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LOS ANGELES — A new line of nutrition bars for dogs is on its way to Walmart.
Though the manufacturer, The All American Pet Co., did not mention the retailer by name, it did say that its three SKUs of NutraBars were on their way to "the world's largest retailer" for its first purchase order.
"We can get the retailer, but we can't write the retailer's purchase order," AAPT CEO Barry Schwartz said. "We created the bar and have the capabilities to meet the demand."
The company will be at the Global Pet Expo in Orlando, Fla., which takes place between Feb. 20 to 22 and includes 800 exhibitors and 5,000 retail buyers.


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We display the original MSRP and when applicable the current, reduced purchase price on the ECCO.com website, this means that the merchandise was previously offered at the higher price listed. The strikethrough price is used to identify merchandise marked down from the original MSRP.
Strikethrough prices referenced on this website reflect original offering prices from the ECCO.com website or ECCO's stores and are not necessarily the former price for the merchandise. Intermediate markdowns from the original MSRP price may have been taken.
Percentage reductions are off of original MSRP, except where noted.
Slip into something sleek and chic with our Owando Buckle flat. The lustrous patent or metallic leather upper of this women's flat is punctuated by strap, buckle, and silver toned hardware details. This effortless slip-on carries you on a durable rubber sole for lasting wear and dependable traction.
At ECCO we are committed to make your online experience as easy as possible. The best way to make sure that your order is the right size is to measure your feet and then compare with the size chart below to find the appropriate size. Please follow these four simple steps to accurately measure your feet:
All you need to measure your feet from heel to toe is a piece of paper, a pencil and a ruler.
Place the paper on the floor up against a wall. Place the heel against the wall.
Mark the longest part of your foot on the paper. Repeat procedure with the other foot.
Measure the length of each mark and match it with the size chart. Let the longest foot decide the shoe size.

subset: commoncrawl


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An Uncommon Education (Hardcover)
Harper, 9780062110961, 352pp.
Publication Date: May 1, 2012
A young woman tries to save three people she loves in this elegant and remarkably insightful coming-of-age debut.
Afraid of losing her parents at a young age her father with his weak heart, her deeply depressed mother Naomi Feinstein prepared single-mindedly for a prestigious future as a doctor. An outcast at school, Naomi loses herself in books, and daydreams of Wellesley College. But when Teddy, her confidant and only friend, abruptly departs from her life, it's the first devastating loss from which Naomi is not sure she can ever recover, even after her long-awaited acceptance letter to Wellesley arrives.
Naomi soon learns that college isn't the bastion of solidarity and security she had imagined. Amid hundreds of other young women, she is consumed by loneliness until the day she sees a girl fall into the freezing waters of a lake.
The event marks Naomi's introduction to Wellesley's oldest honor society, the mysterious Shakespeare Society, defined by secret rituals and filled with unconventional, passionate students. Naomi finally begins to detach from the past and so much of what defines her, immersing herself in this exciting and liberating new world and learning the value of friendship. But her happiness is soon compromised by a scandal that brings irrevocable consequences. Naomi has always tried to save the ones she loves, but part of growing up is learning that sometimes saving others is a matter of saving yourself.
An Uncommon Education is a compelling portrait of a quest for greatness and the grace of human limitations. Poignant and wise, it artfully captures the complicated ties of family, the bittersweet inevitability of loss, and the importance of learning to let go.
Praise For An Uncommon Education…
"Enticing and shyly perceptive."
-New York Times Book Review
"Think Dead Poet's Society or The Secret History."
-New York Post
"A fine novel and a young writer to watch."
-Hudson Valley News
"[Naomi demonstrates] how to make the kinds of choices that eventually lead to an uncommon but joy-filled life."
"Three-time Pushcart nominee Percer offers an uncommonly good debut that's finely detailed and emotionally gripping while avoiding every pitfall of the standard coming-of-age tale. Highly recommended."
-Library Journal (starred review)
"Poet Percer's fiction debut is an intimate portrait of an intelligent, tender girl with a deep wish to protect those she loves."
-Publishers Weekly
"A moving and bittersweet coming-of-age story about love, loss, friendship, ambition, and the power of memory. This complex and satisfying tale introduces a cast of quirky, hilarious, intellectual young women, struggling to find their place in the world."
-J. Courtney Sullivan, New York Times bestselling author of Maine and Commencement
"Bonds of love, family and friendship, sometimes damaged or beyond repair, are nevertheless celebrated in an intense debut by a noted poet. . . . [A] thoughtful coming-of-age tale that hovers observantly on the edge of melancholia."
-Kirkus Reviews
"A wistful debut novel by noted Bay Area poet."
-San Jose Mercury News
"Percer's lyrical novel has much to offer."
"Eloquent, haunting and exquisitely written, Percer's stunning debut finds surprising beauty in the broken places of our lives. Here, winning can't mute pain, but love endures despite the odds, and the education of a remarkable young woman is as uncommonly original as this novel itself."
-Caroline Leavitt, New York Times bestselling author of Pictures of You
"Haunting and poignant, Elizabeth Percer's coming-of-age novel portrays a bright young woman confronting her limits as she watches those she loves deal with illness and betrayal. Each turn of this elegiac debut revealed stark truths that left me both moved and astonished."
-Lauren Belfer, New York Times bestselling author of A Fierce Radiance and City of Light
"It's impossible not to care about Naomi Feinstein . . . An Uncommon Education beautifully [brings] Naomi to the Bard (the play's the thing), but also gives the reader something much rarer--a world, and a life, that seem real."
-Nicole Mones, author of Lost in Translation and The Last Chinese Chef
"Elizabeth Percer relates the life story of Naomi Feinstein with beautifully scripted, lush prose drawing in the reader and providing an unobstructed view deep into the hearts of her characters. . . . Rich in history, steeped in family tradition, and full of emotion--a lesson in practiced elegance."
-New York Journal of Books


text: On February 28, 2013 at approximately 8:42 p.m., the Pasadena Police Department received several calls of shots being fired in the 600 block of North Mar Vista Ave. Officers responded to Mar Vista and found the sole victim, a male Black in his 30's, had been fatally shot. The name of the victim is being withheld pending positive identification and notification to family.Pasadena Police Detectives responded and continue to investigate this crime. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Pasadena Police Department at (626) 744-4241, or you may report anonymously through Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-TIPS (8477) or http://lacrimestoppers.org (insert key word Pasadena).For More Information:Watch Commander: (626) 744-4620


text: For the first time since he took over the starting role, quarterback Travis Wilson seemed unsure of himself and a bit rattled from his performance against Washington during his media session on Monday. He took the blame for the loss and the way he played, which is what most players do who are in leadership roles, particularly quarterbacks. Wilson admitted that taking over the starting role was harder than he imagined it would be and pointed out a year ago this time he was still in high school. It makes one wonder just how much pressure the freshman is feeling and how he'll be able to deal with it on Saturday. He knows the Utes have to win to keep their bowl hopes alive and he said he is playing for the seniors. That could be a good thing, but maybe a bad thing too if the pressure gets to him. Utah coach Kyle Whittingham said Tuesday he wasn't worried about the quarterback. "He is competitive, a very competitive kid," he said. "That is what you want a quarterback to be and we have a lot of guys like that that take not winning football games very hard and that is what you want. You want guys who are competitive. The more you have invested and the more you have put into the program the tougher it is to experience a loss and that is what you are looking for, the guys who are that way. You don't want guys who just let it roll off their back." Still, there is something to be said for shaking off bad performances and not letting them affect you the next week. Wilson has had some miscues here and there, but nothing like Saturday's unproductive outing. Now we get to see just how mentally tough a quarterback he is, at the ripe old age of 18-years-old. - Lya Wodraska


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OAKLAND -- The A's and recently acquired closer Jim Johnson agreed on a one-year, $10 million contract Thursday afternoon, avoiding salary arbitration.
Earlier in the day, the club signed catcher John Jaso to a one-year, $2.3 million contract that includes some incentives.
Oakland traded infielder Jemile Weeks and minor league catcher David Freitas to Baltimore on Dec. 2 in acquiring Johnson, who is coming off back-to-back 50-save seasons. The A's were in the market for a closer after deciding against pursuing Grant Balfour, who is a free agent.
Johnson was 3-8 with a 2.94 ERA last year for the Orioles, and he blew nine saves after blowing just three in 2012. The 30-year-old Johnson has 122 saves in 360 games over parts of eight seasons with the Orioles.
Oakland still has five arbitration-eligible players on the 40-man roster, outfielders Craig Gentry and Josh Reddick, reliever Luke Gregerson, shortstop Jed Lowrie and first baseman Brandon Moss.
Jaso, meanwhile, will head into spring training as the leading contender for the A's designated hitter chores this year. At least that is what he has read -- over and over again. Such is the power of the internet.
But the veteran catcher doesn't take that talk all that seriously.
"All that stuff I've heard comes from the media, and no offense, I don't worry about that too much or look too deep," Jaso said. "I know that decision is up to the brass. And they haven't said anything to me."
A's manager Bob Melvin, himself a former catcher, said Thursday Jaso would get every chance come spring training to be the man behind the plate.
"We'll see how John does catching," Melvin told this newspaper. "Everything we've heard would suggest he'd be a full goal. And we would hope to have him in the same role."
Jaso wants to be a catcher, and he says the A's haven't told him that he's out of mix. Stephen Vogt, like Jaso a left-hander, and Derek Norris, a right-hander, did most of the catching after Jaso's injury. The A's were for the most part pleased with that combination. And they added a solid veteran in Chris Gimenez during the off-season, so the club is as loaded at catcher as any A's team in recent memory.
"We have four guys we feel good about," Melvin said. "DH is a possibility for John, but we do like to rotate the DH spot. As long as he's a catcher, that's Option 1 with him."
While there is room for Jaso behind the plate, the A's don't have an obvious DH. So Jaso, who wound up getting 17 starts as the DH a year ago, would seem to be a likely candidate.
"I'm happy about being in the big leagues," Jaso said. "Obviously there are things I want, but I'm happy regardless of the position I'm going to be playing. Would I want to be catching every day? Yes I would.
"I will go out there every day and prepare. I won't give them any reason for them to not keep me catching. We are a championship team. The fun part is the playoffs, and I want to help get us there again."
Jaso initially chaffed at the restrictions that kept him from playing in August, September and in the October playoffs against Detroit last season. But he says it was the right thing to do, and three weeks ago he got good news. Dr. Mickey Collins, a Pittsburgh-based specialist in concussions, said Jaso was 100 percent healthy.
"That's completely behind me. I went up to see Mickey Collins three weeks ago and went through a period of tests," he said. "I'd flunked them before, but I passed all of them this time. His professional response was that it was behind me. He said 'You are back to where you were.' He said I'm now smarter as to how much of a beating my body can take.''
That was only part of the good news for Jaso this off-season. He got married and he and Shannon Jaso "have taken a nice little vacation.''
Jaso averaged .271 and had three homers and 21 RBIs in 70 games. His 38 walks left him with a .387 on-base percentage, which was fifth in the American League for hitters with 200 or more plate trips.


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Public Input Sought on Improving Mental Health Services
July 14, 2008
News Highlights
- Input can be provided via e-mail or mail between July 18 and Aug. 8.
- Sessions will be held on July 25 and 26 to get input in-person.
- Draft recommendations will be online July 18.
More Information
Beginning July 18, the public can submit comments on the Josiah H. Beeman Commission's draft recommendations to improve Fairfax County's mental health care system.
Comments will be accepted between July 18 and Aug. 8. They can be sent by e-mail to email@example.com or by mail to the Josiah H. Beeman Commission, 12011 Government Center Parkway Suite 942, Fairfax, VA 22035. Commissioners also will be available to hear comments directly from the public on:
Friday, July 25, 1-4 p.m., Reston Community Center Art Gallery,
1609-A Washington Plaza, Reston.
Saturday, July 26, 9 a.m. - noon, 6245 Leesburg Pike, Room 100,
Falls Church.
- Saturday, July 26, 2-5 p.m., South County Center, 8350 Richmond Highway, Room 221, Alexandria.
The recommendations will be available online on July 18. They focus on:
- The role of the public mental health system;
- The process for accessing mental health services;
- The service delivery system;
- The funding of recommended services;
- The measurement of service effectiveness;
- The key supports needed to implement changes.
Public comments will help the commission to refine its recommendations before delivering them to the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors this fall.
Appointed by the Board of Supervisors, the Josiah H. Beeman Commission is composed of local, state and national mental health care experts and advocates for individuals receiving mental health services. The group will advise the Board of Supervisors on the future direction of mental health services in the Fairfax-Falls Church community.
For more information about providing comments, the public input sessions or the commission, call 703-324-7407, TTY 711.
Fairfax County Office of Public Affairs
12000 Government Center Parkway, Suite 551
Fairfax, VA 22035-0065
Contact: Merni Fitzgerald, Director of Public Affairs
703-324-3187, TTY 711, Fax 703-324-2010
Media Pager: 703-324-NEWS (6397)
Fairfax County is committed to nondiscrimination on the basis of disability in all county programs, services and activities. To request this information in an alternate format, call the Office of Public Affairs at 703-324-3187, TTY 711.


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ATR Supports Senate GOP Payroll Tax Break Extension
Posted by Ryan Ellis on Thursday, December 1st, 2011, 10:08 AM PERMALINK Follow @ryanlellis
We spoke yesterday about how Senate Democrats will be voting today on a massive new tax hike on job creators merely to extend existing tax relief for workers. Thankfully, senators have a great alternative to this destructive, jobs-killing plan.
The Senate GOP released their own package today. It extends the payroll tax break for one more year, cuts spending, cuts the national debt, and doesn't raise taxes on anyone. Specifically, it:
- freezes the salaries of 2.8 million federal bureaucrats for three years
- begins a process of federal hiring attrition to reduce the federal workforce by 10 percent
- means tests government welfare benefits for those making more than $1 million, including for government health insurance, food stamps, and unemployment compensation
- implements Senator John Thune's (R-S.D.) "Buffett line" bill, which allows anyone who thinks their taxes are too low to voluntarily pay extra on their 1040s
It makes a lot more sense to cut off welfare for high earners who don't need it than to raise taxes on 34 percent of all the profits earned by small business employers every year.
It makes a lot more sense to make federal bureaucrats feel the pain than it does for small employers on Main Street to feel the pain.
This is a no-brainer. The plan not only doesn't add to the deficit, it reduces it through spending cuts only. It puts in place long-overdue reforms to the federal workforce, and it doesn't raise taxes on anyone.
What do you think? Which version of the payroll tax bill would you rather see Congress pass?
More from Americans for Tax Reform
Fate of Obamacare's Individual Mandate Tax Hangs in Balance
Posted by John Kartch, Abigail Marone on Friday, September 22nd, 2017, 2:35 PM PERMALINK Follow @johnkartch
Kindly urge Sen. Rand Paul to vote YES on Graham-Cassidy to abolish Obamacare's mandate tax.
Twitter: @randpaul
Bowling Green, KY Office: 270-782-8303
Washington, DC Office: 202-224-4343
The Graham-Cassidy bill repeals Obamacare's individual mandate tax. The tax hits 6.7 million American households. 79% of these households have incomes of less than $50,000 per year. A new state-by-state breakdown compiled by the office of Sen. Steve Daines (R-Mont.) using official IRS data for tax year 2015 can be found here.
The fate of the tax depends on the votes of the senators from key states below:
- If Sen. Lisa Murkowski votes YES on Graham-Cassidy 19,970 Alaska households will no longer be stuck paying Obamacare's individual mandate tax.
- In 2015, these households had to pay the IRS $12,836,000 for choosing not to purchase Obamacare, an average tax of $644 per household
- 64% of Alaska households paying this tax make less than $50,000 per year.
- If Sen. Murkowski votes NO, Alaskans will be forced to pay Obamacare's individual mandate tax simply for choosing not to purchase Obamacare.
- If Sen. Susan Collins votes YES on Graham-Cassidy 34,030 Maine households will no longer be stuck paying Obamacare's individual mandate tax.
- In 2015, these households had to pay the IRS $15,490,000 for choosing not to purchase Obamacare, an average tax of $455 per household.
- 79% of Maine households paying this tax make less than $50,000 per year.
- If Sen. Collins votes NO, Mainers will be forced to pay Obamacare's individual mandate tax simply for choosing not to purchase Obamacare.
- If Sen. John McCain votes YES on Graham-Cassidy 153,700 Arizona households will no longer be stuck paying Obamacare's individual mandate tax.
- In 2015, these households had to pay the IRS $69,770,000 for choosing not to purchase Obamacare, an average tax of $454 per household.
- 82% of Arizona households paying this tax make less than $50,000 per year.
- If Sen. McCain votes NO, Arizonans will be forced to pay Obamacare's individual mandate tax simply for choosing not to purchase Obamacare.
- If Sen. Rand Paul votes YES on Graham-Cassidy 79,260 Kentucky households will no longer be stuck paying Obamacare's individual mandate tax.
- In 2015, these households had to pay the IRS $31,262,000 for choosing not to purchase Obamacare, an average tax of $394 per household.
- 83% of Kentucky households paying this tax make less than $50,000 per year.
- If Sen. Paul votes NO, Kentuckians will be forced to pay Obamacare's individual mandate tax simply for choosing not to purchase Obamacare.
- If Sen. Joe Donnelly votes YES on Graham-Cassidy 138,170 Indiana households will no longer be stuck paying Obamacare's individual mandate tax.
- In 2015, these households had to pay the IRS $59,463,000 for choosing not to purchase Obamacare, an average tax of $430 per household.
- 81% of Indiana households paying this tax make less than $50,000 per year.
- If Sen. Donnelly votes NO, Indianans will be forced to pay Obamacare's individual mandate tax simply for choosing not to purchase Obamacare.
- If Sen. Claire McCaskill votes YES on Graham-Cassidy 116,580 Missouri households will no longer be stuck paying Obamacare's individual mandate tax.
- In 2015, these households had to pay the IRS $50,016,000 for choosing not to purchase Obamacare, an average tax of $429 per household.
- 81% of Missouri households paying this tax make less than $50,000 per year.
- If Sen. McCaskill votes NO, Missourians will be forced to pay Obamacare's individual mandate tax simply for choosing not to purchase Obamacare.
- If Sen. Jon Tester votes YES on Graham-Cassidy 29,450 Montana households will no longer be stuck paying Obamacare's individual mandate tax.
- In 2015, these households had to pay the IRS $14,341,000 for choosing not to purchase Obamacare, an average tax of $487 per household.
- 75% of Montana households paying this tax make less than $50,000 per year.
- If Sen. Tester votes NO, Montanans will be forced to pay Obamacare's individual mandate tax simply for choosing not to purchase Obamacare.
- If Sen. Heidi Heitkamp votes YES on Graham-Cassidy 17,170 North Dakota households will no longer be stuck paying Obamacare's individual mandate tax.
- In 2015, these households had to pay the IRS $7,826,000 for choosing not to purchase Obamacare, an average tax of $456 per household.
- 77% of North Dakota households paying this tax make less than $50,000 per year.
- If Sen. Heitkamp votes NO, North Dakotans will be forced to pay Obamacare's individual mandate tax simply for choosing not to purchase Obamacare.
- If Sen. Joe Manchin votes YES on Graham-Cassidy 34,360 households will no longer be stuck paying Obamacare's individual mandate tax.
- In 2015, these households had to pay the IRS $14,680,000 for choosing not to purchase Obamacare, an average tax of $427 per household.
- 81% of West Virginia households paying this tax make less than $50,000 per year.
- If Sen. Manchin votes NO, West Virginians will be forced to pay Obamacare's individual mandate tax simply for choosing not to purchase Obamacare.
The individual mandate tax is one of many Obamacare taxes that violate Obama's "firm pledge" not to raise any form of tax on any American making less than $250,000 per year. Documentation of Obama's shattered promise can be found here. Senators voting NO on Graham-Cassidy are voting to continue to stick their constituents with this tax.
Please visit the website of the office of Sen. Daines to get a handy PDF of the state by state IRS Obamacare tax data. Call your Senators and urge them to vote YES on Graham-Cassidy.
Photo Credit: Pictures of Money
More from Americans for Tax Reform
EU Tax Harmonization Will Destroy The Free Market
Posted by Kevin Adams on Thursday, September 21st, 2017, 3:36 PM PERMALINK Follow @KevinAdams_MD
The European Union (EU) has recently revived plans for corporate tax harmonization. Such a plan will establish a uniform corporate tax rate across all its member nations. Currently, EU member nations set their own corporate tax rates, resulting in rates ranging from 10% in Bulgaria to as high as 35% in Malta. The ability for a nation to control their corporate tax rate allows for tax competition between nations. In today's economy, capital is highly mobile. Multinational corporations can move their headquarters to low-tax jurisdictions from high-tax ones. Countries with low tax rates compared to their neighbors are at a comparative advantage in their ability to attract investment and jobs.
By harmonizing corporate tax rates across the EU, this competition, a pillar upon which the free market is built, is destroyed. Any sort of tax harmonization enacted will be toward the higher end of the tax spectrum. This will allow high-tax nations such as France to no longer lose companies and investment to lower taxed nations such as Ireland. Tax harmonization will limit the ability of people and corporations to move at will, as it reduces economic incentives through a supranational approach.
The push for higher corporate taxation in the EU comes at a time when the United States is headed in the opposite direction. President Trump has proposed slashing the United States' 35% corporate tax rate (the highest in the developed world) to 15%. This aims to attract more investment to the U.S., as well as stop the flow of companies relocating their headquarters abroad in order to pay lower rates. The trend in recent decades has been for developed nations to cut their corporate rates in favor of lower, more pro-growth rates; a sign that tax competition works in promoting nations to lower corporate taxes in order to attract more business.
Taxes are the price a company pays for doing business. Just as two restaurants may compete over who can offer the better deal, so too should countries be able to compete using their tax codes. As Contribuables founder Alain Dumait said: "the very freedom of individuals depends on competition. Including in the tax sector."
Photo Credit: Rock Cohen
More from Americans for Tax Reform
Grover Rallies Conservatives in Colorado to Stop New Obamacare Taxes
Posted by Adam Radman on Thursday, September 21st, 2017, 2:30 PM PERMALINK Follow @adamradman
ATR President Grover Norquist spent yesterday rallying Conservatives in Colorado to contact their representatives to urge repeal of all Obamacare taxes.
Grover spoke at Politics on the Rocks, a regular gathering of conservative professionals and activists, to explain how abolishing Obamacare's taxes - especially the Individual and Employer Mandates, Health Insurance Tax, Medical Device Tax - would provide much-needed relief to the paychecks of families across the country and reduce healthcare costs for everyone.
Grover also appeared in studio for the Dan Clapis Show, a Colorado-based radio show, to discuss healthcare reform and taxes. During the interview, Grover explained that Obamacare's taxes have already driven costs up and reduced choice. While the effort to pass the Graham-Cassidy healthcare reform legislation is undoubtedly a step in the right direction, it is also important that all of Obamacare's taxes are addressed.
Listen to the full interview here.
Obamacare, from the start, was a trillion-dollar collection of tax hikes with a stethoscope stapled to the top. While passing the Graham-Cassidy bill would be an improvement over the status quo of Obamacare, it is also important that the taxes that the bill does not touch are repealed.
Photo Credit: Miriam Roff
More from Americans for Tax Reform
Open Competition Laws Can Save American Taxpayers Billions on Infrastructure
Posted by William H Paul on Thursday, September 21st, 2017, 11:27 AM PERMALINK Follow @whp_93
Funding for state infrastructure improvement projects has increasingly become a point of contention in the last decade. With state and local lawmakers examining new sources of revenue, tax increases are often pinned as the solution. Yet increasing taxes ignores more efficient legislative solutions that could free up billions in funding, such as implementing "Open Competition" laws. Currently, outdated "Closed Competition" laws are wasting taxpayer dollars, promoting cronyism, and whittling out American firms from the procurement process.
State and local governments throughout the country are imposing these anti-competitive practices – most notably in regards to materials used in water infrastructure projects. Certain products and materials, often proven to be safer and more affordable, are unfairly outlawed from being used in publicly funded projects.
Many closed competition laws were put in place decades before new and advanced materials existed, or were put in place for protectionist reasons. As a result, American taxpayers have been deprived of savings that result from competition in the procurement process by governments eager to pick winners and losers.
Cities in Arkansas, Michigan, North Carolina, South Carolina and Ohio have all significantly saved taxpayer dollars since implementing open competition laws. Fayetteville, Arkansas implemented open competition laws and saved taxpayers $278,625 per mile on water infrastructure piping compared to Hot Springs, which has closed competition laws in place.
Similarly, Charlotte North Carolina implemented open competition laws resulting in taxpayer savings of $155, 902 per mile of pipe compared to closed competition Raleigh. All told open competition cities see on average taxpayer savings of $100,000 or more per mile of pipe compared to closed competition cities, and that is just with regard to water infrastructure.
Opponents of open competition naturally are the protected interests white-knuckling their 100 year-old monopolies that see competition as a threat to the status quo. Yet it is the status quo that is driving up the cost of infrastructure projects for state and local taxpayers and pushing lawmakers to turn to big government solutions such as increasing the gas tax.
Additionally, open competition laws could also be beneficial at the federal level. A study released by the National Taxpayers Union (NTU) found that an entire replacement of U.S. water infrastructure would cost $1.32 trillion. Transitioning to an open competition process would reduce that number by 28% or $371 billion.
As these taxpayer savings relate only to water infrastructure projects, the savings to taxpayers from a wider application of open competition laws to the government infrastructure procurement process could be even greater. In addition to states, Congressional lawmakers should look to introduce federal legislation that allows for an open and competitive procurement process for construction materials.
In May of this year, Americans for Tax Reform, joined by 23 other organizations, led a coalition letter to Congress requesting that any federal infrastructure legislation should include language that clearly requires an open and competitive bidding process for materials that will be used in infrastructure projects.
In the coming year as state and federal lawmakers begin looking for ways to shore up spending on infrastructure projects, passing legislation to implement open competition laws should be an obvious free-market solution. Doing so would provide lawmakers a chance to be efficient stewards of taxpayer dollars, prevent misguided tax hikes, and improve America's infrastructure.
Photo Credit: Jenny Tabrum
More from Americans for Tax Reform
Dem Governor Candidate Rips Up Tax Pledge
Posted by Hunter Harmer on Wednesday, September 20th, 2017, 2:47 PM PERMALINK
Massachusetts gubernatorial candidate Jay Gonzalez (D) is ready to raise taxes. Residents of Massachusetts, consider yourself warned.
Gonzales posted a video to Facebook this week after receiving a copy of the Taxpayer Protection Pledge. The Pledge, which ATR offers to every candidate and incumbent for state and federal office, is a written promise to a lawmaker's constituents detailing their commitment to oppose all tax increases.
In his brief video, Gonzalez criticizes Grover Norquist, President and founder of ATR, for his resolution to limit government. After admitting that Massachusetts is "the most expensive state in the nation", Mr. Gonzales affirmed his support for a tax increase.
"So Grover, here's what I say to your Taxpayer Protection Pledge" said Mr. Gonzalez as he proceeded to rip up the printed document at the end of the video.
In a tweet, Norquist replied: "You are a Democrat running for Governor and you are promising to increases taxes yet again on the Bay state. Boring. Been there. Did that."
You are a Democrat running for Governor and you are promising to increase taxes yet again on the Bay state.
Boring. Been there. Did that. https://t.co/ciJRXsIvDn
— Grover Norquist (@GroverNorquist) September 20, 2017
Nearly 1,400 incumbent elected officials, from state representative to governor to U.S. Senator, have signed the Pledge to their constituents.
Gonzalez is expected to run against the Republican incumbent, Gov. Charlie Baker.
More from Americans for Tax Reform
Bernie Calls For 52% Tax Rate for Government Healthcare
Posted by John Kartch on Tuesday, September 19th, 2017, 1:42 PM PERMALINK
Sen. Bernie Sanders is once again calling for extreme tax hikes to pay for his plans, this time for a government-run single payer health care system. The plan will come in at a cost of $1.38 trillion per year and will impose across the board tax hikes, including:
-An income tax rate of 52%
-Taxing ALL capital gains as ordinary income, meaning the current top capital gains rate of 23.8% would jump to 52%
-Massive hike in the Death Tax
-American families making as little as $28,900 per year will face a 2.2 percent tax on their income
-A $630 billion tax hike aimed at employers, which will just end up hitting workers
-Sanders also calls for more tax complexity and more tax brackets: 37%, 43%, 48% and of course the 52%
ATR commends Sen. John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) for asking CBO to score the Sanders plan. As with most left wing programs, the Sanders plan will undoubtedly cost much more than he claims.
Photo Credit: "Bernie Sanders" by Scott Pelkey ScottP-Photography/Flickr, Under CC BY-SA 2.0
More from Americans for Tax Reform
Watchdog Report Shows Tennessee Misused $100K in Asset Forfeiture Funds on Catering
Posted by Matthew Adams on Tuesday, September 19th, 2017, 11:23 AM PERMALINK
The Tennessee Department of Safety wrongly paid for food totaling over $110K with funds collected through civil asset forfeiture, the Inspector General reported last Thursday.
Passed in 1984, the Comprehensive Crime Control Act established the Department of Justice's Asset Forfeiture Program (AFP) which allows law enforcement to seize assets from individuals suspected with involvement in illegal activity, even if there are no formal charges.
Under the AFP, the Equitable Sharing Program was established allowing state and local law enforcement agencies involved in federal crime crackdown efforts to claim a portion of any seized money and property. This allows local police forces to ignore state property protections in favor of lower federal standards
While civil asset forfeiture comes under greater scrutiny in recent years, there are some limits set on the scope in which seized funds can be spent on, barring agencies from purchasing bayonets, grenade launchers, food, and other extravagant expenses.
Between 2014 and 2016 Tennessee's Department of Safety spent $112,614 of seized cash on catering, banquet tickets, and retail food purchases, a clear violation of the limits established by the Department of Justice.
When the Inspector General presented this finding to the department its Controller said "that he did not know these expenditures were unallowable".
Beyond that, the agency further neglected to adhere to DOJ rules, failing to file receipts of requested funds, and even filed their FY 2014 report 19 days late.
It's clear that DOJ efforts to reign in and prevent abuse of the Equitable Sharing Program have failed, and the problem lies in the fundamental flaws surrounding the Asset Forfeiture Program as a whole where due process and presumption of innocence are blatantly ignored in favor of big-government draconian policies.
These developments are just another example of countless abuses resulting from the program. The men and women of law enforcement are entrusted with enforcing the rule of law, yet civil asset forfeiture undermines their ability to do so by taking advantage of the communities they are sworn to protect. In an age of great divisiveness, the last thing our police need is greater scrutiny and condemnation due this government program that only furthers the polarization and makes their jobs harder.
This leaves it upon state legislatures and the federal government to end civil asset forfeiture as a practice so that innocent Americans should no longer have to fear that their property will be taken away without due process.
The full report can be found here: Audit of the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security Equitable Sharing Program Activities Nashville, Tennessee
Photo Credit: Michael Galkovsky
Bipartisan Lawmakers Introduce the Protecting the American Process for Election Results Act
Posted by Matthew Adams on Friday, September 15th, 2017, 4:20 PM PERMALINK
On Friday, Americans for Tax Reform President Grover Norquist wrote to Rep. Mark Meadows (N.C.) and Rep. James Langevin (R.I) expressing his support for their bill, HR 3751, the Protecting the American Process for Election Results (PAPER) Act. If enacted, the PAPER Act would take the necessary steps to secure and strengthen the nation's election security system.
In an age of heightened security risks from nations like North Korea and Iran trying to disrupt our nation's elections, this bill is the first step in ensuring that American voters exercise their right without interference from those hoping to undermine our democratic institutions. Our representational democracy is built upon a reliable election process, and this must be safeguarded at all costs.
In a press release on the bill, Rep. Meadows said, "the PAPER Act would be a major step forward in securing our election process, updating the security of our voter logs, and allowing for efficient and effective audits of election results".
Mr. Norquist urges all of Rep. Meadows' and Rep. Langevin's colleagues to "support this important common-sense measure".
The full letter can be found here.
Photo Credit: Michael R.
88 Conservative Groups Urge Passage of Pro-Growth Tax Reform in 2017
Posted by Alexander Hendrie on Thursday, September 14th, 2017, 5:00 AM PERMALINK
Congress must pass pro-growth tax reform in 2017, a coalition of 88 conservative groups and activists led by Americans for Tax Reform and Americans for Prosperity today wrote in a letter to leaders in the White House, House, and Senate.
As the letter notes, the tax code today serves well-connected special interests, rather than hard working American families. Americans are frustrated with this rigged system, and it is imperative that lawmakers ensure that comprehensive, pro-growth tax reform is signed into law this year.
The full letter can be found here and is below:
Dear Speaker Ryan, Leader McConnell, Secretary Mnuchin, Director Cohn, Chairman Hatch, and Chairman Brady:
On behalf of the undersigned organizations, we write to urge passage of comprehensive, pro-growth tax reform in 2017.
In the past 30 years, the tax code has expanded in size and complexity. Today, the code serves well-connected special interests, not hard working American families. After many years of inaction, Congress and the administration have a chance to fix our broken tax system this year by making it fairer, simpler, and less burdensome.
There is broad consensus on the need for tax reform. With the 2018 midterm elections in sight, it is also crucial that bold policies keeping the promises made to the American people are realized soon.
Numerous polls have shown widespread public support for tax reform that lowers rates for all and reforms the code based on the principles of simplicity, fairness, and equity. Americans are frustrated with the rigged system that favors the politically connected and lobbyists at the expense of ordinary Americans.
It is key that tax reform reduce rates for Americans across the board, drastically simplifies the code for families and individuals, ends the Death Tax, unrigs the system to promote a healthy economy, and implements a territorial system of taxation so businesses large and small can compete.
2017 represents an important opportunity to provide financial security to hardworking taxpayers by signing tax reform into law. We applaud the work that each of you have already taken to ensure tax reform is enacted in 2017 and stand ready to continue working with you in the second half of the year.
Grover Norquist
President, Americans for Tax Reform
Christine Harbin
Vice President of External Affairs, Americans for Prosperity
James L. Martin
Founder & Chairman, 60 Plus Association
Dan Greenberg
President, Advance Arkansas Institute
Phil Kerpen
President, American Commitment
Daniel Schneider
Executive Director, American Conservative Union
Steve Pociask
President, American Consumer Institute
Tim Doyle
Vice President of Policy & General Counsel, American Council for Capital Formation
Sean Noble
President, American Encore
Lisa B. Nelson
CEO, American Legislative Exchange Council
Ashley N. Varner
Executive Director, ALEC Action
Mark J. Fitzgibbons
President of Corporate Affairs, American Target Advertising, Inc.
Kevin Waterman
Chair, Annapolis Center Right Coalition Meeting (Maryland)
Scot Mussi
President, Arizona Free Enterprise Club
Dan Weber
President, Association of Mature American Citizens
Lindsay Boyd
Policy Director, Beacon Center of Tennessee
Robert Alt
President and CEO, The Buckeye Institute (Ohio)
Garrett Ballengee
Executive Director, Cardinal Institute for West Virginia Public Policy
Bob Carlstrom
President, The Carlstrom Group
Steve Buckstein
Founder, Cascade Policy Institute (Oregon)
Kent Lassman
President, Competitive Enterprise Institute
Jeffrey Mazella
President, Center for Individual Freedom
Andrew F. Quinlan
President, Center for Freedom and Prosperity
Peter Nelson
Vice President, Center of the American Experiment (Minnesota)
Chip Faulkner
Associate Director, Citizens for Limited Taxation (Massachusetts)
Chuck Muth
President, Citizen Outreach (Nevada)
Ralph Benko
Conservative Columnist
Matthew Kandrach
President, Consumer Action for a Strong Economy
Thomas Schatz
President, Council for Citizens Against Government Waste
Edward King
President, Defense Priorities Initiative
Katie McAuliffe
Executive Director, Digital Liberty
Craig Richardson
President, E&E Action
Robert Roper
President, Ethan Allen Institute (Vermont)
Timothy Head
Executive Director, Faith & Freedom Coalition
Palmer Schoening
President, Family Business Coalition
Richard Watson
Chairman, Florida Center Right Coalition
Annette Meeks
CEO, Freedom Foundation of Minnesota
Nathan Nascimento
Vice President of Policy, Freedom Partners Chamber of Commerce
Adam Brandon
President, FreedomWorks
David Barnes
Policy Director, Generation Opportunity
Kelly McCutchen
President and CEO, Georgia Public Policy Foundation
Rodolfo E. Milani
Trustee, HACER (Hispanic American Center for Economic Research)
Joseph Bast
CEO, The Heartland Institute
Mario H. Lopez
President, Hispanic Leadership Fund
William A. Estrada, Esq.
Director of Federal Relations, Home School Legal Defense Association
Wayne Hoffman
President, Idaho Freedom Foundation
Jon Caldara
President, Independence Institute (Colorado)
Heather R. Higgins
President and CEO, Independent Women's Voice
Tom Giovanetti
President, Institute for Policy Innovation
Sal J. Nuzzo
Vice President of Policy, The James Madison Institute (Florida)
Kory Swanson
President & CEO, John Locke Foundation (North Carolina)
Dave Trabert
President, Kansas Policy Institute
Nancy Misasi
President, Lakeland Tea Party of Greater Wanaque Area (New Jersey)
John Tomicki
Executive Director, League of American Families
Seton Motley
President, Less Government
Colin A. Hanna
President, Let Freedom Ring
Daniel Garza
Executive Director, The LIBRE Initiative
Brett Healy
President, The MacIver Institute (Wisconsin)
Michael LaFaive
Senior Director of Fiscal Policy, Mackinac Center for Public Policy (Michigan)
Carl Copeland
Executive Director, Massachusetts Fiscal Alliance
Mary Adams
Chair, Maine Center-right Coalition Meeting
Pem & Ruth Schaeffer
Maine Conservative Activists
Tom Davis
Maine Conservative Activist
Victoria Bucklin
Maine Conservative Activist
Henry Kriegel
President, Montanans for Tax Reform
Tim Jones
Former Speaker, Missouri House of Representatives
State Chair, Missouri Center-Right Coalition
Harry C. Alford
President/CEO, National Black Chamber of Commerce
Brandon Arnold
Executive Vice President, National Taxpayers Union
The Honorable William O'Brien
Former Speaker, New Hampshire House of Representatives
Co-chair, New Hampshire Center Right Coalition
Grant Malloy
Chair, Orlando Florida Center Right
Jonathan Small
President, Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs
Jeff Kropf
Executive Director, Oregon Capitol Watch
Daniel J. Erspamer
CEO, Pelican Institute for Public Policy (Louisiana)
Lorenzo Montanari
Executive Director, Property Rights Alliance
Don Racheter
President, Public Interest Institute (Iowa)
Charlie Gerow
President, Quantum Communications (Pennsylvania)
Eli Lehrer
President, R Street Institute
Paul Gessing
President, Rio Grande Foundation (New Mexico)
Mike Stenhouse
CEO, Rhode Island Center for Freedom and Prosperity
Bill Whipple
President & Director, Secure America's Future Economy (SAFE)
Karen Kerrigan
President & CEO, Small Business & Entrepreneurship Council
David Williams
President, Taxpayers Protection Alliance
Judson Phillips
President, Tea Party Nation
Jenny Beth Martin
Co-Founder & CEO, Tea Party Patriots
Kevin D. Roberts, Ph.D.
Executive Vice President, Texas Public Policy Foundation
Mike Thompson
Thomas Jefferson Institute for Public Policy (Virginia)
Carl Bearden
Executive Director, United for Missouri
Jonathan Downing
CEO, Wyoming Liberty Group
Hillary 'fascinated' by Carbon Tax
Posted by Abigail Marone, John Kartch on Wednesday, September 13th, 2017, 3:20 PM PERMALINK
In her new book What Happened Hillary Clinton reveals she was "fascinated" by the idea of a carbon tax and a financial transactions tax. She wanted to take the money generated by both taxes, filter it through the Washington D.C. bureaucracy, and then send everyone a check as part of a Universal Basic Income scheme.
The whole process would be "a way of making every American feel more connected to our country and to one another – part of something bigger than ourselves."
She writes:
If you view the nation's financial system as a shared resource, then you can start raising real money from things like a financial transactions tax. Same with the air we breathe and carbon pricing. Once you capitalize the fund, you can provide every American with a modest basic income every year. Besides cash in people's pockets, it would also be a way of making every American feel more connected to our country and to one another – part of something bigger than ourselves.
Clinton said she worked for weeks on the issue:
I was fascinated by this idea, as was my husband, and we spent weeks working with our policy team to see if it could be viable enough to include in my campaign.
Though she found the idea "exciting" and "tantalizing" it was only dropped because she "couldn't make the numbers work."
During the campaign, Clinton publicly proposed a series of tax increases, which amounted to a minimum $1 trillion over ten years. She campaigned on a 65% Death Tax, a personal income tax hike, a corporate income tax hike, and an "exit tax." She also said she would not veto a payroll tax hike on all Americans, and cracked open the door to a carbon tax. Clinton even endorsed a steep new local soda tax in Philadelphia.
The official 2016 Democrat Party platform calls for a carbon tax. The official 2016 Republican Party platform rejects any and all carbon taxes.
In the book, Clinton suggested yet another tax: "taxing net worth." She describes this tax as a "transformative" idea.
Americans for Tax Reform has documented Clinton's entire tax hike career, at a dedicated website: www.HighTaxHillary.com


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HOUSTON - President Barack Obama's campaign received a significant boost after the U.S. unemployment rate fell below eight percent for the first time since January 2009.
The president claims the new numbers released for September is proof that his policies are working.
"This country has come too far to turn back now," he said.
Houstonians are reacting to the new numbers.
All across the Houston area, people see construction projects. It's a growing industry..
According to local experts, what the latest numbers don't show are the salaries of the employees taking these types of jobs, and they say that is what matters most.
Rice University's Stephen Klineberg said his research shows most Americans aren't feeling it.
"It's a powerful reminder of the divide. The economy is getting better, but the majority of Americans are not sharing that experience. They're not seeing it in their own lives," he said.
Klineberg said in his annual survey this year more Houstonians said they're having a difficult time paying for groceries.
Economists argue there's a reason for that. John Silva is a chief economist with Wells Fargo.
He said the unemployment rate simply came down because there was an unusual number of part-time workers, and while an improving economy is always good news, most voters will draw upon their own experiences, not statistics at the polls.
"Just jobs doesn't tell you what type of jobs, if the jobs have benefits if these jobs pay enough for someone to feed their family," he said.
The next jobs report is due out four days before the November election.
Copyright 2012 by Click2Houston.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.


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(UPDATED COVERAGE, 3:15 p.m.) The Food and Drug Administration confirmed Sept. 14 that agency testing found salmonella on Agricola Daniella mangoes and warned consumers against eating the fruit.
Strains of salmonella have been found on the fruit from Agricola Daniella, a mango supplier with multiple plantations and a single packinghouse in Sinaloa, Mexico, according to an FDA news release.
The agency said Agricola Daniella mangoes should be identified with product stickers. If consumers have mangoes without brand stickers, they should ask retailers for that information. If doubt exists as to the origin of the mangoes, then consumers should discard the fruit, according to the FDA.
The FDA said Agricola Daniella has been placed on import alert.
"This means that Agricola Daniella mangoes will be denied admission into the U.S. unless the importer shows they are not contaminated with salmonella, such as by using private laboratories to test the mangoes," according to the release.
William Watson, executive director of the Orlando, Fla.-based National Mango Board, said in a statement the group will continue to work with the FDA and others in the industry to ensure that all Daniella-brand mangoes are no longer on store shelves.
"As we learn more details regarding the FDA's investigation, the mango industry will take the necessary steps to improve our food safety standards and to reduce the risk of food-borne contaminants in mangoes," Watson said in the statement.
With the Mexican mango season winding down and previous recalls pulling Daniella brand mangoes from the market, it is unknown how much fruit is still in the hands of consumers.
On Aug. 29, certain lots of Daniella brand mangoes were recalled by Splendid Products, Burlingame, Calif.
Additionally, an importer in Canada also initiated a voluntary recall of only Daniella brand mangoes as the result of illnesses from Salmonella Braenderup.
Several firms that used Daniella brand mangoes supplied by Splendid Products in their fresh-cut fruit products have also initiated recalls of those products, according to the FDA release.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports an outbreak of Salmonella Braenderup has infected 105 people in 16 states. The California Department of Public Health has traced several illnesses of the outbreak strain through the supply chain to Agricola Daniella, according to the release.


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SANTIAGO DE CUBA, Cuba — When the Miami Air charter plane touched the ground March 26, applause and shouts of "Thanks be to God" rang out in the cabin, and Julia Malcolm had tears on her face.
It was Malcolm's first time back in Cuba since leaving 51 years ago.
"I am crying but now; I am very happy that we will be with the pope and, like him, will kiss the ground," said Malcolm, a member of St. John the Baptist Church in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
Malcolm's charter flight was part of a pilgrimage organized by the Archdiocese of Miami. More than 300 pilgrims traveled first to Santiago de Cuba, then on to Havana. At least 500 others from the archdiocese were expected to join them in Havana.
"I am so proud of what they have done in getting everything organized for this pilgrimage, because the pope is coming; otherwise I would not have come," Malcolm said.
Julia Palmer of Kentucky accompanied Malcolm, her mother. Palmer said she and her two sisters wanted to seize the opportunity of the pope's visit to bring their mother back to Cuba.
"This is a trip of a lifetime, to see Cuba through the eyes of my mother," she said.
After landing, the several hundred U.S. pilgrims were treated to a surprise: They had a chance to visit the historic Shrine of Our Lady of El Cobre, about 30 miles away. The Virgin of Charity of El Cobre is Cuba's patroness.
Archbishop Patrick Pinder of Nassau, Bahamas, said he was impressed with the condition of the shrine and the local Cubans he encountered there.
"I was impressed with how well it was maintained," Archbishop Pinder said, noting he has been in Cuba before, but never Santiago de Cuba or El Cobre.
"It is not falling apart like ... so many buildings in Havana. It speaks of a certain depth of faith of the people to keep up the church that way.
"It was certainly a place that touches the heart of people," he added. "I don't know any place in the U.S. where people leave their precious personal objects as they do here. There is something authentic about it; it is not overdone as a tourist place, but is a place of pilgrimage to Our Lady."
That afternoon, the Florida pilgrims joined approximately 200,000 others for Pope Benedict XVI's Mass in Antonio Maceo Revolution Square.
In a covered area where the Cuban bishops and priests vested before the Mass, Xiomara Bedoga Ocana, a sacristan at the cathedral in Santiago de Cuba who helped prepare the vestments for the Cuban bishops and visiting clergy, made new friends and prayed with several of the Cuban-American pilgrims.
"With all the difficulties we have had to go through in this country, it is something that we had the visit of two popes," she said, referring to Blessed John Paul II's 1998 visit. "Our faith grows, and it will continue to grow after this."
A very pregnant Myrna Bustamante came with her "pretty much about to be born" Catholic child.
"I might go to the Maternidad at any moment now," she said, referring to the local birthing hospital. "I couldn't go this afternoon because of the heat, but I wouldn't miss this evening's Mass."
"Cubans listening to the pope's words will be blessed, but their hearts will also open up to believe and improve their behavior," said Claudia Arias, a member of a local parish youth group.
Another member of her group, Aimee Echevarria, added, "Those who don't believe will be persuaded to have faith in God and the church, Jesus Christ, and all the saints who can help us."
Omar Cedeno Fernandez, 55, said although he considers himself a true Catholic and Pope Benedict "a conciliator," he would like to hear the pope explain his past links with Nazism.
"Like Benedict, I consider Marxism-Leninism a retrograde ideology that is past its useful phase," said Cedeno. "And so, only the Gospel endures the test of time. I think he can be the mediator between the people of faith and the Cuban government."
Nestor and Lourdes Machado of Coral Gables, Fla., said they met a Cuban Salesian seminarian during the Mass and were impressed with his faith.
"To see the people of Cuba so excited and so spiritual is wonderful," said Nestor Machado. "The fervor of that young seminarian was very touching."
Mary Travis of St. Petersburg, Fla., was beaming near the end of Mass.
"We did it all," she said. "We arrived, were told to follow our guide, the guide got lost and we were left squashed, cheek to jowl, in the crowd, and then we came back out here to watch at a distance," Travis said. "Our senses are filled with the tropical climate here tonight and the joy of the people. And we timed it perfectly to go receive holy Communion; there was a fervor, and we are very touched."
Several U.S. bishops were among the Vatican officials and Cuban prelates concelebrating the Mass.
Boston Cardinal Sean O'Malley relished the scene in the square before removing his vestments.
"All of these papal visits are a moving experience, but to have it here in Cuba and on the feast of the Annunciation was very moving," the cardinal said, "I know that Catholics around the world have high hopes for Cuba, and hopefully this will result in greater freedoms for the people of Cuba.
"All the attention that this brings to Cuba is a healthy step toward greater freedoms that the world would wish for Cuba," he said, adding that the papal visit would also increase Cubans' faith.


text: Film 18 September 2013 The One Direction film is scary to watch, but it makes a good point about teen sexuality If anyone needed proof that sex is something girls do rather than have done to them, it's this. Sign up for our weekly email * Print HTML If you are not a teenage or pre-teen girl, this is what you probably think about boyband fans: they're just little girls with a liking for unthreatening pretty boys; they dont care about music; all they want it something safe. To which it's worth replying: safe for whom, exactly? Watching One Direction: This is Us (the Morgan Spurlock-directed 1D documentary), it doesnt look like in the middle of a crowd of Directioners is a very cosy place to be. Actually, it looks terrifying. Small female faces break wide open with uncontainable emotion, their mouths twist and tremble. They cry, not decorous and moderate tears of gratitude, but the shocking, howling sobs of the frantic. And then there's the noise. The noise would beat any normal person back: thousands of lungs emptying themselves in a simultaneous scream, a vast wail of wanting. Harry, Zayn, Niall, Louis and Liam are accustomed to it, though - to a point. Sometimes, they toy with it like conductors of a dreadful orchestra: in Milan, they duck behind a balcony, listen to the noise subside, then leap up playfully to be met by another predictable rain of shrieks. But in Mexico City, Liam looks genuinely shaken at the noise which meets him when he steps out from behind a stack of amps in a half-empty stadium, hours before the show is due to start. The noise is for them, but Liam's alarmed face says that he knows there's something in it that the band can't control. In Amsterdam, they go shopping and get mobbed. After they've taken shelter in a Nike store, Liam tells the camera, "One of them had my ear and wouldnt let go. I think she wanted to keep it. I said, you can't have that, its mine." He laughs, but he's holding onto his ear like he's relieved to find it still attached. The fans want them so badly they would rip them apart. This is a whole crowd with a common purpose: total individual possession of their favourite band member. I asked a friend's teenage daughter if she wanted to come and watch the film. "No, I couldn't," she said firmly, "I'd be too jealous watching all those other girls meeting them." Most of these girls are too young for them to call this mad wanting lust. They wouldn't recognise sex as the ultimate object of the feelings shaking them, and that's the safety of the boyband crush. Fixating on someone securely unobtainable lets you practice all the wildness of desire without making too many mistakes, embarrassing yourself too badly or hurting anyone too much (Liam's yanked ear is just collateral damage.) Elated staff pose outside an official One Direction store with merchandise And though these passions are a way of playing at having adult feelings, they're not disposable. A few weeks ago, I went to an open-air screening of Dirty Dancing. As Patrick Swayze appeared for the first time, approximately 2,000 middle-aged women exhaled Johnny as one, his the image imprinted on the gosling brain of their new-hatched lust some time in the 80s or 90s. When I was growing up, it was Take That and Boyzone who inspired frenzy: some friends of a friend travelled from Chester to Ireland to camp on Stephen Gately's mum's lawn, because, well, contact with a few feet of distantly related turf was better than no contact at all. And when my mum was growing up, it was the Beatles. One of her most prized anecdotes is the one about the time an alarmed and ragged George Harrison, running away from fans (they probably wanted his ear), ran directly into her. And before that Elvis, and before that Sinatra. As long as we've had mass media, we've had mass crushes on male stars. So why do still pretend that sex comes over teenage girls like some malignant force from outside? The dread word "sexualisation" is applied almost exclusively applied to girls and never to boys, and it suggests some kind of external process imposing sexuality on women. If girls never underwent "sexualisation", presumably they would remain untainted by desire. Boys, meanwhile, are assumed to just know what they want and what to do, and if any education is needed, it's to warn girls of this masculine menace. This is transparently a disservice to children of both genders. But for girls, the damaging lesson they're left with is that sex is something done to them, not something they do. If consent even enters into this debate, it's as something girls can refuse: all the agency they're offered is the chance to say no. Yes is taken away from them and replaced with a dull acquiescence to the incontinent urges of boys. Sex stops being a collaborative pleasure and becomes a grim tussle, with men trying to take it, and women charged with keeping it locked up. But boys and girls have just the same mix of hunger and confusion, the same questions, the same need for answers from grown-ups. And while decorous adults refuse to acknowledge that girls are not just girls, but women in training, there's a seven-decade-old industry predicated on the fact that girls will pursue a boy they like to the end of the universe. The grown-ups keep quiet, and those lungs keep emptying themselves in a howl of unrecognised need. › The bright side manifesto: why Labour must be optimistic One Direction performing. Image: Getty Sarah Ditum is a journalist who writes regularly for the Guardian, New Statesman and others. Her website is here. Subscribe from just £1 per issue More Related articles In defence of the BBC Front Row presenters who don't like theatre "I don't want to burst into tears on stage": The Magnetic Fields' Stephin Merritt Anna of the North's Lovers feels like being submerged in cold, clear water Subscription offer 12 issues for £12 + FREE book LEARN MORE Close This week's magazine


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Gosewisch happy to find home with D-backs
PHILADELPHIA -- D-backs catcher Tuffy Gosewisch spent 7 1/2 years in the Phillies' organization and never made it to the big leagues.
After a half-season in the Blue Jays' organization, Gosewisch signed as a free agent with the D-backs prior to the 2013 campaign and was in the big leagues later that year.
"I never felt like I had a chance with the Phillies," Gosewisch said. "I didn't think I ever had a chance to make a big league roster. I don't know why they never gave me a real look. Whether it was because of offensive numbers or whatever it was."
Gosewisch, 30, has found a niche with the D-backs as backup to Miguel Montero.
"He had a great reputation for being a catcher that the pitchers like to throw to," D-backs manager Kirk Gibson said. "Good target, blocks the ball well, calls a good game, has enthusiasm, plays with energy every day and doesn't mope around when he doesn't play for an extended period of time.
"He prepares himself. He keeps himself ready. You try to build guys up and show them that you have confidence in them, which we do, and he's responded very well to it and he's done a good job for us."
Steve Gilbert is a reporter for MLB.com. Read his blog, Inside the D-backs, and follow him on Twitter @SteveGilbertMLB. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.


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Phil Davis Jazz Jam Session
JazzBeat Promotions
Sunday, September 8, 2013 from 7:30 PM to 10:30 PM (EDT)
Who's Going
San Francisco, California
London, United Kingdom
Florence, Italy
Event Details
Producer, composer-arranger, keyboardist, bandleader and session player Phil Davis has recorded and performed with the best in the music biz. A major supporter of the Atlanta Underground Sound, he now brings his group Straight No Chaser to the Acoustix Jazz Restaurant and Lounge for a night of live music. Davis also released a CD of jazz-themed lullabies for kids, and has worked with such industry greats as Al Jarreau, Sheila E., Will Downing, Stanley Clarke, George Duke, Rachelle Ferrell, Prince, Alex Bugnon, Boney James, Cee-Lo Green and Erykah Badu, among many others.
Tickets online only $10.00 online $15.00 at the door
When & Where
Acoustix Jazz Restaurant & Lounge
840 Marietta Street Northwest
Sunday, September 8, 2013 from 7:30 PM to 10:30 PM (EDT)
Add to my calendar


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YOU COULD be one of the few people to walk around the Beachy Head Lighthouse in a charity event being organised by the campaign to save the lighthouse stripes.
The Lighthouse Challenge takes place during a low spring tide on Saturday, May 5 at 4pm and the entry fee of £6 for adults and £2.50 for under 18s will go towards the cost of repainting the iconic stripes as well as a donation to the Chestnut Tree Hospice for children.
It is being organised by the Rotary Club of Eastbourne AM in conjunction with the Eastbourne Herald and the Keep the Stripes Facebook campaign group, which joined forces to raise more than £25,000 to repaint the red and white stripes after owners Trinity House said last year it could not afford to and the light tower should return to its natural granite grey.
Already more than £3,000 has been raised, Crown Paints, together with Brewers of Eastbourne, has donated the paint and local businesses have agreed to provide their services at cost price.
And, in addition Eastbourne Borough Council this week announced it was giving £10,000 to the campaign and further details will be revealed in the Herald next week.
The lighthouse is in desperate need of repainting and campaigners are hoping to apply for grants to boost the coffers and reach the target so the refurbishment can begin.
In the meantime various events are being planned with schools and organisations to raise money including next month's Lighthouse Challenge, which starts at 4pm with people meeting at the kiosk at the foot of the Downs by St Bede's School.
The walk will be across the Downs to Cow Gap which takes approximately 15-20 minutes, down the steps to the beach and over the rocks, boulders, sand and slippery seaweed to the lighthouse.
Organiser Martin Wellings said, "Apart from the downland stretch this challenge is not suitable for running and all but a very few patches should be negotiated very carefully.
"To take part in this event people need to be reasonably fit for a mixture of running, walking and clambering.
"The event is timed to allow maximum time to circumnavigate the lighthouse. Low water is at 5.41pm and sunset is at 8pm.
For safety and to be sure everyone is properly accounted for, people will be given a number which they will have to show at five checkpoints.
First aid will be available, the coastguard and RNLI are aware of the event in the unlikely event of somebody having difficulty in getting back to Cow Gap before the tide comes in and people must check back in at the kiosk after the challenge to ensure no-one is left on the beach when the tide turns."
Entry forms are available at the Herald offices in Lismore Road, PST Travel in Grove Road or the Arlington Road Surgery and can be handed in to any of the those three venues.
Further information: http://www.keepthebeachyheadlighthousestripes.org.uk/


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Competition is "working well" in the UK road fuel market and rises in pump prices over the past decade are largely due to increases in tax and the cost of crude oil, the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) has reported.
It found "very limited evidence" that pump prices rise quickly when the wholesale price goes up but fall more slowly when it drops.
The OFT said its investigation into the market did identify a lack of pricing information on motorways as a concern and did not rule out taking action in some local markets if there was "persuasive evidence of anti-competitive behaviour".
The OFT launched a call for information on the UK road fuel sector in September last year to determine whether there were competition problems that need to be addressed before investigating concerns over the prices charged for petrol and diesel at the pumps.
Campaigners had called for the watchdog to announce a full investigation into the sector, saying there needs to be greater scrutiny. But the OFT said that the UK had some of the cheapest pre-tax road fuel prices in Europe, noting that in the 10 years to 2012 pump prices increased from 76 pence per litre (ppl) to 136ppl for petrol, and from 78ppl to 142ppl for diesel, caused largely by an increase of nearly 24ppl in tax and duty and 33ppl in the cost of crude oil.
It said a key feature of the sector over the past decade had been the growing influence of the big four supermarkets, which had increased their share of road fuel sold in the UK from 29% in 2004 to 39% in 2012, and with the ability to sell at cheaper prices.
It recognised that many independent dealers had found it difficult to compete in the sector, with the overall number of UK forecourts falling from 10,867 in 2004 to 8,677 in 2012. It also reported that it had not received evidence of any anti-competitive practices being used against independent dealers that might lead it to take enforcement action.
Its analysis of the relationship between retail and wholesale prices at both a national and local market level, as well as the relationship between crude oil prices and wholesale prices at a national level, turned up "very limited" evidence to support claims of so-called rocket and feather pricing.
AA president Edmund King said: "The OFT sees the fuel pricing market as competitive but this clashes with drivers' frustration on the forecourts. If fuel pricing is fair and competitive, there is no reason not to publish petrol and diesel wholesale prices to prove the point and reassure motorists."
A Downing Street spokeswoman said: "It is for the OFT to look at this issue and they have done. They have made it very clear that if there is any further evidence they will look into it and take action. But on this latest issue, DECC (the Department of Energy and Climate Change) are looking at the OFT's response."


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COLUMBUS — The main mid-biennium budget bill likely is heading to a conference committee to hash out differences between the Ohio House and Senate, following approval of the bill by the latter May 21.
The Senate-amended version of House Bill 483 includes more tax breaks for individuals and businesses, increased job training and career development programs and a further focus on efforts to combat drug addiction.
"This legislation streamlines, reforms, targets and advances services to our fellow Ohioans," said Sen. Scott Oelslager (R-North Canton), who serves as chairman of the chamber's finance committee, which reviewed the bill. "Our focus in the Senate has been job creation, economic growth and work force development."
But Democrats opposed the bill. Sen. Tom Sawyer (D-Akron) called it "a missed opportunity to invest our resources to the people of the state of Ohio and instead furthers tax cuts for the wealthy."
HB 483 passed the Senate on a split vote of 24-8. House Speaker Bill Batchelder (R-Medina) told reporters that he expected it and one or more other mid-biennium budget bills to be referred to conference committees for further review, with final action next week or in early June.
The lengthy legislation contains provisions boosting career development and mentoring programs for school children and increasing services to residents addicted to heroin or prescription painkillers.
Senators retained language declaring that college athletes are not employees of the schools they attend, a preemptive strike against students who pursue forming unions.
The Senate added language to accelerate a phased-in tax cut OK'd as part of the last biennial budget, meaning taxpayers will enjoy a 10 percent decrease this year instead of 9 percent.
They also increased, for the current tax year only, a small business deduction to 75 percent from 50 percent, with a maximum deduction amount of $187,500, up from $125,000.
"This is for tax year 2014 only," Oelslager said, adding, "It should save taxpayers more than $225 million."
Additionally, the Senate version of the bill increased the state earned income tax credit to 10 percent of the federal credit, up from 5 percent, and increased personal exemption amounts for Ohioans earning up to $80,000.
Among other provisions added by the Senate, HB 483 would:
• Allow certain liquor permit holders to sell "growlers" of beer — glass containers holding up to 1 gallon.
• Limit the state Controlling Board's ability to approve certain spending, a move that would block the panel from signing off on a Medicaid expansion without a vote of the full legislature.
• Establish an incentive program, providing bonuses to caseworkers who help unemployed Ohioans find jobs.
• Require the governor to create a "workgroup" to develop ways to help needy Ohioans to stop relying on public assistance.
"It benefits all Ohioans," Sen. Bill Coley, a Republican from southwestern Ohio, said of the legislation. "… I think this bill will continue with our tradition of protecting Ohio taxpayers and restoring economic growth in Ohio."
Democrats attempted a number of amendments, including an omnibus offering to reverse proposed tax cuts and increase funding for early childhood education, school security, students' college costs and other initiatives.
Most of the minority party amendments failed, though one offered by Sen. Nina Turner (D-Cleveland) was accepted, removing a provision that would have voided an administrative rule that regulated certain campaign contributions from union groups and corporations.
Turner, who is running for secretary of state, still voted against the bill.
"This budget serves a very specific agenda of powerful interests and does very little to improve the lives of everyday Ohioans, from grandma to grandpa to auntie to mamas to daddies," she said. "It does very little for everyday citizens in the great state of Ohio."
Sen. Joe Schiavoni (D-Boardman) added later, "I think that again we made this MBR, this corrections budget, all about income tax cuts that have no meaningful impact on the quality of life of the average Ohioan, but instead it makes a good talking point for the governor and members of the legislature to go out on the campaign trail this fall."
Marc Kovac is the Dix Capital Bureau Chief. Email him at firstname.lastname@example.com or on Twitter at OhioCapitalBlog.
Ohio's mid-biennium budget likely back to committee for more debate
COLUMBUS — The main mid-biennium budget bill likely is heading to a conference committee to hash out differences between the Ohio House and Senate, following approval of the bill by the latter May 21.


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|Pasta Salad with Roasted Tomatoes, Grilled Zucchini, and Basil. Three of my summer favorites in one salad!
Of course, basil is one of my very favorite herbs, easy to grow from seed, and a perfect compliment to many of the other flavors of summer. Basil is most flavorful when used fresh, or if it's being included in a dish that is cooked, it should be added at the last minute. There are many types of basil, and a variety of ways it can be used.
I used some frozen basil and some fresh basil in this recipe, simply because I had both, but you could use all one type. I also added some black olives to my pasta salad, but really the combination of grilled zucchini, roasted tomatoes, and fresh basil would make a wonderful pasta salad by itself if you don't want to add the olives. Here's what I did.
about 1/4 cup of dressing, and marinate 4-6 hours or more.
Chop up 2-3 cups roasted tomatoes while the pasta cooks. If using olives, cut them in half. Combine cooled pasta, zucchini, tomatoes and olives and let salad sit in refrigerator for 30 minutes. At serving time, toss in fresh chopped basil, coarsely grated parmesan, and more dressing as needed, let come to room temperature, and serve.
(Makes about 8 servings, recipe created by Kalyn)
1 box Dreamfields Penne, or your choice of pasta
1 large zucchini, cut in slices 1/2 inch wide, then grilled (yield 2-3 cups grilled zucchini, marinated in dressing)
2-3 cups roasted tomatoes, diced in 1/2 inch pieces
1 can olives, cut in half (optional)
1/2 cup chopped fresh basil (or less if you don't have that much)
about 2 cups coarsely grated parmesan cheese
salt, fresh ground black pepper to taste
Dressing Ingredients:
3/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
1 T Johnny's Great Caesar Garlic Seasoning
(or use garlic powder or ground garlic)
2 T frozen chopped basil, thawed (or use 2 T purchased pesto)
(you can use 1 cup purchased low sugar vinaigrette with 2 T pesto mixed in to replace this dressing if you prefer)
Combine dressing ingredients. Brush zucchini with some of the dressing and grill until zucchini is brown and starting to soften, about 5 minutes per side. Cut zucchini in pieces about 3/4 in square, put in zip-loc bag with about 1/4 cup of dressing, and marinate 4-6 hours or longer.
With Dreamfields pasta and a moderate serving size, this salad would be fine for The South Beach Diet, phase two or three. Of course, if you're not on a diet use any type of pasta you wish. I think this would taste great with any type of grilled chicken or fish, or even grilled sausage.


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Plouffe aggravates calf strain, held out of lineup
FORT MYERS, Fla. -- Twins third baseman Trevor Plouffe aggravated his strained right calf on Sunday and was held out of the lineup against the Pirates for precautionary reasons.
Twins general manager Terry Ryan said the injury is not serious, but the club is just being cautious with Plouffe, who missed Minnesota's first three Grapefruit League games with the injury before playing in his first game on Feb. 26.
"He tweaked that calf again," Ryan said. "He did it this morning. He was doing the right things, he just tweaked. So it's just day to day, so he'll be all right."
Plouffe suffered the injury in workouts before the game against the Pirates at Hammond Stadium.
"He got his calf again," Gardenhire said. "It's going to be a few days. So we'll have to wait and see. You always want to see how he's feeling the second day. My guess is about a week-plus."
Plouffe has been impressive, hitting .407 with a double in nine games.
Rhett Bollinger is a reporter for MLB.com. Read his blog, Bollinger Beat, and follow him on Twitter @RhettBollinger. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.


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RiP: A Remix Manifesto in the tradition of mainfestos pastSunday, December 14th, 2008
I recently got a chance to check out RiP: A REMIX MANIFESTO, the Canadian documentary that takes a look at copyright (and the mashup artist Girl Talk) in a kind of method way- the producers, EYESTEELFILM, and director, Brett Gaylor decided that since the costs of licensing all the expensive music in the film would be prohibitive, and since the film was about these costs, it would essentially be fair use to go ahead and use whatever they wanted (including network footage, usually very expensive) and just see what happens.
It's a pretty interesting concept, and though the film does paint the issue in overly black and white terms (the CopyRIGHT vs. the Copy LEFT), by the end, Gaylor has raised some interesting issues about the state of copyright, though I'm not sure many of them are answered. Hope to have a discussion with one of the producers which will be here soon.
It's definitely worth seeing especially if you enjoy the Girl Talk phenomenon- I met him a few weeks ago at a show and was impressed- he's totally into giving a great performance- which is all the more remarkable given that his performance is pushing some buttons. And, in keeping with the mashup philosophy, if you don't like the film (or especially if you do) you can make your own version at OpenSourceCinema.


text: Tracey Scoffield (executive producer) has produced several features for HBO, including "My Zinc Bed," by David Hare, the Emmy® winner "Into the Storm," by Hugh Whitemore and "The Special Relationship," by Peter Morgan, in which Michael Sheen reprises his role as Tony Blair. Her other credits include "Dirty Pretty Things," "Sylvia," HBO's "The Gathering Storm," "Mrs. Henderson Presents" and "Tristram Shandy: A Cock and Bull Story." She is a director of Rainmark Films.


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'There are many reasons for the Sabres' rise to prominence. But Gaustad's arrival as an NHL player, and the sustained play of the fourth line, have been big factors. When you can roll four lines, as Lindy Ruff has done, it filters through the roster. It fortifies a team for the end of games, the end of road trips, and the playoffs.'
You are here: Home / SabresBeat / Gaustad comes forth as a scorer


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LRG (Lifted Research Group) brings you street clothing and skatewear designed to overthrow the masses. The company slogan states its noble mission: "underground inventive, overground effective." LRG is for artists and creators—people who are getting by, by doing what they love. They are a support group for counter-culture and independent thinkers. In order to change the whole social perspective, they plant their ideas in the underground streets and watch them grow upward. This starts with street culture clothing and ends with an innovative change in the world as we know it.
No products match your selections. Try clearing your filters.


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- Alfabet
- Flower bulb history
- Sector
- Flower bulb production
- Bulb flower production
- Landscaping information
- Trends
- Essay items
- Spring blooming bulbs
- Summer blooming bulbs
- Autumn blooming bulbs
- Photobooks
Spring A-Z
Zodiac colours
Colours are matching your zodiac sign, according to German-born astrologer, Ruth Zucker. A fun test to do with your relatives and friends.
Yokohama is a well-known, early-flowering tulip, the colour of which is yellow. It is highly suitable for planting in an evergreen creeper such as ivy
Xit is the name of the small-cupped narcissus. It is a sort which also can be placed in borders between perennials such as Brunnera or Geranium.
Wonderfully lush
The smaller bulbous plants such as anemones and grape hyacinths are wonderfully lush in the early spring, and Oxalis a little later in the season. In order to achieve this luxuriant effect the bulbs must be planted in the correct manner: scatter them on the ground and plant them where they fall.
Viridiflora tulips
Viridiflora tulips are unusual because of the green flame on the outside of the flower, for example on this late-flowering 'Groenland'.
Spring-blooming bulbous plants are those such as tulip and grape hyacinth, which are planted in the autumn and flower in the early spring. These are unlike the summer-flowering bulbous plants, such as this Oxalis or wood sorrel, which must be planted when the spring-blooming flowers are over, and which flower from July till late in the autumn. We can enjoy bulbs in the garden the whole year round if we plant spring- and autumn-flowering types.
The tulip is the national symbol of the Netherlands with which the country has become famous, particularly abroad. The assortment of tulips that is available at the moment is enormous, and still growing. That the tulip can be used as pot plant is not that well known. They can be planted in pots at home, but if you do not want to try this so-called "home forcing", you can also buy "prepared" bulbs in pots. Tulips in pots don't last as long as those outside, but they do last longer than those in the vase.
Snowdrops are the first harbingers of spring in the garden. If the winter is mild, they will sometimes flower as early as January. The tiny flowers are only noticeable if they are planted in a rather larger group, and preferably against a dark background such as ivy.
Rough effects
Rough effects can be achieved by, for example, planting large-stemed tulips in close groups. They produce surprising results if placed in between perennials or ferns. We can achieve very unusual results in the spring even in places where little will grow. Once the plant gets it's leaf, it will cover the dying tulip leaves.
Queen of the Night
'Queen of the Night' is the name of the darkest tulip which exists. It is sold as a "black" tulip, but if examined carefully, it becomes apparent that it is actually dark purple.Compare wiht Tulipa 'Black Hero' and Tulipa 'Black Parrot'.


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Start a charm bracelet this holiday season for someone you love. As a special bonus when you shop for charms at Pyramid Studios, we will solder the charms onto your bracelet at no extra cost!
A charm is a classic collectible that captures a memory, an event, or a special occasion for a lifetime — a sentimental journey you can hold in your hand.
The foundation of your charm bracelet collection is the charm bracelet itself. Our favorite is the traditional double curb which is available in three widths and 7″ and 8″ lengths. Then simply add charms to mark an important part of your life.
Rembrandt Charms are available at our Downtown Ellsworth retail store and our top sellers are now available for online order! Our web store has been completely redesigned to make online shopping even easier. You are welcome to browse the digital catalog and email or call in your order.
Choose local pickup at our 10 State Street Store and save on shipping costs! Free gift wrapping is always our pleasure.
Charms are available in 10 karat yellow gold, 14 karat white gold, 14 karat yellow gold, gold plate and sterling silver. Many charms are engravable. Personalize your charm further with a photoart charm available in a variety of styles featuring your own picture of a loved one, pet or special place.
Our 10 State Street, Downtown Ellsworth store hours
Mon- Friday 10am – 5:30pm
Saturday 10am – 4pm
Closed Sunday and Monday.
If you need shopping help, please feel free to call us at 207-667-3321. Visit our website for gift ideas www.pyramid.ws or to shop online for our top sellers.


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I didn't find any other forums for this. So, I had a little bit of time last night to field test my E-Samurai again. I snagged a Glo Z-Nuke, Star Destroyer, ESP Force, Z Force and ESP Nuke to test it against. I was throwing on the rugby field with the freshly painted lines, so I was able to actually measure my throws with easily last night. After getting warmed up, my throws with the Nukes were settling in around 415. The Samurai was around 411. The Destroyer was averaging 405. And the Force was right about 398.
I find that it isn't the fastest disc out of that group, but it held up surprisingly well against the Nuke. If the Nuke is a Speed 13, then I would classify the Samurai as a speed 12, maybe a speed 12.5. I would say that it is a notch faster than the Destroyer and Force, but a little less than the Nuke.
The glide of the Samurai was the best of the bunch. I would give it an Innova glide rating of a 6 or 7. If you have ever thrown an Assassin, similar glide to that.
In terms of turn, I would put it in the same realm as a Nuke SS(Didn't take my SS out with me, wish I would have). Not completely flip-tastic, but not a pig either. I was able to stand it up from an 8 o'clock release and not have it crash all the way over. A very nice flip ride. When released flat, it would definitely hold the turn for quite a while before coming back left. Innova turn rating would be probably a -2.
The low speed fade isn't as abrupt as other Gateway molds either. When compared to the Destroyer and Force, I would say the low speed fade is a notch lower. So, maybe an Innova rating of +2.
I am really liking this disc a lot so far. This might Gateway's best drive mold they have ever presented. Very easy to throw and control. I would like to test it out with some varying winds to see how it performs. Might have to get another one of these so I have a backup. Very strong possibility that the Samurai will be staying in the bag.


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Boys can be BOIs on historic Galveston Island, maybe Texas' gay-friendliest hamlet
ARNOLD WAYNE JONES | Life+Style Editor
Listen carefully to the locals when you head south of Houston to go beachcombing: Most don't refer to their town as "Galveston;" they will call it "Galveston Island." Being an island is a big part of the lifestyle in this strip of land along the Texas Gulf Coast. Islanders have a different mindset than mainlanders, even when their spit of dirt is connected via a causeway. There's a separateness to being here, which sometimes manifests as a survivalist mentality.
You need that easygoing independence if you're gonna be front-and-center during hurricane season: You're on your own, but you also stick together. (You'll need to know the difference between a boy, a "boi" and a BOI — Born On Island — if you don't wanna insult someone … or find the right guy on Grindr.)
Galveston Island has weathered (literally) its share of devastation. The Great Storm of 1900 — it doesn't even have a name; it came before hurricanes needed them — turned most of the island's homes into matchsticks, nearly wiping out the economy (it had been an economic powerhouse, but was usurped by Houston after that). That led to the building of the Sea Wall, the longest continuous sidewalk in the world and a barrier that has more than done its job.
That's true even after the havoc inflicted by Hurricane Ike in 2008. About a quarter of the town's population left for good after intense surges turned downtown into a swimming pool. But less than three years later, Galveston looks mostly normal, aside from the occasional signage indicating high-water lines above your chest.
Because Galveston has been so subject to loss of life and property, there's a strong sense of the past here that makes for a dream weekend getaway for history buffs and lovers of Texana (it's a five-hour drive from Dallas, or a quick 45-minute flight to Houston Hobby and an hour shuttle to the island). And this summer is an especially propitious time to go: Two institutions are celebrating their century marks. (Dallas has almost nothing as old, and we don't have the excuse of tidal waves to explain why.)
First is the Hotel Galvez & Spa, a gorgeous grande dame that recalls the villas of Europe. The Galvez has undergone several major renovations in recent years, including a spa with a variety of treatments (the custom massage really sooths the muscles), relaxation and beauty options and a gym. The rooms — small but elegant — have also been updated with iPod docks, effortlessly adjustable lighting, flat-screen TVs, free wifi and Gilchrest & Soames amenities. It also offers one of the most exquisite Sunday brunches you'll ever encounter at Bernardo's Restaurant, with countless options from made-to-order omelets to an ice cream and dessert bar. (The weekend of June 11, it will host free community events including fireworks over the Gulf.)
The hotel's history extends to its non-paying guests — specifically, its ghosts. Jackie, the concierge, does a convincing job guiding you along a ghost tour, with photos that suggest spirits continue to walk the halls and stories about actual encounters (they even had an inter-spectre wedding here last year).
Another business commemorating its centenary is Gaido's, a seafood legend that opened its doors in 1911 and is still family-owned and -run. Once the height of high-end dining, it has become a go-to eatery for generations of Galveston lovers, with a menu that includes Gulf-caught combo platters and a to-die-for pecan pie.
There's no shortage of good places to eat and stay as well as things to do along this 32 mile-long, 2.5 mile-wide beach community. Moody Gardens Hotel & Spa is a non-profit facility marked by its trio of eco-pyramids: Three on-site glass structures that house a discovery center, an aquarium and a recreation of a rainforest (in the process of an impressive renovation after Ike, it will reopen next month).
You might also get a room at the boutique-y Tremont House, located along The Strand, Galveston's historic downtown district on the bay-side of the island. From there, it's easy access to Pier 21, where you can see a film about the Great Storm of 1900, browse through the cute shops (don't skip LaKing's Confectionery for some decadent ice cream and candies), or mosey over to the Elissa, a 134-year-old three-masted sailing ship docked permanently in Galveston. If you wanna get out on the water, BayWatch Dolphin Tours, entertainingly undertaken by Capt. Michael Caldwell, give you a quick 50-minute tour of the bay.
Maybe the best way to get a sense for local history, though, is through the Galveston Historical Foundation, led by former Preservation Dallas bigwig Dwayne Jones. The GHF offers regular tours of the area via solar-powered trolley (as well as on foot), showing you film director King Vidor's home and where Oscar Wilde stayed when he visited the city on his only North American trip. The GHF also manages several historic mansions.
Two Galveston homes are unmissable. The Bishop's Palace, built between 1887–92, is a 20,000 square foot monument to varied architectural styles, from Gothic to Victorian. This fascinating portmanteau building boasts 11 fireplaces, myriad hand-carved woods and original stained glass. Very different but equally fascinating is Moody Mansion, a massive and painstakingly decorated museum to one of the Island's most prominent families.
Always incredibly gay-friendly for a small town, Galveston has several gay bars that stay busy. Stars Beach Club occupies the building along the Seawall previously occupied by the 3rd Coast Bar. It has a friendly staff (and cheap drinks!), plus a drag show and sizeable runway stage among the fiber-optic lights. 3rd Coast moved away from the shore to near downtown, and still offers live entertainment in a Deep Ellum-clubby atmosphere. (Two other clubs — the Pink Dolphin and Robert's Lafitte — are located, campily enough, on Avenue Q.)
Galveston is of course known for its beaches, but you don't need to get sand in your pants to enjoy the sun and surf. The Texas-based water park Schlitterbahn has a facility here which includes a heated indoor facility during bad weather and a "boogie bahn" that allows you to surf on a boogie board without worrying about undertow.
Walk across the street to check out the Lone Star Flight Museum, which houses numerous antique planes, many of which are available for guided rental and which come out of the hangers for actual air shows on a regular basis.
Being on the Gulf, seafood is popular here, which you can enjoy along with an eclectic style at 901 Postoffice. This restaurant, housed in a converted house, is open only on weekends, and offers creative dishes in an intimate, even romantic setting (or go into the backyard for a casual, more communal experience). Olympia Grill at Harbor House provides bay views with Greek-inspired cuisine. And for apps and cocktails, you can't beat the recently opened rooftop patio at the Tremont, offering vistas of most of the island.


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String of lefties awaits Pirates in second half
PITTSBURGH -- There were times in the first half of the season when Clint Hurdle said he wished his team would face more lefties on the mound.
Even in the right-handed-heavy National League Central, the Pirates saw an uncanny few amount of southpaw starters -- just 12 in their first 95 games. The mark is the fewest in baseball by a fair margin (the Braves have gone against 16 left-handed starters).
But as the second half opens Friday, Hurdle is getting his wish, and the right-handed bats in the Bucs' order can collectively say "about time." The Pirates face four consecutive left-handed starters, which began Friday with Colorado's Jorge De La Rosa.
Hurdle said he was unaware of this stretch until he saw the schedule in his office after he returned from his role as an assistant coach in Tuesday's All-Star Game. He pointed out the Pirates, who are 6-6 in games started by southpaws, should go against six lefties in their first eight second half games, as they play the Rockies again next weekend.
"It will give our guys a chance to see some consistent left-handed pitching, which we have not seen in two years," said Hurdle, whose team also went against the fewest lefties in 2013, seeing 31. "We'll see how that fares out for us."
Right-handed-hitting first baseman Gaby Sanchez (.270/.333/.492 against lefties this season), who platoons with Ike Davis, was in the lineup for Friday's series opener. Sanchez made 30 starts in the first half and will see his most active stretch of the season since the team traded for Davis in mid-April.
Stephen Pianovich is an associate reporter for MLB.com. Teddy Cahill is a reporter for MLB.com. Follow him on Twitter at @tedcahill. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.