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October 30, 2013
Baseball ProGUESTus
Is Speed Enough?: A PITCHf/x Look at the Effect of Fastball Velocity and Movement
Most of our writers didn't enter the world sporting an @baseballprospectus.com address; with a few exceptions, they started out somewhere else. In an effort to up your reading pleasure while tipping our caps to some of the most illuminating work being done elsewhere on the internet, we'll be yielding the stage once a week to the best and brightest baseball writers, researchers, and thinkers from outside of the BP umbrella. If you'd like to nominate a guest contributor (including yourself), please drop us a line.
Jonathan Hale has been using PITCHf/x to answer baseball questions all over the 'net since 2008. He once missed a Duane Ward curveball by three feet. You can read his writing about the Blue Jays or tell him what he should be analyzing next at The Mockingbird.
The obsession with velocity starts early: from the time a player is drafted, there is an almost ridiculous concentration on how hard he throws. Raw speed, more than anything else, is what turns heads and makes prospects fly up the rankings, even though it is widely accepted that velocity alone is not enough to get major league hitters out, and that there are plenty of pitchers who are very successful in the majors with underwhelming fastballs.
Once a player makes it to the majors and people have some first-hand experience with his pitches, we start to hear about the virtues of their moving, darting, or "electric" fastball. And often, starters break into the league at a certain velocity and then after a few years settle into throwing a few miles per hour slower, at which point the suggestion is made that they "backed off" their heater a little in order to get more movement (or "put a wrinkle on it"), which actually makes the pitch harder to hit. I've always wondered whether it was true that pitchers willingly give up their maximum velocity either for the sake of control, increased movement, or self-preservation.
Is there a sweet spot for velocity? Is there a point at which throwing harder gives diminishing returns? PITCHf/x should be able to provide some answers (although command is the missing ingredient). For the sake of the following, I am defining "movement" (or "break") as the maximum distance between a given pitch and a straight line between where it was released and the catcher's glove. Think of it as the "bend" on a pitch (or "break length" for those familiar with PITCHf/x terminology), which is not dependent on the specific left/right/up/down movement on a pitch.
Relationship between movement and velocity
The most commonly thrown four-seamer in the majors is around 91 mph with a four-inch break, and in addition to a general downward trend (more speed = less movement), the maximum break that pitchers achieve decreases rapidly at speeds above 95 mph. There is simply nobody who throws in the high 90s who has the kind of eight-inch bend on their fastball that is achievable around 90 mph.
Now let's look at the ability to miss bats with either movement or velocity. From here on, I am considering both four-seamers and two-seamers as "fastballs," as there is so much overlap between the two—one man's natural movement on his heater is another's second pitch, and there is enough variation from one pitch to the next that often two-seamers that just don't have a lot of action on them are classified as slower four-seamers.
When gauging the nastiness of a particular pitch, I like to take misses per swing, with all foul balls ignored since there is no way to differentiate between 400-foot drives inches foul and barely-contacted pop-ups. So for the following two graphs (done using conditional density in R for every pitch since 2009), we're looking at how often someone decided to swing at a pitch and came up completely empty. First, here's how movement affects swings-and-misses:
We see high values at the left side of this graph because pitches with that little movement are also going to be the fastest—but remember that pitches with movement between 8-10 inches don't touch any of the higher velocities, and still we see their swings and misses climbing back up. Between 4-8 inches, though, there's no real difference in miss percentage, which implies that adding a couple of inches from average movement is just not enough to start missing bats.
Now the same thing, looking at velocity:
Again, the bump at the bottom is likely because those are the really slow two-seamers with big bend. It makes sense that these two graphs are mirror images since we know there is an inverse relationship between speed and movement. Still, I think it's interesting that the graph is flat from about 82 to 90 mph, at which point there is a steady rise in misses up to the very fastest pitches. I would have expected a steeper curve, with the high-90s especially being through the roof.
However, there is clearly a problem in pretending that we can isolate just movement or velocity when they are intertwined. So now here is a 3-d graph, with velocity "into" the graph, movement from side to side, and the height of the columns representing misses per swing:
In a way this is stating the obvious: velocity is the consistent key for missing bats, except for those at the slowest end of the range (i.e. fastballs with the most two-seam action), where the slowest and bendiest also get the job done (like a mini-changeup). But what I find interesting that high 90s fastballs with lots of movement are actually less effective at generating swings and misses than straighter ones.,
So often you hear about a guy overthrowing so that his fastball "flattens out" and is easy to hit, but at the highest velocities, literally "flat" fastballs are actually the best kind (although they probably get called "explosive" or "rising" instead). The problem with most guys overthrowing is probably something even worse than lack of movement: a lack of control, leading to pitches coming down the middle of the strike zone, where it just doesn't matter how fast they are.
I used to see a lot of Brandon League during his time with the Blue Jays, and it always seemed strange that he would throw in the high 90s with incredible sinking action but didn't strike out a lot of hitters, although he did put up phenomenal ground-ball rates. Which leads us to…
How velocity plus movement keeps the ball on the ground
So while slightly-above average movement doesn't help pitchers miss bats, it certainly helps them induce grounders. The part of the graph just above four inches of movement (league average) shows the steepest slope of increased ground balls, as opposed to a much smaller difference between pitches that bend six inches and 10. Even if you're not a pure sinkerballer, a little downward action on your fastball goes a long way.
Now for how velocity affects ground ball rate:
Interestingly, although it's a much lesser effect, high velocity also induces ground balls, despite the fact that harder fastballs are thrown up in the zone more often and tend to have less movement. It makes sense, though, that faster fastballs would be harder to "square up," one of the reasons—aside from their ability to record strikeouts—why fireballers are more effective.
How movement plus velocity keeps the ball in the park
First, the effect of movement on home runs per ball in play:
No surprise there; I would fall off my chair if sinkers weren't harder to hit out of the park. Although again, notice how there's no real change for below-average break, but right above the average of four inches there is a steady decline in homers. Now for velocity:
While fireballers might still be more prone to giving up homers if they can't control their velocity, it's not a result of the speed of their pitches. In fact, the opposite is true: even though they tend to be straighter and up in the zone, the more velocity a pitch is thrown with, the harder it is to hit it for a home run. Any possible result of having to "provide all the power" oneself is overshadowed by the fact that pitches with higher velocities are simply harder to square up.
If a pitcher doesn't have the ability to put movement on his fastball up there with the best in the league, he's not going to be able to use more movement to miss bats and increase his strikeout rate (and the opposite could be true). However, it doesn't take much extra movement to start seeing dramatic changes in groundball and homer rate, and since break becomes increasingly elusive above 95 mph, you can see why pitchers (especially starters) who are not elite flamethrowers might want to take a little off their fastball for the sake of more movement (although this analysis doesn't prove that pitchers can increase movement by decreasing velocity; it simply shows that pitchers with slower fastballs tend to make their pitches move more). At extremely high velocities, though, who cares about movement? Bring the heat!
16 comments have been left for this article.
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This is brilliant stuff. I'd always wanted to see something that addressed and quantified some of the "old scout's tales". Thanks for answering a few questions and posing a few more I hadn't thought of.
Oct 30, 2013 05:02 AM
Awesome stuff here. Question though, as physics is not my strong suit and I never played the game (and maybe this is outside of the scope of this article). The distance from the mound to the plate is the same (assuming release points are at the same position). Gravity is a constant. So if two pitchers throw 4-seamers at the same velocity over the same distance; with the same downward effect of gravity, then one would expect the same downward movement. Yet, we know that pitchers vary in the relative movement of their pitches. What other factors contribute to this? I guess that arm angle is one, but what other factors come into play.
Oct 30, 2013 05:36 AM
Grip, finger pressure, and sunscreen come immediately to mind.
Oct 30, 2013 06:50 AM
^^ What they said. Even with the exact same arm slot, release point, and initial velocity, some pitchers will generate a lot more backspin on a 4-seam fastball than others due to a different combination of their arm action and how they grip/release the ball. That causes the ball to resist gravity on the way in, which looks like upwards movement compared to a typical pitch (although it's not physically possible to actually get the ball to rise). And then, yeah -- arm angle is a whole other kettle of fish.
Oct 30, 2013 14:41 PM
Great stuff.
Oct 30, 2013 06:38 AM
I think that's highly likely. The algorithm pitch f/x uses to identify pitches has gotten better and better, but the lines between pitches are so blurred it's not perfect. On the one hand, that means those pitches are extremely similar to the slowest of fastballs in both direction and magnitude of movement (which would make me think they would lead to very similar results), but it does cloud the conclusions somewhat.
Oct 30, 2013 15:16 PM
I, too, thought of Brandon League for much of your article. I remember when he lowered his arm angle, sacrificing a few mph, but gaining tremendous wiggle. I still wouldn't give him a three year, 8-figure deal though.
Oct 30, 2013 10:24 AM
Yes, precisely. I try to avoid the term 'riser' because it makes people think the ball actually moves upwards, but that's just me being pedantic. A "flat" or "straight" pitch appears to be rising since it is hardly affected by gravity on the way in, unlike a typical fastball. I was surprised that there were so many that only "bend" downwards around an inch over the 60 feet, 6 inches to the plate. I feel like that would look incredibly unnatural from the batter's box. Well, what you could see of it as it blew by you at 100 mph. :)
Oct 30, 2013 15:31 PM
Pat Folz
A request for clarification: when you say "straight line between where it was released and the catcher's glove", you mean literally a straight line in space? Because a real fastball feels the effect of gravity and would end up a bit below that straight laserbeam line.
Oct 30, 2013 12:15 PM
Yes, a perfectly straight line. It's a bit of an awkward definition. I'm not sure what the effect of gravity alone on the way to the plate is, but it is overshadowed by the magnus force caused by the spin on the ball. I know the average fastball tails away from the pitcher's body ~5 inches and "rises" ~10 compared to a mythical completely straight pitch unaffected by drag or spin or gravity on its way to the plate.
Oct 30, 2013 16:30 PM
Is "movement" defined using the Pitch F/X measurements of horizontal and vertical movement compared to a pitch with no spin? Or are you also factoring in the effects of gravity?
Oct 30, 2013 17:24 PM
It's "break_length", which reflects the horizontal and vertical movement (pfx and pfz) values usually reported but is measured in a different way: the maximum difference between the path actually travelled compared to a perfectly straight pitch (with no spin, etc), rather than the difference between where that perfectly straight pitch would have ended up and where the pitch in question actually did.
Oct 31, 2013 18:10 PM
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Kelly could play his way into increased role
LAKELAND, Fla. -- Don Kelly spent years of his Tigers tenure with the reputation as a Jim Leyland favorite. It's a new era of leadership in Detroit these days, but Kelly seems to be making some of the same impressions on new manager Brad Ausmus.
"The thing I didn't know about Don Kelly is, one, he's got some baseball savvy to him," Ausmus said Thursday. "He knows what he's doing on the bases. We talked about his versatility, but I don't know that I realized what type of outfielder he really was and what type of arm he had.
"I'm certainly learning things about Don Kelly that I didn't know. I knew he was a valuable utility guy that you could put in many spots with a left-handed bat, but so far he's been much better than my initial thoughts or projections were. And he's a great guy, great teammate to boot. They don't really have ratings that put a number of that."
Whether those impressions earn Kelly a share of the left-field mix at season's open remains to be seen. As Ausmus looks for a left-handed hitter to plug into left field with Andy Dirks out until June, that insight is worth noting. It doesn't mean Kelly will comprise the lefty half of the left-field platoon, but if the Tigers end up filling Dirks' absence from within, Kelly looks bound to get some starts.
Kelly had Thursday off after playing in each of the previous three games. He's 9-for-23 this spring and 8-for-19 in March, having hit in every game he's played this month. He has three doubles, a home run and five RBIs, as well as four walks.
"He's swinging the bat well right now," Ausmus said.
Kelly said earlier this week that he's not trying to make a big impression, but that he's seeing pitches well. He has made a habit of that in Spring Trainings past. A year ago, Kelly beat out Quintin Berry and others for a utility spot by hitting .320 (16-for-50) with four homers and eight RBIs. The spring before that, he batted .321 (18-for-56). In fact, Kelly has batted .300 or better every spring since 2010.
Jason Beck is a reporter for MLB.com. Read Beck's Blog and follow him on Twitter @beckjason. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

subset: commoncrawl


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Thinking about going to watch Nutcracker at the Casper Events Center. Ticketloot brings you the best deals for cheap Nutcracker Casper Events Center tickets sitting at the best seats in Casper Events Center. Now you can buy Nutcracker tickets Casper Events Center online. whether you are looking for Nutcracker Casper Events Center seating plan or Nutcracker tour dates TicketLoot has it all in place for you.
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The Nutcracker is a fairy tale-ballet in two acts, three scenes, by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, composed in 1891–92. Alexandre Dumas père's adaptation of the story "The Nutcracker and the Mouse King" by E.T.A. Hoffmann was set to music by Tchaikovsky (written by Marius Petipa and commissioned by the director of the Imperial Theatres Ivan Vsevolozhsky in 1891). In Western countries, this ballet has become perhaps the most popular ballet, performed primarily around Christmas time.
Among other things, the score of The Nutcracker is noted for its use of the celesta, an instrument that the composer had already employed in his much lesser known symphonic ballad The Voyevoda (premiered 1891). Although well-known in The Nutcracker as the featured solo instrument in the "Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy" from Act II, it is employed elsewhere in the same act.
Even if you've seen this audience favorite many times you won't want to miss this splendid new Nutcracker. The entire family will want to enjoy this delightful new rendition of the world's most popular ballet, complete with mice and toy soldiers come-to-life, the menacing Rat King, the heroic Nutcracker Prince, innocent young Clara and the dozens of fantastic characters who carry her through a fantasy of snow and ice, grandiose gardens, and a magical land of sweets and treats.


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I love that shed!
Our Irish shed
Gary and Louise Rascoe, Bahama, Piedmont EMC
We made this shed from a plan called an "Irish Shed." The walls are cedar logs that we cut from our property and placed on their sides, secured with a special mortar mix. The frame is made from four-by-six treated lumber with lap joints and rebar through them (very strong). I made the door from cedar boards.
See more innovative DIY sheds
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Topic: My Miracle Man...Mr. Whipple
September will mark 3 years since Teddy's Whipple. The first Whipple was aborted after 4 hours as his pancreas was "mush" from dye that leaked on it from his Endoscopy and the doctor could not cut in to it as he needed to, to get to the bile duct valve. 3 weeks later he went in with a double ecoli infection which almost did him in. After 9 days on antibiotics he had the "real" Whipple and it was highly successful and the cancer had not spread. Came back to Phoenix and a tiny hole appeared at the resection and he was put in rehab for a month on nothing but IV. He could not even put water to his mouth! The hole healed without more surgery. He has done extremely well and at 75 is still working and golfing. About March we noticed he was not his old Sicilian self. Got tired easily and just did not look well. In April he had an MRI and they found his right kidney swollen due to a mass pressing on the Ureter. The beginning of May they inserted a tube to drain the kidney (he is wearing a drainage bag) or he would have lost the kidney. This Monday he is going in for a biopsy to see what that mass is as no one can diagnosis it without the biopsy as they cannot get the dye through. We are hopeful even though his ONC feels the cancer has come back. There is nothing in life that can compare any of us for what we all go through. We have got to be the strongest people in the world. I wake up shaking inside but stay strong for him. If we get
bad news this week we have to be ever so grateful for this 2 1/2 year reprieve.
Teddy would tell you that the most important thing is for everyone to stay positive. Will keep you posted. Lainy


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Welcome to OIE. This page provides information, forms and procedures you will need to be successful and in compliance during your time here at Marquette.
You are welcome to contact us if you have a question. Some questions can be easily answered by our front desk staff, while others may require an appointment with your adviser. Call 288-7289 with questions or to schedule an appointment.
OIE is home to many of Marquette's international students. Current students can get involved with OIE and international events on campus in a number of ways.
Marquette University offers a variety of support systems to students, and a few of these key resources are listed below.


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home tour...
I tried desperately to find the home tour from the Feb. issue of Living online but it was nowhere! I had to share so I photographed pages from the magazine myself!
I just love the natural, organic elements like the mix of stained wood present in every room, soft neutral colors that work effortlessly with each other and eye-catching contrasts of shiny, smooth glass accents!
I also like how the entire house doesn't feel "feminized", it could work for a man or woman!
Keep checking the site to see if they upload this tour & hopefully include few bonus shots!
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13 comments:
this was one of my favorites...i loved this house.ReplyDelete
It really is amazing. I love how peaceful the bedroom feels.ReplyDelete
Most definitely!!! It is such a great home. Modern and minimal but just warm enough to avoid looking overdone...y'know? Smile...sigh....ReplyDelete
uncle beefy-you're so right, such a great take on the house!ReplyDelete
And just think, this is a home in MADISON! Really close to moi! I'm just dying to know if it's one of the homes in one of my favorite neighborhoods!ReplyDelete
what a serene place to live. I would be so chill if i lived in a place like that i wouldn't rely on "mother's little helpers" so much.ReplyDelete
Thank you for leaving a comment on my blog (Sara Says Awesome). Comments make me feel fuzzy.ReplyDelete
Lovely home! I really like how clean and minimal it is but its still quite homey. Great post!ReplyDelete
This is a lovely home, gorgeous pics. Great blog! xReplyDelete
what a gorgeous home, love the organic elements & also the vintage feel of the cabinets!ReplyDelete
this home is gorgeous!ReplyDelete
aww.. I love this home! something I would really enjoy and so would Steve.ReplyDelete
I also spent waaaaay too long this weekend looking for images of this gorgeous home online. Thanks for putting them up - I absolutely love this place! Yet another one we both adore - I'm not even surprised anymore!ReplyDelete
thank you for your comments!
if you have any questions please email me via the 'contact' link.


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Reception Held to Honor WCU Retirees
Hattiesburg, Miss., April 15, 2013 - William Carey University recently held a reception honoring retiring faculty and staff. The reception was held in the president's meeting room on April 10 and was attended by Carey faculty, staff, students, alumni, and family and friends of the retirees. Dr. Tommy King, president of WCU, presented each honoree with an inscribed clock as a token of appreciation for their years of loyal and dedicated service to the university.
The retirees honored were Bobbie Coward, housekeeper, who served 14 years; Dr. B.J. Martin, professor of anatomy and assistant dean for research, 24 years; Dr. Eugene Owens, professor of education and music and chair of special programs, 13 years; Becky Runnels, housekeeper, 10 years; Brenda Waldrip, assistant professor of education and vice president of student services, 37.5 years, and Linda York, controller and compliance director for financial affairs, 18.5 years.


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A man who lives above an Indian takeaway has appeared before a judge accused of being involved in the trade in hard drugs.
Ajmol Ali is accused of possessing heroin and ecstasy with intent to supply and also having crack cocaine.
The 36-year-old is said to have had the heroin and ecstasy with intent to supply on Wednesday October 26, 2011.
He is also accused of possession of heroin with intent to supply and simple possession of crack cocaine on Wednesday January 26 last year.
Co-defendant Steven Hollands, 31, is charged with being concerned in the supply of heroin between October 1, 2011 and January 27 last year.
No charges were formally put to the pair and they did not indicate any pleas during the brief hearings at Swindon crown court.
The cases against Ali, of William Street, Calne, and Hollands, of Cornflower Close, Calne, were adjourned to Friday March 15.
Hollands was released on unconditional bail and Ali, who appeared later after his lift to court let him down, was also granted bail.


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LEBANON -- A memorial service will be held 6 p.m. Friday, August 29 at the Partlow Funeral Chapel for Mrs. Hoffman of Lebanon.
Affectionately known by her family as "DeeDee" or "Ganny", Mrs. Hoffman died August 26, 2008 following an extended illness. Born March 31, 1931, she spent her blessed years on this earth giving of herself in boundless measures.
The family will receive friends Friday from 4 p.m. until the service. Brother David Freeman will officiate the memorial.
Survivors include: Melissa Prowell, Shelly Coluccio, Shane (Peggy) Hoffman, Tammy Baker and Angie (Brad) Batts.
Also surviving are grandchildren Luke and Clifton Sepulveda, Dex Snider and A.J. Snider, Joshua and Chad Hoffman, Christina Coluccio, Austin, Brent and Zachary Baker and Trevis and Preston Batts; great-grandchildren, Alexis and Madalyn Hoffman; sisters, Mary Hightower and Dora Palmer; as well as an abundance of nieces and nephews.
She is preceded in death by parents Eddie and Mattie Bryan; father of her children Laurel E. "Bud" Hoffman; grandson Daniel Anthony "Bubba" Coluccio; son-in-law Michael Ralph "Mike" Baker; and nine brothers and sisters.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the March of Dimes, The Ronald McDonald House or the organization of your choice. Grandchildren will serve as honorary pallbearers.
Partlow Funeral Chapel is in charge of arrangements.
So we were having dinner with friends when the topic came up about a mutual acquaintance whose daughter had given her kidney to her new husband. We all spoke at once about what a kind and loving gesture this was and how amazing that her husband was doing so well now.
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Happy toddler zone
Everything parents need to know about raising happy, healthy little ones. more
In an ideal world, the whole family would sit down together every night for a healthy dinner. But let's face it, it's not unusual for sports or clubs to keep kids out past dinnertime. And if you're the chauffeur, you're kept away from the kitchen - and it can be hard to find a healthy food recipe that can be made fast.
Still, a busy family social calendar is no excuse for heading to the fast food drive-through for dinner. When packed schedules are a fact of life, have a plan in place for balanced meals and recipes for you and your kids. So try these tips from busy mums for serving up healthy, kid-friendly meals when you have no time to spare.
"You're the model - they'll eat what you eat and they'll do what you do," says Alex Loupuhkin, a caterer and mother of two. Armed with these recipe and meal tips from busy mums, you can help the next generation to be healthy eaters - for every family meal.
"If I know that, say, Tuesday's going to be crazy, I'll cook a lot on Sunday and Monday," says Mary Sue Milliken, one of the founding chefs of Santa Monica's Border Grill, and a mother of two. "Then I have leftovers that I can pack up in a lunch or dinner." On pasta night, for example, Milliken might make a little extra pasta and leave off the sauce. "For my younger boy, who's a less adventurous eater, I'll add a little olive oil and grated cheese," she says. "For the older one, some chopped olives and cucumber, and maybe a little feta. Then on the morning that he'll be taking it with him, I'll add a little fresh vinaigrette."
Milliken also roasts extra chicken on weekends with her sons' weekday meals in mind. "I know my younger son likes the drumsticks, so I'll save those for him." Stocking up on travel containers made it easy for her to send off her kids with lots of portable little meal parcels: "I'll do one with cut-up vegetables, and a small one of a dipping sauce," she says.
There's an added bonus to cooking ahead, says real estate developer Brennan Kearney, also a stepmother of a 14-year-old and mother of two toddlers. "Making a big batch of soup to eat throughout the week is my secret weapon," she says, as much for the convenience factor as for all the vitamin-rich foods she can sneak into each meal. "Sophie [the teenager] willingly eats bean soup, lentil soup, or chicken soup, so I'll add zucchini, tomatoes, carrots, celery, and sometimes corn - these are things she would never normally eat, but chopped up small, they're unrecognisable."
There are a few other handy ways to sneak vegetables into kids meals. Even better disguisers, says Kearney, are pureed soups. "Cauliflower cheddar soup is a big hit, because of the cheese, but meanwhile I can sneak all sorts of vegetables into it. It's pureed, so she has no idea what's in it." Packed in a soup thermos, these nutritious soups can become a meal-on-the-go whenever necessary.
Erica Hirsch, a former nutritionist and mother of three gets her kids involved in recipe and meal-planning at all stages, from shopping to meal packing. "When you shop together, you empower them," she says. Hirsch builds healthy meals around her kids' requests. "If they ask for barbecued chicken, I'll put a vegetable with it," she says. "They love couscous, so I'll flake some salmon into it."
Milliken agrees. "Sometimes they bring home what you've packed for them and it hurts your feelings." Milliken notes that as her older son became a teen, it was the food containers his mum used that he objected to more than the food itself. "So I asked, what kinds of packages won't you mind taking to school? And I made an effort to use wax paper to wrap things, things that were disposable."
Asa Ersgard stays home full-time now, but when her two oldest daughters were small, she worked full days. She learned that healthy snacks were essential to helping tide them over until dinner, something that's even more valuable now that she also has twin boys. "We keep a big bowl of fruit on the counter, and in the fridge there's always yogurt. My littlest has the same snack every day after school: berries, cornflakes, and milk."
Kearney finds this healthy meal advice particularly important with her two babies. "I always carry around a sandwich of natural peanut butter on whole-wheat bread," she says. "When I'm out with my son and he sees candy or ice cream, initially the only thing he wants is what's in front of him. But if he's hungry, he'll accept the sandwich." Fruit, too, is the ultimate portable food, she says: "Strawberries with the tops cut off, blueberries, bananas, cut-up plums, nectarines, pears. Grapes are good because they don't bruise."
Though sports and clubs do sometimes keep kids away from home for family meals, on the whole, mums value them as an integral part of teaching them about the balance of fitness and appetite. "My kids' coaches encourage them not to drink fizzy and not to eat junk food," says Lina Wong, a part-time nurse studying to earn a Masters degree in literature and mother of six. "It helps that this good advice isn't coming from me."
"Sometimes I don't have food with me, and we'll go into a deli," says Hirsch. "Actually, it's good when this happens, because we can buy all sorts of fruits that I wouldn't be able to carry with me. And we get squeezable yogurts, or little sandwiches."
"Aim for the mum-and-dad places," recommends Milliken. "It's your better bet for a healthy meal. We try to avoid the drive-through greasy meals, although it does happen every now and then - we wouldn't want it to have too much of a mystique."
This content was written by Weight Watchers as part of Kidspot's Live Your Best Life initiative.
Last revised: Saturday, 9 October 2010
This article contains general information only and is not intended to replace advice from a qualified health professional.


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Saturated soil caused washout that closed Hwy. 12
YAKIMA COUNTY, Wash. -- DOT shut down a 45-mile stretch of the road after a washout Tuesday.
"Some people can't make that you know," said Keane Wesselius. "You have deadlines to meet."
Soil saturated by heavy rain collapsed near milepost 154 on Highway 12.
"After we really got there and flagged off the area, we still saw movement," said WSDOT Regional Administrator Don Whitehouse. "We had a 10-foot section fail even after we were starting to watch it."
Crews are currently assessing the damage. DOT told KIMA the washout is 120 feet wide and 800 feet deep.
DOT is applying for emergency funding to stabilize the highway. Engineers hope to open one lane of traffic in the fragile area that would alternate in both directions. However, crews need to test it first to make sure it's safe. They don't know how long that will take.
"How severe is this washout?" KIMA asked."Well, the fix here is very difficult," said Don.
Engineers don't know what the permanent answer will be. One possibility is building a new wall. That could take a month to build.
"They certainly could not have helped what happened to the roadway and I think they were trying to best keep everyone safe and give us the information we needed," said Carol Kerrigan.
"You're going to be burning a lot more gas so it's going to be a lot more money down the drain," said Keane.
Transportation officials are working to have more information Wednesday on the possibility of a partial reopening.


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The parents of Warminster boy Sean Turner pleaded with staff at Bristol Royal Hospital for Children to keep him in intensive care, an inquest heard today.
Four-year-old Sean Turner was admitted to hospital for vital corrective heart surgery in January 2012 but died in March, six weeks later, from a brain haemorrhage shortly after a cardiac arrest.
His parents, Steve and Yolanda Turner, argue failings at Ward 32 contributed to his death, and that the investigations which followed the fatality are contradictory and inadequate.
Both of Sean's parents read statements at the hearing, which opened today at Flax Bourton Coroner's Court in Bristol and is expected to last two weeks.
Mrs Turner told the inquest the decision to move her son from the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit to Ward 32 was the "worst decision ever made for Sean".
She said that she and Mr Turner had requested Sean stay in intensive care, adding: "He had too many needs to be on Ward 32."
The inquest heard how Sean was born with his heart on the right side of his body and blocked arteries between his heart and lungs.
He underwent the elective Fontan surgery - designed to help his heart work more efficiently - on January 24 in 2012.
Following the surgery, he spent just 18 hours on the intensive care unit, despite doctors informing the Turners that he would spend around five days there.
He was moved to Ward 32, with staff telling them that his bed was needed, but within hours of the move Sean began vomiting and was unable to keep liquid down.
Mrs Turner said Sean was moved back to the PICU after further surgery to drain fluid build-up around his heart and over 11 days he began to improve, before being moved back to Ward 32 again.
"It was the worst news when the told us he was being returned to Ward 32 because we were told he was not critical and they needed the bed," Mrs Turner told the inquest.
On February 12, Sean began to throw up once more and complain of a pain in his foot. He also became more and more dehydrated - even sucking moisture from tissues to quench his thirst.
Mrs Turner said: "I could see he was bad but nobody listened. We asked so many times if he could go back to PICU but we were told he was not critical enough."
Mr Turner said in his statement: "The nurses on Ward 32 cared but did not have the knowledge or know-how to give Sean the level of care he so desperately needed.
"No parent should be put in this situation, in a safe environment - where they have to plead for four days and have him have a cardiac arrest in their arms. We now have to live with that horror."
The inquest also heard read statements from several members of hospital staff, including Consultant Cardiologist Andrew Tometzki and Ward Sister Sarah Britton.
The inquest continues.


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A knee MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) scan uses energy from strong magnets to create pictures of the knee joint and muscles and tissues.
An MRI does not use radiation (x-rays). Single MRI images are called slices. The images can be stored on a computer or printed on film. One exam produces many images.
MRI - knee
You will wear a hospital gown or clothes without metal zippers or snaps (such as sweatpants and a t-shirt). Certain types of metal can cause blurry images.
You will lie on a narrow table that slides into a large tunnel-like scanner.
Some exams use a special dye (contrast). Most of the time, you will get the dye through a vein (IV) in your arm or hand before the test. Sometimes, the dye is given into a joint. The dye helps the radiologist see certain areas more clearly.
During the MRI, the person who operates the machine will watch you from another room. The test most often lasts 30-60 minutes, but may take longer.
You may be asked not to eat or drink anything for 4 - 6 hours before the scan.
Tell your doctor if you are afraid of close spaces (have claustrophobia). You may be given a medicine to help you feel sleepy and less anxious. Your doctor may suggest an "open" MRI, in which the machine is not as close to the body.
Before the test, tell your health care provider if you have:
Because the MRI contains strong magnets, metal objects are not allowed into the room with the MRI scanner:
An MRI exam causes no pain.You will need to lie still. Too much movement can blur MRI images and cause errors.
The table may be hard or cold, but you can ask for a blanket or pillow. The machine makes loud thumping and humming noises when turned on. You can wear ear plugs to help block out the noise.
An intercom in the room allows you to speak to someone at any time. Some MRIs have televisions and special headphones to help the time pass.
There is no recovery time, unless you were given a medicine to relax. After an MRI scan, you can return your normal diet, activity, and medicines.
Your doctor may order this test if you have:
You may also have this test to check your progress after knee surgery.
A normal result means your knee looks okay.
Abnormal results may be due to a sprain or tear of the ligaments in the knee area.
Abnormal results may also be due to:
Talk to your health care provider if you have questions or concerns.
MRI contains no radiation. There have been no reported side effects from the magnetic fields and radio waves.
The most common type of contrast (dye) used is gadolinium. It is very safe. Allergic reactions to the substance are rare. However, gadolinium can be harmful to people with kidney problems that need dialysis. If you have kidney problems, please tell your health care provider before the test.
The strong magnetic fields created during an MRI can cause heart pacemakers and other implants to not work as well. It can also cause a piece of metal inside your body to move or shift. For safety reasons, please don't bring anything that contains metal into the scanner room.
Tests that may be done instead of a knee MRI include:
Wilkinson ID, Paley MNJ. Magnetic resonance imaging: basic principles. In: Grainger RC, Allison D, Adam, Dixon AK, eds. Diagnostic Radiology: A Textbook of Medical Imaging. 5th ed. New York, NY: Churchill Livingstone; 2008:chap 5.
DeLee JC, Drez D Jr, Miller MD, eds. DeLee and Drez's Orthopaedic Sports Medicine. 3rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2009:chap 23.
Grainger RG, Thomsen HS, Morcos SK, Koh DM, Roditi G. Intravascular contrast media for radiology, CT, and MRI. In: Adam A, Dixon AK, eds. Grainger & Allison's Diagnostic Radiology: A Textbook of Medical Imaging. 5th ed. New York, NY: Churchill Livingstone; 2008:chap 2.
A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org). URAC's accreditation program is an independent audit to verify that A.D.A.M. follows rigorous standards of quality and accountability. A.D.A.M. is among the first to achieve this important distinction for online health information and services. Learn more about A.D.A.M.'s editorial policy, editorial process and privacy policy. A.D.A.M. is also a founding member of Hi-Ethics and subscribes to the principles of the Health on the Net Foundation (www.hon.ch)
The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. © 1997- 2013 A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.


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Identifying your cloud goals was easy. Creating your cloud infrastructure blueprint is a little more complicated. Learn the fundamentals of cloud computing, read about a specific cloud distribution, or discover the benefits of running containers in clouds.
Cloud computing
While the way enterprises use clouds continues to change, the methodologies and technologies inherent to cloud computing remain the same. Get a clearer understanding of what cloud computing actually is and answers to some of the most-asked questions.
Using containers in clouds to build a DevOps environment
Deploying open source containers in a cloud environment packages applications with everything it needs—allowing you to move it from one cloud to another.
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The first direct measurement of a super-Earth exoplanet's atmosphere finds the world is either shrouded in steam or covered in clouds.
"This is the first probe of an atmosphere of a super-Earth planet," said exoplanet observer Jacob Bean of the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics, lead author of a paper describing the cloudy world in the Dec. 2 Nature. "It's a real big step in the direction of doing this kind of work for a planet that's potentially habitable."
The planet, called GJ 1214b, is the smallest planet yet to have its atmosphere examined -- but it's just the latest in nearly a decade of probing exoplanet atmospheres. The others have all been gas giants.
When the first exoplanet atmosphere was measured in 2002, many astronomers dismissed it as a one-time success. Now, just 8 years later, exo-atmosphere studies are a thriving field.
Astronomers hope eventually to find true twins of Earth: small rocky planets with liquid water and atmospheres that could support life. Teasing out which molecules make up exo-atmospheres will be crucial to that search.
"Ultimately the goal is to try to look for biosignatures," Bean said. "This work is another sort of milestone on this road. We're going directly towards that."
This gallery traces the history of the study of exoplanet atmospheres, and looks forward to how astronomers plan to search for the real exo-Earth.
GJ 1214b
This planet was hailed as the most Earth-like exoplanet yet when announced almost exactly a year ago. It was only the second super-Earth -- a planet with a mass between about 2 and 10 times Earth's -- found to pass in front of its star, or transit.
The amount of light the planet blocked as it eclipsed its star told astronomers how big the planet was, about 2.7 times as wide as Earth. Follow-up measurements of the planet's gravitational tug on the star showed it was 6.5 times Earth's mass. Taken together, these two numbers tantalizingly suggested the planet could be one big, hot ocean world. But it could also be a kind of mini-Neptune, with a solid core and an atmosphere of hydrogen and helium, or a rocky planet with a huge atmosphere made of hydrogen.
Bean and colleagues measured the color of the starlight as it filtered through the thin ring of GJ 1214b's atmosphere. They made 197 separate observations using the Very Large Telescope in Chile, 88 of which caught the planet passing in front of the star.
"The chemical components of the atmosphere imprint their fingerprints on that light, and we can measure that," Bean said.
Surprisingly, the light that reached the ground-based telescope was almost featureless -- it didn't appear to have interacted with any interesting molecules at all. Rather than suggesting there's no atmosphere, Bean says, the lack of spectral features rules out a puffy hydrogen atmosphere.
Atmospheres made mostly of hydrogen extend high above the planet's surface, because hydrogen is so light. Starlight passing through the planet's atmosphere has a high chance of interacting with these molecules. But if the atmosphere is mostly composed of something heavier than hydrogen, the planet's gravity will scrunch the atmosphere closer to the surface. That means most of the starlight misses the molecules -- which, ironically, suggests these heavy molecules are actually there.
"I'm jealous of his data," said NASA exoplanet observer Drake Deming, who was not involved in the new work. "His data are really of superb quality."
Based on planetary formation theories, the atmosphere is most likely to be a thick veil of water vapor. But the planet could still have a hydrogen atmosphere full of clouds, which can block starlight and make a puffy hydrogen atmosphere look a lot like a dense water atmosphere.
Either way, the planet is "unequivocally not habitable," Bean said. "It's much too hot. But this is the coolest (in terms of temperature, not "coolest") planet we've done this observation on. You can see the progression toward a planet that really will be potentially habitable."
"I love this new planet, because it's so mysterious," said exoplanet expert Sara Seager of MIT, who laid some of the theoretical groundwork for studying atmospheres of other worlds. "It's definitely a milestone in exoplanet history."
Image: Paul A. Kempton
Another mile marker in studying what exoplanets are made of was COROT-7b. Discovered in February 2009, it was the first super-Earth found transiting in front of its star, which told astronomers the planet was mostly made of rock.
Image: ESO/L. Calcada
HD 209458b
Gas giant HD 209458b was the first exoplanet ever to have its atmosphere probed, when Harvard astronomer David Charbonneau and colleagues trained the Hubble Space Telescope on the Jupiter-sized world in 2002. That first observation found signals of atomic sodium. Later measurements with Hubble and the Spitzer Space Telescope found traces of methane, carbon dioxide and water -- some of the basic ingredients of life.
Image: NASA/JPL-Caltech/T. Pyle (SSC)
HD 189733b
Another way to probe exoplanet atmospheres is by measuring the light emitted by a transiting planet just before it slips out of view behind its star. That's how a team led by Caltech astronomer Carl Grillmair determined that gas giant HD 189733b has methane in its atmosphere in 2008.
Image: NASA, ESA, and G. Bacon (STScI)
Fomalhaut b
Because Earth-sized exoplanets are so small, the best bet for studying their atmospheres is erasing the starlight and taking the planets' pictures directly. The first exoplanet to have its portrait taken was Fomalhaut b, captured by Hubble in 2008.
Image: NASA, ESA, P. Kalas, J. Graham, E. Chiang, E. Kite (University of California, Berkeley), M. Clampin (NASA Goddard Space Flight Center), M. Fitzgerald (Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory), and K. Stapelfeldt and J. Krist (NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory)
The first system of planets to have its portrait taken orbits the star HR 8799, captured by ground-based telescopes in Hawaii and California in 2008.
Image: NASA/JPL-Caltech/Palomar Observatory
Finding Earth Twins
Future prospects for finding Earth twins could involve placing a giant, flower-shaped shield in front of a space telescope to block starlight, like the proposed New Worlds Observer.
A similar star shield was proposed for the James Webb Space Telescope, the planned successor to Hubble that recently sank into a pit of budget troubles.
"Right now things are kind of a disaster with James Webb," Seager said. "It's not clear if there will be money for this new thing, but we're hopeful that things will work out. Some people are even hopeful that because James Webb is delayed, there will be more time for technology to develop."
Image: NASA and Northrop Grumman
See Also:
- Most Earth-Like Extrasolar Planet Found Right Next Door
- Name the New Super-Earth
- At Last! First Real Evidence for a Rocky Exoplanet
- Life Ingredients Found on Extrasolar Gas Giant
- Scientists Create First Map of an Extrasolar Planet
- Hubble Finds Carbon Dioxide on Extrasolar Planet
- Exclusive: NASA's Plan to Save Astrophysics From Space Telescope's Budget Overruns
Follow us on Twitter @astrolisa and @wiredscience, and on Facebook.Go Back to Top. Skip To: Start of Article.


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Lethal Weapon
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Category: Action, Crime, Thriller
Tags: al leong, gary busey, mel gibson
Felix Jung lives in Chicago with his wife Liz, and two rabbits named Baxter and Professor Snugglesworth. He works at Emmis Interactive with a bunch of people that he loves.
In his spare time he runs avoision.com, a personal blog he's been updating every day since June, 2002.
If he's lucky, he's not receiving a ton of DMCA takedown notices and is successfully avoiding litigation.
Attribution Non-Commercial Share Alike license.


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£5.40 GBP - Excellent stock
With this product you can design your own Square Wooden Coasters with our product designer. There is no additional cost, and the price you see on screen includes the case itself, printing in full colour and first class postage if you are sending within the UK.
Please note, This is a 4pack. It is not possible to buy in any other quantity at this time.


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Approximately 10 million people over age 50 have osteoporosis. Improve your bone health before menopause and you may be able to avoid this debilitating disease.
Lose Belly Fat
Extra weight around your waist may lead to osteoporosis. A recent study conducted by researchers from Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston and Harvard Medical School found that women who had high amounts of visceral (belly) fat had less bone mineral density than women who did not. "Belly fat appears to produce an inflammatory response, which raises the risk of heart disease and diabetes and can accelerate bone loss," says Felicia Cosman, M.D., clinical director of the National Osteoporosis Foundation. "Maintaining a healthy overall body weight through diet and exercise (particularly activities that target the core like Pilates) is essential."


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Rocky granite headlands and towering hoop pines stand sentinel over tranquil sandy bays on this rugged, mountainous island covered with open eucalypt woodlands and surrounded by coral reefs. The island is easily accessible from Townsville and is noted for its abundant wildlife and varied history. It lies within the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area.
Explore Magnetic Island's most picturesque spots via a 36 kilometre network of walking tracks. Look for koalas, rock-wallabies, possums and a variety of birds. Swim or snorkel in secluded sandy bays and explore diverse reef and fish life. Discover the island's rich cultural heritage. Learn about the Wulgurukaba Aboriginal people's strong island connections. Visit historic sites linked to World War II. Look out to sea and imagine what it must have been like for those who watched the sea in less peaceful times.


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Why is it back? I liked not having it there...
'); var yuipath = 'clientscript/yui'; var yuicombopath = ''; var remoteyui = false; } else // Load Rest of YUI remotely (where possible) { var yuipath = 'http://yui.yahooapis.com/2.9.0/build'; var yuicombopath = 'http://yui.yahooapis.com/combo'; var remoteyui = true; if (!yuicombopath) { document.write('
Why is it back? I liked not having it there...
Don't ask Marvin Harrison what he did during the bye week. "Batman never told where the Bat Cave is," he explained.
It's temporarily back due to the upgrade of the software, but it will be going away again.
I was almost embarrassed at how big mine was, but then I saw Hicks'.
This space for rent.
You, Never? Did the Kenosha Kid?


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If you ain't got no money take your broke self home! Ah, Fergie's infamous song lyrics remind us of Syrian singer Asala Nasri [2]'s life.
Not many celebs like to admit the work they've had done, but Asala has apparently no problem with spilling the beans.
In a televised interview, the starlet admitted that she spends a lot of money to look this good. She has admitted that she's had a number of plastic surgeries on that pretty face of hers.
Can you guess where Asala had a bit of nip and tuck?
Well, the singer, who rates her looks as 7/10, said that she's had a nose job, her eyes and chin done! How many more surgeries will she have to have to feel 10/10?
Away from artificial beauty, Asala was the first guest star on the popular show "Ana Wel Asal" (Honey and I), where she couldn't hold her tears back while talking about the bloodshed in Syria at the hands of President Bashar Al Assad and his regime. [3]
Also on the show, Asala was not apologetic for the statement she had previously made about Lebanon.
Just over a year ago, Syrian songstress Asala Nasri, shocked Lebanese fans by saying that she would never set foot in their home country as she "didn't feel safe" [4]. Meeoww!
The outspoken songstress insisted that her statement was misinterpreted by some celebs and members of the public - Whatever you say Asala. Lebanese singer Ragheb Alama satirically laughed at Asala when Emirati singer Ahlam was talking about her "Lebanese snubbing" on one episode of "Arab Idol."
We say stick to singing and plastic surgeries and leave politics to the experts ma'am!
[1] http://www.syndigate.info
[2] http://www.albawaba.com/entertainment/join-queue-asalas-new-video-hits-youtube-first-502383
[3] http://www.albawaba.com/entertainment/asala-nasri-syrian-revolution-diamonds-429273
[4] http://www.albawaba.com/entertainment/asala-nasri-428581
[5] http://www.albawaba.com


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Kids Icons Adhesive Pocket Inserts, 8 per sheet
Avery Pre-Designed Templates Microsoft Word
Organize or identify your belongings with style using this easy template. Look for matching designs for Avery Branding and Merchandising products.
Compatible Products:
28373, 38373, 5881, 6574, 8373, 88220, 88221, 8869
Reviewed by 1 customer
This review is from AVERY Kids Icons Adhesive Pocket Inserts, 8 per sheet:
So fun! A cheerful design, and a great idea. I especially love the guitar. :)


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The just-ended Bridal Fashion Week, the premier event for the Bridal fashion industry, has displayed top talents of leading designers for wedding dresses. Never miss out the chance to get inspiration from these fashion designs to make "the dress of a lifetime". Let's have a glimpse at the Top 10 trends that could hit the near Spring 2010:
Trend 1: '50s Glamour


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RZ 2011-PR-005 (NV Commercial)
RZ 2011-PR-005 (NV Commercial and Clyde's Real Estate Group)
Co-applicants: NV Commercial Incorporated and Clyde's Real Estate Group, Inc.
The applicant proposes to redevelop six parcels characterize by a mixture of low-density retail and commercial uses--including Clyde's restaurant--into a high-density, transit-oriented mixed-use development. The property consists of Tax Map Parcels 29-3 ((1)) 65, 71, 72, 73, 75 and 78A, which are located on the north side of the intersection of Routes 7 and 123, and are adjacent to the proposed Tysons Central 7 Metro Station.
The development is proposed to include a mix of office, hotel, residential, and retail uses, spread among five multi-story buildings options. The total proposal includes 1,307,500 square feet of development, as further detailed below.
Total Site Area: 4.78 acres Overall FAR: 6.28
*office floor area ratio = 2.45; overall floor area ratio = 6.28
Applicant's Statement of Justification
If you have any questions regarding the Application, please contact the Department of Planning and Zoning at (703) 324-1290.


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Available at a range of Bannatyne's Health Clubs across the UK, this package allows you and a friend to enjoy a relaxing pamper day. Unwind as you each receive a Swedish back, neck & shoulder, or a Bannatyne's energising facial massage followed by a scalp massage. Then spend the rest of the day taking advantage of the spa facilities which include an air conditioned gym, indoor pool, Jacuzzi, steam room and sauna. And if you're feeling energetic, you can even join in an exercise class or two.
This package includes access to the health club, with full use of the facilities on offer for two people. Facilities include air conditioned gym, pool, Jacuzzi, steam room and sauna. You may also participate in exercise classes such as Tai Chi, Pilates, Boxercise and Aerobics, that may be taking place on the day of your visit (subject to availability).
You will also receive a Swedish back, neck and shoulder massage or Bannatyne's energising facial followed by a scalp massage. Both people will receive the treatments lasting approximately 40 minutes in total. Robes and slippers are available at all locations, a non-refundable rental charge may apply, please enquire upon making your appointment.
The 2 for 1 Pamper Day at Bannatyne's Health Clubs is available at a range of locations across the UK. To see the full list Click Here.
Important Information:
Your voucher is valid for 10 months. This package is for two people. This experience is available Monday to Thursday only. The minimum age of participants is 18 years. All dates are subject to availability. The voucher may be used at the specified locations only. Please note, this voucher may not be extended. Please note that the recipient must bring their voucher with them on the day.
Please remember to add postal time (2-3 working days) to obtain a complete estimate of delivery to your door.
You will receive an email to confirm when your item has been sent.
You can also check the status of your order and individual items by accessing My Account details and following the prompts.
Please allow 10 working days from dispatch of your order before notifying us of any late deliveries.
It may be advisable to check with your neighbours to see if a parcel has been left with them, check any outhouses you might have where it may be left if it cannot fit through your letterbox and contact your local sorting office to see if the item has been returned to the depot as undelivered and awaiting collection.
Please see our returns policy.
There are currently no reviews.


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Kiss Me, I'm Farley - Lips V-Neck T-Shirt
Product Color:
Product information
The V-Neck T-Shirt Kiss Me, I'm Farley - Lips is our old-school favorite with a v-neck. Perfect for use in sports where you are bound to sweat and need wide range of movement. Short sleeves to let cool air in on those hot and sunny days. Also great for every day use and to show everyone your love for Farley.
This product is made of the finest combed jersey which feels soothing against your skin. Shoulder-to-shoulder taping guarantees long life and a good fit. Farley V-Neck T-Shirt is available in 10 different color options. Heather Grey: 80% Cotton/20% Polyester. Remaining Colors: 100% Peruvian Cotton.
Sku: TV1BR0000008001717170899REWH00000


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By Julia Rubin, Styleite
For all the controversy surrounding some child models, it gives us great pleasure to dote on the latest pint-size star. His name is Ryan, and he has Down syndrome.
The adorable 6-year-old's latest modeling gig is for Target, and he also appeared in a Nordstrom catalog this past summer. Daddyblogger Noah's Dad posted both of the photos, and Ryan's proud mom commented:
We are very pleased that Nordstrom placed Ryan in their catalog. The whole process of modeling is an extreme confidence booster for him. He received so much warmth and caring from the Nordstrom crew that he thought they were there just for him! We are honored that Ryan is making the Down Syndrome community proud. He is a beautiful boy inside and out. He makes us better parents, and a better family.
The best thing about Target and Nordstrom's casting of Ryan is that he's not singled out in any way — he's just another super cute kid smiling for the camera. The ads are inclusive, yet they aren't trying to prove a point. They come across as completely ordinary, which in this case is a really wonderful thing.
More:Meet The Most Terrifying Toddlers & Tiaras Contestant Ever
World Leaders Kiss In Controversial Benetton Campaign


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Problem Solvers
Kathy | May 1, 2007
High-Speed Vision Sensors
Cognex Corporation now offers the In- Sight® 5600 series of vision sensors. This new line features the same design as the In-Sight 5400 series, but has double the processing speed and memory. Included in the product line is the standard (640×480) resolution
as well as the two-megapixel (1600×1200) models for performance in high-speed applications. All sensors have an IP67 (NEMA 4) rating and advanced vision software for inspection, identifi cation, measurement and alignment tasks.
Cognex Corporation
Natick, MA
Better Safety Instrumentation Monitoring
Honeywell says that its new SIS-Health Monitoring technology helps reduce maintenance and failures in safety instrumented systems. It includes the SIS-Health Monitoring Local Reliability Database module that stores all inventory information regarding a site's safety instrumentation. The SIS-Health Monitoring Analysis Toolset lets operators analyze, validate and optimize these systems' reliability and Safety Integrity Level (SIL). Operating as standalone units or together as an integrated system, the two modules can be used with any type or brand of safety instrumentation.
Phoenix, AZ
Lockout/Tagout Solutions
A new Lockout/Tagout and Safety Solutions Catalog, SA-IDCB33, is now available from Panduit Corp. The smallsized catalog covers the company's lockout/tagout products, safety and facility identifi cation products and training materials. A convenient reference section on industry standards also is included. The free catalog can be requested through customer service or downloaded from the company's Web site.
Panduit Corp.
Tinley Park, IL
State-of-the-Art Vibration Analysis
With the popularity of its vb3000™ portable vibration analysis tool in mind, Commtest has engineered its all-new vb7™ instrument's electronics from the ground up. Designed by and for predictive maintenance professionals, the vb7 incorporates stateof- the-art components, sculpted into an especially comfortable, lightweight unit. The manufacturer notes that the all-in-one tool is suitable for every level of vibration analyst, from novice through expert. Its Ascent® software contains the collective experience of over 25 years of expert in-depth machine fault analysis.
Knoxville, TN
Centralized Mist Removal In A Box
Acid and other chemical mist can be removed with a minimal 99.5% effi ciency, using CECO Filters' Mist Collector Systems (CMC). Mist cleaning is confi ned to a single room with this "boxed solution" design that can collect effl uent from several operations. According to the manufacturer, its fi ber bed fi lters provide up to 10 years of service life. Standard CMC units come in 18 sizes, with ACFM capacities ranging from 2,400 to 36,000.
CECO Environmental Corp.
Cincinnati, OH
Extreme Condition Computers
Glacier Computers notes that products in its new Everest series for harsh environments are ideal for both forklift and fi xed-mounted applications. These computers have passed thermal and reliability testing, have been HALT tested and have an MTBF of 40,000 hours. Screens are available in 10.4" and 12.1". They also come with multiple processor options, a 6V to 60V isolated internal power supply and the ability operate in Linux and numerous Windows formats.
Glacier Computer
Amherst, NH


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Select a meeting for trial data for that meeting.
Note: All NSW trial results should be available by 9am the following day. If you believe a meeting is missing click here to alert us. Queensland results at this stage are provided on a club-by-club basis. Note: Some results do not have beaten margins for unplaced runners whereas other results have complete finishing details of all runners. Metro trials are rarely run on the course proper therefore no timing/photo finish system is available to make results complete.


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Goldschmidt blocking out newfound praise
MIAMI -- Look at the statistical leaders in Major League Baseball these days and you'll find D-backs first baseman Paul Goldschmidt's name littered at the very top.
Goldschmidt leads the Majors in Wins Above Replacement with a 2.8 mark and is second only to Chris Davis in both OPS (1.077) and slugging percentage (.656).
Suddenly, Goldschmidt is being mentioned among the best players in the game in the media. So what does he think about that?
"I don't hear any of that," Goldschmidt said. "I don't read anything."
Goldschmidt slugged a pair of home runs on Friday as part of a four-hit night. When he returned to his Miami hotel room following the game, he flipped on the TV to watch some baseball highlights before turning in for the night. Well, all but one that is.
"Our highlights came on and I changed the channel," Goldschmidt said. "I don't watch, whether it's me doing good or bad. You don't want anything to get in your head. Some guys probably watch it and it doesn't bother them, but for me there's so much mental stuff going on in this game that I just try to keep as much out of my head as I can."
So while requests for interviews might be rising like his home run total, Goldschmidt takes it all in stride.
"It's just part of the game if your team has success or you have individual success you get more attention for whatever reason," he said. "It's just part of the game. I mean, if you don't do well, people forget about you pretty quickly, so it's just the nature of the game. Always for me, it's about just understanding there's ups and downs during the year. Remember the successes when you're going through the struggles and try to keep some confidence."
Steve Gilbert is a reporter for MLB.com. Read his blog, Inside the D-backs, and follow him on Twitter @SteveGilbertMLB. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.


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Note: This item is more than nine years old. Please take the publication date into consideration for any date references.
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Jan. 30, 2008
$5.85 Million in Local Park Grants Awarded to 15 Texas Communities
AUSTIN, Texas — The Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission Jan. 24 approved $5.85 million in grants for 15 Texas communities to acquire or develop city park outdoor and indoor recreational sites.
Commissioners approved $3.78 million in funds from the 2008 fiscal year Texas Recreation and Parks Account program revenue for outdoor grants. The amount was divided among 10 out of 19 eligible applicants based on site visits and analysis.
Since the Texas Legislature restored the appropriation for indoor grants for the 2008-2009 biennium, $2.07 million in funds also was available for indoor grants. This amount was divided among five out of eight eligible applicants.
The funding for the grants is provided in part by the TRPA, which dedicates a portion of the state sales tax on sporting goods to help local governments provide indoor and outdoor recreation. The program was authorized in 1993. Outdoor recreation grants are additionally made available through the federal Land and Water Conservation Fund supported by offshore oil and gas lease royalties.
The top projects recommended by Texas Parks and Wildlife Department staff from those submitted by 27 sponsors were selected based on a competitive scoring system and ranked in descending order of priority. For more information on local park grants, including how to apply for funding, contact TPWD's Recreation Grants Program at (512) 912-7124 or see the department Web site.
The commission awarded outdoor recreation grants to the following cities organized by county below:
- Angelina County — The City of Diboll was awarded $400,000 to further develop the Old Orchard Park sports complex with the renovation of its sporting facilities, pavilions, wildlife viewing platform and playgrounds.
- Cameron County — The City of Laureles was awarded $400,000 to further develop Laureles Regional Park to include several lighted sports facilities, a 0.75 mile trail and a community garden.
- Denton County — The City of Justin was awarded $400,000 to further develop Community Park to include a new trail featuring two overlooks, a lighted baseball field, two soccer fields and upgraded playground equipment.
- Grayson County — The City of Pottsboro was awarded $400,000 to further develop Pottsboro Park to include a 0.7 mile trail with six exercise stations, a skateboard park, a playground, multiple sporting fields and facilities, and a 2.5 acre pond.
- Guadalupe County — The City of Cibolo was awarded $400,000 to further develop Town Creek Park West to include approximately 40 additional acres of land for open space and a 1.5 mile trail with educational and historical signs.
- Jefferson County — The City of Port Arthur was awarded $400,000 to further develop Adams Park to include approximately 20 acres of land leased from the Port Arthur Independent School District. The additional land will be used for a wetland restoration with plantings, an outdoor learning center, a boardwalk, a soccer field and a 1 mile trail with exercise stations.
- Kimble County — The City of Junction was awarded $400,000 to further develop Schreiner City Park to include splash pad, gazebo and interpretive signs; playground equipment; a 2 mile trail with benches and exercise stations;
- Kleberg County — The City of Kingsville was awarded $184,898 to further develop Dick Kleberg Park to include a bird/wildlife observation station, a hummingbird/butterfly garden, sports facilities and exercise stations.
- Limestone County — The City of Groesbeck was awarded $400,000 to further develop the Groesbeck City Park to include a 2.0 acre open space dedication, a 1.14 mile trail, two lighted baseball fields and two playgrounds.
- Williamson County — The City of Hutto was awarded $400,000 to further develop Lake Park to include new trails, fishing access and bird-watching platforms and environmental and historical educational signs.
The commission approved indoor recreation grants for projects in the following amounts:
- Coryell County — The City of Copperas Cove was awarded $417,563 for the development of a 36,792 square foot community recreation center in Ogletree Gap Regional Park. The new facility will include a natatorium with a leisure pool, a weight room, a gymnasium for basketball and volleyball and several multi-purpose rooms.
- Frio County — The City of Dilley was awarded $416, 000 to further develop the Dilley City-School Recreation Facility to include new rooms for exercise, weightlifting and multipurpose use.
- Jefferson County — The City of Port Arthur was awarded $417,563 to develop a 13,000 square foot addition to an existing 23,000 community recreation center. The new facility will include a gym with track, a climbing wall, an exercise room and several multi-purpose rooms
- LaSalle County — The City of Cotulla was awarded $417,500 to further develop the 13,000 square foot Convention and Nature Center to include renovation to the existing auditorium, offices and a new space for nature displays and exhibits.
- Williamson County — The City of Cedar Park was awarded $400,000 to develop a 50,000 square foot community recreational facility, which will include: an elevated track, a double gymnasium and several multi-purpose rooms.
On the Net:
- More about TPWD grants: http://tpwd.texas.gov/business/grants
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(5.4.16 i)


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If you don't have any Fuyu Persimmon like I used, you could also use other types of fruit or vegetables, but remember that shrimp cook quickly so it's important to use something that's good raw or cooked like fruit, or that cooks quickly like cherry tomatoes.
I peeled the persimmon quarters, then cut each one in half to make eighths.
Garlic and Rosemary Roasted Shrimp Skewers with Persimmon (or other fruit or veggies)
(Use amounts to make as many skewers as you wish, recipe created by Kalyn.)
Ingredients for each shrimp skewer:
-6 medium-sized shrimp, peeled and deveined and thawed
-1 persimmon, peeled and cut into 8 pieces (or use cherry tomatoes, grapes, mushrooms, snow peas, or other quick-cooking fruits or vegetables)
-1/2 tsp. finely minced fresh rosemary (or other fresh herbs of your choice)
1 tsp. finely minced fresh garlic
1 T olive oil
When you are ready to cook skewers, preheat oven to 450F/230C. Remove shrimp from the marinade, wipe each one with paper towel to remove garlic and rosemary and let shrimp come to room temperature while you cut the persimmons. Cut each persimmon into quarters, then peel each quarter and cut into half to make eighths.
Thread a persimmon onto skewer, followed by shrimp, then persimmon, then shrimp, continuing the pattern and ending with a persimmon. (Eat the extra piece of persimmon of course.)
Put skewers on a metal roasting pan or cookie sheet and roast in hot oven about 6-8 minutes, or until all the shrimp have barely turned from gray to pink. (I was surprised that it took this long, but some parts of the shrimp aren't touching the hot roasting pan so it takes longer than simply roasting shrimp on the pan.) Serve hot.
If you made this for Christmas, I think skewers alternating with shrimp, a cherry tomato, and a folded green snow pea would look great!
Low-Carb Diet / Low-Glycemic Diet / South Beach Diet Suggestions:
Nutritional Information?
More Ideas with Shrimp:
(Recipes from other blogs may not always be South Beach Diet friendly; check ingredients.)
Easy Low-Carb Garlic and Lemon Shrimp from Kalyn's Kitchen
Shrimp Teriyaki from The Perfect Pantry
Easy Roasted Tomatoes and Shrimp from Kalyn's Kitchen
Shrimp and Mango Kabobs from Cooking with Amy
Spicy Roasted Green Beans (or Broccoli) and Shrimp from Kalyn's Kitchen
(Want even more recipes? I find these recipes from other blogs using Food Blog Search.)


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Today's post was written by Arpan Shah, Senior Director, Microsoft Office Division.
I've worked in the Office Division for more than 11 years and have had the opportunity to experience the transformation of our business into a services culture first hand. We've gained a lot of valuable insights as part of that transformation which have in turn enabled us to deliver important capabilities to our customers more quickly. We know that the way in which we manage our customers' data is a key driver in their decision to move to the cloud. That's why we're committed to partnering with our customers to understand and deliver on their unique security, privacy and compliance requirements.
In the 18 months since the service first launched, we've worked hard to ensure Office 365 offers the most robust set of certifications and standards options of any major cloud based productivity service. Our investments include but aren't limited to:
Impact Level 2 accreditation. In the UK, Office 365 has been awarded Impact Level 2 (IL2) accreditation. The IL2 rating will benefit a broad range of UK public sector organizations, including local and regional government, National Health Service (NHS) trusts and some central government bodies, who require 'protect' level of security for data processing, storage and transmission.
Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). Microsoft offers the most comprehensive agreement available to HIPAA-covered entities that manage electronic-protected health information.
Although the federal HIPAA law in large part applies to health organizations that need to protect patient data, education institutions must also adhere to the same HIPAA regulations if school data systems store students' records that include protected health information.
That's why Duke University and Thomas Jefferson University choose Office 3665 and became part of a consortium of leading technology, legal and compliance experts from the academic, public and private sector that worked closely with Microsoft to develop a business associate agreement (BAA) to address HIPAA requirements.
European Union Model Clauses (EUMCs). In December 2011, we started to contractually commit to EU Model Clauses in agreements with customers before taking the additional step of vetting our approach to Model Clauses with European Data Protection Authorities last summer. As a result of our engagement with this community, we've made adjustments to our systems and contract language which better reflects their feedback.
We're grateful that the privacy authorities from all 27 European Union member states (also known as the Article 29 Working Party) have reinforced the importance of Model Clauses and acknowledged our approach. Their actions have helped reinforce the importance of selecting a responsible vendor that will enable EU businesses to move to the cloud with confidence.
Criminal Justice Information Systems. Office 365 was recently selected by the Texas Department of Information Resources as the communication and collaboration platform for more than 100,000 state employees. Compliance was an important factor in the state's selection of Office 365 since several agencies, including Texas' Department of Criminal Justice, Alcoholic Beverage Commission, Department of Insurance, and Health and Human Services System, require access to data that is subject to complex security and privacy regulations.
Texas Department of Information Resources and Microsoft are working together to support the state's requirements under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and Criminal Justice Information Systems (CJIS), in order to maintain the state's compliance posture and high standards for security and privacy. Microsoft has made a contractual commitment to the Texas Department of Information Resources by signing the CJIS Addendum in addition to a HIPAA Business Associate Agreement.
FISMA: Office 365 implements security processes that adhere to the standards required by U.S. federal agencies and has acquired FISMA Authority to Operate (ATO) from a few federal agencies. Office 365 is continually working on updating its controls and processes to meet the latest federal directives on FISMA compliance.
Family Education Rights & Privacy Act (FERPA): FERPA protects the privacy rights of students by safeguarding "education records" from use or disclosure without consent. Office 365 helps educational institutions meet FERPA compliance requirements. Microsoft agrees to abide by the limitations and requirements imposed by FERPA, including a commitment that it will not scan institution emails or documents for advertising purposes.
We created the Office 365 Trust Center to make it easier for our customers to get the most up to date information on our security, privacy and compliance investments. Please visit the site to learn more and try the service to see why so many businesses are moving to the cloud with Office 365.
Related Information:
- What is Office 365?
- Office 365 Trust Center
- Leading Universities meet HIPAA requirements on Office 365


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Liza Minnelli and Alan Cumming Add 2nd Show to LIZA AND ALAN Birthday Concert, 3/14
Nightlife impresario Daniel Nardicio is bringing Liza Minnelli and Alan Cumming to the Manhattan stage for the first time when the two perform live at Town Hall on Wednesday, March 13, and now Thursday, March 14 (just added!). This is a transfer of their two sold-out shows in Fire Island. The concert takes place a day after Minnelli's 67th birthday.
Liza Minnelli and Alan Cumming are two theatrical powerhouses who act, sing and both happen to be closely identified with the landmark musical "Cabaret." Liza famously won an Academy-Award for the movie version and Alan won a Tony-Award for the acclaimed Broadway revival.
At Town Hall these incomparable stars will duet on familiar songs from "Cabaret" and Liza will dip into her repertoire of signature songs known the world over. Alan will perform his renditions of songs - from Annie Lennox to his own original compositions. These two old friends will also interact on stage together-sharing stories, songs, and banter of their adventures in life and show-business.
Nardicio says: "It had always surprised me that no producer had thought to put these two long time friends on stage together- considering their consummate performing skills, their history with "Cabaret" and their friendship. It's a no-brainer. That's what people saw on the stage on Fire Island- two good friends having fun. I dare say that this show is a celebration of friendship in general."
The evening will be under the musical direction of Emmy-winning composer Lance Horne.
Tickets are $110- $200 (Loge seating). To purchase, visit www.lizaandalan.com.
About Liza Minnelli: The winner of four Tony Awards, an Oscar, a special "Legends" Grammy, two Golden Globe Awards and an Emmy is one of the entertainment world's consummate performers. In film, on stage and in television, Liza Minnelli has won critical acclaim, a multitude of fans and recognition from her peers in show business. She has given a new dimension and credibility to the word "superstar." Her engagement at Town Hall is a rare opportunity to see one of the stage's great legends perform live in an intimate, historical venue.
About Alan Cumming: Sure, you can catch Alan Cumming every week on CBS's hit drama The Good Wife where he plays legal operative Eli Gold, for which he has been nominated for two Emmys, but you probably know him from his long list of film successes. He's appeared in a James Bond Film and part of the X-Men franchise, not to mention Burlesque, Eyes Wide Shut, and even Romy & Michelle's High School Reunion. He got his start in the theater, performing in Cabaret, Threepenny Opera, and The Seagull. In 2009 he released his first solo album I Bought a Blue Car Today. Alan is not content to just perform. He has a best-selling fragrance called Cumming that launched in 2005 and another scent, Second Cumming, that arrived in 2011. He penned the novel Tommy's Tale in 2002. Cumming most recently had an exhibition of his photos entitled "Alan Cumming Snaps!". He lives in NYC with his husband Grant and his dogs Honey and Leon.
About Lance Horne: Composer-Lyricist-Musical Director Lance Horne has performed alongside, composed, and/or provided arrangements for Alan, Liza, Kristin Chenoweth, Ricki Lake, Cheyenne Jackson, Kelli O'Hara, Jake Shears, Meow Meow, Justin Bond, Sandra Bernhard, Amanda Palmer/Dresden Dolls, Boston Pops, Seoul Philharmonic, Atlanta Symphony, London Gay Men's Chorus, Sydney Dance Company, Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parades; WestEnd appearances at the Vaudeville, Hippodrome, Garrick, Apollo,& Queen Elizabeth Hall. Festivals: Pina Bausch's Tanzfestival, Baryshnikov's Ringling, David Bowie's Highline,Toronto's Luminato, two seasons at the Geffen, three at Lincoln Center's American Songbook, five at Sydney Opera House & Carnegie Hall, opened for Death Cab, Michael Feinstein, & Dwight Yoakam. Command performance for President Obama, the First Lady, and Queen Elizabeth. MD: Prometheus Bound (Sater & Tankian/System of a Down, ART), Cabaret (starring Amanda Palmer, ART), Alice By Heart (National Theatre, London), international tours of Jekyll & Hyde, Handel's Messiah Rocks. Original material & arrangements: Vegas! The Show currently at Planet Hollywood Casino on the strip, & provided vocal arrangements for the Broadway production of Little Women, theme for Ricki Lake Show. His debut album First Things Last released on Yellow Sound Label (ADA/Warner) with concurrent concerts at Lincoln Center and on the West End. His musical Amandine opens at the Cherry Lane off-Broadway in January starring Gideon Glick & Tonya Pinkins.
About Daniel Nardicio: His parties in the East Village gay scene of the '90s are what brought him initially to the public's attention, but its with his large-scale nightlife events that have really brought him notoriety. Last Summer he launched his annual Icon Series, which brought acts like Liza Minnelli and Alan Cumming, Sandra Bernhard, Margaret Cho, Peaches,and Meow Meow to Fire Island for the first time. He also held a weekly series at cabaret landmark Feinstein's where he brought the downtown world of avant-garde cabaret to a whole new crowd uptown.


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Are you feeling like a free spirit? Do you live your life full of Peace and Love? If you've answered yes, then the Bohemian fashion tend might be the right fit for you. Pair one of our Bohemian styles with layers of different textures and floral prints with a touch of metallic embellishment to pay homage to your fashion sisters of the 60s.
Featured is our Noralee in Taupe by Dolce Vita.


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IF you hope snuggling up to your other half on the sofa will be a prelude to something more, you're in for a disappointment - five times out of six, anyway.
Only a sixth of cuddles between couples usually lead to sex, scientists claim.
The first in-depth study into hugging habits has concluded that a cuddle is more likely to be used to talk about how the day has gone than as a build-up to activity in the bedroom.
But the intimacy that comes with cuddling does have some benefits between the sheets, as the study also showed that those who cuddled the most tended to report having better sex lives.
The researchers found that the typical couple cuddles at least eight times a week, with each embrace lasting for just over 45 minutes. The most popular cuddling locations were the sofa, armchair and bed – and women tended to enjoy it more than men.
The University of Michigan researchers asked more than 500 men and women in relationships about the frequency and length of their cuddles and how cuddling made them feel.
They were also asked about what they did when they cuddled, where they cuddled and when.
A cuddle was defined as "intimate, physical and loving contact that does not involve sexual behaviour and that involves some degree of whole body touching, not just hand to hand or lips to lips".
The scientists discovered that the average cuddle lasts 47 minutes and 36 seconds, with evenings being the most popular time to cosy up.
The study, reported in the journal Archives of Sexual Behaviour, also found that couples were most likely to cuddle while watching a film or TV, followed by talking, having a massage, listening to music or reading – but only one in six said sex was likely to follow.
For those who chatted while cuddling, the most popular topic was what they had each done that day.
Researcher Dr Sari van Anders said: "Men and women reported feeling nurtured, protective and relaxed after cuddling and rarely mentioned sex when questioned about what they did or felt during cuddling, but talked about love, intimacy, closeness and comfort."
Originally published as Just one in six cuddles leads to the bedroom


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This article is part of an on-going, social media series.
According to a recent ethics and workplace survey by Deloitte, social networking sites are a part of everyday life for employees, with 66 percent acknowledging that they visit sites such as Facebook, MySpace, LinkedIn, Plaxo, Twitter, YouTube, and Flickr at least once a week. Although an employee's use of these sites may appear on its face to be a personal activity in which the employer should not interfere, the reality is that an employee's private use of such sites may have consequences that impact their employer.
Is an employee who engages in social networking for personal reasons at work being productive for her employer? Is an employee's personal rant about his employer on his Facebook page placing his employer's public reputation at risk? Is an employee's personal post on a social media site regarding a client business meeting placing her employer at risk for disclosure of confidential, proprietary or trade secret information?
Notwithstanding the expanding gray area between an employee's private use of social networking sites and an employer's professional consequences, only 22 percent of employers have a policy in place to control their employees' use of social media.
So what should employers do? While there is no bulletproof protection for employers, they can help to avoid or mitigate some legal and ethical consequences by establishing an appropriate social media policy that fits their unique culture. Employers would certainly be wise not to simply copy a social media policy off the Internet. The policy for a small employer may be different than that of a large employer. The policy for a school may be different than that for a for-profit business. For example, a policy for a school may prohibit staff is from "friending" students, while a for-profit business may encourage staff to engage with clients and potential clients through social media as a form of professional networking — albeit with guidelines concerning proprietary and confidential information in place. On a general level, almost all employers should consider the same common factors when developing a policy.
· First, may the organization's employees engage in social media for personal reasons at work and, if so, are there any limits and how will the employer enforce such restrictions?
· Second, given that an employee can tarnish an employer's positive public reputation through social media activity, the employer should consider guidelines for employees' use of social networking sites. Similarly, the policy should address whether an employee is permitted to identify himself as a representative of the organization when expressing his personal opinions about the company, and whether the employee should include a disclaimer in his personal blogs and posts that the opinions expressed are solely his own.
· Third, given the liability that can result from an employee's unscrupulous use of social media, the employer should remind employees of all other policies that may be implicated by one's online activity, such as the anti-harassment policy, anti-discrimination policy and the confidentiality policy.
Underlying any social media rules for the office should be a policy about the employer's intention to monitor employees' use of electronic communications at work. If employees acknowledge that nothing they do on their work computers is private, the employer has likely already gone a long way toward nipping in the bud inappropriate use of social media at the office.
Lori Higuera, a director in Fennemore Craig's Litigation Section, co-authored this article.
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What are your thoughts regarding this article?
Your comments won't go unheard! (Or unread for that matter.)
The authors of this on-going social media series will be back monthly to answer any questions you may have and/or to continue the discussion. So let us know!