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Living Up to the Hype
Posted: Apr 25, 2007 4:46pm ET
I just lit a La Gloria Cubana Reserva Figurado Selectos de Lujo, one of my favorite cigars. It's a seven-inch long perfecto made from fourth priming tobacco that's blended with an emphasis on balance. What a great smoke.
Puffing it this morning reminded me of my first La Gloria, which I smoked before I started working at Cigar Aficionado magazine. Before I worked at the magazine, I was a reader, and I used the cigar ratings to expand my taste in cigars. I wrote down the high scoring cigars, taking note of the flavors that seemed appealing, and headed out to cigar stores. Usually I could find what I wanted, but not a La Gloria.
If you're a longtime cigar smoker you remember what it was like to find a La Gloria Cubana in the mid 1990s. After James Suckling told the world about this phenomenal brand, they were nearly impossible to find.
It must have been 1994 when I got my hands on my first La Gloria. I was in Manhattan on business one day, and I stopped at a cigar shop called Arnold's, on 42nd and Madison. (Sadly, it's no longer there.) Arnold's seemed to have everything a cigar smoker would ever need, and in true New York style it was crammed into a very small space. I looked at the endless cigar selection, and there it was, sitting behind glass—a partially filled box of La Gloria Cubana Corona Gordas. I bought a few, took the train home, and lit one up as soon as I sat down in my car.
The cigar was brilliant. I can't remember the specific flavors, but I know it was delicious. It had a little kick to it, spicier than most of the cigars I smoked in those days, and I remember how wonderfully it was constructed. I have this distinct image of looking down in the darkness in my car at the burning ash and watching the red glow, perfectly framed by the rings of the cigar's ash.
I had a big smile on my face, happy because I had obtained a hard-to-find smoke, and exuberant because the rare gem was living up to its considerable hype.
It's great when a cigar you expect to truly enjoy lives up to its billing. Have you had any similar experiences?
Comments7 comment(s)
Frank Levatino Club Perfecto, USA April 26, 2007 10:06am ET
David,Excellent topic.A couple come to mind immediately that I would like to share.First one is also a La Gloria story - from early 1990's.I began smoking cigars in fall, 1992. Previously, I hadn't ever smoked anything - cigarette, pipe, cigar or any other such products. While on vacation with my wife @ a resort in Jamaica, we met and spent a good bit of our vacation with two other couples. One of the gentlemen was an avid cigar smoker, and one night after dinner, broke out some H. Upmanns and invited us to share a cigar and cocktails after dinner. I politely declined the cigar, explaining that while I didn't smoke, I appreciated the gesture, the value of his cuban treasure, and didn't want to waste it. After much pressure applied, I accepted, and after the perfunctory choke from inhaling (even though warned not to), I settled back, and let the Upmann introduce me to previously unknown pleasures of flavor. I was hooked. Brought home two boxes, and bought the first edition of Cigar Aficionado - I was all in. Fast forward to September, 1993. My wife and I were blessed with the birth of our first child, my son, Nick. As a new cigar smoker, another opportunity to enjoy another cigar tradition - celebratory cigars. I worked in midtown, and so to a walk over to De La Concha (one of my regular spots then, along JR on 45th and Nat Sherman's). I explained to Lionel what the occassion for my purchase was, and he did mention some Fuente "It's a Boy" cigars he had. But I wanted something more significant. I had read a couple of reviews of La Gloria cigars, and they had recently rated the La Gloria Pyramide 90+ (maybe a 92?). To this point I had been unable to get my hands on any - as was the case back then - if a cigar was well reviewed in CA, good luck trying to find it! Anyway, Lionel asked me to wait, went into the back, and returned with 3 boxes of 10 of these treasures!!! I was delighted to share and enjoy these awesome smokes.
Frank Levatino Club Perfecto, USA April 26, 2007 10:34am ET
Second story...Winter 1993/1994.I work in the financial sector, and was working for an I-Bank in midtown. As a newly avid cigar smoker, I was voraciously seeking every opportunity to broaden my palate and knowledge of cigars, smoking everything I could get that had been written up in CA, and enjoying the experiences. Partagas, R&J, Fuente, Davidoff, Punch, Griffins, LGC, Paul Garmirian, Santa Damiana, Puros Indios, JR Ltd...too many to recall. thing was, at the time, cuban cigars were all the rage, as the noncuban manufacturers were still "catching up" not just in production and quality, but even in the coverage in CA. Moreover, I think it is our nature to always covet what we don't have or cannot easily get. Anyway, I wasn't doing any business travel, and with a new baby, no international vacations were looming. I was jonesing for cubans - one in particular- Montecristo #2. It had been regaled as THE primo smoke (along with Cohiba Esplendido, Partagas Lusitania, Punch Double, and Ramon Allones), and I was dying to try one. As luck had it, a few of the bankers I worked with were also cigar smokers (more travelled and better heeled!). When they learned of my new passion, discussions were opened. After some long hours on a particularly $ucce$$ful pitch, one of the senior guys left me a "present" one evening. I came in the following morning to find a box on my chair - and the holy grail inside! 10 Monte #2's from his personal stash, with a note: "Thanks for your efforts - much appreciated - Don't chain smoke these, there won't be any more for at least 2 months!"That first Monte #2 was truly amazing - the cigar seemed immense in my hand. I realize now it was it's magnitude in my mind and in it's taste. Perfectly constructed, silky, slightly oily wrapper, it burned so perfectly and evenly with the smoothest, fullest draw. Such amazing flavor! First draw to last, this cigar mesmerized me. I've smoked thousands of great cigars since, but none as memorable as that #2.
Edward Kobesky April 26, 2007 4:25pm ET
I remember all too well the difficulty in getting La Gloria Cubanas -- and it was all CA's damn fault! One day, I could buy all I wanted for between $1 - $2.20 each. If you called El Credito, Ernesto answered the phone. I know because that's how my tobacconist used to place his orders. On one occasion, I remember walking in while the two were on the phone and asking him to tell Ernesto how much I liked his cigars, which he did, and Ernesto said something gracious in return. Great days.Then the article ran.Soon after, the cigars became almost impossible to come by. It's easier to find Opus X today than it was to find La Glorias. It was the first time I'd seen retailers limit purchases to one or two sticks per customer. Luckily, I was sort of "grandfathered in" and was able to buy full boxes from time to time…just not Wavells or Torpedos, which nobody could find. Then production moved to the DR (for the most part) and you could get all you wanted, except I didn't want any. Those first DR-made La Glorias were disappointing, to say the least.In a fit of nostalgia last year, I had my dealer order me a box of Corona Gordas. They were just kind of dry and woody with a messy, flaky ash and an uneven burn…not the bold, Cubanesque smokes I remember from the early 1990s. I have to wonder…what happened? Did the cigar change? Did my tastes change? Did competing brands get more complex while La Gloria stayed the same? These days, I reach for a Tatuaje or DPG when I want a Cuban-style NC cigar. I e-mailed Pete Johnson awhile back to tell him how much I love the brand. The next day, my dealer told me that Pete got the message and passed along his thanks. Luckily, for now, Tatuaje is still Miami-made…still reliably excellent…and still relatively easy to find, despite all the publicity. It's one cigar that's living up to the hype.Who knows what will happen, though. One thing's for sure: We're a fickle bunch, we are.
Frank Levatino Club Perfecto, USA April 27, 2007 10:10am ET
Dave,Apologies for taking this slightly off the topic, because I am not sure I would classify this one under "hype" string, but I had the opportunity to try a wonderfully complex, rich, full flavored cigar last night - and it's not yet available on the market. But you've written about it Dave, and I would highly recommend it to anyone to try if they love a robust, full bodied cigar. At our weekly Texas Hold 'Em game @ Club Perfecto last night, our Camacho rep Brian (who has been a recent and welcome occasional addition to our game) dropped in from the road with Morgan (also with Camacho - regional head, I think). Brian and Morgan had been on the road all day (starting in NH, then MA, then into CT), before ending their day @ Club Perfecto. When they arrived, after talking business with Ron, Brian handed out unbanded robustos to the guys @ the table, and to our delight, pronounced that these were the Triple Maduros!!!! Being admittedly partial to maduro cigars, I was intrigued to read the CI and CA articles you wrote about the upcoming release of these innovative cigars. The richness and depth of flavor that is typical to maduro wrappers is a personal preference of mine, and I could only expect that a completely maduro cigar would take this to "the next level". I will say that I was not disappointed. The appearance and construction promised dark, rich flavor - oily, toothy maduro wrapper. Upon cutting, and lighting this cigar, the palate parade of flavor began. Cocoa, leather, earthy, with a full draw of thick, creamy smoke. Stark white ash that constrasted with the dark maduro wrapper was pleasing to the eye. A well constructed, meticulously blended, truly enjoyable smoke, this cigar burned evenly. The only problems? Being was a robusto, it was finished too soon, and these are not yet available for purchase(ha)! Looking forward to enjoying the 11-18's when they are out. Again, thanks for the "heads up" on these Dave. Great job Christian y Julio! Great Smoke!
DAVE Savona New York April 27, 2007 4:30pm ET
No apologies necessary Frank. I'm glad you enjoyed the news on the Camacho Triple Maduro. And Edward I enjoyed your comments as well. I agree that the earlier DR La Glorias weren't as good as the Miami ones, as the new factory had some learning curves, but I find the new product to be very good. The cigars I spoke of in my blog, the Selectos de Lujos, are a Dominican Republic creation. Try one and see what you think.
Tanner K New Canaan, CT April 29, 2007 12:16am ET
Dave, thanks for the great insight in to the LGC line. I have yet to enjoy any LGC I've had. It may just be a few bad sticks, but I have yet to really find them complex, and haven't lived up the the hype they have been given. Your story has really given me some initiative to go out and smoke one.As for a cigar that truly lived up to the hype for me would have to be the Davidoff Special R. I could smoke those every day of my life if I had the chance! I enjoy almost every type of cigar, from the mild to the full-bodied smokes, and this is one cigar that wasn't harsh at all, yet provided some of the richest flavors I have ever had.
scott zegans April 29, 2007 8:03pm ET
Arnold's what a store that was. i bought my first 40 count elie blue there. I wish that place was still around, the high price of rent in manhattan forced them out of business
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- News From the Field
- South Korea's Leader Apologizes for Aide's Misconduct in Washington
South Korea's Leader Apologizes for Aide's Misconduct in Washington
By CHOE SANG-HUN
SEOUL, South Korea — President Park Geun-hye of South Korea struggled on Monday to contain the biggest setback of her three months in office, offering her apology over a scandal in which her main spokesman was accused of sexual abuse and indecent exposure in a Washington hotel during her visit to Washington last week.
The spokesman, Yoon Chang-jung, was fired and returned home before the state visit ended on Friday. But the scandal completely overshadowed the visit. Korean newspapers covered the scandal in front-page headlines, and blogs brimmed with criticism over "national humiliation" while Ms. Park's staff bickered with Mr. Yoon over the embarrassing details.
With the Washington police investigating the case, angry South Koreans called on their government to extradite Mr. Yoon to the United States, in the belief that he would face harsher punishment there than in South Korea.
"I am sorry that an unsavory incident, which a public servant should never be involved in, occurred near the end of my visit to the U.S. and greatly disappointed the people," Ms. Park said at the beginning of her weekly meeting with senior secretaries.
The case caught fire partly because of mounting frustration in South Korea with the widespread tendency among men, especially those in positions of power, to trivialize the harassment of young women. Although government agencies and businesses have begun educating their employees about sexual misconduct, it is still common to hear of male bosses who grope young women while socializing after business hours and then later disclaim responsibility by saying they were drunk, an excuse no longer as accepted as it once was.
Last month, a company affiliated with Posco, the country's largest steel maker, was forced to fire an executive after Internet users bombarded its Web site with criticism stemming from a report that he had verbally abused a Korean Air flight attendant and struck her with a magazine.
The scandal surrounding Mr. Yoon also fed into a larger criticism leveled at Ms. Park's administration — that she is appointing people with questionable ethical standards for important posts in her administration and staff. At least half a dozen of her appointees have already been forced to quit amid charges of tax evasion and other misdeeds. Opposition politicians, and even conservative newspapers that are generally supportive of her, have faulted Ms. Park for failing to heed the criticism.
Mr. Yoon was accused of mistreating a young Korean-American intern at the South Korean Embassy in Washington who was serving as his guide. In a Washington police report, the victim said Mr. Yoon had grabbed her buttocks without her permission. Ms. Park's office said Mr. Yoon's "indecent acts damaged the national prestige," but it did not give details. Mr. Yoon has denied behaving inappropriately.
Lee Nam-ki, Ms. Park's chief press secretary and Mr. Yoon's immediate supervisor, offered his resignation as well, and apologized on Friday for Mr. Yoon's behavior, both to the South Korean people and to Ms. Park. Critics were dissatisfied, saying the president should be apologizing herself, and not receiving apologies. Her chief of staff, Huh Tae-yeol, offered a new apology on Sunday, this time addressed to the South Korean people and Korean expatriates.
The presidential office had previously apologized for the appointments of problematic people in the government, but until Monday, Ms. Park had not apologized personally. "I hope this will serve as an opportunity for all public officials to reflect on their attitudes and have greater control over their own attitudes," she said.
Ms. Park, the country's first female president, has cited sexual violence as one of "the four biggest evils" in the country. But she did not mention sexual harassment in her statement on Monday, an omission that also drew criticism.
"We have seen recurring cases of sexual violence involving politicians and high-ranking public servants, but the government has treated them as individual responsibilities and neglected in proper punishment and preventive measures," the Korean Women's Association United said in a statement. "Through this shameful case, we showed our society's bare face to the world."
(To read original article, visit this New York Times link)

subset: commoncrawl


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Three franchise offices of Signal 88 Security in Peoria, Scottsdale and Mesa have merged to provide greater resources for the community, now serving nearly the entire greater Phoenix area from a single central office.
Signal 88 Security provides services through the use of proprietary technology tools, highly trained and effective security officers, and industry-leading monitoring. Signal 88 Security is an independently owned and operated company that is part of a network of more than 80 franchises nationwide.
"Merging three franchise offices will allow us to pool resources and utilize our existing management team – as well as an expanded leadership team – to provide a more individually focused solution for our clients," said Glenn Ray, co-owner and President/COO of Phoenix Signal 88 Security. "We will be able to provide 24×7 dispatch and monitoring service and become a much more proactive organization focused 100 percent on providing the best customer service in the Valley."
Signal 88 Security serves clients in the private and public sectors in a wide variety of commercial and residential settings, including apartment complexes, business and government buildings, shopping centers and malls, hotels, hospitals, special events, and homeowner associations. The company's customized security services include patrol and guard services, virtual camera monitoring, online real-time tracking, and measurable results reporting.
In addition to Ray, the leadership team at Signal 88 Security also includes Mike Simmonds, co-owner and CEO; Paula Glissman, CFO; Tony Anderson, co-owner and vice president of operations; and Richard Digiacomo, co-owner and vice president of sales and marketing.
"At Signal 88 Security, we know the needs of our clients will continue to evolve and we are excited about the journey ahead," said Ray. "The company is well-positioned with the most advanced technologies in security and monitoring to provide our clients with solutions, not just security services. Our goal is to offer modern technology and verifiable, effective services for our clients to protect their employees, customers and assets."
Signal 88 Security, which was started by former law enforcement personnel, is the nation's fastest growing private security firm and was ranked number 28 by Entrepreneur magazine for new franchise concepts.


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After the snow melts.. and maybe a few days after that..
Ready to get back into shape!!! Im a 3.5 that prefers to play in S Arlington. Usually play at Walter Reed community center, good condition. My schedule allows me to play from 8 pm onward... I played in high school and college.. of course that was many moons ago... Love to go out and rally and have a good time.. nothing too competitive just yet.. Thanks Rick email@example.com See More


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12 Monkeys
I'm running somewhere tomorrow. It's going to be beautiful. I can't wait.
Poor baby
The Greatest of All Time
Quit inviting fast women.
50,000 Miles Later
mta: Oh. I just realized who you're talking about. Okay with me if she accepts, but don't let her start with the elites.
I think we should let the slower people start 20 60 minutes early.
When it's all said and done, will you have said more than you've done?
1. Are the flying monkeys nocturnal?
2. More active at dawn?
3. Also, are the hills less steep before sunrise?
Paul, from what I hear, the monkeys will get us no matter what, so questions one and two are moot. The hills are not less steep before sunrise but since you cannot see them, you will be filled with dread for a slightly shorter amount of time.


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Sylvia Davies and Russ and Joyce Burgess, formerly of Crittenden, are pleased to announce the marriage of their children, Lisa and Patrick.
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Media Contact: TPWD News, firstname.lastname@example.com, 512-389-8030
March 6, 2006
San Antonio Workshop Offers Tips for Landowners
SAN ANTONIO — Recognizing the growing problem of Texas rural land being fragmented into smaller tracts, often with new urban-based owners who haven't been exposed to wildlife or land management, wildlife experts are offering a workshop March 11 designed specifically for San Antonio-area urban owners of rural land.
Workshop topics will include: Quail Management, Prescribed Fire Management, How to Lease your Land, Feral Hog Management, and Updates on the Wildlife Tax Valuation Program. The workshop is jointly hosted by Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and Alamo Area Master Naturalists.
"For the last few years, we have noticed a challenging trend affecting our Texas ranchlands," said Richard Heilbrun, TPWD urban wildlife biologist based in San Antonio. "In urban areas across the state, residents move further and further out, seeking refuge from big city living by purchasing rural lands on city fringes. Here in San Antonio, folks are moving northward into the hill country and southward into Wilson and Karnes counties. As these areas become too crowded to be called rural anymore, residents continue their outward migration, and the trend continues unchecked."
Meanwhile, Texas ranchlands are undergoing a conversion in size and ownership, especially in counties adjacent to large metropolitan areas, where the desire to purchase nearby rural land is strongest.
This conversion is changing Texas, which boasts more private land than any other U.S. state. According to a study by Texas Cooperative Extension, "privately owned farms, ranches and forestlands account for 144 million acres or about 84 percent of the state.
Since 1970 about 1,000 new farms and ranches have been established in Texas each year, even though the total area in farms and ranches has declined by almost 3 million acres over that time.
About 78 percent of our farms and ranches are smaller than 500 acres and these account for 14 percent of the state's farm and ranch acreage. Only 6 percent of all farms and ranches exceed 2,000 acres, but these account for about 63 percent of Texas' farm and ranch acreage.
The end result is less available ranchland owned by more and more people.
Heilbrun says a key factor is the type of people purchasing Texas ranchland. The percentage of land owned by traditional ranchers is rapidly decreasing.
"The majority of the new landowners are well educated families that have spent most of their lives saving money specifically to own a piece of rural Texas," Heilburn said. "Eighty percent of Texans currently live in 20 percent of the state, so it's no surprise that the majority of new landowners come from the city. It is interesting, though, that most of these landowners are not moving to the country simply to 'get away from it all.' These landowners have a strong desire to reconnect with the land, to use their land for recreation as opposed to an income source, and the vast majority of them want to manage their property correctly. They are interested in managing for wildlife and proper use of livestock to ensure their land remains in good shape."
The challenge, Heilbrun said, is this newest generation of Texas ranchers doesn't often have the benefit of prior knowledge passed down through generations. To help fill this knowledge gap, TPWD has begun hosting workshops in major cities.
The upcoming San Antonio workshop is open to any interested landowners. It will take place from 8:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m. Saturday, March 11, in the Palo Alto College Performing Arts Building Auditorium at 1400 W. Villaret Blvd.
The cost is $20 per person or $35 for two and includes a box lunch. Walk-ins are welcome if space allows. To register please send a check made out to "Master Naturalist" to Richard Heilbrun, Attn: Wildlife Management Workshop; 12861 Galm Road, San Antonio, TX 78254. To be eligible for door prizes, pre-registration is required. For more information, call (210) 688-6444.
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I could be wrong, but Ryan Callahan's contract will probably get done closer to Thursday (the arbitration date) so don't hold your breath this weekend.
We touched on it yesterday, but in case you haven't seen it, the new Winnipeg Jets unveiled their new logos. I think they're pretty cool (plus I like the name; I like any name that isn't one of those singular deals, like Lightning or Avalanche).
I also like the Maple Leaf in all the logos. And the colors. Can't wait to see Big Buff in one of these uniforms. He'll look like an aircraft carrier.
So those are the Jets' new logos over there ——>
On this byfuglien hot weekend, maybe youse will have a little more time at the computer than usual.
If so, do me a favor. Go to the LoHud (and Rangers Report) Facebook pages and "like" us. We're trying to build it up. I hear that there could be a prize, an iPad, for one of us who brings in more fans. I'm not really thinking about that because I don't know what I'd do with an iPad. I mean, can you stick it under the leg of a wobbly chair?
Anyway, please take a minute, if you don't mind, and go "like" both of these:
And the Rangers Report Facebook page.
Finally, here's the link to the column I wrote for The Journal News and LoHud.com about the boxer from the early 1900s, who had his memorial stone dedicated in Yonkers yesterday.


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Prospect Pitch: Conley getting a grip
Marlins lefty advancing quickly thanks to secondary offerings
By Andrew Pentis / Special to MLB.com | July 4, 2012 6:00 AM ET
But after watching a video interview the former Mariner hurler gave about his ever-evolving changeup -- the pitch that has helped Moyer extend his playing career to its 25th year this season -- Conley was somewhat awed. No, it was more than that. The Olympia native was about to begin his third and final season pitching at hometown Washington State University in 2011, and he genuinely felt educated.
"One of the things he mentioned was keeping pressure on the inside of the ball instead of trying to manipulate the ball or force the action," Conley recalled. "Because there's less pressure on the outside of the ball the spin and the pronation and all of that will happen naturally based on your grip."
More than a year after Miami made him its second-round draftee, the Marlins No. 7 prospect has enjoyed a stronger grasp of his changeup -- and slider -- in the Minors. Winning seven of 10 decisions and accumulating a 2.78 ERA in 14 starts for Class A Greensboro earned him a June 24 promotion to Class A Advanced Jupiter. He won his Hammerheads debut three days later with five innings of one-run ball.
"It's funny because that was the big question mark on me," he said, "was the consistency of my secondary pitches and my whole life before then I had been throwing a changeup one way, and then I thought long-term and big-picture."
And like Moyer his pitching apprenticeship is not over.
"We throw a baseball so much that you just learn different pressure points and different ways to release a ball," he said. "If I want my changeup to dive, rather than just pronating, I can almost curl my fingers over the top of the ball. Because the axis and tilt of the ball changes a little bit, it dives more. And if my hand stays more flat and behind the ball and the pitch comes off my pinky, it's going to give it more of a side-spin than an end-over-end spin. Where I release the pitch might be the same, the pressure point might be the same, and to the hitter my arm speed and arm angle are the same -- but the way that the ball leaves my hand might be different.
"The other thing is we're human beings, so to do the same thing exactly the same twice in a row is impossible. What you can do is learn how to use that to your advantage and learn how to make the ball move in the way you want it to move. That's the process that will be ongoing for as long as there's baseball. Justin Verlander still works on the curveball. Nolan Ryan was still working on his repertoire when he was in his 27th big league season. It's a process that you can never perfect, and that's something I really love about the game."
MiLB.com asked Conley to describe and grade each of the three pitches he is employing. (His grade is based on a scout's traditional 20-80 scale, 50 being the Major League average.) Here is Conley in his own words.
Pitch one: Four-seam fastball
Origin: I've played around with sinkers and different grips, but for the most part I've just held a four-seam, played around with pressure points and using pressure with different fingers to learn from the flight of the ball and the velocity of it.
Purpose: It really depends on the count or whether the hitter is left-handed or right-handed and what he's done in the past against me. Typically in a pressure count or on a pressure pitch I'll throw a fastball.
Grip: The only grip I really hold is four-seam, but to get the action I want I'll manipulate the ball to sink or run more. I can pronate it to give it two-seam action but I don't lose much velocity when I'm doing that.
Speed: Typically as a starter I'll be somewhere in the range of 92 miles an hour to 95. And on a good day I'll be around 96. And on a great day I'll be around 97. The 97 is a good indicator to me because it means that my arm is healthy and feels really good. But 94 is the best medium between me throwing it where I want with the action I want and the most velocity that I can accomplish that with. As a starter my velocity goes down. My fastball has potential to be much better if I know I have a shorter outing or if I know my pitch count is going to be lower. As a starter you have to conserve yourself to know there is more in the tank.
Grade: It's my best pitch and the pitch I throw the most. It's a big-time effort pitch. Right now it's 65 or 70.
Pitch two: Changeup
Origin: I started throwing it when I was maybe 10 years old. It started off as a palm ball. I buried the ball in my hand as much as I could. Obviously you want your changeup to be slower than your fastball -- you want it to appear that way to your hitter -- so I just moved my arm really slow and threw a slower fastball pretty much. But over the years I learned how to throw it. Over time I have found new ways to make it fade away from the right-handed hitter or dive straight down almost like split-finger action or make it run away. I actually saw that interview with Jamie Moyer a couple of years ago, and he was talking about the progression of his grips on his changeup, and obviously Jamie Moyer is still trying to come back and play. But back in the day especially, he was always known for his changeup and how good it was and how effective it was even though he didn't have good fastball velocity -- most people would see his fastball velocity and scratch their head, thinking, 'How on earth did he get to the Major Leagues?' But that's what baseball players do: try to learn from each other's mistakes, successes or failures and go from there.
Purpose: I get a lot of swing-and-misses out of the zone, which is good, but I like to throw it in fastball counts so that the hitter will swing over it.
Grip: It's a fun pitch because I grip it very strangely. I hold the ball between my pinky finger and my ring finger so it's on the very, very end of my hand. It would be an understatement if I just said it's a feel pitch because that's a pitch you've got to throw a lot to throw it with those two fingers for strikes and have that kind of action to it. Right now the grip is pretty unique to me. The other day I was talking to Edgar Olmos, another left-handed pitcher for us with the Jupiter Hammerheads. He threw me a changeup -- it was the first time I ever played catch with him -- and it actually knocked my glove off. So I had to find out how he threw his changeup, how he got it to break that way. He showed me the grip and, just like mine, it was pretty crazy. I had never seen it before. That's just something we'll do -- teammates especially -- if one guy's got a great pitch, you want to go find out why his is great to help your own.
Speed: The big thing about the changeup is deception to the hitter. A lot of people would think that the bigger the separation in velocity between your fastball and changeup would always mean more success, but that's not always necessarily true because if your arm action or your arm motion or your hand speed changes during your delivery then, to the hitter, he's going to realize something is different. What makes a really good changeup is that it loses its velocity faster than your fastball loses its velocity, so if you can get it to come out of your hand looking like a fastball and get it to slow down faster than your fastball, you've got a pretty good changeup. So someone can throw his changeup eight miles an hour slower than his fastball and it can be great pitch, and someone else can throw his changeup 18 miles an hour slower than his fastball and it gets hammered because it's not fooling anyone. For me, my best fastball is 94, 95 miles an hour and my changeup is best when it's 82 miles an hour. As long as I maintain my arm speed and the fastball delivery that's going to be deceptive.
Grade: I really like the action of it. I really like the deception of it. The thing that I've been struggling with is throwing it consistently for a strike. 45-50.
Pitch three: Slider
Origin: I threw a curveball when I was young, but I was throwing over the top because everyone tells you, 'Throw overhand,' and 'Injuries came from throwing sidearm or submarine-ing.' As I've gotten stronger, my arm slot has gotten more natural -- has lowered -- and that didn't really promote a good delivery for a breaking ball, at least a 12-to-6 curveball. Justin Verlander has that pitch because his arm slot is higher. I switched to the slider my freshman year of college. I had never thrown it before in my life so it's been a struggle for me, but it's been a lot of fun to learn the pitch and seek success with it. When I first signed I worked with our pitching coordinator, Wayne Rosenthal, in a minicamp at the end of the year in 2011 and all through Spring Training this year. And, after I broke camp and went to Greensboro with the Grasshoppers, Blake McGinley was the pitching coach there and on flat-grounds and towel drills -- all those drills -- McGinley was helping me get out front and get the tilt on the slider. Now obviously in Jupiter I get to work with Joe Coleman. He's been in baseball for something like 50 years. He's a guy that when he opens his mouth everybody stops and listens because every word that that guy says might change your career. That's how much he knows about the game. The most crucial advice he's given me so far is on my slider. Sometimes to force the action of my slider I won't get all the way to my release point. I will rush to throw it. He keeps telling me to throw it like a fastball. That really helps me visualize the pitch.
Purpose: The Marlins organization as a whole would just like to see a consistent slider, something that I can throw for strikes, something that I have to make the hitter respect. He needs to know I can throw it for a strike because that will keep him on his heels. Sometimes I'll throw it early in the count to get a free strike or down the middle to a righty to get him to roll over it for a ground ball or double play. But ultimately in the big picture, the goal with the slider is to be able to throw it as a put-away pitch: like a back-foot slider to a righty or a down-and-away slider to a lefty. A lot of times if you watch me go and throw a game, you'll see a lot of 0-2 or 1-2 counts because there's no real pitch right now that just puts guys away unless the slider comes out right.
Grip: This is the one pitch that I hold pretty traditional. My middle finger runs right along the seam of the ball. My index finger rests right on top of it. It's like a typical curveball type of grip. The big thing for me to is to get it out front and make sure the pressure stays on my middle finger.
Speed: At the beginning of this year I was throwing it 83, 84 miles an hour. I didn't like the velocity -- I thought it was a serviceable velocity but to throw a great slider, I thought I would need it to be six to eight miles an hour off my fastball. So I started throwing it harder and now I'm now I'm the process of, with that velocity, finding the same release point, finding the same spin and tilt on the ball. Right now I am throwing it in the 85-to-87 range. Some of them come out harder. Some of them come out slower. Sometimes it comes out awesome. Sometimes it comes out pretty flat.
Grade: The grade overall is about 45. It has flashes of being my second-best pitch. I throw the slider more than my changeup and I have had success with it, but I want it to be more than serviceable -- I want it to be a plus pitch. The room for growth is really great.
Andrew Pentis is a contributor to MLB.com. Follow him on Twitter at AndrewMiLB. This story was not subject to the approval of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues or its clubs.View More


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log (n.)
1398, of unknown origin. O.N. had lag "felled tree" (from stem of liggja "to lie"), but on phonological grounds etymologists deny that this is the root of Eng. log. Instead, they suggest an independent formation meant to "express the notion of something massive by a word of appropriate sound." Logging "act of cutting timber" is from 1706. Logjam "congestion of logs on a river" is from 1885; in the figurative sense it is from 1890. Logrolling in the legislative vote-trading sense first recorded 1823, from the notion of neighbors on the frontier helping one another with the heavy work of clearing land and building cabins (as in phrase you roll my log and I'll roll yours). Log cabin in Amer.Eng. has been a figure of the honest pioneer since the 1840 presidential campaign of William Henry Harrison.
I'm not sure I understand the boldfaced text... From what sense it makes to me, I completely disagree.
I also was wondering if this word might be related to leg.


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Spazy Croonerisms 9Language brain teasers are those that involve the English language. You need to think about and manipulate words and letters.
A spoonerism is a pair of words that can have their initial sounds switched to form new words. The pairs need only sound the same, not necessarily be spelled the same (power saw & sour paw, horse cart & coarse heart). There may sometimes be one or two connecting words (kick the stone & stick the cone, king of the rats & ring of the cats). Given the following definitions, what are the spoonerisms?
1) ales in Madrid & to refuse javelins
2) sluggish crawl & insane jump
3) very warm poodle & selfish hoarder of specks
4) large cetacean & bundle of toupees
Answer1) Spanish beers & banish spears
2) lazy creep & crazy leap
3) hot dog & dot hog
4) big whale & wig bale
What Next?
See another brain teaser just like this one...
Or, just get a random brain teaser
If you become a registered user you can vote on this brain teaser, keep track of
which ones you have seen, and even make your own.
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It's still Camp Pendleton, but this week it seems more like a mini Olympic Village.
That's because wounded warriors from the U.S. Marine Corps and eight other countries have converged on the expansive base to compete in sports ranging from archery and wheelchair basketball to volleyball and swimming. The games run through Wednesday.
For the Americans, it's especially important, because 50 of the 250 Marines will be invited to the 2013 Warrior Games in May at the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, where they'll compete against the best wounded warriors from the other branches of the military. For now, they're getting the chance to test their skills against wounded warriors from places like New Zealand, Great Britain and the Netherlands.
On Saturday, 114 Marine archers spent the 80-degree sunny afternoon aiming for bull's eyes on a field next to the base's Lake O'Neill.
Sgt. Kaleb Weakley, 23, who was shot in the leg and biceps in Afghanistan a year ago, said the games are about more than competition.
"It's just kind of getting me back to being normal," said Weakley, whose femur was shattered by a sniper's bullet. "It teaches you to come back to the basics and just let everything that you know and are familiar with — just let it go and start over," he said, after scoring a 390 out of a possible 450 in the morning competition.
The trials, in their third year, are the culmination of a series of camps and other competitions that take place throughout the year as the participants gear up for the Colorado games. But the best way to make it to Colorado Springs is to be a multisport athlete, said John Fuller, head coach of Marine Corps wounded warrior archery team.
"It's a total conditioning and sporting event where all these guys are competing in two, maybe three sports, and hoping that they can gold medal in one of them," he said.
Staff Sgt. Keith Buckmon, 30, is one of those multisport athletes. Buckmon, who learned to walk again after surviving a suicide bombing in Iraq in 2008, is participating in sports such as wheelchair basketball and volleyball. He still can't run or jump, and sometimes uses a cane to walk.
"I was an athlete before then, and I'm going to be an athlete after my injury," said the Maryland native, who played high school basketball.
Those who excel beyond the Warrior Games can move on to the international Paralympic Games, where they can officially compete against members of the eight other countries who they are seeing now.
Fuller, who served 28 years in the Marines, said he had some trepidation a few years ago when he was asked to coach the archery team. But, he said, those nerves quickly went away once he saw the motivation of those he'd be guiding.
"The way these guys work," he said, "I don't want to stop."


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LOVE the ladies of the Great White North (Canada) WOW how I miss my CBC channel. DIRECTV doesn't offer it to the lower 48 or Alaska and Hawail
Originally written on COED | Last updated 10/27/14
Those of you craving some serious grid-iron action might be aware that the CFL's season has already started. The CFL might never look as glamorous to Americans as the NFL might, but you... [[ Read More ]]
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Content and the Malcontent: A Reflection On the State of Educational Publishing in Canada
A colleague of mine raised the issue of Cartels in relation to discussions we were having on the state of Educational Publishing in Canada and it caused me to reflect deeper on the issue. I would like to share my thoughts on the subject.
Cartel culture runs deep in corporate Canada. Publishers, Media Consortia, Telcoms and, abominably, Beer Producers being the most culpable. Unfortunately, this has stifled innovation because the bottom line for any Cartel is predicated on maintaining the status quo. Recent announcements on a collaboration between Pearson Publishing and Google may signal a change in the wind, however, I remain cautiously skeptical and I cannot help but feel that it might be nothing more than a savvy co-branding exercise.
Canadian publishers
While educatonal publishers still have an important role to play in the media ecosystem they need to eat humble pie in my estimation
For the less cynical, perhaps,
We no longer live in an age where an artefact or content is the thing valued, rather, value inheres in the ability to connect, stay connected and maintain and explore the dynamics of a relationsh
If publishers
Facebook has categorica
I have been working for the past 8 years on building a "Knowledge Garden" This project at GBC School of Design (an experimental lab in developing crowd-sourced approaches to educational content creation, curation and distribution) has and will continue to support experimentation


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A pair of con artists behind a £20,000 series of hoaxes around Sutton, Croydon, Merton and Bromley have been jailed.
Jevon Ansley Myles Grant, 20, and Shaun Moore, 22, were jailed for two years and 18 months respectively after owning up to a number of frauds in which they called people and pretended to be from their bank to get financial details and cards.
Among their victims was an 86-year-old woman from Richmond Green in Sutton. She got a call at home that alleged to be from her bank on Sunday, August 18, last year.
The caller explained that due to a large number of frauds he was working on a Sunday to issue new bank cards and PINs to customers. The caller asked the woman for her PIN and said he could arrange for the bank cards to be picked up.
Suspicious, the woman hung up and called the number on the back of her card but what she did not realise is the fraudster had not hung up meaning the line was still open. It meant she ended up giving out all her details to the caller before a supposed courier arrived on her doorstep to pick up her cards.
In a 20 minute period the fraudsters used the cards to make payments and cash withdrawals totalling £1087 at Asda in Beddington Lane.
Following the fraud, police enquiries led them to Grant and Moore who were arrested in raids in Sutton and Croydon in September.
Officers then linked the pair to frauds across London and concluded they managed to scam more than £20,000 from vulnerable victims.
Grant, of Lower Addiscombe Road in Croydon, was sentenced to two years in a young offenders' institution after admitting conspiracy to commit fraud by false representation at Croydon Crown Court on March 28.
Homeless man Moore admitted the same offence at the same court on February 10 and was sentenced to 18 months in jail.
A police spokesman said: "The simple rule of thumb is never give your bank card to anyone and under no circumstances should you tell your PIN to anyone, no matter who they claim to represent - be it your bank, police or any other organization or authority."


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By drawing on his decades of experience working with small-business owners, Michael Gerber is adding to his mega-selling E-Myth series with The E-Myth Accountant. This installment provides a one-of-a-kind system for transforming an accountant's practice into a business positioned for long-term growth.
This is the next installment in the series of E-Myth handbooks developed specifically for key industries. As with previous titles, The E-Myth Accountant has distilled small-business advice that specifically caters to this business segment. Although business owners know everything about their trade, very few know how to effectively run a business—the void that Michael Gerber can fill with his powerful advice. In Gerber's signature easy-to-understand, easy-to-implement style, he addresses such specific aspects of the business as money, people, management, and growth.
Ready for business? Listen to more E-Myth titles.
©2011 Michael E. Gerber (P)2011 Blackstone Audio, Inc.
"This book offers powerful and practical direction from two business leaders that will change your personal and professional lives." (Mike Sabbatis, president and CEO, CCH)
"Worth it"
If you are trying to change your firm and want to start thinking outside the box, this reading is a great place to start.
"Spot On Advice!"
Yes, because, in the same way that basketball players don't go to practice once and win games, and church goers don't just go to one Sunday and then have the bible completely memorized, good principles should be constantly reviewed and re-visited, and this book is something all accountants and business owners should re-visit regularly to keep their ships on coarse.
The Foreman in the jungle. :-) I can relate to workload he realistically sees in front of him, and how it can be very different from the owners distant high level view of the whole picture. I love this parable as it reminds me to remember to zoom out and see the whole picture and remember to align myself with the overall mission.
Engaging & Stellar. :-)
Can't wait to apply more of these principles to the business I work for.
"Inspiring and challenging call to action...."
An inspiring and challenging call to action for accountants who are stuck being technicians. There's hope. The challenges are strategic so there's lots of questions and and general guidance, all of which are very helpful, but I think most accountants would be wanting a greater level of specificity in examples. If you own your own practice or thinking about it, this is a good listen. It's narrated by the authors which I rarely find is best, and this is no different. It would benefit from professinal narration.
"Essential reading for all accountants"
This is the way all accountants should run their businesses
It is hard to pick just one
The interaction of the two readers was excellent
None in particuaar - too many to rate
I hoped to learn some accounting methods. The introduction was so heavily into accounting businesses failures that I gave up.
"Not that great"
This book is beyond simple. Too much time is spent on teaching and less on exploring - narrator is boring - I am not sure you should waste your time on this if you want to market your practice much better way to get on and do it.
"The how was missing"
Cannot beat a general E myth book. Talks in broad terms without any detail. The how was the missing ingredient.
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Stephen Maguire tumbled out of the Dafabet World Championship in an all-too-familiar heartbreaking fashion as Welsh qualifier Ryan Day claimed the Scot's scalp on Sunday.
For the third time in the last four years, and on a night of high drama at the Crucible, former world number two Maguire went out in the first round as he was overturned 10-9.
The 33-year-old Glaswegian had endured a largely disappointing season before coming to Sheffield, but reserved his best performances for the majors, reaching the quarter-finals of the UK Championship and semi-finals of the Masters.
This time, on the most famous stage in snooker, his performance and demeanour were flat until at 8-4 adrift he happened on prime form, firing in breaks of 56, 134, 58, 74 and 91 to force a deciding frame.
World number 20 Day had been one frame away at 9-6 and the 34-year-old held his nerve under the intense pressure of the decider to make 92 and tee up a possible second-round clash with Judd Trump.
A frustrated Maguire said: "I wish I got beaten 10-4 now. I could be in the pub just now. But obviously, I'm going to fight to the death because it's the Worlds.
"I'm actually glad the season's finished. It's been a season from hell for me. I'll forget about this in half an hour."
He added: "When it went to the decider I thought I was favourite. I had a chance in that last frame and couldn't take it and Ryan made a good break there."
Day said: "I enjoyed it all the way to the end. He came back strongly and played three really good frames. In the decider I managed to keep control of the cue ball and my emotions more importantly to finish it off.
"I'm over the moon. I thought it was a tremendous match. I know how tenacious Stephen is and I knew he was going to fight to the death. I was just hoping for a chance in the last frame and I got it."
Ken Doherty had not been beyond the first round since getting to the 2006 last eight, but the 1997 world champion ended his long wait as he struck a blow for snooker's senior citizens.
The Irish crowd favourite battled from 5-3 behind to win 10-5 against Stuart Bingham, punching the air in delight as he crossed the winning line.
As World Snooker chairman Barry Hearn considers handing tour wild cards to veterans Steve Davis, Stephen Hendry and Jimmy White, it was left to 44-year-old Doherty to show it should be a long time before he needs an exemption.
"I'm here to enjoy myself but I'm not here to make up the numbers," Doherty said. "I've had a lot of special memories out there and they come flooding back when you're out there in the heat of the battle.
"Sometimes they can inspire you, so I'm trying to draw on all that great experience.
"It was magnificent, just fantastic. I was starting to get really emotional."


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Here's something you could blast out your window this Halloween. Akihiko Matsumoto plays with Max/MSP and creates an Audio to Midi set up. Ever since I owned a copy of the now discontinued Antares Kantos (Sound on Sound link) I've been playing with Audio to Midi stuff. Lately I have been using Melodyne to do the job. I've heard great things about zplane's vielklang Audio to Midi function but haven't personally tried it out yet.
Have you tried any Audio to Midi software?
For more info: http://homepage.mac.com/sinx_music/


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Did you know?
Simon's Town Naval Base was responsible for the care of Napoleon Bonaparte after he was exiled to St Helena island.
The history of Simon's Town reads like a naval adventure.
Ships of all shapes and sizes – frigates, corvettes, sloops, pirate brigantines and, lately, hi-tech submarines – have docked at Simon's Town somewhere between 1741 and today. And with them came the legends: battles at sea, pirate booty, encounters in strange lands and sad news of another shipwreck somewhere along the 3 000-odd kilometres of South Africa's coastline.
As you wander down St George's Street – also called the Historic Mile – you will pass ancient filigreed buildings from another era. The Historic Mile extends from the railway station to the East Dockyard gates, with intriguing little alleyways leading off it.
Although Simon's Town was established by the Dutch – and named after governor Simon van der Stel – it was really with the establishment of the Royal Navy Base there in 1806 that the little settlement became such a legendary port of call.
Slip back in time and you could find yourself in the company of a rather dashing young British Naval lieutenant called Horatio Nelson, on shore leave from the HMS Badger, stalking this very street in search of a rowdy pub that served a decent repast.
There are four museums in Simon's Town, all worth a look.
The Warrior Toy Museum near Jubilee Square (where the statue of beer-drinking Great Dane Able Seaman Just Nuisance stands) displays cars, trains, dolls and lead soldiers fashioned long ago.
The South African Naval Museum has interesting displays about both the Royal Navy and the South African Navy, including a submarine diorama.
The Heritage Museum chronicles Simon's Town's rich Muslim past, while a visit to the Simon's Town Museum is the best way to lift the historic veil from this fascinating seaside town.
Travel tips & Planning info
Who to contact
Simon's Town Museum
Tel: +27 (0)21 786 3046
South African Naval Museum
Tel: +27 (0)21 787 4686
Simon's Town visitor information centre
Tel: +27 (0)21 786 8440
Email: email@example.com
Simon's Town Historical Society
Tel: +27 (0)21 786-4404
Email: email@example.com
Cape Point Route
Tel: +27 (0)21 782 9356
Email: firstname.lastname@example.com
How to get here
Simon's Town is about 40km from Cape Town and lies on False Bay on the Cape Point Route.
Best time to visit
Because there are so many indoor venues such as museums, great restaurants, pubs and bookshops, visits to Simon's Town are not that weather-dependent.
Around the area
Nearby Kalk Bay is a great destination. Take the water taxi from Simon's Town for a special experience, and perhaps have lunch at Kalk Bay Harbour or the Olympia Cafe. You're also not far from Cape Point, which is well worth a visit.
Tours to do
Check the listed websites – there are many local tours on offer. The most popular take in the penguins at Boulders Beach, a quick dip at Seaforth Beach and a round of the museums.
Get around
There are many bus tours and personal guided tours from Cape Town, but the most recommended way to experience Simon's Town is by driving yourself on a day trip along the Cape Point Route.
What will it cost
Costs vary, according to the services and their ratings. Check one of the listed websites for local accommodation costs – museum entry fees are generally quite low.
Length of stay
A visit to Simon's Town can be done in half a day; however, for full value an overnight stay is recommended. Why not really go the 'historical route' and stay at a place like the British Hotel in St George's Street?
What to pack
Dress for a long walk, and carry a warm jacket in case of a turn in the weather.
Where to stay
See the various listed websites for accommodation options.
What to eat
Simon's Town boasts some very good seafood restaurants.
What's happening
Check the listed websites for events along the Cape Point Route.
Best buys
There are a number of bookshops in Simon's Town where you can get copies of titles like Just Nuisance AB - His Full Story, or Simon's Town – An historical review with early postcard illustrations.


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Playroom Ideas
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My grandmother and young cousins like listening to the Potter series on disc while we're on road trips. Jim Dale does a FABULOUS job narrating these tales, he truly brings the stories to life with unique voices for each character. I would highly recommend these audiobooks for anyone who is a fan of the series....
It all comes down to this - a final faceoff between good and evil. You plan to pull out all the stops, but every time you solve one mystery, three more evolve. Do you stay the course you started, despite your lack of progress? Do you detour and follow a new lead that may not help? Do you listen to your instincts, or your friends?
Lord Voldemort is preparing for battle and so must Harry. With Ron and Hermione at his side, he's trying to hunt down Voldemort's Horcruxes, escape danger at every turn, and find a way to defeat evil once and for all. How does it all end? Find out inHarry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.
|JUVENILE FICTION / Fantasy & Magic
|Genre Detail
|Juvenile Grades 4-6 Ages 9-11
|Publisher Date
|2007-07-21 00:00:00.0
|Listening Library
|Copyright Year
|6.0 in
|5.25 in
|2.5 in
|Unit weight
|1.45 lb
|Series Name
|Harry Potter
|Series Volume Number
|Volume Number
|Edition Detail
|Rowling, J. K.
|Country of Origin
|United States
My grandmother and young cousins like listening to the Potter series on disc while we're on road trips. Jim Dale does a FABULOUS job narrating these tales, he truly brings the stories to life with unique voices for each character. I would highly recommend these audiobooks for anyone who is a fan of the series.Read More
Great product, if you are lazy and don't want to read...just pop it in while your driving around town, you wont want to get out of the car! Delivery could have been much quicker, took a little over 2 weeks to come in.Read More
This was a gift for someone and I was having it shipped to their hotel. Because of this detail, I think the shipping took a little longer than normal. It took about 2 weeks to get to the location. It got there on the last day this person was checking out of their hotel. Perfect timing, but a bit too close for comfort. The product was perfect! Brand new still all sealed up. No problem with the CDs, they play great.Read More
I've been an HP fan since the first book (ordered from Britain) and have enjoyed JKR's adventures for her young wizards, especially since she did not write them as "children's" literature. I find that hearing the words as opposed to reading them changes slightly how I take them in. It's fun to notice new details along the way. Jim Dale has gotten the various character's voices down perfectly, which adds tremendously to the experience of listening to the books. I'm glad I've listened to all the books (via audiobook) as a run-up to the final film. Absolutely amazing world and personalities for one mind to create! The only issue I had with this order was the delivery time: 2 full weeks. Seemed excessive, even for media mail.Read More
Jim Dale is a genius in his reading of the Harry Potter series!Read More
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The term "Scouse Logic" is applied to anything unsavoury or scummy suggested or perpetrated by somebody else. It comes from the idea that Scousers are, in general, the least human of all UK residents and behave like coke fuelled Nazi's at the best of times. Not all people from Liverpool are Scousers, but the ones that are should be easy to spot. The children eat nothing but pie and crisps, whilst their fathers regularly eat pavement and swallow their own teeth after picking yet another senseless fight. Nobody knows much about the mothers, you can rarely find them.
"We should drag that wrestler to the floor and give him a kicking."
"Seriously? You're seriously suggesting that we......ah, mate, that's Scouse Logic!!"
"Seriously? You're seriously suggesting that we......ah, mate, that's Scouse Logic!!"
by MagickDio March 06, 2010
The Urban Dictionary Mug
One side has the word, one side has the definition. Microwave and dishwasher safe. Lotsa space for your liquids.Buy the mug


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The Corbett Report explore the world of politics, history, science and economics from a radically alternative perspective. From geopolitical conspiracies to monetary manipulation, repressed history and social engineering, The Corbett Report goes where other podcasts fear to tread.
June 15th, 2007
Episode 3 of 348 episodes
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Welcome to the Brain Training Podcast, the daily audio workout for your head. In this podcast we have two games for you, each with three rounds which get progressively harder. To enjoy the full experience, relax, and avoid distractions whilst you listen.


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Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 5/12/2012 (1721 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.
No one wants to kill the goose that laid the golden egg.
Tribal Councils Investment Group is that kind of goose.
It has distributed handsome dividends over the years to its shareholders, the seven tribal councils of Manitoba.
Since it was formed in the early 1990s, it made some savvy acquisitions and increased its distributions to the tribal councils. A few years ago, each of them was receiving $110,000 per year.
It's not surprising there was not much dissension in the ranks while that was occurring.
But as time has passed -- and profits turned to losses and dividends morphed into patronage payments -- various stakeholders have come to understand TCIG's role in the community in drastically different ways and have started asking questions, to which they are not getting answers.
Is it strictly a private equity firm charged with producing a return on investment or does it also have a greater social mandate to generate wealth and economic development opportunities for its First Nations owners?
Those are clearly not mutually exclusive scenarios, but they may have something to do with a growing chorus of shareholder (and First Nation chiefs') discontent over what they see as a lack of accountability and transparency from management.
Questions from those parties about management spending, especially at a time when austerity measures were being implemented and staff laid off, don't seem unreasonable.
But some say it's the board members who need to be asking those questions.
The unique governance structures of First Nations and their tribal council affiliations may give TCIG some of its own governance quirks.
Some of TCIG's distinctive elements may become more public after one of its founding shareholders, Dakota Ojibway Tribal Council through its investment arm Dakota Ojibway Investments, filed a notice of application with the Manitoba courts seeking a shareholder-oppression remedy.
TCIG chief executive officer Allan McLeod and TCIG's lawyers argue it had adhered to all of the corporation's disclosure obligations.
Some say the shareholder action will not succeed. After all, shareholders of public companies do not typically have any rights as to how a corporation is managed. If they believe the company is mismanaged, often their only recourse is to sell their shares.
But these days, the business pages regularly feature stories of activist shareholders who mount boardroom revolts, either deposing management or causing a significant shift in direction for the company.
One of the latest examples of such a palace coup was the ouster of Fred Green, the former CEO of Canadian Pacific Railway Ltd., after a months-long campaign headed by activist investor Pershing Square Capital Management.
Not only were the activists successful in installing their management choice -- former CN chief executive Hunter Harrison is now in charge of CP -- but this week CP announced a major round of job cuts. Regardless of the wisdom or effectiveness of the action, you can bet it was something Pershing Square Capital wanted to see happen. Investors were clearly pleased by the announcement since CP shares were up four per cent Wednesday.
In addition to the chiefs from the Dakota Ojibway Tribal Council, several other chiefs have said they support the shareholder legal action, although only George Kemp of Berens River First Nation and Alex McDougall of Wasagamack First Nation have done so on the record.
There are close to 60 First Nations represented by the seven tribal councils and each of them elects a chief and council for terms of two years at a time.
It's not surprising that in those pressure-cooker political environments, making tough calls -- especially when they may impact whether or not a cheque will be sent -- are hard to do.
Pershing Square owned enough public shares in CP to get what it wanted.
TCIG is a private company, but management is still accountable to the board of directors who represent the seven shareholders.


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pesto polenta lasagna photo by vsimon
This recipe is from allrecipes.com, submitted by Fiffen. It is a super simple do ahead dish. All it requires is layering purchased ingredients, packaging, and baking.
Sometimes you just need a plop and drop dinner. This one is rich and satisfying, a small serving is filling. Serve with a green salad and vinaigrette on a meatless Monday.
Simplify your life with make ahead meals
Prep the lasagna and freeze some for later. Layer in small ceramic or glass containers with tight fitting lids. Package just one or two portions per container. This is what personal chefs do for clients everyday.
Proper containers are one of the secrets to successful make ahead meals.
Reusable, stackable containers
We use mostly small Pyrex rectangles that hold 3 1/2 cups. They hold 1-2 portions, have tight fitting lids, and stack well. There is an example of these containers on Amazon.
If you have a Wal-Mart nearby, you can buy these small rectangles individually, no need to buy an assortment. Wal-Mart is not my favorite store, but we have not found this size in singles anywhere else.
The lasagna in the photo is made in a CorningWare container. This style makes a nice presentation, oven to plate. Make sure to get ones with tight fitting lids, not the loose glass lids.
Small containers make thawing and heating quicker. Pull your dish from the freezer and thaw overnight in the fridge. Meals can be refrigerated for several days. So it isn't critical if you need to change your dinner plans.
Gluten free ingredients
I use Frieda's prepared polenta. It comes in many flavors, and several work here. I like mushroom and onion, basil and garlic, even dried tomato and garlic. I get whatever the store has. Look for it in the refrigerated produce section.
Classico marinara is the brand I by. All flavors are gluten free. I usually buy the roasted garlic flavor because it is lower in calories and sodium than the other flavors. But choose what you like.
Roland Pesto is my purchased pesto of choice. It is smooth, flavorful, and deep green. Classico pesto is leafy and unappealingly brownish. 🙁
Shredded cheese makes prepping this recipe quick. I like Sargento brand 6 Cheese Italian for the flavor. It is a handy mix of mozzarella, smoked provolone, asiago, romano, parmesan and fontina cheeses. Simple shredded mozzarella works too.
Sometimes you will see warnings on the internet that shredded cheese may be dusted with wheat flour to prevent clumping. Most often, it is not. And if it is, wheat must be printed on the label.
Pesto Polenta Lasagna
allrecipes.com submitted by fiffen
|serves 8
|metric measures
|2 -8 oz tubes of prepared polenta
|total 500 gm
|3 cups of marinara sauce
|720 gm
|1/2 cup pesto
|120 ml
|1/2 cup pine nuts
|70 gm
|2 cups shredded cheese (8 oz)
|225 gm
Cut polenta into 1/2" slices.
Put a tablespoon or two of marinara on the bottom of an oven safe baking dish, or several small dishes.
Layer half of the polenta slices, marinara sauce, pesto, pine nuts and cheese.
Repeat layers.
Bake right away, refrigerate or freeze for later.
Bake it
Thaw overnight if previously frozen.
Remove any plastic lids.
If it is in one or two portion containers, bake in a 350-degree oven for about 30 minutes.
In a 9×13" pan? Cover with foil and bake for about an hour.
Microwave it
Remove any plastic lids. The manufacturers say the lids are microwave safe, but it makes me uneasy. I don't like cooked plastic, so I take the lids off.
Microwave one or two portions for 10 to 15 minutes.
I don't even try to microwave a big pan of lasagna. The pan would keep hitting the sides of my microwave. And the turntable scrapes against the bottom of the pan. That is really annoying.
Enticing Embellishments
Sauté 8-16 ounces of slice mushrooms and add to the layers.
Sauté 16 ounces of fresh spinach and add to the layers.
Do both. 🙂
What would you like to make ahead?
Enter timtana flour giveaway
Don't miss out on a chance to win whole-grain gluten free timtana flour. Simply leave a comment by January 6, 2009. Three winners will be announced January 7, 2009.


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Sr. Manager, Demand Planning and S&OP
About Tesla
Palo Alto, California-based, Tesla Motors uses proprietary technology, world-class design, and state-of-the-art manufacturing processes to create a new generation of highway capable electric vehicles. We utilize an innovative distribution model based on Company-owned sales and service centers. This approach allows us to maintain the highest levels of customer experience and benefit from short customer feedback loops to ensure our customer needs are fulfilled. We believe our operational infrastructure provides us with a competitive advantage compared to traditional automobile manufacturers.
The Role
Tesla Motors is looking for a motivated, experienced, and knowledgeable leader to the company's Demand Planning and Sales and Operations Planning (S&OP) processes. To support demand planning, this leader is responsible with building the required partnerships and processes with sales and marketing to drive a regular and repeatable demand plan based on a variety of available inputs. That resulting demand plan is an input to the tactical material requirements planning process as well as to the broader S&OP process. As the champion of the company's S&OP activities, this leader will need to build on existing processes to continue to improve Tesla's ability to balance supply and demand, matched with financial and product plans, over the longer term planning horizon. This leader will have a small team of direct reports, and will need to be capable of partnering with and influencing executives from diverse functions across the company in order to effectively lead both Demand Planning and S&OP.
Potential candidate must have excellent planning and organizational skills combined with extensive knowledge of supply chain functions for complex manufacturing environments, including but not limited to planning, inventory control, product data management and purchasing, as well as solid knowledge of key partner functions such as sales, finance and product development.
Tesla Motors is committed to a policy of equal employment opportunity. We recruit, employ, train, compensate, and promote without regard to race, color, age, sex, ancestry, marital status, religion, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, veteran status, present or past history of mental disability, genetic information or any other classification protected by state or federal law.
|Fremont, CA
United States
|Web Site:
|1050 Bing Street
San Carlos, CA 94070
United States
|Cleantech / Energy


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6-inch premium boot
These classic Men's Timberland 6-Inch Premium Boots have a sleeker appearance, but still the same great quality, comfort and durability. You can wear them a variety of ways to achieve different looks, from laced to the top to half-way laced with the tongue out, they're a fashion accent that look perfect with any outfit.
- Full-grain leather upper for durability
- Seam-sealed waterproof construction to keep your feet dry
- PrimaLoft insulation provides protection against the cold
- 100% recycled nylon laces re-engineered to stay tied
- Padded collar for ankle cushioned comfort
- 3/4-length, leather-lined Anti-Fatigue footbed for comfort
- 34% recycled rubber lugged outsole for durability and traction
You can return your items for free within 14 days of purchase. Returns numbers must be requested within 7 days of receiving your order and you will have a further 7 days to return unsuitable items. For more information please refer to our Returns Policy page. We deliver straight to your doorstep across the UAE and GCC; if you require further information please refer to our Shipping Policy page.
If you need any assistance please use our chat.


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There are many reasons why you may not want to try to change your
eating habits. Here are some frequent barriers and solutions to them.
"I'll never be able to do this." Not believing
you can do something is often rooted in fear of failure. People put off making
changes in their lives because of this fear. Solutions include:
"I don't have time to make changes." This
reason not to change is very common. It can take the form of "My life is too
busy," "I'm always feeling rushed," or "I have more important things to do."
Solutions include:
"I don't like health foods." Many people use
this reason or variations of it such as "I don't like vegetables," "I don't
like low-fat foods," or "I really crave sweets and high-fat foods. I'll miss
them." Solutions include:
"My family or friends won't support my new
eating habits." Many people are held back from changing their
eating habits because of how they think it will be supported by
others. Solutions include:
"I am not good at making changes." This
reason may take the form of "I'm too old (or fat, or set in my ways) to make
changes." This kind of thinking is based on a fear of change. Often low
self-esteem makes it difficult to change. Solutions include:
To help you identify your own barriers to changing your eating
habits, recall the last few times you thought about changing your eating
behavior but didn't follow through with it. What held you back? Write down your
reasons. Then for each of your reasons, write a response that helps you
reconsider your choice. Look at this list of reasons and responses whenever you
are about to make a choice about what to eat.
Last Revised:
October 21, 2011
Healthwise Staff
Medical Review:
Anne C. Poinier, MD - Internal Medicine & Rhonda O'Brien, MS, RD, CDE - Certified Diabetes Educator
This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. How this information was developed to help you make better health decisions.
To learn more visit Healthwise.org
© 1995-2012 Healthwise, Incorporated. Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated.


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The most deadly free racing game with realistic controls, nitro boost
Lenovo Vibe Z smartphone was launched in November 2013. The phone comes with a 5.50-inch touchscreen display with a resolution of 1080 pixels by 1920 pixels at a PPI of 401 pixels per inch.
The Lenovo Vibe Z is powered by 2.2GHz quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 processor and it comes with 2GB of RAM. The phone packs 16GB of internal storage cannot be expanded. As far as the cameras are concerned, the Lenovo Vibe Z packs a 13-megapixel primary camera on the rear and a 5-megapixel front shooter for selfies.
The Lenovo Vibe Z runs Android 4.3 and is powered by a 3000mAh non removable battery. It measures 149.10 x 77.00 x 7.90 (height x width x thickness) and weigh 145.20 grams.
The Lenovo Vibe Z is a single SIM (GSM) smartphone that accepts a Micro-SIM. Connectivity options include Wi-Fi, GPS, Bluetooth, FM, 3G and 4G. Sensors on the phone include Compass Magnetometer, Proximity sensor, Accelerometer and Ambient light sensor.
How to download Turbo Bike Racing FREE form Lenovo Vibe Z?
- Check the Android version to verify compatibility of Turbo Bike Racing FREE with Lenovo Vibe Z.
Find Android version: go to "Settings" - "About the phone" - "Android version". Make sure Turbo Bike Racing FREE is compatible with Lenovo Vibe Z.
- Click the download button to download Turbo Bike Racing FREE in Lenovo Vibe Z.
- Once the download and installation are complete, find Turbo Bike Racing FREE in your home screen and tap the icon to open it.
Related apps to Lenovo Vibe Z
Powerboat RacingDownload
Cars: Fast as LightningDownload
School Driving 3DDownload
Drag Racing 2.0Download
Monster Truck - Racing GameDownload
Death Moto 3Download
Racing MotoDownload
Beach Buggy BlitzDownload
Extreme Car Driving SimulatorDownload
Racing FeverDownload
3D REAL RACINGDownload
Tokyo Street RacingDownload
Asphalt MotoDownload
Bike RacingDownload
Race the TrafficDownload
Other supported phone models
Oppo A31
iBall Andi Blink 4G
Gionee Steel 2
Karbonn A30
Intex Aqua Xtreme
Meizu Pro 6
HTC One mini 2
LG Optimus L7 II
Maxx Mobile AX40
Lava Iris 502
Sony Xperia Z Ultra
Xiaomi Mi Max
Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge
Philips S388
Videocon Infinium Z50 Quad
LeEco Le 2
Asus ZenFone 5
Panasonic Eluga Note
Lyf Flame 4
Zopo Color C3
ZTE ZMax
Huawei Honor
Xolo A700s
Celkon Campus A10
Obi Boa S503
Micromax Bolt Supreme 2
Swipe Halo Fone
Motorola Droid Maxx 2
Spice Mi-402
Fly Qik+
Coolpad Mega 2.5D
Idea Blade
Acer Liquid S2
Archos 59 Xenon
Vivo Y22
Alcatel X1
Wickedleak Wammy Passion Z
Blu Life One X2
Yu Yureka
InFocus M530
Datawind Pocket Surfer 2G4
Adcom A400
iBerry Auxus Beast
Zen Admire Star
Ringing Bells Smart 101
MTS Mtag 3.1
Nokia 8
BlackBerry KEYone


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What can we say about self-catering accommodation in Edinburgh? Well, we'll start by telling you that you really are spoilt for choice.
At the heart of the city
For those who want to stay in the midst of the action, then consider staying in the city's historic Old or New Towns.
What can I expect?
- Stylish, central serviced apartments.
- Tastefully decorated flats in modern accommodation developments.
- Luxury penthouse suites offering breathtaking city skylines.
- Characterful mews properties in the New Town.
- Classic Georgian New Town flats, with high ceilings and large rooms.
- Opulent historic apartments with castle views, situated close to the Royal Mile.
Plenty of great options
Wherever you choose to stay, you can easily reach the city centre attractions following a short journey on foot or by bus. As far as capital cities go, Edinburgh is pretty compact.
Conveniently located areas, such as Leith, Bruntsfield, the Meadows, Morningside, Newington and Haymarket, offer a range of great properties.
You can stay:
- In modern, open plan flats.
- Elegantly-restored town house apartments.
- Converted warehouse apartments near the waterside in Leith.
Plus, outwith the city, you can find great self-catering cottages, farmhouses and lodges in the beautiful countryside of the Lothians.
Practical information
Most properties are available on a weekly basis and begin their lease on a Saturday. However many of the city centre based apartments are available to let on a nightly basis, making them a perfect choice for a city break in Edinburgh.


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- Home
- News
- Sports
- Business
- Entertainment
- Lifestyles
- Opinion
- Driveway
- Impress
MacAhonic to announce bid for NDP nomination in Chilliwack
Patti MacAhonic, Chilliwack Chamber of Commerce executive director, will announce her bid for the NDP nomination in the Chilliwack riding Monday.
MacAhonic, also a former executive director at the BC Wildlife Federation, will square off at an NDP nomination meeting Jan. 19 against Dennis Adamson, Yale electoral area director at the Fraser Valley Regional District.
Adamson announced his bid for the nomination back in August.
BC Liberals' hold on the two Chilliwack ridings, long considered safe conservative seats, seemed to soften with Gwen O'Mahony's byelection victory last April placing the Chilliwack-Hope riding in the NDP column for the first time in recent memory.
But as O'Mahony herself acknowledged, voting to send the government a message in a byelection is different matter than voting in a general election for who will govern the province.
But for now, at least, NDP fortunes in the Fraser Valley seem to be riding high.
Two strong NDP candidates are now vying for their party's nomination in Chilliwack, while the BC Liberals have "acclaimed" two candidates following the departure of MLAs John Les and Barry Penner.
Penner's decision to leave politics forced the Chilliwack-Hope byelection, and Les's announcement in August that he will not run for re-election left open the Chilliwack riding.
John Martin, the BC Conservative candidate in the April byelection, switched parties to run as the BC Liberal candidate in the Chilliwack riding.
Laurie Throness, the BC Liberal candidate in the byelection, will take another run at O'Mahony in the Chilliwack-Hope riding.
The NDP nomination meeting starts at 3 p.m. at the Chilliwack Cultural Centre on Corbould Street


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The resilience of the youth is incredible.
Less than 24 hours after his disappointing elimination from the San Diego Section Masters Wrestling Tournament, Castle Park's Daniel Hernandez already put things into perspective.
He is, after all, the San Diego Section Division III CIF champion at 184 pounds.
"I look forward to walking into the gym and seeing a banner with my name on it," said the Trojans' senior captain. "I'm close with the A.D. and we've already talked about ordering it."
Hernandez, who finished the season with a record of 35-4, quickly grasped one bad tournament couldn't change his outstanding season. It was the only tournament all year in which he didn't reach the finals, including titles in the Metro League Championship, San Ysidro Tournament and the Battle by the Beach at Mar Vista.
There was also CIF.
Hernandez went into the Division III Tournament at Cathedral Catholic highly motivated because he didn't feel he was getting the respect he deserved.
"I remember the day before when coach told me I was the No. 2 seed but I should have been the No. 1," he explained. "It really got me motivated to meet that No. 1."
A pair of first period pins set up a thrilling semifinal against Ramona's Noe Hernandez. Daniel Hernandez pulled out a tight 11-10 decision to set up the match he desired, head-to-head with top-seeded Chase Eckman of Mt. Carmel.
He left little doubt who the top seed on that day was, scoring an impressive 17-7 major decision.
Masters started off as expected. The newly crowned CIF champion got a first-round bye as the third seed, and advanced to the quarterfinals with a pin in 1:03 of Valhalla's Kevin Graff.
Awaiting was Eckman.
Like the week before, Hernandez built an early lead, but then one mistake changed everything. He got pinned late in the second period.
"I was upset; it blew my mind," he said of the loss. "After the first day I just had no confidence. I tried to bring it up, but I just couldn't."
He came back the second day of competition but he knew something wasn't right in his 8-0 major decision over Otay Ranch's Jibreel Keddo.
It definitely wasn't right when he again was leading Steele Canyon's Colin Forman before getting stuck in a cradle. The loss ended his season one victory short of a medal and three wins shy of a coveted state berth.
Hernandez is a true three-sport athlete. This fall he was an All-South Bay League selection at middle linebacker. In the spring his versatility really shows. Not only is he a CIF caliber 110-meter hurdler, but he also does the pole vault, triple jump and the 4x100-meter relay.
"He's a very smart athlete and a workout and conditioning fiend," said Trojan Wrestling Coach Robert Schertzer. "I can't begin to tell you the times we talked on the phone and he said he was somewhere else working out."
Hernandez is the first member of the Castle Park Middle School program Schertzer started six years ago to reap rewards.
"To be honest, I really didn't like it at first," Hernandez admitted. "Coach recruited me and made me stick with it. He's seen me grow up."
Hernandez is a hard worker away from sports as well. He's a member of the school ASB, Key Club and "Best Buddies," a student group that helps handicapped students.
The lone South County wrestler to advance to this weekend's State Meet in Bakersfield is Otay Ranch's Tommy Espinoza. He overcame a disappointing semifinal loss by rallying back to finish third. He qualified for the third time and is looking for a second medal.


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Leeds North West MP Greg Mulholland has won praise from mental health charity Mind and a national body for tabling a motion calling for better access to psychological therapies.
Mr Mulholland has called for the NHS in England to offer a full range of evidence-based psychological therapies to everyone who needs them within 28 days of requesting a referral and sooner if they are in a crisis.
He also believes that the Government and NHS England urgently need to introduce maximum waiting time standards.
One in ten people are said to be still waiting over a year for access to psychological therapies and three out of five are not given a choice in the therapy they are offered.
The Government has already committed funding which will increase access to psychological therapies, but Mr Mulholland has called for much-needed further investment to improve services.
He says there are significant health and economic benefits to improving psychological therapies and this will ultimately lead to fewer people requiring more costly crisis care services at a later stage.
Mr Mulholland said: "I urge NHS England and the Government to introduce maximum waiting time standards to stop patients having to wait over a year for psychological therapies.
"The Government must ensure that a wider range of therapies are available to meet the needs of communities.
"Improving mental health services and treating mental illness is crucial, and these changes in psychological therapies could reduce the end bill for mental health."
Mind's parliamentary manager Louise Kirsh said people with mental health problems can recover, but early intervention is vital.
"Waiting too long for treatment can damage relationships, stop people working, and have long-lasting effects of on people's health."
British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy chief executive Laurie Clarke also welcomed Mr Mulholland's Early Day Motion.
He said: "Whilst the IAPT programme has increased access to psychological therapies, the recent We Need to Talk coalition report highlights again the shortcomings in the programme, with one in five people in England still waiting over a year to access psychological therapies and 68 per cent not being offered any choice of therapy."


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I am thinking now of getting the vns and have some questions. I've already had a right temporal lobectomy about five years ago and it didn't work and I feel getting the vns might help. I really don't want another brain surgery. Has anyone had any problems with the vns? Has it stopped anyone from having seizures? I always feel my seizures coming on and I think this might help. So does it stop the seizure when you feel an aura? Do you get any pains or discomfort from it? How many people have gotten it and it didn't work and how many people have gotten it and it helps them a lot?
I know so many questions, but I need to know before I start considering this. I feel ready, but would like to know more from someone who already has one.


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There are a number of places where you can talk with other users of Crystal Space and companions, ask questions, or talk about your project.
Project Forums
The Crystal Space forums have sections for general Crystal Space discussion, support and - interesting for artists - content creation.
Note that registration is required (due to spam problems).
Mailing Lists
There are a number of mailing lists about Crystal Space and companions:
- crystal-main (Subscribe, archive at Gmane, archive at SourceForge) is the general discussion mailing list for users Crystal Space.
- cel-main (Subscribe, archive at SourceForge) is the general discussion mailing list for CEL.
If you want to track the development of Crystal Space:
- crystal-cvs (Subscribe, archive at Gmane, [1]) receives notifications every time a commit is made to the Crystal Space source repository. Be aware that this are a lot of messages occasionally, but you can keep track of the development very closely.
- crystal-tracker (Subscribe, archive at Gmane) receives notifications when a change is made to the Crystal Space issue tracker. This allows to keep track of new bugs and the work on existing ones.
If you are only interested in "important" announcements:
- crystal-announce (Subscribe, archive at Gmane, archive at SourceForge) is used for significant announcements (e.g. new releases).
You can also find a few more (though less generally interesting) mailing lists the Crystal Space SourceForge page.
IRC Channel
If you have a quick code-related question or just want to chat about your project then you can visit the #CrystalSpace IRC channel at FreeNode.net. If you have a more art-related question then you can visit #CrystalSpace-arts on the same IRC network.
Some Crystal Space developers and users have We have a number of blogs published here as well.
Projects using CS
Crystal Space is used as an engine by a number of other projects. You can find the list on the Projects Using CS page.
Fun Stuff
Ohloh.net has a page with statistics for Crystal Space. What you can look at are lines of code, programming language distribution, author commit stats, and some more. Perhaps most interesting is to compare with other projects. Crystal Entity Layer also has a page there.
On this page you can also find various statistics on Crystal Space. These statistics are gathered directly from our SVN repository.
DevMaster.net has a database of graphics engines. Of course, Crystal Space is present there as well (in the category Open Source engines). You can also write reviews for engines and vote for your favorite one (i.e. Crystal Space).
There is a FreshMeat page for Crystal Space.
Crystal Space has an entry at Happy Penguin. There is also an entry for Crystal Entity Layer.


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Producer Profiles
The Associação dos Cafeicultores dos Bairros Gabirobal e Gonçalves (ACAFEG) is an association of coffee cooperatives in Andrada, Brazil, located in the major coffee-producing state of Minas Gerais. Members founded the association in 2007 to unite farmers striving to improve their quality of life and to protect the environment. Their slogan -- "Awareness, Attitude, and Commitment" -- represents their dedication to environmental protection, helping one another, and yielding high-quality beans. Members meet once a month to identify problems, solutions, and opportunities for the cooperative, and the ACAFEG constantly seeks to enhance their production processes and the marketing of their coffee. Fair Trade USA recognizes them for their emphasis on community unity, environmental stewardship, and a devotion to enriching output, a set of values and standards that so beautifully reflects the principles of fair trade.


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Carolina Herrera Spring 2014
"You're going to be dizzy!" laughed Carolina Herrera at a preview of her spring 2014 collection. "It's about Kinetic Art," she explained, "it's eye-popping!" Herrera had been looking at the fifties and sixties work of her fellow Venezuelans, artists Jesús Rafael Soto and Carlos Cruz-Diez—preeminent exponents of this dazzling school—for inspiration.
The result was a collection that played with the optical tricks achieved by layering translucent fabrics—either printed or embroidered in swirling line patterns or abstract geometrics—over a second layer treated in a similar way, so that the resulting collision of prints gives a sense of depth and ever-changing moire effects.
The show opened with a gala version of this idea that Mrs. Herrera herself might wear—a white cotton pique shirt, cropped wide and short over a ball-gown skirt in billowing black organza printed with swirling motifs like sixties string and nail-art pictures, and layered over a similarly patterned white underskirt. The designer covered the chic waterfront with this playful idea, from this maximal effect to minimal—fifties-flavored bikini top and bottoms with a ruffled layer, creating that optic dazzle. There was a sixties shift in chalk white crepe scribbled with arcs of parallel black lines, and a jacket that evoked the same period in ivory organza embroidered with strips of self-colored floss thread so that the rust orange dress beneath was only partially revealed.
Mrs. Herrera wanted embroideries "that are not so sweet," and these included hexagon appliqués partially sewn down so that they fluttered in movement, and seemingly randomly placed geometric fabric pieces that (together with the picot-edge finishes) enhanced the "loose over loose" effect, creating a lightness of being and the sense of movement in these clothes.
Wedge or flat espadrilles, a collaboration with a storied Spanish maker, anchored the day looks, and evening necklines were often anchored with dramatic necklaces dripping a metal line studded with colored crystal specimens.
An intriguing palette of plum, celadon, and brick orange enlived the dramatic black and white, and the Op Art tricks were put aside for one beautiful monastic dress of trained ivory crepe cut high in the front to reveal the umber crepe sheath beneath.