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Camcorders FAQ
Tara W. has worked for Crutchfield since 2004. She writes about whole-house music and video gear, and works on Crutchfield's video team.
More from Tara W.
Heads up!Welcome to this article from the Crutchfield archives. Have fun reading it, but be aware that the information may be outdated and links may be broken.
Camcorders are great for recording sports, vacations, family moments and more.
Choosing a camcorder:
» What kind of camcorder should I get if I need to record a friend's wedding?
» What kind of camcorder should I get to take on vacation?
» What kind of camcorder should I get my teen?
» What kind of camcorder should I get to record my child's plays or sports games?
Camcorder basics:
» I don't plan to edit my video on a PC. Can I connect a digital camcorder to my TV to watch my videos?
» My digital camera has a video mode — does that mean I don't need a camcorder?
» If my digital camcorder has a digital photo mode, can I use it as a digital camera?
» What's the difference between hard disk drive and flash memory camcorders?
» Do all high-definition camcorders record in 1080p?
» What is the difference between electronic, digital, and optical image stabilization?
Using a camcorder:
» How much recording time do I get with one charge of the rechargeable battery?
» How much recording time will I get on one hard drive, memory card, disc, or tape?
» What else will I need to buy in order to use my camcorder when it arrives?
» My high-def camcorder records in AVCHD — what's that?
» Why are there so many numbers to show how much video a camcorder can record and what do they mean?
Watching and archiving footage:
» How can I share my home movies with my friends and family?
» How do I transfer video from my camcorder to my computer?
» How can I play my video on my TV?
» What is the best method of storing my videos?
» How big a hard drive should I get if I want to store my home movies?
Q: What kind of camcorder should I get if I need to record a friend's wedding?
A: For such a special occasion, it's a good idea to go with a high-definition camcorder, since it will capture the best quality footage that will last for years to come. These cams come with both easy, automatic modes for beginners, as well as manual modes for more experienced videographers. Plus, most high-def cams have plenty of built-in memory, so you shouldn't have to worry about running out of space before the lucky couple says "I do." You should also look for a camcorder with plenty of zoom, so you can get great shots of the bride and groom without infringing on the wedding party's turf.
Of course, if you plan on making this a side- or even day-job, then check out our professional-style camcorders. You'll be able to capture custom video and sound with their wide range of manual features. Plus, you can add on separate mics and video lights to get better sound and lighting.
Q: What kind of camcorder should I get to take on vacation?
A: If you're traveling to the beach or going hiking across rough terrain, we recommend a tough camcorder. These compact camcorders capture great video, and most won't break if you take them underwater while snorkeling or accidentally drop it a couple of feet while hiking (though we don't recommend making a habit of this). They also tend to be pretty lightweight, so it's no problem taking them along.
On the other hand, if you plan to do a lot of location hopping across the U.S. or even Europe, then check out a cam with GPS-tagging. It'll not only shoot gorgeous footage, but will also record the location from where you shot it for easy indexing when you get home.
Q: What kind of camcorder should I get my teen?
A: We tend to prefer pocket cams for teens. They're compact, inexpensive, and come in a variety of colors. Plus, they usually have pretty easy video controls, and make it easy to upload videos for sharing on sites like Facebook® or YouTube™.
Q: What kind of camcorder should I get to record my child's plays or sports games?
A: First, look for a camcorder with a high optical zoom. That way, you'll be able to zoom in close to your child from the bleachers or audience. It's also worth either looking for a cam with optical image stabilization, too, or investing in a tripod, to keep your videos steady. If you're indoors in low light, that image stabilization will come in handy, as will a lens with a wide aperture. Zooming in will limit the amount of light reaching your lens, so it's good to have all the sensitivity, light-gathering power, and stabilization you can afford for best results.
Q: I've never used a camcorder — is it too complicated for a novice?
A: Not at all. If you can use a point-and-shoot camera, you can use a camcorder. Most newer camcorders come with automatic modes and special features to make shooting video easier, and even fun. You can find touchscreen controls, face detection modes, and smile shutter technology — just like on point-and-shoot cameras. Even higher-end camcorders have lots of goof-proof automatic settings — start with them, then try out the more complex features as you get more comfortable with shooting your own videos.
Q: I don't plan to edit my video on a PC. Can I connect a digital camcorder to my TV to watch my videos?
A: Absolutely. Editing on your PC is a great option for some folks, but not necessary. All camcorders have an audio/video output that lets you connect the camcorder directly to your TV for playback. Many memory cards will mount on your computer or late-model TV as an outboard drive with a memory card reader, and many camcorder files can be played back with software-based players. There are lots of choices when it comes to watching your video; see our article on watching, sharing, and editing your home movies for more ideas.
Q: My digital camera has a video mode — does that mean I don't need a camcorder?
A: Your digital camera's video mode is a good substitute if you don't have a camcorder available, but a camcorder makes sense for extensive filming. Camcorders usually have larger lenses for capturing the light and detail required for natural-looking video. And while many digital cameras also offer HD video recording, you'll often find that a camcorder's design makes it easier to hold and manipulate zoom and focus while recording motion imagery.
Q: I see that most digital camcorders have a digital photo mode — does that mean that I can use my camcorder as a digital camera?
A: A digital camcorder with photo mode makes a nice stand-in when a digital camera isn't available. Right now, though, most digital camcorders can't deliver the higher resolution and greater photo-snapping versatility that digital cameras offer. If you think you're likely to get into digital photography in its own right, a separate digital camera is a wise investment. If you do decide to use your camcorder to snap photos, it's a good idea to get a separate memory card for photos and reserve the built-in memory for video-only.
Q: What's the difference between hard disk drive and flash memory camcorders?
A: Hard drive camcorders use rapidly rotating disks with magnetic surfaces to write and rewrite data, and are becoming less common as flash memory prices have decreased. Flash memory camcorders, on the other hand, use tiny microchips within which the memory cells are erased in one simultaneous action or "flash." Flash memory doesn't have any moving parts, so it's more durable than hard drive memory and can record and access media faster. Given the small size of the microchips, flash memory camcorders can also be built smaller and lighter than other cams.
Read more about the benefits of each in our full article on understanding recording formats.
Q: Do all high-definition camcorders record in 1080p?
A: No, some camcorders record at 1080i (60 half-resolution fields a second, interlaced to make 30 frames per second) or 720p. These are all high-def and will look great on your HDTV. The difference between 720 and 1080 lies in how much data each displays on your screen at one time. 720 means 720 horizontal lines make up a frame, so it is not as detailed an image as 1080. However, 720 video is most often pegged at 60 progressive frames a second, so it makes for smooth fast motion.
1080p is the highest resolution available, and can often give you the smoothest, most detailed footage. Most high-def cams that record in 1080p will also have a "long-play" or economy mode that records in 720p. Fortunately any HDTV can scale incoming video to fit its screen, so that your cam's video will look great regardless. See our article on HDTV resolution for more information.
|The image on the right was shot with Sony's SteadyShot® (digital) picture stabilization technology; the image on the left, without.
Q: What is the difference between electronic, digital, and optical image stabilization?
A: Electronic and digital image stabilization both use electronic processing to reduce shakiness and blur after the image has been captured. Similar to digital zoom, digital image stabilization reduces image quality by producing a pixelated, grainy-looking image.
When choosing a camcorder, you should look for one that uses optical image stabilization. It combats camera shake by actually shifting the lens elements during filming, and produces a cleaner looking video.
Q: How much recording time do I get with one charge of the rechargeable battery?
A: That depends on several factors. Power-hungry features like zoom, image stabilization, and LCD viewscreens tend to decrease the amount of time between charges. Most of our camcorders will have battery-life estimates in the "Hands-on Research" section of our website, but these are only estimates. Actual battery life will vary depending on your particular camcorder and battery, and your recording settings and environment.
One nice feature of all newer camcorder batteries: they have no "memory" effect, so you don't have to run the battery down before recharging it. Some camcorders even interact with the battery to measure and display the remaining record time. Want to be sure you're not caught with a dead battery? Optional super-high-capacity batteries are available for many models, and a DC charger can be handy for recharging on the go. We recommend picking up a spare battery or two to ensure you don't miss a moment.
Q: How much recording time will I get on one hard drive, memory card, disc, or tape?
A: This will depend on the video quality settings you choose, which are located in your camcorder's menu. Hard disk drives and memory cards will vary depending on their size, but to give you an example, 30-gigabyte hard drives can typically give you between 7 and 20 hours, depending on the recording mode.
|There are a number of accessories that are designed to make your filming experience easier.
Q: What else will I need to buy in order to use my camcorder when it arrives?
A: You'll definitely need blank memory cards, tapes, or discs (unless your camcorder only records to built-in memory, like a hard drive). If your camcorder has an HDMI ouput, then you may want to pick up a mini HDMI to HDMI cable to share your high-def video on an HDTV. Carrying cases and extra batteries are nice for on-the-go recording. A tripod can really help steady your shots, especially if you're planning on filming faraway objects with your cam's high-powered zoom. We also offer chargers, video lights, microphones, and more — take a look at our selection of accessories to see which ones suit the ways you plan to record.
You can also check out our full-length article on camcorder accessories.
Q: My high-def camcorder records in AVCHD — what's that?
A: AVCHD is a high-def video format that allows HD camcorders and some digital cameras to record video at resolutions up to 1920 x 1080. You can also find it in some high-def video clips, on Blu-ray discs, and in some digital satellite TV broadcasts. Be aware that in order to play back video footage recorded in AVCHD, you'll either need to connect your camcorder directly to your TV via the A/V output, burn high-def discs for playback in an AVCHD-capable DVD player or Blu-ray player, or play back the recorded file through your computer.
Q: Why are there so many numbers to show how much video a camcorder can record, and what do they mean?
A: When you look at a camcorder's specifications in the owner's manual, you'll usually see a few different estimates for how much video the camcorder can record. That's because most camcorders offer different recording settings, including a high-quality mode all the way down to a "long-play" or economy mode. For example, a 1080p high-def camcorder may have a few different HD video recording modes of 1920 x 1080 or 1280 x 720, and maybe a standard-def recording mode of 720 x 480. Within each mode you'll possibly find super fine, fine, normal, long-play modes, and more.
The reason for having so many choices is that the higher the setting, the finer the quality of your video, but also the more memory you'll take up. So while you may only be able to record an hour of video at your camcorder's highest quality setting, choosing the lowest quality setting might let you record several hours of video. The setting you choose depends on what you want kind of video you're shooting and how you plan to use it. For example, you'll probably want to record your wedding at the highest quality setting, but if you're just recording your dog howling to post it on YouTube™, then you may want to save the memory and choose a lower setting.
A: It's the tiny metal piece on the top of the camcorder that lets you add optional accessories, like an external video light or microphone. There are two different kinds: "hot shoes" have the ability to transfer power through the accessory shoe to the additional device, and tend to use up some of your camcorder's battery; "cold shoes" require that the device get power from a separate battery, which will need to be replaced periodically. If you're buying a camcorder for some serious filming, it's probably a good idea to look for an accessory shoe, since external mics and video lights tend to be higher-quality than the tiny ones built into your camcorder.
Q: How can I share my home movies with my friends and family?
A: Posting your videos online is one of the easiest ways to share your movies, as long as your relatives and friends have Internet access. Most video-sharing websites, like YouTube, have a maximum file size, so you'll want to check the site's requirements before you try to upload a video. You may have to decrease the video file size, and a number of different editing programs can help you do that. Another convenient method of sharing videos is dubbing to recordable DVDs. A single blank DVD is capable of storing two hours or more of studio-quality video, and most newer home players can play recordable DVDs. Check out our article on watching, sharing, and editing your home movies for more ideas.
Q: How do I transfer video from my camcorder to my computer?
A: Transferring video to your computer will depend on the type of camcorder you have. Flash memory and hard disk drive camcorders normally use a USB port; some cameras use an i.LINK™ digital A/V jack (also known as IEEE 1394). Before you purchase a camcorder, be sure to check your computer's input jacks and see which inputs it already has. Most newer computers feature one or more USB ports. Most older computers will have an i.LINK jack, although they're not as common in newer models. If your computer doesn't come with the input you need, it's quite easy (and relatively inexpensive) to add using an empty PC or PCI slot. (Transfer of digital photos, on the other hand, is typically accomplished via a USB connection, regardless of the type of camcorder you purchase.)
Also, keep in mind that most digital camcorders only provide basic video editing software. Before you buy a camcorder, decide what kind of editing you want to do, and look around for the appropriate application. For more information, see our article about editing digital video on your computer.
Q: How can I play my video on my TV?
A: This will depend on the type of input(s) your TV has and the camcorder you'll be using. Some camcorders have composite (RCA-type) outputs, while others feature component video or an HDMI output. You'll want to use an HDMI or component video connection for the best picture quality.
Q: What is the best method of storing my videos?
A: Because tapes can wear out, DVDs can scratch, and hard disk drives can crash, your best bet is to make multiple copies of your footage. Similar to storing digital photos, if you keep your files in more than one place, then you're more likely to have them for years to come. And don't postpone making those additional copies — if it's a project you're planning "to get around to," you may be one hard-drive crash away from losing all of the footage of your family's early years together. Find out more in our article on watching, sharing, and editing your home movies.
Q: How big a hard drive should I get if I want to store my home movies?
A: As big (and as speedy) as you can afford. External hard drives are great to have around the house, and can store everything from copies of your home movies and digital photographs, to important word documents and family records — so the bigger the better. Just remember that hard drives fail eventually, so it's a good idea to keep spare copies of your data on discs or memory cards if you can. And if you want to really ensure that your videos and photos stick around for years to come, consider storing your hard drive, discs, or memory cards in a fire-proof box or safe in a cool dry place. For more information, check out our article on watching, sharing, and editing your home movies


text:
La Spezia, IT
The house is obtained by using the height difference between the terraces, its volume is placed in the section of the hill, partially creating a hypogeum structure.Therefore, the roof acquires the profile of a terrace, creating a natural, green cover for the house.The green cover improves the housing microclimate, reducing energy costs and regulating rainwater storage.Adapting to the surrounding environment, the house represents an example of bioclimatic architecture, a living model which satisfies comfort standards thought the passive control of microclimate, reducing the utilisation of heating systems and enhancing the efficiency of the exchanges between house and environment. Taking advantage of the position and the materials, the new house obtains a high living comfort with a minimum utilisation of resources. The dry stone wall goes into the building, becoming the spine of the new construction; hence the house blends into the environment using the same materials of the surrounding environment
Status: Unbuilt
Location: La Spezia, IT

subset: commoncrawl


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Goins snaps out of slump with big day
DUNEDIN, Fla. -- Second baseman Ryan Goins broke out of his prolonged slump at the plate for at least one day by going 3-for-4 in Toronto's 11-6 victory over the Phillies on Wednesday afternoon.
Goins had two singles and a triple to go along with a pair of RBIs in his best offensive day this spring. He entered the game hitting just .154 in 39 at-bats, but he saw that average climb to .209.
The Blue Jays had a total of 18 hits on Wednesday afternoon, but after the game it was Goins that manager John Gibbons wanted to spend most of his time talking about.
"The one I'm really excited for is Goins, he had kind of a breakout day and he needed that," Gibbons said. "He hadn't gotten a lot of hits, but he has been hitting a lot of balls hard. But for a young guy that's tough to accept -- he wants to see results, so that was a big day for him."
Goins is expected to receive most of the playing time at second base this season with utility man Maicer Izturis serving in a backup role. The only experience Goins had at the big league level came in 2013, when he hit .254 with a .264 on-base percentage in 34 games.
Gregor Chisholm is a reporter for MLB.com. Read his blog, North of the Border, and follow him on Twitter @gregorMLB. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.


text: I was also going to use the term "adventure" in the name of today's post — I guess Dottie and I think alike! Whatever you want to call it, yesterday's ride took me off my beaten path and allowed me to face a new challenge: Green Hills. Any Nashvillian knows that the traffic on Hillsboro Rd. anywhere south of Wedgewood is pretty heinous. It's so bad that I take back roads when I drive. But there was no reason I couldn't bike those same back roads — or at least that's what I told myself when setting off after a happy hour near my work to attend an (excellent) reading at Davis-Kidd by author Mary Pat Kelly.


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Don't miss out on a lower price on this hotel
Get an overview of this hotelUpscale hotel on the beach, with 2 outdoor swimming pools
Popular property highlights
Located in South Beach, this beachfront hotel is on the boardwalk and within a 15-minute walk of New World Center, Lincoln Road Mall, and Art Deco Welcome Center. Lummus Park Beach is 0.7 mi (1.1 km) away.
Hotel Features
Catch some rays at the beach or spend the day relaxing at Royal Palm South Beach Miami, a Tribute Portfolio Resort's full-service spa. Then enjoy a meal at one of the hotel's 3 restaurants.
Room Amenities
All 393 rooms provide conveniences like sitting areas and coffee makers, plus free WiFi and flat-screen TVs with cable channels. Guests will also find iPod docks, 24-hour room service, and rainfall showerheads.
Guest Highlights
- Good location
- Walkability and proximity to shopping
- Beach
- Helpful staff
- Overall room comfort
- Guestrooms were a little noisy
Royal Palm South Beach Miami, a Tribute Portfolio Resort
Renovations & Closures
Hotel Amenities
Hotel Amenities
Sit back and relax on the beach with cabanas (surcharge), umbrellas, and sun loungers. At Royal Palm South Beach Miami, a Tribute Portfolio Resort you can cool off in one of the 2 outdoor swimming pools and indulge in a pampering afternoon at the full-service spa.
Dining is available at one of the hotel's 3 restaurants and guests can grab coffee at the coffee shop/café. The property also has a snack bar/deli. Guests can unwind with a drink at one of the hotel's bars, which include a poolside bar and a bar/lounge. A computer station is located on site and wireless Internet access is complimentary. This Art Deco hotel also offers a 24-hour fitness center and a garden. Parking is available onsite for a surcharge. A total renovation of this property was completed in September 2012.
Royal Palm South Beach Miami, a Tribute Portfolio Resort is a smoke-free property.
- Meeting rooms 6
- Number of floors - 17
- 24-hour front desk
- Total number of rooms - 393
- ATM/banking
- Bar/lounge
- Breakfast available (surcharge)
- Business center
- Coffee/tea in common areas
- Coffee shop or café
- Free newspapers in lobby
- Concierge services
- Conference space
- Dry cleaning/laundry service
- Elevator/lift
- Express check-out
- Fireplace in lobby
- 24-hour fitness facilities
- Full-service spa
- Gift shops or newsstand
- Pool umbrellas
- Number of outdoor pools - 2
- Free WiFi
- Computer station
- Laundry facilities
- Spa treatment room(s)
- Valet parking (surcharge)
- Garden
- Poolside bar
- Porter/bellhop
- Luggage storage
- Safe-deposit box at front desk
- Beach umbrellas
- Beach cabanas (surcharge)
- Pool cabanas (surcharge)
- Beach sun loungers
- Pool sun loungers
- Beach towels
- Snack bar/deli
- Number of restaurants - 3
- Conference space size (feet) - 2882
- Conference space size (meters) - 268
- Number of meeting rooms - 5
- Smoke-free property
- Number of buildings/towers - 3
- Spa services on site
- Wedding services
Family Friendly Amenities
- Family Hotel
- Outdoor pools
- Free Wi-Fi
- Snack bar/deli
- Laundry facilities
Available in all rooms: Free WiFi
Available in some public areas: Free WiFi
Valet parking (surcharge)
Room Amenities
- Premium TV channels
- Separate sitting area
- Air conditioning
- In-room climate control (air conditioning)
- Phone
- Free local calls
- Coffee/tea maker
- Daily housekeeping
- Private bathroom
- Bathrobes
- Free toiletries
- Hair dryer
- In-room massage available
- Shower only
- Rainfall showerhead
- Iron/ironing board
- In-room safe
- Desk
- Blackout drapes/curtains
- Cable TV service
- Flat-panel TV
- Free WiFi
- iPod docking station
- Room service (24 hours)
- Connecting/adjoining rooms available
Where to Eat
Breakfast is available for a surcharge and served each morning between 7 AM and 11 AM.
Royal Palm South Beach Miami, a Tribute Portfolio Resort has 3 restaurants on site.
Late night fare is available from 24-hour room service.
Nearby Things to Do
2 outdoor swimming pools are on site along with a 24-hour fitness center.
Children under 16 years old are not allowed in the swimming pool, health club, or fitness facility without adult supervision.
The recreational activities listed below are available either on site or nearby; fees may apply.
- Golfing nearby
- Snorkeling nearby
- Surfing/boogie boarding nearby
- Rafting nearby
- Kayaking nearby
- Sailing nearby
- Scuba diving nearby
- Water skiing nearby
- Windsurfing nearby
- Scooter/moped rentals nearby
- Hiking/biking trails nearby
- Parasailing nearby
- Golf lessons available nearby
- Bicycle rentals on site
- Segway rental/tour nearby
- Beach yoga on site
- Boat tours nearby
Spa Services
The onsite spa has 8 treatment rooms including rooms for couples. Services include massages, facials, body wraps, and body scrubs. A variety of treatment therapies are provided, including hydrotherapy. The spa is equipped with a sauna and a spa tub.
Children under 18 years old are not allowed in the spa without adult supervision. Guests under 18 years old are not allowed in the spa.
- Number of treatment rooms 8
- Couples treatment rooms
- Body wraps
- Body scrubs
- Hydrotherapy treatments
- Sauna in spa
- Spa tub in spa
- Massages
- Minimum age to access spa is 18
- Body treatments
- Facial treatments
If you have requests for specific accessibility needs, please note them at check-out when you book your room.
- Accessible bathroom
- In-room accessibility
- Roll-in shower
Hotel Policies
Check-in time starts at 4 PM
Check-in time ends at 5 AM
Minimum check-in age is 18
Check-out time is 11 AM
Payment types
Children and extra beds
- Children are welcome.
- Kids stay free! Children 12 years old and younger stay free when using existing bedding.
- Rollaway/extra beds are not available.
- Cribs (infant beds) are not available.
- Pets allowed for an extra charge of USD 250 per accommodation, per stay
- Dogs and cats only
- Up to 25 lb
You need to know
Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy.
- Minimum Spring Break check-in age is 18 years old.
- The name on the credit card used at check-in to pay for incidentals must be the primary name on the guestroom reservation.
- Resort fee: USD 33.00 per accommodation, per night
- Pool access
- Beach access
- Beach loungers
- Beach towels
- Fitness center access
- Internet access
Optional extras
- Breakfast fee: between USD 20 and USD 32 per person (approximately)
- Valet parking fee: USD 42.00 per night
- Pet fee: USD 250 per accommodation, per stay
Hotel Name
- James Palm
- James Palm Royal
- James Royal
- James Royal Palm
- James Royal Palm Hotel
- James Royal Palm Hotel Miami Beach
- James Royal Palm Miami Beach
- Royal James
- Royal James Palm
- Royal Palm James
- Royal Palm South Beach Miami Tribute Portfolio Resort
- Royal Palm Tribute Portfolio Resort
- Royal Palm South Beach Miami Tribute Portfolio
- Royal Palm Tribute Portfolio
- The James Royal Palm
We should mention
Reservations are required for massage services and spa treatments. Reservations can be made by contacting the hotel prior to arrival, using the contact information on the booking confirmation. Children 12 years old and younger stay free when occupying the parent or guardian's room, using existing bedding. The property has connecting/adjoining rooms, which are subject to availability and can be requested by contacting the property using the number on the booking confirmation.


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Cellular Shades in San FranciscoStoneside's Cellular Shades are crafted from a plush spun lace fabric, lending a distinctly soft and delicate feel to the hand that is durable and reliable even in intense sunlight. These beautiful cellular shades provide a warm addition to your San Francisco home.
9/16" Pointbond/Soft Prints
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Perfect for smaller windows in the home. Available in 22 colors suitable for any decorating taste.
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Select from 22 fashionable colors to fit any room's style and decor. The Grand Cell is best suited for expansive windows throughout your home.
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Stoneside blackout fabrics block 99% of visible light into your room. Available in 9 muted tones.
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Perfect for bedrooms, or any room where complete light blockage is desired. Select from 9 soft colors.
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Stoneside Blinds & Shades - San Francisco425 Market Street
Suite 2200
San Francisco, CA 94105 Custom-made blinds, shades and window treatments in San Francisco, Berkeley, and Oakland surrounding areas. We design, measure and install.
Denver, CO 80239


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I keep seeing this commercial running in my head. Maybe it's a movie, I'm not sure.
It's like Orwell's 1984. You know the commercial that Apple put out that started the BIG Super Bowl Commercials!
In my Commercial/Movie I see these guys in Patriot uniforms. Standing in a room. Everything is in Black and White. Their coach is on a stage with a giant TV screen behind him showing game footage in black and white. They nod when he nods, they smile when he smiles, they sit when he tells them to sit.
Then you see a man running down a corridor. He has a dark uniform top on, white pants, dark shoes. He carries a football in his hand. He runs until he finally enters the room! The other Patriots in the room dont acknowledge his presence, their coach hasnt told them to do so.
He stops, throws the football at the giant screen. It shatters and behind the screen there is color. A green football field, 52 men who are dressed in Blue Jerseys, white pants and black shoes. We see that our hero is also dressed like they are. We see the #18 on his chest!
We see The Rise of The Blue Nation!
I don't think it's a dream!


text:
Chris Crossed
By Ric Bucher
Comment on this article
It's not important that you believe in God, but be grateful Chris Kaman does.
If he didn't? Well, imagine a wiry, attention-deficit/hyperactivity-disordered, 7-foot, 265-pound man fascinated by guns and knives and driving ultrafast, trying to navigate the idle time/disposable cash/array of temptations obstacle course laid out for NBA players. In LA -- or Sin City, as Kaman calls it -- of all places.
The question is posed to the posse Kaman shuttles from Michigan to his five-bedroom house in Redondo Beach to insure that question will never have to be answered. They're all sitting on the sweeping staircase just inside the front door of his crib, a cascade of rolling eyes, shaking heads and nervous laughter. "He might be dead," says his 18-year-old sister, Jessica. "I'm serious."
Worse, he might not be the only one.
"The first time we met, he was standing in the doorway with a knife," whispers Ben Chamberlain, friend and full-time housekeeper. "Chris was like 9. I was 13, but I was afraid of him."
Kaman overhears this and yells, "Are you guys telling about how I tried to stab Ben?"
Ben: "I didn't say that!"
Kaman: "Yeah, but I did try to stab you!"
Christopher Zane Kaman is both feared and beloved, a one-man reality show pitting good vs. evil. Good is winning, but evil gets in just enough licks to make it interesting. Kaman prefers to keep this part of his life private, because he doesn't want to come off as holier than thou, which might discourage you from becoming a true believer.
Not that he has time to proselytize.
That would require slowing down, and even as he has been nursing a sprained left ankle that has discolored his leg halfway up his shin and halfway down his foot, he hasn't stopped moving. The injury limited his court time to four games in November, preventing Kaman from fully enjoying the Clippers' 9-6 start. That doesn't sound like much, but hey, this is a franchise that hasn't made the playoffs since 1997.
* * *
AFTER A while, there's a honk on the street, and Kaman dashes (bum ankle and all) to the door to find Jessica in the truck he bought her. He notices an unfamiliar car behind hers. "Are you bringing boys over to my house?" he yells. Before she can answer, Kaman adds, "I'm telling Dad!"
A minute later, he's retrieving a basketball at the request of a photographer. "Whatever you do, don't dribble it!" he warns. Someone asks why, which in Kaman's ear sounds like "Show me."
"Watch," he says, bouncing the ball in the narrow foyer at the bottom of the stairs. Tank, his rottweiler, bursts out of the bedroom and leaps at the ball, jaws snapping. Kaman's eyes are wide as he keeps a shoulder-high dribble going to coax more frantic leaps from the 60-pound canine. "He'll start growling in a second," he says.
But when it's Kaman's turn to ponder where he'd be without his faith, he spins away as if from a defender on the block. "It's not a valid question," he says. "I've never had to worry about that. That's negative."
What seems like an innocent inquiry may not be for Kaman, who has reason to be careful about what he lets into his head. The middle child of Leroy and Pam Kaman's three kids was found to have severe attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder at 2, which explains why he could never shake the impulse to do or say whatever came to mind. Most of it was relatively harmless. At 4, he locked out the babysitter and fried up a dish of potato chips and ketchup while she tried to get back in. As a teen, he booby-trapped the entire backyard with fishing line. When his parents didn't know where he was, they'd look up at the neighborhood rooftops. Chris liked to sit and tear off shingles.
"I didn't think of myself as dangerous," he says. "I always felt my thoughts were harmless, but I look back now and think I was crazy." His older brother Mike, who also had symptoms of ADHD, takes part of the blame. "He'd do anything we dared him to," he says.
Kaman's antics didn't go over well at Tri-unity Christian, the small private school in Grand Rapids, Mich., he attended from kindergarten through high school. If he wasn't being forced to sit next to the teacher, he was being sent to the principal's office. Mark Keeler, one of Tri-unity's basketball coaches, practically had to hold down Kaman in the huddle. "He'd go back out on the court, and I'd know he hadn't heard a word," Keeler says.
Kaman, 22, grew to 7feet by the end of his junior year. But Ritalin had killed his appetite, leaving him Manute Bol-thin. Kaman was always the tallest man on the court, and yet Tri-unity won its two Class D state titles before and after his tenure. "I got frustrated with him a lot," Keeler says. "Most plays for him had to be a lob."
A late-night talk with his brother in his junior year prompted Kaman to think about his future. Mike, then a children's pastor at Gaylord (Mich.) Community Church, sensed Chris needed direction. "He was getting in trouble because he couldn't sit still," Mike says. "Working with hyperactive and ADD kids, I know that's their biggest problem. If you overcome that, they're like guided missiles. They chase their dreams with all the passion in the world."
Kaman's dream, as far away as it seemed, was the NBA. So he began to channel his excess energy toward improving his game. He gave up his meds for his senior year so he could begin to bulk up. Still, only two unflashy local programs recruited him, Division III Hope College and eventual winner Central Michigan.
For all the misery created by its bad wiring, Kaman's brain also offered a tantalizing gift that blossomed in college: ambidexterity. Bowling, batting or shooting 20-foot jumpers, Kaman can do it with either hand. "As far as athletic ability, he is truly a balanced individual," says Clippers assistant Kim Hughes. In three years, Kaman turned that ability into lottery status. After averaging 10.7 ppg over his first two seasons, Kaman doubled that in his junior year, putting up 22.4 a night. The breakout swayed the Clippers to make Kaman the sixth pick of the 2003 draft. Then again, they almost didn't stick around long enough to notice him. The first time GM Elgin Baylor went to see Kaman play, he nearly left the gym before the tip-off. Baylor was turned off by Kaman's bouncy, splay-footed gait. "I couldn't believe he was a good basketball player," he says. "With that goofy walk, you'd never know he could run the floor the way he does."
Being viewed as too moralistic can be as problematic for an NBA hopeful as a checkered past. In Kaman's case, some teams thought twice about choosing the big man because they were concerned about whether he'd fit in an NBA locker room. But the Clippers have had no issues with their teammate. For Kaman, on the other hand, the NBA life is a daily issue. "I try to live the way the Bible tells me," he says. "I like my teammates as people, I just can't see myself doing what they do. The hardest part is staying positive when people are talking about the wrong stuff, stuff I don't need to hear. Bad company robs good spirit. Who do you hang out with, what do you do?"
That's no concern in the confines of his home, which is why Kaman rarely strays from it. His strategy for keeping bad influences at bay is to limit his exposure to them, and to engage in nothing that allows him to think beyond the task at hand.
So the LA nightlife is off-limits. He doesn't go out to eat, to avoid the possibility of being tempted by a pretty waitress. For Kaman, looking is sinning.
His live-in, three-man Christian posse from Grand Rapids helps Kaman remain true to The Word. He met all of them at Tri-unity Christian or at his church, the nondenominational Resurrection Life. Chamberlain, who on this particular day is sporting a post-9/11 "Michigan Is Praying for New York" T-shirt, runs the show. Jeremy Scully, having earned a degree from a culinary school in Pittsburgh, is the chef. Ben's younger brother, Caleb, Kaman's best friend since grade school, is the electronics whiz. These guys, right down to the pet rottweiler, are their own version of HBO's Entourage (a show none of them has seen) ... well, without the naked models, casual sex, Jell-O shots and spontaneous trips to Vegas. Basically, they're looking to be saved, not laid.
"We don't leave the house unless we have to," Ben says. "And Chris hates to be home alone."
Jeremy: "Don't say that. People will think we're house rats."
Ben: "We are!"
* * *
THE LEGACY of faith in a higher power runs deep in the Kaman clan. A great-great-grandfather started Michigan's First Assembly of God Church. Legend has it that a great-aunt was raised from certain smallpox death as a baby by family prayer. Chris' mom prayed with her three children every night as they grew up.
Ben sends two or three Bible verses a day to his buddy's BlackBerry, but that's not what keeps Kaman on the straight-and-narrow. His posse knows that is accomplished only by keeping their big friend active. The ankle sprain made this a more complicated challenge. Halo 2, acquired the minute it was available, worked for a bit. But after 40 hours of almost nonstop play, Kaman had mastered it. So the men of the house raised the stakes, concocting a real-life version of the game.
After turning out the lights and opening the sliding glass doors, they grab air guns and plastic BBs, don masks and split into two-man assault teams. Late-night screams have prompted neighbors to complain about "the noisy parties."
"As if we'd ever have one of those," Scully says.
Left adrift in Grand Rapids last summer, Chris and Mike decided to build the tree fort they'd always dreamed of as kids. There they were at 4 a.m., dropping 14-foot poles on the 25-acre spread Kaman bought for his folks. In three weeks they had a house on stilts, complete with sliding-glass door and electricity. Next summer's plan is to enter a car on Michigan's demolition derby circuit. It won't be the '72 black Chevelle with the engine Kaman boosted to 700 horsepower.
The Redondo Beach house bears the brunt of his perpetual motion these days. When Kaman decided he needed a 700-pound safe to store his knife collection, he installed it himself. But lugging it on a dolly up the outside marble staircase did a number on the steps. Then, shortly after hearing Kaman begin to cut a hole in a closet wall, Ben heard spraying water just seconds before Kaman sprinted past him in search of the shut-off valve.
The BBs have done damage as well. Small divots pock the walls and every picture. The one of Ali standing over Sonny Liston at the top of the stairs wears the scars of a particularly heavy ambush. Kaman is inspecting one divot when his eye is drawn to a red mark about six feet up the wall. "I think that's from my shoe," he says. "He's levelheaded in choices of morality," Mike says. "He's just crazy when it comes to fun."
Know who Elton Brand is reminded of when he thinks of Kaman? "Ron Artest, my teammate in AAU," he says. "It might not be the right timing to say that, but it's true. They're nice guys who walk to the beat of their own drum. Chris' faith is just part of the package. He gets some slap about it in the locker room, especially about not chasing girls, but I definitely respect him for it."
His faith is an issue for no one besides Kaman. Marko Jaric, a renowned playboy who tools around in a $240,000 Aston Martin, considers him a friend. The last thing Kaman wants is for people to think he believes he's superior. That would be un-Christianlike. And you won't find a cross hanging from his neck or him giving thanks to Jesus in interviews. He used to wear WWJD wristbands, but he turned them inside out, and he stopped wearing them because they kept breaking or getting ripped off in games.
"If I say, 'Jesus Christ!' he'll punch me," says Hughes. "But then he'll turn around and use the F-word in front of a woman. He's a paradox."
Kaman shakes his shaggy head. "My mouth is my biggest problem," he says. "Sometimes I don't control what I say. Thing is, I don't really consider myself a religious person. I just want to be a good person who loves God. The main reason is, when life is over, where do you go? I want my soul to go to a good place where I can live forever."
For now, he's content to live in the hills above LA, cloaked by his posse. On his bedroom wall, facing his four-poster bed, hangs a framed photo of a lighthouse surrounded by stormy ocean, a massive wave poised to swallow its base. A tiny figure, the lighthouse keeper, stands in the hollow of all that water seemingly unaware of his impending doom. Kaman studies the picture for a moment, then picks up a car magazine.
"Ahh," he says. "Home."


text:
tiltbillings wrote:PeterB wrote:May all those struggling with pernicious addictions find the warm hearted support that they need.
It is what it really comes down to, far more than any technique, the human element of com-passion, sym-pathy, em-pathy, or in Pali, anu-kampati, to move with.
I agree. Sadhu. I've experienced much compassion, sympathy, and empathy in SMART Recovery, psychotherapy, Buddhist groups where I've publicly committed to the precepts, and other groups I've participated in that have helped me in recovery. However, Tilt, are you saying anu-kampati is not a technique?


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CLEVELAND (AP) -- County juvenile court magistrates in Cleveland want to hand over the responsibility of deciding when children must be removed from their homes in emergencies, a change that is opposed by the prosecutor and public defender and would most likely leave social workers to make the call.
A memo from the children and family services division of the Cuyahoga County prosecutor's office said judges find the emergency telephone hearings disruptive to their work and personal lives and feel the situations often aren't true emergencies, The Plain Dealer reported (http://bit.ly/HgDtVT ) on Wednesday.
Juvenile court administrators said in an email that the handling of the emergency custody cases is being reviewed and that they're looking to serve the best interest of the county's children, the newspaper said.
The county Children and Family Services agency also opposes transferring the responsibility from judges to someone else. Doing so could go against a recommendation from the state Supreme Court, which in 2004 urged against having social workers make decisions, saying it could be a conflict of interest.
Cuyahoga County previously appointed social workers as court officers with the power to remove children from their homes, said Pat Rideout, administrator of children and family services. The county changed that practice after the Supreme Court's recommendation.
"This is an enormous intrusion on a family and a parent's rights, and you simply don't do that lightly," Rideout said. "The court's role is to review what we do. ... I very much want the court's review and approval."
The high court said children and parents involved in such cases should have hearings in court when possible, with the next best alternative being telephone hearings.
Last year, there were 617 cases with emergency telephone hearings about potential court orders to remove children. A magistrate refused a court order, going against social workers' and prosecutors' opinions, in only three of those cases, Rideout said.
The cases often involve children perceived as being at risk of immediate harm, such as when a neighbor reports a child being left home alone. Currently, that would lead to an investigation by a social worker and, if necessary, a consultation with the prosecutor's office and a phone call to a juvenile court magistrate for a hearing on a court order. The process can happen quickly, taking only a few hours, the newspaper reported.
Guidelines from the National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges suggest that courts carefully consider the decision in agreeing to the unplanned removal of a child while also providing protection for parents.
Information from: The Plain Dealer, http://www.cleveland.com


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Don't think, however, that you're going to be able to order it right after the coin toss.
Those who correctly call the coin toss will get an email Monday with instructions on how to claim their pizza. As a bonus, just for voting, fans will get an offer for 35 percent off their next pizza at www.papajohns.com through Saturday.The big game is this Sunday. Albright's Meats & Deli, 4924 S. Calhoun St., can help with your Super Bowl party. The deli has handmade sausages and freshly ground chuck. Albright's makes its own deli items, from potato salads and coleslaw to barbecue pork and chili. And what's a Super Bowl party without chicken wings? Albright's Buffalo wings are $29.99 for 50. Call 456-9009 for more info.A new restaurant featuring Asian cuisine opened last week. Sapporo Japanese Restaurant opened in a new building at 6150 Lima Road. This is the second location for Sapporo, which has another restaurant in Indianapolis. The hibachi-style restaurant is set up so diners sit around grills and watch their food being prepared. The restaurant also serves sushi, and offers beer, wine and liquor.
Hours: 11:30 a.m.-10 p.m. Monday-Friday; noon-10:30 Saturday; and noon-9:30 Sunday. Phone: 739-6064.If the famous groundhog in Punxsutawney, Pa., sees his shadow Saturday, Groundhog Day, Seattle's Best Coffee will give away coffee samples to 10,000 winners. A spokeswoman for the company says the groundhog has seen his shadow about 80 percent of the time, so chances are pretty good he will on Saturday, and Seattle's Best will give away the free coffee.
For a chance at winning sign up at www.facebook.com/SeattlesBestCoffee. Voting ends Friday night.On Feb. 5, IHOPs nationwide will offer free pancakes to customers.
National Pancake Day celebrates Children's Miracle Network Hospitals' 30th anniversary, and IHOP hopes to raise $3 million.
Guests will be offered a complimentary stack of IHOP's buttermilk pancakes from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., and will be encouraged to make a voluntary donation to a Children's Miracle Network Hospital or other local charities.
In Fort Wayne, IHOP is at 4403 Coldwater Road, 1535 W. Washington Center Road and 6839 W. Jefferson Blvd.Apple Spice Junction, the catering and box lunch company that offers takeout and delivery, has some daily specials this winter: a free bread bowl with the purchase of a bowl of soup on Mondays; free drinks with any box lunch delivery on Tuesdays (minimum order of five box lunches); $1 off any sandwich with sourdough bread on Wednesdays; free cookie with any salad order on Thursdays; and $5 for select deluxe box lunches on Fridays. Phone: 969-8450. Website: www.applespice.com/fort_wayne.htm.Burger King restaurants are offering customers the opportunity to buy any original chicken sandwich, including limited-time-only options like the new Philly original chicken sandwich or the Italian original chicken sandwich, and get any original chicken sandwich for free. The offer is available nationwide now through Feb. 17.Fat Tuesday is coming up Feb. 9, and Valentine's Day is Feb. 14. If your restaurant is planning anything special for either occasion, please contact us via any of the methods listed below.
Something happening at your eatery? Call Cindy Larson at 461-8284, fax 461-8817, e-mail email@example.com or write Restaurant Notes, C/O The News-Sentinel, PO Box 102, Fort Wayne, IN 46801. This column is the personal opinion of the writer and does not necessarily reflect the views or opinion of The News-Sentinel. To read other columns, go to www.news-sentinel.com/section/LARSON.


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- why Salesforce.com stock should rise; and
- a positive factor for the stock market that too many people are ignoring.
Salesforce.com Deserves to Go Higher Posted at 2:55 p.m. EDT on Friday, March 1 Salesforce.com ( CRM) deserves to be up this much to an all-time high, perhaps even higher. Here's why. The bears are forever saying that Oracle ( ORCL), Microsoft ( MSFT) and SAP. ( SAP) are going to crush Salesforce.com. That they have to. They are bigger, they offer a multisuite of products instead of just customer-relations management and they have huge installed bases. But not only is that not the case, Salesforce.com is taking their customers. As Salesforce wins large deal after large deal, including nine deals of an eight-figure size, these deals aren't just from scratch. CRM's getting huge companies to dump their current systems. Plus, Salesforce is winning over the biggest customers in their industries: Think Wal-Mart Stores ( WMT), Unilever ( UL) and Phillips ( PSX). The naysayers have complained for ages about Salesforce's disclosures and accounting. I think that's nonsense. This company has more accounting transparency than any complicated company that I follow. It has a whole primer about how to understand its accounting and I understand that the Securities and Exchange Commission uses it as the benchmark of how to account for difficult-to-understand subscription accounting. Meanwhile, let's not forget this company reached $1 billion, then $2 billion, then $3 billion in revenue at speeds I have never seen before. Sure, it is "overvalued" in the sense that it is a rich multiple on earnings. But the buyers of stocks like this are thrilled to pay these prices because this 30% growth simply isn't available from any other large-cap company. Sure, one day Salesforce will stumble. I think it has to. But it sure hasn't yet, and this quarter simply made the bears -- like the relentless negativist at Bernstein -- look downright foolish. Action Alerts PLUS, which Cramer co-manages as a charitable trust, has no positions in the stocks mentioned.


text: +-------------------------------------------------------------------------+ | TPWD News Release 20100921a | +-------------------------------------------------------------------------+ | This page contains only plain text, no HTML formatting codes. | | It is not designed for display in a browser but for copying | | and editing in whatever software you use to lay out pages. | | To copy the text into an editing program: | | --Display this page in your browser. | | --Select all. | | --Copy. | | --Paste in a document in your editing program. | | If you have any suggestions for improving these pages, send | | an e-mail to firstname.lastname@example.com and mention Plain Text Pages. | +-------------------------------------------------------------------------+ [ Note: This item is more than seven years old. Please take the publication date into consideration for any date references. ] [ Media Contact: TPWD News, firstname.lastname@example.com, 512-389-8030 ] [ Additional Contacts: Dr. Louis Harveson, email@example.com or 432-837-8488 ] Sept. 21, 2010 Sul Ross Receives TPWD Grant to Address Pronghorn Decline ALPINE -- In an effort to investigate an alarming and unexplained decline of pronghorn in far West Texas, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department has awarded a 3-year $111,210 grant to the Borderlands Research Institute for Natural Resource Management at Sul Ross State University. The goal of the project is to identify possible causes for the declining pronghorn herds and to evaluate two competing hypothesis regarding pronghorn survival and productivity. Other funding partners include various Chapters of Safari Club International from across the country including the West Texas (Midland/Odessa), Lubbock, Paso del Norte (El Paso), Southern New Mexico (Roswell), and Pittsburgh (Pennsylvania) chapters. In the desert Southwest, pronghorn populations ebb and flow with rainfall. Pronghorn numbers across the Trans-Pecos have been dwindling since the drought of the 1990s. Once the drought broke, pronghorn and other wildlife populations began to respond with increased reproduction and survival. However, during the past three years when rainfall provided adequate habitat (food, cover, and water), pronghorn populations have plummeted. In fact, 2010 pronghorn population estimates in the Trans-Pecos are the lowest since the 1970s with an estimated 4,713 pronghorn across the region. Carter Smith, TPWD executive director, recently attended a meeting of the Pronghorn Working Group (a group of landowners, biologists, hunting guides, and scientists that was formed to help address the declining pronghorn herd). "The decline of pronghorn in West Texas is a priority for our agency," Smith said. "The formation of this Pronghorn Working Group and the funding of this grant are the first steps in helping our pronghorn herds." The first phase of the study is to evaluate the role of gastrointestinal parasites in pronghorn. Based on sampling efforts in 2009, researchers documented 95 percent occurrence of parasitic round worm (Haemonchus contortus) in hunter-harvested pronghorn. In addition, some of the pronghorn had more than 4,000 individual worms in their stomach. High loads of roundworms can cause anemia in pronghorn, making them weak or even resulting in death. This study will help biologists better understand the relationship between pronghorn and their parasite loads. The research team will be coordinating a large-scale effort to obtain stomach, blood, and tissue samples from all harvested pronghorn across the Trans-Pecos during the 9-day hunting season that runs from Oct. 2-10. Efforts will also be made to obtain samples from the Texas Panhandle, New Mexico, and Arizona. The second phase of the study will monitor causes of pronghorn fawns mortality. Predation can be significant in pronghorn populations, especially on fawns. Beginning in spring 2011, researchers will monitor fawn productivity and survival across four core study sites in the Trans-Pecos. By monitoring the fawns, researchers will be able to assess predation and survival. Additionally, biologists will be able to determine if predated fawns have high loads of stomach worms making them more susceptible to predation. Shawn Gray (Pronghorn and Mule Deer Program Leader for TPWD) and Billy Tarrant (Trans-Pecos District Leader for the Wildlife Division) will be making a presentation "Where have all the pronghorn gone?" on Tuesday, Sept. 28 at 5:15 p.m. in Room 130, Turner Range Animal Science Center at Sul Ross. In the presentation, Gray and Tarrant will provide a brief history of pronghorn, discuss population trends, and outline the steps TPWD and other partners are making to identify the causative factors associated with the decline. The presentation is sponsored by the Sul Ross Range and Wildlife Club and is open to the public. Light refreshments will be provided following the presentation. -30-


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"I am very confused as to how much yarn to buy. please explain"
"This is very unusual. These are adorable. I read the instructions and it's very easy to make. I have everything I need to make them so these are going on my to do list. I should make two pair because my best friend will see mine and want a pair too. Thank you for sharing this one."
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American Flag Afghan
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This easy crochet afghan pattern from Lion Brand Yarn features red and white stripes in chunky Homespun yarn. Crochet stars are affixed to the blue background after the afghan is complete. You'll have a blast making the little stars for this patriotic afghan. It's great to show off your American pride and a perfect blanket to bring with you to the 4th of July fireworks.
- 4 balls Homespun® Yarn in Antique (A)
- 3 balls Homespun® Yarn in Deco (B)
- 2 balls Homespun® Yarn in Colonial (C)
- 1 ball Wool-Ease® Yarn in Fisherman
- K-10.5 and H-8 crochet hooks
Gauge: 10 sts + 10 rows = 4" (10 cm) in single crochet with K hook; 10 sts + 6.5 rows = 4" (10 cm) in double crochet with K hook. BE SURE TO CHECK YOUR GAUGE. When you match the gauge in a pattern, your project will be the size specified in the pattern and the materials specified in the pattern will be sufficient. If it takes you fewer stitches and rows to make a 4 in. [10 cm] square, try using a smaller size hook or needles; if more stitches and rows, try a larger size hook or needles.
Almost all of (A) and (B) are used. Break ends closely so that additional skeins are not required.
With larger hook and A, ch 151.
Row 1 (RS) Dc into 3rd ch from hook and each ch across - 150 dc (including t-ch).
Row 2 (WS) Ch 2, turn. Dc in next dc and in each st to end, dc in top of beg ch.
Rows 3-6 Rep Row 2. At end of Row 6, finish last st with B and drop A.
Rows 7-1 2 With B, Rep Row 2. At end of Row 12, finish last st with A and drop B. Continue alternating 6 rows A; 6 rows B until there are 6 stripes, ending with 3rd B stripe.
- Begin FIELD FOR STARS in C as follows With A, ch 2. turn. Work 89 dc more (90 sts); finish last st with C and work 1 dc in each of next 59 de, 1 dc in top of t-ch. Continue working 60 sts in C and , alternating the rem 90 sts in A and B stripes as established. When 13 stripes have been completed, fasten off.
Stars (Make 32)
Ch 3, slip st to form ring.
Rnd 1 Ch 1, work 5 sc in ring, slip st to beg ch.
Rnd 2 Ch 1, work 3 sc in each sc, slip st to beg ch - 15 sc.
Rnd 3 *Sc in first sc, ch 5, slip st in 2nd ch from hook, sc in next ch, hdc in next ch, dc in last ch, skip 2 sc; rep from * around, end with slip st to first sc. Fasten off.
- Position the stars on the field and sew them into place.
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ajhaf 5721375
Jan 31, 2017
Why did you only do 2 stars? Will the full 50 fit?
zookeeper58 978276 1
Jun 15, 2015
Violates United States Flag Code!
nancybabcock42 673 0945
Sep 15, 2015
This is not a flag, this is an afghan, it's intended purpose is an afghan, not to be put on a pole for display, much like flag pics on clothing, flag tablecloths, and yes I have seen flag bedding and pillows.
zookeeper58 978276 1
Jun 15, 2015
This project Violates United States Flag Code!
rce3 5462374
Oct 26, 2014
The American Flag Code says that the flag shall not be used as bedding or wearing apparel so what can you do with this other than hang it on the wall?
linda 1292995
Jun 06, 2014
I and my sister-in-law made this same afghan over 40 years ago for my sister! It is exactly the same pattern. I have lost the pattern over the years-but so thankful you have it! THANKYOU! THANKYOU!
linda 1292995
Jun 06, 2014
favecrafts (Crafts Collection) Thankyou!
Jun 23, 2012
You can get the patterns at lionsbrandyarn.com by searching the Free Patterns for patriotic. The scarf, hat & aphgan are in crochet & knit patterns.
kennedyauto 262155 4
Jun 17, 2012
I would like the pattern for the scarf also.
twillyard 8815138
Jun 07, 2012
I would like to make the scarf in the picture, does anyone know where the pattern for the scarf is??
camilleroylance 67 00321
Feb 05, 2012
Everyone keeps asking for the size it is approximately 60"x33" depending on your stitch.
reneejudson 947936 3
Jan 04, 2012
I need to know the size of this afghan, i know it was mentioned before , but why only 32 stars and not 50?
raesiesusand 10912 78
Nov 11, 2011
Need to know the size of this flag when finished. Also, why are there only 32 stars??
Nov 11, 2011
@laineysews, We suggest you contact the pattern designer directly for help with the sizing; the designer is specified in the byline. I hope this helps! --Editors of FaveCrafts
Nov 09, 2011
The patterne looks easy enough to follow.....even the little stars. However, the finished size is not listed and I'm too lazy to do the math using the stitch guage and total stiches. Thank you.
Crafter 9623276
Aug 27, 2011
It is very beautiful cant wait to get started ,on this project
Jun 20, 2011
@lotdan 5406202 - Try copying and pasting the instructions into a Word document if you are having trouble printing. That has seemed to work in the past. Hope this helps! -The editors of FaveCrafts
lotdan 5406202
Jun 20, 2011
this is rediculus i have been trying to copy instructions for crocheting an american flag . i keep gettting the same 2 pages 10 x over . why dont you let it get copied. all the computers pages are doing the same thing . you say you can an you cant.
richbyev 8544152
Jun 17, 2011
What is the size of the completed afghan? I can't wait to get started. Thanks, Ev
Apr 03, 2011
where did anyone find the homespun Yarn antique?
Jul 13, 2010
this is a must to make
Feb 27, 2010
I made this afghan in a surprisingly short amount of time! So easy, but turns out absolutely gorgeous! Thanks for having it on your website.
Feb 20, 2010
I love a new style every now and then.
Jan 19, 2010
I can't wait to make this beautiful afgan.
Crafter 1249296
Jan 08, 2010
What is the cost to make this afghan? Thank You, Wanda B. Tims
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text: This news item expired on 3/30/2013, so the information below could be outdated or incorrect. Buncombe County Offices & Libraries to Close for Easter Easter Closings: Buncombe County Government Offices – Friday, March 29 Buncombe County Public Libraries – Friday, March 29 - Saturday, March 30. Household Hazardous Waste and Electronics Recycling day at the Buncombe County Landfill will be cancelled Friday, March 29. The Landfill and Transfer Station will be open regular hours on Friday, March 29. Questions? Call the Landfill at 250-5462.


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Massive Gremlin Action Figure This Fall...
NECA announces that their most massive Gremlin action figure ever produced is finally headed your way this Fall. When fully assembled the Spider Gremlin stands over 10" tall and is nearly 15" across and over 12" deep.
An incredible re-creation of the puppet seen in Gremlins 2: The New Batch, the Spider Gremlin features a hinged jaw, ball jointed shoulders, elbows, and wrists and 8 massive spider legs that are also articulated in 3 places each. In total over 30 points of articulation. Also includes a support stand to help balance and display him in your desired poses.
This figure is sure to be the centerpiece for every Gremlins collection. Pre-orders start next week with an SRP of around $50.
To insure your action figure collection, get in touch with Collectibles Insurance, the official insurance company of the Figures.com network. Say "Figures.com" to get 5% off your first term premiums.
To buy action figures, take a look at BigBadToyStore.com, AlterEgoComics.com, PlasmaInfusion.com, Toynk.com, BriansToys.com, ToyWiz.com, and MonkeyDepot.com.


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THERE was whisky galore at Pandy Park as Cross Keys gave Ealing more than a run for their money with a comprehensive bonus point victory in a one-sided British and Irish Cup clash.
While the Newport Gwent Dragons were being battered by Bath down the road at Newport, conceding a shower of points in the Amlin Challenge Cup, Keys were restoring Welsh pride against English opposition.
The black comedy witnessed at Rodney Parade was alleviated by a more serious approach by Greg Woods' men who took apart the hapless Championship side from across the border.
Boosted by an unexpected win away over Nottingham last week, the Londoners had arrived in the valleys looking for a similar smash and grab (Lavender Hill Mob) Robin Hood act.
But they were given a rude awakening by a Keys side who had the grunt up front and a ruthless streak that would have made the Sheriff smile.
A lively opening had seen Ealing take the lead with a penalty through their No 10 Andy Hall after three minutes only for his opposite number Dorian Jones to cancel it out.
Keys took the lead in the 11th minute when Dragons scrum-half Jonathan Evans, looking sharp after his comeback from a shoulder injury, crossed for a well-taken try from a lineout.
They went into a 11-3 lead when the impressive Jones banged over a long range penalty after quarter of an hour but Ealing clawed themselves back to within a point just minutes later.
Weak tackling in midfield allowed centre Tom Bedford to saunter home under the posts, Hall getting the extras.
Keys were the next to score when they were awarded a penalty try from a Dorian Jones up-and-under, Ealing wing Owen Bruynseels yellow carded for playing the ball just before his try-line after a teammate had knocked the ball on.
The conversion gave the hosts an 18-10 lead with nearly half an hour played and it remained the score when the teams changed ends.
The early moments of the second half saw referee Matthew O'Grady controversially give a yellow card to Ealing full-back Andrew Henderson for an innocuous tackle he deemed dangerous.
The switched on Keys soon had their second penalty try when they had the Ealing scrum in all sorts of bother from five metres out.
Replacement wing, the old boy recently signed from Swalec Championship side Newbridge, Ryan Lee secured the bonus point with Keys' fourth try with nearly a quarter of the match still to go.
With the five points in the bag, the game sagged toward the end.
Only the man in the white suit would rule out Keys getting their hands on some silverware this season.
The British and Irish Cup might be out of the grasp of the 2012 finalists this season, but they look a good bet for some honours this year.
Well-drilled, superbly coached and talented, they could well go far.
Cross Keys: Rhys Jones, Kristian Baller, James Cordy-Redden (Ryan Lee 40), Phil Williams, Nathan Williams, Dorian Jones, Jonathan Evans (Owen Jones 64), Nathan Williams (Anthony Lott 60), Gerwyn Price (Henry Palmer 60), Craig Gould (Richard Cornock 60), Danny Hodge, Ollie Hodge (Tom Lampard 69), Phil Sargent (Reuben Tucker 45), Scott Matthews, Adam Powell (captain).
Cross Keys scorers: Tries – Jonathan Evans (11) Penalty try (28) (53), Ryan Lee (63), Conversions – Dorian Jones (28) (53) , Penalties – Dorian Jones (8) (15)
Ealing: Andrew Henderson, Owen Bruynseels, Tom Bedford, Tom Wheatcroft, Sam Wardingley, Andy Hall, Stuart Commins (Tom Parker 58), Darryl Marfo (Steve Neville 54), Andrei Radoi (Cody Blackhurst 69), Tim Brockett (Kyle Sinckler 54), Gavin Curry, George Merrick, Sam Hocking, Anders Nilsson, TJ Anderson (captain).
Replacements: Dan Collier, Alex Bradley, Phil Chesters.
Ealing scorers: Try– Tom Bedford (17), Conversion – Andy Hall (17) , Penalty – Andy Hall (3).
Referee: Matthew O'Grady (RFU)
Star men: Adam Powell, Scott Matthews and Phil Sargent


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Florida Marine Fisheries Enhancement Initiative
Strengthening the Future for Sportfishing Along Florida''s Vast Costal Waterways.
A Brief Description
The Florida Marine Fisheries Enhancement Initiative is a multi-year, multi-partner program vital to sustaining our saltwater sportfish populations and the natural habitats of our precious marine life.
Our first saltwater hatchery helped keep the red drum population healthy and available in the Tampa Bay area. New technology and scientific insight have enabled the construction of even more effective marine enhancement centers that can provide a variety of game fish, at different stages of development.
To help bolster Florida''s sportfish populations that may otherwise be reduced by current demand, fishery scientists and managers advise creating a series of strategically networked hatcheries and grow-out facilities on both the Atlantic and Gulf coasts. This network, combined with parallel habitat restoration, will be most the efficient model for sustaining healthy sportfish populations.
Florida is the most popular sportfishing destination in the country and that popularity contributes about $5 billion to Florida''s economy annually. Maintaining healthy fish populations and habitats is critical to the continuation of that success. That is why we urge everyone who lives, works or plays in our beautiful state to help us make this initiative a reality and Support Florida Sportfish.
The Big Picture: A Three-Pronged Approach
Releasing hatchery-reared stock alone will not bolster populations as needed. Marine animals such as important fishery species do not exist without certain habitats along the coast. Seagrasses, salt marshes, mangroves, oyster beds, and hardbottom reefs provide the food and shelter necessary for these species to grow and reproduce. Throughout Florida's history, many of these habitats have been lost or degraded. Restoration or enhancement of these areas is a second key component of responsible fisheries enhancement.
Good stewardship of Florida's natural resources occurs through educating the current and future generations of residents and visitors. The third key component of the initiative is environmental education. The Enhancement Centers will serve as hubs for numerous education programs for all ages, including hands-on study of fishery species and their habitats.
The saltmarsh at FWC's SERF facility serves as a model for responsible, sustainable fish and plant production.
A Team Effort
Construction of these innovative marine propagation and ecosystem restoration facilities will only be possible through teamwork. In addition to the partners already involved in the initiative, the team must include support from government, non-profit, academic and private fisheries research institutions-and from concerned citizens and other stakeholders. We also want to work with interested communities to design a localized program that can involve all interested residents. Your contributions are vital. Donations can be in the form of time, money, or property.
[Fish artwork copyright Diane Rome Peebles. Reprinted with permission.]


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Better business intelligence and insight can make the difference between a business surviving and thriving. Microsoft aims to make business intelligence (BI) more accessible to everyone across an organization, in part by providing BI capabilities in familiar tools such as Excel to empower more users to build and consume rich BI solutions as part of their everyday work.
If you're interested in how Excel's BI capabilities could fit within your organization's broader BI solution, check out the Microsoft BI Solution Builder, an online configuration tool that helps you see how the capabilities in the products you currently own could contribute to a complete BI solution. Learn more on the Microsoft Business Intelligence blog.


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Lopez Today
George Lopez has tackled the late night realm on television, and is bringing a quick wit and humor that ranges far beyond his Latino roots.
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"And they're very easily broken into," laughs his friend, actor Andy Garcia, adding, "George is very generous with his cigars."
But it wasn't always so. Lopez recalls a time in the late 1980s, when he was still a struggling comedian and a novice cigar consumer. While in Toronto for a gig, he spent $100 for three Cuban cigars, then brought them with him to Las Vegas to see a friend's show at a comedy club. At the club, he lit up one of his Cubans, instantly capturing the attention of everyone he was with. When a friend asked if he had another Cuban he could spare, Lopez said he'd get one from his car. As he exited the club, he started thinking fast.
"No way I was giving that guy one of my Cubans," Lopez says with wide eyes. So he went into a nearby gift shop and bought a Dutch Masters: "I trimmed the edges and took it out of the plastic and gave it to him," Lopez says, chuckling at the memory. "He lit it and got a smile on his face and said, 'Yeah, I'm getting a little buzzed. I'm getting a little light-headed.' "
Lopez himself could be excused for being a little light-headed due to the successful premiere of "Lopez Tonight" on TBS on Nov. 9, 2009—a launch that Turner expanded for one night to its affiliates, TNT and truTV, in addition to TBS, reaching an opening-night audience of more than 3 million. Since then, he's regularly reaching 1 million viewers a night—and the number continues to grow.
Despite being on TBS (or, as Lopez puts it, "a cable network in the triple digits"), Lopez believes he can compete with the big four networks with his Monday-to-Thursday show. With late-night TV talk ruled by white guys, Lopez is ready to inject a Latino flavor into the mainstream.
"I'm bringing a new face to late night," Lopez says, echoing his own frequent theme on the show. "It looks like a new America. I'm throwing an inclusive party."
"Lopez Tonight" executive producer Jim Paratore says the only thing that surprises him about Lopez's leap into talk-show hosting is "that George is even more amazing than I thought he'd be."
"Being a pioneer is never easy, but it's something George is comfortable with," says singer Marc Anthony, a friend and golf companion of Lopez's. "I'm looking forward to seeing how he changes late-night TV."
Lopez has been able to reach into his sizable Rolodex and ask friends to stop by for the show—and in the first weeks alone, he had everyone from Anthony to Carlos Santana, Clint Eastwood to Laurence Fishburne, Eva Longoria Parker to Ted Danson, Sandra Bullock to Jessica Alba and Andy Garcia sitting on the overstuffed chairs on the "Lopez Tonight" set, shmoozing, joking and doing his shtick.
Paratore, who helped create talk shows for Rosie O'Donnell, Ellen DeGeneres and Tyra Banks, says, "These are hard shows to do, though they look deceptively easy. The hardest thing for anyone to do is be comfortable in his own skin. To do that and entertain—that's hard to do and look natural while you're doing it. There are very few who can do that, who can put it all together.
"This is as strong a start-up as I've seen. This guy is in control of the show. He owns the room."
That's evident even at a rehearsal before one of his tapings. It's late on a sunny day in Burbank, but inside Stage 29 on the Warner Bros. studio lot, it's meat-locker chilly—so frigid that, during taping, the makeup and wardrobe women who attend to Lopez during commercial breaks wear quilted ski jackets. Empty now, the room will be filled in less than two hours with the second cheering, screaming audience of the day (Lopez tapes both Wednesday's and Thursday's shows the same day, virtually back to back).
That's evident even at a rehearsal before one of his tapings. It's late on a sunny day in Burbank, but inside Stage 29 on the Warner Bros. studio lot, it's meat-locker chilly—so frigid that, during taping, the makeup and wardrobe women who attend to Lopez during commercial breaks wear quilted ski jackets. Empty now, the room will be filled in less than two hours with the second cheering, screaming audience of the day (Lopez tapes both Wednesday's and Thursday's shows the same day, virtually back to back).
When Lopez emerges for the rehearsal, he's like a boxer at the weigh-in, giving nothing away before they ring the bell, eyeing the empty studio cautiously. Dressed in a black hoodie, jeans and black boots (along with a pair of knit black gloves), he runs through his monologue in bare-bones fashion, reading the jokes off the teleprompter as he figures out transitions between gags and tightens or expands upon punch lines.
Rehearsing a recurring comedy bit, an advice segment called "Dear George," he practices offering guidance to an in-studio questioner, a 46-year-old man who wonders whether it's OK to bring a woman home, even though he still lives with his mother. Lopez banters with the writer who's filling in for the actor who will play the geeky mama's boy, then turns to his writers: "I need some harder lines than those. He's 46 and he still lives at home! I need something sharper than this."
An hour or so later, it's showtime—and what seemed skeletal in rehearsal arrives full-bodied for the cameras. The quiet, low-energy Lopez has been replaced by a sharp-dressed man: Lopez in suit and tie, strutting and preening, again, like a boxer trying to intimidate an opponent as he approaches the ring, entering to his theme song, War's "Low Rider."
An hour or so later, it's showtime—and what seemed skeletal in rehearsal arrives full-bodied for the cameras. The quiet, low-energy Lopez has been replaced by a sharp-dressed man: Lopez in suit and tie, strutting and preening, again, like a boxer trying to intimidate an opponent as he approaches the ring, entering to his theme song, War's "Low Rider."
"One thing I learned from Michael Jordan years ago—and that was to gear yourself to be at the top of your day when it's time to play," Lopez says later. "For years, I was gearing myself for a 9 p.m. show onstage. Now it's a 5:30 show—except on Wednesday, when it's harder because I've got to do two shows. So I have to get up earlier, gear down between shows, then get back up for that second show. But during the day, I'm practically horizontal, in terms of my energy output."
The audience—arranged in sections around the massive soundstage that used to house sets for "The West Wing"—is on its feet, hooting its approval as Lopez asks them, "Are you ready to make some history tonight?"
The audience—arranged in sections around the massive soundstage that used to house sets for "The West Wing"—is on its feet, hooting its approval as Lopez asks them, "Are you ready to make some history tonight?"
Throwing his arms wide in a gesture of generosity, he smiles and says to the roaring crowd (and the audience at home), "Mi casa es su casa." Then his eyes pop and, channeling the thoughts of a blond woman in the front row, he says in a Valley Girl voice, "I don't know what that means, but I'm going to Google it."
After his monologue, he easily plays host/interviewer in conversations with guests Ted Danson and comic Bill Engvall. Though he consults with Paratore and the stage manager during breaks (and allows the ministrations of the hair and makeup artists), he also keeps the audience involved, pulling women out of the crowd to get up on stage and dance with him as the band plays throughout what will be a commercial break when the show airs.
"I learned to let the music play in the studio all through the commercial break," Lopez says later. "After all, I'm the host, even when the camera is off."
On this night, his flow is interrupted when, as he gets ready to move on to the show's final segment, Lopez is told that they have to go back and redo a moment in the "Dear George" sequence to pick up a line he missed. One retake turns into three and then it seems to take forever to get set for the final guest of the night, guitarist Orianthi Panagaris (from the Michael Jackson concert movie, This Is It).
When Lopez becomes impatient and asks why it's taking so long, he's told there's a problem arranging a swooping camera move that will bring them out of commercial. Lopez finally calls a halt to the time-consuming setup, either in a bit of temper at the end of a long, two-show day or from a lack of patience for artsy flourishes when he's trying to create a spontaneous party atmosphere.
"Never mind that, let's just do this," Lopez snaps. "C'mon, we don't need that complicated shot. Let's just have fun."
A couple of days later, Lopez reclines in a makeup chair in the dressing room of a Culver City production studio, where he's just finished a photo shoot. Asked about the brief conflict over the camera shot, he says, "Hey, I've got a great performer on the stage waiting to play and they're holding things up to set up a shot that will last two seconds? I said, let's not worry about the camera swooping in. Let's worry about getting it on."
Then he relaxes and starts talking about how smoking a cigar keeps him in touch with his early life as a comedian—the struggles and discoveries, which were shared over cigars and drinks after an evening playing in a comedy club.
"I always thought of cigars as a rich man's thing," says Lopez, 48. "But for me, my best times were sitting around in the Cloud Nine Lounge at Maxim's Hotel, smoking a Macanudo between shows at the hotel. It was a big thing then just to be part of the show. Cigars keep me connected to the stand-up days. How did I know which ones were good? Well, I knew that anything illegal had to be the best, so I knew Cubans were the best.
"Since then, as my career got better, when anyone would say, 'What do you get George for a gift?' someone would always say, 'He loves cigars.' So I'd end up with these boxes of Cubans."
Which reminds him of a recent trip to play golf in Scotland. While shopping in London, a salesman convinced him to buy a box of Cuban Bolivars.
"He couldn't really tell me to buy them because it's illegal to bring them back," Lopez says. "But he was saying things like, 'Well, we could take the bands off. Some people don't care about the bands.' But I like the bands.
"I ended up buying them. I put them in my carry-on and figured, well, if I get caught, I get caught. But when I got to Customs in New York, the security guy takes one look and says, 'Hey, George Lopez, come right this way' and lets me through Customs just like that. I should have bought five more boxes."
He often bases his choice of cigar on what he's doing at that moment: "I look at it timing-wise," he says. "A Churchill is great for vacation, when you can take your time smoking it and you're not in a hurry. When I'm in town, a robusto is the play. I like the robustos and double coronas."
When he and buddy Andy Garcia get together to play golf, cigars are a serious part of the equation.
"I can smoke three in a round," Lopez says. "If I've got a big one, I smoke it down so far I can tell the middle name of the guy who rolled it. When we played the AT&T tournament in 2004, there was a visible haze of smoke following the two of us around the golf course for all four days!"
Garcia chuckles, then denies Lopez's description, saying, "Well, that's why George is a comedian." He and Lopez have been friends for a number of years because, he says, "we share a sense of humor and a simpatico. Familiar things make us laugh. And we're both married to Cuban women.
"He shares his life in his work," Garcia notes. "His material tends to be from his experience, his life, his culture. And George is at the top of his craft. It's beautiful to watch someone who is that in-command."
TBS is hoping that the mass audience shares Garcia's appreciation of Lopez and "Lopez Tonight," the network's first attempt at a late-night talk show. The show is aiming at a younger, more ethnically diverse demographic—and Lopez's humor tends toward the rowdy. He's as willing to go low-comedy (jokes about the Kardashian sisters' taste in jewelry which, Lopez notes, includes "pearl necklaces") as to be provocative (his ongoing list of proofs that Sarah Palin is secretly a Latina: "She's got a baby and a grandbaby that are the same age—Latina!")
"George's whole idea was, 'Let's make it a party,' " says Michael Wright, executive vice president and head of programming for TBS, TNT and TCM. "He said, 'Let's have fun.' He wanted the comedy to be more raw and youthful. This is not a talk show with a guy behind a desk."
Adds Paratore, "Part of George's motivation came while he was working on the Obama campaign in 2008. He felt the energy of this new generation and saw what a multicultural world it had become."
Comments1 comment(s)
Eric Walker Charlston , WV, USA, August 30, 2011 8:49am ET
He's a good funny comedain it would be a blast to have a cigar and play some golf with him
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New management has taken over the running of Charlie's Bar in Westbury, with the intention of turning the bar into a music venue.
Managers Karen Mariette and Laura Norris kicked off their first weekend in charge with DJ Martin last Friday, while band Triple JD performed on the Saturday.
Tomorrow will see Hot Flex playing rock covers.
The new managers will also be offering hot beverages and a new menu during the day, along with rooms available at reasonable rates.


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Your 3-step defense against smelly small pet cages! Nature's Miracle series is the best-selling and most effective pet stain and odor remover on the market. Clean & deodorize on a regular basis with Cage Cleaner Spray. Safe enzyme formula naturally removes tough caked-on debris. Penetrates to eliminate embedded, strong cage odors. Between cleanings, remove odors to maintain a healthy environment with Cage Odor Eliminator. Spray breaks down strong air and surface cage ammonia odors for continuous odor control action. Spray directly on litter and bedding to safely extend the duration between refreshes.Scrubbing Wipes have a quilted texture with grip dot technology for cleaning new spills or caked on waste and food. Oversized Wipes deodorize with plant-derived odor control as you tackle tough stains with greater convenience. Use on a regular basis to help eliminate pet waste odors and keep a clean, hygienic cage. Quilted wipes each measure 7" x 8". 30 count.
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Boathouse Youth Blackpool
Our Cycling Development Officer, funded by the Department for Transport, was able to work with the staff at BHY to devise a programme of activities that would capture the interest of the young people and provide them with a fun and healthy activity which they could engage in straight from the youth centre door. The programme was delivered in conjunction with local partners including British Cycling and the local council's Cycle Blackpool programme.
The initial project involved Bikeability training, maintenance sessions, mountain biking at a local trail centre and visits to the local BMX track. We were keen to make the programme sustainable and trained up as many staff and volunteers as possible to manage and deliver the activities.
Cycling continued to go from strength to strength and in 2010 we submitted a successful bid to Sport England. This enabled us to purchase a fleet of bikes and associated equipment. Weekly rides were then offered as part of the youth club activity and the young people were able to take part in a number of camping expeditions by bike. In the same year, BHY were awarded the title of Cycling UK Young People's Group of the Year and were runners-up in the Young Volunteer of the Year category.
Cycling UK has continued to provide advice, assistance and training to BHY, who have now made the cycling activities mainstream by establishing a dedicated cycling centre in Blackpool, where bikes are stored, maintained and from where weekly cycling activities take place.
The success of this programme has been both the breadth of the local offer and sustainability being addressed at the start of the project. The manager at BHY was able to see how cycling could meet many of his organisation's objectives and Cycling UK was on hand to make it happen through our model for community engagement.


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Antibiotics changed the face of modern medicine. In fact, the discovery of antimicrobial drugs was one of the most significant achievements of the 20th century. Since they became widely available in the 1940s, millions of lives have been saved. Long-dreaded diseases like bacterial meningitis, which once killed 90 percent of children infected, are now curable.
The term "antibiotic" means "against life." Life, in this case, means germs or microbes. In a broad sense, an antibiotic is a drug that is antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal or anti-parasitic. But in most cases, the term "antibiotic" is used to describe a drug that works against bacteria. Most antibiotics do not work against infections caused by viruses, such as the common cold, funguses or parasites.
There is a growing problem today due to our overuse of these wonder drugs. Antibiotics have been overprescribed and misused. Unfortunately, it turns out that bacteria can be quite resourceful. Many have found ways to mutate and are now resistant to available antibiotics. That means that the next time you really need an antibiotic to fight an infection, it might not work.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, antibiotic resistance is one of the world's most pressing health problems. Antibiotic overuse not only leads to growth of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, but it also can kill off the body's good bacteria, which help digest food and fight off infection.
A recent Wall Street Journal article, "Antibiotics Do's and Don'ts" (Aug. 20), focused on the overprescription of broad-spectrum antibiotics. Broad-spectrum antibiotics kill a wide range of bacteria and are convenient for doctors to prescribe when the exact pathogen causing the infection is unknown and patients want a quick fix. Among the most popular broad-spectrum antibiotics cited are ciprofloxacin (brand name Cipro) and azithromycin (Z-Pak).
Patients are encouraged to learn as much about prescribed antibiotics as possible and to take them as directed. Both doctors and pharmacists are good people to ask if you would like to know why you are receiving a particular drug, what sort of side effects to expect and how best to take the medication. The Stanford Health Library is also available as a resource, both in the library and online.
New to the library shelves is "Antibiotics Simplified" (Jones & Bartlett Learning, 2014). In its third edition, the book is written for students – medical, nursing or pharmacy – who need to understand the many different classes of antimicrobial drugs. This reference book is also a great tool for laypersons who simply want to understand more about the medications they have been prescribed.
Facts are condensed into standard categories, so it is easy to get the information you need. Each drug chapter follows the same basic format and includes: mechanism of action; spectrum (the bacteria the drug attacks); adverse effects; dosing; what they are good for; important facts; and a final section, "Don't Forget," that includes facts that may be especially important for that particular drug.
In addition to drug information, authors Jason C. Gallagher and Conan MacDougall set the stage for readers by including information about basic microbiology and treatment approaches to infectious diseases.
Another selection, "Contagious Diseases Sourcebook" (Omnigraphics, 2010), uses easy-to-understand language. It provides basic consumer health information, from trustworthy sources, such as the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. The section explaining microbes and how they cause infection is especially good. Also noteworthy is a section on self-care of infections, which informs readers about when an infection is best treated by a medical professional and when it can be treated at home.
Children are frequent consumers of antibiotics. Parents are naturally worried when their children become ill. When it is 2 a.m. and your child is screaming with an earache, it may seem as though an antibiotic is needed. It can be hard to understand when a doctor may be unwilling to prescribe one.
There are a number of books written for parents to help them learn how to prevent and treat disease in children. One that does a good job of explaining when an antibiotic is and isn't a good idea is "Keeping Your Child Healthy in a Germ-Filled World: A Guide for Parents" (Johns Hopkins Press, 2011). Author Athena P. Kourtis, M.D., focuses on the myriad ways that humans and germs interact in different situations, from school to home and away. With a focus on prevention, this book includes helpful information about treatment, including a chapter on the use and misuse of antibiotics.
The main branch of Stanford Health Library is located at Hoover Pavilion, 211 Quarry Road, Suite 201. Other branches are located on the first floor of Stanford Hospital and the main level of Stanford's Cancer Center.
Nancy Dickenson is head librarian at Stanford Health Library. For more information, visit healthlibrary.stanford.edu.