text:
Friday, October 2, 2009
This Week in Publishing 10/2/09
First up, for those who are in the San Francisco Bay Area and who also happen to write suspense or thrillers or related materials, I will be meeting with the SF Sisters in Crime tomorrow at noon out in the Sunset. Dana promises to follow with details in the comments section, so if you want details: Dana has them.
Also, if I don't turn up to blog on Monday, well, my obituary will probably read that I should have known better than to agree to meet with a group that calls themselves Sisters in Crime.
In friend-of-the-blog news, Stuart Neville aka Conduit is celebrating the release of the terrifically-reviewed THE GHOSTS OF BELFAST (congrats, Stuart!) with a very cool Twitter contest. If you fancy that you could write a scary story in 124 characters: you too could be a winner.
You may have heard about the Twitter books, but did you hear that a man's Facebook status was given a book deal? The Onion, as always, is there with the crucial details. (via Erin Clifford)
In e-book news, they announced.... wait... no! Don't skip the paragraph!! I have to report on this stuff!!! Darn it. The e-book news always scares them away. Anyway, for the two people still reading, I'll make this as fast as possible: Sony and Smashwords partnering up, Daily Beast and Perseus teaming up for rapid e-books, maybe publishers withholding e-books actually kinda makes sense after all (except for readers), Amazon settling lawsuit with angry kid whose Orwell notes were deleted, and Simon & Schuster is going wild for Vooks, aka video books with web stuff.
Oh. And remember all that news about how the Dan Brown e-book was outselling the print book and much more than the usual 5%? Yeah, not so much.
Kristin Nelson has a must must must must must (that's five musts) read guest post by Megan Crewe obliterating the widespread myth that you have to have connections in order to get a book deal. Now, obviously I am not exactly the poster child for puncturing this myth, but luckily Megan's there with actual stats.
Neil Vogler passed along a great post from the Independent that looks back on some classic bedtime stories that are actually pretty gruesome and terrifying.
In book piracy news, as a reminder of how book piracy has been with us forever, GalleyCat has an awesome post about how angry Charles Dickens was about rampant piracy of his books in the US. And the post has actual video footage!! Or old episodes of Bonanza. Either way.
If you're not reading anonymous agency assistant The Rejectionist, well, make ye haste, people. Make ye haste. R has a post that is both hilarious and helpful about the many book topics that are not in fact inherently interesting. In other words: yes, you can write a book about these topics. But you're going to have to work at it.
And finally, this week..... in rice harvest:
Photo by my dad.
Have a great weekend!
88 comments:
- Maria Schneider said...
Nathan, Why do your readers hate ebook news? And what do you think about the vook? Is the future of the novel going to be one big choose your own adventure? Tell us Nathan!
- October 2, 2009 at 2:40 PM
- Tina said...
Luckily the Sisters in Crime have invited the Romance Writers of America (San Francisco chapter) to the event, so you should be safe, knowing a few romance writers will be in attendance - we won't let anything happen to you.
I look forward to the meeting.
- October 2, 2009 at 2:46 PM
Be sure to tell your Dad that is a way cool photo!
- October 2, 2009 at 2:49 PM
- Dana Fredsti said...
Wow. I'm actually in the first page of comments this time. Amazing..
Anyway, yes, Nathan is going to be our guest speaker at the Sisters in Crime Nor Cal meeting tomorrow. It's $10 a person, lunch is provided (really yummy food) and we'll be selling raffle tickets for a chance to do an 'elevator pitch' with Nathan. We have limited space, but still have some room and non-SinC members are welcome! The meeting is from 12-2pm and will be held at my house out by Ocean Beach. Lots of parking and Muni accessible! So if you're a Bay Area writer and interested in attending, please email me at email@example.com for deets!
- October 2, 2009 at 2:49 PM
- Dana Fredsti said...
I'll have you know, Nathan, that romance authors are acutally more dangerous than mystery writers. Mystery writers channel all of their 'wouldn't it be fun to kill someone?' energy into their work. Romance writers don't have that outlet. I write both, so hopefully Bettina won't smack me when she comes to the meeting. :-)
- October 2, 2009 at 2:56 PM
- Nathan Bransford said...
Bettina, Dana-
Don't worry, I'm equally scared of both groups.
Kind of.
- October 2, 2009 at 2:57 PM
- Dana Fredsti said...
If you've read some of the flame wars in online forums in the romance world...well, let's just say you're right to be scared.
- October 2, 2009 at 3:00 PM
- Other Lisa said...
I have this vision of the Romance writers on one side of the room and the Mystery writers on the other, doing the Sharks & Jets opening from WEST SIDE STORY....
- October 2, 2009 at 3:06 PM
- Tina said...
Actually, Dana, our outlet are the sex scenes --- it's quite therapeutic!
- October 2, 2009 at 3:07 PM
- Charlie said...
Nathan, did I read your tweet that you're harvesting author's named Rice?
My lucky day!
- October 2, 2009 at 3:08 PM
- Dana Fredsti said...
Is it wrong that I have more fun writing the murder scenes than the sex scenes?... I mean, just a little bit... heh...
Lisa, the cats can be the back-up dancers...
- October 2, 2009 at 3:10 PM
- Robert McGuire said...
I ALWAYS read the e-book news. What is that weird or something?
I was surprised to learn this week that Simon & Schuster, a book publisher last I heard, has someone on their payroll who claims "you can just have a linear narrative anymore." With friends like these . . . .
- October 2, 2009 at 3:11 PM
- Tina Spear said...
Dana, when it comes down to the choreography of murder scenes, they are probably quite similar to sex scenes - either way, the reader is going to burn you on the stake if you're not doing it right.
- October 2, 2009 at 3:17 PM
- Dana Fredsti said...
Tina, good point!
- October 2, 2009 at 3:18 PM
- ryan field said...
"If you've read some of the flame wars in online forums in the romance world...well, let's just say you're right to be scared."
Dana, you made me laugh today :)
- October 2, 2009 at 3:19 PM
- Kristi said...
I loved Megan Crewe's guest post - it gives hope to many of us.
Stuart - congratulations!
Nathan, I read all your e-book info the same way I go to the dentist. It's important but I don't love it. Awesome picture.
Happy Friday! :)
- October 2, 2009 at 3:26 PM
- Kat Sheridan said...
Dana and OtherLisa, you both know me. A romance writer. With a body count of TEN before I get to the end of the novel (gotta love those grand old Gothics!). Maybe I could be like Maria, mediating between the Sharks and Jets. BTW, our local chapter, Sisters in Crime Columbus,(OH), is nicknamed Sicco (pronounced sicko). Love it! Have fun, take pictures!
- October 2, 2009 at 3:45 PM
- Kat Harris said...
You would think Sisters in Crime would realize they'd be the first on a list of suspects if you were to turn up missing this weekend.
As always, thanks for the info, Nathan, and please tell your dad to be safe.
- October 2, 2009 at 4:01 PM
- Michelle Moran said...
Beautiful photo!
- October 2, 2009 at 4:01 PM
- Heidi the Hick said...
Please tell your dad what a gorgeous photo that is! The light, the composition, all good.
And if that's his combine, I just want to add: Got the right colour there. Run green.
Thanks for the diversion from confusing book-world news... harvest time doesn't really change much despite the technology used. (Good lord, there aren't rice pirates, are there???)
- October 2, 2009 at 4:27 PM
Landscapes don't get much lovelier in early autumn, reminding me of home. Gorgeous!!
Audrey Niffenegger's latest novel won't be released as an e-book. I find that a brave take, which she explains on her website.
- October 2, 2009 at 4:28 PM
- Marilyn Peake said...
So many wonderful links. Thank you! I have butterflies in my stomach, as there are fantastic opportunities in some of them. And, if you really only have two readers who follow your eBook news, I'm one of them. :)
When Perseus Books Group announced its BOOK: THE SEQUEL project, a couple of your blog readers submitted lines. I was one of them. I had about five lines published, one of them getting picked up in serialization at THE DAILY BEAST. I love both the Perseus Books Group and THE DAILY BEAST, and am definitely going to look into their new BEAST BOOKS joint project. I thought I was incredibly burned out after completing my science fiction novel, GODS IN THE MACHINE; but, a few days later, I'm rested and coming up with ideas for future books.
I'm thrilled for Stewart Neville! I recognize his name from much earlier when he was first picked up for major publication, but I can't put my finger on where I read about him or chatted with him. I'm thinking it might have been in a writers' group. I found his story about his journey to get published both interesting and encouraging.
I love THE ONION's satirical humor, and was recently thrilled to discover through Twitter that THE ONION now has print, audio and video productions. Here's a couple of their funny videos: Report: Growing Ranks Of Nouveau Poor Facing Discrimination From Old Poor and BREAKING NEWS: BAT LOOSE IN CONGRESS.
Your dad's photograph of the rice harvest is beautiful!
Have a great weekend, everyone!
- October 2, 2009 at 4:30 PM
- ChristaCarol said...
That's a beautiful picture! I loved Meg's post on Kristin's blog, very cool to see. Thanks for all the linkage, enjoy the rice harvest!
- October 2, 2009 at 4:30 PM
- Marsha Sigman said...
Can you file a missing person's report if someone doesn't show up on their blog???
We will see.
- October 2, 2009 at 4:31 PM
- Marilyn Peake said...
I need more coffee. This is the second online site where I posted typos today. I should have typed "Stuart Neville" (not "Stewart Neville") in my earlier post!
- October 2, 2009 at 4:33 PM
- Kristin Laughtin said...
The rice harvest photo makes me miss NorCal so much. Off to read some of these links!
- October 2, 2009 at 4:39 PM
- Marilyn Peake said...
Anon @1:28 PM -
Audrey Niffenegger also talked in her recent Writer's Digest interview about her decision not to have her books published in eBook format, and I completely respect her take on it, despite my love of eBooks.
- October 2, 2009 at 4:45 PM
- JohnO said...
Sure, I follow the e-book news. Let me recap:
In e-book news, they announced some companies partnering up, and others teaming up, and some publishers are all up in arms, and some monopoly settled up, and this week (unlike all the other weeks) some company was talking up the newest/latest technology gizmo that is going to be The End of the Book as We Know It. (Unless it isn't.)
Word Verif: "aphysion," a temporary reality-deprivation brought upon by reading too much news about e-books.
- October 2, 2009 at 5:18 PM
- Reesha said...
Pretty picture.
Thanks for making the e-news brief. It's something I feel I must know about constantly but dread spending time reading about because it all sounds the same.
Thanks for the links. Congrats. You got me to open like ten of them. Which I don't do very often.
Well, ok. Maybe I do. But usually just on your or Eric's blog.
- October 2, 2009 at 5:26 PM
- the Lola Letters said...
I LOVED the photo. The clouds are amazing, and the word harvest just makes me smile these days.
I also loved the article by Megan Crewe.
- October 2, 2009 at 6:03 PM
- Mira said...
That's a really nice picture. And that's so sweet that you're posting a picture by your dad. :)
Sadly, I will not be stalking you to the Crime meeting tomorrow. I can't believe how cool that is that you're meeting with them in someone's home. How wonderful is that? It's like you're a real person and everything.
I saved the e-book stuff for this weekend, which is another way of saying I won't read it. I like reading your headlines, but the details make my head swim. As for Dan Brown - people are way too fast to be saying this has anything to do with e-book success. Most people don't own Kindles. The fact that it out-sold in the first day alone should be making publishers shake in their boots, imho.
That's funny, and sort of comforting, about Charles Dickens.
You know what else is bloody when it comes to kids? Lullabies. Rock-a-bye baby is just horrible.
In terms of the Rejectionist, I'm going to say this carefully. I think she's a good kid. I'm sure she's absolutely thrilled to be featured in your Friday post. I think she's extremely witty, and you can tell from the comments that people have alot of fun on her blog.
That said, I have the same problem with her blog as I do the Intern's blog. These are young kids who know very little about the business and they should not be given a forum that makes it sound as if they do.
All of the topics she mentioned are extremely viable and interesting. It scares me to think some writer might read that and take it seriously. And not write about..let's say, the death of their parents...because they read on her blog that it's not interesting.
Industry insiders need to be careful. And I have to tell you, I supervise interns and assistants, and if any of them said they were going to blog and set themselves up to know anything whatsoever about the field, I'd laugh myself silly, and then fling myself in front of the computer, yelling "NO!!!!!!"
So, sorry, since we're obviously in disagreement about this Nathan, but those are my feelings about the issue. Again, I think she's a clever and funny writer. I just wish she'd stick to stories about her experiences and stay away from advice.
- October 2, 2009 at 6:42 PM
- administrator said...
It looks like a wheat harvest to me. Just saying.
- October 2, 2009 at 6:43 PM
- Nathan Bransford said...
I don't think the Rejectionist's point is that people shouldn't write about any of those topics at all.
I think there's a cultural assumption out there that dramatic life events lead directly to a good, publishable book. What do people always say when someone tells an unusual or dramatic story? "Wow, you should write a book about that."
And while I wouldn't discourage anyone from writing about their life, the publishability of all of those topics the Rejectionist mentioned depends on the quality of the writing, not on how dramatic the events are.
So the underlying point of that post is that people shouldn't assume that just a straightforward retelling of events, even dramatic real-life events, is going to result in a book that is publishable. The "telling" has to be amazing. The writing has to be incredible. People have to make it something more.
I think my dad would be pretty surprised if he planted rice and it came out wheat.
- October 2, 2009 at 6:48 PM
- KayKayBe said...
I checked out Vook.tv yesterday- It seems more disruptive to the reading experience than, say, overuse of exclamation points. The publishers want it to be a seamless experience and I wonder if that's possible. Whenever I flip to the section of pictures in a NF book, it ALWAYS feels like a seam. Not necessarily bad, but a seam.
- October 2, 2009 at 6:54 PM
- Mira said...
Your point is an outstanding one. I didn't read that from her post, but your interpretation of it makes sense and I agree with it.
Even so, my point that people who are new to an industry should not set themselves up as experts - well, I still stand by it. Even if it means disagreeing with you, sorry.
- October 2, 2009 at 6:57 PM
- Nathan Bransford said...
Well, if there's one thing assistants know it's queries. Assistants are drowning in them.
And I wouldn't sell assistants short when it comes to industry knowledge. They're living and breathing it day and night. They're working really really hard to prove themselves. You learn a whole lot.
- October 2, 2009 at 7:05 PM
- Robin said...
Great links for my weekend perusal. Thanks Nathan.
I think that the Rejectionist is a riot.
- October 2, 2009 at 7:07 PM
Sisters in Crime, RWA, WOW I want to move to the Bay area! Hey, I look forward to This..... weekinpublishing every Friday. I also love your photos. Your dad's picture looks a lot like he might be in Nebraska, but I haven't seen many rice fields around here. A good weekend to you all!
- October 2, 2009 at 7:09 PM
- Mira said...
I believe that assistants are learning a whole lot. But that's early in the process. Integrating that information, putting it together to formulate a cohesive whole, knowing what's important and what's not important - these are all part of the learning process that take years in any field.
Honestly - if you had started a blog your first years in the field, should anyone really have listened to you? I would bet it would be hit and miss. Some things: yes. Some things: no!!! Other than posts about your experience, I mean.
I'd have less of a problem with this if there wasn't such instant power dynamic.
But I am very comfortable with agreeing to disagree, Nathan. I understand why you linked this, and I think she's lucky to have a support in you. I also think she's a writer, and industry professional, with great potential.
- October 2, 2009 at 7:14 PM
Speaking of The Rejectionist, I noticed there's a link from that blog to another intern's blog. The other intern has started a business: $50 to review query letters, $100 to review and comment on a manuscript, etc. Good idea for writers to get feedback that way?
- October 2, 2009 at 7:24 PM
- Mira said...
Oh good god, you're right. That is so unethical.
Nathan, this is why I'm taking a stand in disagreement. It's scary, but these issues are just too important.
- October 2, 2009 at 7:28 PM
Mirs, I wasn't asking because I thought it was unethical. I wanted to know if it would be a good idea for writers to use the service.
- October 2, 2009 at 7:42 PM
I meant Mira, not Mirs. Typo. :)
- October 2, 2009 at 7:43 PM
Rice harvest looks a lot like wheat harvest in the Columbia Basin or the Palouse.
The hop harvest is winding down in our area. You haven't experienced anything until you've enjoyed the aroma of drying hops. The scent of fall in the Yakima Valley.
It's almost as good as mint harvest--like living in a Tic Tac container.
Charlie Mac
- October 2, 2009 at 7:49 PM
- Nathan Bransford said...
Whoa there. There are plenty of editors in the publishing industry who moonlight as ghostwriters, manuscript consultants, book doctors, etc. The Intern works at a publisher, not at an agency, so there aren't any rules about charging to help with query advice. Particularly since this is someone who is working for free in New York City: people gotta eat!
I think it's helpful to get feedback from people who know what they're doing. Whether you get that from a critique group, a message board, or a paid service is up to you, but it can definitely be helpful. Make sure you really research someone's credentials if they're charging.
- October 2, 2009 at 7:52 PM
- Beth said...
I appreciate anon's question (4:24pm), because it's something I've been considering. Thanks, Nathan, for your feedback on that as well. I always love your Friday TWIP blogs.
- October 2, 2009 at 8:09 PM
- Ink said...
The Intern also has a book of her own being published, so she obviously has some idea of what she's doing. And lots of people *cough cough* do freelance editorial work. Don't hate us! I mean them!
I think, for what it's worth, you're somewhat right about the experience thing... but I think that's up to the reader to judge when considering what people say. The bloggers are honest about being interns or assistants... so the onus is on the writers to take their advice for what it's worth. And just because someone's considered an expert doesn't mean they're right - they can still offer bad advice.
So, whether expert or intern, it's the writer's job to evaluate the information they're presented with and use it wisely. No easy path! There's no all-knowing Yoda. Perhaps if Nathan were smaller and more wrinkled and, you know, all around more green...
- October 2, 2009 at 8:20 PM
- The Rejectionist said...
Mira, we are older than Nathan and have been working in publishing off and on for over a decade. We would self-identify as neither "good" nor "kid." FYI.
Thanks for the very nice mention, Obi-Wan! Er, Nathan!
- October 2, 2009 at 8:22 PM
- D. G. Hudson said...
Very nice photo by your dad, Nathan. Be sure and let him know he's got a good eye. It reminds me a bit of the Canadian prairies.
Hope you make it through the weekend so we can read the blog on Monday. Just watch your back at the meeting and trust no one.
- October 2, 2009 at 8:26 PM
"Make sure you really research someone's credentials if they're charging."
I'm hoping that if someone is willing to hand over their hard earned money to "The Intern, "The Intern" is also willing to give out her real name and her detailed credentials in return before she takes money to read queries and manuscripts.
This entire anonymous intern-publishing blogging thing, in general, is getting tired. It's been done by the rejecter and Miss Snark, and they did it well. But it's time to start flipping back the long hair, adding a name to the blog, and doing things the right way if you want to charge new writers for your services.
I'm all for editors and writers moonlighting, as long as they take it seriously and offer their credentials publicly. And from what I can see, "The Intern" could be anyone trying to make a fast buck.
- October 2, 2009 at 8:34 PM
- Skeptic said...
Wow. I just read through the comments. Kudos to the smiling happy SinC!
Is it just me, or has this week been a little heavy on interpersonal brutality online?
I am going to hole up with my KINDLE and enjoy whatever e-book I feel like downloading. :) I always read your e-book news. I am addicted.
- October 2, 2009 at 10:13 PM
- Jill Edmondson said...
"Vooks"??? Now I have heard everything. I get the point of keeping up with technology and changing times, but "vooks"?? I am overwhelmed by it all. What happened to just writing a book, being lucky enough to get contract and seeing a copy of it on shelves in a store near you.
I am just starting to get my head around Kindle and so on, but baby steps firts!
Cheers, Jill
- October 2, 2009 at 10:14 PM
- T. Anne said...
Oh gosh. Now all I want to do is help your dad with the rice harvest. Too lovely.
- October 2, 2009 at 10:24 PM
- Mira said...
Skeptic - I really hope my remarks didn't sound brutal. I didn't intend them that way! Well, maybe the unethical one.
Well, in a week where I don't even have time to go see Nathan, I certainly don't have time to get into a blog battle, especially with Nathan and Ink, both people I really respect and appreciate.
So, um, okay. I'm wrong.
That said, Rejectionist, from my stance you are both a kid and good. However, as a Social Worker, I completely acknowledge your right to self-identify as elderly and bad to the bone.
- October 2, 2009 at 10:49 PM
- Mira said...
And congrats on your book, btw.
- October 2, 2009 at 10:50 PM
- Mira said...
- This comment has been removed by the author.
- October 3, 2009 at 3:44 AM
- Two Flights Down said...
Rice fields are so pretty. I live in a rural area of Japan and I can't stop gazing at them...
- October 3, 2009 at 6:28 AM
- Haste yee back ;-) said...
Ducks and Geese are pirates of rice...
Haste yee back ;-)
- October 3, 2009 at 3:07 PM
Great links. Great photo, too.
- October 3, 2009 at 7:28 PM
- JaxPop said...
So - to the important stuff....
How the heck is Stanford 3 & 0?
- October 3, 2009 at 7:48 PM
- Rie said...
I do so love harvest season.
- October 4, 2009 at 2:11 AM
- Literary Cowgirl said...
Nathan, I am sooo gunning for you when I need someone to rep my adult stuff. An agent who posts pics of farm equipment! How amazing is that? Would it help me out if I mentioned that I bring along my laptop top in the truck to do revisions while my husband loads the trailer with hay and my three kids wage WWIII in the backseat? I'm dedicated. Honest.
- October 4, 2009 at 3:16 AM
- Mira said...
LC - wow. You've got your hands full.
Good for you - I'm rooting for ya!
- October 4, 2009 at 1:14 PM
I checked out The Rejectionist link, but the tone of the site was too shrill for my tastes.
- October 4, 2009 at 1:40 PM
- Coral Press said...
Interesting debate going on about The Rejectionist and The Intern - I also had my doubts about the latter, but of course it's always rather unproductive to complain about people who are obviously popular and aren't hurting anyone by being that way.
As for the vooks thing, it's an interesting idea, but I really think it just sounds like the kind of ingenuity already brought about by the internet. I don't think vooks can or will - or should, considering the literacy "crisis" of today - replace the traditional book medium. We'll have to see what happens.
- October 4, 2009 at 6:21 PM
"I also had my doubts about the latter, but of course it's always rather unproductive to complain about people who are obviously popular and aren't hurting anyone by being that way."
I guess this is a healthy way to look at it. After all, it all comes down to choice. I choose not to read blogs like The Rejectionist or The Intern. It's already been done too many times.
I just hope people aren't paying hard earned money to get advice from someone who won't give an official list of publishing credits or a real name. This is the part that bothers me, and I don't care how popular they are.
- October 4, 2009 at 8:30 PM
So you're posting anonymously that people should disclose their names in order to be taken seriously?
- October 4, 2009 at 9:44 PM
- Dawn Maria said...
Shoot my whole WIP is about an amulet discovery! That was funny as hell. Needed the laugh too.
- October 4, 2009 at 11:08 PM
Anon 5:30 is not charging money.
- October 5, 2009 at 12:36 AM
"So you're posting anonymously that people should disclose their names in order to be taken seriously?"
First, I'm not charging anyone money, I'm not trying to get a following, and I'm not handing out advice. I'm commenting in a blog thread. I don't care about being taken seriously.
Second, I said, if you were paying attention to what I wrote, that anon blogs are fun and some people like them. I don't. But they are fine for other people. Some are even hysterical. I hate giving examples, but I think it's safe to say that "Miss Snark" was the ultimate of anon bloggers. She helped writers and entertained them. But I doubt Miss Snark would have charged anyone money for anything.
Third, if you don't think that people can create fictional personas through blogging, then you haven't been reading blogs very long. Anyone can create a publishing blog and use any name they want. In other words, you might think you're reading a blog by a publishing professional. But it could be anyone. It would be creepy at best if someone did this, but the internet can be a very creepy place.
- October 5, 2009 at 11:01 AM
- Mira said...
Well, I pretty much agree with Anon.
I feel bad saying this, because I get what you're saying Nathan - people gotta eat - and the intern does seem like a good kid. (I'm sorry, I can't help it. You pass a certain age, and suddenly everyone becomes a 'good kid.' If it hasn't happened to you yet, it will. You'll see.) But people also need to make money in an upfront and ethical manner.
The Intern is charging 50 bucks for query review and 100 bucks for book proposal reviews. That's not chump change.
Who is the person, and can they justify charging that much money? Do they have results? Can they prove that they have actually helped people get published?
Writers are vulnerable. Yes, they can choose not to read, but again, when someone is linked through agent or editor blogs, they are given a certain industry stamp of approval.
I don't like pointing fingers, but...well, I am. And this is a bigger issue than particular people. It's about the larger industry, and standards of practice.
- October 5, 2009 at 11:55 AM
- Nathan Bransford said...
First off, I think it's very condescending to call someone who has graduated from college and is of working age a "kid."
I also don't see how it's unethical for editors or former editors to have freelance side work.
If you don't feel that the person is charging a fee that is commensurate with their experience there's a simple solution: don't pay them to critique your work. If you're going to miss $50: don't pay anyone $50 to critique your work.
But just because you don't personally feel that it's worth it doesn't mean it's somehow unethical.
- October 5, 2009 at 12:04 PM
- Mira said...
I'm calling someone a 'kid' based on their age, not their credentials. But I don't mean to offend - my apologies if I did. It's certainly not meant to be condescending.
I agree - it's not unethical for editors to offer freelance sidework.
And I didn't say it wasn't worth it. For all I know, the Intern does a 'bang-up' job doing critiques.
What I said is that the only credentials that she is offering is that she has a blog that is linked through other industry blogs. This gives her an unearned legitimacy.
I believe charging money for something based on that is unethical.
- October 5, 2009 at 12:12 PM
- Nathan Bransford said...
I don't think you could really read her blog and think she's perpetrating some great online ruse and is somehow faking that she's actually a publishing intern. You don't just get a sense of the inner workings of editorial meetings through divination alone. And beyond that, I don't think the Intern is trying to claim any credentials other than that she's an Intern.
I really don't understand how all of this is cause for great concern.
- October 5, 2009 at 12:18 PM
- Mira said...
Of great concern? Well, now you've made me wonder...is it?
I guess it's becoming more apparent to me lately how unregulated the publishing business is. This seems like an example of it. An anonymous intern can create a blog and start charging writers $100 a pop for evaluations, and she's given the green light by other industry blogs......
I guess it's not a great concern, it's more of one of those flashing red lights: something is wrong with this picture.
Again, without calling the Intern anything, I will acknowledge she seems like a good person. Smart, funny, witty. More power to her in terms of making money at her profession. Just.....there's a larger issue here.
Isn't there? Stop making me doubt myself, Mr. Bransford. :)
- October 5, 2009 at 12:26 PM
- Nathan Bransford said...
I don't know what you mean by "green light by the industry." Are you saying I'm responsible for the activities of not only the people I link to, but who the people I link to link to?
But anyway, your concern seems to be that someone can start a website and start charging people to read their queries. But anyone could do this (except, of course, for agents who abide by the rules of the AAR). You could do this right now. It's a free country.
What would be unethical is if someone is lying about their credentials. But even you don't really seem to think that is the case here.
This is really much ado about nothing.
- October 5, 2009 at 12:31 PM
- Mira said...
No, of course you aren't accountable for links that follow links.
But the intern is linked by Editorial Anon, a site that is well-respected.
Nathan, I'm surprised that you don't see the red light here, but the fact that you don't gives me pause. You do tend to be on target ethically. So, I'll think about this....other than that I hope we can agree to disagree, because I think I've reached my capacity for going up in opposition to you.
- October 5, 2009 at 12:41 PM
I might start offering my own service to writers on my blog. For only fifty dollars, I'll read their manuscripts and critique them. For queries and things like writing back cover copy, I'll charge twenty-five. I have more experience than an intern, and I work fast. The only catch is that I'm not going to tell you my real name or my official credentials. You're just going to have to trust me on this because I sound like I know what I'm talking about.
Now, didn't that just sound awfully shabby?
It's all about the name and the credentials. It's not about the service. I've seen many wonderful editorial services offered by industry professionals over the years. But I can't think of one that didn't stand behind a name.
- October 5, 2009 at 12:44 PM
- Nathan Bransford said...
It's really amazing to me the stuff people can get worked up about.
anon - you're anon. Intern has a blog demonstrating that the Intern has publishing knowledge.
No one is forcing anyone to part with money. Intern has obvious qualifications and is not trying to pretend she's editorial director of a publishing house. If you don't want to pay for the service it's simple: don't pay for the service.
- October 5, 2009 at 12:50 PM
- October 5, 2009 at 12:59 PM
- October 5, 2009 at 12:59 PM
- Mira said...
Nathan - Are you telling me that there is absolutely no merit to my argument? That I'm worked up about nothing?
No. I'll agree to disagree, but I won't agree to that.
There is a larger issue here. One that I will, however, re-consider.
But I really have to stop here. I am not posting anonymously.
Thank you for giving me the forum to speak my truth - especially since we so clearly disagree. As always, I appreciate and admire your openness.
- October 5, 2009 at 1:11 PM
- Malia Sutton said...
I'm the anonymous poster that has been agreeing with Mira. I hate commenting about anything even slightly confrontational. But I agreed with Mira so stronly on this one I couldn't keep my big mouth shut. Sorry, Nathan :)
And I might sound overly paranoid in the comments, but I don't think I made any comments that were false or could be considered in bad taste.
So I'll also agree to disagree, politely and without another word.
- October 5, 2009 at 1:47 PM
- Mira said...
- This comment has been removed by the author.
- October 5, 2009 at 2:34 PM
- Mira said...
Thanks Malia. I didn't have a problem with you posting anonymously, btw. But it's nice to know who you are, and I know that took some courage. Thanks.
- October 5, 2009 at 2:35 PM
- Ink said...
I'd have to side with Nathan on this one.
Someone has a website or blog and on it they advertize certain services. To me this is simply basic business - it happens everywhere. People who see it can determine whether or not they wish to pay for such services based on the content of the blog or website. Yay for a free economy! I don't see how this is a problem.
If you don't want to pay an anonymous internet person for their services, then don't hire them. I wouldn't. If they're a fraud, they can be prosecuted for it. If not I don't really see a problem. If someone wants to spend their money that way I'm pretty sure that's up to them. It's not really our job to protect people from risky decisions, though we can advise against it.
- October 5, 2009 at 3:42 PM
- Mira said...
Good points, Ink. :)
- October 6, 2009 at 9:40 AM
- Mira said...
So, I know probably no one is reading this post anymore, but it's been haunting me.
I think I'm glad I spoke up here, partly just because it was important to Melia. And partly because I have this terrible on-going struggle around speaking my truth vs. picking my battles, and I'm not always sure the latter should win....
But I also tend to start fights on the internet when I'm really stressed, which is more difficult to justify.
I guess my struggle here is I keep worrying that I hurt people here. I do NOT want to hurt people.
But I want to stand up for principle too. So, I think what I've learned from this post is to wait to address topics when they are not so personal, and when there isn't direct finger-pointing.
I know everyone's intentions are good.....
So, for the record, if anyone other than Nathan reads this post, I apologize. Not for the principle of the thing, because I do agree with Melia, but for making it personal.
I'm sorry.
- October 8, 2009 at 2:42 AM


text:
I love to make people laugh.
I maintain an active, healthy lifestyle and regularly play rugby, run, do yoga, & bike.
I do all this so I can eat Thai food and 16 Handles on the reg.
Also because doing crunches and learning to safely tackle people engages muscle groups that come quite in handy during certain other activities.
I like having intense conversations about the philosophies and purposes (or lack thereof) of art.
The more stupid the pickup line, the greater the chance of my liking it.
I can't do Karate. Figured that out the hard way.
I'm masculine, sensitive, nurturing, and don't usually get along well with people that find these traits mutually exclusive.
I've got a good head on my shoulders & strong values.
I'm really good at putting spinach and kale into things that spinach and kale should never go. Like cookies.
Natalie Dessay and I once had a great conversation and then she sang to me and it made me tear up. Afterwards. Because I'm composed like that.
Love is great, and wonderful, and painful, and powerful, and I like it that way.
One time I hit a hole-in-one on the windmill hole. Fellow mini-golf enthusiasts will appreciate the nuance this requires.
And now, maybe the most important: I'm looking for a serious relationship that could ultimately be "the" relationship. Not in an overbearing sort of way, but if you're not sure of want you want, I'm probably not your guy.
Also: reading in Central Park, visiting pretty much any museum/gallery, plotting my escape from the country, or lamenting the decline of letter-writing.
Cooking: I'm a nice Jewish boy, and I'll make you a chicken soup your grandmother would be proud of.
Entertaining: My mom raised me to be the consummate host.
Planning adventures: Here or abroad, one pair of underwear or two suitcases for which I had to flirt with the check-in lady to get out of extra baggage fees.
Music: I've been in music management for 5 years and I'm a classically trained singer, so if you're ever longing to have an aria (or a Billy Joel song) sung to you, I'm your guy. Also Billy Joel, but I'm more readily available.
Scrabble: It's a bit lamentable, really; my friends won't play with me anymore.
Using semicolons; in fact, having good grammar goes a long way in my book.
Getting dressed up: it's one of the best byproducts of having a Met subscription.
Playing the spoons -- pretty sure I'm one of the only Jews who knows how to rock out a cèilidh.
Talking about art/philosophy.
Scouring used book stores.
Finding happiness in simplicity.
Being a big spoon.
2.) passport
3.) Joni Mitchell
4.) cycling shoes
6.) Thai food
Philosophy (particularly French & surrealist)
How much of a cop-out the Picardy Third is
What to do on my to do list
When the next time I can take of my pants will be. Seriously. Pants are way overrated. Or maybe wearing boxer briefs to work is underrated. Maybe I'm just going to show up pantsless and see what happens.
How amazing my future family will be.
The best way to get to new galaxies without the Millennium Falcon.
Strategic mapping of the Duane Reade locations that carry chocolate Twizzlers.
Which I could more readily give up: cheese, or (receiving) oral sex. It's a question I struggle with every day.
You are inspired
You get my screen name
You like Bruce Munro, Roger Ballen, Mark Bradford, Kumi Yamashita, Anselm Kiefer, or if you think Damien Hirst should just switch to designing wallpaper.
It doesn't bother you that the guy you're dating will, from time to time, quote obscure poetry and/or Biggie rhymes.
You really, really, really, want to zig-a-zig ahh

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Episode: Blue Men, Psychopaths, and a Bad Date. After many years in the legendary Blue Man Group, a performer makes a profound connection with an audience member; a world-renowned neuroscientist identifies patterns in the brains of psychopathic killers, and Saturday Night Live alum Rachel Dratch meets a debonair man at a cocktail party and dares to think he might be Mr. Right. http://goo.gl/5Ygarx #Podcasts #FullPodcastAvailable
More from


text:
Notice to proceed at West Union
With a paperwork glitch out of the way, West Union will finally see its dilapidated former public school building taken down. And the contractors are predicting the job will be quick. Dewayne Pelfrey, project manager for Southern Capital and Development of Seneca, predicts the entire job, the building demolition and the asbestos removal to precede it, will take no more than one week–weather permitting. Pelfrey and his company owner, Dan Rankin, met this morning at West Union Town Hall with Mayor Linda Oliver and Dirk Reis of the S.C. Appalachian Council of Governments. The cost will be $39 thousand, 350 dollars. The money is to be taken out a $110 thousand Community Development Block Grant approved two years ago. What's described as a small quantity of asbestos is to be abated by sub-contractor Phillips Recovery of Anderson.


text:
Online Account
Life too hectic to come and see us? That's why Pagoda
Federal Credit Union is offering this convenient and flexible
24 hours service to our members. From within our secure
online section members are able to:
Our online service
is easy, secure, and affordable because it's free. Not
signed up yet? Click
here to sign up online.
To Get A Password:
In order to use our Online Account Access site, you will need a password. To
get your new password click
here to sign up online and we will get you all set up. Once your
new password is issued, you will be forced to change it on your first visit
to the secure Online Account Access site. It's that easy!
Forgot Your Password?
Hey, it happens! Unfortunately, neither the credit union
nor our web system administrator can 'look up' or otherwise
inquire on your password. It's not technically possible.
What we can do is issue you a new one, which you can
change on your first visit to the secure site. Click
the "Forgot Password" link above
in the Online Account Access login box..
Insuring our system security and your privacy within
our internet home banking site is our number one priority.
From the basic design architecture, to the use of the latest
internet technologies, our home banking site allows you
to experience the convenience of internet home banking
with confidence.Some of the ways we insure your privacy,
and the security of our entire home banking system include:
If you have questions about our site security, please
feel free to Contact Us with
your specific questions.


text:
Like - Click this link to Add this page to your bookmarks Share - Click this link to Share this page through email or social media Print - Click this link to Print this page
Political Activity and Social Welfare
Promoting social welfare does not include direct or indirect participation or intervention in political campaigns on behalf of or in opposition to any candidate for public office. However, if an organization is organized exclusively to promote social welfare, it may still obtain exemption even if it participates legally in some political activity on behalf of or in opposition to candidates for public office. Political activities may not be the organization's primary activities, however.
Additional Resources:
Social Welfare Organizations - Political Campaign Intervention
Return to Life Cycle of a Social Welfare Organization
Page Last Reviewed or Updated: 14-Oct-2016


text:
'Drive' Star Ryan Gosling Flies Into LAX (PHOTOS)
Perhaps he's in Los Angeles for tonight's MTV VMAs?! Guess we'll find out! Ry-Gos also has his critically acclaimed movie Drive hitting theaters Sept. 16, so we should be seeing a little more of him on the red carpets and late night shows!
Ryan recently opened up to Esquire Magazine about his fame, saying:
"It's like being in a dream. You don't know anybody, but everybody knows you, everybody reacts to you. You can be walking along in a dream, through a pretty normal world, and then bam, everything seems to be a response to your presence. Everything seems to be driven by you. And that's notable at first, and you deal with it. And then — and it happens every time — you become aware it's a dream. Right about then, when you think you have it figured, and that acknowledging that will make it easier, it inevitably becomes a nightmare."


text:
Manchester Phoenix 11 Peterborough Phantoms 0
Four goal hero Frantisek Bakrlik helped Manchester Phoenix maintain their iron grip on top spot in the EPL, as they demolished Peterborough Phantoms and maintained their 100 per cent start to the season.
Phoenix started the weekend's games with a comprehensive 4-0 win away at Swindon Wildcats on Saturday night, with goals from Tony Hand, Michal Psurny, Robert Schnabel and Frantisek Bakrlik.
Liam Chong started the rout at home on Sunday with a goal on nine minutes, and Jack Watkins doubled the lead with a superb solo effort after 13 minutes. Bakrlik grabbed his first two minutes later.
Bakrlik bagged a second, and a fourth for Phoenix, just three minutes into the second period and Michal Psurny got on the score sheet on the half way mark. Gregg Pick tried to light a fire under his Phantoms team mates and fought with Andy McKinney on 32 minutes, but it failed to inspire the Phantoms and Bakrlik grabbed his hat-trick goal on 34 minutes. James Archer ended the game as a contest on 38 minutes, making it 7-0 to Phoenix.
Goalie Steve Fone was given the rest of the night off and Jorge El-Hage took his place between the pipes for final 20 minutes. He maintained a solid presence for the final period, including saving a penalty shot on 50 minutes that brought arguably the loudest cheer of the night. More goals from Psurny and Bakrlik, as well as markers from Robin Kovar followed as Phoenix ran riot, and Phantoms miserable night continued as Jaroslav Cesky received a 10 minute abuse of official penalty. Liam Chong finished the evening as it started with a goal five minutes from the end to make it 11 for Phoenix and to send out a strong message to the chasing pack.
Phoenix are in action against Slough Jets next Sunday 6 October, starting at 5:30pm.


text:
Above it rig a stage, on the forks of trees, with a firm socket for the stock or shaft of your auger to work in.
Then Baugi took the auger again and he bored deeper and deeper into the rock.
This point fits into a hole pecked with a point or bored with an auger into the door-sill.
Many of these holes are as round and as cleanly cut as if they had been made with an auger.
So saying, Phonny jumped down from the bench and went and climbed up upon the chopping-block to get down an auger.
He took the auger, and quickly bored an inch hole in the scuttle.
Fig. 1765 represents the auger bit, which is provided with a conical screw s which pulls it forward into the wood.
He goes over it again, verse by verse, and auger accompanies him.
We move, move, till we sit at Boranyup; we then eat kangaroo; Hunt and auger had brought it in.
auger rolls his r's in a way that gives piquancy and vigour to his conversation.
c.1500, faulty separation of Middle English a nauger, from Old English nafogar "nave drill," from Proto-Germanic *nabogaizaz (cf. Old Norse nafarr, Old Saxon nabuger, Old High German nabuger), a compound whose first element is related to nave (n.2) and whose second is identical to Old English gar "a spear, borer" (see gar). For similar misdivisions, see adder. The same change took place in Dutch (avegaar).


text: Rawalpindi- Body of a man has been recovered from Murree road area of Waris Khan Police Station. According to details, Police got a tip off that a corpse of a man is lying near Murree Road. Police reached at the spot, took the dead body into custody and shifted to hospital for post mortem. SHO Malik Allahyar said that the young man died due to intoxication.


text:
Jeannette urged to give back $65K grant
The attorney for the City of Jeannette recommended Tuesday that the city return a $65,000 state grant earmarked for a recreation center, submit a new proposal to the state and hope the state will award Jeannette another grant in the future for the long-delayed project.
"Return the $65,000 and go back to the drawing board," said Scott Avolio.
One problem, Avolio added, is the financially-strapped city doesn't have the money to repay the state, although the municipiality is on the hook for the grant.
The city recreation commission voted Tuesday to ask contractor Tim Bongiorni, president of the now-closed Quality Sheet Metal Erection in Avella, Washington County, to return the money although Avolio warned that Bongiorni is "within his legal rights" if he doesn't return the full amount.
Neither the commission nor city council ever contacted Bongiorni since the contract was signed in 2008 to inform him what their plans were for the building and when they would come up with the balance of the down payment.
The grant was awarded to the commission in 2007 but turned over to the city, Avolio said.
"The city has been put in a bad situation," he added. "In 2007, the dream and hopes may have been great but not in 2013. It was a $1.5 million dream."
Neither the city nor the commission has the money to build the center or operate the enterprise.
Jeannette is in the process of trying to raise revenue to pay a $350,000 contribution to the police pension fund and has laid off employees, required administrators to take a 10 percent reduction in their salaries, will refinance a bond issue and sell assets. It began the year with a $500,000 deficit.
Avolio has been investigating why the city or commission never followed up with Bongiorni after he was given a $65,000 deposit on the building. The complete project would have cost the city $1.5 million but after the deposit was paid, nothing else was ever done to make the remaining $20,000 down payment, Avolio said. A fundraising committee tasked with coming up with donations "melted away" and the project stalled.
"It just abruptly stopped at the beginning of 2008," he added.
The project resurfaced when commission members Randy Highlands and Joe Yorio began questioning what happened to the money.
Highlands was upset when he learned that Avolio had found a copy of the contract that was signed June 28, 2008, with Quality Sheet Metal Erection.
"I've been asking, asking, and asking and asking," Highlands said. "I didn't know until tonight that a contract existed."
Yorio questioned the accuracy of past meeting minutes, which did not contain his demands to see documents associated with the project.
Avolio said the city never attempted to contact Bongiorni for four years. There is enough blame to go around on both sides, he added.
"To say where is my $65,000 is a gross inaccuracy," he continued. "I can't explain why no one, after 4 years, asked where's my $20,000?"
Bongiorni has told officials he would work with the city to complete the project but would have a difficult time providing the type of building they want for $65,000. The price, he said, has increased and the city would incur additional costs for excavating the site and completing the interior of the building.
Bongiorni cashed the check but Avolio said he doesn't know what happened to the money after that. Bongiorni said he paid the money to a company in Somerset County to provide the structure but couldn't remember the name of the firm or the salesman he dealt with.
Richard Gazarik is a staff writer for Trib Total Media. He can be reachedat 724-830-6292 or at email@example.com.


text:
About the Book
Grandma's Notes on Parenting is a simple, easy to read book for parents on how to become a positive role model so their children will become responsible adults. Brenda combines her personal experiences with extensive research to challenge parents and grandparents to take a good look at their parenting methods and give some helpful advice.
Features & Details
- Category Parenting & Families
5×8 in, 13×20 cm
60 Pages
- Publish Date Jul 26, 2013
- Language English
- Tags role model, positive parenting, parenting, children, families
About the Creator
Brenda Silveira, Author of the Caterpillar to Butterfly Self-esteem Workbook, is known for inspiring people while building their self-esteem through her workshops, blogging and Confidence Coaching. Her latest title, Grandma's Notes on Parenting, gives empowerment to new parents by highlighting a few simple ways to raise children in a positive environment. Brenda's candid recollection of her own lifetime of struggles helps individuals to realize they are not alone in their struggles to make good choices. Brenda, a graduate of Stratford Teacher's College, a former Girl Guide leader, Guide Commissioner and business owner, is also the creator of I M Confident Niagara Canada, a project that promotes esteem building through a website that has information and visual presentations. Be inspired by Brenda's writing by visiting www.imconfident.com.
Log in or create an account to post a comment.


text:
Where to find Vancouver's best Japanese ramen
A man and a woman plonk themselves down at the communal table at Kintaro (788 Denman Street) beside diners hunched over bowls of steaming noodle soup. "Ramen!" they declare. "Our first time!" Everyone is eating too intently to respond. Little do the couple know that after their first bowl, there's no turning back, especially with so many great ramen options in the city.
Kintaro is the grandfather ramen shop, faithfully serving bowl after bowl since 1999. The room is basic, but regulars aren't bothered. They come for the fresh, firm-textured noodles and the star component: the soup. "We have a thick broth. It's one of the best broths," declares Yuji Sato, assistant manager. Sato points to massive stock pots and explains that the pork and chicken broth is simmered for a whopping 22 hours to get maximum flavour from the bones.
The base broth is used for various soup options: shoyu, a soy sauce version; shio, with sea salt; miso, flavoured with multiple soybean pastes; and a spicy garlic-miso soup. And what makes their soup so good is the pork fat that's added in varying amounts, depending on whether diners opt for light, medium, or rich broth. They also get a choice of fatty or lean barbecued pork. One other unique crowd pleaser: the miso ramen with grated swiss and a slice of mozzarella cheese sprinkled on top—far better than Kraft Dinner.
A few doors over is Kintaro's more upscale sister restaurant, Motomachi Shokudo (740 Denman Street). A large communal table dominates the compact room, styled with the wood accents characteristic of a classic ramen joint. Here, there's an emphasis on organic ingredients and a lighter, lower fat chicken-based broth. The same soup variations can be found here, in addition to a bamboo-charcoal-powder miso ramen. The charcoal powder is said to clean toxins from the body, but all health claims aside, it lends a lovely smokiness to the umami flavour of the miso.
The West End ramen route continues at Hokkaido Ramen Santouka (1690 Robson Street), a Canadian outpost of a chain hailing from Hokkaido, Japan's northernmost major island. Where Kintaro has boiled down (pun intended) its menu to a single page, Santouka has a binder of options, including tan-tan men, with soy sauce, sesame paste, and chili oil; its signature tokusen toroniku ramen, with sliced simmered pork cheek and other toppings on the side; and tsukemen, with a double portion of cold noodles for dipping into the hot soup. The pork-based broth has a delicate, almost creamy consistency that warms the belly instantly.
A dependable standby is Benkei Noodle Shop (1741 Robson Street and 545 West Broadway), where the ramen is consistently satisfying. The noodles, which are on the thicker side, have a springy toothiness to them. Popular are a curry ramen with grilled spinach, corn, and carrots, as well as the aka oni, which consists of spicy miso broth with pan-fried minced pork, green onion, bean sprouts, bamboo shoots, roasted sesame seeds, and toasted garlic oil.
Garlic lovers may also want to try Ramen Jinya (270 Robson Street), known for its black ramen, named after the charred garlic oil that gives the broth its black hue and an intensely garlicky flavour. "It does have a strong taste. Some people don't like the strong taste, so we can make it milder for them," says supervisor Ayaka Kikuchi by phone. She explains that because Ramen Jinya originated in Los Angeles, it offers more nontraditional ramen selections, like chicken- and veggie-based broths, in addition to pork.
Chef Andrea Carlson was aware of the multitude of ramen options around town when she came up with her version for the grocery store/eatery Harvest Community Foods (243 Union Street), that is committed to sourcing from local farmers. "The idea was to draw from the classic approach but using seasonal produce and ethical meats," she says during a phone chat. The broth for Harvest's pork ramen, for instance, is made from free-run meat and bones from Gelderman Farms in Abbotsford. Carlson explains that, rich from long-simmered pork trotters and skin, "the stock's got a really unctuous, sticky-mouth feel."
The bowl is full of carefully crafted and sourced ingredients, like locally produced fresh noodles, watercress, scallions, radish, slices of pork shoulder, house-made mirin-candied bacon, and a poached egg marinated in soy sauce, mirin, garlic, and ginger.
Also at Harvest Community Foods, vegetarians can enjoy a broth made from Klippers Organics' butternut or red kuri squash, kombu, onion, garlic, ginger, mirin, soy sauce, and miso. Along with noodles, of course, the veggie option comes with nori, scallions, watercress, radish, and sesame. One slurp—with its bracing flavour hit—will remind you why there's a demand for so many standout ramen shops, and versions, in town.


text:
Attorney General Martha Coakley's Office to Represent Ratepayers at Hearings Regarding National Grid's Proposed Gas Rate Hike
BOSTON - Beginning this week, the Department of Public Utilities (DPU) will hold a series of public hearings regarding National Grid's request for a $106 million increase in gas distribution rates per year beginning on November 1, 2010. The public hearings are an opportunity for legislators, municipal officials, and the general public to voice their concerns about the proposed rate increase. If allowed, such an increase would result in a 19 percent increase in distribution rates for certain customers. Attorney General Martha Coakley's Office will testify at each of the seven hearings across the Commonwealth on behalf of ratepayers, arguing that the increase is excessive and harmful to customers.
The hearings will take place at the following times and locations:
- Barnstable - May 25, West Village Elementary School, 7:00 p.m.
- Acton - May 26, Acton Town Hall, Faulkner Room , 7:00 p.m.
- Boston - May 27 , Department of Public Utilities, One South Station, Second Floor 7:00 p.m.
- Haverhill - June 1, Haverhill City Hall, 4 Summer Street, 7:00 p.m.
- Quincy - June 2, Quincy City Hall, City Council Chambers, 7:00 p.m.
- Lynn - June 3, Lynn City Hall, City Council Chambers, 7:00 p.m.
- Lowell - June 7, Lowell City Hall, City Council Chambers, 7:00 p.m.
Copies of the written testimony submitted to the DPU by the Attorney General's Office will be available to the media. A DPU decision is expected by November 1, 2010 .
The Attorney General serves as the ratepayer advocate and is authorized to intervene in administrative and/or judicial proceedings on behalf of consumers in connection with any matter involving the rates, charges, prices or tariffs of any gas company doing business in the Commonwealth.


text:
Vancouver (AFP) Jun 05, 2007
The airline sector must aim for zero carbon-dioxide emissions by 2050, an industry association says, but not everyone is heeding its call for a joint effort by aircraft manufacturers, carriers and public authorities. "We have to move all forward in the same direction" toward reducing CO2 emissions to zero percent, the International Air Transport Association said in Vancouver Monday at the annual IATA conference.
However, the challenge met with some skepticism.
"With the prospects of an increasing air traffic, between aging populations of OECD countries, emerging markets and continuing globalization of business activity, this can make us sweat," said Michael Levine, a researcher at New York University.
According to IATA, despite current efforts to reduce fuel consumption by 25 percent by 2020, the carbon footprint of the civil aviation industry will grow to three percent in 2050 from the current two percent.
"There's no way we can pretend we're so special we have the right to pollute. But there is no sense to aim for zero percent. Our issue is to be responsible," Levine said.
IATA director general Giovanni Bisignani outlined a three-pronged effort needed to achieve the zero-emission goal: technology, aircraft makers and public authorities, regulators and governments.
"I'm sure research can find the way to achieve zero percent in 50 years," Bisignani said.
"When you consider clean-fuel technologies, we can already achieve some fuel efficiencies. It's up to governments to put all that together," he said.
"We have to transform this vision into reality, working with the different actors of this industry. ... We need a global scheme, a common approach to technologies."
On the aircraft manufacturing front, some advances toward greater fuel efficiency have been made in the next generation of aircraft, such as the Boeing 787 and the Airbus 350 and 380.
"We're evolving on the right path," said Robert Milton, head of Air Canada.
Airline industry raises profit forecast, but debt weighs
Giovanni Bisignani, director general of the International Air Transport Association, made the announcement in Vancouver at the opening of IATA's annual meeting.
"While the results are encouraging, airlines are a 470-billion-dollar industry," he said.
Calling a profit of five billion dollars "peanuts," Bisignani said the industry needed 40 billion dollars "just to cover the cost of capital."
"The industry is moving in the right direction, but with 200 billion dollars of debt, the financial hole is deep. The challenge is to turn peanuts into sustainable profits," he said.
The latest financial forecasts for the sector confirmed a healthy recovery from the nosedive that followed the September 2001 attacks in the United States and soaring fuel prices, sinking the sector in more than 40 billion dollars in losses over the past six years.
IATA already had sharply revised upward its 2007 estimate in April, from 2.5 billion dollars, as a relatively robust global economy spurred tourism and airline transport.
IATA represents some 250 airlines which account for 94 percent of scheduled international air traffic.
More than 150 airline chief executives as well as top management from airports, civil aviation authorities, manufacturers and non-governmental organizations are attending the three-day event, which ends Tuesday.
Bisignani said that factors in the improving financial position of carriers were an overall 56 percent rise in productivity and a 13 percent decline in distribution costs, as well as load factors -- the number of passengers filling seats -- at record highs of 76 percent in 2006.
As for the high cost of jet fuel, which has dug into profits in recent years as crude oil prices surged, the sector is now in a better position to manage the cost, thanks to strategies such as hedging, in which the carrier buys future supplies at a fixed price.
"Airlines needed an oil price of less than 20 dollars per barrel in 2002 to break even. Today we are profitable at nearly 70 dollars per barrel," he said.
Elsewhere in the conference, Air China said it was working to boost the number of flights to the United States as it moves toward integration in the Star Alliance of airlines to boost its global profile.
"Our priority for our development abroad is to integrate into the Star Alliance by the end of 2007," Lou Yongfeng, manager of international affairs for the carrier, told AFP, referring to the code-share alliance of 17 airlines including Lufthansa and United Airlines.
Additionally, the executive said, "we plan to increase our routes to the US" in the future.
Air China began service April 1 on a Beijing-San Francisco route, its third to the US market.
Last month, US and Chinese officials signed a new civil aviation agreement that more than doubles passenger flights between the two countries by 2012 and moves closer to an "open-skies" deal.
Source: Agence France-Presse
Email This Article
Related Links
Juno Beach FL (SPX) Jun 06, 2007
Florida Power and Light Company (FPL) said that it is deeply disappointed in the Florida Public Service Commission's (PSC) ruling that failed to recognize the utility's need to build an advanced clean coal technology power plant to meet customers' future energy demands.
|The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2006 - SpaceDaily.AFP and UPI Wire Stories are copyright Agence France-Presse and United Press International. ESA PortalReports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additionalcopyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. Advertising does not imply endorsement,agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by SpaceDaily on any Web page published or hosted by SpaceDaily. Privacy Statement


text:
Shares finished lower on Wednesday, pulled down by falls in the big miners and after a stronger than expected inflation reading led to uncertainty about the direction of interest rates.
The benchmark S&P/ASX 200 Index lost 11.7 points, or 0.2 per cent, to 5319.8, recovering in late trade from an earlier drop of as much as 0.85 per cent. Mining heavyweight BHP Billiton led the losses following some disappointing production results.
"The market traded lower Wednesday on mixed signals about where interest rate settings are headed, what earnings season is likely to reveal and diverging views about whether or not the time is ripe to rotate out of the big four bank stocks," Macquarie Private Wealth division director Martin Lakos said.
Shares extended early losses and the dollar spiked after Australian Bureau of Statistics data showed a bigger than expected rise in inflation. At the local close the dollar was at US88.66¢, up from US88.17¢ at the previous close.
Australia's consumer price index rose 0.8 per cent in the December quarter. Inflation is up 2.7 per cent year-on-year, at the upper end of the Reserve Bank of Australia's annual target range of 2 per cent to 3 per cent.
"On the face of it the CPI data was much better than expected, but looking at the detail it can be easily explained by structural changes. The biggest rise in fresh food prices was driven by adverse agricultural conditions, the rise in alcohol and tobacco prices had a regulatory driver and the lower dollar was a factor in higher travel costs," Mr Lakos said.
The news that consumer confidence fell again in January was also negative for shares. The Westpac-Melbourne Institute Index of Consumer Sentiment fell 1.7 per cent in January to 103.3 points, its lowest level since July as concerns about job losses hit confidence.
Resources giant BHP Billiton dropped 0.8 per cent to $37.63, after its December quarter iron ore production and shipment volumes slightly undershot analyst expectations. However, Mr Lakos said BHP still seemed to "be on track" after the other three of its "four pillar" commodities - copper, petroleum and coking coal - met production expectations.
Mr Lakos said Macquarie analysts forecast BHP to grow earnings by 23 per cent in 2014, against expectations for 13 per cent earnings growth across the broader market. "BHP Billiton is trading on a price-earnings ratio of about 10 times, making it cheap relative to the market especially considering its growth potential," he said.
Mining was the worst-performing sector, down 1 per cent. BHP's main rival Rio Tinto lost 0.8 per cent to $65.29 while iron ore miner Fortescue Metals Group fell 1.1 per cent to $5.35 as the spot price for iron ore, landed in China, fell 1.3 per cent to $US123.20 a tonne.
Financial services was the only sector to close higher, up 0.3 per cent, despite Commonwealth Bank of Australia falling 0.3 per cent to $75.91, as the three other big four banks gained.
National Australia Bank rose 0.9 per cent to $34.29, ANZ Banking Group added 0.8 per cent to $31.40, and Westpac Banking Corp gained 0.5 per cent to $31.95.
Telstra Corporation dropped 0.8 per cent at $5.22, while the biggest food and liquor sellers were lower. Woolworths fell 0.6 per cent to $34.20, while Wesfarmers, owner of Coles, lost 0.4 per cent to $43.39.
Sandfire Resources was the worst-performing stock in the benchmark index, dumping 8.8 per cent to $5.91. It was the second day in a row of heavy falls for after quarterly copper production figures released on Tuesday beat analyst expectations but lower production and higher costs in its gold division disappointed.
Deutsche Bank analyst Brett McKay retained his buy rating on the miner noting that whilst lower gold production and higher costs were slightly disappointing, gold accounts for only 7 per cent of revenue so earnings reductions are minimal.
Mr Lakos said: "If the slew of quarterly production numbers from mining companies released this week are better than expected than that will provide compelling support for Macquarie's view it is time to move out of big bank stocks and in to big miners".
Newcrest Mining, Australia's biggest goldminer, dipped 3.1 per cent to $9.34 after the spot gold price fell nearly 1 per cent on Tuesday night to $US1241 an ounce and ahead of the release of its quarterly production report on Thursday. Gold was flat in late trade on Wednesday, fetching $US1242 an ounce.
Australia's biggest oil producer Woodside Petroleum fell 0.6 per cent to $38.15 despite the price of Brent crude oil rising to $US107.07 a barrel after the International Energy Agency raised its forecast for global oil consumption. Oil and gas producer Santos fell 1 per cent to $14.26, ahead of reporting quarterly production figures on Thursday.
GUD Holding was the best-performing stock in the benchmark index, up 3.8 per cent at $5.96 despite showing on Tuesday that half-year net profit plunged 74 per cent. CIMB analysts noted the stock could be good value if management can execute a planned turnaround strategy. GUD was also upgraded to "neutral" from "underperform" by Credit Suisse.
Warrnambool Cheese and Butter Factory added 1.2 per cent after Canada's Saputo secured majority control, triggering a higher offer price.
Veterinary clinic chain Greencross rose 0.5 per cent to $8.24 after receiving shareholder approval to merge with Mammoth Pet Holdings, the parent company of pet supplies retail chain Petbarn.
ResMed rose 2 per cent to $5.19 ahead of reporting its half-yearly results on Friday. The medical device manufacturer does not provide forward guidance but analysts are expecting earnings to get a lift from the lower exchange rate. ResMed has underperformed in recent months, down 12 per cent since October amid uncertainty over the impact of US healthcare reforms on its major customers.
"Investors are looking to company reporting season, which begins in earnest next week, for proof that the price-earnings expansion already seen in the market is justified. If reporting season is positive that could be the catalyst the sharemarket needs to move higher," Mr Lakos said. Macquarie has forecast the ASX 200 to be at 5894 points at the end of 2014.


text:
Flowers/hanging basket help needed for August party!(3 Posts)
Gravity1 Mon 01-Jul-13 13:29:16
Taffeta Mon 01-Jul-13 20:08:51
ComeIntoTheGardenMaud Tue 02-Jul-13 09:02:56
Join the discussion
Registering is free, easy, and means you can join in the discussion, get discounts, win prizes and lots more.Register now
Already registered with Mumsnet? Log in to leave your comment or alternatively, sign in with Facebook or Google.
Please login first.


text:
Ernesto Pezo Photographer
Gabriela WeyModel Female São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
My MM URL: http://www.modelmayhem.com/gabrielawey
Mayhem # 2396372
About MeMy name is Gabriela Wey, I'm 18 years of age.
I'm from a city called Santos, but I'm currently breathing and studying in São Paulo. Attending advertising in Mackenzie Presbyterian University.
I have never done any modelling course, althought once a manager asked me to contact him for a photoshoot for a merchandising, unfortunately, I was too young and naive to go ahead.
Have you worked with Gabriela Wey? Add Credits for Gabriela Wey! >>
Ernesto Pezo Photographer
Juca Nas Photographer
Epic Win Photographer
Felipe Bertarelli Photographer
Monserrat BC Model
Loading Content


text:
A jury will reconvene this morning to continue deliberating in the trial of Paul J. Bennett, a boater accused in the deaths of two Buford boys on Lake Lanier.
Bennett, 45, has been in Hall County Superior Court in Gainesville since Nov. 4 to stand trial on homicide charges in the June 18, 2012, incident, where his fishing boat collided with a pontoon carrying 13 people — four adults and nine children. Jake Prince, 9, and Griffin Prince, 13, were killed on impact.
Bennett faces charges of eight counts of homicide by vessel, failure to render aid, reckless operation of a vessel and boating under the influence.
Closing arguments concluded Wednesday afternoon, and the jury deliberated until about 5:15 p.m.
The prosecution has argued that Bennett was boating impaired, did not have proper lighting on his Sea Fox and evaded law enforcement in the aftermath of the crash. State lawmakers passed the "Jake and Griffin Prince BUI Law," which lowered the legal alcohol limit for boaters in Georgia to 0.08 from 0.10, in response to the incident.
The defense counters that Bennett's arrest and breath and blood testing were improperly handled, that he stayed on the scene for a lengthy period of time to help and only returned to his houseboat when his companion had a diabetic emergency.
"There's no way that anyone can look at this as anything other than a tragedy, and there's no way that anyone can look at this as anything other than an accident," Bennett's lead attorney Barry Zimmerman said at the start of his closing arguments.
Zimmerman asked the jury to consider the testimony of defense witness and boating collision expert Phil Odom, who placed the fault on both Bennett and Michael Prince, the boys' father and pontoon boat operator.
"There's distraction here. Neither person was paying attention," Zimmerman said. "They had a collision, but it's not a crime."
District Attorney Lee Darragh, who led the state's prosecution, said in his closing that Prince could not have seen Bennett's boat.
"He came at such a speed and such a path that Michael Prince could not have seen him," Darragh said.
Odom's testimony, Darragh said, was not trustworthy because he was paid to appear in court by the defense. Darragh asked jurors to instead consider the investigation of Cpl. Shawn Elmore with the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, who concluded that Bennett was at fault.
Zimmerman said he found Elmore's investigation to be troublesome, calling it a "justification" rather than "investigation."
"The final straw in order to justify his decision — he used other laws," Zimmerman said.
Elmore said both of the boats were stand-on vessels, and therefore should have maintained course and passed on the left — starboard to starboard.
"There's no such thing as two stand-on boats," Zimmerman said.
Zimmerman said currently adopted boating rules mandated that Bennett was the stand-on vessel, and Prince the give-way vessel.
Darragh said Odom's conclusions about the boat operators' actions failed to consider one of the key components of criminality — Bennett's alleged alcohol impairment.
"I submit to you that this defendant was distracted because he was inebriated," Darragh said.
"Mr. Bennett said, 'I don't drink when I'm on the lake.' No — but you drink before you go on the lake."
Darragh said that throughout the incident and the aftermath, Bennett has been molding his drinking to be "as extensive as he wants it to be."
"This has been a defense of deception; defense of desperation," Darragh added.
Zimmerman was matter-of-fact regarding Bennett's alleged drinking after the incident.
"Should he have drank after the accident? Well, I don't know. But he did," Zimmerman said.
Zimmerman took great issue with Bennett's estimated blood alcohol content at the time of the incident, based on a breath test and blood test. A Georgia Bureau of Investigation toxicologist said her calculation, based on a process called retrograde extrapolation, placed it between 0.16 and 0.185.
Darragh told the jurors not to believe Amy Lynn Harris, who was on the boat with Bennett and testified he was not impaired, arguing that she was not reliable, turning her words against her.
"Ms. Harris said she doesn't pay attention to his drinking — and he doesn't pay attention either, and decides he's well enough to proceed," Darragh said.
Zimmerman said nearly all of the witnesses — defense and state — had an interest in the outcome of the case, making the testimony of bystanders all the more crucial to consider.
"I find the fishermen to be very interesting," Zimmerman said, of first responder Phil Johnson and a fellow bass fisherman he was boating with. "Everyone has an interest in this case except the fishermen."
Zimmerman said Johnson pointed out multiple times to law enforcement where Bennett's boat was, but that officers did not make an immediate attempt to reach him.
Darragh said Bennett was eluding law enforcement to avoid consequences, but asked the jury to hold Bennett accountable for the deaths of the two boys.
"Because he was in that condition, he caused the death of these two young boys," Darragh said.
"This is no legal accident. This is a drunken boating collision caused by Paul Bennett."
Zimmerman said his client has been unjustly targeted and accused since before he even spoke to law enforcement, and asked the jurors not to make the same error in judgment, nor let the tragic aspect of the case cloud their perception.
"I ask you to not let your sorrow and compassion blur your vision of this case," he said, and quoted Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor: "It is not the heart that compels conclusions in cases, it is the law."


text: Mel Otten Fund Mel Otten Endowed Chair Establishment of the Edward J. Otten, MD Chair for Education in Emergency Medicine will help provide yearly financial support for the Department of Emergency Medicine. It is fitting that this Chair bear the name of Dr. Otten who has championed efforts for many years within the Department of Emergency Medicine. Learn More >> UC EM at the International Stroke Conference Study by Kyle Wash, MD and Opeolu Adeoye, MD, UC Department of Emergency Medicine, presented at the International Stroke Conference. They reported that the risk for intracerebral hemorrhage is more than nine times higher for men and women with untreated hypertension compared with those with treated hypertension. Treatment of hypertension appears to have substantial impact on risk for intracerebral hemorrhage, according to Kyle Walsh, MD. Read More >> .


text:
Holiday diet tactic #142: This stunning cookie tree. Because it sorta makes it harder to demolish a half batch of cookies when doing so would demolish the Christmas tree.
Enter your email address and get all of our updates sent to your inbox the moment they're posted. Be the first on your block to be in the know.
Preview daily e-mail
Hate tons of emails? Do you prefer info delivered in a neat, easy-to-digest (pun intended) form? Then enter your email address for our weekly newsletter.
Preview weekly e-mail


text:
there are just TOO many amazing paintings to post here. this guy's stuff is so cool, go look at his flickr stream now! right now! steve frenkel – art saves lives.
groundhog day
one of my favourite parts of groundhog day
dead fly art
howdy pardners, there's some stuff going on in my real life that's preventing any amusing and regular updates. so i'll leave you with this, for now: dead fly art (via everywhere) ps: if you need cheering up or just a good laugh, go have a look at Regretsy
michael scott
I've said many times before that 30 Rock is my favourite show. The Office comes in at a very close second (if not a tie). The US Office, that is. I can watch these back to back, over and over. So glad that Season 6 is out. (there's a sound…
the perry bible fellowship
i was scratching around in my 'amusing' bookmarks folder (yes, i categorise) and stumbled upon one of my favourite comic strips: the perry bible fellowship. buy the book, get the t-shirt, read them all – you won't regret it!


text:
Please carefully consider the dates of your reservation. Special events and holidays may require a minimum stay. In season weekends have a two night minimum stay. Check-in between 4:00 and 6:00 p.m. Earlier or later arrivals considered upon request. Checkout is 11:00 a.m.
Please let us know at the time of your reservation if you are using a Gift Certificate. All BedandBreakfast.com Gift Certificates must make reservations through BedandBreakfast.com directly.
Please choose a room on the right to check avilability. If we can be of any assistance, please contact us.
Check Availability
$$209 April-November*/night
$$199 April-November*/night
$$189 April-November*/night
$$169 April-November*/night


text:
Raytheon UK Wins Contract for GPS Anti-Jam System
Raytheon UK has been awarded a significant contract by the UK Ministry of Defence for delivery of a new GPS anti-jam antenna land system. The contract is for an undisclosed number of advanced systems for deployment in operational theaters spanning multiple vehicle platforms. This UOR (Urgent Operational Requirement) contract is the first award for Raytheon's GPS Anti-Jam (AJ) Land product... read more


text:
Mountain Biking Trails in Oregon
By Randy Dreiling
*This entry is a continuation of Adventures in Mountain Biking, posted on 3/28/2007
Randy Dreiling, one of our resident mountain biking gurus, has decided to share his favorite biking trails in Oregon. Read on to discover a new trail- and start ridin'!
The Middle Fork of the Willamette Trail is approximately 40+ miles one-way, is technically difficult the higher you go and moderately strenuous, and consists primarily of single-track. The trail follows the river, as well as the historic Oregon Central Military Wagon Road. If you shuttle to the top your ride will begin at over 5,000 feet and the ride ends less than 1,500 feet elevation. The ride just keeps going and going…mile after mile of single track. This our favorite EPIC ride. This ride has many starting points that allow for a 5-40+ mile ride. The top of the Middle Fork Trail is the gateway to a great trail system that includes Indigo and June Lakes, Sawtooth, Cowhorn and other ride loops. We suggest only intermediate-advanced riders for the whole 40 mile Middle Fork ride.
North Shore Trail follows the north shore of the Lookout Point Reservoir (hence the name). It is a portion of the Eugene to Crest Trail, a lengthy ride that will take you from the city of Eugene to Waldo Lake. This particular stretch of trail is 17 miles long, and is moderately technical. The single-track varies, from wide, easy, pristine trail to rutty, rocky, steep and stumpy sections. A couple of tricky creek crossings will have the most agile of bikers testing their skills. It´s a challenging and fun ride. The length of your ride will vary depending upon your entrance and exit point; if you choose not to ride back on the single-track, the trail meets the gravel road in several places which will take you back to your starting point as well. Elevation gain on this trail amounts to less than 100 feet.
Larison Rock Trail is best when shuttled to the top (only $10), so you can hit other trails while in town, but if you decide to ride, this ride combines a steep climb on a paved logging road with a steep descent down a single-track. This tour is available as either a cross country ride or a shuttled downhill. The first part of the ride is a climb of about 500 vertical feet per mile! Burn, baby, burn! This trail is fast and fun! (trail is 4.5 miles) Are you up to it?! Once you´re at the end of the single track, it´s a measly 1.7 miles back to your car at Greenwaters Park via a gravel road and single track. Woo-hoo!
Goodman Loop Trail is the ride that can challenge the most experienced riders. This ride has some of the best single-track riding in Oregon and plenty of fun, fast, downhill single-track down hill. Miles can vary depending on ability and experience. Shuttle to the top or the ride starts out from the gravel parking area of Goodman Creek Trail and warms the rider up with a quick steep climb. It then drops and follow a small creek with small rolling climbs and drops. The trail eventually turns to a gradual single-track climb with lots of fun sections. From here it connects to Lost Creek Trail, and then down Hardest Mt. and back to Goodman Creek; or, for more miles and climbing , a more experienced rider can head over to Eula Ridge Trail. Then the loop incorporates South Willamette Trail and can be used in conjunction with or without Saw Tooth Trail for even more miles and fun technical riding. The combination of these trails provides some of the most rewarding climbs and enjoyable single track riding around. Other great trails in the area include Lawler and Eagles Rest.
Our Favorite Trails
Alpine Trail (20-50 miles) – The Crown Jewel. – Shuttle to the top. Smooth and fast, with breathtaking panoramic views. Once you hit the trail, there is a little work, some minor technical, and then it's all downhill for over three hours! Lots of loops and offshoot options including: Tire Mt, Cloverpath, North Fork and more…
Larison Creek – Highly technical single-track, particularly at the top. TShuttle or the ride starts from Oakridge, up three miles of paved road, then ten of gradually climbing fire road to the trailhead. The creek ride is the perfect test of skill and courage. Extreme switchbacks, exposed roots, and stream crossings are a few of the challenges. About halfway down, it opens up and lets you ride, almost continually.
Larison Rock – Fun, short, and quick, with patches of technical. Shuttle or a five-mile paved climb from camp puts you at the trailhead. The trail winds down the hills over camp. Although mostly smooth and fast, it slows down for some steep narrows and tight spots.
Heckle Tooth (20-50 miles) – The other epic ride – Shuttle to the top or An easy ride from Oakridge puts you on the Salmon Creek Trail. Then it is up the fire lane, how far is your choice – the higher, the harder. The 20-mile loop climbs for six-miles before you enter the trail, a speed zone through the rolling hills and generous switchbacks. The 35-mile loop adds elevation plus climbing. It is only a steep climb in a couple of spots early and the reward is that you ride down the edge of the mountains. The 50-miler is a rider's ride – tight, technical switchbacks and obstacles reward the extra climb. Not for the weak!
Salmon Creek – A beautiful ride up the river to the Salmon Creek Falls. This flat, groomed trail runs right through Oakridge and includes a variety of local points of interest along the ride. There are no hills or obstacles. A straight round trip is about 12 miles. For a harder Option: Cross the Salmon Creek Bridge for rolling hills with some technical patches. Gain some vertical with a trip up Dead Mountain then back on the Flat Creek Trail.
Middle Fork- Our favorite EPIC ride. 40+ miles one way. Awesome trail that follows the Willamette River. The higher you go the harder the trail. Our advice? Shuttle to the top and enjoy the ride all the way back. Plan to ride all day if riding the whole trail. We suggest intermediate-advanced riders only ride the whole 40+ mile ride. We offer shorter rides of 5-25 miles for people of all skill levels.
Additional – There are many additional trails. Oakridge/Westfir is just loaded with great options for riding – no matter your skill level.
Photos by Chad Sageser, www.backcountryproductions.com
-Randy Dreiling
Is any of the information on this page incorrect?


text: NEW YORK -- An 11% jump in new-home sales in June sent homebuilders' shares surging Monday at midday.Market watchers are poised for the beginning of a recovery in the protracted housing slump that helped drag the country into the longest recession of the postwar era, now nearing 20 months. Monday's report follows a string of positive signals on home construction, housing starts and homebuilders' sentiment from earlier this month. On Monday, the Commerce Department said that sales of new homes in the U.S. rose 11% in June from the previous month to a seasonally adjusted yearly rate of 384,000. That's the third straight month of higher sales and the largest increase in more than eight years. Still, the sales rate is down 21.3% from the same time last year. The median sales price in June, meanwhile, fell 12% to $206,200 from last year and 6% from May. The backlog of homes on the market also fell 4% in June from May -- a good sign for homebuilders. At the current sales rate, there's now 8.8 months' supply of homes to work through. That's the lowest level since October 2007. Capital Economics analyst Paul Ashworth said when that figure gets down to about 6 months worth of supply, home prices may begin to finally tilt higher. At the close, shares of Beazer Homes ( BZH) rose 36 cents, or 14%, to $2.95, while Hovnanian Enterprises ( HOV) added 26 cents, or 9.1%, to $3.11 and Centex ( CTX) gained 86 cents, or 9.1%, to $10.29. Pulte Homes ( PHM), which is buying Centex, rose 66 cents, or 6.8%, to $10.41. Ryland Group ( RYL) was up $1.14 to $20.54, and Lennar ( LEN) climbed 65 cents, or 5.9%, to $11.77.


text:
Abu Dhabi police are trying to break the spell of sorcerers on ordinary people [2].
The police have launched an awareness campaign called Amman, encouraging people to come forward and report anyone practicing witchcraft or sorcery [3].
The drive comes in the wake of complaints from people who say they have been conned.
As part of the campaign, the police recently released a cartoon illustrating a sorcerer as he tries to con a victim into giving him cash.
Psychologist Dr Mohammad Au Al A'ynean said people who resort to witchcraft to solve their problems are desperate. "They go to people practicising witchcraft [4]as a last resort despite being aware that it won't work," she said.
Abu Dhabi police arrested four people in the last four months in four cases of witchcraft. [5]
Residents have been asked to report such people to the police immediately.
[1] http://www.syndigate.info
[2] http://www.jpost.com/Middle-East/Black-magic-widespread-in-Middle-East
[3] http://www.albawaba.com/editorchoice/oman-black-magic-466666
[4] http://www.albawaba.com/editorchoice/saudi-witch-trial-73rd-beheading-saudi-woman-405151
[5] http://www.khaleejtimes.com/nation/inside.asp?xfile=/data/crime/2013/March/crime_March60.xml&section=crime
[6] http://www.xpress4me.com


text:
Stores »
Gimme and "A"!
Large and oversized letters stand out on the wall for baby.
Gorgeous, and oh so soft!!!
Even babys get hat boxes.
Not just for use in the baby's room. Use on any chandelier.
Hooded towels that are eco-friendly and cute. Personalize it so you know who it belongs to. Cute.
We are a community of shoppers sharing our best finds from across the web.
© 2017 ThisNext, Inc. ThisNext is a member of BUZZMEDIA Entertainment, a division of BUZZMEDIA.


text:
The tale of the Michigan AFP Tent just got a lot more interesting.
A spokesperson for conservative group Americans For Prosperity told TPM on Thursday the tent's collapse this week during protests outside the state capitol may have been instigated not by union protesters -- some of whom were "helping us" after the tent collapse, she said -- but rather by "radical anarchists" wearing Guy Fawkes masks and coming from the Occupy movement.
Spokesperson Annie Patnaude also alleged some of the protesters threatened to blow up propane tanks inside the tent, potentially creating a deadly conflagration. Meanwhile union supporters continued to say the tent was felled by AFP members themselves, a charge Patnaude called "upsetting."
At a press conference on Thursday afternoon in Lansing, Mich., AFP called on the mayor and police to open an investigation into the tent collapse and the events surrounding it.
A spokesman for the Lansing Police Department referred questions to the Michigan State Police, who are in charge of policing the state capital grounds. A spokesman for the state police, Inspector Gene Adamczyk, told TPM on Thursday afternoon that no official complaints had been filed regarding the tent collapse. If any are filed, he said, the agency will investigate.
The collapse has become a rallying cry for conservatives, who claim it is evidence of "union thuggery" during the Tuesday protests, which saw more than 10,000 pro-labor protesters swarm the capitol complex. AFP's tent, which had been set up for days, came down during the protests, reportedly trapping some AFP supporters and equipment underneath it.
The AFL-CIO condemned the tent incident and claimed its members assisted evacuating AFP supporters from the structure. Patnaude confirmed that was true for at least "some" union supporters.
She said she also has video footage showing the masked instigators, which AFP plans to show at this afternoon's presser.
"A lot of people have been telling me, and I saw one gentleman inside the tent, who was wearing a Guy Fawkes mask," Patnaude said. "I don't know if this was a union person or not. I think there's a good possibility it was an Occupier or a radical anarchist."
"Certainly some of these union protesters are paid protesters who border the line on anarchy," she continued. "But you know, there were union protesters there who I overheard saying 'this has gone too far' and who were actually helping us. So for their sake we need to have a full investigation."
The tent incident was far more dangerous than it originally appeared, according to Patnaude. She claimed she heard protesters talking about blowing up propane tanks fueling heaters inside the tent. Patnaude said security on hand closed off the tank valves out of concern.
"I'm sure there will come a point where hopefully arrests can be made," Patnaude said. "Or interrogation, whatever the authorities believe is appropriate. We can't just let this die down and go away, because this could affect any group peacefully demonstrating at the capital."
Some progressives have claimed the AFP tent was brought down from the inside, a claim Patnaude denied.
"[They] continue to advance this theory that somehow this was an inside job by our organization. That is ludicrous and ridiculous," she said. "I cannot emphasize enough that people very seriously could have been injured."
Patnaude said AFP has not talked to the police yet about their allegations, but they intend to have those discussions Thursday. The group is demanding that Lansing officials, police and union leaders find those responsible for the tent collapse and "bring them to justice," she said.


text:
Rest Point Motor Inn
72 New England Highway , Glen Innes NSW 2370
The Rest Point Motor Inn, Glen Innes offers a selection of rooms to suit a range of budgets and requirements, these include doubles, twins, family rooms, family suites and spa suites. For your enjoyment the Rest Point Motor Inn facilites include a laundry room, pool and 2 acres of beautifully landscaped gardens. Adjoining the Rest Point Motor Inn is the Hereford Steakhouse, a fully licensed Restaurant serving dinner 7 nights a week.
- Baggage Holding Room
- Parking - Car Space Available
- Day Tours/Tour Desk
- Dining Options Off-Site Nearby
- Iron in Guest Laundry
- Guest Laundry
- Motel/Motor Inn
- Parking - Outdoor Parking
- Restaurant - On Premises
- Specific Security Requirements
Reception Hours:
7:00am - 10:00pm.
Check In:
Check Out:
Number Of Rooms:
Credit Cards Accepted:
Note that a credit card may be requested upon check-in as a form of security deposit.
Important Information:
Dates and Passenger details
Retrieving information....


text:
Readers Share Photos, Stories, Advice on Thanksgiving
Share Your Thanksgiving Photos, Tips, and Decorating Ideas!
Thanksgiving is just around the corner, and we want you to share your insights about how you handle the holiday. Whether you're the hostess or the guest, I'm sure you've picked up some smart etiquette tips and decorating ideas over the years. And I'm sure quite a few of you have a stash of photos showing how you've decorated for the holiday.
Now's your chance to share all of this and more on the CasaSugar Community:
- Upload your etiquette tips to the Su Casa group.
- Have a question about setting the table properly, graciously accepting an unwelcome guest, or other etiquette conundrum? Direct your query to the Assisted Living group.
- Want to showcase Thanksgiving-related decorating? Share the photos in the Lovely Little Vignettes group. Make sure to add your Thanksgiving tablescape as well, and stay tuned for details on our $1,000 giveaway with HomeGoods!
I can't wait to see how you're handling this year's Thanksgiving, and what you're decorating with! Don't be surprised if your photo shows up on CasaSugar in a slideshow or post; I'm sure all of our readers will love to share in the Thanksgiving fun.


text:
shoppers recently viewed this!
Smoky Topaz Drop Earrings
- Color:
- smoky topaz
Qty: 1
- 1
- 2
- 3
Description: 22K yellow gold dipped sterling silver and 22K yellow gold plated brass drop earrings with heart-shaped smoky topaz, freshwater pearl, sky blue crystal and pyrite details
- 2.37 inches long
- 0.62 inches at widest point
- 22K yellow gold dipped sterling silver post back closure
- Please note: each piece is handmade therefore stone inclusions, shape and size may vary slightly which is a desirable aspect of this piece.
Material: 22K yellow gold dipped sterling silver, 22K yellow gold plated brass, topaz, freshwater pearl, crystal and pyrite
Brand: Azaara
Origin: United States