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Thomas Jefferson Library Certified as a Green Building
June 8, 2011
Thomas Jefferson Library received a LEED Silver© rating from the U.S. Green Building Council©, making it one of five green libraries in the county as of this year.
The one-story, 17,000 square-foot building incorporates a host of green features, including:
Recycled and renewable materials, such as the ceiling tiles that
contain 70 percent recycled content. In addition, the carpet tiles used
throughout the building contain 35 percent recycled materials. The
lobby floor is made from linoleum which contains rapidly renewable
materials like cork dust and linseed oils. During construction, 75
percent of construction waste was recycled instead of landfilled.
Energy-efficient design that's expected to cut energy
consumption by 40 percent compared to a traditionally designed
library. Natural light reaches more than 90 percent of occupied spaces,
and sensors installed within 15 feet of all windows dims lights inside
the building based on the amount of available daylight. The library
also uses electricity generated from wind farms.
Water-saving plumbing fixtures that should reduce
water use by 40 percent compared to a conventionally designed
library, including waterless urinals, dual-flush toilets, and
sensor-operated faucets.
- Energy Star rated appliances and mechanical equipment that use less energy and save money.
One of the oldest libraries in the county, Thomas Jefferson opened in 1962, and the building was renovated and expanded building in 2010. It offers group and quiet study areas along with one large meeting room that can be divided into two smaller meeting rooms.
In December, the library also received a 2010 Award of Excellence for Best Building from NAIOP Northern Virginia.
The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors adopted a green building policy for county facilities in 2008. The policy requires that buildings with more than 10,000 square feet be constructed to meet minimum green building standards, if not exceed them. The policy applies to the design and construction of new county buildings and renovations or additions to existing county buildings.


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New Collectibles From The Long-Running Comic Series...
As reported to you earlier this year, Dark Horse Deluxe had acquired the licensing rights to create figures based on Powers, the long-running creator-owned series of comics and graphic novels by writer Brian Michael Bendis and artist Michael Avon Oeming. On display at San Diego Comic-Con was the first look at Dark Horse's first offerings. These included a limited-edition statue of Retro Girl sculpted by Tony Cipriano. The 13-inch tall statue is scheduled to take flight in February 2014 priced at $179.99. Also shown was a boxed set of Powers vinyl figures. This set - starring Christian Walker, Deena Pilgrim, Retro Girl and Triphammer - is also due out in February an will be priced at $24.99.
To insure your action figure collection, get in touch with Collectibles Insurance, the official insurance company of the Figures.com network. Say "Figures.com" to get 5% off your first term premiums.
To buy action figures, take a look at BigBadToyStore.com, AlterEgoComics.com, Toynk.com, BriansToys.com, ToyWiz.com, and MonkeyDepot.com.

subset: commoncrawl


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Zythophile informs us that, according to chairman Colin Valentine, beer bloggers hate CAMRA, hate cask ale and wish everyone would just drink keg beer. We have no respect for history and can't even define our beloved 'craft beer' properly.
What's set Colin off is the growing contention that keg beer has changed over the last forty years, and that some brewers who create amazing cask beers now also produce amazing keg beers. In Colin's strange little world, the fact that one has some carbonation and the other doesn't makes the one with carbonation evil. Some bubbles make, say, keg Camden Pale or Punk IPA more similar to Watneys Red than to their respective cask versions. And if we tolerate them, we'll all suddenly want to drink really shit keg beer again.
|"What's Brewing, Mr Ludd?"
CAMRA chairpersons have form when it comes to creating imaginary enemies on which to vent their spleen and look tough. One of my first ever blog posts saw me first try out my ranting style when Col's predecessor, Paula Waters, thought it would be a good idea to use the one occasion when CAMRA has the ear of the national press to suggest that lager drinkers who might be curious about trying real ale were not welcome at the 2006 Great British Beer Festival.
But I'm not going to rant here. I don't need to. As I tweeted over the weekend, it's far more damning simply to draw attention to what these people say.
It's just such a shame that when CAMRA is doing so much good, the chairperson - of all people - publicly says something that takes it back to the dark ages, that deliberately antagonises people who are by and large on the same side - people who are in total agreement when it comes to CAMRA's stated aim: "CAMRA promotes good-quality [sic] real ale and pubs, as well as acting as the consumer's champion in relation to the UK and European beer and drinks industry".
The fact that as one of the more visible of those nasty bloggers who has argued passionately for good quality keg ale, I also write the annual Cask Report which has been credited with doing quite a bit to spread cask ale in pubs, is something which seemingly does not compute in this paranoid, binary 'us and them' world. For Colin and for Roger Protz - who has also recently attacked 'noisome bloggers' for daring to suggest that, after having largely achieved its aim in saving real ale, after forty years CAMRA might just be able to, y'know, evolve to take account of the fact that it's not 1971 any more - we don't want to encourage CAMRA to evolve; we want to destroy it and all it has achieved.
I really am not interested in going over the same old "the clue is in the name, idiot" arguments. Instead, I want to make one observation.
Over the last four years, while I've been doing the Cask Report, I've spent a great deal of time reviewing research on the reasons why more people don't drink more real ale more often. Some of the most important pieces of research have been done with CAMRA. We work very well together.
The main barriers to cask ale - according to the people who don't drink it, or drink it only occasionally, are as follows:
- Lack of knowledge - people simply don't know where to start
- Lack of confidence - linked to the above, not knowing what to order. People regularly say that if samples were offered, they would try them. The irony is that those who already know real ale are perfectly comfortable asking for samples; those who really need to try samples are not.
- Lack of a reason - they're perfectly happy with what they're already drinking. (To them, lager is not horrible 'chemical fizz', and you're not going to convince them it is by telling them they have no taste. And wine is a perfect drink when you want flavour, complexity, sophistication, and something to match with food.) For most people, while many of the stigmas around real ale have disappeared, there's nothing about it that makes them think they have to try it. It lacks the social currency and image values that would make it a cool choice at the bar. (Remember, this doesn't apply for everyone - just the vast majority of people who don't drink it).
- Issues around quality - it's inconsistent, and a bad pint can put off a novice for life
- Image - from some. It's important to distinguish between two negative stereotypes here. The geeky, socks and sandals image of real ale does not exist for mainstream non-drinkers - it's only people who go to beer festivals already who worry about this stereotype. But the other negative stereotype - which happens to be completely untrue when you look at the stats - is that it's a drink for old men with flat caps and whippets. In the words of one focus group respondent, drinking real ale on a night out is not going to help you pull.
|He's actually far more likely to be drinking John Smiths Smoothflow, you know.
Those are the main barriers to "promoting good quality real ale" in pubs. CAMRA know this - they are an active and vital part of the coalition that directs me to write the Cask Report, and some of this is from their own research. So you'd think that these would be the issues that CAMRA would devote most of its time to addressing.
- Cask breathers are bad - thou shalt not put a blanket of CO2 on top of thy beer to extend its life
- Keg ale is bad - bubbles are dangerous
- Lager is horrible chemical fizz - i.e., it's bad
- The tie operated by large PubCos is bad
- Not being served a full pint of beer is bad
- Big brewers of real ale buying smaller brewers of real ale is bad
- Pretty much anything that's not 'traditional' (whatever that means) is probably bad
But I'm suggesting that what the campaigning arm of CAMRA talks about most is parochial, uninteresting to 95% of beer drinkers, and does nothing - absolutely nothing - to address what CAMRA knows are the biggest barriers to achieving its stated aim.
I've never heard CAMRA calling for a widespread campaign to give samplers out to novice drinkers. I've never seen them effectively trying to address the image issue (please, no one even try to suggest the horrible 'pint head' thing does anything other than damage real ale's image further.) In terms of education, one might argue the Cyclops scheme addresses this - except I've just been involved with two separate research projects among real ale drinkers and not one person in 15 focus groups across the UK has ever seen it.
|MISSING: Have you seen this beer rating scheme?
Keg versus cask, cask breathers etc are of deep, passionate interest to the most committed, active, vocal CAMRA members. They're of no interest whatsoever to the average beer drinker - the potential real ale drinker.
Those advocating that CAMRA might consider evolving to reflect the reality of the modern beer scene do so because they recognise that CAMRA has a vital role to play in the promotion of good beer. We do so because we recognise that setting up a 'campaign for good keg beer' entirely misses the point - it makes issues of dispense method and carbonation when these are NOT the issues, and it formalises an antagonistic relationship between two factions of people who are equally passionate about great tasting beer. I don't want to bring up the Judean People's Popular Front again, but seriously, can you not see the parallels?
Whenever I or anyone else says anything like this, the same thing always happens. Many CAMRA members write to say they agree with me. One or two, Tandleman being the main example, usually disagree with me but do so in a way that is based on rational argument, engaging with the issues raised and challenging my view of things in a reasonable, constructive manner. But the people with the loudest voices and the biggest potential to engage in constructive debate shy away from direct argument, retreat to their heartland and make tub-thumping speeches at conferences and in What's Brewing where they seem genuinely offended and outraged that these newly-imagined enemies of CAMRA even DARE to suggest such heresies, because if CAMRA were to, I dunno, allow Meantime keg beers or Freedom lagers to be sold with gas at beer festivals, before you know it we would all be zombies drinking Watney's Red - itself miraculously back from the dead.
Guys - you are doing your campaign - and real ale - a grave disservice. I know you'll never agree with me, but can you not at least see that in making this post, I'm not attacking real ale?
Most beer bloggers are passionate real ale advocates - it's just that we, like the public, judge a beer on how it's made and how it tastes rather than how it's served. And for that, Chairman Col et al think we are the enemy.
The irony is that thanks to his hostile, knee-jerk approach, with this constant paranoid focus on the wrong targets, keg-drinking bloggers like Mark Dredge, Zythophile and RabidBarFly do more to usefully, truly promote real ale to new converts than someone like Colin Valentine ever will.


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The Writings on the Wall – Street Art + Graffiti in Cairo
by thirdeyemom
Author's note: Today I am featuring the work of JoAnna, a Canadian expat living in Cairo, Egypt who writes the intriguing blog, For the Intolerants. We've been following each other's work for awhile and I asked her if I could feature her most recent post on my blog. Here it is….Enjoy! The Writings on the Wall – Street Art + Graffiti in Cairo Prior to Egypt's revolution/uprising there was little to see by the way of graffiti and/or street art around […]
Categories: Blogging, Egypt, Guest Posts, Travel by Country • Tags: cairo, CULTURE, Egypt, for the intolerants, guest post, Politics, Travel


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NEW YORK ( TheStreet) -- David Einhorn scored a small victory in his shareholder battle against tech Goliath Apple ( AAPL) this week, winning a court order to keep the company from eliminating its preferred stock, a vehicle the hedge funder says could be the key for returning billions in cash to investors. Late Friday, a court blocked Apple's shareholder vote as a result of a lawsuit brought forward by Einhorn. This may allow the famed short-seller turned activist to push a case for increasing the company's dividend as his fund, Greenlight Capital, adds to a more than half-billion-dollar Apple bet. Einhorn and Apple were at the heart of a big week for a handful of tech titans that also included the earnings of struggling PC-makers Hewlett-Packard ( HPQ) and Dell ( DELL) and an all-important quarterly report from electric-car maker Tesla ( HPQ), as the company's founder Elon Musk tries to charge up excitement about its Model S sports car. Although Einhorn's legal victory against Apple culminated a week of back and forth between the tech giant and its most vocal investor, the company also made headlines for new product speculation. Rumors in February that Apple was developing its own smart watch drew a strong response from TheStreet's readers this week. Of the 1,455 people who voted in a recent poll, 75% said they would buy an iWatch if Apple released such a product. Just 13% of respondents said "No," with another 13% saying they weren't sure. A smart watch could be big business for Apple, which recently has faced concerns about its continuing innovation. Morgan Stanley analyst Katy Huberty believes the watch could be worth as much as $10 billion to $15 billion in annual revenue for Apple, assuming a $200 price point. Meanwhile, speculation continued that Apple may ink a carrier relationship with China Mobile ( CHL) after Qualcomm ( QCOM) announced a new Long Term Evolution (LTE) chipset on Thursday, the RF360 Front End Solution, which for the first time ever offers a truly global 4G LTE design for mobile devices. Investors, including Einhorn, aren't just thinking about Apple, even as the battle rages as to whether it is a $200 dollar stock or whether Google ( GOOG) can rise to $1,000. Data released on Wednesday indicate that, as a result of its iPhone 5, Apple has taken the smartphone lead from Samsung. Tech research firm Strategy Analytics reports that Apple shipped an estimated 27.4 million iPhone 5s during the fourth quarter, taking the smartphone crown from Samsung's Galaxy S3 and accounting for 13% of all smartphones sold globally. Some 17.4 million iPhone 4S were sold, up from 16.2 million in the previous quarter. Samsung shipped 15.4 million Galaxy S3s, down from 18 million in the third quarter, when the device topped the smartphone charts. Together, Apple's iPhone 5 and iPhone 4S accounted for one in five of all smartphones sold globally during the fourth quarter, according to Strategy Analytics. Apple shares ended the week down 5.1% at $450.81.
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It really should come as no surprise that Texas Tech's vacant head coaching position is drawing interest from numerous high-profile coaches. Guys like Tommy Tuberville, Art Briles and Kevin Sumlin are not dummies. When they look at the program that Mike Leach has left behind, they do not see a wreckage-strewn disaster. Rather, they see a rocket that is fueled and primed for blast off.
The Red Raiders who return for 2010 are an impressive bunch. And they will be augmented by a talented, well-selected group of newcomers if the current recruiting class holds together.
But it's not only the returning players who make the Texas Tech job so attractive. It is also the facilities, the fan support, and the tradition of winning consistently that make the Tech post a true plum.
Jones AT&T Stadium now seats over 59,000 people and will very shortly expand to a capacity of more than 60,000. The west side of the stadium is already an aesthetic showpiece and the east side will match it in due course. Tech's football stadium will never seat 100,000-plus like that place down in Austin, but it will soon hold its own in the eyes of all but the most starry-eyed recruits.
But more important than the stadium itself is the fans who so often turn it into such a hellhole for the oppo. Red Raider rooters have always been a rude and brutal bunch, but where 40,000 was a typical turnout 15 years ago, 55,000 is closer to the norm now. Forty-thousand gonzo Red Raiders was maybe just supportable. Fifty-five thousand babbling loons painted up like The Joker is more than most people can stand.
The point being that Jones AT&T Stadium and its fans provide a home-field advantage superior to the vast majority of venues that are considerably larger. Prospective coaches are well aware of this fact and they consider it a huge plus.
And then there is the winning culture nurtured by Spike Dykes and fortified powerfully by Mike Leach. Over the course of the Spike Age and the Mike Moment the Red Raiders are 166-110-1. Moreover, Tech didn't have a single losing season during the 10 seasons Leach coached at Tech.
One could go on at length with impressive facts and stats to prove the strength and durability of the Tech program, but there's no need. It's self-evident. The Red Raiders expect to win and they usually do. The incoming coach, therefore, will not have to build self confidence and teach his players how to win. They already know their way to the good side of the scoreboard.
And speaking of those players, Tech's next coach will have some great material with which to work.
Assuming the head man wants to throw the sling the ball around the yard a little, he'll have a couple of talented, experienced fellows who know how to do just that. Taylor Potts, the 2010 Alamo Bowl Offensive MVP, was the starter for most of the season and he put up some pretty big numbers. But he also got banged up quite a bit, and when he did, Steven Sheffield proved to be a dynamo off of the bench. In fact, when healthy, Sheffield was basically unstoppable.
The ground game will be in equally good shape as the quarterback position. In Baron Batch and Eric Stephens, the Red Raiders will boast backs who combined for 1,138 rushing yards, 16 touchdowns and a 5.3 yards per carry average.
The receiving corps also returns almost completely intact. Freshman All-American Alexander Torres led the team in receptions with 67, but Detron Lewis, who had a marvelous game in the Alamo Bowl, was right behind him with 65 grabs. Tramain Swindall, Austin Zouzalik, Lyle Leong and Jacoby Franks, all major contributors in 2009, return in 2010.
The offensive line will also be a very solid group. The Red Raiders do lose an All-American in guard Brandon Carter, a good center in Shawn Byrnes and starting right tackle Marlon Winn, but everybody else, including backups who played extensively, return from a group that played better as the season went on. The youthful trio of Terry McDaniel, Lonnie Edwards and LaAdrian Waddle have talent to burn. Justin Keown is a highly competent center and Chris Olson is a valuable jack of all trades.
Defensively, there is work to be done up front where Tech loses three magnificent defensive ends in Brandon Sharpe, Daniel Howard and Rajon Henley, not to mention underrated tackle Richard Jones. But nose tackle Colby Whitlock returns and the remainder of the defense should be lights-out.
In Brian Duncan, Bront Bird and Sam Fehoko, Tech will field a stout trio of linebackers. Duncan should be a preseason All-Big 12 selection. Depth, however, will be a concern.
Freshman All-American Cody Davis should continue to develop into one of Tech's all-time greats at safety, and Franklin Mitchem will be alongside to contribute as well. LaRon Moore should contend for All-Big 12 honors in 2010, and in sophomores Will Ford and D.J. Johnson, Tech has a pair of young defensive backs with supreme talent.
Special teams also look good with the steady boots of Matthew Williams, Ryan Erxleben and Donnie Carona returning to handle field goals, punts and kickoffs respectively.
In short, if Texas Tech can find a few good defensive linemen they will be a top-20 caliber team on paper. And what coach in his right mind wouldn't want to put his hand to that?


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M2 Skin Care M2 Skin Refinish 20% Reviews
flaking skinMy skin is peeling because this product is making my skin really dry. Not a fan at all. — 5 years, 1 month agospringsblue | 181 reviews
This review is: Helpful | Not helpful | Inappropriate | 5 of 12 people said helpful
NoI read a lot of good comments on this product on a website so I was thinking this would be the solution to my acne scar problems but after 2 months of religous use, I came away very disaapointed. I did not notice any effect on my skin after 2 solid months of use. It was very sticky and burned when I put it on but hey whatever works right? WRONG! I spent 60 hard earned dollar on a premium product t...read morehat did nothing. What a shame! Also although the bottle looks half way decent it performs horribly, I constantly struggled with opening it and pumping it was a nightmare, eventually the cap broke off. Form over function I guess is the motto at the M2 headquarters... — 4 years, 2 months agomelissuhh | 52 reviews
This review is: Helpful | Not helpful | Inappropriate | 7 of 11 people said helpful
M2 Skin Care M2 Skin Refinish 20%this product caused more damage then good. i peeled my face became red and enflamed. my face actually hurt to the touch and that was only after 2 days of use! — 3 years, 12 months agolarina_bridenstine | 3 reviews
This review is: Helpful | Not helpful | Inappropriate | 5 of 5 people said helpful
It's AlrightEverytime I use it at night, I feel itchy and burnt on my skin. In the morning my skin feel smooth though, it just happen it the morning. I don't see any big differents, because I still have breakout. — 4 years, 1 month agoapril_henry | 1 reviews
This review is: Helpful | Not helpful | Inappropriate | 3 of 3 people said helpful
Wow... Amazing!I have spent my whole adulthood with acne and I have spent thousands on every kind of products. But nothing has help. This stuff is amazing! It's been only 2 weeks and right away it took the redness away from my acne, it's tighten my skin but also keeps it soft. Applying lotion 15mins after really helps from drying out. My scars are either gone or have gotten lighter and My brake outs? almost none! I loved it so much I bought the face wash and lotion. — 4 years, 4 months agosamanthasky | 1 reviews
This review is: Helpful | Not helpful | Inappropriate | 20 of 25 people said helpful
Not impressedI bought this product based on all the rave reviews. I've been using this product for about three weeks and I must say I'm not as impressed as I thought I would be. I have not seen much improvement. I do experience the burning & tingling and I convince myself that... Its because the cream is working. I just last night noticed that my pores do appear to be smaller which is great! However, at my l...read moreeft jawline right below my ear I have re-occurring acne pimples that show up and also acne scars in this area. The product has not helped this issue at all - or any of the other demarkation on my face. The product is quite pricey, so I'm determined to stick with it and finish the product. Hopefully I can come back and give a more favorable update. — 4 years, 5 months agoDuchessTM | 1 reviews
This review is: Helpful | Not helpful | Inappropriate | 0 of 1 people said helpful
Amazing results! Expensive and slightly uncomforable, but worth it!I am very impressed with the results of this product! I have struggled with acne through-out my teen-to-adult life. I've done 2 rounds of Accutane, and used every acne related product you can think of, and every combination of products you can imagine. At the time I purchased this product, I was most frustrated with the cystic acne I would have most of the time along my jaw-line. In fact I h...read moread made an appointment with a dermatologist to finally get it taken care of. It is very important to follow the directions for this product, and while the directions I have don't imply this, other reviews I read did: Start out using this no more than every other day. I only use this in the evening, and I wouldn't recommend wearing it under makeup, etc,---although honestly I have without much problem, but only after I've worn it all night with moisturizer over it. No matter how thin the layer I put on, it results in stickiness, which the packaging warns you of if you apply too much. The more you apply, the more stickiness results. Always, always follow with moisturizer once the product dries. In all honesty, the product feels awful on my skin. However, I was so desperate to improve my skin---I didn't care so long as it worked. I noticed improvement in the feel and appearance of my acne the first day! I started out using the product every other night for the first few weeks, then progressed to nightly. If my skin dried out too much, I would have gone back to every other night. I have combo skin with a very oily t-zone. Days when I noticed a little extra dryness or flaking, I would apply extra moisturizer the following evening. I wasn't able to get in to the dermatologist until a month after I started using this. My jawline had almost entirely cleared up. The derm still noticed a fair amount of whiteheads on my cheeks and forehead, so she prescribed a retinoid gel to use every other evening, but even though she had never heard of the M2 refinishing gel, she told me to keep using it. I noticed a slight increase in dry, flaking skin at first, but that has cleared up. In the one month that I used only the M2 product, I noticed a major decrease in my acne, and decrease in skin pigmentation (melasma on my forehead, nose, and upper lip.) Lines are also a bit less noticeable, and my skin feels so smooth! I am not one to spend money on a product when I can get the same results for less money, but I've never found a product that does what this does! I purchased my first bottle toward the beginning of January, and while I've already purchased my second bottle I haven't had to start it yet. Unfortunately, the packaging does not allow you to know when you're running low, and there were a lot of complaints in other reviews about it. I was afraid I would just suddenly be out of product, and I don't want to be without for even a day! (and since I have to web/mail order it, I could be without for weeks.) — 4 years, 5 months agodancerbygrace | 51 reviews
This review is: Helpful | Not helpful | Inappropriate | 2 of 2 people said helpful
UnbelievableI went on this site 2 1/2 weeks ago because for the first time in my life at age 33 I had terrible acne (mainly around mouth mouth and on my chin) and could not get rid of it. I literally tried everything (neutrogena, clean & clear, clearasil, olay, noxema, & the worst one, proactive). Absolutely nothing worked and my acne kept getting worse, and me popping my zits everyday was causing scars. I...read more came on to this site, and decided to buy the M2 after reading the other reviews. I came back on here tonight just to post how amazing it is. My skin cleared up over night, no exaggeration. I couldn't believe it, I actually cried I was so happy. For first time users, only use a little at first because it can cause skin pealing and it stings a bit on those recently popped zits, but its soooooo worth it. I love this stuff and will never waste my $ on anything else. I am so thankful I came across this site and listened to the other peoples comments and I just wanted to do the same and share with others! :) — 4 years, 10 months agoteresa_english_haake | 1 reviews
This review is: Helpful | Not helpful | Inappropriate | 56 of 57 people said helpful
I also had dry skin after usingI bought this product a few months ago and had to stop using because my skin got really dried up, the only thing that has worked for me was a product called "Clear" that i got in the mail with some anti aging stuff. The brand is aleavia, i was able to try 6 of their products and all of them were great. I did have to pay for shipping and handling but it was worth it. — 5 years, 1 month agomariahslone | 2 reviews
This review is: Helpful | Not helpful | Inappropriate | 2 of 3 people said helpful
AmazingThis product is amazing I have used it also I like dermatend mole remover products — 5 years, 3 months agoseema_agrawal | 1 reviews
This review is: Helpful | Not helpful | Inappropriate | 4 of 9 people said helpful
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My Reasons for Reporting This


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With demand for single-aisle aircraft showing no sign of abating, Boeing has once again announced an increase in its production rate for its 737 program, this time to 38 airplanes per month in the second quarter of 2013. The decision comes as Boeing prepares for a number of expected option conversions and closure of "current sales campaigns," including an anticipated firm order for fifty 737s with Russia's State Corporation Rostechnologii. The state-owned company's supervisory board plans to review the so-called definitive agreement, which includes purchase rights for another 35 of the single-aisle workhorses, next month. Plans call for Rostechnologii to lease the airplanes to Aeroflot and six other domestic carriers chosen for consolidation under the auspices of the Russian flag carrier. As of September 14 Boeing had collected net firm orders for 250 Next Generation 737s this year alone. The backlog already stands at more than 2,000.
Boeing's latest rate hike announcement follows the company's June decision to raise 737 production rates in early 2012 from 34 to 35. Just a month earlier it announced plans to go from 31.5 to 34 by that time.
"Increasing production is in response to customer demand for this airplane," said Boeing Commercial Airplanes president and CEO Jim Albaugh. "Airlines want this innovative airplane sooner to renew their fleets to serve their customers. We made this decision after careful evaluation by Boeing and our supplier partners."
Of course, the ability of its suppliers to accommodate a rate increase had to stand as a top consideration. Albaugh and Boeing CEO Jim McNerney on a number of occasions have expressed concern about just that issue. Apparently the suppliers in question assuaged any lingering doubts.
Meanwhile, Boeing's 2010 Current Market Outlook projects a market for more than 21,000 single-aisle airplanes over the next 20 years, accounting for an anticipated 69 percent of the airplanes delivered and an estimated 47 percent of the $3.6 trillion total market value.
Boeing predicts that airlines will grow by responding to their passengers' preference for more flight choices, lower fares and direct access to a wider range of destinations. As a result, carriers will concentrate on offering more flights using more efficient airplanes, rather than on using significantly larger airplanes. In North America alone, Boeing forecasts that single-aisle airplanes will grow from 56 percent of today's total fleet to 71 percent of the fleet by 2029.
But to what extent Boeing relies on its current 737 model to help satisfy that demand will likely remain a subject of conjecture until the end of this year, when the company decides to either re-engine the existing airframe, pursue a set of fuel-saving airframe improvements or introduce an entirely new single-aisle airplane.


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Cattle feeding margins improved $46 per head last week after cash fed cattle prices jumped $3 per hundredweight, leaving average losses at $95 per head, according to the Sterling Beef Profit Tracker.
Beef packers saw their margins decline $14 per head, leaving losses at $59 per head. The Sterling Beef Profit Quotient declined 136 points for the week and the industry profitability index is now negative 303.5, according to estimates developed by Sterling Marketing, Inc., Vale, Ore. A month ago the Sterling Beef Profit Quotient was a negative 103.
Pork producer margins improved $6.02 per head last week, with margins now at a negative $6.99 per hog marketed. Negotiated cash hog prices increased $0.28 per hundredweight last week to $88.77. Pork packer margins declined $2.25 per head for the week, creating losses of $6.67 per head, according to the Sterling Pork Profit Tracker.
A year ago cattle feeders sold cash cattle at $122.63 per hundredweight, resulting in losses of $68.18 per head. Last year cash hogs fetched $86.73 per hundredweight, resulting in profits of $16.28 per head.
The Sterling Beef and Pork Profit Trackers are calculated using actual weekly prices for both cattle and hogs, feed costs, beef and pork cutout prices, drop credits and other factors that influence profit margins.
The Sterling Beef Profit Tracker for the week ending Feb. 2:
- Average feedyard margins: -$95.61 per head.
- Average packer margins: -$59.06 per head.
- Sterling Profit Quotient: -303.5.
The Sterling Pork Profit Tracker for the week ending Feb. 1:
- Average farrow-to-finish margins: -$6.99 per head.
- Average pork packer margins: -$6.67 per head.
The Sterling Beef and Pork Profit Trackers are produced by Sterling Marketing Inc. and John Nalivka, president, Vale, Ore., and are published weekly by Drovers/CattleNetwork.


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Relievers Gomes, Ramos excited to face Padres
ST. PETERSBURG -- This weekend will be only the Rays' fifth time facing the Padres, but a couple relievers have plenty of experience with San Diego.
Lefty Cesar Ramos and right-hander Brandon Gomes were both drafted by the Padres and came up through their Minor League system before being traded to Tampa Bay in December 2010 alongside Cole Figueroa and Adam Russell for former Rays shortstop Jason Bartlett and cash.
Gomes was in the Padres organization from 2007-10 after being drafted in the 17th round of the 2007 First-Year Player Draft, but never cracked San Diego's Major League roster. Ramos, picked 35th overall by the Padres in 2005, made his big league debut with the Padres in 2009 under manager Bud Black, and came up through the system with several players on the Padres roster, including star third baseman Chase Headley, catcher Nick Hundley and outfielder Will Venable.
"It'll be fun to throw against quite a few guys," Ramos said Thursday. "We all signed together. There's a bunch of guys from the 2005 Draft. We all came up together. They're still there, so it'll be fun to see them but also to compete against them.
"I played every year with Headley, Venable, Hundley. I threw to Hundley all the way up. It'll be fun, especially seeing Headley, like the player he's become now. Jeez. It's pretty cool to see him. I saw him struggle and do really well, then now, last year -- MVP-type year. It's pretty cool. Just good to see them again."
The trade that brought Ramos and Gomes to Tampa Bay has certainly worked out in the Rays' favor. The Padres released Bartlett last August after a mostly unproductive season and a half, Figueroa impressed the Rays this spring and Ramos and Gomes have turned into reliable Major League relievers. But Ramos didn't want to speculate whether his career has been better in Tampa Bay than it would have been in San Diego.
"Baseball's funny. You just never know. But I'm happy here," Ramos said. "I'm here and doing everything I can to help the team just like I was doing there."
Bill Chastain and Adam Berry are reporters for MLB.com. Follow Adam on Twitter at @adamdberry. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.


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JR wrote:Without the flash it is ok for annies bet there are easier discs to keep annied to the ground like Leos and Rivers.
For that I use my XL. I can get the TL to fade back which comes in handy with weaving through trees. I haven't had as much luck with a big D S curve like I do my TeeDevil.


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Posted 5 years ago
(197 items)
When I was a kid I used to see these transistor radio's often, but lately they are harder to find. I found these at a yard sale in Ardmore, Pa about three years ago, and paid a dollar each. Complete with original boxes and instructions I think it was a bargain.
1) General Electric P1758 from 1973 unused
2) Tempest Solid State TR77 used
3) Computron Model 2601 unused
My favorite is the blue Computron, although GE has been good to me lately : )


text:
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FREE tutoring in math, reading, science and writing is available to all Palo Alto College students.
FREE online tutoring also available in many subjects. Click on the Brainfuse link on the bottom of this page.
The CIS/COSC Learning Center provides tutoring to students in Computer Information Systems and Computer Science courses. Topics include Microsoft applications, C++, Java, and other software applications. Read More
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text:
how can I prevent access to the website if the user has js disabled?
You check server side.
one option is to hide the <body> by default using css and then use javascript to unhide the <body>.
Sorry, How do I check server side?
Hi, how would I use jquery to unhide the body?
Also, using css is it possible for the user to simply change the css and get access to the content?
Why would you want to use jquery for something so simple to do with vanilla javascript.
body {
display: none;
Yes. If they want to. Everything you do client side can be bypassed by the user.
Why do you want to hide the content of your side?
yes it is. So if that's an issue for you, then hopefully guido2004 will come back to show you how to do it server side.
Thank you for your responses. I have managed to disable access however is there an alternative to CSS I don't want the user editing the css and viewing the content if the js is disabled.
I don't quite understand what you're trying to achieve? 1) Are you hiding the content with JS, and when a user disables JS that hiding doesn't work? 2) Or do you want to hide the content ONLY if the user has JS disabled? If so, why?3) Something else?
If it's 1), then you could check server side (using PHP or any other server side language) to show or not show any content you want in any given circumstance.If it's 2), then you can't do anything server side, because the server can't know if the client has JS enabled or not.
Another option:
You don't need to bother the server at all
Hi thank you for your responses. I'm trying to completely restrict content for users that have js disabled.
Is this possible?
<? $test = "hello2" ?><noscript><? $test = "hello" ?></noscript><? echo $test; ?>
I tested it, does not seem to work. Maybe i'm missing something.
Then why is a redirect as described in post 12 not a possible solution, unless I am misunderstanding what you want to do.
One way to do it is to check if a cookie has been set using some cookie handling functions and then reload the page, which the server can then use to provide the appropriate content.
if (location.search === '') {
var hasjs = readCookie('hasjs');
if (hasjs !== 'yes') {
createCookie('hasjs', 'yes');
The php script can then check to see if that cookie value exists, and give the appropriate content if it has.
and if cookies are disabled in the browser?
You could instead post a form back to the server.
Even though the OP's request is not normally how things are done, how would you go about things?
If you're asking me, I've already answered that in this thread.
You could put the entire content of the page in a document.write() function, and then it will only appear for people with Javascript running. But why would you want to do that?
You can use ajax. If JS is enabled, the request will process, if not, the user sees nothing.


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Egyptian-American Coptic Christian Woman Celebrates Christmas with Renewed Meaning: An Interview with Monica Youssef
Pope Shenuda III, head of the Egyptian Coptic Orthodox Church, leads the Coptic Christmas midnight mass in Abassiya Cathedral in Cairo. (photo: Mohammed Abed/AFP/Getty Images)
Every January 7th in accordance with the Julian calendar, Coptic Orthodox Christians in North America celebrate the holiday of Christmas. But this sacred time is filled with solemnity, mourning, and fear — and also a deepening resolve and hope — for many Copts one week after the New Year's Eve bombing of a Coptic church in Alexandria, Egypt killed 21 worshippers.
Copts are the largest religious minority in Egypt, making up nine percent of the country's population the BBC reports, and are considered by many scholars to be direct descendants of Egyptians from the time of Jesus.
But more than one-quarter of Coptic Christians live in the rest of the world. And hundreds of Coptic churches can be found in the United States, including Saint Mary's Coptic Orthodox Church in the suburb of South Saint Paul in Minnesota. We asked Monica Youssef, a 20-year old member of this parish who is president of the University of Minnesota Coptic Orthodox Christian Association, to reflect on this year's Orthodox Christmas celebration.
Could you share a bit about your personal experience in the Coptic Orthodox Church: Where you grew up? How you came to the faith? What is it like to be a Coptic Christian in the United States?
Both of my parents came to the U.S. from Egypt about 25 years ago. They met and got married in Pennsylvania, and then moved to St. Paul so my father could study for his Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering at the University of Minnesota. My older brother John, younger sister Mary, and I were all born here in St. Paul and have lived here our whole lives.
My father and mother have always been very faithful Coptic Christians, and have raised us all in the same manner. We were baptized in the Church a few months after being born, following one of the sacraments of the Coptic Orthodox Church. This love for our faith has flourished within us to such a degree that being a Coptic Christian has now become the essence of our lives.
It's funny though, not many people may even know that about me — except for when January 7th or a week in April comes around, where my response to all of my friends is, "Gotta go to church!" And I get questions like, "You celebrate Christmas twice? Lucky!" or "A 10-hour service? How is that even possible?" I always enjoy sharing my faith with others who have never heard of it, or even some who just want a personal viewpoint. On the other hand, it's always so much fun to connect with other Coptic youth across the U.S. at conventions or retreats that are held throughout the year in several different states. It's as if we are all one big family, even if we've never met — the almost identical lifestyles, beliefs, and values we share are one the many reasons why it is a joy to be a Copt.
A man looks behind a curtain in front of the altar room at the Coptic Markus church in Frankfurt, Germany during Christmas celebrations. (photo: Johannes Eisele/AFP/Getty Images)
Today is Christmas within the Coptic Church. Most of us know very little about your faith tradition, including that Christmas is celebrated at a different time than most Christians celebrate the holiday in the United States. Could you describe some of the rituals and festivities that you and your family celebrate at your home and at your local church?
In one way we get to celebrate Christmas twice. Having the 25th off from work and school is always a great time to get together with family and friends in the spirit of the season. But it is actually January 7th where we celebrate the true meaning of Christmas — the glorious birth of Our Lord Jesus Christ. This is because the Copts go by the Julian calendar, rather than the Gregorian calendar (which is used throughout the world today).
The festivities actually start to begin around the second week of December (or the beginning of the Coptic month Kiahk), where churches across the globe offer their hearts to God singing a selection of praises and spiritual songs which are central to the birth of Our Lord Jesus Christ, and are so called "Kiahk Praises".
Then on January 6th, Copts gather at church in the evening and pray the Holy Liturgy that goes up to midnight. The end of the Nativity fast, in which we abstain from dairy, meats, and poultry, is marked upon receiving the blood and body of Our Lord Jesus Christ in the sacrament of communion (occurring around midnight).
Tons of "Happy feast!" greetings are passed along to one another, as Copts leave the church and head home to partake in the first meal of meats, cheeses, eggs, and chicken — typically prepared in a traditional Egyptian manner. Soon, everyone becomes tired and then sleeps to reenergize for the next day of celebration. Church members gather again at church the next day to celebrate Christmas together; this usually is just a social hour with some food. Because Christmas is fixed to January 7th and may fall during the week, it is the following Sunday where church members hold a special Christmas program of singing, skits/plays, and a dinner after the Holy Liturgy. Kids get presents, hundreds of the same pictures are taken from several different cameras, and smiles are spread all over.
You mentioned the phrase "Happy feasts!" is offered in Arabic. Could you share the transliteration so I could share it with our readers? Oh, the transliteration in Arabic is either "Kola sana wenta tayeb!" (to a male) or "Kola sana wentee tayeba!" (to a female).
Monica Youssef and friend at Christmas mass in South Saint Paul, Minnesota.
You're attending the University of Minnesota right now, correct? Is there a Coptic community at the university that you've become friends with?
The Copts that I know there are my friends that I have grown up with at church, actually, so before a member of my church enters the University of Minnesota, he/she already has a few friends there. This is because there is only one Coptic Church within Minnesota, and it is located in South St. Paul. So, because all of us are centralized at one location, we all know each other fairly well.
We are a registered student group, Coptic Orthodox Christian Association, where we gather once a month and discuss a spiritual topic. We are now incorporating regular volunteer activities within the community.
What impact has the New Year's Eve bombings in Alexandria, Egypt had on your personal Coptic community (at school or outside of school)?
In one aspect, the bombing in Alexandria is heart-wrenching. Even if we do not know those killed or injured, I know that both others and I alike feel as though our own family was hurt. The Coptic community across the globe shares a way of life similar to one another. By and large, we talk, look, and pray like one another, whether in Egypt, Australia, Europe, or the U.S. Seeing the film of the bomb impact at the end of the service was terrifying. It almost looked like the church that I have attended my whole life.
Before midnight mass at Abassiya Cathedral in Cairo, Egyptian Coptic Christians hold a banner reading, "Our church is always for martyrs, free people not afraid of death." (photo: Mohammed Abed/AFP/Getty Images)
This event happened just short of the first-year anniversary of six Copts killed in a shooting after the Coptic Christmas liturgy on January 7, 2010 in a city of Egypt called Nag Hammadi. Our Church aches because of the innocent suffering of our brothers and sisters in Egypt, and it is happening at a time where we should be celebrating the incarnation of Our Lord Jesus Christ. However, in no way do we lose heart or faith. Such an event has strengthened our prayers as we lift our hearts to God asking for His mercy and for peace in the world. We learn from these martyrs that our lives are with God, and that at any moment we too may be face to face with death.
Sudanese Coptic priests celebrate Christmas midnight mass at Khartoum's Virgin Mary Church. (photo: Khaled Desouki/AFP/Getty Images)
For me, personally, this devastation has strengthened my faith, and I trust that He will deliver His people and justice will be served according to His will — whether on Earth or in heaven:
"I will love You, O Lord, my strength. The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; My God, my strength, in whom I will trust; My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. I will call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised; So shall I be saved from my enemies." (Ps. 18:3)
My God is compassionate, merciful, and loving God, and I know that He hears the cries of His children. Our faith and our trust can only be confirmed in Our Lord.
"The Lord also will be a refuge for the oppressed, A refuge in times of trouble. And those who know Your name will put their trust in You; For You, Lord, have not forsaken those who seek You. Sing praises to the Lord, who dwells in Zion! Declare His deeds among the people. When He avenges blood, He remembers them; He does not forget the cry of the humble." (Ps. 9:9-12)
We know that there is a problem, but now is the time for us to come together as one soul, and one body, and offer our hearts to God. He is the only one, in a time like this, who can intercede on our behalves, help us, protect and save us, and avenge our troubles.
"Vengeance is Mine, and recompense; Their foot shall slip in due time; For the day of their calamity is at hand, And the things to come hasten upon them." (Deut. 32:35)
Both Copts and Muslims in Egypt took to the streets in protest this month. Have you always been aware of that tension or is this the first time you've seen it in such a public display?
Similar protests occurred throughout the U.S. and Canada after the shooting in Nag Hammadi last year. It is right for us to voice that such treatment in Egypt is wrong, but I do not agree with this manner. It is true, this tragedy has devastated each and every one of us, but as a priest in Egypt has recently said in light of these attacks, "If you want to state your opinion, state it, but in a calm and peaceful manner. God has taught us to fight Satan, to fight evil, with prayer. We pray to God in our churches, not in the streets."
Can you describe how you felt watching the funeral procession on Egyptian television?
I couldn't hold my tears. I saw casket by casket by casket lined up before clergy, who were praying on them. A sight like that is mortifying but truly causes each Copt to pray harder. Those killed are our brothers and sisters. We must remember that although their lives on Earth may be over, Heaven is rejoicing for the arrival of 21 martyrs. This is our faith: our lives on Earth are a mere glimpse compared to our eternal lives. It is a reminder that we must work towards obtaining that eternal life with Our Father.
An Egyptian Coptic Christian woman looks up during a Christmas midnight mass at Abassiya Cathedral in Cairo. (photo: Mohammed Abed/AFP/Getty Images)
What particular ritual, song, icon, or a moment during Christmas services or a distinct family tradition might resonate more deeply and intimately with you during this season?
I, personally, always get so caught up in the particular feast day that we may be celebrating — whether Christmas or Easter — and I sometimes overlook the meaning of the holiday, becoming so overjoyed with the holiday's arrival itself. This year, I feel as though it'll be the exact opposite. The aura among the Coptic Christian Church, worldwide, is still somewhat shaken. Many congregations will be walking into churches with security, police officials, or other protective measures taken that are extremely out of the ordinary. But the beauty about the Coptic Church is the strong faith of its believers.
So this Christmas, each service and each tradition will be taken wholeheartedly to such a greater depth than years past. Every word to be prayed throughout the holy liturgy will resonate within our hearts, will strengthen our prayers, and will fill us with a heavenly and glorious joy. The greetings at church will be with such warmth and love, and time spent with family will prove itself more precious and more valuable than ever before.
This Christmas, we'll truly be connected as one family, one body, through our gracious and perfect Father. As His Holiness Pope Shenouda III, Pope and Patriarch of Alexandria and the leader of the Coptic Church has said, "We will celebrate Christ's birth no matter the circumstances or problems we face."
"Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand." (Isaiah 41:10)
We welcome your reflections, essays, videos, or news items for possible publication on the Being Blog. Submit your entry through our First Person Outreach page.


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Toine — By Capt. Bill Pike
— September 2001
The Next Level
|With the introduction of another MCA yacht, Amels ups the ante on safety.
Ready for a bit of controversy? In my opinion, some of the most sophisticated developments in megayachting these days are trickling down from the gritty realm of commercial shipbuilding, not percolating up from the megayacht milieu itself. Why make such a provocatively shippy statement in a magazine that often features a couple of megayachts a month?
First off, I'm a troublemaker. Most of my sorry youth was spent in trouble, and I guess I'd be in trouble today if I wasn't languishing in middle age, too tired to do what it takes to get honorably thrown in jail. And then, I come from a commercial shipping background, a hotbed of pride and prejudice. Every time I hear a modern-day yachty tout the virtues of Dynamic Positioning or some other "advanced" concept that debuted on workboats 20 years ago, I wanna yell, "Duh!"
And then, too, I recently had the distinct pleasure of seatrialing the newly launched 52-meter (170'7") Amels motoryacht Toinie, as shippy a piece of naval architecture as ever bashed a North Sea roller. In fact, at one point during the stately peregrinations of this big, rakish creation, which took place on a lowery day in Holland, with the wind blowing Force 8 and seas running to about nine feet on the vast Iysselmeer, I actually forgot I was on a yacht.
There was an excellent reason for this lapse. I was standing smack-dab in the midst of an intensely shippy environment when it occurred--the wheelhouse of Toinie, replete with commercial-grade electronics, world-class navigation equipment, and a wraparound panorama of tempered-glass more evocative of supertankers than superyachts. The ambiance was one of purposeful quiet, the same quiet that prevails on the bridges of well-found ships. Time and again I was constrained to reflect that, although we were muscling through the dark Iysselmeer at close to 12 knots, all I could hear was the faint whine of the radars, the occasional crackle of the Sailor VHF, and the murmuring of the captain and chief engineer. Toinie's 1,200-hp Cummins KTA 38 M2 diesels, a couple of decks down, were virtually silent, their power more discernable from the tach readings at the helm than from anything else. No wonder I felt like I was onboard a ship, at least for a moment or two.
Indeed, Amels got its start in ships and other commercial and military watercraft during World War I. Today the company continues its shipbuilding heritage via a subsidiary relationship with Damen Shipyards Group, a Holland-based international consortium that, besides yachts, builds utility vessels, high-performance tugs, LPG tankers, bulk carriers, and container ships. Undoubtedly the Damen connection plays a big part in the success Amels is having building MCA-certified yachts like Toinie, yachts that cleverly camouflage commercial-type safety devices and systems with unsurpassed stylishness. Toinie's predecessor and sistership, Tigre D'Or, was not only one of the first yachts to win MCA certification, but also garnered the Superyacht Society's 1999 award for Best Power Interior.
Next page > Toine continued > Page 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
This article originally appeared in the January 2003 issue of Power & Motoryacht magazine.


text:
Get an overview of this hotelModern high-rise hotel linked to convention center
Popular property highlights
Central for business
Located in the downtown business district, this contemporary hotel is linked by covered skywalk to the convention center; the shops and restaurants of Pittsburgh's historic Strip District are 3 blocks away.
Health Club
The smoke-free Westin is home to a top-notch health club with cardio and weight machines, steam rooms, and saunas. The Penn City Grille on the 2nd floor serves healthy dishes with an eye to nutritious ingredients full of antioxidants.
Heavenly Beds, Baths
Extra-spacious guestrooms feature the Westin Heavenly Bed with pillowtop mattress, the Westin Heavenly Bath with dual showerhead, complimentary Internet access, and flat-screen TV.
Guest Highlights
- Central location
- Onsite restaurant
- Helpful staff
- Clean guestrooms
- Comfy beds and overall room comfort
- Guestrooms were a little noisy
The Westin Convention Center, Pittsburgh
Hotel Amenities
Hotel Amenities
Adjoining the David L. Lawrence Convention Center, The Westin Convention Center, Pittsburgh is 3 blocks from the vibrant Strip District, 4 blocks from the Heinz Hall for the Performing Arts, and 5 blocks from the Mellon Arena.
Wireless Internet access in public areas and guestrooms is complimentary. The hotel provides complimentary shuttle service within the downtown core and to nearby attractions seven days a week from early morning to late night. Fitness facilities are onsite. The Westin also features 42,000 sq meters (3,902 sq meters) of conference space and an arcade/game room. This property is wheelchair-accessible.
The Westin welcomes children with a Kids Club packet. Dogs 40 pounds or less are also welcome; guests can request a Heavenly Dog Bed.
- 24-hour front desk
- ATM/banking
- Number of floors - 26
- Valet parking (surcharge)
- Bar/lounge
- Breakfast available (surcharge)
- Business center
- Coffee shop or café
- Concierge services
- Free newspapers in lobby
- Express check-in
- 24-hour health club
- Dry cleaning/laundry service
- Elevator/lift
- Express check-out
- Gift shops or newsstand
- Free WiFi
- Free wired Internet
- Indoor pool
- Laundry facilities
- Luggage storage
- Limo or Town Car service available
- Meeting rooms 30
- Multilingual staff
- Total number of rooms - 616
- Porter/bellhop
- Safe-deposit box at front desk
- Self parking (surcharge)
- Conference space size (meters) - 3902
- Free area shuttle
- Number of restaurants - 2
- Conference space size (feet) - 42000
- Sauna
- Shopping on site
- Smoke-free property
- Steam room
- Wedding services
Family Friendly Amenities
- Family Hotel
- Indoor pool
- Free Wi-Fi
- Area shuttle (complimentary)
- Laundry facilities
Available in all rooms: Free WiFi
Available in some public areas: Free WiFi , Free wired Internet
Self parking (surcharge), Valet parking (surcharge)
Room Amenities
- Premium TV channels
- Pay movies
- Premium bedding
- Hypo-allergenic bedding available
- In-room climate control (air conditioning)
- Air conditioning
- Phone
- Coffee/tea maker
- Daily housekeeping
- Bathrobes
- Free toiletries
- Hair dryer
- In-room massage available
- Shower/tub combination
- Deep soaking bathtub
- In-room safe (laptop compatible)
- Iron/ironing board
- Desk
- Pillowtop mattress
- Free WiFi
- Partially open bathroom
- Room service (24 hours)
- Connecting/adjoining rooms available
- Rollaway/extra beds (free)
Where to Eat
Penn City Grille - Serves American and International cuisine for breakfast.
Bill's Bar & Burger - Serves classic burgers and comfort food for lunch and dinner
Nearby Things to Do
The glass-enclosed, 9,000-square-foot WestinWORKOUT® includes Nautilus equipment, 50 cardio machines (some with individual TVs), free weights, yoga mats, massage treatments, aerobics classes, and women's and men's steam rooms and saunas. (Surcharge for fitness center weekdays, complimentary on weekends.) The gym is always staffed.
The Westin Ready, Set, Run is a self-guided three- or five-mile run near the hotel. On Tuesday and Friday mornings, the fitness-center staff leads a complimentary three-mile run through downtown. Guests run at their own pace or with a group, and enjoy a bottle of chilled water upon return.
Nearby are Schenley Park (5 miles) and a bird sanctuary (10 miles). The Quicksilver Golf Course is 20 miles away.
The recreational activities listed below are available at or near the Westin Convention Center Pittsburgh; fees may apply.
- Golfing nearby
- Bicycle rentals nearby
- Hiking/biking trails nearby
- Fitness classes on site
- Pilates classes on site
- Yoga classes/instruction on site
If you have requests for specific accessibility needs, please note them at check-out when you book your room.
- Accessible bathroom
- In-room accessibility
- Roll-in shower
Hotel Policies
Check-in time starts at 3 PM
Check-out time is noon
Payment types
Children and extra beds
- Children are welcome.
- Kids stay free! Children 12 years old and younger stay free when using existing bedding.
- Free rollaway/extra beds!
- Pets stay free
- Dogs only
- Up to 50 lb
You need to know
Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy.
Optional extras
- Breakfast fee: between USD 7 and USD 30.00 per person (approximately)
- Self parking fee: USD 22.00 per day (in/out privileges)
- Valet parking fee: USD 27.00 per day
- Early check-in fee: USD varies
- Late check-out fee: USD 1 night's room and tax
Hotel Name
- Westin Convention
- Westin Convention Center Pittsburgh
- Westin Convention Hotel
- Westin Convention Hotel Pittsburgh Center
- Westin Convention Center Pittsburgh Hotel
- The Westin Convention Center Pittsburgh Hotel Pittsburgh
- Westin Pittsburgh
- Westin Hotel Pittsburgh
- Pittsburgh Westin
- The Westin Convention Center Pittsburgh
We should mention
Children 12 years old and younger stay free when occupying the parent or guardian's room, using existing bedding. The property has connecting/adjoining rooms, which are subject to availability and can be requested by contacting the property using the number on the booking confirmation.


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My journey began after getting engaged in October 2010 with future wedding plans for October 2011. I thought that I wanted to be a "skinny bride" and get in the best shape of my life, and started taking boot camps and tried to get more time in the gym if I wasn't in boot camp. But with all the stress, parties, and the overall time it takes to plan the wedding, I couldn't really devote myself to getting in shape. I was able to at least maintain my weight, so that come my wedding day, I fit perfectly into my dress.
Flash-forward to December 2011 when we finally planned our honeymoon to Hawaii for February 2012. I knew that I wanted to have a bikini-ready body and started taking Bar Method classes in January 2012. I wanted to try something totally different than gym/boot camp workouts, and boy, The Bar Method was the most challenging workout I had ever done in my life, honestly!
I truly believe that continuing to take these classes will be a great solution for a person like me; to actually be motivated to go workout and push myself far past my 100% effort, and achieve real results. Now, I take class 5 times per week, and walk our new dog for at least 30-45 minutes each day. Some people at work or in workout class who I haven't spoken to before have commented on my weight loss, which also keeps me motivated. In total, I have lost about 15 lbs and a couple inches around both my waist and hips, and of course I feel much stronger and my clothes fit much better. I comfortably fit into a medium rather than trying to suck in my stomach and squeeze into my clothes. I'm definitely addicted and will be sticking around for the long run!
Thanks for everything!


text:
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text:
The financial challenges of hosting a cycling event in Philadelphia and beyond
Career sporting events manager Robin Morton is trying to see the 2013 cancellation of the Philadelphia International Cycling Championship as a valuable chance to regroup, rather than a crisis for a sport already suffering from the tarnished image of its biggest star.
A former competition director for Threshold Sports, Morton spent 20 years working closely on the race that drew a world of cyclists to Philadelphia before teaming with a group of women to launch a new company, G4 Productions, in 2005.
In a difficult double blow for Philadelphia's cycling enthusiasts, G4's plans for its inaugural Keystone Open bike race, originally scheduled for July 2013 in Philadelphia, have been canceled due largely to financial factors.
While facing the loss of the 28-year-old race (even if only for one year) is difficult for local fans, Morton says the race has enjoyed considerable luck in past years in what is often the most difficult and little-understood side of assembling a major sporting event.
"The Philly race has been very fortunate," she says, explaining that often, a sponsoring company will become involved with an event for opportunities of branding, community involvement, or simple goodwill, but the relationship soon "runs its course."
After being acquired by First Union bank, which eventually became Wachovia, the Philadelphia International Cycling Championship had an unusually long run with a single sponsor before moving to TD Bank.
Achieving a consistent sponsor can be difficult for any sport, but according to Morton, cycling faces a particular challenge.
"Sponsorship sales are difficult because cycling is a niche sport," she says. "Typically, unless you find a local sponsor that wants to do a lot of community outreach, it's a difficult sell. It's not the same as tennis or golf or Nascar." Often, sponsors become involved with the sport because a CEO or high-level manager is a cyclist.
Major cycling races are also somewhat unique in the sports world because they don't take place on a dedicated course, stadium or track.
"You're out on city streets," Morton emphasizes. "It's not like you're going from one point to another." For Philadelphia's famous race, that means "the streets are closed for the entire day." And the practical aspects of hosting the event, such as traffic control, sanitation, food inspection, police and emergency staff, start adding up.
According to Morton, the general cost of a race, including prize money, pay for the officials, security, permits and vendors, can range up to $1.3 million.
City finance hurdles
These are the challenges that any big city faces in putting on a bike race, but Morton can speak to specific urban nuances of hosting an event of this kind.
While partnerships with city governments to host the events might seem ideal, Morton believes that it's not the best way for the process to work. While some cities have been willing to enter into such partnerships in the past, because of the economic return of drawing in extra visitors, they are typically cities that do not attract a large share of events on their own.
It's a different story in cities like Philadelphia, Washington, D.C. or San Francisco, where major media markets easily draw large events.
Morton points out that many city governments across the country operate in the red.
"It would be wonderful if we could get everything paid for," she says of city support for these types of events. But ultimately, she said she doesn't think that constituents would be pleased to see their dollars going toward for-profit events.
And financial and sponsorship woes aren't the only ones that have been slowing cyclists down lately, in Philadelphia and beyond.
The Lance Armstrong effect
Besides the fact that cycling, at least in the U.S., is viewed as a more Eurocentric sport (no American race, however prominent, can eclipse the Tour de France), the sport has suffered the fall of Lance Armstrong, its most famous athlete.
"I think Lance is special," Morton says, explaining his impact on the sport at large. As a cancer survivor, "his story is so compelling, [and] I think that's why [the sport is] wrapped up in the image of one person."
"Cycling is definitely cleaning itself up, and I think this is the pinnacle of how bad it can get," Morton said, adding that it's a sport that has been revealed to be "rife with drugs" in recent years.
According to Morton, many companies potentially interested in the sport have a "wait and see attitude. It's not a good time to be associated with cycling."
But Morton has high hopes that the trouble will clear, especially with a good crop of future American cycling stars waiting in the wings.
Incorporating more women's races
Morton hopes that the rehabilitation of the sport will also include a greater role for women in cycling – part of the goal of the Keystone Open, which proposed a dedicated race for women with prize money equal to that of the men's race.
While the Philadelphia race has always included the women's Liberty Classic race alongside the men, Morton believes Philadelphia is ready to give a better spotlight to female competitors.
"We want to speak for the women in their own event, with equal prize money," she says, pointing out that this is the first year women have had a professional category in the sport of cycling.
"We want the women to have their own event and not be overshadowed by the men," she says of G4's hopes for future Keystone Open races.
Morton said that City of Philadelphia officials were excellent partners in trying to make this summer's bike races a reality, but as time is running short for new sponsors to emerge, the races may indeed be on hold until 2014.
"The city can't pay for the bike race," she admits. "It's potentially better to wait and regroup" for 2014.
"It's a terrific community event within the city of Philadelphia," Morton concludes. "It's just amazing the affection that people have for that event, and how many people [supported it] from day one in 1985. It's something that needs to continue."
Support provided by
For 28 years, cyclists raced up the Manayunk "Wall" on Lyceum Avenue as part of the Philadelphia International Cycling Championship.


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ACParadise Network: American Cosplay Paradise American Cosplay Experience American Cosplay Snapshots
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I'm Kia, and I've been cosplaying since Anime North 2003 (though I've been dressing up since I was little ... and drooling over costumer's outfits at conventions for years before). I'm a student in Toronto, where I've been turning my love of costumes and props into (hopefully) a university degree. Almost there! I love detailed, often tacky looking costumes a lot (the more outlandish, the more I probably love it), especially stage costumes from my favourite Jpop singer Ayumi Hamasaki. What can I say, I've found my niche. ^_^
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CHICAGO – Charlie Morton could take one positive from this loss: he went deeper than he had in any other start.
The only problem was Alfonso Soriano, who also went deep – twice.
The seven-time All-Star hit a pair of two-run homers in consecutive innings to lead the Chicago Cubs to a 4-1 victory over the Pirates Saturday.
Edwin Jackson and three relievers combined on a five-hitter, and the Cubs handed the Pirates just their third loss in 14 games.
Pittsburgh came in with the best record in the majors and a seven-game road win streak, but the Pirates couldn't get much going at the plate or find a way to contain Soriano.
That was the difference for Morton, who lasted a season-best six innings.
"The scoring plays were home runs," he said. "What I need to do and what I do well usually is keep the ball in the park and I didn't do that. That's why I got hurt."
Soriano's drive in the fourth after Pedro Alvarez homered in the top half put the Cubs ahead, and he followed that with a long shot to the bleachers in left to make it 4-1 in the fifth.
That was enough for Jackson (5-10), who won his second straight start. A disappointment after signing a four-year deal with Chicago in January, the veteran right-hander had one of his better outings and improved to 6-2 in 10 starts against Pittsburgh.
He held the Pirates to just one run and four hits in 5 2/3 innings, leaving to cheers after he walked Garrett Jones to put runners on first and second.
James Russell came in and struck out Alvarez to end the threat.
Matt Guerrier worked two scoreless innings, and Kevin Gregg came on in the ninth for his 15th save in 16 chances.
"Every time we had a chance to maybe extend an inning or move the chains Jackson made a pitch and got out of the inning," Pirates manager Clint Hurdle said.
Morton (1-2) allowed four runs and seven hits in his fifth start this season. He struck out six and walked three.
"That's one of the good things today," he said. "I did go deeper than I have gone. I feel fine."
Starling Marte had two hits for the Pirates after collecting three the previous day and extended his streak to a career-high 11 games. He also had two steals, although he got caught trying to swipe third in the third inning.
Pirates second baseman Neil Walker left the game because of discomfort on his right side and is day to day. Brandon Inge replaced him at second base in the fifth.
Soriano put the Cubs ahead in the fourth after Anthony Rizzo doubled off the left-field wall, and he struck again with a shot in the fifth. The ball sailed to the last row of the left-field bleachers for his 12th homer this season.
That gave him 32 multi-homer games in his career and two this season. He also tied Harold Baines for 59th on baseball's career home run list with 384 and took sole possession of 12th place on Chicago's list with his 175th and 176th homers as a Cub after beginning the day even with Hall of Famer Andre Dawson.
"It's fun when we have a teammate swinging the bat real well," Jackson said. "It's a lot of fun in the dugout. It's positive energy and that's what this team needs."
Hurdle was a bit amused by footage showing an usher interrupting an interview with his dad by Pittsburgh broadcaster Robby Incmikoski during Friday's game. The usher told them they were blocking fans' view. Hurdle said a few of his family members were upset. "I'm kind of just taking the high road and chuckling about it," Hurdle said. This weekend is the Pirates' annual father/son trip, where players and coaches get to bring their dads. ... A.J. Burnett (4-6, 3.12 ERA) returns to the Pirates' rotation after missing the past month with a strained right calf, and Carlos Villanueva (2-4, 3.45) starts for the Cubs Sunday.
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Nelson Farmers Market Cooperative
August 15, 2015 @ 8:00 am - 12:00 pm
|Recurring Event (See all)
Every week until August 29, 2015
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Nelson Farmers Market Cooperative 8AM to 12PM. Under the big white tent, a producer-only market featuring live music, fresh local produce, baked goods, fresh cheese, meats & poultry, fine crafts, plants, cut flowers and more. Live music: August 1 to be announced, August 8 The Ridge Runners, August 15 Rockfish Gap, August 22 Oh Wow Boy, August 29 Kim and Jimbo Cary. Open every Saturday through October. 434-760-6655. www.nelsonfarmersmarket.com email@example.com


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We depend upon the news and information we get from the media to be truthful and accurate in order make informed decisions and to hold our government and corporate leaders accountable. The media is essential to our democracy. The job of holding the media accountable is ours as the consumers of the information.


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CARSON, Calif. – LA Galaxy Insider Adam Serrano breaks down LA's 2-1 win over Vancouver Whitecaps FC.
The LA Galaxy didn't have the services of Robbie Keane up top on Saturday, but with a pair of young forwards in Jose Villarreal and Gyasi Zardes taking over, the Galaxy excelled.
The youthful exuberance of the forward tandem showed immediately as they repeatedly created dangerous scoring opportunities for the Galaxy. With a steady onslaught on the Whitecaps goal, the goals soon came as Villarreal was able to tap in a Gonzalez header from close range in the 29th minute. But the finest effort of the night belonged to Zardes, who put in a stunning individual effort on his goal in the 57th minute Off a long pass from Todd Dunivant, Zardes was able to keep the ball from crossing the end line and then shake two Whitecaps defenders and slot in a right-footed shot into the net past Brad Knighton.
The goal is likely to do wonders for Zardes' confidence as the forward has created plenty of chances during his recent run of 10 consecutive starts, but hasn't been able to finish. With Keane's return date from his hip flexor injury still unknown, look for the Galaxy to keep the young pair together next week against the Colorado Rapids if Keane is unable to go.
The last 15 minutes of matches have proved to be vexing for the LA Galaxy this season, but on Saturday, there were no such problems.
With their past struggles in the back of their mind, the Galaxy were efficient in the closing minutes as they repeatedly made the play necessary to stop the Whitecaps attack. Whether it was Carlo Cudicini's clutch save on Kenny Miller in the 73rd minute or clearing out a few late set piece opportunities in stoppage time, LA were able to get out with the full three points.
When the Galaxy went forward, they showed willingness to burn time off clock by playing balls to the corner flag or spraying passes across the field. Even in the 89th minute when Laurent Courtois found himself on the breakaway with plenty of room to attack, he took a turn away from the goal in hopes of running seconds off the clock. In the moments when the Whitecaps threatened, the Galaxy defense was alert as they were able to clear a pair of dangerous Vancouver set pieces to preserve the victory.
Now the tough part begins. Although the Galaxy have shown an ability to close out games this season, they must now show that they can apply these practices on a consistent basis—starting with next Saturday's game against the Colorado Rapids at Dick's Sporting Goods Park.
The absence of Robbie Rogers due to a right hamstring injury caused a shuffling in the Galaxy midfield, which may have opened up further options for LA heading into the hectic summer months.
With Rogers unavailable, head coach Bruce Arena gave veteran midfield Pablo Mastroeni his first start in a Galaxy uniform, placing him alongside Juninho in the center of the field while moving Marcelo Sarvas out left. The move resulted in an energetic yet physical midfield that overwhelmed the Whitecaps and dominated the possession by a 53.3 to 46.7 margin. While Mastroeni was his normally tidy self, Sarvas seemed liberated by the move as he was able to frequently press himself into the attack and connect with LA's forwards.
It is worth mentioning that neither switch is likely to be utilized once the Galaxy hold a full roster, but a lesson was learned as they represent more options for the Galaxy boss in midfield.
Adam Serrano is the LA Galaxy Insider. Read his blog at LAGalaxy.com/Insider and contact him at email@example.com


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Some want to prohibit all hunting. Others see it as a symptom of wildlife mismanagement in New Mexico.
But for the thousands of law-abiding, conservation-minded sportsmen and women of New Mexico – the ones who foot the bill for wildlife management and the day-to-day operations of the Department of Game and Fish – this incident demonstrates the need for a careful, extensive reform of our State Game Commission system.
Sportsmen have always been at the forefront of protecting our wildlife and outdoor way of life. A century ago they established Game Protective Associations, which lobbied for stronger laws to protect our remaining fish and wildlife and worked to re-establish elk, antelope, bighorn sheep, wild turkeys and other game species. (The New Mexico Game Protective Association evolved into today's New Mexico Wildlife Federation.)
Sportsmen then turned their attention to wildlife management, convincing the Legislature to create a State Game Commission to buffer Game and Fish against political interference and set the stage for professional wildlife management.
Today the governor appoints all seven members of the State Game Commission. These appointments, sadly, have become a political plum that often appears tied to campaign contributions. Five of Gov. Bill Richardson's appointees and their families, for example, together donated $150,000.
State law says five of the seven seats represent geographic areas. The remaining two are "at-large" seats to represent agriculture and conservation. But governors often appoint one person to cover two bases simultaneously. Bidegain, for example, was supposed to represent northeastern New Mexico hunters and anglers as well as the New Mexico Cattle Growers' Association — two constituencies often at odds with each other.
Governors occasionally remove commissioners without explanation or regard to continuity, term length or qualification. Today, four of the six remaining commissioners' terms have expired and they have not been reappointed; three have not been confirmed by the Senate.
Our current Game Commission system is not beyond repair. Here are ways to get the politics out of wildlife management and rebuild public trust:
- Give the governor five seats to appoint from geographical areas of the state, ensuring that each commissioner has a single constituency — the license-buying sportsmen and women of that region;
- Give the Legislature two at-large seats to fill, one with a background in agriculture and another in wildlife and habitat protection issues, ensuring that those important constituencies both have a seat at the table;
- Prohibit removal of a commissioner without cause, allowing commissioners to vote for wildlife's and the public's best interests rather than according to political pressure;
- Limit commissioners to two four-year terms, and ensure that no more than two commissioners' terms expire in the same year, preventing a governor from replacing most or even all of the commissioners at one time;
- Prohibit commissioners from receiving hunts, fishing trips or other favors from special interests.
The incident involving Bidegain is, at its heart, an example of unethical and illegal behavior that does not meet the standards of any true hunter. That our Game Commission chairman did not know the law or ignored it is appalling; apparently common sense is not a requirement to get that appointment.
But rebuilding trust in our wildlife management system goes far beyond this one individual and incident. This is not a time for knee-jerk reaction.
Hunting and fishing are core traditional and cultural values in New Mexico. Our wildlife are held in the public trust for all to enjoy. Our State Game commissioners must hold themselves to the highest standard.
The sportsmen and women of New Mexico are eager to get on with the work. The question now is whether Gov. Susana Martinez and our Legislature will lead the charge.


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Towersey is a village and civil parish about east of Thame in Oxfordshire. The village was part of Buckinghamshire for most of its history, but the boundary was moved in 1933 when Towersey was swapped for Kingsey.
The toponym is Old English in origin; the earliest form is "Eia" in Domesday Book, 1086, with the meaning "island". In the middle of the 13th century it is recorded as "Turrisey" and "Tureseye" meaning island held by the de Turs family (Richard de Turs held the manor in 1252). This refers to a dry area of land in the marshes of the Aylesbury Vale, on the edge of which the village stands.
The Church of England parish church of Saint Catherine is said to date from the 12th century. Its chancel was built early in the 13th century in the Early English style, and the nave was rebuilt early in the 14th century in the Decorated Gothic style. In 1850-54 the architect James Cranston restored St. Catherine's and added the bell tower, which is in a slightly unusual position on the south side of the nave.[1] The tower has five bells: a peal of four cast in the 17th century and a small Sanctus bell cast at a later date.
In 1862 the Wycombe Railway was extended from High Wycombe to Thame, crossing Chinnor Road on a bridge just south of Towersey. In 1864 the line was extended again from Thame to Oxford. In 1933 the Great Western Railway opened on the west side of the bridge. British Railways withdrew passenger services in 1963 and freight services in 1991. The track has now been lifted but the bridge with its steel span over Chinnor Road still survives.
Research Tips
Registration Offices
Birth, marriage and death certificates can now be ordered online from Buckinghamshire County Council. The full postal address is Buckinghamshire Register Office, County Hall, Walton Street, Aylesbury, HP20 1YU.
The Centre for Buckinghamshire Studies (County Hall, Walton Street, Aylesbury, HP20 1UU) holds
In Buckinghamshire, as with other counties in England and Wales, the location of offices where Births, Marriages and Deaths were registered has altered with other changes in local government. A list of the location of Registration Offices since civil registration began in 1837 has been prepared by GENUKI (Genealogy: United Kingdom and Ireland). The table also gives details of when each Registration Office was in existence. In the case of Buckinghamshire, the same registration offices were used for the censuses since 1851.
Nineteenth Century Local Administration
English Jurisdictions is a webpage provided by FamilySearch which analyses every ecclesiastical parish in England at the year 1851. It provides, with the aid of outline maps, the date at which parish records and bishops transcripts begin, non-conformist denominations with a chapel within the parish, the names of the jurisdictions in charge: county, civil registration district, probate court, diocese, rural deanery, poor law union, hundred, church province; and links to FamilySearch historical records, FamilySearch Catalog and the FamilySearch Wiki. Two limitations: only England, and at the year 1851.
During the 19th century two bodies, the Poor Law Union and the Sanitary District, had responsibility for governmental functions at a level immediately above that covered by the civil parish. In 1894 these were replace by Rural and Urban Districts. These were elected bodies, responsible for setting local property assessments and taxes as well as for carrying out their specified duties. Thses districts continued in operation until 1974. Urban districts for larger municipalities were called "Municipal Boroughs" and had additional powers and obligations.
Poor Law Unions, established nationally in 1834, combined parishes together for the purpose of providing relief for the needy who had no family support. This led to the building of '"union poorhouses" or "workhouses" funded by all the parishes in the union. The geographical boundaries established for the individual Poor Law Unions were employed again when Registration Districts were formed three years later. In 1875 Sanitary Districts were formed to provide services such as clean water supply, sewage systems, street cleaning, and the clearance of slum housing. These also tended to follow the same geographical boundaries, although there were local alterations caused by changes in population distribution.
Online Historical References


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Every December, people worldwide take the opportunity to reflect on the year that has past, as well as the year ahead. For many, the new year represents a fresh start to get rid of bad habits or start something new.
Making a new year's resolution has become a long-lived tradition [1] to welcome in this new beginning and time of renewal. The habit dates back to the ancient Babylonians. While folks of the past made promises of paying debts and returning objects, today's generation often makes a mix of funny, weird and self-centered resolutions.
No doubt the nature of resolutions change the world over - what someone in Timbuktu decides they need to work on in 2014 will vary from what someone in New York promises themselves at midnight on New Year's Eve. Similarly, the resolutions Middle Easterners will set themselves for 2014 will be linked to their ongoing surroundings - 2013 was a big year and lots of things changed the region's status quo [2]. Looking back over the region's celebs and leaders (as well as standard cultural icons), and what they got up to last year, we've come up with some resolutions for them - to better their lives and ours!
From Bashar Assad to that taxi driver that won't stop talking, here are Al Bawaba's imaginary new year's resolutions for the Middle East.
[1] http://ideas.time.com/2013/12/30/five-new-years-resolutions-that-might-actually-work/
[2] http://www.albawaba.com/slideshow/middle-east-news-2013-541719


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Eva Nine has lived inside an underground bunker her entire life with only her Muthr (Multi-Utility Task Help Robot zero-six) for company. Muthr has been programmed to take care of Eva Nine. If you have a lot of brothers and sisters at home maybe this sounds pretty good – a robot to see to your every need and provide constant entertainment. But Eva Nine is lonely. And bored. And she wants to go OUTSIDE. She wants to know most of all, "is there anybody out there somewhere, like me?"
When the bunker is attacked by an alien Eva Nine gets exactly what she wants. She's outside and she's not at all alone, although now she kind of wants to be! Outside the bunker live fantastic over-sized creatures – some want to be her friend, but some want to eat her. Eva Nine does the only thing she can think of, she sets out toward the only other place she has ever heard about that might have humans in it. A Star Wars – like adventure with a likable hero who has funny, loyal robots and aliens for friends. Author: Tony DiTerlizzi Tony co-wrote The Spiderwick Chronicles with Holly Black. Wondla is full of his great illustrations and if you have a webcam…the book includes directions for using it to enhance those illustrations. (See second video below.)