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News Release Update: Body Identified
Fairfax County Police Department
Public Information Office
4100 Chain Bridge Road, Fairfax, Va. 22030
703-246-2253. TTY 703-204-2264. Fax 703-246-4253
News Release: 13/015/LHC/(5)
January 15, 2013
UPDATE: Body Identified
Police have identified the body of the man found in the Reston area as Christoph Walker, 51. Walker is from Sacramento, California and has been visiting a relative in the 11200 block of Harbor Court, Reston. He apparently went out for a run and did not return home. The relative became concerned, saw the news release on a local news website, recognized it may be his family member and contacted police.
Detectives do not suspect foul play; cause and manner of death are pending an autopsy.
Police Seek Information
To Identify Body Found on Reston Path
Reston Police District – Police are asking for the public's help in identifying a body that was found on a Reston path on Monday, January 14 at about 11:20 a.m.
A man was walking on a path near French Horn Lane when he saw the body of a man lying on mulch next to a swing set. The deceased appeared to have been either coming to or from the main path and police believe he had been exercising. Preliminarily, detectives do not suspect foul play; the man did not have any identification and no missing person reports have been filed.
The man is described as average build, around 5 feet 10 inches tall, with dark, greying hair, no facial hair, and possibly in his 50's. He wore black sweatpants, a long-sleeved black shirt underneath a gray T-shirt, black socks and black, New Balance tennis shoes. He wore no ring, jewelry or watch but carried a house key. He also wore a black knit cap. He had a six inch surgical scar on his right, lower hip area.
Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Solvers by phone at 1-866-411-TIPS/8477, e-mail at www.fairfaxcrimesolvers.org or text "TIP187" plus your message to CRIMES/274637 or call Fairfax County Police at 703-691-2131.


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subset: commoncrawl


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Some of the state's most influential lawmakers are now calling on California's foster care system to stop the reckless prescribing of psychiatric medications to troubled children, demanding the state quit spending tens of millions of tax dollars on such risky therapies.
The demand for action comes just after newspapers began publishing a series called "Drugging our Kids," which found nearly one in four adolescents in the nation's largest child welfare system is prescribed at least one psych med — 3 1/2 times the rate of all teens.
Almost 60 percent of foster youth prescribed psychotropics in California are being given antipsychotics, the most dangerous and expensive class of the drugs, which can result in rapid-onset obesity, diabetes and uncontrollable tremors. Lawmakers expressed outrage by the news organization's findings that many of the medications are prescribed for behavior management — not the mental illnesses they are approved to treat — and have little, if any, science supporting their safety and effectiveness in children.
"It's easier to take care of a sleeping kid, but that doesn't mean that it's right," State Sen. President pro Tem Darrell Steinberg said in an interview Monday. "And it certainly doesn't mean that it's in the best interest of the child — it's obvious that in so many instances, it's not."
Steinberg said he was deeply concerned about the news organization's finding that the state spends more on psychiatric drugs for foster children than on any other type of drug. An analysis of 10 years of Medi-Cal data showed psych meds accounted for 72 percent of spending on the 10 most expensive drug groups for foster children, topping $226 million.
Steinberg said that wide-open spigot, fueled by pharmaceutical company marketing, has to be restricted.
"What we know now is that $226 million, 72 percent of the total spent, is being used to over-prescribe and to over-rely on medication as the primary strategy to help these kids who have already had a tough life — and that the side effects and impact on their life and their growth are serious," Steinberg said. "This report and these numbers tell me that this money is not being well spent in many instances."
Describing some of the sales pitches the news organization reported as "highly offensive," Steinberg, whose term ends this fall, called on the governor and the state Legislature to "do some serious oversight and make the overprescribing of psychotropic medications to foster youth a lead budget issue in the 2015-16 state budget.
"By saying we are not going to allow this rate of spending to continue, it forces us policymakers and the folks who are responsible for implementing our Medi-Cal program and the child welfare system to better consider the use of medication and who would benefit from a different approach," Steinberg said.
One senator on Monday said he was ready to lead the charge. Sen. Jim Beall, D-San Jose — who chairs the Senate Human Services Committee — said his committee will consider new policies and legislation to curb overprescribing when the new session begins in December. Beall said he intends to focus on what he calls "'trash can diagnoses' — diagnoses that are made simply to control behavior, as opposed to diagnoses that have a medically therapeutic value."
Beall agreed with Steinberg's urgency, noting: "There needs to be some action taken to reduce the inappropriate use of drugs in our foster care system — this is not a lightweight issue."
Sen. Holly Mitchell, D-Los Angeles, agreed.
"Drugging kids to make them behave isn't care, isn't responsible and shouldn't be legal," she said in a statement. "Silencing their youthful pain by inducing stupor simply leaves childhood issues to fester into adulthood — and violates the obligation to 'do no harm' to those in our care."
Members of the California Youth Connection, an influential advocacy group representing foster youth, said Monday they, too, are pleased to see the psych meds issue getting renewed attention, but they expressed frustration that their years of advocacy around expanded mental health rights have so far failed to move the state Legislature.
Youth advocates have long called for alternative therapies, informed consent on par with the rights of adult mental health patients, and better information from caregivers and prescribers about medications.
"In a family, you have a parent to advocate for a child," said Vanessa Hernandez, the California Youth Connection's statewide policy coordinator. "But foster youth don't have that luxury and a lot of times they don't have an ally to help advocate for what medications are appropriate. That's what's leading to this abuse, misuse and overuse."


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December 12, 2012 BY Brendan Dunne
Lupe Fiasco has been kick-pushing since his rap career began, so him linking up with the most revered skate shoe brand out there only makes sense. The release in question is the Lupe Fiasco x Vans OTW Stovepipe, a clean black leather pair that crams in a good amount of details on the tongue and linings. The look Lupe aimed at is one from the 'Native Tongues' era of hip-hop, a little bit of a humorous choice given his famous A Tribe Called Quest lyric flub. The sneakers come with a crazy bag and box to complete the premium package. Click through for a look at the latest from the Lupe Fiasco x Vans collection and look for them at your local skate shop now.
Filed under: Collaboration Skate Vans


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noisemonkey wrote:Nichiren Shoshu doesn't teach that Nichiren is the Buddha reincarnated, it's a topic that needs a thread of it's own to do justice. Nichiren is the original Buddha from Kuon Ganjo (the infinite past) whereas Shakyamuni's enlightenment was first attained in the time of Gohyaku Jindengo (an extremely long but finite amount of time ago).
How have you been taught on this question?


text: Tall cotton-cashmere crewneck sweater Item 29237 Color: HTHR NORDIC BLUE Size: All sizes are US sizes. TALL MEDIUM TALL LARGE X LARGE-TALL Size Charts Quantity: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Prices do not include taxes. Add to Bag Wishlist Add to Bag Add To Wishlist share: size & fit For the taller guy, this sweater is 2" longer in the body and sleeves. Product Details Our cotton-cashmere crewneck sweater packs a one-two punch: Combining the ease of cotton with the warmth of cashmere, it's perpetually pulled together and seriously comfortable (and it just happens to be completely machine washable). Cotton/cashmere. Machine wash. Import. Online only. Item 29237.


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alpha wrote:Pero wrote:Dronma wrote:I had also a problem with my password... In that case, you hit "recover password" and you receive a new email.
Yeah well the thing is it doesn't work for me. Tried multiple times. So I was hoping there's someone clairvoyant here that could tell me what my password was.
can you not open a new account with a new email address if you have one?
Probably not, because you are asked to provide your membership number in the Dzogchen Community...


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Sept. 20, 2013
Mothers Against Drunk Drivers Applauds Texas Game Wardens for BWI Enforcement
AUSTIN – Today in Austin, Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) honored the local law enforcement community for its work in enforcement of Texas' intoxication laws. Texas Game Warden Theron Oatman received the Commitment Hero Award and Game Warden Capt. Scott Jurk received the Diamond Hero Leadership Award for their efforts in enforcing Boating While Intoxicated (BWI) and Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) laws on Lake Travis and Lake Austin.
"Boating While Intoxicated is a serious problem all across Texas, the leading contributing factor in boating fatalities and accidents," said Grahame Jones, Chief of Special Operations with Texas Parks and Wildlife Department's law enforcement division. "We are proud that MADD has recognized Warden Oatman and Capt. Jurk for their dedicated work in the Highland Lakes area, and we would note that their efforts represent what game wardens do every day on lakes, rivers and bays all over our state."
Texas Parks and Wildlife Department's Law Enforcement Division was also honored during the ceremony as one of five agencies to receive the DWI Enforcement Agency Award.
"This award truly embodies the spirit of each Game Warden across the state through their dedicated services and efforts to stop drunk driving and drunk boating every day across this great state", said Cody Jones, Asst. Commander and Boating Law Administrator with TPWD's law enforcement division.
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(5.4.16 i)


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I was thinking of going out for a mellow midnight surf. I know it small but has anyone been down to see if their may be a small longboardable oming through. I have been working a bunch and have a conferance the next two days and was thinking it would be nice to get out under the moonlight.
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Midnight surf


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Revering4Blue (03-01-2013)
The contents of this post may be disseminated without the express written consent of the Cincinnati Reds or Major League Baseball.
UMass was lights out from behind the arc today. Tip your cap, move on and get ready for Brooklyn.
I'm really excited about being in the Big East next year. It just feels right.
I hope Mack can start reeling in some excellent talent now to compete. I think the foundation is there for now anyway. I'd like to avoid a let down season next year as well and it could be hard to do with the changes still underway.
Dee / Randolph
Semaj / Davis
Martin / Richards( hoping for big things from this upperclassman in terms of defense and awareness)
Philmore / Farr
Stainbrook / Reynolds / Cantino
That's certainly some better depth, if not really young and inexperienced depth. I think 2014 is our next probable shot at a great great team, but I'm always a believer in the XU system. I'd love nothing more than rising to the top of this league year after year.
Again, we'll need to see rapid improvement in the low post from some unknowns, but I think they know that.
Tonight is a big night, would love to get a win and stay alive for a 4 seed.
Yeah, they rival Dayton for thinking they're special for no good reason.
What I find almost comical is how xavier fans are always so obsessed with how fan bases of other teams feel about their teams. Did xavier fans at some point get anointed as the NCAA college basketball fan police?
The real answer is that Dayton and SLU fans talk a lot of smack and their teams rarely back it up, so they draw the attention on themselves.
C'mon guys, be classy.
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A watershed is an area of land in which all of the water that enters it, drains into a common waterbody.
Also known as a drainage basin, it can be thought of as a "funnel" that collects surface water and ground water and
drains it into a single stream, lake, ocean, or other reservoir. Hills and ridges usually separate one watershed from the next.
Humans, plants, and animals need clean water to survive, and the activities
in a watershed determine the health of its water. Florida's multi-billion dollar tourism, agriculture, and
manufacturing industries rely on clean water. Vegetation in a healthy watershed can filter pollutants,
reduce erosion, and prevent flash flooding during storms. Urban development and other
human activities can impact water quality. Because water flows freely across state and political
boundaries, it is important to focus management plans on entire basins instead of
single towns or tributaries.
Florida's Watershed Restoration Framework
was created to embrace this holistic, ecosystem-based approach and to integrate Florida's longstanding water protection programs into more
effective, comprehensive action. The program specifically carries out provisions of the Florida Watershed Restoration Act
403.067 of the Florida Statutes), as well as other legal authorities, volunteer networks, public education, and
financial assistance to clean up water pollution or prevent it in the first place.
Rivers, streams, lakes, canals, and ground water systems are monitored by the Watershed Management Program.
coastal systems, and
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Florida has 29 major watersheds, as seen on the map below.
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The challenge of prostate cancer drug approval versus reimbursement
Here at the European Association of Urology (EAU) congress in Paris, there are some interesting debates amongst delegates attending the meeting regarding new therapies either recently – or about to be approved – for castrate-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC).
For example:
- How should abiraterone and MDV3100 be sequenced pre or post chemotherapy?
- Would combining the two drugs post chemo be a better strategy that leads to superior outcomes?
- Where does chemotherapy fit into this emerging paradigm? Do we need chemotherapy in an new era of oral therapies? If yes, which patients should be considered eligible?


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- Contemplating bankruptcy
Filing bankruptcy may help you solve your debt problems, but it's a serious step to take. A bankruptcy notation will stay on your credit report for ten years, which can affect your future ability to get credit, insurance, or even a job. Consider your other alternatives first, and make sure you understand what's involved before you file.


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We've met possibly the youngest councillor in Essex, now here's a contender for the most experienced.
Last week, the Standard reported how Will Radley, 18, had joined Althorne Parish Council.
Tilly Pink, who was 87 on Monday, could be the oldest.
Mrs Pink, whose real name is Rosina, has been on Wickham Bishops Parish Council since at least 1972, although she admits she cannot remember exactly when she was elected.
She came up with the idea for a new village hall, is president of Maldon Golf Club, and still attends the luncheon club she set up in the 1970s.
Mrs Pink was awarded a CBE in 1996 for her voluntary work, including her post as county organiser for the Women's Royal Voluntary Service, and represents Maldon on the Essex Association of Local Councils.


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Maddon being coy about Opening Day starter
PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. -- Joe Maddon was coy when asked if he was ready to announce David Price as this year's Opening Day starter.
"We're going to wait a couple of more days to make that announcement," the Rays manager said. "… He's got what, a 20 percent chance [to be the starter]?"
Since Price is the reigning American League Cy Young Award winner, there is little suspense surrounding the pending announcement, but he was not the Opening Day starter last season.
James Shields opened last season for the Rays based on his 2011 performance. He was traded to the Royals over the winter. Even if the veteran right-hander had remained with the team, it's likely Price would have won the honor based on last season, when he posted a 20-5 record with a 2.56 ERA in 31 starts.
Maddon said he expected to name his Opening Day starter next week, but he sounded unsure about when he would announce the order of the entire rotation.
"Probably just [announce the Opening Day starter] at that particular moment," Maddon said. "I'll talk to [pitching coach Jim] Hickey about it, how far he wants to go. The other guys, we'll probably wait just a little bit."
The Rays open the 2013 season on April 2 with a 3:10 p.m. ET contest against the Orioles at Tropicana Field.
Bill Chastain is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.


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For me this is the straw that breaks the camel's back. No more RnR races..
For me this is the straw that breaks the camel's back. No more RnR races..
This is a real shame. They had done so well with the San Diego RnR Half this year, and Carlsbad 5000 has always been a great race.
Not surprised. My experience w/ RnR is that their focus clearly was on participation, not competition.
What will happen to Carlsbad? That race won't be the same w/o elites.
Yeah, I decided after my 4th to never run one of their races again. So corporate, mass produced, overhyped, and crowded.
I hadn't seen this article, and in googling the company for more info, saw what a terrible place it is to work. No big surprise there.
Scary how fast they've grown. Seems like every city will have a R n R event soon.
What will happen to Carlsbad? That race won't be the same w/o elites.
That's exactly what I was thinking. Maybe they will focus on things like the all day 5k and change the spirit of the race.
Someone on LetsRun posted a clever suggestion for retaliation: that people stop volunteering for the events. As someone else noted, the volunteers are largely coming from local running clubs and without volunteers, they'd be screwed. If only it didn't also affect the racers, it'd be pretty genius.
Here's more info. But this quote from the CEO makes me want to kick him in the nuts.
"We have always been about the back of the pack," Dickey said. "The Rock 'n' Roll series is more about the lifestyle than the sport."
How much does this really matter? Are some of you offended because Competitor Group / Rock 'n Roll say that they cater to "the back of the pack" and since you have run a race or two of theirs, you don't want to be lumped in with all of the slow 'finishers' who are in it for the finisher's medal?
I can see being offended if you are routinely in the run these races trying to go for the overall win, but if you are running more to push yourself and pursue PRs, then these races are there for you just as much as the back of the pack slow people that RnR is looking to attract.
This is kind of like eating at a crappy chain restaurant and them complaining that the wine list sucks when you don't even drink wine.
I'm not sure "offended" is the correct word. I would say most of us are disappointed. I'm not an elite athlete but I have at least a small idea of what it takes and two of those things is support and opportunity. When one of the largest owners of significant road races in a country the size of the U.S. bails out on elite support the sport suffers. I think most runners can appreciate how that is sad.
Yeah, they are big, but I think many of the more hardcore people here already didn't like them, so this is just confirms that fact. I don't see why this should deter participation in their crappy events though. The fun-runs near me don't usually offer price money or elite runners, and I still attend sometimes. The over priced RnR events haven't held much appeal even before this news though.
Notatroll, you don't get it at all. It's nothing to do with being personally offended, it's about the sport of racing.
Using your analogy, what if Applebees bought a bunch of Michelin rated restaurants and switched them all over to onion rings and whatever crap Applebees sells because, what the hell, that's what most of America likes.
Think about how much professional runners make compared to football players, basketball players, etc. It's a struggle from the start and this is making one more hurdle for those who are gifted and make these races special.
I have NO problem with a company saying they're going to cater to back of the pack but why did they have to take over some wonderful well-respected races to do it? The Distance Run in Philadelphia was an institution. Now it's a RnR institution.
Not to mention the exorbitant prices RnR charges and then does incredibly stupid stuff like run out of water hours before a race is over and when the happens it's the back of the pack that suffers! They don't care about anything except making money.
Does that make it a little clearer for you?
Lol, Darthlawyer!
GIM - It is nice to have you back.
I can see their decision. Without looking name the person who won the last race you ran. Name the winner of any major marathon.
Now ask your running friends. I doubt having an elite in a race makes any difference. I bet few runners even know the elites get appearance money or even prize money and teasingly not how much.
the CEO is beng honest about their target audience which would be 95 percent of the runners on this forum
I am a certified middle of the packer and while I respect the elite runners, they have almost no presence in my running race experience. By the time I cross the line, they are back in their hotel getting a massage. While I grab some leftover bagels, bananas and chocolate milk, I watch the "slower" runners finish. Their reactions to crossing the line stay with me.
The one time I encountered an elite was actually at a R&R race. In Portland this past May. There was an out n back very early in the race, so we all got to see the leaders when they, uhm, going "back". A lot of us slower runners acknowledged their presence and cheered them on. That was cool to see.
I think Competitor is underestimating how much the "back of the pack" and "middle of the pack" runners are interested in the faster runners. Granted, I have no interest in watching track on the tv. I have no idea about the results of the most recent Worlds. But I do read articles about the elites and am interested in their stories. But it involves understanding the audience.
I don't think runners have the same interests as fans of the more traditional sports, ie. NFL, MLB, NBA, NHL, Nascar, etc. One main difference is that a lot of runners have very negative attitudes of sports and athletics (probably due to crappy Phys Ed. experiences) and so are less likely to hold elite athletes on a pedestal. More elite athletes who can tap into the mentality of being "one of us", the more people will be interested in following their careers. I think a runner like Kara Goucher does a good job of this.
GiM, You bring up some very valid points, but again, these are beefs that everyone should already have had with this outfit!
Why did these races with a long history sell out in the first place? I suppose "sell out" is the key phrase. Unfortunate, but maybe this will open the door for a new race to emerge and take away the committed runners from the RnR events. We should already have hated RnR due to a lame theme (bands every mile, who wants that?), and half marathons that cost over $100.
The sport is doing just fine for the recreational runner. If anything, there are too many races out there and that dilutes the competition among good local runners and can cause the community to dislike road races since a city starts shutting down roads too often for all of these color runs and marathons/half marathons.
to manhm1, i'm pretty sure most people will just assume that the fast, skinny dudes that have a huge gap on the field are "elite" regardless if they are 28 minute 10k runner, or a 30 minute local star.
Total non issue with me. I ran NOLA RnR event and thought it was excellent. Whether a race is RnR has no bearing on whether I would run it, I go on the reputation of the individual race itself. I just do not care how much prize money elites are making. I do not think there is a shortage of other races to win prize money at.
"Recently, as reported by flotrack, the Competitor Group has announced the elimination of its elite athlete program in North American races including in the half marathon in Philadelphia. I first became actively involved in the Philadelphia Distance Run after the race in 1980, when then race director, the late Bill Jackson, asked me to join his staff. Bill and I shared a vision for the PDR: we wanted it to be a community centered event that brought world class athletes to Philadelphia to toe the line in a highly competitive race on a beautiful course at the perfect time of the year for road racing. We believed that this approach would be good for the sport as a whole, good for elite runners, good for recreational runners, and good for the community. I'm happy to say that we were correct. When Bill retired from the race, he passed the race directorship to me. After a few years I stepped down as race director but continued to assemble the elite fields for several more years.
I am proud that the PDR launched, sustained, and resurrected the careers of many elite runners, both American and foreign. World records, national records, and age group records were broken regularly at the PDR. I will not attempt to name the giants of the sport who participated in the PDR for fear that I might make an inadvertent omission. Even a quick check of the records will verify the quality and depth of the fields from those years.
When I was involved in the race, I and the rest of the administrative staff worked as volunteers. We did it out of love for the sport and the people who are drawn to it and out of love for our community. The race was successful in every way year after year: it was competitive and operationally sound, it served Philadelphia and the local, regional, national, and international running communities well. It was financially sound. I was always pleased that wherever I went in the running community, be it on Kelly Drive and the Wissahickon Trail or to other cities for other events, PDR was always held in high regard. I regret that the current iterations of the race have not been so regarded, especially in the Philadelphia running community
By way of historical background, the Philadelphia Distance Run was founded in 1978 and operated under the auspices of the Philadelphia Family of YMCA's. In the early years we branded the event as the fastest half marathon in the world and tried to prove it by bringing in elite fields to run fast and bond with the other participants. In early 1988, the Philadelphia Family of YMCA's informed the race committee that it was withdrawing the level of support for the race that was required to maintain it at an elite level. Those of us who had built the event disagreed with that approach so we formed a non-profit corporation and negotiated the rights to the race away from that group. We maintained and continued to build the reputation of the event through tenacity, creativity, relationships, and courage. As the demands of our personal and professional lives made it impossible for us to continue to produce the race at the standards we set, we entered into a relationship with Tim Murphy and Elite Racing, because Tim and his colleague, Mike Long, seemed to share our vision. Over time, Elite Racing was sold to the Competitor Group which was purchased by Falonhead Capital. Later, Celara Capital purchased the operation. In essence, the PDR went from a world class community based event to a commodity. It has been very successful in terms of growth in participants, but the event has lost favor with the local running community, and the competitiveness of the event and the depth of the fields have declined over the past few years Still, the race continued to be an important stop for many elite athletes preparing for a fall marathon.
Now, those elite athletes have been informed that the event no longer believes their presence is important. I disagree. I have not yet seen a statement by the Competitor Group on the rationale for its decision. If, indeed, they have not provided one, I assume it is because that they feel that no explanation is required. If that is the case I would add a charge of arrogance to my belief that they are being their short sighted and myopic about the sport and the event.
When flotrack posted the Competitor Group announcement, it posed the question as to whether event producers like Competitor have an obligation to promote elite running. I believe that they do. Having worked in business for a large corporation I well understand the pressure for profits and to continue to improve profitability. That said, I also believe that a balanced approach is always better. My opinion is that the event owner has done a disservice to itself, the sport which provides its reason for being, the running community, and the legacy of great events like the PDR. It appears that it has sacrificed the heart and soul of the event in its quest for profit. It has been my experience in business that this is not an effective long term strategy.
I have no problem with establishing a series of fun runs throughout the country. I do, however, disagree with an approach which guts long established, venerable events. The Philadelphia Rock'n' Roll Half Marathon is being run on the date when the Philadelphia Distance Run traditionally took place, but the current event is a large, hollow shell of the old PDR. Given the proclivity for music that the Rock'n' Roll series has, I submit for their consideration, the words of Robbie Robertson:
Now, I don't mind chopping wood
And I don't care if the money's no good
You take what you need
And you leave the rest
But they should never
Have taken the very best
Tony DeSabato
I wonder if Steve Scott will have a similar quote for Carlsbad 5000.
Here's more info. But this quote from the CEO makes me want to kick him in the nuts.
"We have always been about the back of the pack," Dickey said. "The Rock 'n' Roll series is more about the lifestyle than the sport."
Agreed. But you brightened my day with a mental image of you in a superhero costume administering painful retribution to these scalawags.
Here's more info. But this quote from the CEO makes me want to kick him in the nuts.
"We have always been about the back of the pack," Dickey said. "The Rock 'n' Roll series is more about the lifestyle than the sport."
Agreed. But you brightened my day with a mental image of you in a superhero costume administering painful retribution to these scalawags.
Good point. I will PM my list of enemies to GIM post-haste.
You guys should see my satin cape. It's emblazoned with huge letters "SN" in blood red.
The Skalawag Nutcracker is ready to maim.
For a race series that claims to cater to "back of the pack," they don't hold races that support that contention. Their course limits are not generally walker-friendly (at some point RNR Vegas had a 4.5 hour limit for the full, although I hear that has been extended to 5 hours). There are some races that have 7 hour course limits for the full, but this is the exception rather than the rule for their races. Their wave corral system also takes a very long time - I waited for over an hour for my corral to be released at RNR San Antonio in 2009. I understand that there are legitimate reasons to make these decisions and I do not fault Competitor for making them, but don't do stuff like that and then claim to cater to the back of the pack.
That being said, I ran RNR Denver last year and had a very enjoyable experience. So I can't claim to be an RNR hater and would consider running one of their events again.
I have not run one of their events yet. Las Vegas in November will be my first one. Elite racers were certainly not the reason for me to take on the challenge and I would not expect to see any really and so the impact for me is non-existent. More important to me is how the race is organized and executed in the end. If they fail on that part I would certainly not sign up for one of their races again.
On the other side I think this opens the opportunity for somebody else to professionally organize races that include elite runners and that also address the shortcomings of RnR marathons. Don't get me wrong - I don't like greedy companies that only care about money and shareholders, but I also think that a step like this opens up the door to another opportunity. It might not be a nation-wide organizer, but even a handful of races would be a great start.
The last day has brought a couple more bouts of good reading.
From this morning, another well-written piece from a historical perspective that also includes the first response from the CEO of CG, Mr. Dickey (in the comments section). Also, the comment directly after that, by an elite runner, is very good.
The blog author then wrote another post to reply to Mr. Dickey.
This one's from an eloquent runner who, like slowrunningjulie, remarks about the "catering to the back of the pack" comment, though slowrunningjulie wins for having to wait an hour for the corral to be released. (that's just crazy talk)
Not sure if anyone cares but I'm going to continue posting stuff as it emerges since some of the posts provide an education on US racing.
Oh, and a local race director said something that struck me, that the money they're saving comes out to $1 per race participant. One lousy buck.
Amy Donaldson's piece is very good.
It won't make a difference but I sent an email to CGI trying to convey some of the same points. My email was allott fewer elokwenter.
Yay Dad! You are eloquence personified.
Good stuff GIM. I can understand where Competitor is coming from but my biggest problem is that they bought several marquee events that will not be the same without elite participation. Carlsbad...Philly etc.
Hey come on out for the Carlsbad 5k fun run. We used to be Bad but now we are as ordinary as your next door neighbor - Carl. That is what happens when you have to work on Labor Day.
Here is another perspective from Josh Cox...
Ah yes, the Josh Cox piece was also very good!
I agree with your marquee comment. I think the reason many runners won't care much is that some of the RNR events are just fine for what they are. They do large fun races well (if you don't count the running out of water and food part). If only they could somehow give back the ones that matter.
As for the Carlsbad 5k, I was supposed to go in 2012 till life was interrupted. I think it's still on my to-do list, though it remains to be seen what sort of race it'll be after this.
Camille Herron's comment: http://camilleherron.com/2013/...rofessional-running/
Good perspective!
That's a great post, Longboat, thanks for linking it. Herron's a smarty with some valid ideas there.
A highly entertaining blog post here and also
St. Pete RNR Half is cancelled.
Stuff is goin' on!
RnR Pasadena was just cancelled.
Agree with the "That's What She Said" post. And now I know where that name's from - their team van was near us at Hood to Coast, and I wondered!
At least for St. Pete's they offered a full refund -- I was half expecting to see only a transfer to other races. It's possible they had problems getting the permit for roads for this, as St. Pete has a number of race events run by local RD's -- a city/county gov't may just have said "Enough."
Wow, Pasadena too? This is getting weird. (Edited out my comment about the full since this is also just a Half.)
Longboat, your traffic idea sounded plausible except now with Pasadena...I smell the stench of money involved here.
A highly entertaining blog post here and also
That seems a bit overwrought. The MCM sells out in hours and offers no prize money. I would guess that most people care not one bit if elites are at a race or not.
Marine Corps is a little bit different, don't you think? I'm not sure you can compare the 5th largest marathon in the country to anything but the others in the top 5...
How much does this really matter? Are some of you offended because Competitor Group / Rock 'n Roll say that they cater to "the back of the pack" and since you have run a race or two of theirs, you don't want to be lumped in with all of the slow 'finishers' who are in it for the finisher's medal?
I can see being offended if you are routinely in the run these races trying to go for the overall win, but if you are running more to push yourself and pursue PRs, then these races are there for you just as much as the back of the pack slow people that RnR is looking to attract.
This is kind of like eating at a crappy chain restaurant and them complaining that the wine list sucks when you don't even drink wine.
I like this. Seems to me that the only people that this affects are the elites, and I am not aware of any elites regularly participating in these forae.
Also seems to me that the best way to vote is with your wallet. The proliferation of the RNR races suggests that for every indignant post on this board, there are thousands of people who shell out $100+ to run their one marathon so they can tell all their friends about it and put 26.2 stickers on their cars. That's who RNR is marketing to. Now, there are many people (myself included) who don't like to be lumped in with that crowd. I submit to you that the best way to differentiate one's self from that crowd is to run much, much faster than them and let your times speak for themselves.
And BTW, don't we all agree that Disney events are 100x worse than RNR?!


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The New Dodge Compact for 2013: Car Spy
The U.S. gets plenty of classically styled bikes from Triumph, Harley-Davidson, and, sometimes, Ducati. However, few Japanese bikes packing that retro vibe head over to our side of the pond. Kawasaki's W800—an update in engine size from the W650—was new last year, and its a beautifully designed bike. It's the attention to detail, such as the metal switchgear, that make this bike so desirable. We'd like to see it come over to our roads.
The new XTW250 Ryoku is like the Jeep Wrangler Rubicon of the motorcycle world: built for rough riding adventures. Unlike most dual-sport bikes, the Ryoku wears fat tires to help slog through the mud and a larger fuel tank for extended range. It packs plenty of utility with a heavy-duty rear rack that can handle all manner of camping gear. It even comes with an engine guard that can be removed and used as a spade, as well as two 110V AC plugs. Hopefully this concept becomes reality.
Live Pics from the 2011 Tokyo Motor Show


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September 16, 2012 BY Aaron Hope
Gourmet has built their brand with an understanding of the modern footwear landscape few can match, standing on the shoulders of giants for some elements and going off into leftfield for others. Their latest release is a good example: a trio of sneakers whose lines can be traced back to modern classics, done in a pack with trendy feline spotting, but in a pattern no other brands have used. This 'Ocelot Pack' includes the Gourmet Quattro S, 35 LP and Dieci all in black and browns, featuring a unique printed ultrasuede imported from Japan. You can see all three below and purchase them today from Gourmet; which one's you're most likely prey?
via FNG
Filed under: Lifestyle Sneakers Upcoming Sneakers


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Doubront pleased with second outing
FORT MYERS, Fla. -- Lefty Felix Doubront admits that in his Grapefruit League debut he was thinking more about his previously ailing shoulder than his pitches. But as he took the mound for his second start on Saturday night, Doubront was fully confident in his health and just focused on pitching.
He struck out five Orioles over three innings, though he also gave up four hits and two runs.
"I felt good," Doubront said. "I felt better than the last one before. I'm not too far from being completely 100 percent."
Doubront had weakness in his shoulder at the start of camp, which put him on a delayed schedule. But he is over that now.
"Like today, my focus was on the game and I just pitched," Doubront said. "That was my goal for today. I'm happy."
Ian Browne is a reporter for MLB.com. Read his blog, Brownie Points, and follow him on Twitter @IanMBrowne. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.


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Somewhere, the irony gods are having a real belly laugh. They are sitting back and cackling that, on the exact same day Chesapeake (CSK) CEO Aubrey McClendon agreed to depart from the second-largest natural gas producer in the country, Kinder Morgan (KMP) agreed to snap up Copano Energy (CPNO). Kinder Morgan is already the nation's largest oil-and-gas pipeline company, and Copano is its pipeline partner -- and this takeout will enable Kinder to get much bigger in the business that McClendon had personified.
What's so comical and twisted about this? Aubrey McClendon, whom I have interviewed many times over the years, built Chesapeake on the notion that rising demand in natural gas and natural gas liquids, and therefore rising prices thereof, would make the company he cofounded into the greatest independent oil-and-gas company on Earth.
He had already made the company into the second-largest producer of natural gas in the country, after Exxon Mobil (XOM).
But prices didn't rise for natural gas or for natural gas liquids, the feedstock used to make all kinds of plastics. Instead, those prices plummeted. Aubrey had bet the company on the notion that natural gas would not only become the dominant power generating fuel -- which it is now doing, overtaking coal -- but that it would also become the leading surface-vehicle fuel.
The latter prospect, which makes so much sense, simply didn't take off in time to boost McClendon's Chesapeake. McClendon is saying he retired, but other sources are saying that he was forced out -- a victim of the wildcatting ways that have always been his hallmark.
Meanwhile, at the precise moment he announced his departure, Kinder Morgan CEO Rich Kinder -- the acknowledged dean of the U.S. oil-and-gas complex -- swoops up Copano. Again, this will make Kinder Morgan even bigger than it is in the transfer of natural gas and natural gas liquids from the Eagleford shale, among others, to refineries that can make the fuel plastic.
In other words, Kinder is saying that this revolution -- the one on which Aubrey bet his company -- is now upon us. Aubrey just didn't get there in time.
I believe the removal of Aubrey, the man who has discovered more natural gas and natural gas liquids, and Rich Kinder's simultaneous decision to get much bigger in those fuels, will mark the bottom in pricing for oily natural gas.
Kinder knows that, before the plastics industry will commit to a huge industrial build to take advantage of the cheapness of the fuel, it will need that pipe from the big oily fields in this country. His timing is as exquisite as Chesapeake's is awful.
You can't blame the board for its actions with Aubrey. We know they always liked the assets, but that they chafed against the man who found them. Chesapeake was badly overextended, and while its assets are fabulous, it was definitely overstretched and had been in a retreat mode so it could meet its cash-flow obligations. McClendon's bet-the-company style rankled the new board, which is filled with conservative businesspeople who wanted to rein him in.
But, all that said, Chesapeake can survive and even thrive if Rich Kinder is right about the Copano buy. I think he will be.
We haven't seen the last of Aubrey. He will be back in action soon with another vehicle. We haven't seen the last of Chesapeake, either. It will downsize, but it will remain a key oil-and-gas producer.
But the real winner is Rich Kinder. He can take advantage of all of that drilling and bring the oil and gas to market, making a real killing for his shareholders and partners.
Kinder has gotten to the promised land of which Aubrey had always dreamed. He's the winner in all of this. Kinder Morgan Partners is the winner, and Aubrey's Chesapeake is the loser in the amazing U.S. oil renaissance.


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Anybody else notice that Hill doesn't seem to like to pass Lance the ball?
"Look, it's up to me to put a team around ... Lance right now." Kevin Pritchard press conference
This space for rent.
I have no proof of this, but I get the feeling it's more like Hill/PG will run the play that Vogel calls no matter what, whereas Lance will get it to the guy in the best position to score no matter what. Hill is a system/structure guy (which is why he was the only one having success in the first week), and Lance is a playmaker.
here is my question, who has a better chance at being a star in this league, Lance Stephenson or Paul George?
Honestly, right now I would say Lance. He has the mindset to be a star. Paul doesn't have it yet.
If he isn't already, Lance must be pretty close to our best 'broken plays' creator. As such would like to see him as the preferred option late in the clock. The reason everyone gets excited when he has the ball in his hands is not solely because of his unpredictability and showmanship but his quality as a shot creator - either for himself or team mates. The downside is that he sometimes forces it, the upside is that he possess a raw but near unique skill-set for this roster as constructed.
"He's a strong physical presence out there on both ends of the court. He's a man. There's a reason he was an All-Star." -- Vogel on David West
Hill and Lance together should make for a good pair since both are interchangeable.
First time in a long time, I've been happy with the team that was constructed, and now they struggle. I blame the coach.
There's nothing wrong with having a two be the primary ballhandler on a team.
You mean Hill or Lance? Cause I feel Lance's natural position is PG..
Scott Agness @ScottAgness
30 minutes after shootaround, @StephensonLance is still on the court, by himself, getting shots up. http://twitpic.com/bf67ui
Props to Lance for growing up and knowing what it takes to be successful. His work is paying off and its showing in games.
I'll be happy as long as Lance is a permanent fixture in the starting lineup.
This is a really encouraging thing to see. He wants to get better and if this is his normal commitment I think he will
reach his potential.
He can be our PG by playing at the "2" too.All you need is don't let Hill setting up the offense and let the clock wind down to 11 to initiate it.
As for Lance,he's probably the only bright thing about our season.He still overhits some shots but all in all he has been very good.
Last edited by Johanvil; 11-23-2012 at 04:40 PM.
Lance fits as a 6th man on this team or a starter with Granger out. In either case, he will be on the floor a lot with starters as long as he continues to develop.
I must say he has changed my opinion of him. Specifically his commitment to getting better, his ability to defend and his off court record. It's all been good and I will take my lumps for misjudging him.
Guy's playing the best basketball of his life, by a gigantic margin, and we should screw with it. Gotta love message boards!


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here's the link. ^
Pacers Get: Josh Smith
Hawks Get: TJ Ford, Dahntay Jones, and Josh McBobs
This would bring stability to the PF spot for the Pacers and finally set the core 5-7 guys that will be with our team for years, and deliver us the winning seasons that we desire in Indiana!
It would also give the Hawks a replacement/back-up for the aging Mike Bibby (TJ) as well as a good defender (D. Jones), and a very promising young PF to work with (Josh McRoberts)
This would be amazing!


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Norris in control as Astros strike first against Angels
Right-hander doesn't allow baserunner past first in seven innings
ANAHEIM -- The next thing you know the Astros are going to start letting their hair grow out, take some surfing lessons and start sleeping until noon. They've certainly done a good job making themselves at home on the West Coast early in the season.
California native Bud Norris gave the Astros their best starting-pitching performance of the season, throwing seven scoreless innings and benefiting from early run support to send Houston to its third consecutive win, 5-0, over the Angels on Friday night at Angel Stadium.
The Astros have followed up a six-game losing streak with a pair of wins in Seattle before taking the series-opener against their new American League West rivals.
"You always like to have an early lead and a little cushion, and these guys swung the bats," said Norris, who's 4-1 with a 1.14 ERA in his past five starts (including two in 2012). "They carried it over from Seattle and we're going to carry it over into tomorrow, too."
Much like they did in beating the Mariners with 24 runs in two games Tuesday and Wednesday, the Astros scored early, pushing three runs across in the first inning against starter Tommy Hanson (1-1). They built the 5-0 lead through three innings.
And the Astros were sharp defensively once again, with third baseman Matt Dominguez and shortstop Marwin Gonzalez sucking up everything on the left side of the infield and center fielder Justin Maxwell running down everything in center.
"The players are doing a great job of taking the game plan and executing it and really locking into the at-bats and keeping the line moving," manager Bo Porter said. "Then we're getting big hits once we get guys in scoring position."
Norris (2-1), who won his first road start of the season after going 3-12 with a 6.94 ERA in 18 starts away from home in '12, allowed three singles, hit one batter and walked two, but no one got past first base.
"Just a little more focus," Norris said. "Just getting my routine started earlier in the clubhouse as far as stretching to get myself ready to go out there and pitch. But then again it really goes down to the scouting report and locking in and knowing what we have to do to attack and get the thing done."
Norris kept the Angels' vaunted 2-3-4 hitters -- Mike Trout, Albert Pujols and Josh Hamilton -- in check. He started the game by plunking Peter Bourjos, but got Trout to hit into a double play, walked Pujols and struck out Hamilton.
"The leadoff hit-by-pitch isn't the way you want to start the game, but to come back and throw a fastball in and get a double play, it's big," Norris said. "When I'm pitching out of the windup with Pujols and Hamilton, you feel a little bit differently considering the fact they're big boppers. A solo homer is not going to beat you as bad, especially when you have a three-, four-, five-run cushion. You're going right at them, attack, attack, attack."
The Angels have lost four games in a row and seven of their last eight overall.
"It's just not clicking like we'd like it to," Pujols said. "We don't want to play like this, either, but it's part of the game. We just need to keep pushing, keep going, and try to do whatever it takes to come out of whatever we're going through right now."
The Astros set the tone early with their first five batters reaching to start the game. Maxwell doubled home Jose Altuve and was thrown out at third base trying for a triple. Consecutive singles by Jason Castro and Chris Carter and a walk to Carlos Pena loaded the bases for J.D. Martinez, who struck out.
Rick Ankiel followed with a two-run single to center field to push the lead to 3-0. Maxwell homered just left of center field in the second, and Ankiel added an RBI double in the third to score Pena and put the Astros ahead, 5-0. Ankiel's three RBIs give him the team lead with eight.
"Winning kind of cures everything, so to speak," Ankiel said. "You lose and there's a lot of finger-pointing and what did we do wrong and what went wrong and all of that. It's nice that the offense has come alive and the pitching has been strong the whole way through. Hats off to those guys and hats off to Bud Norris."
Altuve continues to be a sparkplug at the top of the order, going 3-for-5 and setting the tone. Maxwell, who's settling into the No. 2 spot, went 2-for-4 and is hitting .359 this year.
"It all starts with Altuve at the top," Maxwell said. "He got on base three times today and he really sets the tone from an offensive standpoint. We watch his first at-bat and everybody builds confidence from that, so it starts with him. I got a good pitch to drive in that at-bat."
Brian McTaggart is a reporter for MLB.com and writes an MLBlog, Tag's Lines. Follow @brianmctaggart on Twitter. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.


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Anoka-Hennepin School District officials, students and parents have much to celebrate with the results of the most recent test results released by the Minnesota Department of Education last week.
"I think you'll be very pleased with the results," Superintendent Dennis Carlson told school board members at their May 21 meeting, just ahead of the official release of the results of the Multiple Measurement Ratings (MMR).
MMR is a new ratings system for schools throughout Minnesota as a result of the state's No Child Left Behind waiver. It is designed to be a fairer, more accurate accountability system, according to a Minnesota Department of Education press release.
"This is another good day for Minnesota's efforts to raise the bar and improve student achievement for every student," said Commissioner of Education Brenda Cassellius. "With this new accountability system, we'll be able to better assess how our schools are really doing, and put in place structures and resources to support their efforts."
"Rather than relying on a failed system that doled out punitive labels and didn't tell the whole story about schools, today we're recognizing our high performing schools and making a commitment to stand beside those schools most in need."
The goal of the new system is to improve the disparity in academic performance between students of color and in poverty and their white count referred to as the achievement gap.
These new ratings take into account school performance in proficiency, growth, progress in closing achievement gaps and graduation rate.
According to the Minnesota Department of Education, state officials hope the new focus will close Minnesota's achievement gap – one of the nation's highest – in half within six years.
Along with the MMR ratings, three designations were given to schools meeting certain criteria.
Reward schools are the highest performing 15 percent of Title I schools in the state. There were 128 schools named in this category, including three in District 11.
Those schools are Madison Elementary, Monroe Elementary and University Avenue Elementary.
"We are thrilled to have three of our Title I schools earn the highest ranking as reward schools," said Mary Wolverton, associate superintendent for elementary schools.
"To be the largest school district in Minnesota and yet not have a single school designated as a priority school (the bottom 5 percent of the rankings) and only one as a focus school (the middle 10 percent) is very positive."
"All three of our reward schools have very strong collaboration between general classroom teachers and specialty teachers for special education, English as a second language and Title services so that students work with these teachers in their regular classroom setting instead of being pulled out for services."
"These schools also have specialization, strong instructional coaching and a sharp focus on state standards."
In schools with specialization, fourth- and fifth-grade teachers specialize in teaching either English language arts and social studies or science and math.
Two of the reward schools are specialty schools in collaboration with Northwest Suburban Integration School District, Wolverton said.
These schools are racially isolated, meaning their percentage of students of color is significantly above the district average, she said.
Reward schools will be recognized for their good work, with the Minnesota Department of Education looking to share any best practices taking place in their classrooms with other schools statewide.
These reward schools will be identified annually.
The only focus school in District 11 is Evergreen Park Elementary in Brooklyn Center. This school will be required to use a share of its Title I funding to implement an improvement plan.
One of the advantages of the new system is that all Title I funds are available for use by schools in providing staff and programming for students. Under the previous system, the district had to set aside 20 percent of its Title funding to offer school choice or free tutoring to qualifying students in schools that had failed to make adequate yearly progress for two or more years. This frees up more than $1 million that can be spent on programming for students who need additional help in reading and math.
Focus schools are 10 percent of Title I schools making the biggest contribution to the state's achievement gap. Eighty-five schools statewide were designated focus schools, including Evergreen Park.
Schools with the focus designation will work with their district to develop a school improvement plan that directly addresses poor performance either within a subgroup or in graduation rates. Focus schools will be identified every three years.
Priority schools are among the 5 percent of the most persistently low performing Title I schools in the state. Forty-two schools received this designation. None were from Anoka-Hennepin.
These priority schools will receive support from the Minnesota Department of Education and a newly rated Regional Centers of Excellence to develop a school turnaround plan based on the federal turnaround principles.
Under federal regulations, 19 of the schools identified as priority schools are currently operating under the school improvement grant program. These schools will have the opportunity to exit the priority schools list if they are no longer in the bottom 25 percent of Title I schools.
Priority schools will be identified once every three years.
According to the Minnesota Department of Education, the accountability system takes into account the unique challenges facing each community, providing districts with the flexibility necessary to create a turnaround plan that best addresses a school's particular needs. Each turnaround plan will vary from school to school.
"Today marks an important step in our efforts to provide every child with access to a world-class education," Cassellius said. "This work will not be easy, but it can be done. With collaboration and commitment from everyone – parents, students, educators, communities, policy makers and MDE – we'll continue on our path to ensure every student has the opportunity to achieve their highest potential."
School, overall rating, achievement gap rating
Adams Elementary School, 43.48 percent, 38.42 percent
Andover Elementary School, 65.35 percent, 63.58 percent
Andover High School, 80.52 percent, 72.78 percent
Anoka High School, 60.79 percent, 54.54 percent
Anoka Middle School for the Arts, 54.57 percent, 63.31 percent
Blaine High School, 55.01 percent, 49.76 percent
Champlin/Brooklyn Park Academy for Math and Environmental Science, 96.96 percent, 98.55 percent
Champlin Park High School, 61.41 percent, 51.67 percent
Coon Rapids High School, 42.88 percent, 47.63 percent
Coon Rapids Middle School, 61.77 percent, 71.97 percent
Crooked Lake Elementary School, 45.60 percent, 50.04 percent
Crossroads Alternative High School, 40.37 percent, 47.87 percent
Crossroads Night, 63.17 percent
Dayton Elementary School, 56.74 percent, 54.02 percent
Eisenhower Elementary School, 51.26 percent, 56.03 percent
Evergreen Park Elementary School, 18.15 percent, 21.70 percent
Franklin Elementary School, 32.00 percent, 39.89 percent
Hamilton Elementary School, 62.22 percent, 75.15 percent
Hoover Elementary School, 51.33 percent, 67.20 percent
Jackson Middle School, 49.73 percent, 58.85 percent
Jefferson Elementary School, 68.21 percent, 77.41 percent
Johnsville Elementary School, 49.51 percent, 57.33 percent
Lincoln Elementary School, 53.87 percent, 69.48 percent
Madison Elementary School, 79.59 percent, 81.31 percent
McKinley Elementary School, 87.33 percent, 87.61 percent
Mississippi Elementary School, 34.03 percent, 60.04 percent
Monroe Elementary School, 74.15 percent, 80.41 percent
Morris Bye Elementary School, 69.30 percent, 67.89 percent
Northdale Middle School, 48.51 percent, 66.92 percent
Oak View Middle School, 55.31 percent, 63.01 percent
Oxbow Creek Elementary School, 65.30 percent, 67.30 percent
Ramsey Elementary School, 63.20 percent, 66.90 percent
Roosevelt Middle School, 64.05 percent, 75.11 percent
Rum River Elementary School, 78.21 percent, 79.79 percent
Rum River Trail Learning Center at L.O. Jacob, 53.12 percent, 63.52 percent
Sand Creek Elementary School, 63.77 percent, 70.28 percent
Secondary Technical Education (STEP), 68.77 percent, 73.02 percent
University Avenue Elementary School, 73.39 percent, 76.43 percent
Wilson Elementary School, 72.40 percent, 72.89 percent