahrens, Geoff Russell, Donna Artigue Price, Beth Winslett Fontenot and Kathy Gardiner Hebert.
Trahan said the exhibit's roster includes local art educators and that the gallery looks forward to displaying their work.
"These artists have been displayed in galleries all over south Louisiana and many have done shows in other areas as well," he said. "We have them come back every couple of years, which gives them a chance to build up their collection and have new things to show and sell."

subset: commoncrawl


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The new board of directors of the College of Marin Foundation held its first meeting Monday and reached swift agreement on who would be president and who would be secretary/treasurer.
The votes were unanimous and there was no debate. Of course, the board has just two members.
They would be College of Marin President David Wain Coon and college board of trustees President Diana Conti, who automatically inherited control of the foundation board after all nine foundation board members abruptly resigned last week.
With little ceremony Monday, Coon introduced a motion to appoint Conti as president. Conti seconded it. Without discussion, they both voted, "aye."
Conti floated a motion to appoint Coon as secretary and treasurer. Coon seconded, and they both voted "aye."
Within a few minutes the meeting, attended by a handful of college staffers and faculty members and at least one student, was over. It revealed little about the future of the foundation.
"No money is being spent at this point," Conti said. "We do know that."
Activity at the foundation has come to a halt after a tumultuous year marked by allegations of financial mismanagement, the ousting of two executive directors — one after two decades and one after about two months — and the departure of several other staff members. In a grand finale, all nine regular foundation board members resigned last week, citing difficulties working with the college.
There are no staffers left at the 49-year-old, independent foundation, and the organization's on-campus office is temporarily closed. Conti said she and Coon will seek a clearer picture of the foundation's finances before deciding how to proceed.
They could also use a few board members.
Contact Will Jason via email at email@example.com or via Twitter at http://twitter.com/willjason


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Excerpt: "Check out the New York Giants' post-2013 NFL Draft offensive depth chart and one thing leaps off the page. First-round pick Justin Pugh is listed as the starting right tackle.
Now, that is NOT official as it does not come from the Giants. It is, however, interesting. The Giants have not yet committed to what position the versatile Pugh will play -- much less said he will be a Day 1 starter on the offensive line. The knowledgeable folks at Ourlads, who provide the most consistently updated depth charts you can find anywhere on the Inter-Google, have taken the leap of faith that the Giants will likely give the youngster from Syracuse every chance to win the one job on the offensive line that is not yet spoken for.
Fourth-round pick Ryan Nassib is listed as the third quarterback on the depth chart -- behind David Carr and in front of Curtis Painter. Nassib is likely going to have to show the Giants during training camp and pre-season that he is ready to win NFL games now before they give any thought to getting rid of veteran David Carr.Here is the complete depth chart:" Read more...


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Get the Wolves newsletter
22:33 22nd August 2013
by David Harrison
Reflections on a sad farewell
Among the near 1,000 strong congregation at Dave Wagstaffe's funeral at St Peter's Church today was a journalist who used to cover his time at Wolves and then got to know him as a friend. David Harrison looks back at a special day as Wolves said goodbye to one of their own.
"Oh, I could hide 'neath the wing of the bluebird as she sings." The words of the Monkees' hit song rang out from St Peter's Collegiate Church, accompanied by the rhythmic clapping from a congregation of almost 1,000 Wolves fans.
They had come to pay their respects and celebrate the life of Waggy, one of our most loved characters and finest players. The music was fitting. The response of the assembled gathering was spontaneous as the coffin was carried from the church.
The song was chosen because of Waggy's friendship with Monkee Davey Jones, a schoolboy pal, who became reunited with the Wolves winger when he was playing for Los Angeles Wolves in an American tournament in the sixties.
Many reunited friendships warmed the air and pierced the sombre mood on this sad yet poignant afternoon in the city centre as the football world gathered in memory of Dave Wagstaffe.
Ex-teammates included Ted Farmer, Ron Flowers, Terry Wharton, Fred Davies, Jim Barron, Graham Hawkins, Fred Davies, Ernie Hunt, Gerry Taylor, George Berry, John Richards, Phil Parkes, Geoff Palmer, Derek Parkin, John McAlle, Kenny Hibbitt, Barry Powell, Willie Carr, Steve Daley, Eves, Gerry O'Hara, Dean Edwards and Phil Nicholls.
The club were represented by club's chief executive Jez Moxey, vice-presidents Robert Plant and Rachael Heyhoe-Flint, head of marketing and communications Matt Grayson and programme editor John Hendley.
His former clubs Manchester City, Blackpool and Blackburn Rovers were represented by Fred Eyre, Jeff Chandler and Norman Bodell.
It was a stirring send-off and a fine tribute to Waggy's life and career. "Hi Ho Silver Lining" greeted the coffin's arrival into the church and there followed a unique insight into this humble, modest yet charismatic adopted son of Wolverhampton.
Mingled with the tears from family and friends was laughter at Waggy's antics.
His son Scott's memories were delivered by the Rector of Wolverhampton and Wolves chaplain the Rev David Wright.
Scott recalled how when Waggy first met wife Barbara. He told her he was a window cleaner, only for her to discover later that he was a Manchester City player. She ignored the warning from her father to steer clear of him because footballers were no good.
Waggy, according to Scott, was a man who loved laughter but was never short of a moan or two. On a recent trip to visit an old pal in Walsall, Waggy complained all the way they had taken the wrong route.
"You'll all remember my dad on the wing for Wolves, but now he'll be on his way to heaven on the wing of an angel. I hope he takes the right turn otherwise dad will be having a good moan at him."
A bible reading from John Richards and a moving rendition of "How Great Thou Art" by Richard Probert and Chloe Williams, grand daughter of Waggy's partner for 20 years Val, was followed by the reminiscences of former Express and Star Editor Steve Gordos.
Steve's first memories of Waggy were when the former winger would appear at the Queen Street offices with the notes for his Sporting Star column written on the back of a fag packet.
The two became good mates after meeting regularly in the Shoulder of Mutton public house in Tettenhall. Waggy's playing career was long over by then but Steve discovered there was another talented string to the winger's bow.
His fag packet scribblings had gathered pace as he put together the first draft of his autobiography which, with Steve's guidance, was published as "Waggy's Tales."
Steve and his wife Lindsay shared holidays on the Queen's estate at Balmoral with Dave and Val.
On their first trip Steve and Lindsay arrived unannounced and pinned a note to their adjoining cottage which read: "Ex-Wolves players not welcome."
Waggy was at a loss to fathom the message at first. His initial thought was to wonder whether the Queen was an Albion fan until he discovered the Gordos prank.
The two couples enjoyed other trips to Balmoral where Waggy enjoyed the fact that he could open the gates to the estate with a remote control operated from his car seat where he would wave regally to passing crowds.
Steve said: "He was a special footballer and a special friend. A simple twist of fate made changes his life because he switched from a rugby playing school to a one where they played football and was eventually spotted by Manchester City."
Waggy enjoyed the simple things in life – tending his allotment, playing bowls, golf and snooker.
It was this down-to-earth appeal which endeared him to so many fans and ex-colleagues alike.
Outside the church and later back at Molineux, tales of Waggy flowed in abundance.
Peter Knowles recalled how, after playing for the England Under 23s against Holland at St Andrew's, he asked Sir Alf Ramsey why he had not picked Waggy for the full England team.
"Sir Alf replied it was because he did not chase back enough," said Knowles. "I told the England manager what a load of rubbish that was. He was one of the four best players around at the time – Best, Marsh, Dougan and Waggy himself. That's how good he was."
Robert Plant befriended Waggy while he was recovering from a leg injury sustained in a serious road accident.
The rock legend said: "They let me train and do my recuperation at Molineux and I got to know Waggy well. He was a tremendous bloke and such a good player with a real mischievous side. Often we would nip out for a pint on the eve of a game but that didn't affect his performances.
Kenny Hibbitt remembers the many times Waggy would disappear into the dressing room toilets before games and at half-time to light up a cigarette:"Sometimes he would leave it burning for Terry Wharton to finish. Billy McGarry was a tough taskmaster but he turned a blind eye because Waggy was such a special player."
An overlooked feature of Dave Wagstaffe was his bravery. He would never hide beneath the wing. He would face up to the brutal treatment often handed out by defenders in an era when skilfull players were less protected. He would destroy them with his skills.
He fought a brave battle too against the illness which eventually took him from us at the age of 70. We will never forget him. He was a one-off. He was Waggy.
Back to its former glory
1 day ago
Wolves will travel to Austria for their 2017/18 pre-season trainin....
2 days ago
Wolves Women secure promotion
15 May 2017
Details for renewals and new applicants
12 May 2017
Three goals see off Loughborough ahead of final day
12 May 2017
Winger scoops quartet of awards
10 May 2017


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Okay,well I received my new queen today from BeeWeaver and she's a real beauty. I didn't want to leave her majesty in that cage of hers any longer so I decided to go ahead with the shake out today. It's been threatening rain all day but only a slight mist here and there.....until.....
Just as I was about half way through the shake out,the skies opened up and drenched all of us. I was able to get all of the frames shook out but no one was spared from the rain.
I now have bees returning to the hive but others are still out in the yard,wet and not moving. I decided to put some lawn chairs over them and then added a tarp for some protection from the rain. I'm hoping that this will help them dry out a bit and it will allow the NON-laying workers to return to their warm,safe hive. Any other advice that you guys can offer? Will they come home or look for somewhere new to start over?
And yes...her majesty is tucked away in the hive in her push in cage.


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Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX1R : Tests and Reviews
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX1R side by side comparisons
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX1R versus predecessor
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX1R versus rival model with similar score
Try our side-by-side camera comparison tool
Further readings for the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX1R
To provide photographers with a broader perspective about mobiles, lenses and cameras, here are links to articles, reviews, and analyses of photographic equipment produced by DxOMark, renown websites, magazines or blogs.
Around 16 months after the launch of the Mark IV, Sony has released the latest iteration in its RX100 series of high-end compact cameras. The Sony RX100 V features a similar 20.1Mp 1"-type BSI-CMOS sensor and the same equivalent 24-70mm f/1.8-2.8 lens as its predecessor, the Mark IV. So no changes there; instead, Sony has focused on some serious performance enhancements for the Mark V, including a new autofocus system and faster frame rate. The Sony RX100 V features a new 315-point phase-detection autofocus system that offers around 65% frame coverage, as well as face detection autofocus, which is particularly useful for shooting video. Continuous shooting has been significantly improved as well, up to a rapid 24fps (frames per second) for both RAW and JPEG files, with full autofocus and exposure tracking up to an impressive 150 shots.
The Leica Q borrows heavily from the Leica rangefinder form, yet dispenses with tradition by adopting a fixed 28mm Summilux lens developed especially for a new full-frame 24-Mpix CMOS sensor, and features the highest-resolution electronic viewfinder to date. Read on to find out how well this new intriguing new addition to the lineup performs.
The Sony RX1R II is the successor to the popular RX1 and RX1R premium compacts. It inherits the same 35mm f2 Zeiss Sonnar lens, but features the 42-Mpix sensor of the Sony A7R II and boasts a built-in pop-up style EVF. Read on to find out how well this new update performs.
DxO, the same company behind DxOMark, has introduced DxO ONE, a new pocket-sized connected camera designed to capture images with a quality and caliber previously unobtainable in a one-inch sensor camera. The DxO ONE camera's score of up to 85 puts it on par with many DSLR cameras, such as the Nikon D7200 and the Sony A7S (both with a score of 87), and is well above such Canon DSLRs as the EOS 5D Mark III (81) and the 7D Mark II (70). This score also places it in third among compact cameras, just behind the full-frame Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX1 and the DSC-RX1R, which score 93 and 91, respectively.
Panasonic's latest iteration of the LX series premium compact eschews the usual 1/1.7-inch sensor for the larger Micro-Four-Thirds type found the firm's mirrorless models. It also has a Leica 24-75mm f1.7-2.8 zoom, a traditional rangefinder style top plate with EVF, a hot shoe, and manual mechanical controls. Read on to see how well this intriguing new model performs.
The highly configurable RED Epic Dragon is the latest version of the firm's original Epic-M Digital Still and Motion Camera (DSMC). Although we are more used to analyzing still cameras at DxOMark, we've had a unique opportunity to assess RAW output from a prototype using all of our usual industry standard tests. As the results were extraordinary, we thought we would share the findings. Read on to find out how this high-performance sensor performs.
Leica's latest addition to the range of APS-C X cameras adopts a 16-Mpix sensor and useful 28-70mm equivalent Vario-Elmar zoom. Read on to find out how well it performs.
Street photography is an appealing genre for many photographers, and has become increasingly popular in recent years thanks to the proliferation of small high quality digital cameras and lenses. We've put together a concise round up of moderate wide-angle and telephoto lenses from each of the major camera systems. Read on to see which of the models we've chosen and what to expect from them in terms of image quality.
As the lower pixel count of the two full-frame A series mirrorless models from the firm the Sony A7 has been somewhat overshadowed by its pricier sibling. But with a less demanding 24-Mpix sensor and on-chip phase detection AF, the A7 sounds promising for legacy glass as well as offering faster focusing with the existing E and new FE mount lenses. Read on to find out how this intriguing new model performs.
Added by hanumanbob | March 09
Anti Fuji Bias
Well I've owned this camera as well as the Nikon 750 and I get comparable if not better results from a Fuji XPro 2 and XT2. Why are you not rating these?
Reply | Read all replies for this comment
First replies for this comment
Added by BasSe | May 01
Re: Anti Fuji Bias
2 years ago Sophie (DxO ed.) explained -though grondless and unconvincing- why they ignored Fujifilm products. And after 3 years (since Jan 2014, that X-T1 -class leader in APS-C format until X-T2- released) they still have continued to ignore Fujifilm. So after DxO team's constant refusal of Fujifilm cameras and lenses I also decide to ignore DxO. I think ignoring DxO is the most effective and the simplest solution.
Added by bclaff | May 08
Re: Anti Fuji Bias
FWIW, you can see Fuji sensor tests at [url=http://www.photonstophotos.net/charts/pdr.htm]Photons To Photos[/url], mostly X-Trans.
Added by BillyChiu | August 24 , 2013
Not sure you tested the right Sony RX1R
RX1R worse than the RX1? Are you certain you tested the right camera? Even your title for this report is incorrect. "Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX1 Review: pushing the limits?"
Reply | Read all replies for this comment
First replies for this comment
Added by Emilie_DxOMark | August 28 , 2013
Re: Not sure you tested the right Sony RX1R
Thanks for your interest in DxOMark.
Sensor results for the RX1R at low ISO setting were check many times. We do not have the explanation but the sample we got had a lower dynamic than the previous RX1.
We will try to perform new tests on another sample to comfirm it, stay tuned.
Best regards,
The DxOMark team
Added by Gandalfsson | December 23 , 2013
Re: Not sure you tested the right Sony RX1R
Thanks for your interest in DxOMark.
Sensor results for the RX1R at low ISO setting were check many times. We do not have the explanation but the sample we got had a lower dynamic than the previous RX1.
We will try to perform new tests on another sample to comfirm it, stay tuned.
Best regards,
The DxOMark team
I was also surprised - a lot - and have asked at fora, but nobody can answer this ?
Can You say anything about when you will do it ?
Added by NikonCoupleSoFlo | August 23 , 2013
Sony Rx1
Great idea for a P&S with a Full Frame Sensor but at that price point why not have interchangeable lenses? I feel the EVF for an additional $400 is a joke - some use an Olympus viewfinder on it (see steve huff photo )


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|Corona, Robusto, Torpedo
|Has Tip:
|More Details
90+ rated legit handmades....sexy and they know it.
Nicaraguan 2nds are some of the best 2nds to ever hit our dock. I admit, the name is cheap and lackluster, but the sticks are downright tasty.
Nicaraguan 2nds you see are extremely unique, even when compared to the other 2nds we carry. Allow me to explain. In many instances we cannot reveal the specific blend due to manufacturers not wanting their blends being sold for much, much less. In this rare instance.... we can't even mention the brand. I know it's a total WTF?! But trust me, these Nicaraguan 2nds are being made by one of the hottest manufactures in the industry. Without incriminating myself, these are made by one of Nicaragua's premiere factories, which has blown the industry away with a slew of 90+ ratings, and is consistently being ranked in Cigar Aficionado's Top 25 Cigars of the year. I'm willing to bet with a blindfold on you couldn't even tell the difference. Each Nicaraguan 2nd is teeming with the same long-filler tobaccos, and flavorful wrappers, producing a rich and smooth experience that will have you forgetting all about the generic name. I'll leave ya a hint as to who makes em'....I've said too much already.
Mark Twain 8x54. Two weeks in the humidor. Large and impressive, almost intimidating. Well constructed - cut and lit perfect. I knew from the first draw that I was in for a treat. Slightly sweet, creamy, a touch of pepper, a little cedar, very smooth and mild. I took my time and enjoyed this monster stick out on the deck with a few cocktails before dinner. It was good from start to finish. Glad I have nineteen more!
The Churchill size Nicaraguan 90+ Rated 2nds rock! I am relitivly new to the cigar world and still looking for my daily smoke. This very well may become my go to stick. They appear to be well constructed with a nice appearance. Lit and burned well through out the whole cigar. Very smooth and flavorful all the way through. Lasted a nice length of time - about 4 beers. I have enjoyed them as well or better than some of the spendier cigars I have tried. At two bucks a stick I highly recommend these.
Not bad at all. Prefect for extreme weather (hot or cold) when you want a smoke but just aren't sure if you want to be outside for 15-20 minutes or 1 hour+. These taste really good. Performance can be hit and miss but hard to complain at this price point. I always keep these on hand so I recommend if you are looking for a solid stick that you won't mind tossing early.
You never know what actual size you're gonna get, but I consider that a pleasant surprise. These are a wonderful value. Although there may be an occasional wrapper blem, they smoke like Olivas and typically burn well. Delicious, cheap, awesome!!!
Excellent smokes. Taste is great. The burn is perfect. Amazing deal.
These cigars are great for the price. With this bundle I can smoke a stick a day without hurting my wallet. So far every stick has smoked really well. I will be ordering some more soon.
Ordered the torpedo to my hotel while visiting Florida. What a great cigar. Very smooth/creamy with a hint of spice at the back of the tongue. I did not receive the Maduro, as mentioned by a previous reviewer, but it was great nonetheless. Will order again.
Olivia gold is my best guess. Smooth, nutty, spicy, a few were light and soft in construction, but overall they were still tasty and money well burned.
First off, this is a good buy. Nice leather and coffee notes that you would expect from any Nicaraguan. Mild to medium body, with plenty of earthy and chocolatey notes as well. The ash is very white, and holds on for a long time. That being said, they're full of veins and rips that are repaired and dozens of water spots. Other people have said they don't understand why they're "seconds". It's obvious. They can't compete with the real thing at all in terms of looks, but in taste, they are close. I will buy again, despite their ugly appearance.
Great smoke for the price.
4/14/15 Okay, so maybe these need a longer nap? I got these in last week (2nd time around with months since my 1st) and chose the robusto. These seem a little spicier than the last ones I got - not bad, I just expected it to be a little smoother. A few minor construction flaws, but this one is burning great, drawing great & currently holding a 1&7/8" light grey ash. Decent compliment to my Dominican rum. Make that a 2+" ( & holding) ash. Anyway, I'm going to let these lay a little longer & see if they mellow....It's got a little more bite than I'm looking for right now, but maybe I'll try it with a good IPA next time.
Ordered these a week ago and smoked one off the truck. It was delicious. Lit up another today to see if I was crazy and it's even better. Beautifully constructed in a Habano wrapper, heavy in hand with a firm white grey speckled ash. I love Oliva O's and V's, basically anything from Oliva and if you blindfolded me I wouldn't be able to tell you the difference between this cigar and first run Oliva O's. I'm ordering 2 bundles of these every month from now on. It's become my daily smoker because I don't think I'll find a better cigar for the price the rest of my life.
I ordered the Toro size on these guys. Glad I did. They have a nice wrapper, and they taste very good for a cheaper cigar. For my tastes, this cigar is great for anytime of the day and YOU CAN'T BEAT THE PRICE. They taste good, have a decent aroma(ppl aren't wrinkling their noses at you) and the ash is nice and white. Give them a lil humi time and they are even better. Great cigar for the money.
Awesome..... gonna be my go to for as long as I can get em.
Got the robusto bundle. The cigars were Conneticut Reserve 2nds. With the exception that the wrapper is really thin and peeling in some places, the cigar itself smokes and even better, tastes exactly the same as their banded sister. I also received the Churchill bundle. They were Serio O Maduro's. The cigars had soft spots throughout and the caps would sometimes be coming off. BUT, the wrapper, binder, and filler tobacco was exactly the same as their banded sister! I preferred the Maduro's over the Conneticut's. I hope I get lucky next time and get Maduro's. Either way, both cigars are good and the price, unbeatable. Thanks CI!
Incredible; you won't find a better $2 cigar anywhere. I'll often grab one of these torpedos over a top-shelf banded gar that I'm not familiar with. If I wasn't so fond of having many different smokes to pick from, or could pick just one for my humidor, the 90+ Nicaraguan torpedos would be it.
The first couple were a very tight draw. Having sat in my humidor for a couple of weeks, they are now smokeable. Initial draw is is pleasant, which maintains until about half way. Then they start to get harsh and bitter. I'm going to let them age a couple of months and try them again.
These were a pretty good deal. I ordered the Maduro Robusto and I think I got the Oliva Serie G. After some time in the humidor, these smoked just fine.
Wanted em as handouts, but the lil' guys came in handy for the freezing @$$ MN winter....A definite improvement over a lot of Overruns and 2nds; beautiful.
Love these cigars. I pulled an O maduro robusto out of my humidor, held it up to my newly received 2nd, and could not tell the diff.... One of my fav cigars.
I was like a kid in a candy store opening the package when it came and I wasn't let down. First was the aroma of a slight cedar to leather with a great age to it, I couldn't wait to light one up. The unlit draw had a nice flavor, but nothing like the first real lit draw. Very nice, smooth with a spicy note. These beauts have awesome room filling smoke and last for a long time. They end great with quite a nic kick. Now that I have let them sit in the humidor for a couple weeks they are even better. Love'em.
Bought a bundle of the Robusto and lit one up. Great flavor, but the draw was tough and it put out very little smoke. Sometimes this has been due to the fact the cigar is too moist. About half way through I noticed a bulge starting in the cigar and the wrapper started to split right at the ash line. I think these are too moist, so I'm going to let them sit outside the humidor for a couple of weeks then I'll give it another go.
The Nic 90+ Figurados were small and strong, so in the humidor they go for a while. The Torpedoes were med-full and delicious. I will be reordering for sure. The quality overall is great and the price is ridiculously RIGHT! Way to go, CI, for another wonderful option to top off my humidors!
Great smokes. I ordered the Robusto and they came in a nice natural wrapper and were right at 5x50. I was hoping for a maduro wrapper, but these are still very tasty smokes. They are definitely worth the price and I will be coming back for more bundles.
Full and flavor filled, just a plain beautiful smoke! A definite for my humidor and the perfecto is just right. Stack these cigars deep and enjoy them for the gems that they are!
I purchased the Toro Gordos and was pleasantly surprised when I opened the box. They turned out to be figurados. These appear to be Oliva Series V's. I have smoked other series V's in other sizes and these are dead ringers. This was the first figurado I have ever smoked and I really like the size. I let them rest for about three days and smoked the first one tonight. These are really great cigars. They are medium fulls. A very smooth smoke with lots of caramel and a slight sweetness. The ash was firm and held on for almost half the cigar. A wonderful smoke for a great price. I can't wait to see how they develop after some more time in the humidor.
Great smoke. Perfect price point for several a day. Competes with $5-10 sticks easily. New favorite. About to order another bundle.
Decent cigars. Construction looked very good and that makes me question if some of the factories aren't making "seconds" from the start, instead of actually calling a stick a second because of construction or color or some other abnormality. The only problem I can find is that they aren't the tightest roll I've ever had, especially from a cigar that is supposed to be a 90+. Well that, and I ordered Robustos and got these little 4" sub 50 ring cigars. They last about 30 minutes. Not bad for a run to the hardware store or something like that, but definitely not what I thought I was getting.
Big on flavor, yet light on the wallet! They may not take on the title pretty but they are solidly comstructed. Good draw, medium to full earthy and dark chocolate, with a light spice finish. I personally purchased one more robusto bundle to keep in the humi, for those quick duck outdoors and enjoy the stars moments. If you like you cigar with big flavor and dark wrappers, this for you.
Ordered a bundle of the coronas and just smoked my first one. Fantastic cigar! Burned perfectly with tons of smoke. Great flavors, nutty, sweet and peppery wrapped around a medium bodied tobacco core. These are easily one of the best values in the cigar market right now and I can't recommend them highly enough. CI, you keep these in stock and I'll keep ordering them.
The Torpedo is very well constructed with a real knock out of a full flavored blend. It's spicy and strong, easily the best 2nds cigar I've bought since the Ligero Laced sold out. 90+ is exactly how I would rate this cigar.
Don't buy these. If you do, you will regret it......because you will never convince your wallet to buy full priced cigars again. $6-$7 cigars with a $1.50 price tag? No brainer. Only obvious caution is selection. If you are a picky " I only like this and that" smoker, it may not be for you. If you are not picky, it's a winner.
Over all not to bad for the price. I had a couple that didn't smoke that well. Will buy again. And I usually smoke Oliva V's or Serie G.
After smoking a few of these, all I can say is.....DAAAAAMN!!!! Under $2 a stick for these cigars? That's ridiculous. You could slap a fancy band on these things, age 'em for about 6 months and sell them for 11-12 dollars a piece. I actually thought about rating them down just so you suckers wouldn't buy 'em. Maybe then they wouldn't always be on back-order!!! That's why I'm not telling what size I bought ;-)
I have not been disappointed yet. These are very good!
My deal is as follows: you don't smoke the band, so these my friends are the bomb. My only beef with this deal is you cannot request a wrapper. That said, regardless of what you get, they are straight up excellent. CI let the proverbial cat out of the bag by telling us they're Oliva. Little else is required. Based on my multiple purchases, I'm banking on Series O sticks that are identical to their "firsts". Try as I might, I cannot detect the reason these are 2nds. Maybe just factory overrun product. Doesn't matter these are tremendous at this price. Hit it hard and often to fill your daily humidors.
Received my 2nds yesterday ordered the robusto they seem to be a little smaller in size but I expected that from reviews. I inspected each on very little flaws light skin Connecticut wrapper couldn't resist lit one up, fantastic! It was very slow burn mild to medium smoke great to the nub. Looked up Olivas...ended up being Connecticut reserve great smoke. I'm more of a medium to full-bodied smoke guy but hey can't complain great quality for a buck! Thanks CI!
Just loved these cigars!
WOW! These arrived yesterday and I smoked one last night. From the first puff it was extraordinary. I am a cigar novice, but I know what I like and this was as good as it gets at any price. This is the first Oliva that I have tried in this size (robusto) and while it is a bit on the small size it is a terrific smoke worth several times the price.
If you want a nice cigar for under 2 bucks get Nicaraguan 90+ rated 2nds.
Not too bad...a bit of a tight draw...5 on a scale of 1-10.
Solid cheap ($2) cigar - fact I have re-ordered says that. Like to you who gave them a 90+ though? I wouldn't go that far.
Very nice, very good draw, great burn, and my everyday smoke.
Never bought 2nds before but will from now on! I was totally surprised by these smokes, great flavor, perfect draw, no real issues at all, I think these will be a constant addition to my cart when buying cigars for sure.
Really nice smoke for the price. Looking at the brand tagged for this product, along with an inspection of the cigar's dimensions versus others I had, and the overall flavor and strength of these cigars, my guess is that I got Oliva Serie O Habano 2nds. Not sure of course, but that is my guess. These are great cigars for the money. For less than $2 per cigar, you get a premium tobacco blend that absolutely belongs in a higher price range. That's why we purchase 2nds, right? Premium tobacco in a sometimes flawed package? That's exactly what these cigars are, but I will say that the flaws are mostly superficial. If you can see a flaw at all, it is usually a little nick in the wrapper, maybe a sloppy cap or something. I'm very happy with mine. Now I have a high quality cigar that I can smoke without worrying about cost.
I am admittedly a cigar snob and a skeptic when it comes to 2nd, overruns, knockoffs and the like. I recently added an order of these cigars trying to replace my everyday cigar. I am very happy to report that these cigars are truly a gem. I could care less if they are Oliva or My Father... All I know is that I will be buying more! Great product and kudos CI!
Bang for your buck? Look, if you want a good, solid, medium-plus smoke that is reasonably priced, HOLY S#!T, this is GREAT!!! At this price?!? Quit'yer'bithin', snobs! This ain't dirt weed! You get a cigar that is somewhat heavy in the hand, moderately complex flavor, a nice, even burn, reasonably sturdy ash (up to an inch and a half or so) and despite some pepper - not TOO much, mind you - there's a nice creamy mouth feel. I've spent more on a lesser smoke. So, just dig in…I'M GETTING MORE!!! And I'll race ya!
One of my go to cigars. Always nice and smooth.
I have to say that I was surprised at the quality and taste of these cigars. I had never tried/ordered any 2nds before but these are definitely worth it, will order them again!
DAMN FINE CIGAR. 9/29/2014. Only a few months into my new favorite hobby - smoking, reading reviews, writing reviews, comparing notes, etc. (& my wife thinks I'm looking at porn!) - I'm still far from an aficionado. But between you, my fellow readers/writers, and the C.I. staff, I'm quickly becoming a well- educated BADASS! So, how about we start including some dates with our reviews? Some have speculated this 90+ rated cigar to be a My Father or maybe an Oliva O serie. I treated myself to the toro in this bad boy & I am friggin' STOKED!!! Yes, I immediately put them into my humidor, except for this one I'm smoking right now! If it's THIS good now, is it REALLY going to get better after a nap? I could EASILY make this my everyday cigar. Solid medium with a little creaminess, very subtle spice, even burn, sturdy ash. None-too complex, but enough "wow" to warrant pause. Thank you, my friends!
Just got my bundle in and I swear that they're Oliva robusto G's. After reading the other reviews I expected to get Maduro O's. Since The robusto G is my go to, I'm definitely not disappointed! Thanks CI!
Well constructed, not too soft nor to hard, minor mottling on the wrapper. Draw was perfect with just a bit of resistance. A nice leathery smoke with a sort of fruity undertone. I LIKE! I ordered the coronas but would suggest ordering a larger size, as the coronas left me wanting more! Oh well at less than 2 bucks a stick I'll have another!
This was a great buy, I put half away and started on the other half. I have one so far with a small 'dent' in it. Great everyday smoke.
Not the best off the truck, but once they sat for a few weeks, they just got better and better! Incredible smoke for the money!
These are some of the best 2nds I have purchased and I am a cheap smoker so I've had my share. Only noticed a few that were slightly off color and some prominent veins. Otherwise they smoke perfectly and the taste is great. My palate isn't good enough for me to guess what they are but at this price I really don't care. Will definitely order more. Highly recommended if you like medium-bodied Nicaraguans.
Just ordered my 3rd bundle of these. They're really a great everyday kind of stick. On the mild side, but still have enough flavor to keep me very interested. I'll most certainly continue to buy these.
I've been hooked on Nicuraguan blends since I took a tour of the A. J. Fernandez fields and factory. These are a sensational bargain and great taste.
I ended up with the Petite Corona. I am not sure what wrapper it is to be honest. I really wish CI would send maybe a little 411 about the cigar you end up with for us guys that really would like to know, so we can better educate ourselves on the cigars in general. Good stick fairly loose construction and soft but it held together well. SMALL, this is a really small cigar! If your looking for a 20 min stick thats about all your gonna get here. It started to get fairly harsh about 1/2 way through it. Ill set these away for a little bit and see if they firm up a bit.
Received mine off the truck today and on the deck with it now. Very good construction, no flaws, easy draw, robusto size as advertised, long ash holding, and great tasting. I believe its an Oliva Series O. I want to get my hands on the maduro so I will definitely be reordering. Thanks CI & fellow stick burners for the spot on reviews.
Best freakin deal ever. These babys are GOOD. Damn good. The price is rediculously low for the quality. Definitely buying these again!
All I can say is wow. Let these sit for a few days but couldn't resist trying one...these are absolutely amazing for the price. Easily an every day stick from now on. Will definitely buy again.
Just bought a bundle of Nicaraguan 90+ Rated Seconds. While the price was great I have to say was a little disappointed by the cigar, was expecting to get something medium-full but instead was greeted with a mild cigar. Seeing how it clearly states on the website under brand that it is Oliva I am certain I have gotten the Connecticut Reserve. I was hoping for something a little fuller body with possibly a maduro wrapper but with seconds you can't be picky. Overall a great smoke just not what I thought it would be so to my friends looking for a fuller bodied smoke at a great price just beware these may be milder than you are looking for.
Tasty treats
For the price, you can't beat these seconds. Definitely a high quality offering for a basement bargain price. I will be dipping back into this well, repeatedly.
Great smokes. I have bought bundles of these and never had a disappointment yet. Latest bunch of robustos that arrived today I am 90% certain are the Oliva Master Blend.
I've tried the Toros, Torpedos, Belicosos, and Petit coronas. All but the petit coronas were excellent, and I just placed another order (belicosos) today. The PC's were simply too young, strong aftertaste, and will need to age at least 6 months in my humidor before I will try another. In the meantime the larger sizes are undiscovered gems. I will continue with these as my daily smokes till CI runs out.
I bought the torpedo and toro bundles in a sale a while back for discounted rates. Toros: reddish brown wrapper, burns clean and straight. So far, decent smoke, more medium to the fuller bodied. Good construction, little draw 1/2 through but not a bad everyday smoke. If I had to guess, these are Saisons.... Torpedoes: Dark maduro wrapper, these are not box pressed like the O and G maduros so ruled those out pretty quick. Burned very clean, burn line razor sharp with little to no touch ups. Smoke is very harsh at first, then quickly fades but smoke is semi-harsh the whole way through. Decent, milder flavor, definitely mild-medium in body. Overall not a bad yard-gar or "I don't care if I get interrupted-gar". If I had to guess, these are Flor de Olivas.... Overall, not a bad deal and will keep these on hand to burn in the yard or random times I don't care about being interrupted or distracted. Some say humi time makes them better. I guess its luck of the draw... good luck!
An excellent everyday cigar! Good value, good flavor, an occasional uneven burn, but I can overlook that considering the price. Have already ordered more.
The belicoso is in my top five favorite cigars. I don't have a clue as to what blend it is. I can't quite pin it down. Try it, you will like it. I have purchased several bundles.
Ordered 2 bundles of toros. I know that each size is a different Oliva blend, but don't know whether each size's blend stays the same from batch to batch. Sure hope so because the last bundle was just spectacular (the Churchills I also ordered - not so much). Tastes vary of course, but the Toros were just perfect for me - loaded with pepper, but smooth and creamy....
Been so pleased with CI lately, the premier online cigar retailer. Decided to check these out. Ordered the Churchills: very sophisticated, smooth and even burn, retains ash- moderately spicy but not peppery; consistent flavor throughout- only one of the bundle cracked, would definitely order again if available.
Love it! Very very good quality, A+!
This is your nice basic Nicaraguan cigar. Wonderful flavor, good draw, a little hot at the end but for the price a great smoke!
An inexpensive cigar with silky smoke, beautiful maduro wrapper, and firm. However, I have gone through half a bundle of churchills and have run into some wrapper issues. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy these once these issues are resolved.... Would I buy it again? Yes, but perhaps in a different size next time....
Overall I think these are a good smokes for the price point. I think a little time in the humidor will do them some good though. I wouldn't hesitate to buy them again.
If your looking for a great smoke on the cheap side, look no more, you've found it. The Nicaraguan 90+ rated 2nd's are a steal. Jump on 'em, just leave some for me.
Pays your money and takes your chances! Some of the NIC 90+ seconds were delicious. The last order, was to say the least, disappointing.... Some batches are winners, some not.
Hit or miss. Sometimes very good, sometimes...eh. My last bundle was so dry that after two weeks in the humi, every one still cracked upon cutting.
As long as you're open-minded, these are a great buy. I hit on the toros, got a natural wrapper. Torpedos: maduro. However, all were good cigars, and I'll buy them again.
I've been eyeing these cigars for a while wondering if they were any good. Based on the reviews I've read everyone liked them so a couple of weeks ago they were on sale for 19.50 and without hesitation I pulled the trigger. When I received them I opened one right away and fired it up and holy hell!! These cigars are good. I was getting sweet cedar and pepper as the main players and the pepper wasn't overwhelming at all, about a 5 for me. The construction was good the burn was fine and the ash held on for almost half way through. I'm gonna smoke these and save my others cigars for some other time. I definitely will buy these again.
Just smoked about half way through this bundle. These are fantastic cigars. However, you have to give them some time in the humidor in my opinion to the tune of at least 2 month. However, just for the experience, smoke one right out of the bundle and then try them later. There is a noticeable difference. These are great medium-full strength cigars. Very creamy / tobaccoey, enjoyable sticks.
Excellent smoke. Just got my order of 2nds yesterday .Love em
not good. dry and poorly wrapped.
Ordered the Double Robusto in Dec 2013 and smoked one right off the truck. Sorry to say, I wasn't impressed at all and figured these were gonna be a yardgar, just somethin' to puff on while mowing. Fast forward 5 months and these have developed very nicely. We're not talkin' LaGloria or Torano, but we're not payin those high dollar prices either. It is what it is, an inexpensive cigar, that GIVEN TIME, turns in to a very nice little smoke. Will be ordering more, for sure.
I've ordered these "2nds" twice: The first batch, Toros, were a decent smoke. They were med/strong, with a smoke that tasted like Cedar and spices, very pleasant. The second batch, I ordered a larger size, which were not bad, but had some "off" flavors and lacked the body and character of the Toros. Unfortunately, the third batch was extremely disappointing. I prefer a med-strong to strong cigar; the third batch appeared to be Claros and when I lit up, it was full of "off" nasty flavors. As I smoked a stick down, the flavor became more tolerable, but far from good. Certainly, this cigar could not have been rated 90+. I have smoked many Claros and although not my preference, they were good cigars. This last batch was a loser!
not a bad cigar bought the robusto good flavor smoked six and the wrapper cracked and peeled on 3 of them the other 3 were flawless Its a 2$ cigar so really no complaints, gonna let the rest sit the Humidor a little longer, got them on a tuesday and smoked six by friday, I like 'em
Taste is superb, burn was great. Only downfall was the wrap was a little dry, but a little time in the humidor will cure that
Great cigars for the money...and then some. The profile: Sweet Pepper with nuances of cedar; reminiscent of some of the premium Nicaraguans. You can't go wrong with these!
Very nice smoke for the price. Good full flavor, for sure a must try!
Good, rich cigar...Seconds are usually under rated but over-charged. Not so here......
Wonderful Smoke, Worth the Price, Buy Em!!!!!!!
Just got a pack of the robustos in today. I lit one right off the truck and it was really great, a little harsh at first, but quickly mellowed out, overall a very high quality smoke. The construction, burn, draw, and smoke output were all quite impressive. The cigar lasted about 1 hour and 30 minutes, a little longer than most robustos I've had. I'd rate them an solid 9/10 and, after a little time in the humidor, possibly a 9.5. Honestly, I have no clue why Oliva considers these seconds but I'm certainly not complaining about the savings. I will definitely be buying these in future.
Good smoke, poor construction, easy draw, wrapper imperfections, overall, good everyday smokes.
These are the best 2nds I've purchased yet at a phenomenal cost to value. I enjoyed these seconds more then the Alec Bradlies which I loved! Defiantly going to purchase these again. You should treat yourself to some of these but be warned your gonna be hooked. I gave one to my neighbor and he loved them as well. Dynamite!!!
Wonderful cigars! Smoke like a $5 stogie, easy. I will enjoy these all spring and summer!
Lit one of these out of the box, and it had some bite to it....just 2 days in the humi smoothed them out. 2nds? Who need 1sts? These cigars are a quality smoke that I will enjoy at days end, with a glass of wine (or 2) for many nights....mmmm good. I'll be ordering again...and again...and again.
I got these as knock-arounds and was blown away at how good they really are. Nice, full bodied smoke with an even burn all the way to the end, and good long-lasting smoke that I enjoyed very, very much. Ordering more now!!!
WOW! not what i expected. I figured id get these for my motorcycle runs, you know something cheap that you can share and dump in a hurry and not feel like you just lost a 10$ stick. What i did find out is that these cigars are delicious, they smoke great, are on the spicy side, but have all the qualities of its bigger brother who stills remains nameless. BUY IT! YOU WONT BE DISSAPOINTED!!!
Tried the Robusto and had issues with few of the wrappers. After a week in the humidor tried them, decent taste he price. Hope with some more time they will improve.
EXCELLENT SMOKES! Me and my usual crew are quite discerning smokers and we all agree these are easily an 8/10...I don't think I'm going back to name brands again.
Please let them sit in your humidor for awhile. I smoked one of these right off the truck and it was terrible. I smoked the next one about a week later and it was better. Then another a week after that and it was even better. Let these sit for a few months and you have a great short smoke on your hands. In my experience the longer these sit the better they are. Aging makes a huge difference with these ones. So if you've smoked one right off the truck like I did and didn't enjoy it then don't feel like it was a waste. Let them ripen and they'll be a fine smoke that's well worth the money.
This is my go to daily now. Can not go wrong if you like oliva brand youll love these.
Ordered a bundle of the Toro Gordos, and my only nit with them is that the ash constantly falls off on its own at a half-inch or less..... leads me to believe these are made with short filler left-overs. Other than that, they draw well, burn good, and taste great. At two bucks apiece, they're great work cigars..... just be very mindful of your ash if you're indoors.
I ordered 15 on special just expecting something to smoke while around the garage but not while relaxing but these are great smokes. Really soft ash but I wish I had ordered 4 packs. My humidor is getting stuffed with these deals. I really enjoy CI!
I just got a mazo of fifteen toros. I looked for blemishes or rough spots. None. Tightly packed, absolutely perfect cigars. So much for the "seconds" consideration. Now for the taste test. 90+ is no exaggeration. I know there is a lot of hyperbole in the cigar descriptions here. But this is not a misprint, This cigar (and I assume the rest are like this one) is one of the best cigars I have smoked -- and I smoke top of the line cigars. The only drawback -- no labels. But if you put an expensive label on it you got a fifteen dollar stick!!!
I ordered the Dbl robustos while on special last week. This is a size not normally available so I jumped on them. So glad I did!! These are seconds of the Serie V line!!! Great looking reddish hued wrapper, burns fantastic and wonderful medium turning to full flavor half way through. Some slight blemishes i.e. sun spots and a vein or two which explains why they got bounced from production. But, a truly top notch luxury smoke from Oliva!
You guys are killing me. Deal after deal, I am running out of room in my humidors. I find myself sitting in temperatures that are not ideal when trying to enjoy one of that many "cigars" that I have had rested over the months. Thank you, but next time can you put these kinds of deals during better weather... lol, im kidding. Keep up that service... and I wish you "Cigar's International" happy holidays and prosperous New Year!
I don't know what brand these were or who the maker is but I know one thing; I am a fan! I wish I could thank whoever is responsible! If you are reading this, order these cigars. They quickly became my go to for any occasion. Gave a few away but smoked the rest. My buddies kept asking what kind of smoke it was. All I could tell them was here's the link man. They are a legit smoke regardless of your preference!
very good also but let them sit a while in the humi
Not what I had expected. Good smoke but having more wrapper issues than I had expected. Great price but will not buy again.
amazing price for amazing cigar....5 star
Very nice for the money
Easy draw, great value, best cigar to have in stock for everyday and when you need to give one up because your golfing buddy never remembers to bring his!
The description under the picture says, Brand: Oliva. I don't know what the mystery is. Good guess on the My Fathers JS from Oregon.
I purchased three bundles of the Robustos. The first bundle was not the same as the latter two, as the first batch had habano wrappers while the second batch had maduro wrappers. These were all great cigars, but I was surprised to see the unadvertised difference. Not surprising that these are wiped out - these are top quality smokes for a very low price. Just be aware of the potential inconsistency of what you might receive.
This is a review of the second purchase of these cigars. Some of the cigars in the most recent bundle were not as nicely shaped as the first purchase. I am tempted to say this reversed my opinion of the purchase - but only to lure you away from running CI out of stock! I returned to add another bundle to my next purchase, but every profile is sold out! These smoke wonderfully and are my favorite value cigars so far. I will continue to review my purchases, but feel I am doing myself a disservice if everyone keeps running CI out of my faves!
Pretty decent everyday smoke. Not overly complex, but good value for the money. Again, let these guys rest for a few months and you'll enjoy them even more.
These smokes are great! My all time favorite is Padron robustos; these are closing in on being my new favorite smoke. There is a lot of smoke & very easy draw.
Robusto: You simply can't go wrong with this value cigar. You get more than you pay for. These are not low budget cigars like the Cuban Delights I enjoy gnawing on without lighting - these are worth smoking casually. I will keep them on hand if they are available when I order.
I ordered the robustos, and they are well worth the price! Can barely tell why most of them were considered 2nds.
Dude! Finally found that good cheap daily smoke. I've been on a mission trying to find the best "cheap" daily smoke and I think I just found 'em. Some of these might look a lil rough but really who cares. I was hesitant to try these at first due to the lame ass name. Thought they would be garbage but was I really surprised. Please keep these in stock!!
What this world needs is a good buck fifty cigar. I have smoked 2nds for years, but usually stay with the super premium that smoke like a Punch. I am always scared I will get a mazo of cigars I don't like, but when the price is a buck fifty, you have to take a chance once in a while. So I ordered the Nicaraguan 90+ rated 2nds corona. Well, there is nothing 2nd about them. They smoke like a dream, taste absolutely delicious & have flawless construction. They have a spicy medium body, with notes of pepper & burn straight. I love them! So I am ready to order a bundle of the robustos, before they are all gone. Thanks, CI, for another great vitola I can afford to smoke every day.
Not sold on these yet. Had my first one a day after they came, 24 hrs in the humidor. To me, these really didn't have the great flavor as other Oliva's I've had (Had a serie V a few days back). It was strong, however, so that's good. I'm hoping with some extra time in the box, it will help pull out their full potential and flavor. With all the other positive reviews on this site, I'm hopeful that with time they will be as good as everyone says. I'll follow up in a few weeks after they have had a fair chance to marinate.
Great buy! This will be a definite stock, a bit small but perfect for everyday smoke.
The cameroon wrapper gloriously draped around the petite corona bundle I recently received, suggests that I may have gotten my hands on 15 Serie "G" cigars. The sure are tasty & they won't break the bank. I found one small bump on the 1st one I sparked up, but otherwise the construction was flawless. Some minor burn issues that a few weeks in the humi should correct. Otherwise, I am very pleased with the flavor. I can easily see where they might be mistaken for a company's 1st line cigar. I am already eyeing the robusto stock & plan on ordering a bundle soon. Hopefully I will receive the cameroon or habano wrapper, as the maduro are my least favorite among the "O" line of blends.
These are great! I bought some robustos and some perfectos, the robustos are 4.5" x 50 and the perfectos are 3.75" x 49. Haven't had a robusto yet but this review is for the two perfectos I've had. These perfectos look exactly like the Oliva Special G Naturals that I have, same color, same shape. I love the little Olivas and the CI Nicaraguans are great. Nice, even burn and lots of white smoke. I'd day they're medium flavored. It took me about 45 minutes to get down to the nub. For a small stick you can't beat this one for the money.
False advertising is not an issue. These qualifify to be in any conversation in which discussions of 90+ rated cigars are conducted. Exceptional value.
Bought my first bundle and am very satisfied with the smoke. My buddies who smoke the real thing can't tell the difference. Hell, remove the band and light one up and I dare you to tell me the taste difference. When they turn to ash, they all look the same so who cares.
Just received my Nicaraguan 90+ rated 2nds...loved it. I will be a return buyer...does it come in Habano as well?
Tired one the Perfectos tonight. I originally thought it would be an Oliva G or O, but after tasting it, it doesn't seem to match either. Medium-bodied, creamy, surprisingly flavorful. The only real defects were a few blemishes on the wrapper and it seemed to be rolled a little loose. The draw was a little too easy. Not a deal breaker though, just a little loose which is always better in my opinion than too tight...well, at least when it comes to cigars! For the price you can't beat this. Next time I will order some larger sizes too. (Additional note: The perfectos are identical to typical robusto size, 5 x 50)
Just smoked one of these Nicaraguan 2nds and they are truly amazing! This was given to me by a buddy and was my first experience smoking a 2nd. Smooth exquisite smokes that left me wanting to have another. I am a total convert to the 2nds, I will be buying these in the future.
Absolutely awesome smoke! It had a smooth, yet spicy taste and was consistent until the end. Fantastic smoke for the buck!
I just received the Robusto today and I had to smoke one. The ring size was on the small side with some imperfections in the wrapper but nothing that affected the smoke. The draw and burn was spot on, it's the best damn cigar for 2 bucks. Just what the doctor ordered when hitting the lake with the boys, God knows I wouldn't hand out my Alex Bradleys.
I just received the robustos. Absolutely scrumptious. I smoked one right out the box. Very smooth. The price is worth it. I just bought two more bundles. I highly recommend.
Loved them. Second schmecond. Bought the robusto and I'm coming back for "seconds".
Churchill. Solid smoke right out of the box. Not the firmest cigar but an Easy draw with a perfect burn. Zero construction issues that would cause me to call it a second. More Medium body than full in my opinion. Started off with more of a cedar taste in first 1/3 but developed into a creamy sweetness in second 2/3.
I took a chance and ordered two bundles.... I just ordered another...should I say more!
I bought 3 bundles of the Toros and they're not a bad smoke they burned pretty good but the cap on everyone has not come out right I've cut a little bit of it and it unravels. I'll try a punch on the next one!
I got the robostos and am well pleased. These are far better than many of the more expensive brands that I have tried.
Just smoked one right out of the box last night. Other than some construction issues, its was a very good smoke. The wrapper did start coming apart towards the last third (churchill) but for the price I will continue buying these as my daily smoke.
These babies are great. I love how the description says they can't mention the brand's name, but they must have missed the memo when entering the details... I was already sure I knew the brand, but now I know for sure. I hope they keep these bad boys in stock.
I picked up some of the robusto size. I think I ended up with the serie O seconds. They have been in the humidor for over a month and I tried one last night. It had great flavor and aroma. I couldn't tell why it was a second, but then again I'm not very picky. It's a great deal for a great cigar. Thanks CI.
These seconds were great and all burned well with great flavor.
Received mine yesterday, toasted one last night off the truck. All I can say is please don't buy these cigars...just kidding...these babies earned such a spot in my humidor that I ordered 2 more packages this am. I got the perfectos and although they are a little short they pack a great punch. Anyone with a love of cigars and likes a good deal...don't let these sticks get by you.
Man, what a great smoke, thanks CI for these gems! I ordered the Toro Gordo and the size is spot on, beautiful construction with no soft spots. Ended up getting a Connecticut shade wrapper but loads of great flavor, earthy, hints of leather and coffee with a nice amount of pepper on the finish. The draw was so easy right off the truck it was like there was a straw right down the middle, lots of nice white smoke. I'm not sure these will even have a chance to age at all. I've been ordering some alternatives as my everyday cigar for a few years now but these are by far a better smoke for the price. Looks like something new has found a permanent home in my humidor! Looking forward to ordering a few more bundles of various sizes in the near future.
SMOOOTH! That says it all!
The 90 rated 2nds are good and inexpensive. I enjoy the maduros the most. I recommend the cigar....just don't get the perfecto size. I found them to be tiny.
I love your hint! It is absolutely genius! It is a great play on words and a very imaginative way to let us know very cleverly who makes these wonderful cigars! Oh, oh, oh I live a wonderful life when I smoke these! Thanks CI you're the best!
I ordered the torpedo size. These are full flavored and spicy. The wrapper was maduro. I've smoked 3 so far and given a few away to my cigar buddies, including one who works at my local B&M. He looked at it, and without hesitation, walked into the humidor and grabbed an Oliva Series O Maduro. A dead ringer in the looks department and pre-light aroma. I suspect his assessment is accurate. At $2.00 a piece, you cannot go wrong.
I bought the Toros. They are sized as advertised and appear well-constructed, no lumps or soft spots. Medium-brown wrapper, not reddish at all, with excellent 'tooth.' Cuts sharp, burns even. Nice cohesive grey ash with white specks corresponding to the wrapper tooth. The smoke is -very- medium-bodied with mid-range toasty / woody flavors, not the heavier chocolate / leather you'd expect from Nicaraguans. I don't know what brand they are, If you put a gun to my head, I'd guess My Father, but whatever they are, there's not a thing wrong with them. If you like medium cigars, you must try these. If, like me, you like strong full-flavored cigars, these are a nice change of pace. Either way, they'd also make a 'safe' gift.
Delicious! Your crazy if you don't like these. Well made, even burn, Pepper colored ash leaning tward the whiter side. Heavy, and spicy. Just from the taste I have a good idea where they came from. These are hard times for most, including the people making these. I am so thankful they found a way to get them to us at a decent price.
These are the premium cigars described. My only caution is that the size can vary. I ordered the torpedo's twice. The first time they were of good length and ring size but the second order yielded a very small cigar for the same price. I went with the Churchills last time and they were 6" with a solid ring size. I'll stick with this grab bag product because it's a terrific smoke for the price.


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Bigger in size, longer in length, broader in scope, and even more useful than our original Mac OS X Hacks, the new Big Book of Apple Hacks offers a grab bag of tips, tricks and hacks to get the most out of Mac OS X Leopard, as well as the new line of iPods, iPhone, and Apple TV.
With 125 entirely new hacks presented in step-by-step fashion, this practical book is for serious Apple computer and gadget users who really want to take control of these systems. Many of the hacks take you under the hood and show you how to tweak system preferences, alter or add keyboard shortcuts, mount drives and devices, and generally do things with your operating system and gadgets that Apple doesn't expect you to do. The Big Book of Apple Hacks gives you:
Chris Seibold is an engineer, writer, and cartoonist residing in Knoxville, Tennessee. As an engineer, he has tackled such diverse processes as powder coating and hot dog casing manufacture. As a writer, he has focused on computing and written for a variety of online and traditional media, including serving as Senior Contributing Editor for the Apple Matters web site and contributing hacks to iPod and iTunes Hacks, with a talent for making the complex accessible to the interested but harried user. As a cartoonist, he has produced both cartoon strips and editorials. Chris also managed to spend some time working producing radio shows relating to sports. As soon as he hits television, the trifecta will be complete. Chris lives with his wife, young son, and what is quite possibly the world's dimmest canine. He has a degree in Physics from the University of Tennessee but has yet to find work involving frictionless inclined planes.
View Chris Seibold's full profile page.
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My first Mac / Book
By Orion9
from Summerville, SC
About Me Designer, Developer
Best Uses
Comments about oreilly Big Book of Apple Hacks:
I've always been a PC guy and hate reading technical books. This past August in 09' I got my first MacBook Pro and loved it. Then I saw the "Big Book of Apple Hacks" at a local library. I checked it out and for the first time I found myself reading through the whole thing in a few days. I even tried some of the hacks. After I return the book I intend to purchase a copy of my own.
Bottom Line Yes, I would recommend this to a friend
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(3 of 3 customers found this review helpful)
A Great Collection of Hacks
By Shagbolt
from Undisclosed
I am a tinkerer. I love to play around with things, see how they work, make modifications, hack. I come by this trait honestly. My dad is an electronic tech by trade and tinkerer by nature. Dad likes to "hack" electronics. In fact, our first color television was a Heathkit that dad built himself. Dad always had a table full of electronics that he was working on bought from flea markets and ham radio shows. He always had a Popular Mechanics open to a new project. But now instead of a table of electronics, I have a Macbook. Instead of Popular Mechanics, I have The Big Book of Apple Hacks from O'Reilly.The Big Book of Apple Hacks is indeed big. Chris Seibold (a senior writer at the Apple Matters web site) collected (with the assistant of 27 contributors) 131 hacks (and many sidebar "mini-hacks") and logically organized them into 15 chapters. The hacks range from simple software code changes to get-out-the-soldering-iron hardware mods. But all the hacks are interesting and most are useful.Beginning with the usual admonishment to back up your file, Big Book of Apple Hacks actually goes on to show you how via hack #1. Good advise since The Big Book of Apple Hacks quickly goes into hacking .plist files, OS X (mostly Leopard), command-line, network, iPods, iPhones, laptops, even your car!The hacks, ranging from a few paragraphs to several pages, are well laid out with clear instructions. The illustrations used provide additional clarification. Most hacks are useful and optimize your system, but a few are pretty fanciful. The hacks in this book are not new and can be found in different forms on the web. But this collection presents these hacks in a consistent way that are easy to read and understand.The Big Book of Apple Hacks is a real time suck, in a very good way. I can see my dad and I now spending time infrom of our Macbooks hacking away. I would recommend this book to all Mac users, but more experienced users will benefit the most.O'Reilly is one of the premier publishers of tech books, offer discounts to members of Mac User Groups, so run, do not walk, to your group and get this book.
© 2016, O'Reilly Media, Inc.
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All trademarks and registered trademarks appearing on oreilly.com are the property of their respective owners.


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Santa Barbara Wedding from Lane Dittoe Fine Art Wedding PhotographsIs it just me or do coral peonies never ever get old? The second I spot those suckers I'm totally done for and I have a feeling I'm not the only one. These florals by Oak and the Owl have Team
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text: DAWN of MANA (Seiken Densetsu 4)Copyrights: © SQUARE ENIX CO., LTD. All Rights Reserved.Genre: Action-AdventureFormat: PlayStation®2Number of Players: 1Japanese MSRP: TBDJapanese Release Date: 2006Introducing the First 3D Incarnation in the MANA SeriesFreed from the limitations of two-dimensional graphics, DAWN of MANA explodes onto the screen in vivid3D. New characters and environments join familiar monsters and elemental spirits from previous MANA titles, and are fleshed out through the wonders of cutting-edge rendering techniques while preservingthe signature beauty and subtlety of the acclaimed series.The Beginning of the Legend Revealed at LastIn DAWN of MANA, the origins of the MANA Tree and the SWORD of MANA are finallyrevealed. Discover how the cornerstones of this enthralling legend came into being and how their story has been passed on,thriving through the ages.In Touch With Your SurroundingsYou' ll find plenty of usable objects in DAWN of MANA' s expansive areas. Use them in a variety of ways to creatively engage interact with the alluring environments. It' s easy to immerse yourself in this new world, because everything here obeys the laws of physics.For instance, when trying to move a boulder, you' ll have to exert some force to push it along a level path, but have no trouble rolling it down a hill. Wooden objects can catch fire, yet those of stone cannot. By conforming to the same rules that govern our world, this game lets players feel virtual surroundings.Inviting areas and sinister dungeons await in DAWN of MANA. Experience an action game that offers more than just a chance to swipe at enemies — a realm where you can manipulate objects while an intriguing story unfolds before you…Copyrights: © SQUARE ENIX CO., LTD. All Rights Reserved.


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Central Valley Fire Assistant Chief responds to firing
BOZEMAN, Mont. - Central Valley Fire Chief Ron Lindroth spent months studying the department before suggesting the changes.
In his analysis, he calls for hiring two full-time fire fighters, so the station can upgrade to 24/7 career staffing.
Right now, there is no coverage from five to seven pm, aside from a career oversight officer and on-call paramedic.
But to help pay their salaries, the plan cuts the Assistant Chief HR position, currently held by Brian Crandell.
In January, the board assembled a review committee to look over the analysis and answer a number of questions pertaining to the plan.
They came back to the board on Tuesday, and recommended the board go forward with the analysis.
Board Vice Chairman Gil Moore, who served on the committee, said he thinks it's best for efficiency.
"The elimination of the Assistant Chief HR position was done to be more fiscally responsible" he said. "The dollars that it cost to pay up that person or that position can almost pay for two fire fighters."
We sat down with Crandell on Wednesday evening. He said the termination of his position was not an action item on the board's agenda, and said they fired him without even talking to him first.
Crandell said no one in the department or on the board told him ahead of time that his job could be eliminated right at the meeting.
And, he said he wasn't able to waive his right to privacy before they made the decision.
So he's weighing his options.
"My family and I are assessing the situation and evaluating all of our options" he said. "We're really very grateful for the support that we continue to receive from the community as well as the fire fighters at Belgrade Central Valley Fire."
Moore said they gave Crandell a termination agreement that includes severance pay, and that he has 20 days to sign it. He said the department is moving forward to begin implementing the changes very soon.


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An old college friend posted on Facebook last night that if the world does end today, at least it would have some decent tunes. The apocalypse is a popular topic in all forms of entertainment and music hasn't escaped from that, so here's ten songs to form a soundtrack to the end of the world. Let us know what you think of our selections (if you're not too busy killing off those zombie hordes outside your house that is – and if you are, Judy put together a great playlist for that, too) and what you'd listen to on your last night on Earth.
10. Smashing Pumpkins – Doomsday Clock
9. Dave Matthews Band – When the World Ends
8. Weird Al Yankovic – Christmas at Ground Zero
7. Duran Duran – Last Day on Earth
Continue Reading "Seeking a Song for The End of The World" »


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Event Planning
Programs coordinated by student organizations are not only opportunities for students to shape the Ithaca College experience but can be tremendous learning experiences for the students that develop them.
The importance of planning ahead cannot be overstated. Early and careful planning hels ensure successful programs and makes the professional staff's work more efficient and effective.
When developing a program, it is essential that student organizations consider:
- How does the program help the student organization accomplish its mission?
- Who is the target audience?
- How will the program serve Ithaca College students and the Ithaca College community? How will all students relate to the experience?
- How will the program attract and benefit as many parts of the student body as possible? Who is the target audience? Can this be expanded?
- How many people will ideally be in attendance?
- How will the program be funded?
- Will guests require special arrangements or equipment?
- Are there other organizations with whom the student organization can collaborate?
*If your event needs AV, Catering, setup or public safety please contact Campus Center and Event Services.
For assistance with event planning please contact email@example.com.


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Webmaster Tips » Tools » Site Information Tool
Site Information Tool
Enter the site's URL you want to get information for. Results will include whois information, Google page rank, Alexa rank, Compete.com rank, Quantcast rank, Technorati rank, linking information, page data, server response headers and more.
|Google Page Rank
Google PageRank (Google PR) is a patented method for measuring page importance on a scale from 0 - 10, where 10 is the highest. The PageRank algorithm analyzes the quality and quantity of links that point to a page.
|Alexa 3 month Rank
Alexa traffic rank is based on three months of aggregated historical traffic data from millions of Alexa Toolbar users and is a combined measure of page views and users (reach).
Some notes:
|6,254,210 9,371,982
|Compete.com rank
Using Compete community data (toolbar), Compete calculates and estimates total traffic and rank of a sites, additionally calculating the number of unique U.S. visitors each month.
|Quantcast rank
Quantcast Rank (QR), estimates the traffic volume of a particular web site or domain. The main differences from Alexa are that QR shows the traffic volume directly and so far it is oriented to the U.S. market only.
|Netcraft rank
Netcraft rank is a site position in the "Most Visited Web Sites List", based on the site popularity among Netcraft toolbar users.
|Linking information
|On-Page links count
|176 (nofollow : 4)
|PR/Links ratio
PageRank divided by the links count (except "nofollow" links). Higher value means higher pagerank spreading with every link.
|Sites linking in (Alexa)
|Saved by 0 people
|Is page digged?
|Digged stories from this domain
|IP data
|IP address
|US - California - Mountain View - 1600 Amphitheatre Parkway - Google Inc.
|Network Range
|22.214.171.124 - 220.127.116.11
|Network Name
|Server response data
|Response code
|301 (Moved Permanently)
|Response headers
|Response code
|Response headers
|Page data
|Timber Wolf Realty, Inc. | 719-836-2000 | Fairplay CO Homes for Sale
|File size
|96,909 bytes
|Meta tags
|Top ranking keywords on Google for this domain
|No data
Competitors in organic search. Domains competing with the current domain in the search results for the same keywords.
|No data
|Whois data
|Whois Server
|Name Server
|clientDeleteProhibited https://icann.org/epp#clientDeleteProhibited, clientRenewProhibited https://icann.org/epp#clientRenewProhibited, clientTransferProhibited https://icann.org/epp#clientTransferProhibited, clientUpdateProhibited https://icann.org/epp#clientUpdateProhibited
|Creation Date
|05-jan-2002 (15 years and 4 months ago)
|Updated Date
|17-feb-2017 (3 months and 7 days ago)
|Expiration Date
|17-sep-2026 (in 9 years and 3 months)
|Domain registration data
Whois Server Version 2.0
Domain names in the .com and .net domains can now be registered
with many different competing registrars. Go to http://www.internic.net
for detailed information.
Domain Name: TIMBERWOLFREALTY.COM
Registrar: GODADDY.COM, LLC
Sponsoring Registrar IANA ID: 146
Whois Server: whois.godaddy.com
Referral URL: http://www.godaddy.com
Name Server: NS.CISDATA.COM
Name Server: NS.CISDATA.NET
Name Server: NS2.CISDATA.COM
Name Server: NS2.CISDATA.NET
Status: clientDeleteProhibited https://icann.org/epp#clientDeleteProhibited
Status: clientRenewProhibited https://icann.org/epp#clientRenewProhibited
Status: clientTransferProhibited https://icann.org/epp#clientTransferProhibited
Status: clientUpdateProhibited https://icann.org/epp#clientUpdateProhibited
Updated Date: 17-feb-2017
Creation Date: 05-jan-2002
Expiration Date: 17-sep-2026
>>> Last update of whois database: Thu, 25 May 2017 14:05:47 GMT <<<
For more information on Whois status codes, please visit https://icann.org/epp
NOTICE: The expiration date displayed in this record is the date the
registrar's sponsorship of the domain name registration in the registry is
currently set to expire. This date does not necessarily reflect the expiration
date of the domain name registrant's agreement with the sponsoring
registrar. Users may consult the sponsoring registrar's Whois database to
view the registrar's reported date of expiration for this registration.
TERMS OF USE: You are not authorized to access or query our Whois
database through the use of electronic processes that are high-volume and
automated except as reasonably necessary to register domain names or
modify existing registrations; the Data in VeriSign Global Registry
Services' ("VeriSign") Whois database is provided by VeriSign for
information purposes only, and to assist persons in obtaining information
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guarantee its accuracy. By submitting a Whois query, you agree to abide
by the following terms of use: You agree that you may use this Data only
for lawful purposes and that under no circumstances will you use this Data
to: (1) allow, enable, or otherwise support the transmission of mass
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The Registry database contains ONLY .COM, .NET, .EDU domains and
Domain Name: TIMBERWOLFREALTY.COM
Registrar URL: http://www.godaddy.com
Registrant Name: Sage Greising
Registrant Organization: Timberwolf Realty
Name Server: NS.CISDATA.NET
Name Server: NS2.CISDATA.NET
Name Server: NS.CISDATA.COM
Name Server: NS2.CISDATA.COM
DNSSEC: unsigned
For complete domain details go to:
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hawks/pacers looks like it's going 7 games...
...suddenly all the remaining series are "epic battles?"
GTFO here !
NFL Championships : 1927 1934 1938 1956 Super Bowl Champions: XXI XXV XLII XLVI
If u could started a franchise and could have ur pick between Steph Curry, James Harden, Paul George, who would u take?
i'd take curry but george might have the best potential out of those 3. harden is nice but a bit overrated. nearly his entire game is based on getting to the free throw line. curry is a beast scorer and all around solid pg. paul george is an elite defender and rebounder at his position. his inconsistency offensively is the only thing holding him back. he just had a triple double in the playoffs didn't he?
i haven't watched enough games to convincingly pick one of them but right now i'd say curry.
If it wasen't for Currys Ankles, it'd be a fairly easy choice for me, as i said, this kids the best shooter i think i've ever seen.. Paul George is such a good all around player, and his length is fantastic, and the ability to stick it from deep is just a added bonus.... Harden is like Clyde Drexler, which is nothing to shy at..
If i had to pick one, i'd probably take Curry


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Partnerships with our philanthropic supporters have paved the way to supporting continuing education for hundreds of nurses, enhancing programs and services to pediatric patients, and providing direct financial aid to cancer patients in need, to name a few. Please take a minute to review our 2012-2013 Biennial Report.
you for your interest in learning about how you can support
continuing excellence in healthcare at Novant Health Presbyterian
Medical Center.
Donate Now
depend on both financial contributions and the work of hundreds of
volunteers to
ensure the success of our mission to improve the health of our
communities, one person at a time. We're also proud that many of
our own employees contribute financially to our mission.


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There is something for everyone at the Berkshire Botanical Garden. Below is a list of our scheduled events classes, and exhibits. For details on any individual listing, just click on the event for more information. If you still have questions, feel free to call the garden at 413.298.3926. See you at the Garden!
This class is near capacity. Please call 413.298.3926 to register.
Participants can choose to carpool or drive separately. Those joining the carpool should meet in the parking lot at Berkshire Botanical Garden for a 9 am departure. Carpool will return at approximately 2 pm. For directions, click here .
Learn from experts how to start seedlings, both vegetables and annual flowers, indoors for the coming growing season. Expert growers Maureen Sullivan and Mitch Feldmesser will lead a tour of their growing operations and explain how they select ornamental varieties for their plant vigor, flower form, fragrance and color. They also do extensive growing of herb and vegetable plants, selecting for flavor as well as garden performance and productiveness. Learn about growing techniques necessary to give garden plants a good start, and garner growing tips from these professionals. In addition to the tour, practice sowing and transplanting, and take home a few special plants to grow on.
Maureen Sullivan and Mitch Feldmesser own Left Field Farm, a certified organic farm located in Middlefield, MA. They grow hundreds of carefully selected varieties of heirloom and hybrid ornamental, herb and vegetable plants from their certified organic greenhouses.
Learn about the importance of native wildflowers and how to bring them into the garden setting. Wildflowers brighten the New England woodlands in spring and are more than just a delight for the eye and a lift for the winter-weary spirit. Each has a role in the environment and often has interesting interactions with pollinators and seed dispersers. Learn about the fascinating life histories of some favorite spring wildflowers. Topics include adaptations for early blooming, medicinal and other uses, the origin of wildflower names, pollination and seed dispersal. A book sale and signing of Carol's beautiful newly published Spring Wildflowers of the Northeast: A Natural History will follow the talk.
Carol Gracie is a naturalist and photographer with a degree in plant studies from Lehman College of the City University of New York. She is retired from The New York Botanical Garden, where she headed the Children's Education Program and the Foreign Tour program and taught in the Continuing Education Program. In 2006 she co-authored (with Steve Clemants) Wildflowers in the Field and Forest: A Field Guide to the Northeastern United States. Her latest book, Spring Wildflowers of the Northeast: A Natural History, was published in March of 2012.
This class is nearing capacity. Please call 413.298.3926 to register.
This presentation is designed to help you understand the various types of tomatoes, the best time to start them from seed and when to set them out. The pros and cons of different methods of growing will be discussed. In-season care, including mulching and pruning along with pest and disease control, will be described, as will harvesting and methods of preservation. Students will learn proper handling and transplanting of tomato seedlings via hands-on activities.
Ron Kujawski, Ph.D. is the former Landscape and Nursery Specialist for UMass Cooperative Extension. He is a garden writer, educator and researcher in IPM, plant nutrition and soil science. He teaches for the horticultural industry throughout New England.
Please call 413.298.3926 to register.
A list of suggested safety equipment is listed below although these items are not mandatory. Join beekeeper Jan Johnson for step-by-step instruction and demonstration on setting up a beehive, beginning indoors with a close-up look at how bees arrive for installation. Safety equipment, how to stay protected, structural components, assembly and siting of the hive will be discussed. Jan will then demonstrate how to introduce bees into a new hive. Participants will be able to observe from a safe distance. Protective gear should include a hat and face veil, long-sleeved shirt and pants (or bee suit) and protective boots. Gloves are helpful. Following the demonstration, Jan will be on hand to answer questions. Jan Johnson is a beekeeper and owner of Berkshire Wildflower Honey, an apiary located in Great Barrington, MA. She practices natural beekeeping and produces and sells raw honey, beeswax skin-care products and beeswax candles. She is certified through Cornell's Master Beekeeping Program and studied with Nick Calderone, professor of entomology and head of Cornell's Dyce Laboratory for Honeybee Studies.
This class is near capacity. Please call the garden at 413.298.3926 to register.
Participants should bring hand pruners and work gloves and dress for the weather.
Is that old lilac refusing to flower? Spring is a great time to assess your woody shrubs for shape and structure. This hands-on workshop will focus on when, why and how to renovate or rejuvenate your woody plants. Learn about tools, timing and specific techniques available to the home gardener. Following a lecture and several pruning demonstrations, participants will learn by doing.
Ron Yaple, A.A.S. Forestry, MCA/CLA, owner of Race Mountain Tree Services, has developed a regional reputation as one of the premier arborists. His company serves the tri-state region and is a full-service company. He is a dedicated and knowledgeable teacher of arboriculture.
Bring work gloves and dress for the weather.
Learn by doing in this hands-on shrub and tree planting/transplanting workshop. All aspects of successful planting will be demonstrated, and participants will assist in transplanting a multi-stem shrub and planting a small tree. Learn how to successfully transplant shrubs by correct timing and placement and techniques designed to create minimal disturbance and ensure smooth transition to a new site. Consider the differences between bare-root, container-grown or balled-and-burlapped trees and understand the importance of siting.
Ken Gooch is the Forest Health Program Director for the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation. Additionally, he is a Massachusetts Certified Arborist and teaches arboriculture at the Garden.
This class is nearing capacity. Please call 413.298.3926 for availability.
Participants can choose to carpool or drive separately. Those joining the carpool should meet in the parking lot at Berkshire Botanical Garden for a 9:45 am departure. Carpool will return at approximately 1:30 pm.
Join well known gardener Jeffrey Steele for an in-depth program on naturalizing daffodils at visits to two private gardens. Each garden demonstrates extensive plantings using contrasting methods for naturalizing daffodils. Timed for the height of the bloom, this program will cover the planning, varietal selection, planting and cultivation to enable participants to successfully create daffodil meadows or woodlands. A short history of daffodils will be included in the program.
Jeffrey A. Steele is owner of Ashley Falls Nursery, a landscape and garden design and consultation firm with a special interest in historic gardens. He was previously with the Atlanta Botanical Garden and Wilcox Park (a Victorian strolling park restoration in Rhode Island) and was a past director of BBG. The daffodil is his favorite flower, and he has been building a collection for the last 15 years.
Consider the showgirls of the garden, the small flowering trees. At a perfect time for planting, join Elisabeth Cary for a comprehensive tour of hardy trees under 30 feet tall. Each selection will be discussed for garden-worthiness, growth habit, aesthetic consideration, siting, planting, cultivation and maintenance. Tips on how to integrate these beauties into the mixed border or woodland setting, or to use as a focal point, will be covered. Following the talk, tour the Berkshire Botanical Gardens to view what's in bloom and discuss the merits of each tree.
Elisabeth Cary is the Director of Education at the Berkshire Botanical Garden and has been gardening for over 25 years. She specializes in perennial, vegetable and mixed-border gardens.
Select peonies will be available for sale.
Gardeners have always loved peonies but recently have refocused their interest on the genus Paeonia. With new availability of woodland peonies, tree (suffruticosa) peonies and the explosion of intersectional crosses, gardeners are taking a closer look at this much loved genus. Join Dan Furman from Cricket Hill Garden for a lecture that covers basic botany, wild species descriptions and cultivation history in China, Japan and the US. The program will also cover practical aspects for creating a successful peony garden, including growing requirements for New England and discussion of select cultivars for the peony lover.
Dan Furman is a second-generation peony grower at Cricket Hill Garden in Thomaston, CT. Since joining the business in 2010, he has worked to expand the peony hybridization and production programs at the nursery. In addition to peonies, he is interested in growing pawpaws, persimmons, Asian pears and other unusual fruits in northwestern Connecticut.
Participants can choose to carpool or drive separately. Those joining the carpool should meet in the parking lot at Berkshire Botanical Garden for a 9 am departure. Carpool will return at approximately 1 pm.
For woody plant and tree lovers, join staff from the BBG for an exploration of a lesser known horticultural gem, Pine Hollow Arboretum, located in Slingerlands, NY. In 1966, founder John W. Abbuhl, M.D., started planting trees around his home to create an attractive setting. His affinity with the land, his interest in horticulture and his love of trees combined to inspire the creation of an arboretum. The arboretum's cataloged collection consists of over 3,300 unique trees, shrubs and other woody plants from around the world. This living collection is aesthetically arranged in a natural setting that includes 12 ponds and a succession forest, all easily accessible by a network of walking trails and bridges. Tour the grounds with the founder, Dr. Abbuhl, and learn about the small, flowering tree collections, including magnolias, dogwoods, crabapples and more. View cultivars of unusual genera, too, such as styrax, stewartia and heptacodium. A great way to view specimen plants in a naturalistic setting, just an hour's drive away.


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In good years, people ignore the flu vaccine because they think the illness is no big deal. In bad years like this one, they complain that it doesn't work well enough.
But the biggest problem, says Dr. Gregory Poland, a vaccine researcher, is that scientists are still trying to understand the flu virus and come up with a better alternative. That means that every flu season, officials confront the challenge they face this year as deaths and hospitalizations mount: pleading with people to rally behind their best line of defense.
"Like every single man-made product, influenza vaccine is imperfect," said Poland, head of the Vaccine Research Group at the Mayo Clinic. "But I liken it to seat belts. Who would want to be in a crash without a seat belt?"
The truth is that the flu shot, with all its imperfections, is as vexing to scientists like Poland as it has been to the general public.
On Friday, federal officials estimated that this year's flu vaccine is only about 60 percent effective. That's better than nothing, said Dr. Edward Ehlinger, the Minnesota health commissioner. But, he admits, "I think we're all in agreement that we need a much better vaccine."
The flu vaccine, Ehlinger said, never has been "one of the star performers."
University of Minnesota scientist Michael Osterholm is even more blunt, calling the flu vaccine "overpromoted and overhyped."
Osterholm, a former Minnesota state epidemiologist, hastens to point out that he and his family still get flu shots. But his research suggests that, over time, the vaccine has worked on little more than half of adults under 65, and offered little if any protection to those most at risk -- the elderly.
Osterholm said researchers need at least a billion dollars to develop a better way of protecting people from a disease that kills thousands of Americans, mostly the frail and elderly, every year.


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The best-selling author of The Healing Power of Mind presents Tibetan Buddhist instructions for transforming negative thoughts and feelings into loving-kindness toward all beings. Tulku Thondup instructs that by bringing to mind images and thoughts of Avalokitesvara, the Buddhist deity… Read More
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