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Mistakes used to be a little more abundant, but with a wealth of telling statistics now just clicks away, All-Star fan voting has become more thought-out and informed.
That doesn't mean certain fan bases don't stuff the ballot box and get their favorite player elected even if he isn't the most worthy of the starting nod. That is a part of fan voting that never will go away, and that is fine because this game always has been about fans … mostly.
When commissioner Bud Selig decided to make the All-Star Game "count" by having it decide home-field advantage in the World Series, he left it vulnerable to a fan-favorite winning a starting spot instead of a player who might better help his league win in October/November.
So, without biases and looking purely at the numbers, here is what the National League All-Star roster should look like, with apologies to the snubs (you know who you are):
Joey Votto, Reds
Votto is having an MVP-caliber season, leading the league in WAR (4.8 on fangraphs.com), on-base percentage (.478), slugging percentage (.643), doubles (32) and walks (60). He might be the easiest choice in either league.
Backup: Bryan LaHair, Cubs
LaHair leads Adam LaRoche and Paul Goldschmidt in on-base percentage (.364) and slugging percentage (.532) and ranks among the leaders at the position with 13 homers.
Aaron Hill, Diamondbacks
Hill leads his position in slugging percentage (.500), OPS (.861) and WAR (2.5). His 10 homers are one behind the position leader.
Backup: Jose Altuve, Astros
Altuve has a better average (.309), slugging percentage (.453) and OPS (.803) than Dan Uggla.
David Wright, Mets
Wright leads the position in WAR (4.3) batting average (.357), on-base percentage (.449), slugging percentage (.559) and doubles (25). He has also been solid defensively.
Backups: David Freese, Cardinals; Chase Headley, Padres
Freese is second among NL third basemen in RBIs (46) tied for the lead in homers (13), and second in slugging percentage (.492) and OPS (.829). Headley ranks among the leaders in WAR (3.0), on-base percentage (.370) and OPS (.777).
Jed Lowrie, Astros
Lowrie isn't even in the top five in the fan voting, but he leads all shortstops in WAR (2.7), homers (14), on-base percentage (.355) and slugging percentage (.500), among other categories. If he still played in Boston and posted these numbers, Lowrie would be in the hunt to start.
Backup: Ian Desmond, Nationals
Desmond edges Starlin Castro because of better power numbers, although Castro is a better defender.
Carlos Ruiz, Phillies
Giants fans have voted Posey into the top spot, but he isn't more deserving of a starting role than Ruiz. Ruiz leads the position in WAR (3.8), batting average (.364), on-base percentage (.439) and slugging percentage (.577). He also has been superior to Posey defensively.
Backups: Yadier Molina, Cardinals; Buster Posey, Giants
Molina is second in WAR (3.2), first in homers (12) and second in batting average (.316), slugging percentage (.518) and OPS (.885).
Ryan Braun, Brewers
Matt Kemp was the league's best player before his hamstring injury, but he has missed far too many games. So, Braun is an obvious choice. He leads outfielders in WAR (4.1), is tied for the homer lead (20), and he is second in slugging percentage (.596) and OPS (.988).
Michael Bourn, Braves
Bourn is second among outfielders in hits (98) and stolen bases (20) and is the runaway leader in defensive runs saved and Ultimate Zone Rating. Strong defense isn't usually result in an All-Star selection but with more emphasis placed on that aspect of the game, Bourn should get the start.
Andrew McCutchen, Pirates
Melky Cabrera has had an outstanding first half, leading outfielders in hits (106) and batting average (.351). But McCutchen is second in average (.342), and he bests Cabrera in on-base percentage (.404), slugging percentage (.586), RBIs (48) and steals (14).
Backups: Carlos Beltran, Cardinals; Melky Cabrera, Giants; Carlos Gonzalez, Rockies; Matt Holliday, Cardinals; Jason Heyward, Braves; Andre Ethier, Dodgers (unless he lands on the DL because of his oblique injury).
The outfield might have more snubs than any other position because a group of good-but-not-great players have similar numbers.
(Including those who might start the Sunday before the game, making them ineligible to pitch)
R.A. Dickey, Mets; Stephen Strasburg, Nationals; Zack Greinke, Brewers; Gio Gonzalez, Nationals; Johnny Cueto, Reds; Matt Cain, Giants; James McDonald, Pirates; Josh Johnson, Marlins; Wade Miley, Diamondbacks.
Dickey is the feel-good story of the year, and his knuckleball adds flair. Strasburg is a strikeout machine and a household name. Greinke might not be a Brewer by the time the game is played, but he has made a case as the league's best pitcher. Cueto flies under the radar but is a major reason the Reds are in first place. Cain threw a perfect game this season, and what is an All-Star team without a Giants starting pitcher? McDonald is a no-hitter waiting to happen and is fulfilling his potential. Johnson is having a much better season than his traditional numbers show, plus the Marlins need an All-Star. The Diamondbacks haven't gotten strong pitching this season, but Miley has been one of the league's best starters.
Aroldis Chapman, Reds; Tyler Clippard, Nationals; Craig Kimbrel, Braves; Sergio Romo, Giants.
Until recently, Chapman was all but unhittable, and his triple-digit fastball was made for the All-Star Game. Hopefully, he will pitch early in the game against the AL's best, rather than facing some of the backups in the late innings.
Gallery: Memorable All-Star moments


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Calendar of events for 2017.
Brochure and Competition Application (pdf)
Beethoven Gateway: Please help us by sponsoring an image or first edition in our digital collections! Download our new brochure
What We Do
The Society is helping to build a comprehensive collection of Beethoven materials at the Ira F. Brilliant Center for Beethoven Studies (housed at San Jose State University, San Jose, California, USA).
The Society co-publishes the internationally acclaimed Beethoven Journal, which appears two times a year and contains a wide range of articles, reviews of books, sound recordings, and videos, bibliographies of new books, and news of interest to all Beethoven lovers.
The Society co-sponsors exhibits and events in conjunction with the Beethoven Center and other organizations.
The Society sponsors research on Beethoven.
The Society helps support the Beethoven Gateway, an online research tool and gateway to the Beethoven Center's digital resources.
The American Beethoven Society is an international organization dedicated to the creative genius of Beethoven, whose music speaks to the heart and mind of humanity. Your membership supports the work of the Center and insures that it will celebrate Beethoven's remarkable legacy for generations to come.
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It's a big day if you're a Star Wars fan! Disney made the announcement today that they've acquired George Lucas' Lucasfilm LTD and will be getting started expanding the Star Wars franchise with three new movies. That in itself is exciting news, whether or not you're optimistic about the prospect of more Star Wars. But what else does this mean for Star Wars and Disney? Those familiar with some of Disney's theme parks around the world, including Walt Disney World in Florida know that Star Wars already has a presence there, with the "Star Tours" Star Wars attraction at Disney's Hollywood Studios, not to mention the annual Star Wars Weekends that take place in the spring. With Disney now acquiring Lucasfilm, we could be seeing even more Star Wars in Disney's theme parks.
Right now, the announced Star Wars sequels are the hot topic with regards to this Lucasfilm acquisition for Disney. However, those of us who geek out as much for Disney World (or one of the other Disney parks around the world) as we do Star Wars are likely wondering if this news means we'll be able to see Disney and Star Wars' worlds collide even further in the parks. We haven't heard any specific plans yet, but the theme park topic has come up already.
Disney Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Bob Iger said on a conference call that there would be "ample opportunity to expand the influence of these properties in our parks."
Theme parks got a mention in the lengthy announcement Disney released:
The acquisition combines two highly compatible family entertainment brands, and strengthens the long-standing beneficial relationship between them that already includes successful integration of Star Wars content into Disney theme parks in Anaheim, Orlando, Paris and Tokyo.
Again, we're getting no specifics there, but theme parks are mentioned among the "extensive opportunities" Disney will have to bring more content to the fans.
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Lincoln, Neb.- The Nebraska swimming and diving team recently announced its captains for the 2017-18 season. The team selected senior Jordan Ehly and juniors Kaylyn Flatt and Anna McDonald to be captains for the upcoming season.
Cal Bentz, who led Nebraska to 31 swimming and diving conference championships, died at his home in Lincoln on Tuesday, July 4. He was 84.
Husker swimmers Tori Beeler and Dana Posthuma are headed to Indianapolis to compete in the 2017 Phillips 66 National Championships and World Trials, June 27-July 1.
The Nebraska swimming and diving team will face a challenging 2017-18 schedule after going a perfect 6-0 in dual competition a year ago.
The Nebraska women's swimming and diving team continued to climb in national prominence both in the water and in the classroom in 2016-17, after receiving multiple scholastic honors from the Collegiate Swimming Coaches Association of America (CSCAA) on Wednesday, June 21.


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Donaldsonville, Gonzales and Sorrento would get a slice of Ascension Parish tax dollars under legislation that advanced Tuesday morning.
House Bill 130 by state Rep. Johnny Berthelot, R-Gonzales, would redistribute money generated by a hotel/motel tax within the parish.
Instead of parish government receiving all of the dollars, Donaldsonville, Gonzales and Sorrento would get some of the money.
Donaldsonville and Gonzales each would receive $75,000 in the first year with Sorrento getting $5,000. After that, Donaldsonville and Gonzales each would get 12 percent with Sorrento getting one percent.
Berthelot said parish officials agreed to the change.
The Louisiana House Appropriations Committee voted, without objection, to advance the legislation to the House floor.


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Garmin Vivofit Fitness Band
Product Details
The craze over wearable fitness trackers has you curious. It'd be nice to track and then maintain or change your daily routine but constantly clicking to check your progress and charge every few days leaves you weary. No worries, the Garmin Vivofit is here and it's packed with functions to make worries a thing of the past.
What's so different about the Vivofit? No charging. For a year. The two coin-cell batteries only need to be replaced once a year (and you can do it yourself). No more tapping or clicking to see progress. This baby features an alway-on LED display that doubles as a watch. A button lets you rotate through different stats like steps taken, daily goals, distance, and time. More than just telling time, this device alerts you when it's time to move. After one hour of inactivity, a little red bar pops up to remind you to get to it.
You'll get to it easily with the Garmin Vivofit. It learns your routine and movements, and tunes your daily goals as you progress, so no more guessing or fumbling towards what you think your next goal should be. Upload all that progress via the Garmin Connect and there's the option to challenge other active people from around the world.
Don't worry if you plan to work out off dry land or if your waist is not one-size-fits-all, the Vivofit is water-resistant up to 50 meters and comes with two different sized bands. Unless you have any other concerns, I think the Vivofit is calling your name.
- TYPE: Digital
- WEIGHT: 25.5 g
- MATERIAL: Water-resistant rubber, up to 50 meters


text: Scott's Chi-Chis Of The Day – "Turkey Breast" Edition By Scott Ronson November 23, 2012 3:17 PM Share on Facebook Share on Twitter These lovely lumps will not disappoint! friend NEXT: Jesus Repairs Your iPhone These chi-chis said: "You could only wish your Turkey had breasts like this 😉 !!" BE ADVISED, SCOTT'S CHI CHIS OF THE DAY WILL BE ON A DAY TO DAY BASIS AND WILL END IF I DON'T RECEIVE YOUR PICTURES LADIES!! SUBMIT YOUR PHOTOS WITH THE LINK BELOW. These chi-chis brought to you by Station Recreation. Scott's Chi-Chis of the Day posts will only keep going as long as the sexy ladies of El Paso, Las Cruces and Juarez continue sending them. If you would like your Chi-Chis posted on Scott's Chi-Chis of the Day, take a beautiful picture of your Chi-Chis, write a short bio or some info about yourself, and fill out the form below. Send in those photos ladies, The world is counting on you! -R(.)ns(.)n- Oops! We could not locate your form. Click here to vote for the chi chis of last week SPORTS- Play You Pick 'Em to win $1500 Filed Under: boobs | hottie Category: Music Share on Facebook Share on Twitter More Leave a comment Send to a friend! Print this page Pin it! Reddit This! Share on Tumblr! Best of KLAQ.com Superjoint And Devil Driver At Tricky Falls Tonight! Chris Jericho's Fozzy Playing Exclusive Show For KLAQ In October Sunday On Q Connected: Marilyn Manson, Red, Not My Master & More Operation Hope Helping Hurricane Victims Recommended For You ZergNet Best of the Web ZergNet


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Marketing Information
You cannot control what you cannot monitor. The new HP Intelligent Power Distribution Unit (iPDU) brings state of the art management and control to rack mounted power distribution units (PDU) to prevent over provisioning of power from restricting growth in your data center.
Using the popular core and stick architecture of HP's Modular PDU line the HP Intelligent PDU provides monitoring of power consumption at the core, load segment, stick, and outlet level with unmatched precision and accuracy. Remote management is built in and even provides power cycle ability of individual outlet on the Intelligent Extension Bars. HP is also the first to incorporate Intelligent Power Discovery, which when combined with HP's line of Platinum level high efficiency power supplies the Intelligent PDU actually communicates with the attached servers to collect asset information for the automatic mapping of the power topology inside a rack, greatly reducing the risk of human errors that can cause power outages.
General Information
|Product Type
|Manufacturer Part Number
|Manufacturer Website Address
|Product Model
|Product Name
|AF523A 6-Outlet Power Distribution Unit
|Brand Name
Technical Information
|Output Receptacles
|6 x IEC 60320 C19
|Power Rating
|17.30 kVA
Power Description
|Input Voltage
|208 V AC Three-phase
|Output Voltage
|48 A Maximum Current
Physical Characteristics
|1.6" Height x 17.5" Width x 7.5" Depth
|Weight (Approximate)
|20.00 lb
|Form Factor
|1U Rack-mountable
|Zero U Rack-mountable
|Power Cord/Cable
|11.81 ft
|Package Contents
|Standard Warranty
|3 Year Limited
This product is shipped only within Canada and Warranty valid for Canada only.
Computer Valley makes every effort to provide accurate specifications, descriptions, images and price on all products that are found on www.computervalley.ca
However for complete and updated descriptions, compatibilities, specifications and actual photo we recommend our clients to consult with manufacturer's websites or simply call us for proper clarifications. Computer Valley is not responsible and will not accept returns for items purchased that are not compatible with your system. Please ensure that you have verified compatibility and actual photo with your system by visiting the manufacturer's web site prior to purchase or give us a call to make sure what you are purchasing.
For more information, visit our Shipping and Return policy.
Computer Valley wants to provide you with the best and fastest possible service. We try to ship in stock orders placed before 2:00pm EST the same day. For in stock orders placed after 2:00pm EST they are usually shipped the next business day. However there are always exceptions. Please contact us prior to placing your order if you need your purchase by a certain date.
We ship by UPS, FEDEX, USPS, CANADA POST , PUROLATOR and LOOMIS from the nearest locations possible based on stock in hand.
Please note: Computer Valley reserves the rights to accept and cancel any order at anytime due to pricing error or any other reason. An email will be sent as a confirmation of the order status.
|Read Reviews Write Review


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'Two of the games are scheduled for NBC, with one a flex appearance, and the other 13 are set for the NBC Sports Network. The game that definitely will be shown on NBC will be played Feb. 17 at 12:30 p.m. against Pittsburgh as part of the network's Hockey Day in America triple-header. The game against Washington on March 17 is a flex game, meaning it could be moved to the sports network.'
You are here: Home / SabresBeat / NBC to show 15 Sabres games


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I have been informed that winter has been upon us for a good month now. It is during this long season that my thoughts invariably turn to my childhood so long ago in the Oregon Territory. My dominant memory of those times is of snow, snow and more snow. Snow whirling about in great billows; snow piled in huge, sloping drifts; snow coming to rest against the rough-hewn timbers and window-panes of my mother's boarding-house.
But what was a white hell to most was a fairy wonder-land to me. My fertile imagination knew no bounds! Why, in my child's eyes, the snowy expanse could be transformed into a vast battlefield, electric with sacrifice and heroism for a glorious and noble cause! The Union forever!
Alas, it was all about to end. Immersed in my childish pursuits, how was I to know that the seemingly barren Colorado mine my mother had foolishly purchased long ago was to yield the richest silver lode in North America? Or that I was to be suddenly uprooted from my happy home and escorted to the big city by Mr. Thatcher, the cold and distant guardian my mother had appointed to look after me? That my adolescence and young adulthood would be a glum and endless succession of exclusive prep schools and Ivy League universities, from all of which I had managed to be expelled? That, on a coltish whim, I would purchase an impoverished little New-York fish-wrapper called The Onion and assume its editorship? Or that I would eventually lead this modest little daily to what it is today: the largest news-paper empire in the Republic?
Of course, I knew none of these things. But throughout my long and eventful life, even as I became the esteemed confidant of presidents and kings, I yearned for the cherished item that symbolized my forever-lost youth and innocence: my sled, Daisypetal.
What do you mean, no more moving-pictures before bedtime, Nurse? I'll look at them any time I want, you sow! No, I won't take my sleeping-potion now! Take that needle away from me! No! No, I... urr... glurglhhh...


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It is highly recommended to always use the most recent driver version available.
Do not forget to check with our site as often as possible in order to stay updated on the latest drivers, software and games.
Try to set a system restore point before installing a device driver.
Publisher: Intel
Tags: Aspire One D260 Intel VGA Driver, Aspire One D260 VGA Driver,
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Email firstname.lastname@example.com: 1-856-461-8883
Free Shippingon all orders $60 or more!*
You have 0 item(s) in your cart worth $0.00
TOMAX has been focused on quality jigsaw puzzles for over two decades. They began with just twelve images and have since expanded their line to over four-hundred images! The wide variety of jigsaw puzzle themes and designs come in several piece counts, running as high as 4000 pieces! With the availability of so many images in so many sizes, Tomax puzzles really have something for just about everyone including glow in the dark, Marilyn Monroe, and photomosaic puzzles.


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Choo pinch-hits in opener against A's
ARLINGTON -- Shin-Soo Choo, who had missed five games with a sprained left ankle, pinch-hit in the top of the ninth in Monday night's 4-0 loss to the A's.
Choo hurt himself stepping on first base while trying to beat out a ground ball against Oakland on April 21. He made it through pregame activities with no problems Monday and said he was ready to go.
"I can't imagine, six days ago, the first time I hurt it I thought, [I'll be out] at least two weeks," Choo said. "But every day feels much better. … I'm not ready 100 percent, but in this game nobody plays 100 percent."
While Choo was out, Michael Choice took over his spot at the top of the lineup and in left field. Choice hit .200 in the five games before Monday, going 4-for-20 with five RBIs, one in each game. He drove in the game-winning run in the first of those five starts.
"I think everybody that was asked to step up, stepped up," manager Ron Washington said of the Rangers' success during Choo's absence.
Dave Sessions is a contributor to MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.


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Keep kids learning
Worried your kid forgets everything they've learnt when not at school? Here's how to keep their brain sharp. more
Nut and peanut allergies are the second most common food allergy in children. Kids who are hypersensitive to nuts may have an instant and severe reaction to even the smallest quantity of nuts. Nut allergies are on the rise.
In nut and peanut allergies, like any allergy, the body believes the protein found in nuts is a harmful substance that has to be destroyed. The body releases histamine, the chemical that causes the allergy symptoms.
Nut and peanut allergies can be life-threatening. Exposure to even the smallest quantity of what causes an allergy can result in anaphylaxis, a condition in which the child can stop breathing. An immediate injection of adrenaline can combat the allergic reaction.
You can't prevent food allergies, but you can help prevent further allergic reactions by ensuring that your child avoids foods containing nuts. Although there is no guarantee that a child allergic to peanuts will be allergic to all tree nuts, it may be best to avoid them just to be safe.
Symptoms of a nut or peanut allergy may include:
If your child has already had an allergic reaction to nuts and/or peanuts, make sure she wears an alert bracelet. Let her school know about her allergy so that they can help her avoid foods containing nuts. Teach your child how important it is to avoid foods with nuts. Read food labels carefully. You might also want to talk to your doctor about carrying an EpiPen, an emergency dose of injectable adrenaline in case of a severe reaction.
Call the doctor for a diagnosis if you suspect your child has a nut allergy. If your child has any of the following symptoms, seek immediate medical treatment as these may be signs of a life-threatening reaction called anaphylaxis:
Written by Rebecca Stigall for Kidspot, Australia's parenting resource for family health. Sources include Better Health Channel, NSW Health and Health Insite.
Last revised: Wednesday, 20 January 2010
This article contains general information only and is not intended to replace advice from a qualified health professional.


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Mail: Southern statues symbolize suppession
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Robertson and Delsing re-elected chair, vice chair of NWB
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Objections convinced the North Platte City Council Tuesday to delay new regulations for mobile homes that are moved around or into the city.
The ordinance was up for a second reading of three.
Councilman Andrew Lee moved to suspend the rules and pass the ordinance, with Martin Steinbeck seconding.
That was stifled by further discussion and objections from the council. The motion didnt make it to a vote. Lee was convinced to withdraw his motion.
We need to work through the issues with the ordinance and bring it back to the council later," City Administrator Jim Hawks said.
Much discussion was sparked by an e-mail from a citizen pointing out that by the way the ordinance is written, many of the requirements are too restrictive. The council agreed that the email brought up some valid problems with the wording of the ordinance, although not all the things mentioned in the e-mail were valid.
Under the proposed standards, a mobile home must have at least 900 square feet of floor area, solid roof, straight walls, be rust free, with solid floors and utility lines that meet code, among similar requirements.
The regulation is considered to be a step in combating substandard housing in North Platte.
But councilman Jim Carman said it is too restrictive.
It seems to me this is so tightly written that many of the mobile homes already in North Platte could not be moved because they do not meet the standards, Carman said. Even older ones that are in good condition could not be moved. I have no problem regulating mobile homes, but the wording of this ordinance needs to be thought out more carefully. It is too much of an imposition on citizens and I disagree with it.
Why are we applying 2012 standards to older trailers? asked councilman Tim Barrett. We are applying new codes to older homes. We need to re-look at this.
Douglas Nelson, manager of Riverside Park, told the council that he has only two trailers in his park, but his empty lots are too small for a mobile home that complies with size requirements of the new codes.
Judy Clark of the Development Department reminded the council that if someone wants to move a stick built house in North Platte, even if it was built in 1947, it has to meet the todays standards when it is moved.
Clark also agreed that the issues need to be ironed out and given to her so she has a direction to go with changes.
Councilman Glenn Petersen moved to table the ordinance until the first meeting in March so a work session could be held. The council unanimously agreed.
911 surcharge
Also, the required three-reading rule was suspended on a new city ordinance imposing a uniform surcharge for 911 services, which passed on second reading.
The new ordinance has become necessary due to changes to state statutes and new telephone technology.
A law change has caused some telephone companies to take the position that they do not have to forward the 911 surcharge to the city.
The revised ordinance will address that. The existing surcharge of $1 a month will not change.
Also, the three reading rule was again suspended and an ordinance was passed on the second reading to create an airport hazard area with minimum distances for airplane traffic at North Platte Regional Airport/Lee Bird Field.
The ordinance limits the height and location of structures within the airspace, in a 10-mile runway approach area and inside a three-mile radial turning zone above the airport.
At the previous council meeting, Airport Manager Mike Sharkey said this is primarily to protect the airspace over and around airports to stop construction of structures that would be so tall as to extend into required safe zones.
The Nebraska Legislature enacted a revised statute the requires every political subdivision that has a comprehensive plan and zoning regulations, and has an airport hazard area, to adopt, administer and enforce regulations for airport hazard areas.
This ordinance received a unanimous recommendation on Dec. 17 from the planning commission.
In other business, the council:
Unanimously approved requests from Adams Bank & Trust, Bank of the West, Equitable Bank, Farmers State Bank of Wallace and North Platte, First National Bank of North Platte, Great Western Bank, NebraskaLand National Bank, Nebraska Public Agency Investment Trust, Sandhills State Bank, U.S. Bank and Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. to be designated as depository banks for city funds for 2014.
Flatrock Publishing, Inc.
1300 E 4th St., Suite F
North Platte, NE 69101


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40 CFR Appendix Q to Part 50, Reference Method for the Determination of Lead in Particulate Matter as PM10 Collected From Ambient Air
This Federal Reference Method (FRM) draws heavily from the specific analytical protocols used by the U.S. EPA.
1. Applicability and Principle
1.1 This method provides for the measurement of the lead (Pb) concentration in particulate matter that is 10 micrometers or less (PM10) in ambient air. PM10 is collected on an acceptable (see section 6.1.2) 46.2 mm diameter polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) filter for 24 hours using active sampling at local conditions with a low-volume air sampler. The low-volume sampler has an average flow rate of 16.7 liters per minute (Lpm) and total sampled volume of 24 cubic meters (m 3) of air. The analysis of Pb in PM10 is performed on each individual 24-hour sample. Gravimetric mass analysis of PM10c filters is not required for Pb analysis. For the purpose of this method, PM10 is defined as particulate matter having an aerodynamic diameter in the nominal range of 10 micrometers (10 µm) or less.
1.2 For this reference method, PM10 shall be collected with the PM10c federal reference method (FRM) sampler as described in appendix O to Part 50 using the same sample period, measurement procedures, and requirements specified in appendix L of Part 50. The PM10c sampler is also being used for measurement of PM10−2.5 mass by difference and as such, the PM10c sampler must also meet all of the performance requirements specified for PM2.5 in appendix L. The concentration of Pb in the atmosphere is determined in the total volume of air sampled and expressed in micrograms per cubic meter (µg/m 3) at local temperature and pressure conditions.
1.3 The FRM will serve as the basis for approving Federal Equivalent Methods (FEMs) as specified in 40 CFR Part 53 (Reference and Equivalent Methods). This FRM specifically applies to the analysis of Pb in PM10 filters collected with the PM10c sampler. If these filters are analyzed for elements other than Pb, then refer to the guidance provided in the EPA Inorganic Compendium Method IO-3.3 (Reference 1 of section 8) for multi-element analysis.
1.4 The PM10c air sampler draws ambient air at a constant volumetric flow rate into a specially shaped inlet and through an inertial particle size separator, where the suspended particulate matter in the PM10 size range is separated for collection on a PTFE filter over the specified sampling period. The Pb content of the PM10 sample is analyzed by energy-dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectrometry (EDXRF). Energy-dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectrometry provides a means for identification of an element by measurement of its characteristic X-ray emission energy. The method allows for quantification of the element by measuring the intensity of X-rays emitted at the characteristic photon energy and then relating this intensity to the elemental concentration. The number or intensity of X-rays produced at a given energy provides a measure of the amount of the element present by comparisons with calibration standards. The X-rays are detected and the spectral signals are acquired and processed with a personal computer. EDXRF is commonly used as a non-destructive method for quantifying trace elements in PM. A detailed explanation of quantitative X-ray spectrometry is described in references 2, 3 and 4.
1.5 Quality assurance (QA) procedures for the collection of monitoring data are contained in Part 58, appendix A.
2. PM10Pb Measurement Range and Detection Limit. The values given below in section 2.1 and 2.2 are typical of the method capabilities. Absolute values will vary for individual situations depending on the instrument, detector age, and operating conditions used. Data are typically reported in ng/m 3 for ambient air samples; however, for this reference method, data will be reported in µg/m 3 at local temperature and pressure conditions.
2.1 EDXRF Pb Measurement Range. The typical ambient air measurement range is 0.001 to 30 µg Pb/m 3, assuming an upper range calibration standard of about 60 µg Pb per square centimeter (cm 2), a filter deposit area of 11.86 cm 2, and an air volume of 24 m 3. The top range of the EDXRF instrument is much greater than what is stated here. The top measurement range of quantification is defined by the level of the high concentration calibration standard used and can be increased to expand the measurement range as needed.
2.2 Detection Limit (DL). A typical estimate of the one-sigma detection limit (DL) is about 2 ng Pb/cm 2 or 0.001 µg Pb/m 3, assuming a filter size of 46.2 mm (filter deposit area of 11.86 cm 2) and a sample air volume of 24 m 3. The DL is an estimate of the lowest amount of Pb that can be reliably distinguished from a blank filter. The one-sigma detection limit for Pb is calculated as the average overall uncertainty or propagated error for Pb, determined from measurements on a series of blank filters from the filter lot(s) in use. Detection limits must be determined for each filter lot in use. If a new filter lot is used, then a new DL must be determined. The sources of random error which are considered are calibration uncertainty; system stability; peak and background counting statistics; uncertainty in attenuation corrections; and uncertainty in peak overlap corrections, but the dominating source by far is peak and background counting statistics. At a minimum, laboratories are to determine annual estimates of the DL using the guidance provided in Reference 5.
3. Factors Affecting Bias and Precision of Lead Determination by EDXRF
3.1 Filter Deposit. X-ray spectra are subject to distortion if unusually heavy deposits are analyzed. This is the result of internal absorption of both primary and secondary X-rays within the sample; however, this is not an issue for Pb due to the energetic X-rays used to fluoresce Pb and the energetic characteristic X-rays emitted by Pb. The optimum mass filter loading for multi-elemental EDXRF analyis is about 100 µg/cm 2 or 1.2 mg/filter for a 46.2-mm filter. Too little deposit material can also be problematic due to low counting statistics and signal noise. The particle mass deposit should minimally be 15 µg/cm 2. The maximum PM10 filter loading or upper concentration limit of mass expected to be collected by the PM10c sampler is 200 µg/m 3 (Appendix O to Part 50, Section 3.2). This equates to a mass loading of about 400 µg/cm 2 and is the maximum expected loading for PM10c filters. This maximum loading is acceptable for the analysis of Pb and other high-Z elements with very energetic characteristic X-rays. A properly collected sample will have a uniform deposit over the entire collection area. Samples with physical deformities (including a visually non-uniform deposit area) should not be quantitatively analyzed. Tests on the uniformity of particle deposition on PM10C filters showed that the non-uniformity of the filter deposit represents a small fraction of the overall uncertainty in ambient Pb concentration measurement. The analysis beam of the XRF analyzer does not cover the entire filter collection area. The minimum allowable beam size is 10 mm.
3.2 Spectral Interferences and Spectral Overlap. Spectral interference occurs when the entirety of the analyte spectral lines of two species are nearly 100% overlapped. The presence of arsenic (As) is a problematic interference for EDXRF systems which use the Pb Lα line exclusively to quantify the Pb concentration. This is because the Pb Lα line and the As Kα lines severely overlap. The use of multiple Pb lines, including the Lβ and/or the Lγ lines for quantification must be used to reduce the uncertainty in the Pb determination in the presence of As. There can be instances when lines partially overlap the Pb spectral lines, but with the energy resolution of most detectors these overlaps are typically de-convoluted using standard spectral de-convolution software provided by the instrument vendor. An EDXRF protocol for Pb must define which Pb lines are used for quantification and where spectral overlaps occur. A de-convolution protocol must be used to separate all the lines which overlap with Pb.
3.3 Particle Size Effects and Attenuation Correction Factors. X-ray attenuation is dependent on the X-ray energy, mass sample loading, composition, and particle size. In some cases, the excitation and fluorescent X-rays are attenuated as they pass through the sample. In order to relate the measured intensity of the X-rays to the thin-film calibration standards used, the magnitude of any attenuation present must be corrected for. See references 6, 7, and 8 for more discussion on this issue. Essentially no attenuation corrections are necessary for Pb in PM10: Both the incoming excitation X-rays used for analyzing lead and the fluoresced Pb X-rays are sufficiently energetic that for particles in this size range and for normal filter loadings, the Pb X-ray yield is not significantly impacted by attenuation.
4. Precision
4.1 Measurement system precision is assessed according to the procedures set forth in appendix A to part 58. Measurement method precision is assessed from collocated sampling and analysis. The goal for acceptable measurement uncertainty, as precision, is defined as an upper 90 percent confidence limit for the coefficient of variation (CV) of 20 percent.
5. Bias
5.1 Measurement system bias for monitoring data is assessed according to the procedures set forth in appendix A of part 58. The bias is assessed through an audit using spiked filters. The goal for measurement bias is defined as an upper 95 percent confidence limit for the absolute bias of 15 percent.
6. Measurement of PTFE Filters by EDXRF
6.1 Sampling
6.1.1 Low-Volume PM10cSampler. The low-volume PM10c sampler shall be used for PM10 sample collection and operated in accordance with the performance specifications described in part 50, appendix L.
6.1.2 PTFE Filters and Filter Acceptance Testing. The PTFE filters used for PM10c sample collection shall meet the specifications provided in part 50, appendix L. The following requirements are similar to those currently specified for the acceptance of PM2.5 filters that are tested for trace elements by EDXRF. For large filter lots (greater than 500 filters) randomly select 20 filters from a given lot. For small lots (less than 500 filters) a lesser number of filters may be taken. Analyze each blank filter separately and calculate the average lead concentration in ng/cm 2. Ninety percent, or 18 of the 20 filters, must have an average lead concentration that is less than 4.8 ng Pb/cm 2.
184.108.40.206 Filter Blanks. Field blank filters shall be collected along with routine samples. Field blank filters will be collected that are transported to the sampling site and placed in the sampler for the duration of sampling without sampling. Laboratory blank filters from each filter lot used shall be analyzed with each batch of routine sample filters analyzed. Laboratory blank filters are used in background subtraction as discussed below in Section 6.2.4.
6.2 Analysis. The four main categories of random and systematic error encountered in X-ray fluorescence analysis include errors from sample collection, the X-ray source, the counting process, and inter-element effects. These errors are addressed through the calibration process and mathematical corrections in the instrument software. Spectral processing methods are well established and most commercial analyzers have software that can implement the most common approaches (references 9-11) to background subtraction, peak overlap correction, counting and deadtime corrections.
6.2.1 EDXRF Analysis Instrument. An energy-dispersive XRF system is used. Energy-dispersive XRF systems are available from a number of commercial vendors. Examples include Thermo (www.thermo.com), Spectro (http://www.spectro.com), Xenemetrix (http://www.xenemetrix.com) and PANalytical (http://www.panalytical.com). 1 The analysis is performed at room temperature in either vacuum or in a helium atmosphere. The specific details of the corrections and calibration algorithms are typically included in commercial analytical instrument software routines for automated spectral acquisition and processing and vary by manufacturer. It is important for the analyst to understand the correction procedures and algorithms of the particular system used, to ensure that the necessary corrections are applied.
1 These are examples of available systems and is not an all inclusive list. The mention of commercial products does not imply endorsement by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
6.2.2 Thin film standards. Thin film standards are used for calibration because they most closely resemble the layer of particles on a filter. Thin films standards are typically deposited on Nuclepore substrates. The preparation of thin film standards is discussed in reference 8, and 10. The NIST SRM 2783 (Air Particulate on Filter Media) is currently available on polycarbonate filters and contains a certified concentration for Pb. Thin film standards at 15 and 50 µg/cm 2 are commercially available from MicroMatter Inc. (Arlington, WA).
6.2.3 Filter Preparation. Filters used for sample collection are 46.2-mm PTFE filters with a pore size of 2 microns and filter deposit area 11.86 cm 2. Cold storage is not a requirement for filters analyzed for Pb; however, if filters scheduled for XRF analysis were stored cold, they must be allowed to reach room temperature prior to analysis. All filter samples received for analysis are checked for any holes, tears, or a non-uniform deposit which would prevent quantitative analysis. Samples with physical deformities are not quantitatively analyzable. The filters are carefully removed with tweezers from the Petri dish and securely placed into the instrument-specific sampler holder for analysis. Care must be taken to protect filters from contamination prior to analysis. Filters must be kept covered when not being analyzed. No other preparation of filter samples is required.
6.2.4 Calibration. In general, calibration determines each element's sensitivity, i.e., its response in x-ray counts/sec to each µg/cm 2 of a standard and an interference coefficient for each element that causes interference with another one (See section 3.2 above). The sensitivity can be determined by a linear plot of count rate versus concentration (µg/cm 2) in which the slope is the instrument's sensitivity for that element. A more precise way, which requires fewer standards, is to fit sensitivity versus atomic number. Calibration is a complex task in the operation of an XRF system. Two major functions accomplished by calibration are the production of reference spectra which are used for fitting and the determination of the elemental sensitivities. Included in the reference spectra (referred to as "shapes") are background-subtracted peak shapes of the elements to be analyzed (as well as interfering elements) and spectral backgrounds. Pure element thin film standards are used for the element peak shapes and clean filter blanks from the same lot as routine filter samples are used for the background. The analysis of Pb in PM filter deposits is based on the assumption that the thickness of the deposit is small with respect to the characteristic Pb X-ray transmission thickness. Therefore, the concentration of Pb in a sample is determined by first calibrating the spectrometer with thin film standards to determine the sensitivity factor for Pb and then analyzing the unknown samples under identical excitation conditions as used to determine the calibration. Calibration shall be performed annually or when significant repairs or changes occur (e.g., a change in fluorescers, X-ray tubes, or detector). Calibration establishes the elemental sensitivity factors and the magnitude of interference or overlap coefficients. See reference 7 for more detailed discussion of calibration and analysis of shapes standards for background correction, coarse particle absorption corrections, and spectral overlap.
184.108.40.206 Spectral Peak Fitting. The EPA uses a library of pure element peak shapes (shape standards) to extract the elemental background-free peak areas from an unknown spectrum. It is also possible to fit spectra using peak stripping or analytically defined functions such as modified Gaussian functions. The EPA shape standards are generated from pure, mono-elemental thin film standards. The shape standards are acquired for sufficiently long times to provide a large number of counts in the peaks of interest. It is not necessary for the concentration of the standard to be known. A slight contaminant in the region of interest in a shape standard can have a significant and serious effect on the ability of the least squares fitting algorithm to fit the shapes to the unknown spectrum. It is these elemental peak shapes that are fitted to the peaks in an unknown sample during spectral processing by the analyzer. In addition to this library of elemental shapes there is also a background shape spectrum for the filter type used as discussed below in section 22.214.171.124 of this section.
220.127.116.11 Background Measurement and Correction. A background spectrum generated by the filter itself must be subtracted from the X-ray spectrum prior to extracting peak areas. Background spectra must be obtained for each filter lot used for sample collection. The background shape standards which are used for background fitting are created at the time of calibration. If a new lot of filters is used, new background spectra must be obtained. A minimum of 20 clean blank filters from each filter lot are kept in a sealed container and are used exclusively for background measurement and correction. The spectra acquired on individual blank filters are added together to produce a single spectrum for each of the secondary targets or fluorescers used in the analysis of lead. Individual blank filter spectra which show atypical contamination are excluded from the summed spectra. The summed spectra are fitted to the appropriate background during spectral processing. Background correction is automatically included during spectral processing of each sample.
7. Calculation.
7.1 PM10Pb concentrations. The PM10 Pb concentration in the atmosphere (µg/m 3) is calculated using the following equation:
7.2 PM10Pb Uncertainty Calculations.
The principal contributors to total uncertainty of XRF values include: field sampling; filter deposit area; XRF calibration; attenuation or loss of the x-ray signals due to the other components of the particulate sample; and determination of the Pb X-ray emission peak area by curve fitting. See reference 12 for a detailed discussion of how uncertainties are similarly calculated for the PM2.5 Chemical Speciation program.
The model for calculating total uncertainty is:
8. References
1. Inorganic Compendium Method IO-3.3; Determination of Metals in Ambient Particulate Matter Using X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF) Spectroscopy; U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Cincinnati, OH 45268. EPA/625/R-96/010a. June 1999.
2. Jenkins, R., Gould, R.W., and Gedcke, D. Quantitative X-ray Spectrometry: Second Edition. Marcel Dekker, Inc., New York, NY. 1995.
3. Jenkins, R. X-Ray Fluorescence Spectrometry: Second Edition in Chemical Analysis, a Series of Monographs on Analytical Chemistry and Its Applications, Volume 152. Editor J.D.Winefordner; John Wiley & Sons, Inc., New York, NY. 1999.
4. Dzubay, T.G. X-ray Fluorescence Analysis of Environmental Samples, Ann Arbor Science Publishers Inc., 1977.
5. Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) 40, Part 136, Appendix B; Definition and Procedure for the Determination of the Method Detection Limit - Revision 1.1.
6. Drane, E.A, Rickel, D.G., and Courtney, W.J., "Computer Code for Analysis X-Ray Fluorescence Spectra of Airborne Particulate Matter," in Advances in X-Ray Analysis, J.R. Rhodes, Ed., Plenum Publishing Corporation, New York, NY, p. 23 (1980).
7. Analysis of Energy-Dispersive X-ray Spectra of Ambient Aerosols with Shapes Optimization, Guidance Document; TR-WDE-06-02; prepared under contract EP-D-05-065 for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, National Exposure Research Laboratory. March 2006.
8. Billiet, J., Dams, R., and Hoste, J. (1980) Multielement Thin Film Standards for XRF Analysis, X-Ray Spectrometry, 9(4): 206-211.
9. Bonner, N.A.; Bazan, F.; and Camp, D.C. (1973). Elemental analysis of air filter samples using x-ray fluorescence. Report No. UCRL-51388. Prepared for U.S. Atomic Energy Commission, by Univ. of Calif., Lawrence Livermore Laboratory, Livermore, CA.
10. Dzubay, T.G.; Lamothe, P.J.; and Yoshuda, H. (1977). Polymer films as calibration standards for X-ray fluorescence analysis. Adv. X-Ray Anal., 20:411.
11. Giauque, R.D.; Garrett, R.B.; and Goda, L.Y. (1977). Calibration of energy-dispersive X-ray spectrometers for analysis of thin environmental samples. In X-Ray Fluorescence Analysis of Environmental Samples, T.G. Dzubay, Ed., Ann Arbor Science Publishers, Ann Arbor, MI, pp. 153-181.
12. Harmonization of Interlaboratory X-ray Fluorescence Measurement Uncertainties, Detailed Discussion Paper; August 4, 2006; prepared for the Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards under EPA contract 68-D-03-038. http://www.epa.gov/ttn/amtic/files/ambient/pm25/spec/xrfdet.pdf.


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Plextor have always had a knack of making good cd burners, but they really have hit the nail on the head with the 12/10/32A. It is the fastest recorder I have ever seen, burning a whole cd in about 4.5 minutes, which compared to my old Iomega that took 19 minutes, is very impressive. It is very solidly made, unlike the flimsy cheap ones you can unfortunately buy by mistake, and the nero software provided, although not the best, is certtainly easy to use. Another good thing is its ability to back up games. I have bought 4 games, and due to them always being borrowed and moved, they get scratched and dont work. If you use clone cd with the new 1.2 firmware you can back up any cd you wish, which is very useful and you wont get any failures due to the burn proof software included. Only bad thing is the price. It varies, but the cheapest I've seen it for is £160. Not terrible, but not cheap, but its worth every penny. I thoroughly reccommend it!
What makes the Plextor PlexWriter 12/10/32A so remarkable is that it not only sets new standards for CD rewrite (10x) and write (12x) speeds, it raises the bar of CD-creation reliability to unprecedented heights. Its £180 estimated price might be high, but you'll more than make up for it with the savings of having no ruined discs. CD-R drives must create audio and data CDs in a continuous write operation, where even a momentary interruption will result in a spoiled CD. Thanks to its Burn-Proof technology, however, the PlexWriter is able to recover from interruptions and resume writing exactly where it left off. This means that you can still use your computer while you burn CDs, knowing that the activity of other programs won't cause the write process to fail. It also means that you can copy files to a CD at 12x, even if the source drive can't sustain such a high continuous data rate. I created an audio CD from MP3 files on a network drive - a source that most CD writers would find too slow at any speed. The PlexWriter finished creating a full disc, despite frequent interruptions, in less than 10 minutes. I tested the IDE drive and it got a WinMark 99 score of 1,080, a read speed that is at the high end for CD-RW drives. It took 6 minutes and 36 seconds to copy a full CD to a CD-R disc, and only 4 minutes and 40 seconds to copy 300MB of data from the hard drive to a CD-RW. Plextor includes a decent software bundle, including Adaptec's Easy CD Creator 4, and its own Plextor Manager 2000 for disc copying, audio-CD creation, and digital audio extraction. Add in Plextor's reputation for quality, and the conclusion is superb. If you want a high-performance CD-RW drive with top-shelf CD-creation reliability, the PlexWriter 12/10/32A is the one to get.
So the Plextor 12/10/32. Let me say that this is the first and only writer I have had, and is probably the last. This isn't only heavily built, but has such a performance, the competition are only just catching up! So lets go through the writer: Features You may be curious to know what 12/10/32 means, here you are: 12 - means the writer can write at a maximum speed of 12x, which is a full CD-R in under 6 minutes (I timed it)!! The discs are CD-R (write once only) 650Mb, 74min, you can get 700Mb which work fine on this writer too. 10 - means the writer can write on CD-RW discs, at 10x, just under 12minutes. You can write over and over with these discs. 32 - means the writer can read (CD/CD-R/CD-RW) discs at 32x, which isn't too bad, the highest you can get is 52x. It even read a disc which was cracked in the middle of the silver ring (the bit which is silver). Headphone socket: plug your headphones in when listening to a audio CD. Volume control: for headphone volume control. The Rear You connect with IDE cable, there are two audio outputs, (analogue and digital). And the jumper selection: Set to master if on a motherboard channel on its own, OR set the other CD-Rom to slave when the CD writer is on the same channel as the CD-ROM drive, if applicable. In The Box YOU GET: The drive Screws Two discs; CD-R and CD-RW Plextor brand Large manual Audio cable Ribbon (IDE) cable CD-ROM install disc, including 'WinOn CD' program. That's about it. What About Performance? Using the WinOn CD program you can create, copy, or back up any data. You can copy from another CD-ROM, add data onto the CD-R, create audio tracks as an audio CD. These loads of features in the program and are fairly easy to use. The writer is an excellent choice for almost anyone. I have been able to create CDs in a matter of minutes. Though not a
ll discs are compatible with the high speed (at first there was a shortage of 12x discs when I bought it!) and the fact that it write on CD-RWs at 10x is amazing. I have seen writers before and none have come with this speed. The competition are just about catching up now!! Build? Oh yeah, its a rock solid writer. The disc tray slowly recoils out, and isn't wobbly like cheaper readers. The front is equally strong, and could take a battering. Price? Okay, its not the cheapest writer around, but its not far off. I got mine for £180! At a computer fair, and its worked every day perfect. So in my view its a great buy, nothing can match it for speed. Burn Proof? This is the icing on the cake. This is a system which is working all the time. You have 2Mb buffer inside the machine, and when it is empty the writer stops at the exact point where the info stopped. So when the info comes through and fills the buffer, the writer begins again. It has never ruined a disc, and never will. I've played games while it writing, and as long as the PC doesn't crash it'll never ruin (quite cheap now) CDs. What more can I say, a perfect writer from Plextor.
Today I will tell you about the Plexwriter 12/10/32. The main difference between the SCSI version is the IDE has a faster CDRW writer at 10x verses the SCSI at 4x. Now the SCSI has a built in 4MB of buffer memory and the IDE has only 2MB. The transfer rate is faster on the SCSI but the IDE has BURN-Proof installed and the SCSI does not. The SCSI needs an SCSI card to be used, while the IDE will more than likely connect on the same cable as your hard drive. Both units can use CloneCD. Due to my good friends, I have seen and used both models, myself I cannot tell any difference between them as far as performance. Both of them write rather fast without any problems. CD Copies Your can legally make a copy of your own CDs, so if something should happen to the copy, you will always have the original. You cannot sell or even give a copy to anyone, the copies are for your personal use only. CloneCD This program will allow you to copy your CDs and make an exact copy of the original. Not all CR writers will work with CloneCD. If your CD writer will work with CloneCD, it will make an exact copy of almost every CD even if it is copy protected. (Almost meaning there is a few it may not copy because of the copy protection.) CloneCD is shareware, so download it free and give it a try, there are some limitations with the shareware version. Be sure to check out the listings of what CD writers will work with CloneCD. The PlexWriter 12/10/32 works great with CloneCD. BURN-Proof BURN-Proof means Buffer-Under-Run Proof. BURN-Proof is hardware and firmware that is resident on the drive control electronics on the CD Writer. Your CD writer has to be made for the BURN-Proof, you cannot just add it. This helps protect you from experiencing Buffer-Under-Run Errors. I look for many manufactures to use the BURN-Proof, it is very effective. The Plexwriter 12/10/3
2A This fast CD writer can write your CDRs at a nice speed of 12x. It will write and rewrite your CDRWs at a fast speed of 10x and read all your CDs at a nice speed of 32x. IDE, EIDE and ATAPI Interface (PIO Mode-4) Access time is 150 ms. Supports Digital Audio Output with a SPDIF output. It will Over-Burn 74 minute and 80 minute CDs. It writes in CD-ROM Modes 1 and 2, CD-DA, CD-XA Form 1 and 2, CD-I, Photo CD, CD-ROM Mixed Mode, Video CD and CD-Text. It is Compatible with Windows 95, 98, NT, 2000 and works with Windows ME. CD Text The Plexwriter 12/10/32 is capable of reading and writing CD Text information. There is extra information on audio CDs like the name of it, the artist and the name of all the songs. A lot of the older CD writers could not write that information over. If you use Nero to write your Mp3 files to audio files, you can have Nero automatically name the songs as listed on the MP 3 file name. You can also list them manually and rename them if you wish. What you get The Plexwriter 12/10/32 IDE CD Writer One blank CDR disk and one blank CDRW disk Mounting Screws One IDE cable Adaptec's Easy CD Creator software PlextorManager 2000 suite of utilities Overall This beauty at one time cost $399 and now can be found for as low as $179. Plextor now has a 16x and 20x CD writer on the market but they are high. With the 12x you can copy a 74-minute CD in 6 to 7 minutes, with the 16x or 20x you will only cut about 1 or 2 minutes writing time off. Don't settle for those $99 CD writers, it is worth the extra $80 to go with this model. For those of you who have an older model you will probably agree, it is at a bargain price. I personally do not like Adaptec's Easy CD Creator that came with it, I highly recommend Nero for all your CD writing. I mig
ht also include CloneCD, it is a very nice program for making exact duplicates.
This is an excellent value product. Not only does it record CD's in next to no time, it is a fast CD drive and very fast re-writer into the bargain. The software that comes with this drive is not one that I had come across before CeQuadrat Win On CD. But it is very easy to use and seems to be extremely powerful. I have not investigated a lot of the features yet but it seems to do more than my old adaptec software. Installation of the drive was very simple, in fact it could not be a lot simpler, just plug it into the EIDE bus and away you go. The best thing about a drive this fast is that it was the only one on the market that was this fast and was still available for EIDE. No messing about with SCSI cards. I have had one of these for about six months now and have been using it frequently with absolutely no problems. I could not recommend this fast reasonable reliable drive any higher. Plus for those of you who have spent lots of time in the past throwing away CD's that did not record properly, thar should all be in teh past now with the burnproof software that comes with it. I do not think I have had any CD's go wrong on me yet! considering I usually burn about 10 a week, that should be a good enough test for anybody.
What an impressive piece of kit this is. Having fitted it myself (piece of cake following the step by step instructions supplied) I installed the software and off we went. No problems at all - ok, lets give this thing a real test, and I'm not talking about anything as easy as buffer under-run! I set it up for a packet copy of audio; let it get into track 8 then induced a warm re-boot! Once the tower had settled down again I started up the Plexwriter and blow me - it took up exactly where it had left off - I freely admit I was gobsmacked, and very, very impressed. Once completed I tested the disc and it was just fine. I rate this as an exceptional piece of kit.
Hello again heres another Product that I have recently purchased and what a gadget it is the Plextor 16xW 10xRW 40xread Burnproof writer. I have purchased this writer over 24 hours ago and i havent stopped grinning since. It is an amazing product for £195 it comes complete with ide cable and audio cables this drive has a connection for spdif audio if your sound card accepts it digital audio and standard audio too.The software is 4 disks with the manual on 1disk as well as 3 diffrent assorted writing utilities (of which i preffer to use CloneCD NOT INCLUDED). The drive does prefer its own ide socket but it can still be shared with no problems as mine shares my dvd drive and I have had no problems so far but you must leave it as the master drive (dont adjust jumper on the back of drive). This drive is exceptionally fast at recording but the down side is there is not much software around that takes to 16 speed writers Disc Juggler accepts 14 speed clonecd accepts 12 speed but hey 4 mins a disc still makes me smile and the really good news is I surf the net and copy a disc with out the worry that its gonna chuck out anymore because they will not. Believe me I have tried to make the drive chuck a disc out but it wont do it it just waits until you are finished and it starts again where it left off. My advise would be if you are in the market for a writer this is the one to go for. Still not convinced then READ ON........... If and i mean if you get any problems at all then you have a 1 year in your home repair or replace guarantee its exellent ring them and they will come to your home and either fix it or replace it no waiting for return drives etc you dont even have to go out of your house. You really cant go wrong with this drive and its pretty future proof too.
The Plexwriter 12/10/32A is, at the time of writing this review, one of the fastest and most reliable CD writers on the market. A quick tour around PC World will tell you it is more expensive than other writers (typically, my local PC World don't stock the Plextor) but the extra investment is well worth it. You can buy this unit for just under £200 including VAT from Jungle.com. For this price you get: - the 12/10/32 CD-R/W Unit - CD recording software: WinOnCD, Packet CD & BackMeUp - Plextor utility software (Plextools) - Instruction manual - Audio cable, mounting screws, E-IDE cable - 1 blank CD-R & i blank CD-R/W As the name implies, the Plexwriter writes at 12 speed, re-writes at 10 speed and reads at 32 speed. This means you can write to a 650MB CD in about 5 minutes, or re-write in about 7 minutes. That's fast, believe me! The Plexwriter includes a 2MB data buffer with "burn-proof" technology. This means that if data is sent too quickly to the device, it senses if the buffer is about to be all used up and pauses the recording, and by avoiding such "buffer under-runs", results in far fewer wasted CD's. In fact, I have had a 100% success rate so far! The build quality of the unit is very good. The tray is solid and eject mechanism smooth. I was very re-assured by the excellent warranty, which was 12 months with on-site collection and return service. The instruction manual was reasonable and I found the installation procedure very straightforward. My one criticism would be that the clarity of the installation instructions could be improved. It's fine if you're used to wipping the case off your PC and installing new hardware, but for computer novices, the manual is a touch presumptious. As for the bundled software, it all installed very easily with no problems. Of the three packages, I have only used the WinOnCD, so will restrict my observat
ions to that. I am sure there may be better packages on the market and I would advise you to stick to what you know and trust, but I have been pretty impressed by WinOnCD. It comes with a very clear manual in .pdf format. Also, for the novice, it has a very useful Wizard mode that takes you through each step of the process until you feel comfortable using the software without the wizard. In summary, a great prduct, I would highly recommend it.
Yes I agree this is the best CD RW device which i have come across to date. It burns relilable at 12x onto unbranded disks, and onto to CDRW's at 10x speed, but alas for me this is limited to 4x speed as the majority of my CDRW disks are old. This unit does however need a fast processor and harddisk combination, and the computer to be defragged regularly, as even though it does have the burn proof technology (licenced from sanyo) which is meant to prevent buffer under-runs. it doesnt always do so, especially if you have loads of stuff on your drives and they are fragmented. I have experienced a buffer level falling continually to zero, and a coaster being burnt, but a defrag sorted this out, and it was back up to 12x speed writing !
This CD RW is the dogs BOL###KS. It writes at a blistering speed of 12x, rewrites at up to 10x and will read disks at up to 32x, making it one of the quickest drives on the market. It also features the burn proof technology which means that it will stop writing if it thinks a buffer underun is going to occur therefore preventing you from setting up a coaster factory. I am successfully burning 80min CD disks bought unbranded from a computer fair for just £30 per 100 with no problems. I will however say that the drive DOES like to be on its own IDE channel.
A few years ago the world was amazed with the idea of copying a compact disc on your home computer. Since then, a barrage of companies have jumped on the band wagon and produced their own CD recording drive. Growing from the turtle-like 1x to blazing fast 12x SCSI recorders, consumers have experienced every speed possible in these optical storage units. Until last week, a 12x write speed (1.8 Mbps) was only accessible by a CDRW that utilized the SCSI interface. Opening a new market, Plextor, a well known manufacturer of CDRW drives, introduced the world's first 12x CDRW that takes advantage of the IDE connection. The drive is virtually the same as Plextor's original 12x SCSI CDRW, only with an IDE connector. Lets see what the drive offers... E-IDE (ATAPI-4) interface 12X CD-R, 10X CD-RW, 32X max CD-ROM 150ms Average Random Access 2 MB Buffer Capable of Digital Audio Extraction at 24X max Burn-Proof technology eliminates buffer underrun errors in fast write modes Windows 95/98/2000 and NT4.0 One of the features that sticks out from other drives is the "Burn-Proof" technology that guarantees a perfectly burned CD every time the drive is used. The main problem that this new tech fixes are buffer underrun errors that occur when the source can't send data to the recorder at high speeds (i.e. at 12x). Although this error does not occur that often with 8x drives, moving up to 12x requires this safety net because people may be copying from slow CDROM drives or slow hard drives. Aside from this new feature, everything else on the drive is standard relative to most optical drives. The recorder works at 32x maximum read speed and a very speedy 10x (1.6 Mbps) re-write speed. With a 2 MB Buffer and 150 ms seek time, it will serve as a decent drive from a non-recording point of view. There is only one way to show the audacity of this drive and that is to show how fast it burns. Plextor promises a 6 mi
nute burn for a packed 650 MB CD. Can they honor their promises? Indeed they can. I decided to backup a few of my games onto a CD. Measuring up to 645 MB, I used Adaptec's Easy CD Creator and began making the CD. After 5 minutes and 45 seconds, the flawless disc was done. The numbers don't lie folks...that's an amazing burn. However appealing the sub six minute burn time is, don't be fooled by it's glamour. The drive is very taxing on system resources and doesn't allow for much other multi-tasking to occur during the burn. When running the CD Tach 99 test, the CPU utilization went up to 43 percent. In addition to this, I put the drive in an Athlon 800 system that had 384 MB of PC133 SDRAM and was only running Explorer at the time, nothing else. When just running explorer, the system resources were up to 98 percent free. When performing a burn at 12x, the system resources dropped down to 63 percent. That leaves a good deal of room for other items, but multi-tasking becomes a slow and arduous process. Aside from the resource hog that the drive is, it performed amazingly well. I burned eleven CDs ranging from data to music, all at 12x and never once encountered a problem or a bad disc. This is an excellent drive if you're willing to surpass one more barrier - the price. Plextor has given this unit an MSRP of £229.99 and has began shipping them to resellers for hopeful price breaks. In the end, if you want the best possible IDE CDRW drive and don't care about money, this is the one to get. However, if money is a factor, you may want to look into Plextor's 8x drive right here. Overall, I give the drive an eight of ten with the two point loss coming from the price and system taxation.


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This could get interesting. NE is one of the best teams we'll face this year, but they aren't without their warts. Your first inclination is to assume that Indy will get fairly handled, especially since it's in NE. BUT.... there's some things lining up here.
First, guess who has a better record as of right now? NE? You'd be wrong!
1) Indy's D isn't great, but it's balanced. It's middle-of-the-pack. We stop the run and the pass almost equally.
2) NE has a defensive imbalance. They play the run well while not playing the pass well at all.
3) Indy's offense is pass-happy, and not entirely effective running the ball. What this means is... NE's weakness, just happens to be one our strengths. NE's strength on D just so happens to be a part of our offense we don't necessarily have to rely on, as proven this year by Mr. Luck.
4) NE's offense is much more balanced and strong.
So NE's very good balanced offense is going up against our medium-to-good defense. NE likely won't tromp all over Indy, but I expect they'll still get close to their normal output.
Indy's offense, however, could really have a field day against their pass defense.
Indy also has a week and a half to recover and gameplan; its almost like having a bye week. We play a little worse when on the road, however.
The head says that NE will probly win this. But the heart says, Indy could really do something here. I'm goin with both. This will be one of our toughest games to date. If this was played in Indy, I might even go so far as to say Indy had the overall advantage. But it's in NE... it's gonna be ugly there.
Luck could really put on a show, tho.


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Burton Shearwater Boardshort
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You spend just as much time getting barrelled as the guys, perhaps even more, and the women's Burton Shearwater Short know this. Or maybe you just want a pair of comfortable cotton/nylon stretch fabric shorts with a back pocket and a zipper fly? That's a very specific request, but we're not here to judge.
- Cotton/Nylon Stretch Fabric
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- Regular Fit
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- 1-Year Warranty


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Market Watch: Asian Pears
Also known as "apple pears" these crunchy, yet juicy fruits are a seasonal treat to savor! Gobble 'em up while you can.
There are more than 5,000 kinds of pears, including 100 of the Asian variety. They're round and crisp like apples (hence the name) but have an unmistakable pear flavor. Even when ripe, they're crunchy, so they'll hold up in a fruit salad. Other delicious pear ideas:
- Roast or sauté with a sprinkle of cinnamon for an oatmeal topper
- Make a batch of apple and pear muffins and store in the freezer for a grab-n-go breakfast.
Dana Angelo White, MS, RD, ATC, is a registered dietitian, certified athletic trainer and owner of Dana White Nutrition, Inc., which specializes in culinary and sports nutrition.


text: Tall lightweight oxford shirt in solid Item C4274 Size: All sizes are US sizes. Size Charts Quantity: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Prices do not include taxes. Add to Bag Wishlist Add to Bag Add To Wishlist share: size & fit Classic fit. For the taller guy, this shirt is 2" longer in the body and sleeves. Product Details There's nothing quite like a well-worn oxford (and few shirts age better—the frays, the fades...these are the kinds of details we love). Not only is it comfortable, it's the perfect way to nail the "I have a yacht" look. This one is made in a lightweight fabric with a looser weave that works particularly well during summertime heat waves. Cotton. Button-down collar. Machine wash. Import. Online only. Item C4274.


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Quantum Celebrates 30 Years of Curls
Quantum, the venerable texture brand from Zotos Professional, is celebrating its 30th anniversary in 2013.
Zotos has been a leader in the curl and texture segment since the company discovered that controlled chemical heat could replace the old permanent wave machines. Zotos launched the Quantum brand in 1983 with four perms: Classic Body, Extra Body, Firm Options and Ultra Firm. The original four formulas are still best sellers in the current line-up that includes 15 specific formulas.
The Quantum 5 formulas offer improved curl definition, shine, condition, color retention and scent. Quantum perms can be used to achieve a variety of textures from soft waves to spirals on all hair types, including color treated.
Zotos will celebrate Quantum's 30 years with a special promotional offer in October, 2013. Quantum perms are available at Sally Beauty and CosmoProf stores. Visit zotos.com.


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Mourners Gather At Fallen NYPD Officer's Funeral
Family, friends, and fellow officers will gather on Long Island today to say a final goodbye to a city police officer who was gunned down last week in Brooklyn. The funeral for Officer Peter Figoski will take place at 11 a.m. at the Parish of St. Joseph Church in Babylon. Mayor Michael Bloomberg was among the hundreds who paid their respects on the second day of Figoski's wake yesterday. Police say Figoski, 47, was shot in the face by Lamont Pride, 27, during a botched robbery last Monday morning in Cypress Hills. Pride is charged with first and second degree murder in Figoski's death. Read More: NY1
Kim Jong Ils death rocks North Korea, gives region jitters
It was the scenario strategists from Beijing to Washington fretted over: Kim Jong Il's sudden death befalls North Korea, before the isolated regime completed a power transfer to his young son and rejoined disarmament talks with the US. With news of Kim's death Monday, the impoverished country with a nuclear program plunged further into uncertainty, raising risks for the region. Read More: New York Post
Roughin' it to roofin' it
Sheryl-Ann Peters' occupation was never televised. But unlike Occupy Wall Street protesters — who recently seized a vacant East New York home and moved in a homeless family — her housing takeover was entirely legal. Peters became a first-time homeowner last month thanks to an affordable-housing program for neighborhoods hardest hit by the housing crisis. The city bought the vacant, foreclosed, three-bedroom in St. Albans, Queens in August 2010 for $266,833 under a federal housing program. It added $177,190 worth of renovations, bringing the total worth to $444,023. Read More: Daily News
FDNY: Five Firefighters Injured In Brooklyn Brownstone Fire
Five city firefighters were hospitalized Monday while fighting a two-alarm fire in brooklyn. The New York City Fire Department says crews responded to a three-story brownstone located at 1102 Prospect Place in Crown Heights just after 9 a.m. Two firefighters were taken to Cornell Burn Center, one of whom suffered burns over 40 percent of his body. Three others were also injured. No civilians were hurt. The fire was under control in about an hour. Read More: NY1
Sources: Cornell Wins Bid For Roosevelt Island Tech Campus
Cornell University is about to become the winner of a competition to build a new science and engineering campus in the city, sources tell NY1. An official announcement from Mayor Michael Bloomberg is expected later today. The city has offered free land on Roosevelt Island and up to $100 million worth of infrastructure. In a major sign of strength, the Cornell bid received a $350 million anonymous donation to help build the campus. Stanford University — another top contender — announced Friday it was pulling its bid. Columbia and NYU were also in the running. Read More: NY1
Brooklyn Man Awaits Arraignment For Burning Woman Alive
A Brooklyn man is expected to be arraigned today on charges he killed a woman by setting her on fire in her apartment building elevator. Jerome Issac, 47, is charged with murder and arson. Police say he turned himself in yesterday reeking of gasoline and saying he set a fire. Investigators believe he waited for Deloris Gillespie, 73, on the fifth floor of her building in Prospect Heights Saturday afternoon. Police say Isaac is the man seen in surveillance photos. When the elevator doors opened, they say Isaac sprayed Gillespie with a liquid accelerant, and kept spraying after she crouched down. They say he lit a Molotov cocktail and set Gillespie on fire, then tossed the flaming bottle in the elevator and kept spraying the victim. Read More: NY1
Haggerty sent to prison for 1 and 1/3 years for Bloomberg campaign cash theft
Disgraced political consultant John Haggerty — described by his own lawyer as broke, divorced and dishonored — was sentenced this morning to serve at least one and one-third years — and as much as four years — in prison for stealing hundreds of thousands of dollars in campaign cash from Mayor Bloomberg. The sentence was handed down by Manhattan Supreme Court Justice Ronald Zweibel, and immediately enacted, with Haggerty being cuffed and led away to a back holding cell for processing. The sentence covers Haggerty's October conviction for money laundering and second degree grand larceny. Read More: New York Post


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The Evolution of Camouflage
To fully appreciate these documents, consider their era. Possessing these documents without authorization would violate the national security laws of two nations: Canada (where it was built) and the United States (who footed the bill). Back then there was a possible saucer gap, and the Cold War solidified the American posture of secrecy that started in World War II. There are tens of millions of classified documents still out there that could be released.
The Emerging Threats to U.S. Stealth Jets


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Who is really doing well in retail? We've heard the latest out of Macy's (M), Wal-Mart (WMT), Target (TGT), J.C. Penney (JCP), Kohl's (KSS) and, last night, on Mad Money, Ascena (ASNA) (don't laugh they are that big now after a spate of acquisitions) and we know things have gotten tough. My feeling is with the fiscal cliff looming to the point of being mainstream that your take-home pay is going to be reduced by a shocking amount if there is no deal -- things are not going to get any better.
Which is why the lululemon athletica (LULU) number yesterday was so astounding. Of course, we had to go through the usual rigmarole to see this. A spectacular 18% comp-store sales gain -- best I have seen from any company -- coupled with terrific gross margins looked like enough to send the stock to the low $70s. But the downbeat high-single-digit comp-store projections stopped the elephant in its tracks and then sent it down to the high $60s.
Until the conference call began.
On that conference call, you realized five things very quickly about LULU:
- The runway here is gigantic. LULU has about 200 stores in the U.S. and could triple that if it wants to.
- The men's business is coming on strong, even if it is only 12% of total revenues.
- The international ramp is just beginning, and it could be much bigger than the U.S.
- LULU itself is a real proselytizer for the activities for which its clothes are meant: Yoga. They have a great anecdote about what happened to the town of Columbus, Ohio, when LULU opened; a cornucopia of yoga studios opened. It just didn't seem like a fad.
- It has a clean inventory posture, so even if the fiscal cliff dents spending, it appeals to those that are wealthy -- the price points are ridiculous -- and the company wouldn't have to take markdowns.
LULU is in an unenviable position once shared by Chipotle (CMG) and Whole Foods (WFM): It's growing so much faster than anyone else it gets a multiple that is tough to justify: 40x next year's growth rate. That's because mutual fund managers are always looking for the highest growth name and then deciding that it might be inexpensive on a multiple basis in the outyears -- let's call them 20145-2015. Eventually, that game ends as it did for Whole Foods when the law of large numbers made it impossible to keep blowing numbers away and it ended for Chipotle with a rapid deceleration of same-store sales.
Both could happen to LULU and its high, short base -- 14% of shares -- shows you how the bet continues to be made.
But that bet was unrequited this quarter because this company, even at $10 billion, has more going for it in a secular fashion -- the strength of the health movements with which it is heavily identified, and the technology of the clothes, which is regarded as unique and more innovative than any other clothier out there, including Under Armour (UA).
So, the ardor continues, the shorts get confounded and, yes, once again, those who don't bother to wait until the conference call were smoked to smithereens.


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A Commodity-Minded View of Oil Stocks
As a 25-year vet of the oil markets, I see things that most oil analysts don't, even though some of them are not so hard to spot. So when I make recommendations in the energy space, it is through a different prism than that of most of the Wall Street crew, with the underlying commodity foremost in mind.
I can't put you in my head or give you the benefit of my 25 years in the game through columns, but I can show you a few of the many extra factors that I look at that others don't and make you more capable of making your own decisions on what to buy in the energy sector. What I'm always trying hard to do here at Real Money is to get you away from the "crowd think" on stock-picking and get you a unique perspective that will hopefully make you money....424 more words left in this article. To read them, just click below and try Real Money FREE for 14 days.
There's no substitute for a trading floor to get great ideas, so Jim Cramer created a better one at Real Money and blogs there exclusively. We then added legendary hedge fund manager, Doug Kass, with his exclusive Daily Diary and best investing ideas. Staffed with more than 4 dozen investing pros, money managers, journalists and analysts, Real Money Pro gives you a flood of opinions, analysis and actionable trading advice found nowhere else, and allows you to interact directly with each expert.
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Browse Valances
Refine Your Search
Choose Your Colors
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Crown your windows with stylish curtain valances! Let these trendy toppers add glamour to your panes, or pair them with matching drapes. Take your pick from gathered, tailored or even swag styles.
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Living Room, Bathroom and Kitchen Valances
Soften the look of any window in your home. Valances lend splashes of color to the upper part of your panes. Shop an array of valance styles, and find the perfect topper for your window. Our selection of valance window treatments includes swag, gathered and tailored designs. Swag valances drape beautifully and include standard swag, fan, scarf, empire and waterfall valances. Gathered valances have a pleasing gathered appearance and include standard gathered, tuck, Bradford and blouson valances. Tailored valances have a neat, clean look and include standard tailored valances and banner valances. Browse a wealth of valance ideas, from calming coastal stripes to punchy floral prints.
You can change the atmosphere of a room completely with the right topper. Waterfall valances weave a regal flourish along your curtain rod, while swags accent a sunlit pane for a warm, inviting look. Only covering the top portion of windows, these treatments won't block the view or natural lighting. Plus, they provide just the right amount of privacy. For a more polished look, coordinate your drapes with window valances. A linen-colored shade layered beneath your valance adds privacy without distracting from the main attraction.
How to Measure for Valances
So how many valances do you need for your window? First, measure the width of your window, including any outside trim in your measurements. Round the window width to the nearest inch, then multiply it by 2 (or 3, for added fullness!) Finally, divide this new number by the width of the valances. Round to the nearest whole number. This should tell you how many valances you need to purchase.
In the kitchen, valances can add a homey, country feel. Accented with fruit patterns or even delicate lacework, your panes will play up your surroundings. Semi sheer toppers are ideal for bathrooms, especially those with a beachy vibe. Finally, go for nautical stripes, embroidered butterflies or dainty magnolias, if your living room could use a dash of pizazz.
Spruce up Windows with Curtain Valances
Valances for windows are a godsend for decorators tackling high-traffic rooms, like kitchens or bathrooms. Curtains that skim or puddle on the floor are not very practical for these areas. Elegant valances, on the other hand, are never underfoot yet still exude grace and style. Browse our rich assortment of colors, from light blue to sophisticated black. For an even more graceful appearance, choose from rod pocket valances and lace valances. Or, go for tie-up valances when you need an adjustable window treatment.
Choose matching curtains and valances to complete your look. Our sheer valances pair well with sheer curtains, tiers or drapes. For a graphic punch, shop our striped valances, floral valances and tropical valances. Drapery accompanied by these lovely window toppers will look quite polished indeed!


text: I bought my '05 civic hybrid about one month ago and have driven almost 1000 miles. I have been getting around 40mpg (regularly registering 41-42mpg on the trip meter that i reset each tank full, the trip metter left from the beginning has 39.3 registered, it had 82 miles when bought. I do find myself watching the real time reading and backing off the pedal where possible to try to keep the reading above 40 wherever possible and find I rarely go over 60-65 MPH on the highway (in town Atlanta so at rush hour I'm often going a LOT slower than that (26 round trip miles to/from work). I definately find I have slowed my driving down considerably but believe I make it home in about the same amount of time. If you read the standard stuff put out by Honda and others, they tell you NOT to use significat gas pedal to get up to speed, which is how I have been doing it, but reading others on boards such as this I see others suggesting getting up to cruising speed more quickly before backing off actual achieves better MPG. I will probably try this my self on the next tank to see what happens but would like to hear more about what others have experienced. Overall I like the car