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Deborah Knight, Channel 9: But first today investors have reacted with caution to the MH17 tragedy, with markets around the world experiencing an initial sell off the VIX – or so called 'fear index' jumped 30% immediately following the crash. The AFR's US correspondent John Kehoe joins us live from Washington DC, John it has really been a horrible week with MH17 and the continuing troubles in the Middle East, how is this impacting the share markets globally and in the US?
John Kehoe, AFR US correspondent: Well Deb when news first emerged here in the middle of trading on Thursday about some kind of terrorist attack in Eastern Ukraine Wall Street really hit the panic button and shares were sold off, falling about 1%. But as investors started to take more notice of the situation they started to realise that this was more of a one off kind of incident, even though it was very tragic, and we saw Friday Wall Street actually rebounded strongly and so investors sort of made up a lot of those losses from earlier. There is still some uncertainty however about what's going on in the Middle East between Palestinian militants and also the Israeli government but most investors feel like they've seen that game before and unless it really heats up I don't think shares are going to take too much of a belting from that.
Knight: And in light of that, how closely will business be looking at the politics of this, what's been the response to President Obama's reaction to MH17?
Kehoe: Well whenever there is an international crisis such as this the world really does look to the White House and the President for a response. President Obama's made it clear that there won't be a military response from the United States government against Russia for their suspected involvement in this attack, he has however already imposed tough economic sanctions on Russian banks as well as energy companies, some Republicans over here in Congress are urging him to go further, the President however wants the European continent nations to actually match some of his tough economic sanctions, he's also applying pressure to Vladimir Putin, demanding that there's unfettered access for international investors to go into the crash scene – now we know they're having problems getting in there at the moment – he also wants a ceasefire, so he's really ramping up the international pressure on Vladimir Putin.
Knight: Let's hope they can get in there soon and bring some dignity to those bodies. And on the corporate front we saw some big moves too, the bid for Time Warner by Fox, do you think that Rupert Murdoch will make another play?
Kehoe: Well Rupert Murdoch, he certainly created a lot of excitement over here this week with his $80b bid for Time Warner. Look Rupert Murdoch's a huge name in the United States and when he wants to get involved in deals like this people really stand up and take notice. Rupert Murdoch wants to get Time Warner, they've got some terrific assets such as sports broadcasting rights to Basketball and Baseball, also Warner Brothers Hollywood studios too, he'd love to get his hand on these content producers because in this new age digital world we're in consumers consume shows from anywhere, from their computer, their hand held device mobile as well. Look Murdoch's got to overcome a couple of hurdles to get this asset onto his books, firstly the Time Warner board has rejected his $85 a share bid, now most investors and analysts over here are now suggesting Mr Murdoch's going to have to raise the bid to around about $100 a share to at least get the Time Warner board to engage in merger discussions. The second barrier that Mr Murdoch faces is potentially Washington, the regulators over here do have the potential to block the deal if they believe Mr Murdoch would control too much power of the media market and influence politics and opinion too much. Now interestingly Mr Obama and Mr Murdoch aren't the best of friends and in fact Mr Murdoch's publications have been very critical of the Obama administration, so you'd like to think they'd be an independent decision made if any formal bid is accepted by Time Warner but politics will invariably play into it but Mr Murdoch's overcome these barriers before when he purchased the Wall Street Journal against strong resistance from the Bancroft family, so look I wouldn't be betting against Mr Murdoch, you'd be a brave person to given his track record.
Knight: You would indeed, a lot more of this to play out. John Kehoe in the US thanks for your time.
Deborah Knight, Channel 9: And Rupert Murdoch was among business leaders this week laying out a plan that could add out 2 trillion dollars to global growth and create millions of jobs in 5 years. 20 key recommendations were put forward at the B20 summit in Sydney, including slashing trade barriers and creating more flexible labour markets and investing in new infrastructure. But while business has the ideas, is there the political will to act? In a moment we will talk to the chair of the business summit, Richard Goyder but first Eddie Myer with this report.
Tony Abbott, Prime Minister: You're not here for a holiday. You're here because you want to promote and support real reform in your own countries.
Sam Walsh, Rio Tinto: Delivery is absolutely critical, or else it does become a talk-fest.
Richard Goyder, Wesfarmers: Pretty simply. It's about jobs.
Eddie Myer, Channel 9: For two and half days, four hundred business leaders from around the world pooled their intellect. It could have been criticised as little more than a talk fest - the intention appears more determined.
Kerry Stokes, Seven: I've been so excited to have the cream of Australian business, the best intellects we can provide, who've actually now, put together plans, I think are actually achievable. And they've done that by making it simple.
Meyer: What they've tried to achieve - clear strategies and recommendations to help the G20 nations boost their growth by 2 percent in five years.
Stokes: We're offering a plan which has no risk. Doesn't cost the countries anything to adopt it. If we are right, and we pursue it, it could have dramatic benefits.
Terry Mcgraw, McGraw-Hill Financial: We're trying to achieve a higher level of growth - everything is about growth, growth, growth.
Meyer: The focus here has been on boosting trade, infrastructure, improving productivity, the flow of labour and capital - all possible, says the Rio Tinto boss.
Walsh: But I think if you look at GDP growth around the world, we're actually running at levels in most countries, that a re below where they were prior to the GFC. So there's a lot of avenues, a lot of opportunities, there's a lot of resources, unemployed people, a lot of capital sitting there, waiting to be taken advantage of.
Meyer: But whether or not G20 nations will actually implement the strategies remains the critical question. And one businessman, in particular, believes the answer is for government to just get out of the way.
Rupert Murdoch, News Ltd: For businesses large and small, there's simply too much red tape and too many self-serving politicians stifling economic growth and entrepreneurialism.
Meyer: For the 20 B20 recommendations to work, politicians will need to enact them. Terry McGraw, chairman of McGraw Hill Financial which owns Standard and Poor's rating agency, believes the G20 nations have been given a powerful blueprint.
McGraw: When you add up all the recommendations from the task forces they actually, if implemented, ok, will give that 2 percent growth so have you have this goal and you now have recommendations that add up to achieve that goal.
Meyer: G20 leaders meet in Brisbane in November – more talk no doubt and maybe some action.
Knight: And joining us this morning, Wesfarmers managing director and B20 chair Richard Goyder with AFR Chanticleer columnist and summit observer Tony Boyd. Good morning to you both.
Tony Boyd, AFR: Good morning Deb.
Goyder: Good morning Deb.
Knight: Richard Goyder it is easy to be cynical about these type of gatherings, a lot of these recommendations you came with are quite similar to the ones from the previous B20 summit, a lot of great ideas but is there the political will to put them into action.
Goyder: I think there is Deb. We had 400 business leaders at this years summit and with a very clear business will. But the Prime Minister, the Treasurer and Trade Minister have been really heavily engaged in the B20 process this year and they have wanted business to partner with government and they have committed to strong advocacy in government circles and the business – the thing that the business community said after Friday is that we will be strong advocates now in our countries to get politicians and policy makers over the line on some of these recommendations because they go to economic growth and they go to the creation of jobs and we need both. Economic growth solves lots of issues and the world needs more jobs.
Knight: The political realities mean thought that with all the will in the world, you can't get it through the Senate. We've seen that with the Mining Tax repeal. It just means that a lot of the ideas can't get off the ground.
Goyder: I think some of them can. For example, implementing Bali, the world agreed for trade to implement Bali last year and we now need countries to push the go button on Bali by the end of July and the business community is saying do that because there is significant value to be created in the world economy and millions of millions of jobs. And infrastructure is another example. There is a deficit between infrastructure needs and what will be done over the next few years unless we get money to flow, unless we get countries to prioritise infrastructure. And I think those things can happen because it is in everyone's interest for it to happen.
Boyd: Richard I wonder if for the man or woman in the street who owns shares in Australian companies, how does this actually affect investors? Are our super funds going to be better off from this type of agreement and this type of discussion between business and government?
Goyder: I think we will all be better off Tony, that is the answer and that is why our focus in the Australian B20 from day one has been about growth, economic growth and jobs because that's what matters at the end of the day. So we would expect in Australia for example, you know Australia's a trading nation and we benefitted from being an open trading nation with 23 years of uninterrupted economic growth and if we get Bali implemented and further trade liberalisation measures implemented that will be good for Australia. As will an increase in infrastructure, just think about the jobs that are created through the building phase and then the efficiencies that go to people, whether that's less time travelling to work, whether that's less hold ups at ports for exporters or importers of products, you know the benefits really do flow to the everyday person in the street and the shareholders of our companies.
Boyd: And you employ about 200,000 people in Wesfarmers which is quite staggering – largely in retail – are those people going to benefit from this talk of more flexible labour markets and that sort of thing.
Goyder: Well again Tony economic growth and flexibility go hand in hand, more flexible labour markets, more flexible trade arrangements and those things actually mean that we can deal with the challenges and the changes that are taking place in the industries that we're in. So we're not talking about lower standards of living, we're talking about higher standards of living and Wesfarmers, we're a microcosm of all of this, we're a growth company, we've been growing for the 30 years we've been on the stock exchange and the 100 years since we formed and that's great because I hope over the next 12 months – and expect – we'll employ something like an additional 5,000 Australians in our businesses because we're growing and that's the benefit of economic growth and standards of living improve when that happens.
Knight: Well it will be interesting to see exactly what is adopted by the G20 from the B20 recommendations, watch this space.
Deborah Knight, Channel 9: Street Talk editor Sarah Thompson is here and Sarah another asset is set to hit the market as private equity sells off.
Sarah Thompson, Street Talk editor: That's right Deb, Hong Kong based satellite company SpeedCast is the latest to come to market looking for new investors, private equity firm TA Associates has kept a 25% stake in the business which will be valued at about $240m when it lists in mid August.
Knight: Any details on pricing yet or who's bought in?
Thompson: Broker UBS priced the shares on Friday night at $1.96 a share, they've raised about $150m and iiNet founder Michael Malone who is also a SpeedCast non-executive director has bought some shares.
Deborah Knight, Channel 9: As the world deals with the political fallout from the tragedy of Malaysian Airlines flight 17 it does have a tough job balancing its responsibilities and its future. For businesses operating in high risk industries, their response when things go wrong is crucial under the glare of the world's media and an increasingly connected population.
Jim Macnamara, Professor of Public Communication UTS: This crisis is first and foremost a human crisis.
Knight: Malaysia Airlines came in for severe criticism for the way it handled the loss of MH370 in March, this time it did much better.
Najib Razak, Prime Minister of Malaysia: I cannot imagine what they must be going
through at this painful time.
Knight: When the Prime Minister spoke on behalf of the state owned airline he came out early and spoke compassionately but the airline still has much to learn about crisis management.
Macnamara: You look all the way down to the bottom of the statement before you see a statement of sorrow for the family and friends and really first and foremost all companies have got to remember that right now people are hurting.
Knight: Having suffered two disasters in 4 months, Malaysia Airlines will struggle to recover.
Tony Webber, former Qantas chief economist: I think they'll take a hit for six to nine months.
Knight: Former Qantas chief economist Tony Webber was on a flight from Copenhagen 15 minutes behind MH17 on the same route over Ukraine.
Webber: You've got a lot of carriers coming into South East Asia from Europe and that is basically the straight line distance between the non UK part of Western Europe through to South East Asia, so it's not surprising that they all want to travel the same short distance.
Knight: Some airlines have been avoiding Ukraine since hostilities broke out, others didn't.
Webber: They'll make assessments about the in-air safety and security as well as the on ground safety and security but they also look at the likelihood of something happening, something bad happening over that airspace or on the ground and they'll measure that against the cost of avoiding that airspace.
Knight: Every airline flying that route knew rebels had shot down Ukrainian military planes in the past few weeks, that's something Malaysia Airlines will have to face up to.
Webber: They will have to be in part responsible, they obviously didn't shoot down the plane but they certainly would have had to balance the cost and the benefits of flying through the Ukraine knowing that there is obviously some issues between the Ukraine and Russia and this was a likelihood.
Knight: Airlines around the world will feel the pain of this dramatic disaster as nervous fliers avoid air travel but the catastrophe could bring Malaysia Airlines to its knees.
Macnamara: Ultimate survival of the airline will ultimately depend on flying passengers, it will depend on the public and so that's the one thing companies often forget; they get caught up in the operational, technical, legal, engineering responsibilities and forget that ultimately the public will decide, they have to communicate with the people.
Knight: And Malaysia airlines is a government backed airline but Tony do you think in light of this disaster they're losing so much money already – about a million dollars a day before this tragedy – is it likely that Malaysia Airlines could go the way of Pan Am after Lockerbie?
Tony Boyd, AFR Chanticleer columnist: Look I think Malaysia is a very strong country in that I think that if it stands behind the airline, which would be in the interest of all the relatives and friends of the people who died, then we can get through this period of investigating the crash and knowing that there's a solid financial entity behind the business that could potentially pay compensation because I think as your segment just showed there are questions raised about airlines that flew across very high risk areas of the world, potential war zone. Now there were many airlines who did but I think at the end of the day there will have to be a conversation about is there compensation payable and I think if the Malaysian government's standing behind the airline then that would be certainly a very good signal to send to the world.
Knight: And Richard Goyder is there a role really to be bringing politics into economics in terms of the G20, should we see Vladimir Putin banned from attending that summit?
Richard Goyder, Wesfarmers managing director: Well I think Deb it's valid that countries that don't play by the rules shouldn't be part of economic entities that are trying to get economic growth if you like. So I think it's a valid question, I'm not going to opine on because I think that's something for the Prime Minister to deal with in due course but countries that don't play by the rules there should be an impact on them I think.
Knight: There should be repercussions to pay.
The Australian Financial Review


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Jumbo Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies
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READY IN: 25mins
Recipe by Elcowgirl
This is a recipe that I've had since my High School Home Economics course way back in 19?? ...... oh, does it matter what year it was!! They are my favorite cookie still.
See Discussion:
Ingredients Nutrition
- 1 cup butter
- 1 1⁄2 cups brown sugar
- 2 eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 1 1⁄2 cups flour
- 2 1⁄4 cups rolled oats
- 2 teaspoons baking soda
- 1⁄2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup chocolate chips
- 1 cup raisins (optional, or add another cup of chocolate chips) (optional)
Directions See How It's Made
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- Cream together butter and firmly packed brown sugar until mixture is light and fluffy.
- Mix in eggs and vanilla.
- Sift together flour, baking soda and salt.
- Add the dry ingredients and rolled oats to the creamed mixture.
- Mix until well blended.
- Stir in the chocolate chips and raisins. I don't put raisins in mine (kids don't like them) so I double my chocolate chips instead).
- Drop dough onto greased cookie sheets.
- Bake at 350F for 15-20 minutes.

subset: commoncrawl


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Today for my little tut for copic week is about getting texture in your coloring using your colorless blender, pen or solution.
There's alot of different ways to use your colorless blender to add texture to your coloring projects. You can use either your Blender Pen itself or the colorless blender solution (refill for the marker, various ink). When you are adding texture its a good idea to plan ahead and color the area that you want to texturize first otherwise you might not be able to avoid adding dots or a grid to some poor girls face or hair. Unless that's what you're going for that is. :mrgreen:
For my examples I added texture to Sweet Thinkin Mae's dress using stamps and fabric and blender solution for the texture. I colored her dress like I normally would then I picked out a fabric with a definite weave/texture. Dabbing on my blender solution onto the fabric (I used a wash cloth and a woven mitten) from the bottle as evenly as possible then pressed in to the colored area.
If you want a softer feel to your texture then do this right after coloring, while the ink is still wet. If you want a crisper pattern then wait until your coloring is dry.
Another fun way to add texture and even pattern to your coloring is by using a rubber stamp. You will want to use a clean sponge (or if its a small area your marker) to apply the blender to your stamp, I just used my Ranger Foam pad with the handle. You want to use the sponge to apply it to the stamp (also make sure your stamp is clean) so it is damp but not wet and runny. Then just stamp and press like you were applying color!
You can see on my blue example that I really did think my stamp was clean… but it wasn't lol. It would still make a cute paper pieced dress 🙂 Using this technique can add life to those gaudy pattern stamps you were wondering what to do with (that I wish I had some now!) . You can also use the marker to add textures like brick, polka dot, stripes and pretty much whatever you can come up with!
Another fun thing to do would be to go back after your texturizing is done and add color to where your blender has pushed the original color away.
Now Mae has a cute lil summer dress 🙂 Think of that technique with a flower pattern! CUTE!
See you tomorrow for a little (hehe) how to on keeping all your copic ideas in one place! 🙂
I love it Kristy. Remember the fabric idea from my Copic class, but have never remembered to try it!! Great Tut!!
I love this technique – simple yet very effective.
I don't know that I've seen anyone do this with a stamp… Very smart!!
oh what a fun idea!!!!! that looks great!!!
Thanks for the tip! This is awesome!
Awesome samples!!
Great ideas! Thanks for sharing! You gals are giving me lots of great ideas!!!
What a fun idea, thank you 🙂
oh what a fun idea!!!!! that looks great
This is brilliant! Thanks. 🙂 xxx
I am curious on the "how to keep all ideas in one place!" But more over interested in how some gals store their copics (or other markers) I have about 80 thrown into my drawer and I may go insane if I have to spend 5 minutes looking for the right blue. Your tuts are so user friendly!
Thanks Carly!!! That means TONS! 🙂 I have a vid of how I store and used to store my copics here http://www.theoddgirl.com/2011/09/copic-storage-bag/ if that's any help 🙂
Great idea. I would never would have thought to use the blender with my stamps to create the patterns like that. TFS!
Awesomely inspiring! Thanks Kristy!
Oh…what a fun way to use the blender! *learning something new and loving it*
Fun tips! Happy Birthday Kristy!!! Enjoy!!!
What a fun idea! I am just starting to learn how to use Copics and all the coloring techniques but I am really learning a lot on your Birthday blog this week!
Thanks for sharing! 🙂
Swoon. SERIOUSLY. I love this idea!!!!Thanks for this awesome tip!
Oh yes.. Happy Birthday to youuuuuu. Happy Birthday to youuuu!
Where's the cake? 😀
Great tutorial! Thank you.
That is so cool!
LOVE this tutorial – great ideas for texturing!
super Awesome tutorial … cheers Anita..xx
LOVE this!!!
Thanks for the tips, I love Mae's wardrobe, love using the colorless blender, you can acheive so much with them, I lOVE all my copics!! This is a great week!! Love finding new ways to use them!
Again, Happy B'day!!!
Ooh I particularly love the last idea with the coloured dots! Fabulous! Thanks for sharing!
I absolutely love the polka dot idea!! I need to try that one ASAP! Awesome!!!
awesome technique!! TFS! 😉
I never knew you could use a blender pen like this – very clever technique 😀
I don't have any blender, but when I do one day I will definitely try this. Really adds something different to stamps!


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Jerome Almon responded to Canadian border issues with a $900-million lawsuit [Article]
In light of this weeks border crossing issues, we've decided to revist the case of Jerome Almon and revisit the coverage from the mid-2000's. Back in 2007, Jerome Almon, CEO of Detroit/Toronto-based Murdercap Records sued Canadian immigration officials over alleged "wholesale profiling" of rappers and African-Americans by Canadian border officials. He had previously filed a Human Rights complaint in 2004 and was listed as the the first and only American to ever be called before the Canadian Human Rights Commission. CBC and various other outlets have covered his story over the years. Click the jump for more reports about the lawsuit and the people it involved that included 50 Cent, Collin Powell, Condoleezza Rice, Jay-Z, Spike Lee and more.
Update: The mainstream media never followed up on the case. People with knowledge of the case have indicated, "nothing happened with his lawsuit." LiveAGL.com has previously reported that the Canadian government defaulted on the lawsuit. Click here for details.
Detroit rapper sues over alleged Canadian border hassles
Detroit, MI – The owner of a hip-hop record label based in Detroit says he has launched a lawsuit against Canadian immigration officials over alleged racial profiling of black hip-hop stars. [More]
Jerome Almon names 95 border guards and two former federal ministers of immigration, Denis Coderre and Elinor Caplan, in the lawsuit filed in Michigan last week.
Almon told CBC radio he has been detained and questioned at the border 117 of the last 120 times he crossed into Canada.
He is claiming $900-million US in damages in the suit, saying his right to do business in Canada is being impeded by harassment at the border.
"My complaint is rather simple. I'm alleging that Canada Customs and Immigration are barring me from entering Canada to conduct business because I'm a black rapper from Detroit," he said.
Almon owns Murdercap Records, a moniker that reflects Detroit's status as murder capital of the U.S.
He represents Canadian artists and claims to have recorded recent albums in Toronto and Ottawa.
But when Almon tries to cross the border, he is held up for 45 minutes to three hours, he said.
"Their claim is that I have not turned in a police clearance to enter Canada as required by Canada Immigration and that I have a criminal record," he said.
Almon said he has never been convicted of a criminal offence, but he has been arrested twice and those arrests have stayed on his file.
Earlier appeals have failed to resolve problem: Almon
Appeals to earlier immigration ministers and to the Ontario Human Rights commission have failed to correct the problem, he said.
Although Almon's lawsuit was launched in Michigan, he cites the Canadian Charter of Rights, which would not apply there. He also says international law protects his right to conduct business.
Almon's songs include On Ya Neez Bitch and How Stella Got My Backhand.
A female police officer who was called to the border at one attempted crossing listened to the CD and hated the music, he said.
He claims to have the support of Canadian hip-hop artists for his campaign.
Almon has been making public complaints about racial profiling at the border since 2003.
There has been no official response from Canada.
Date: January 17, 2007
Source: CBC.ca
Direct: Detroit rapper sues over alleged Canadian border hassles
Is Canada profiling US rappers?
By Elizabeth, Goodman, Rolling Stone
Jerome Almon, CEO of Detroit-based Murdercap Records, has filed a eyebrow-raising $900 million lawsuit in federal court against the Canadian government, the American State Department and U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice. The suit, apparently prepared for Almon by the chief of Detroit's American Civil Liberties Union accuses the defendants of "wholesale profiling" of rap artists and African-Americans.
Almon claims that he can document more than 80 instances between 1992 and 2003 during which he was detained and questioned by border guards while trying to enter Canada. He also says that he was periodically and falsely accused of having a criminal record and that racist comments were directed at him by Canadian officials. But according to Almon, the suit is not being filed solely on his behalf.
Almon reportedly mentioned well-documented incidents in which everyone from DMX to 50 Cent to Eminem have been either refused entry or detained while attempting to enter the country. According to Almon, Canada is engaging in profiling based on a government-held belief that rap music can be blamed for an increase in gang violence and violent homicides in Toronto and Vancouver.
" They're treating us as if we're criminals," Almon said, adding, "If the Klan had a police force, it would be the border services." The Canadian government has reportedly pointed to a shooting that took place in Toronto in 2003, after a 50 Cent show as an example of the direct connection between rap music and gun violence.
So what's Condoleezza Rice have to do with this? According to Almon "the State Department has in its possession secret internal Canadian investigative reports admitting that the country is worse at racial profiling than the U.S., yet, Rice has sided with the Canadian government against African Americans in what he says is destined to become 'The State Department's Katrina.'"
Almon's conspiracy theory further alleges that not only is the U.S. State Department aware of Canada's prejudicial policy, but that it is complicit in a bribery cover-up relating to one of 50 Cent's aborted Canadian tours.
Further, he alleges that while Canada profiles U.S. rappers, it is protects known Muslim terrorists responsible for U.S. casualties. He also claims Canada has a Rap Intelligence Unit that employs information-sharing with the FBI.
Regardless of how batshit (or not) you find these claims to be, the trial should be fun to follow. Check out this incredible list of alleged witnesses: 50 Cent, Secretary Rice, Jay-Z, P. Diddy, Oprah Winfrey, Colin Powell, Eminem, and Spike Lee.
What do you think? On the one hand these claims sound really outrageous and paranoid, but on the other hand there are facts to back them up. Is there any truth to Almon's claims?
By: Elizabeth, Goodman, Rolling Stone
Date: January 16, 2007
Source: RollingStone.com
Direct: Is Canada profiling US rappers?
'Racial profiling' at our border
By Elaine O'Connor, Vancouver Province
Passengers from the U.S. enter Canada Customs at Vancouver airport. Border officials say neither race nor status as a gangsta rapper would bar a visitor from entry to Canada.
More than 30 celebrities have been subpoenaed to testify in a $900-million lawsuit against Canadian immigration officials by a Detroit gangsta rapper who is alleging racial profiling at the border.
Jerome Almon, a rapper with The BlakkAttakk, the group responsible for songs such as "On Ya Neez B—-" and "How Stella Got My Backhand," filed the suit in Michigan's U.S. district court earlier this year.
This week, 37 witnesses — from rap stars and U.S. celebrities to Canadian federal ministers — were ordered to appear in court Sept. 22. to testify about their treatment by Canadian authorities. Among the witnesses are hip-hop icons Jay-Z, Snoop Dogg, DMX, Diddy, 50 Cent and Eminem.
They will be asked to testify alongside Colin Powell, Oprah Winfrey, Martha Stewart, Mick Jagger, Jenna Jameson, Condoleeza Rice, Heidi Fleiss, Kobe Bryant, Paris Hilton, Keith Richards, Spike Lee, Tom Sizemore and former Taliban officials Mohammed Hassan and Abdul Hanifi.
Former ministers of citizenship and immigration Judy Sgro and Dennis Coderre, retired CCRA minister Elinor Caplan and MP Belinda Stronach were also called, as were the president of Canadian Border Services Agency Alain Joliecour, Toronto Mayor David Miller, former head of the Ontario Human Rights Commission Keith Norton, and Selwyn Pieters, a Toronto lawyer representing racial minorities in human-rights cases.
The suit "seeks redress from Canadian government officials who have violated [Almon's] right to traverse the Canadian border without being repeatedly subjected to unwarranted, protracted and highly punitive detentions and interrogations as well as outright refusals to allow the plaintiff to enter."
The 41-year-old rapper, known as Slikkfordays, told The Province that "Paris Hilton and Martha Stuart [sic] and Tom Sizemore are the most important witnesses. Those three were chosen because all have criminal convictions and two have done prison time and Paris Hilton has done jail time, but all three entered Canada with impunity."
Almon said the reason for their swift passage was simple: "They're white and they're not rappers."
He alleges systemic racism among border guards, detailing the slurs of several guards in the suit.
He claims he's been stopped, turned back or detained 117 times between 1998 and 2004 while travelling between Detroit and Toronto.
He said he's never been convicted of a criminal offence, but admits to being arrested twice.
Almon points to other incidents of rappers being stopped:
– In 2001 blues musician Wilson Pickett alleged he was strip-searched at the Ottawa airport.
– In January 2003 DMX was refused entry to Canada at Calgary's airport a week after he was arrested in the U.S. for dangerous driving and providing forged documents.
– Members of 50 Cent's G-Unit crew were stopped from performing in Vancouver in 2005.
White rappers have also been harassed. In 2000, Ontario Attorney-General Jim Flaherty tried to have Eminem stopped at the border before a Toronto concert, charging his hate-filled lyrics promoted violence against women.
Almon's group has yet to release an album (their first, Porno Stars, is due in October), and some see the suit as a publicity stunt. The CEO of MurderCap Records, Almon is seeking $900 million in damages.
Federal Canadian Border Services Agency spokesman Derek Mellon said in a
statement: "Our officers are provided with cultural-awareness and diversity training with anti-racism components and do not discriminate according to race, nationality or religion."
Faith St. John of the B.C. region of CBSA said a person's religion or race wouldn't have an effect, nor would their status as a gangsta rapper.
"No, their career would not be a factor."
Date: August 24, 2007
Source: Vancouver Province
Direct: 'Racial profiling' at our border
Rapper: I'm target of border unit
By Tom Godfrey, Toronto Sun
U.S. rapper Jerome Almon says a secret customs rap intelligence unit is responsible for trying to ban him, 50 Cent, DMX and others from Canada because of their gun-glorifying tunes.
Almon, 30, aka slickfordays, of the band Blakkattakk, said "unit" members were behind a bid last week to ban 50 Cent from Canada because of his music.
The Detroit native has been trying since 2003 to return to Toronto, where he has family and owns a rap label, Murdercap Records, which has a stable of eight artists.
"Customs is saying (rap artists) are contributing to the murder rate and culture of gun violence," Almon said from Detroit yesterday.
He said even though he doesn't have a criminal record, he's been sent for secondary checks 117 of the 120 times he's crossed into Canada.
"The last time I tried to come up they brought me back in handcuffs," he said. "They said I'm going to jail next time."
He's warned 50 Cent, DMX, Jay-Z and others about the tough Canadian laws, Almon said.
"I think Canada is targeting rappers," he said. "I can see less rappers travelling up there to perform."
He said he was banned while travelling to Toronto for a national tour to launch a new CD Porno Star, that included tunes like: Lyin' Bitch, On Ya Neez Bitch and How Stella Got My Backhand.
"Everything stops when the customs people run my name in their computers," he said. "Next thing you know there are cops everywhere."
He said details of the rap unit surfaced in a hearing that was told its members probe the background of rap stars, their criminal records, friends and whom they're feuding with.
Cara Prest, of the Canada Border Services Agency, said it never comments on specific units.
"We have a lot of intelligence groups that look at a lot of issues but we can't talk about them," Prest said.
Source: The Toronto Sun
Tags: 50 Cent, Diddy, DMX, Eminem, Jay Z, Jerome Almon, Oprah Winfrey
I will be making a HUGE announcement concerning the attack on Hip Hop by the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA)with the full support of NYC Hip Hop police squad and Homeland Security. Keep the faith folks, unlike some fake Hip Hop artists-I assure you MURDERCAP RECORDS is not one of them and will prevail. Once all the facts are out you will see I beat the CBSA, and that certain rappers sold out the game and turned snitch for the CBSA. SO GET READY FOR PHASE II OF MURDERCAP AGAINST THE WORLD!
Jerome Almon
The Canadian government (Ottawa) tried to settle the case 3 times…IN WRITING. And as late as last week I was written by a Cabinet Minister on the issue, seeking for me NOT to do Phase II…which he CC'd to Prime Minister Harper. Know this, I ALWAYS come out on top.
Jerome "SLIKKFORDAYS" Almon
Thanks for the update, Jerome!
This guy is a tool. $900 Million dollar law suit? Wow. What an idiot. His IQ is probably around 2, and this self-absorbed victim of egomania is most likely suffering from a mental disease. Good luck with your $900 Million dollar law suit Mr. Silkkfordays.
@ Moron: How is he a tool, when this issue has been, and will continue to be documented by Jerome, and myself?
Come to terms with this, and know that stephen harper is the one who has given the green light for this to happen, and i can also go as far and say that when a club in canada gets a call from a faceless police officer, telling the club owner, manager to canel the show, "because we believe that there will be gun fire" in the club, what do you think that is?
That's canada's way of making sure that urban music doesn't become the face of canada, and knock off it' white music that it has loved to promote to the white population.
What's been up uncle, haven't seen you in a while. I see you doing good. Hope the fam is well, just won't to holla at you. Hit me on my email firstname.lastname@example.com
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If you don't have one yet, here's something to put at the top of your Christmas list. The United States Postal Service is offering a softbound book is filled with the vivid paintings of artist Graig Kreindler, whose extraordinarily detailed work captures our national pastime's biggest icons. Entitled Play Ball!, the book was first published in July and comes with the latest … [Read more...]
Print Postage From Your Computer
Making money on eBay is the fun part. Standing in line at the post office is not. Stamps.com, a provider of postage online and shipping software solutions to approximately 400,000 customers, is hoping to convince sellers there's an easier way. The company said Tuesday it will continue to enable unlimited batch shipping from eBay Stores without any service fees to new … [Read more...]


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For The Week Of April 21-27, 2008
Virgo (August 23 – September 22)
Trust your gut when it comes to new characters that sporadically enter your life. While most won't be of any significance, they'll be a few to spew a few comments to you that'll have your mind racing with extra paranoid thoughts. Sure, it'll make you reevaluate certain aspects of your life; however, don't let it drag you into insecurity.
Libra (September 23 – October 22)
It'll be a high time to enjoy lust and new romantic commitments. Just don't probe deeper than the here and now, as it'll be too early for any substance to form — and all that's underneath right now would be confusion and emotional power struggles. In time, these issues will work themselves out. If you force it though, it'll be catastrophe.
Scorpio (October 23 – November 21)
You'll start the week off with a distinct mission, to be all about you. While this is your best intention, don't hold onto the dream too tight. Co-dependence will wind up playing a bigger part in your schedule than you'd wish. Of course, at the end of the day, feeling needed makes you warm and fuzzy in just that way that'll make you easy too.
Sagittarius (November 22 – December 21)
A fit of nostalgia arrives, bringing on all sorts of emotional meltdowns. This will up your drunk dialing probability rating to peak levels. Avoid the disaster while you can, delete contact info of anyone and everyone you think of as a sexy Satan. Better yet, give your best friend the control and have him or her remove all necessary poisons.
Capricorn (December 22 – January 19)
The guilt trip that your honey has taken you on over the last few weeks is coming to an end. Although it did get some issues in your relationship resolved, it also did show another side to him that'll now start you thinking about the bigger picture. Between your driving ambition and twisted father issues, make a less traumatic love life your future.
Aquarius (January 20 – February 18)
Tension flares up at home. Avoid it by making yourself too busy at work or with friends. Seems your other half will be in a persnickety mood and sporadic undercutting comments will be flying in the air. Remove yourself from the war zone; dodge the impending agony. If they want to shoot themselves with negativity, why be around to have to clean up the blood?
Pisces (February 19 – March 20)
Escape in anyway you can. If this means daydreaming of the hottest guy you know, bonding on every level and reaching new heights of ecstasy, get lost in it. If you have the time to get out there and voyage beyond the horizon to find him, even better. Going off on a crazy whim isn't just lucky for you, but necessary.
Aries (March 21 – April 19)
You're not going to access all the answers you need or easily decipher the clues you get. Instead of freaking out, pushing harder for solutions, accept there's no fighting it. Fate is here to slap you down, tie you up and torture you with a lesson in patience and appreciating the unknown. If you sit tight, you'll see that the person with the control has had your back all along.
Taurus (April 20 – May 20)
Despite the dull headache that's going to be reverberating in your brain, this is a week of major action. The pain will drive you to end your frustrations and accept no more excuses when it comes to a partnership that's no longer cutting it for you. Conversations and a compromise, at best, will occur. However, odds are, you'll be totally over it.
Gemini (May 21 – June 20)
Spring fever is going to hit, putting you on the fast track to getting in shape and sorting out health issues. Thankfully, this will subside your hypochondria thoughts for dirtier, more luscious fantasies. When it does, work your body at home with your needier-than-usual honey instead of hitting the gym. Besides it being free, it's the most effective multitasking you can ask for.
Cancer (June 21 – July 22)
Your delicate sensibility is a darling trait of yours that draws in the masses to worship at your feet. However, when you clam up, suddenly shoo them away without any forewarning or compassion and expect them to keep coming back for more, that is when you are getting way too full of yourself. Humility, think it, use it and love it. It'll reward you back.
Leo (July 23 – August 22)
Work is where you'll be getting the most hot and bothered. Whoever this is that is turning you on, drop a few hints, but don't show all your cards. The chase will ignite excitable sensations. If you're single, this could spark a secret steamy love tryst. If hooked up, it'll mean doing your boyfriend while thinking he's someone else.


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Trooper Andy
Question: A group of neighbors were discussing the yellow diamond-shaped signs with a large black cross and a speed number below on a separate small yellow sign at some highway intersections, typically found in the vicinity of a small town.
Some thought that the speed listed was not enforceable, more a "suggestion" or warning of the upcoming intersection. Others felt that it was the same as the limits on the white signs and going faster than the listed speed could very well be in violation of the rules of the road and they would receive a speeding ticket. We'd appreciate your comments on this issue. Thanks for your help.
Answer: Basically, the group that says these signs are not an enforceable speed limit is correct. To help explain why that is, let's look at the Minnesota Driver Manual to learn what traffic signs mean. Minnesota signs conform to national standards and are intended to provide instructions to help us drive safely. The signs are divided into three basic categories: regulatory, warning and informational.
-Regulatory signs are red or white in color. Red signs prohibit and command, such as "stop" and "do not enter" signs. White signs regulate, such as "speed limit" and "one way" signs.
-Warning signs are yellow, yellow-green or orange in color. Yellow signs warn such as "railroad crossing" or "slippery road" signs. Yellow-green signs warn and control in pedestrian and bicycle crossings and school areas. You may notice that the newer signs are yellow-green while older signs are yellow. Do not be concerned about that. The orange signs warn and control in construction zones such as "road work ahead" and "flagman" signs.
-Informational signs are green, blue or brown in color. Green guides and informs drivers such as the signs that tell us how far it is to such and such town or that here is a bike route. Blue signs describe services for motorists such as "rest area" or that the next exit has gas, food or lodging close by. Brown signs indicate historic, cultural, or recreation sites.
Now, in a situation such as you described, we have a yellow diamond shaped sign that warns us we are approaching an intersection and below that is a yellow rectangular sign warning us that a particular speed (example 45 mph) should be used. I must point out that this yellow sign is a warning sign not a regulatory sign. These signs do not state what the speed limit is. It is the white (regulatory) signs that indicate what the maximum legal speed is.
According to the Ted Foss law, when on a multi-lane road and approaching an emergency vehicle stopped on the side, with lights flashing, drivers are required to move over if possible. State Troopers are out there to help and protect you. Please help keep us safer by giving us that room, when safely possible, for our safety. Our families also thank you!
If you have any questions concerning traffic related laws in Minnesota, send your questions to Trp. Andy Schmidt- Minnesota State Patrol at 1000 Highway 10 West, Detroit Lakes, MN 56501-2205. (Or reach me at, email@example.com.)


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A SPLENDID partnership of 181 between Graham and Darren Griffiths proved to be the difference for Constantine as they faced Perranarworthal on Saturday.
Their batting display helped set up the host's 86 run victory in their Cornwall Cricket League Division Three West clash as Constantine posted 278-6, which proved too much for their opponents.
After winning the toss at Boulder Parc, the home team decided to have a bat but they soon lost opening batsman Richard Waters for a duck as he was bowled by David Taylor before Theo Clitherow fell victim to Trevellyan North, with wicketkeeper Ben Toulson taking the catch, for 11.
When Taylor grabbed his second wicket of the day as Charles Campbell was caught be Gareth Best for 18, Constantine's total stood at 70-3.
Then it became the moment for the Griffiths duo to take the match by the scruff of the neck and turn it in their team's favour.
Darren, who up until this point had been going through an indifferent season with the bat, scored 57 before being caught by Best off North's bowling in the 44th over.
At the other end of the crease, his sibling was in destructive form as he carted the bowling around the ground.
He eventually had his stumps disturbed by Philip Rees on 154, with nine fours and ten sixes to his name.
Perranarworthal struggled to keep up with the rate during their reply as they made their way to 192 before being bowled out in the 46th over.
It was their top order who let them down as no batsman inside the top eight making it to 20, with opener Andrew Brotherton's 18 being the best.
Some pride was saved though by Stuart Madeley as the number nine batsman showed his colleagues how to do it with a fine 56 not out, featuring ten fours and a six.
Campbell was the pick of the home bowlers in the innings as he ended on four for 27 off 7.2 overs.
Despite their victory, Constantine remain in ninth place. They travel to Botallack & Levan on Saturday.
For Perranarworthal, they face Troon's second team, who currently sit 29 points clear at the top of the table, at home.


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OUR VIEW: A missed chance at fairness in Chamberlain
The Chamberlain school board has decided that the school's graduation ceremony will not include a traditional American Indian honor song as part of the day's events.
That's a tough call, and one that obviously has generated plenty of interest in the Brule County town along the Missouri River.
Chamberlain isn't on an American Indian reservation, but Indians still comprise about one-third of the district's enrollment. Geographically, the district is bordered on its northern edges by reservation land.
The issue came to the school board after some students, including senior Chris Rodriguez, circulated a petition. Rodriguez told the school board that he isn't just trying to get an honor song for this year's graduation, but for years to come.
That's a noble fight, and we appreciate that Rodriguez and others are taking a stand. It's not easy for kids to get up before a panel of adults and seek change.
Should the board have decided differently? We think so.
Part of the board's rationale behind the decision was that a separate "feathering ceremony" honoring seniors of American Indian heritage is already scheduled Friday, ahead of Sunday's graduation.
We are glad the feathering ceremony will happen, but since it's not part of the actual graduation ceremony, we can understand why Indian students also requested the honor song. They don't want their culture relegated to a separate ceremony. They want it included as a proud part of the district's makeup.
The board also expressed concern that other students with varying heritages will seek special treatment at graduation ceremonies.
Here in South Dakota, and especially in rural South Dakota, it's pretty much an issue of whites and American Indians. We really don't have other ethnic groups represented with such large numbers.
An honor song would only take a few minutes, and considering the vast number of students it would affect, we think it would be an appropriate nod toward an ethnic group that has great numbers in South Dakota and, especially, in the Chamberlain area. Not every school in South Dakota should consider an American Indian honor song during graduation ceremonies, but a school that is one-third Indian should consider it.
Change isn't easy, and we understand that. But this could have been a change backed by sound reasoning, fairness and, maybe, even a bit of reconciliation.


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Hey lucktastic cheapskates, wanna go to The Seed, but not sure about the $30 ticket price? We're giving away a pair of two-day pass tickets here. To be eligible to win, you have to leave a comment on this post. And your comment has to be about vegan hair-care. Why? Because we hope you'll write something awesome about anti-speciesist hair-cair, that's why! We'll pick a winner on Friday at 6pm NYC-time, so comment before then.
If you haven't heard about The Seed yet, it's a two-day event billed as "Two Full Days of Vegan Immersion" happening in Soho June 16 & 17. There's a totally impressive schedule, including an all-vegan version of the Bust Craftacular, food samples and cooking demos, film screenings (including the NYC premiere of Lunch Hour and the kudzu-like fan-favorites Forks over Knives and Veducated), speakers and panels galore–some of the many names worth turning up for include Sue Coe, Fran Costigan, Brendan Brazier, JL Fields, Yoli Ouija, Victoria Moran, Eddie Garza, Jenny Brown, Our Hen House, Hannah Kaminksy, Colleen Patrick Goudreau, Michelle Schwegmann, etc. etc. Oh, just go look at the full speakers and participants lists. This thing is big.
But I don't see anything on their schedule about vegan hair-care, so let's cover that here. Serious or funny, whatever. Make sure you enter an e-mail address with your comment (will not be public) so we can contact you if you win.
16 Comments
Comment by
Eliseon #
Olive oil! My husband (not a vegan) used to use olive oil in his hair and it turned out soft and shiny.
Comment by
Ellen DeGenereson #
Comment by
MIkeon #
Don't wash it, ever. I think we should perpetuate the myth that all vegans are dirty hippies.
Comment by
Kristina Paulkon #
My vegan hair salon in Philly recently closed down. Right when I needed to buy new cruelty-free shampoo. Because of this tragedy, I have nothing but tears to add to this vegan hair care discussion. Please join with me in mourning this great loss. *bows head*
Comment by
Jenniferon #
Moroccan Oil. A-mazing!!!! Makes my hair soft, shiny, and healthy.
Comment by
Helene Reisson #
TheraNEEM naturals are vegan, paraben free, sulfate free and gluten free. Their shampoo and conditioners are refreshing. Using these products feels healthy an kind to animals. Avocado, or olive oil over night or under a hat while going for a run works great for hydrating!!
Comment by
Rebecca Wrighton #
I use tresseme dry hair shampoo because it says they do not test on animals. I only shampoo once or twice a week with animal-friendly suds, and condition about every other day. This helps keep my hair clean and not greasy looking, without overydrying from too much washing. It also works to keep colors alive if one feels the need to color their hair.
Comment by
Melissa Rattion #
Good timing on this question! I recently went from long, long hair to a choppier, shorter do and then i thought, "oh crap! now i will actually need to DO my hair!" and so i went to the store in search of vegan hair products. i have to say i love the GIOVANNI hair products–especially the hair styling foam. the scents aren't overpowering, but subtle and refreshing and the products actually work the way they are supposed to. the price is good too–so even if you recently made the switch to vegan hair care products, you won't suffer any sticker shock on the price with these products.
Comment by
Karolineon #
Everyone comments on how nice my long curly hair is! Thanks to a vegan diet, I've been able to grow healthy hair longer than a foot and I plan to donate it!
Comment by
Lucindaon #
Coconut oil, organic, unrefined. I just started using it but it looks promising so far and I don't have to use chemical and alcohol filled hair products.
Comment by
Lynnon #
I've been using JASON shampoo, no sulfates, and vegan!
Comment by
Melissaon #
Who wants animal products in their hair? Cruelty free hair rocks! My hair brings all the bunnies to the yard.
Comment by
meganon #
My Alba shampoo says 100% vegetarian and no animal testing and Giovanni has no animal by-products and no animal testing. I really wish we had a company like BioLand in the US. All of the soaps have symbols on the back of the box representing biodegradable ingredients, no artificial colors, no animal testing, no animal ingredients, and recycled paper used for the boxes. And they are available at every little shop. I've been trying to find a supplier on line and I'm really happy I stocked up when I could
Comment by
FoodFeudon #
Once I mashed avocado in my hair but I'm not sure it did any good. I think I was just drunk (on vegan beer of course.)
Comment by
Jason Dason #
Thanks, all! Melissa won this round (by random drawing). Congrats to her!
We do have one more pair of passes we'll be giving out this week, so check back for that.
Comment by
Laura G.on #
As a vegan woman who's colored her hair for YEARS, that's always been a big concern for me. Manic Panic is awesome (who doesn't want to rock pink especially in October – breast cancer awareness month) but I have used Revlon when I couldn't get any Manic Panic or my wallet was bare. Thanks for the giveaway opportunity!


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First Sensation Canada Boasts Eric Prydz, Fedde le Grande and More
The all-white rave presented by ID&T, Sensation, begins its tear in Toronto with Eric Prydz, Fedde le Grande, Sunnery James & Ryan Marciano, Otto Knows and more electronic spinner elite. After a two-day sell-out at Barclays Center in October 2012, this is a more eclectic crew heralding of the no-longer-only-European continues on. Break out your I.D. because the 21+ spectacle, along with Bud Light have announced a big-name lineup for the 'Ocean of White' show at Toronto's Rogers Centre. If you haven't seen the below video, take a time-out.


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Burnley fans and supporters groups have slammed the cost and inconvenience of compulsory travel restrictions placed on them ahead of the derby game with Blackburn Rovers.
Burnley travel to Ewood Park on Sunday, March 17, only their third league visit in the last 30 years.
The police have designated the fixture a 'bubble' game, meaning fans are forced to purchase coach travel for £6.50 on top of the £32 cost of a match ticket.
The Clarets have been allocated 4,000 tickets for the game.
As of yesterday, 1,350 tickets had been sold to season-ticket holders and shareholders with any left going on sale to registered fans on Monday, March 4.
There will be two pick-up points for supporters, at Turf Moor and Clayton-le-Moors with coaches leaving at 9.45am ahead of the noon kick-off.
Season ticker-holder, Pauline Stott, 66, of Rosehill, is attending the match but said she disagreed with the forced coach travel.
She said: "I will be going with my daughter, son-in-law and a friend.
"For the four of us that's £26 for the coach when if we travelled by car it would be a fraction of that.
"You're herded around and plonked in the stadium hours before kick-off.
"Attending a football game is supposed to be a leisure pasttime but it's more like a military operation going to Ewood. I'd like to know what Burnley's board will be doing.
"Will they be in the police escort with the fans at 9.45am?
"This doesn't happen at the derbies in Manchester and Liverpool so why here?"
Other fans said they had decided not to attend because of the restrictions.
Andrew Whitham, 34, said: "To me the cost has put me off along with all faffing about involve in getting to the game.
"There are obviously security issues but the cost and travel has put me off."
Blackburn Rovers fans also face the same restriction for the reverse fixture.
Fans' forum secretary John Wareing said he hoped concessions would be made in the future.
He said: "I have not been to the last two games at Turf Moor because of the hassle.
"From what I've been told though the arrangement this season were a little slicker.
"Let's hope more concessions can be made and there's a time when both sets of fans can travel to and from the game freely without incident."
Other 'bubble' matches have also led to concern with a legal challenge threatened by a Manchester-based Hull City fan who will be forced to travel by club transport to their Easter Saturday game at Huddersfield 70 miles away.
The Football Supporters' Federation has backed East Lancashire fans' views.
Amanda Jacks from the FSF said: "These arrangements restrict the movement of the vast majority of law-abiding fans.
"They also do nothing to prevent troublemakers travelling independently.
"Treating fans in this shoddy way, far from diluting the intense rivalry, can sometimes enhance it."


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STATE COLLEGE, PA. - Penn men's fencing got its season off to a solid start on Sunday at the Penn State Open.
Led by a second place finish from Evan Prochniak, a total of five Quakers finished in the top 16 of their respective weapon. For the second straight season, Prochniak finished behind only Penn State's Alek Ochocki in the saber competition. Jason Chang was next highest finisher for Penn, taking seventh overall in foil while teammate Zane Grodman was 14th. In epee, Rene Gannon-O'Gara and Stephen Jow came in 13th and 16th, respectively.
The team will have a two-month layoff in competition before the season picks up next. Penn hosts the Philadelphia Invitational at Hutchinson Gym on January 22, an event that the team went 6-0 in a season ago.


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Author: Evergreen WritersISBN 978-1-62137-913-3 (softcover)
ISBN 978-1-62137-914-0 (hardcover)
186 pages
Everyone has a story, a lifetime of memories to preserve or share with family and friends. The smallest memory holds fascination for someone. As technology changes the way things used to be, as small towns and farms give way to urban neighborhoods, as friends and family come and go, it is vital to record our point in time.
Memoir represents a slice of life in which authors reflect upon intimate issues, family stories, specific events or personal relationships. It is a glimpse of the past, vividly recreated through creative writing.
In Turning Points, readers will join a soldier lured by the mellow tones of a clarinet caressing a New York night; savor coq au vin steeped in garlic and blotted from the plate by hunks of a crusty Parisian baguette; visit great-grandmama's boudoir, redolent of rosewater; accompany a new mother immigrating from war-torn London to far-away Canada; travel back in time to the Civil War with a great granddaughter, who encounters her war-weary ancestor; share the sadness of a young woman on her way to a home for unwed mothers; laugh with a hospital administrator destroying forbidden wine in the deserts of Saudi Arabia; learn the harshest reality of a husband's tour of duty in Vietnam; and suffer alongside civilians caught in the brutality of World War II.
The authors of these memoirs have enjoyed revisiting their pasts and recreating them. Hopefully, they will inspire you, too, to reflect upon your own rich lives and to write the stories lingering in your hearts.
These are precious memories which need to be preserved.
Author: Everett Kelly ISBN 978-1-62137-603-3 (hardcover) 160 pages This is the story of the life...
Author: Portland Burn Survivors ISBN 978-1-62137-4244ISBN 978-1-62137-4664 158 pages "...do I believe?" is an anthology about...
Author: John Hemmingsen ISBN 978-1-60264-538-7 (softcover) ISBN 978-1-60264-539-4 (eBook) 250 pages "2000 Days in China" (1998-2009)...


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Medical Definition of Spine
Spine: 1) The column of bone known as the vertebral column, which surrounds and protects the spinal cord. The spine can be categorized according to level of the body: i.e., cervical spine (neck), thoracic spine (upper and middle back), and lumbar spine (lower back). See also vertebral column. 2) Any short prominence of bone. The spines of the vertebrae protrude at the base of the back of the neck and in the middle of the back. These spines protect the spinal cord from injury from behind.
Last Editorial Review: 5/13/2016
Back to MedTerms online medical dictionary A-Z List
Need help identifying pills and medications?


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Oldham did take the lead when Craig Davies rifled home, but the hosts levelled shortly after when Ian Moore converted Andy Monkhouse's centre.
James Brown finished from a tight angle to put Hartlepool ahead and Richard Barker extended the lead from the spot after he was fouled by Sean Gregan.
Substitute Joel Porter wrapped things up with a well-taken late fourth.
Hartlepool: Budtz, McCunnie, Nelson, Antwi , Elliott, Brown (Porter 64), Liddle, Sweeney (Humphreys 37), Monkhouse (Foley 76), Moore, Barker.Subs Not Used: Lee-Barrett, Clark.
Goals: Moore 15, Brown 26, Barker 44 pen, Porter 83.
Oldham: Crossley, Eardley, Thompson (Trotman 52), Gregan, Bertrand, Liddell (Pearson 52), Kalala (Allott 54), McDonald, Taylor, Davies, Hughes.Subs Not Used: Pogliacomi, Lomax.
Booked: Kalala, McDonald.
Goals: Davies 14.
Att: 5,015
Ref: Rob Shoebridge (Derbyshire).
What are these?


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Nothing says summer more than juicy, cold watermelon! This sorbet is a sweet, refreshing way to celebrate the warm weather, along with an array of other delightful and delicious watermelon dishes -- from salads to cake!Easiest Ever Three-Ingredient Watermelon Sorbet Recipe This dessert is somewhere between ice cream … [Read more...]
No-Churn Pineapple Guava Ice Cream Recipe
Luscious and creamy, with a tropical fruity and nutty flavor, this no-churn ice cream is the perfect, easy and delicious summer treat!I'm wondering if the following has ever happened to you. . . .You taste something and it's delicious, and you think you know what it is, but really, you have absolutely no idea -- … [Read more...]
Grilled Corn Ice Cream Recipe
We took a family trip to Seattle a couple of weeks ago and had some absolutely incredible meals. I'll be writing all about all of them and the restaurants very soon, but today you get a small taste from one of them.At Matt's in the Market restaurant, (where I also got my inspiration for the Compressed Watermelon … [Read more...]
The Best Root Beer Float Recipe
My grandfather made the best Root Beer Float ever.It wasn't the delicious vanilla and coffee ice cream, or the A&W Root Beer, that made it the best. (The three key, and only ingredients.)It was the best because of how he took making this treat so seriously. Making a Root Beer Float was a tradition for my … [Read more...]
16 Summertime Frozen Dessert Recipes
Gelato & mud pie to granita & popsicles, there's a delectable frozen treat from everyone!I don't complain about too many things -- but, I totally own that I complain about my discomfort when I'm too hot. And my idea about what's "too hot", might be about 10 degrees cooler than yours. (It's about 20 … [Read more...]
Caramelized Banana-Blueberry Gelato Recipe
It turned out to be a good thing that we couldn't eat our most recent batch of bananas quickly enough. I bought way too many at once, and somehow did the same thing with blueberries. I couldn't very well let these delicious fruits go to waste, so I created this super interesting and crazy delicious gelato recipe. … [Read more...]
Individual Coffee-Chocolate Mud Pie Recipe with Espresso-Chocolate Sauce
My dad turned 80 last week. 80!Think of every positive, loving adjective you can, and my dad's all that. Plus, he's the most youthful, active 80-year-old in existence.My dad doesn't have a day without an hour with the LA Times and his dog at the local coffee shop, a hike and/or a visit to the Malibu Lagoon, a … [Read more...]
Introducing Choctál Ice Cream
This post is not sponsored. Every now and then I come across a product that I feel an obligation to share with you. (A culinary obligation, that is.) This ice cream is amazing and I really want all of you to experience it's deliciousness!DOMINICAN CHOCOLATE | MADAGASCAR VANILLA MEXICAN VANILLA | KALIMANTAN … [Read more...]
Cinnamon Ice Cream Recipe
I love cinnamon and I can't imagine life in my kitchen without it. It's as crucial a staple as olive oil or butter as far as I'm concerned. And I'd be very surprised if any of you didn't have cinnamon in your pantry.This heavenly spice is packed with health benefits and adds warmth and delicious flavor to both … [Read more...]
Frozen Chocolate Pistachio Truffle Bars
A couple of weeks ago, my 9-year-old son and I made a mud pie for my father-in-law's birthday celebration. Hoping nothing too bizarre would be selected, I let my son choose the flavors. (This was risky because his favorite flavors are often florescent colors of the rainbow!)I was so happy -- and relieved -- when he … [Read more...]


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By Justin Cox
Killeen Daily Herald
In the race for House District 55, new participants are taking sides like kids on a playground naming teams for kickball.
But these guys are keeping score, and they want to see action in the state house.
On Wednesday, Will Newton, the Texas chapter executive director of the National Federation of Independent Businesses, the nation's largest small business political action group, endorsed Republican candidate Ralph Sheffield during a short press conference at a small, privately owned business in Temple.
Newton said the NFIB's influence is significant in other parts of the country, and in Texas, is still growing with more than 25,000 members' businesses in the state. It's important, he said, to publicly support people of like mind and philosophy.
And no one fits that mold better than Sheffield, who has run a campaign since Day 1 on his 34-year tenure as a small business owner in Central Texas, and the reallife struggles and experience he has attained over a lifetime in the business.
Newton said the group sends questionnaires to first-time candidates throughout the state to gauge their potential to carry on the groups' ideals.
Democratic nominee Sam Murphey cashed in a pair of endorsements, as well. The state's two largest teacher political committees, the Texas State Teachers' Association and the Texas chapter of the American Federation of Teachers, picked Murphey for their team.
Murphey said he's behind the teachers and was given a firm show of support from numerous teachers gathered at the Temple High School library Wednesday evening.
Mildred Swift represented TSTA, and is a teacher at Manor Middle School in Killeen.
Swift said a change is needed, and now.
"We are very tired of the education system and the way it is now," Swift said. "Sam is the person. The 65,000-member Texas State Teachers Association is the oldest education organization in Texas."
While Newton said it's clear the NFIB endorses candidates who can better further the group's interests, he emphasized that the organization is non-partisan; of the 80 or so House candidates the organization has endorsed this election year, their breakdown shows a split down party lines – about 60 percent Republican and 40 percent Democrat.
Those two figures are much closer than the numbers groups like the TSTA and Texas AFT pull as part of the historically liberal AFL-CIO.
Contact Justin Cox at firstname.lastname@example.com or (254) 501-7568.


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Paul McCartney, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, and Mumford and Sons top this year's lineup for the Bonnaroo Arts & Music festival, and while the rest of the lineup is pretty awesome (seriously though, Björk and the Wu-Tang Clan on the same bill!), there is a good deal of confusion underway as to why retro act Tom Petty has been chosen above so many other potential headliners.
While Wilco, David Byrne and St. Vincent, The National,Nas, R. Kelly, Kendrick Lamar, The xx, Passion Pit, Animal Collective, My Morning Jacket's Jim James, Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros, Grizzly Bear, Cat Power, Beach House, Local Natives and more round out the bill, My Morning Jacket frontman Jim James will host a special "Soul Superjam" featuring John Oates and members of the Preservation Hall Jazz Band, and The Office's Ed Helms will host a "Bluegrass Situation Superjam". Yeah, Andy Bernard from The Office. I have no fucking idea either.
More acts playing are Tame Impala, Alt-J, Dirty Projectors, Swans, Baroness, Japandroids, Death Grips, Earl Sweatshirt, Killer Mike, Father John Misty, Purity Ring, The Tallest Man on Earth, Divine Fits, ASAP Rocky, Big K.R.I.T., Action Bronson, Four Tet, Wild Nothing, DIIV, HAIM, Cults, Charli XCX, and Matthew E. White. Also playing are Billy Idol, ZZ Top, Gov't Mule, John McLaughlin and the 4th Dimension, Dwight Yoakam, Macklemore & Ryan Lewis, Of Monsters and Men, Portgual. The Man, The Gaslight Anthem, Matt and Kim Pretty Lights, Boys Noize, AraabMUZIK, A-Trak, The Vaccines, Glen Hansard, Calexico, Porter Robinson, Amadou & Mariam, Lee Fields & The Expressions, John Fullbright, JEFF the Brotherhood, Deap Vally, Walk the Moon, and The Stepkids.
Additionally, "Weird Al" Yankovic and Daniel Tosh top the festival's still-unannounced comedy lineup.
Bonnaroo 2013 takes place June 13-16 in Manchester, Tennessee. Tickets go on sale this Saturday, February 23th at Noon EST via the festival's website.


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FORMER Olympic sprinter Josh Ross's goal of reinventing himself as an NFL wide receiver has received a significant boost on the back of an invitation to showcase his talents at an American football scouting camp in Dallas next month.
The five-time national 100 metres champion and dual Stawell winner will attend the NFL-recognised combine testing event on Saturday and look to, among other things, replicate the explosive 40-yard (36.6 metres) sprint times he's been setting in training at the Melbourne University athletics track.
Should he come close to his best, a hand-timed 4.10 seconds, it will rank as one of the fastest times at a combine event, where, for a wide receiver, the standing start 40-yard dash is the pre-eminent test.
Former long-time Australian gridiron coach Glenn Parke, who has been assisting in Ross's training, says that such is the number of college footballers looking to break into the NFL an Australian sprinter looking to do the same would ordinarily have "a better chance of walking on the moon".
"But from what I've seen of Josh he actually stands a chance of having a two to three-year career in the NFL, and an even better chance of playing in the Arena Football League, an abbreviated form of the game, a little like rugby sevens," Parke said.
Ross, 29, who lives in St Albans and gets by doing part-time modelling, says the opportunity before him is both exciting and surreal. "I realise there's a long, long way to go yet, but I'm determined to show them what I can do. It will be very competitive over there but it's not at all daunting for me. I'm used to that kind of pressure."


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From retailers to record labels, the business landscape is littered with companies whose executives thought technology was something that kept the lights on.
But on the flip side, it is probably no coincidence that many of Australia's most innovative companies keep their technology in-house rather than outsourcing.
Online retailer Booktopia, which won the digital innovation award in the recent BRW Mid-Market Awards, "insources everything". Successful listed companies such as recruitment site
But keeping it in-house is not just for technology and e-commerce companies.
Servcorp, which is traditionally known as a corporate real estate business, now earns nearly 30 per cent of its revenue from virtual office services using technology it built. Even start-up car brands such as Tomcar Australia are outsourcing manufacturing but keeping technology in-house.
While it might make sense on paper to outsource non-core functions, in an era of disruption the definition of core and non-core is subject to constant change. Perhaps the best way to future-proof any business is to treat technology as core expertise.
If a company winds up with a c-suite and board that don't understand technology, they risk missing key trends. Then it's a scramble to play catch up – something that
Yet not everyone agrees. It was only a few weeks ago that an executive from a financial services firm told BRW his company has a policy to keep IT costs to 1 per cent of revenue.
REA Group chief information officer
"If you're going to have that sort of strategy [in business], you need IT and software development really close and part of the family."
Dalton says he is disturbed by the "bizarre fashion" for Australian businesses to outsource things that should be core to their business.
"There's quite an industry that makes a lot of money from outsourcing but whether it's a good idea is another thing entirely," Dalton says.
"We definitely see development in-house as reducing risk because it makes it less likely you'll build the wrong thing. My worst nightmare is being given a million dollars and six months later coming back finding we've built the wrong thing."
Dalton says outsourcing means you add another layer to the decision-making and development process and therefore reduce speed to market. It also means you miss out on the serendipity of innovation that comes through having passionate, inventive, purpose-driven developers on the team.
The director of IT at retail landlord
In particular, Westfield's goal is to become closer to the consumer. It has introduced Westfield gift cards, a Westfield "virtual mall" e-commerce site, and free Wi-Fi that harvests consumers' email addresses, but Bourke says there'll be more announcements.
Westfield created a digital labs environment in San Francisco about a year ago, which includes both employees and contractors and gives them a brief of creativity.
"Their role is to innovate and bring a new approach to our digital presence, which is really interesting for a bricks and mortar company," Bourke says.
"I think the actual creativity needs to happen in-house but [be] influenced by smart people around and that's why the San Francisco environment was seen as a good one to go to. You can't rely on someone else's innovation because if you are, they're going to sell it to 43 other people."
The managing director of product development and strategy at SEEK, Michael Ilczynski, agrees.
"We've got to have [technology] in-house; if you've got another organisation doing that for you, you're almost by definition not creating competitive advantage," Ilczynski says.
The do-it-yourself philosophy does not preclude all IT partnerships. REA Group has the usual list of partners, including Amazon Web Services, Thoughtworks and Equinix.
SEEK uses Exact Target for its email system. Ilczynski says partnering and outsourcing are different.
Partnering is where the company manages the development process and brings in outside expertise where needed, while outsourcing is handing over a technical function to a third party and managing it via a service-level agreement.
It might seem obvious that technology should be core to an e-commerce business such as SEEK but Ilczynski says it has not always been that way.
Five years ago SEEK management viewed technology as an "enabler" rather than core expertise. "It was really was only four or five years ago that we saw certain trends and realised that we'd need to develop a much better product development and IT capability for our organisation," Ilczynski says.
"Even for us as an online organisation, we've really moved in our view of product development and IT, becoming not just an enabler but a real differentiator and area of potential competitive advantage."
The trends that SEEK realised it would need to tackle include changes in online behaviour, data analytics, and the rise of mobile and off-desktop devices.
In response, the company has tripled the number of staff within product development and IT since the 2011 financial year.
In 2012-13, SEEK spent more on product development than it had in its history, including when it was a start-up.
The company moved its software development processes from "waterfall" to "agile" methodology and re-engineered the entire business around that, so IT developers now sit with the business users in co-located teams.
He licensed the Tomcar, originally an Israeli military vehicle, made improvements to it and is now manufacturing his own version in Australia.
While Tomcar Australia is in discussions with the government about military use, it is also selling it to the general public at $25,000 a pop for use on farms as a safer alternative to quad bikes and all-terrain vehicles, and also for recreational use.
Tomcar Australia has pre-sold the first 100 vehicles, delivered 30 already, and is aiming for 5000 per year.
The key disruptive idea is to eliminate the dealer network and exclusively sell the Tomcar direct through its website.
"You hear about the retail landscape being disrupted but people who sell big things like cars feel it doesn't apply to them," Brim says.
"I know that having millions of dollars of metal in a corner car yard is not something that's future-proof. So here at Tomcar Australia we've decided to avoid it altogether so we sell direct from the factory via the internet."
Brim is happy to outsource manufacturing to MtM, a tier-one automotive supplier based in Melbourne.
He points out that electronic and technology hardware manufacturers such as Apple moved to a model of designing products and outsourcing production some time ago, and he "doesn't understand" why car manufacturers don't adopt the same model.
"MtM is an amazing automotive manufacturer who is losing domestic business because of car companies leaving. So they have all the infrastructure and instead of us investing $10 million in building a factory, we've found one on our doorstep," he said.
"We outsource to an amazing manufacturer so we can focus on research and development and innovation. But we suffer indirectly because the government doesn't see us as a manufacturer and there are no grants available to us – we're being punished for being innovative."
Brim is also happy to use cloud computing providers, including Google, for some of the company's technology needs. However, the company would never let go of core research and development. It also developed its website in-house, because it found that existing technology options such as Shopify did not allow customers to pay a deposit – a necessary feature when the price is $25,000 and beyond the limit of many credit cards.
Although he was forced into that by circumstances, Brim says he is pleased with the result because it is unique and provides excellent service and branding.
The fact that technology is now a differentiator for any business has not gone unnoticed. A growing willingness to exploit that advantage is one reason for the success of Australian technology company Atlassian, which makes software for software developers.
"We can sell our collaboration software to a car manufacturer or an investment bank or Nike when they put fitness apps in their shoes," Atlassian co-founder Scott Farquhar has previously told BRW.
"Instead of companies buying billboards on Main Street, these days it's making websites or social media engagement or marketing – so more and more of every company is becoming software, and we're growing through that."


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Did you know?
The Summerfields Estate produces various rose varieties that are sold from the farm and at Summerfields outlets in White River. Rose Tours around the estate are conducted from Monday to Saturday.
You'll find Summerfield's Rose Retreat & Spa in a valley between Hazyview and Sabie in Mpumalanga, situated among plantations of mangoes, litchis, macadamia nut trees and roses.
The 100-hectare property is a wellness haven, known for its excellent service, unpretentious attitudes, and top-class therapies.
At this country spa, the tented suites and spa area are all spread out along the banks of the Sabie River.
The suites may have a rustic appeal, but they are certainly not lacking in luxury. Bed sheets are high thread-count percale cotton, and a bedside iPod provides a modern touch.
But the real highlight is the outdoor bathroom with a plush bath overlooking the river and the shower-head extending from a tree branch. Even during winter, a steamy bath while star-gazing is an experience not to be missed.
During the day, a visit to the Afro-Asian inspired spa is a must. Treatments take place in pavilions of wood and glass that merge beautifully with the landscape. Although they open up on to the river, the design ensures both a sense of privacy and freedom.
Signature treatments are inspired by the local produce, using rose oil and macadamia nut shells and oil, in one of the most tranquil and natural spa surroundings this country has to offer. If you're lucky, you could catch a glimpse of the resident crocodile as well.
In between spa treatments, you can wander through the rose farm, where plenty of different varieties and colours will keep your senses pleasantly occupied.
This Mpumalanga country spa is also known for its fantastic menu (all the herbs are picked fresh from the garden) and also has a varied wine list to choose from.
Travel tips & Planning info
Who to contact
Summerfields Rose Retreat & Spa
R536 Hazyview - Sabie Road
Tel:+27 (0)13 737 6500
Email: firstname.lastname@example.com
How to get here
From the N4 outside Nelspruit, head north on the R40 through White River and Hazyview. Continue down Main Street, Hazyview. At the Perry's Bridge stop, turn left on the R536 towards Sabie. Summerfields Estate is 4.5 km from here. Follow the Summerfields signs and turn right into the Summerfields Restaurant parking area.
Best time to visit
It's always a good time to visit a spa, but Summerfields does lend itself to finer weather in the summer and spring months.
Around the area
There is hot air ballooning, adventure activities, hikes and walks. Hazyview and White River are gateway towns to the world-famous Kruger National Park.
Length of stay
Summerfields offer various '5 Days to Wellness' programmes, including full day itineraries and meals aimed at achieving optimum wellness.
Where to stay
Stay in one of the 12 exclusive tented suites along the river, or if you would prefer exclusivity there is the Summerfields Villa on offer. For families, the Summerfields' Stone House is ideal.
What to eat
The River Café on the banks of the Sabie River is one of the finest eateries in the area. There is also an excellent spa menu.


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The much awaited morning has just arrived now for Jagan Mohan Reddy. Till now the Sankharaavam of Samaikya is just heard from Hyderabad only. Now onwards its sound is going to spread all over the Andhra Pradesh.
One way he was the first politician to start the election campaign in the form of Odaarpu Yatra all the way back four years ago. Though the elections were four years away, as a too early bird he started it.
But one stage that early bird seemed it could not able to catch the votes worms. Now when all the leaders are started campaign in the form of soothing the victims of cyclone, he had to remain calm just watching them.
But when the conditions are relaxed, perhaps he is the most happy man to go all around the state and to get in to the fray of elections.
But the common man's view point, who ever may win or loose, as the only political party which had stood for the cause of Samaikya (after the CPM which does not possess the same glamour as that of YSRCP among the public), perhaps Jagan might show his might to stop the bifurcation. The Common man wants to give a chance to him to prove his trust.


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Companies are struggling to understand and implement the right policies and controls to meet ever-evolving compliance mandates. Yet strict adherence to individual compliance standards means they've likely implemented controls they do not need, while inadvertently leaving out important controls necessary for an effective program. This cookie-cutter approach can actually leave organizations more exposed than ever before to potential security risks and controls failures.
In this slideshow, Unified Compliance CEO, Craig Isaacs, explores current compliance gaps, major compliance challenges and practical tips to create more effective compliance programs.
Related Topics : A Big Market for Big Data Jobs, Midmarket CIO, IT Management Automation, SharePoint, Technology Markets
Executives at several top tech firms outline the skills they need now and in the near future, including IaaS and IoT security expertise. Other skills listed may surprise you. ... More >>
Experts predict how cybersecurity will affect and involve our government, policies and politics in 2017. ... More >>
Recent years have seen a significant increase in the remote workforce as developments in technology have given employees the freedom to work anywhere, anytime. ... More >>


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The Copperas Cove Education Foundation will host its first "Boots and Buckles — Funding the Future" gala to raise money for teacher grants at 7 p.m. Saturday at the Cove Civic Center, 1206 W. Avenue B.
There will be dancing, a silent auction, music and food, said Copperas Cove school district spokeswoman Olga Peña-Gaede.
"CCEF hopes to raise $20,000 from the gala," she said. "It's the first inaugural event of its kind for the CCEF. In previous years, the foundation hosted a golf tournament as its annual fundraising event. This year is the beginning of an annual gala to include distinguished alumni as speakers."
guest speaker: charles tillman
This year's guest speaker is Charles Tillman, a Copperas Cove Independent School District alumnus, 2013 Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year and 12-year veteran of the Chicago Bears.
"We were lucky enough to have Charles Tillman accept the invitation to be the first such guest speaker," Peña-Gaede said. "It's an honor to have him return to Copperas Cove to help support the school district.
"His dedication to his career, family and philanthropic causes is a true testament to the athlete and person he is."
The foundation distributed $34,346.69 in grants for 15 different projects in 2013.
This event will raise money for the 2014 grants, which have included everything from iPads and after-school clubs to student authored and illustrated published books, Peña-Gaede said.
"The CCEF's tireless efforts and support are invaluable to Copperas Cove ISD. The foundation not only rewards innovative teaching through thousands of dollars in grants that produce otherwise non-fundable programs for our students, it also honors exemplary students and teachers at the annual Top 10 Percent banquet and is a presence at district events year round," she said.
Fundraising efforts from the gala will continue to support such programs as House Creek Elementary's Launch Club and Leap Ahead, Halstead's Let's Share a Story and Fairview Jewell's Exploring our Dreams programs.


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ViewSonic has just announced that it will offer an Android-powered 7-inch tablet called the ViewBook 730 for $249.99. The tablet is an excellent entry-tablet for Android fans and features an 800 x 480 pixel resistive touchscreen display, along with a stylus for writing and drawing.
Amazon.com just launched a store for Android smartphone apps, and in celebration are letting people download Angry Birds for free today. They also said the Android version of the app will now be available exclusively from the Amazon AppStore. Although this already beloved app will return to it's normal price of $0.99 after today, there will be different free apps available each day. This will not only draw customers to the new AppStore, but will also help promote unknown apps that deserve the attention. Plus, who doesn't like free apps? Everyone wins here.
Except Apple, who just sued Amazon in attempt to stop the online retailer from using the name "AppStore".


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WOMEN considering freezing their eggs for social reasons would be better off settling for ''Mr Not-Quite-Right'' as a father sooner rather than later, a leading IVF specialist says.
While many fertility clinics are starting to spruik egg freezing to women in their 20s and 30s so they can defer child birth for non-medical reasons, the director of Monash IVF, Professor Gab Kovacs, said women should not be conned into thinking it offered a ''guaranteed family in the fridge''.
He said that given that the rate of successful births from egg freezing was low and the technology still improving, it was too early for women in their late 20s and early 30s to think they could rely on it later in life.
''I think they should be working harder to find a partner or changing their criteria for 'Mr Right','' Professor Kovacs said.
''Maybe there is no 'Mr Right' and you have to settle for 'Mr Not-Too-Bad'. There is no such thing as a perfect person for anybody, and even if they're perfect now, they won't be perfect in five or 10 years' time.''
Egg freezing for social reasons, rather than medical reasons such as the prevention of infertility from cancer treatment, is not covered by Medicare. It costs between $10,000 and $14,000 per cycle.
Depending on the woman, one cycle will retrieve about 10 eggs each time, giving the woman varying chances of a successful pregnancy depending on when she chooses to proceed with IVF.
The egg retrieval procedure carries about a one-in-1000 risk of significant complications, such as bleeding or infection.
Professor Kovacs' comments come after a meeting of fertility specialists in the US was told that women were much more likely to conceive through IVF if their eggs were frozen when they were under 30, compared with if they waited until their 30s or 40s - the period when most women attempt egg freezing.
A team led by Aylin Pelin Cil, at Reproductive Medicine Associates, in New York, said an analysis of 26 studies showed that conception occurred in about 18 per cent of cases involving eggs from women aged under 30, compared with 10.3 per cent of cases involving eggs from women in their 40s. The statistics applied to eggs that were rapidly frozen through a process called vitrification, commonly used by IVF clinics in Australia.
A Queensland-based IVF specialist, Dr Ashley Stevenson, said the results were not surprising. Women trying egg freezing in their late 30s and early 40s were often leaving it too late.
Dr Stevenson said it was time for GPs to start talking to women in their 20s and 30s about fertility and informing them of egg freezing when they did not have the right social circumstances for it to happen naturally. ''For young women, I think it's a perfectly valid and sensible thing to do,'' he said.
Professor Michael Chapman, of IVF Australia, said that although there was no official data, an estimated 100 women had frozen their eggs over the past year for social reasons.
While his clinic offered the service, he did not think it was time to promote it to women in their late 20s and early 30s.
With GUARDIAN