text:
Phils get Papelbon's preference to play for winner
MILWAUKEE -- Jonathan Papelbon seemed baffled Wednesday when reporters asked if he hopes to join a contending team before the July 31 non-waiver Trade Deadline.
"Some guys want to stay on a losing team?" Papelbon said. "That's mind-boggling to me."
Chase Utley and Jimmy Rollins are two longtime Phillies who have said in recent weeks they have no desire to leave Philadelphia. Both have 10-and-5 rights, so they can reject any trade at any time. Utley said nothing Thursday morning at Miller Park when asked about Papelbon's comments and if anything has changed for him. He shooed away the question with his hands.
Rollins said little more than that.
"Not until I say so," Rollins said, asked if anything has changed for him. "You don't have to investigate."
Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. said he had no problems with Papelbon's candid comments.
"Every single player on this team should want to play for a winning team," Amaro said. "Simple as that. ... Don't misconstrue his words. He never said he's unhappy here. He never said anything like that. He never expressed to me that he's been unhappy. Why wouldn't players want to play on a contending team? It's really rather simple."
Cole Hamels walked past Amaro in the visitors' dugout at that moment.
"He wants to play on a winning team," Amaro said about Hamels. "Why wouldn't he?"
Amaro said Papelbon has not requested a trade. He would not say if there is much interest in his closer, although Amaro said, "I'm getting calls on people all the time."
But Papelbon was 10th among 149 qualified relief pitchers in baseball with a 1.24 ERA entering Thursday. His 0.85 WHIP was 15th out of 203. He was 22 of 24 in save opportunities.
Papelbon could help a contending team in need of bullpen help.
"It's not a problem," Amaro said. "I don't view it as a problem. I've never viewed him as a problem."
Asked about Papelbon's bewilderment that anybody would want to stay on a losing team, Rollins said, "Pap is entitled to say whatever he wants to say. And he will. As all of us will. Those who have enough courage to."
But there have to be many more people in the Phillies' clubhouse that feel that way. They just don't want to say it publicly.
"I can't necessarily agree with that," Rollins said.
Amaro said the Phillies are open-minded about a lot of things as the Trade Deadline approaches. It could mean eating some of Papelbon's contract. He is owed about $19.5 million through next season, plus a potential $13 million more in 2016 if an option automatically vests based on games finished.
"Something is probably going to happen," Rollins said. "No one knows who, what or when obviously. Something is likely going to happen."
But Rollins figures to be with the Phillies on August 1.
"Probably," Rollins said.
Todd Zolecki is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.


text: Janesville expansion supports local product innovation for growers Pioneer Hi-Bred, a DuPont business, today showcased the expansion of its Janesville, Wis., corn research facility during an open house for customers and community members. The 12,000-foot expansion nearly doubled the size of the current facility and allows for increased research capacity at the site. "This expansion is part of our research investment to help growers meet the growing global demand for food," said John Soper, vice president - Pioneer Crop Genetics, Research and Development, who spoke at the open house. "The Janesville research station develops products that meet the needs of Wisconsin and Northern Illinois growers, with the goal of maximizing their productivity and profitability." Established in 1982, the Janesville research center develops and evaluates corn hybrid products that best fit Wisconsin and Northern Illinois maturity zones and environmental pressures, including insect and disease pests. Currently, the center has about 25 full-time employees. The Janesville expansion is the latest of several recent U.S. investments made by Pioneer and announced this year, including the expansion of testing facilities in Auburn, N.Y.; the addition of a corn research facility in Plain City, Ohio, announced in January; and planned expansions in the Wilmington, Del., biotech facility. This follows the announcement in 2010 that Pioneer is expanding the greenhouse and research facilities at Johnston, Iowa, headquarters. Individuals seeking additional information on career opportunities with Pioneer can visit www.pioneer.com. Pioneer Hi-Bred, a DuPont business headquartered in Des Moines, Iowa, is the world's leading developer and supplier of advanced plant genetics, providing high-quality seeds to farmers in more than 90 countries. Pioneer provides agronomic support and services to help increase farmer productivity and profitability and strives to develop sustainable agricultural systems for people everywhere. Science with Service Delivering Success. DuPont is a science-based products and services company. Founded in 1802, DuPont puts science to work by creating sustainable solutions essential to a better, safer, healthier life for people everywhere. Operating in more than 90 countries, DuPont offers a wide range of innovative products and services for markets including agriculture and food; building and construction; communications; and transportation. 06.14.2011

subset: commoncrawl


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I think the Analogue Solutions Telemark is a really killer synth. It's based off an Oberheim SEM them pumped up with some added features. It's new and has MIDI yet has a vintage sound and has CV too. I own one and use it on most of my songs. There is now a V2.0 Telemark with a Ring Modulator and Sub Oscillator/Divider. Check out the video above to see the additions in action.
"Here's a first look at the Analogue Solutions Telemark V2.0 synthesizer. The new release features the addition of a SUB OSC / DIVIDER as well as a RING MOD. The inclusion of these two sound sculpting elements have a vast and powerful effect on the overall sound of the TM." – Rezfilter
For more info: analoguesolutions.org.uk


text: Many words have tired to describe football season in Missoula. Electric, passionate, contagious. However you describe it nothing compares to experiencing it first hand. The Washington Grizzly Stadium hosts over 25,000 spectators making it the largest stadium in the FCS division, and a design that makes every seat a perfect vantage spot. The stadium is just a part of the experience of game day. Kick it all off with tailgate parties lining Campus drive, a sea of maroon apparel, tons of food, and dedicated fans. The University of Montana prides itself on a action packed game, but the pre-game show is also a crowd pleaser. Whether it be Monte and his pranks, the U of M marching band, or the silver-tip skydivers dropping in on the 50 yard line carrying the American flag for presenting of the colors. Some games you will be rocked from you seat as the Blue Angels do their traditional fly by. After the game the Missoula downtown is alive with fans enjoy the many pubs and fine dining it has to offer. All of this makes for a perfect fall weekend getaway to Missoula.


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Steven Soderbergh and Michael Douglas on the set of Behind the Candelabra.
Much has been made of Soderbergh's supposed "retirement" from filmmaking, but I'm beginning to suspect that the whole thing is just a ploy to make it more of a "coup" when someone snags him for a new project. Yes, Behind the Candelabra wrapped before Soderbergh announced he was stepping down, but now he's in talks to do a new series for Cinemax entitled The Knick starring Clive Owen — which sounds like a very interesting project indeed, and I look forward to it — but it seems to me that his self-imposed exile just makes him all the more attractive to selective, high profile projects.
Which brings me to Behind the Candelabra — does it work? In a word, no. I was rather disappointed, because at his best, as in Magic Mike (which was on HBO right before Candelabra, and thus offered an immediate and welcome contrast to the the film), he's a really accomplished filmmaker, both in directing the actors, and staging the entire production — but here he seems content to set it up and shoot it, for as usual, Soderbergh does his own cinematography under the alias of Peter Andrews, and then cuts it together — here, in a really routine fashion — again using an alias, as Mary Ann Bernard.
The resulting film is flat, predictable, and uninvolving, and though Douglas attacks the role of Liberace with gusto, he doesn't really have the "larger than life" punch that the character requires. The rest of the cast tackle their roles with varying degrees of success: Rob Lowe is a standout, perfectly creepy as an unscrupulous plastic surgeon; Debbie Reynolds is all but unrecognizable as Liberace's mother, and really doesn't make an impression; Matt Damon is appropriately wide-eyed as Scott Thorson, and Dan Ackroyd is matter-of-fact as Liberace's business manager.
I was surprised to see former sitcom star Paul Reiser in a very small role as Thorson's attorney near the end of the film, and the film is certainly well mounted, with no skimping on production values. But in the end, it feels exploitational and hammered out, as most TV movies are. Magic Mike reminded me just how good Soderbergh can be when he really clicks with a project, but Behind the Candelabra too often descends into clichés and has a really syrupy finish — by the end of the film, I really didn't care about anyone; the whole thing seemed like an animated waxworks, and little more.
Click here, or on the image above, to see the trailer for Behind the Candelabra.


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Islington Assembly Hall London - Reviews
Islington Assembly Hall London
5 Reviews) (
Selected reviews for this venue:
Mallorie, 14/07/14
We thought the venue was clean and the staff were very professional and helpful. The security team were in evidence but not heavy handed and we felt safe. The acoustics of the hall were very good, it was not overpoweringly loud. We travelled on public transport so cannot comment on the parking. We would certainly come to another gig at this venue.
Snakecharmer (14/07/14) - Great Gig, Great Venue!
My daughters and I went to see Snakecharmer because we all like Accident Prone, the single. I heard that the band was made up of members of such acclaimed bands as Whitesnake, Wishbone Ash and Magnum and so we knew that they should be an amazing mix. We were not disappointed! We have not been to this venue before and we liked it a lot. The staff were professional and helpful and when the support band, Raw Glory, came on we were very impressed with the sound quality in the hall. Raw Glory were very good; the vocalist was excellent and the band had a full sound despite there only being one guitarist, a bassist and drummer. Snakecharmer came on and filled the stage up! I understand they had a stand-in keyboard player since Adam Wakeman is away playing with Ozzie Osbourne and he did a great job. I have loved twin guitar rock since I saw Thin Lizzy in the 70s on their Live and Dangerous tour and Micky Moody and Laurie Wisefield were just brilliant; their styles complemented each other well. Micky did a solo spot which showcased his playing beautifully but didnt go on too long and become self indulgent. Neil Murray and Harry James did a great job on bass and drums and Chris Ouseys amazing vocals topped it off perfectly. He spoke to the audience as well between songs which is appreciated. My daughters were so impressed as well, saying that it was a very good gig and they were glad to have seen it. The band were so tight, polished and professional and full of energy. After the show they came out to sign autographs. They were friendly and chatty and were kind enough to sign their photos in the booklet from the CD I had bought. The lady at the merchandise stall was very helpful and provided a pen! All in all, we were very impressed with the venue and both the bands. We would certainly come to another gig at the Assembly Hall and will keep an eye open for more Snakecharmer gigs and Raw Glory too. Many thanks to everyone involved.
The security was certainly present, - not sure it was needed though in the sense that most of us were OAPs! No, thats thats not entirely true, but we were definitely a very well behaved lot!
The Impressions (17/03/14) - The Impressions - Soul Royalty!
Took me way back to the 60s,- and this event was so different from the likes of the Temptations/Four Tops tours (Wembley, Royal Albert Hall, London O2 etc). This was a small almost intimate venue with a friendly personal atmosphere, - standing, not consigned to allocated seats, - I was just 15 feet away from the group! And after the show the Impressions met the audience and signed their autographs. Cant imagine anything like that being possible with todays bands. This is how I remember the concerts in the 60s, far more personal, a much better view, a far greater connection between the artist and the audience. Fantastic all round!
Denise, 19/03/13
Anthony David (19/03/13) - Great time
He was wonderful, good artist to see and very accomodating to his fans. He made the crowd join in with him and even sung to a lady to get off her phone lol.
When he came out to sign his cds he just went with the flow and took pictures with whoever wanted to. Well done Anthony.xxx
Barry Waples, 26/02/13
Snakecharmer (26/02/13) - GREAT EVENT
Excellent gig by a brilliant band at a great venue. Sat centre front of balcony, the sound was spot-on. Definitely would see the band again and will keep a lookout for who else plays the venue. Ta very much, Barry
Colin Moulton, 18/02/13
I was able to park close to the venue, the staff were polite and helpful and the venue was clean and well presented. I was able to get served quickly at the bar even when it was busy a very nice venue.
Betty Wright (18/02/13) - Brilliant event
The Betty Wright concert was a brilliant experience, the crowd were singing along with Betty's many hits, the venue was perfect and band sounded brilliant I really enjoyed the experience and wont hesitate to go and see her again. she was well worth every penny.


text:
DeathIn Cryptography teasers, a phrase or expressions has been encoded in some way (frequently by replacing letters with other letters). You need to figure out the encoding method and then decode the message to find the answer.
There was a death on Treebark Ln. The victim was identified as Mark Oswalt, who recently was married. The police went to the crime scene and they reported the death as a suicide.
Later that day, after the police left, a private detective, hired by the victim's friend who thought it was a murder, searched the crime scene and found a note the police missed.
It read,
"4,3: 8,1:_: 9,1: 2,1: 7,4:_: 6,1:9,3:_: 9,1: 4,3: 3,3: 3,2: !"
The detective took out his cell phone and started dialing the police to tell them about his findings. Once the detective opened the phone to dial, he immediately screamed out, "I SOLVED IT!"
Who was the murderer and how did the detective find out?
HintMark Oswalt used his cell phone for business calls many times a day.
AnswerThe note said, "It was my wife!"
The detective looked at the keypad on his phone and saw the letters next to the numbers.
2,1 would be A
2,2 would be B
9,4 would be Z
What Next?
See another brain teaser just like this one...
Or, just get a random brain teaser
If you become a registered user you can vote on this brain teaser, keep track of
which ones you have seen, and even make your own.
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text:
Royals will receive extra pick in 2014 Draft
PHOENIX -- The Royals have netted what amounts to an additional first-round pick in the First-Year Player Draft in June because the Braves signed free-agent pitcher Ervin Santana.
As it now stands, the Royals will receive the 28th pick which is like a first-round pick but, technically, is part of compensation round A. That's in addition to their normal first-round selection, which this year is No. 17.
A normal round consists of 30 picks, one for each Major League club. The Draft order could change if free agents Kendrys Morales or Stephen Drew sign somewhere.
The Royals got the extra pick as compensation because they had made a qualifying offer of $14.1 million for 2014 to Santana, which he declined. As it happened, the Braves signed him to the same deal, one year at $14.1 million, that the Royals had offered.
By signing Santana, the Braves lost their first-round pick, No. 26 overall.
After signing Jason Vargas, essentially to replace Santana in the rotation, the Royals repeatedly shrugged off speculation that they might try to re-sign Santana as his time wore on and his asking price diminished.
Manager Ned Yost, asked if he ever thought about the possibility of Santana coming back, said: "I don't think about that. I think about the players that I have and go from there."
Dick Kaegel is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.


text:
Green to undergo season-ending hip surgery
MILWAUKEE -- Brewers infielder Taylor Green will undergo season-ending surgery Tuesday to repair a hip injury that he says has bothered him for more than five years.
Dr. William Raasch will repair three tears to the labrum in Green's left hip and remove bone spurs that have grown on the ball of the joint. Green said he has been able to play through discomfort related to the tears all the way back to 2007, his third professional season, but the spurs have now grown to the point that they cause the joint to lock in place.
He faces a long rehab.
"Six months," Green said. "And a full six months."
The timing of his injury was terrible. Green might be the Brewers' everyday first baseman were he healthy, and would at least be playing extensively at first and third because of injuries to other players. Instead, Green began the season on the disabled list, then suffered a setback early last week in extended spring camp.
Raasch examined the hip on Thursday, and surgery was deemed necessary.
"I've played with it for years now, but it's gotten to the point where I literally can't," Green said. "It will be nice to have it finally healthy."
The news was much better for Jeff Bianchi, another infielder on the DL with a hip injury. After beginning a rehab assignment with five games at Double-A Huntsville, he was promoted to Triple-A Nashville.
"I think we'll want to see him there about a week," assistant general manager Gord Ash said.
Adam McCalvy is a reporter for MLB.com. Read his blog, Brew Beat, and follow him on Twitter at @AdamMcCalvy. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.


text:
Silas D. Alben
Harvard University
"For elegant mathematical and numerical analysis of fluid-structure interaction to elucidate deformation-induced drag reduction of flexible membranes in a wind and induction of forward flight by the symmetry-breaking flapping of wings."Background:
Silas Alben received his Ph.D. in 2004 from the Courant Institute of Mathematical Sciences at New York University, under the direction of Prof. Michael J. Shelley. He obtained his A.B. magna cum laude in Physics and Mathematics from Harvard College in 1999, and spent the following year teaching high school physics in Mexico City. He is currently an NSF Mathematical Sciences Postdoctoral Fellow and Lecturer at the Division of the Engineering and Applied Sciences of Harvard University. His current work considers interactions of bodies with vortex sheets with applications to fish swimming, and the crumpling and self-assembly of elastic bodies.
Selection Committee:
James G. Brasseur (Chair), Paul Neitzel (Vice Chair)(11/06), Ellen Longmire (11/05), Ken Melville (11/05), Marc Perlin (11/05), Anette (Peko), Hosoi (12/06), Richard Leighton (12/06)


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More than 300 homes have been sold in Wiltshire in the first year of the Government's Help to Buy equity loan scheme has been up and running, new figures show.
Some 19,394 sales were completed in the 12 months to March 31 under the equity loan scheme, with the highest numbers of sales taking place in Leeds with 337.
Wiltshire had 316 sales and Central Bedfordshire saw 287 take place.
The Help to Buy equity loan scheme was launched last April in England and is specifically aimed at people buying a new build property worth up to £600,000.
Someone taking out a loan under the scheme can get a loan from the Government for up to 20 per cent of the property price.
With the borrower also putting at least five per cent in, they would need a mortgage of up to 75 per cent to cover the remainder.
The Government said the average price of a property bought under the scheme so far is £184,995, and the average equity loan is £36,999.
Over 87 per cent of sales under the equity loan scheme have gone to first-time buyers.
Housing Minister Kris Hopkins, who announced the figures, said: "Thousands of people have now achieved their dream of becoming home owners through Help to Buy.
"Hard working families are getting the homes they want, while housebuilding is at its highest level since 2007 and climbing."
More than 2,500 sales have also taken place through the Government's UK-wide Help to Buy mortgage guarantee scheme, which was launched last October and offers state-backed mortgages to people with deposits as low as five per cent.


text:
This game was classified by the community with the following category scores - Violence=1/3, Sex=3/3, Mature Content=1/3. Have you ever wanted to be like your favorite musical artist or favorite athlete and show up to the club and just make it rain money in there? Well here is a game that will bring you as close to that feeling as you can get, without actually spending $10,000 in one night!
Buy Xbox content on Xbox.com. Your Xbox 360 console will automatically download the content next time you turn it on and connect to Xbox Live.Learn More


text: Wallace & Barnes heavyweight flannel in Brodie tartan Item E4467 Color: SAILOR RED Size: All sizes are US sizes. MEDIUM LARGE X-LARGE Size Charts Quantity: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Prices do not include taxes. Add to Bag Wishlist Add to Bag Add To Wishlist share: size & fit Product Details We make our heavyweight flannel shirts the old-fashioned way by using heavy-duty cotton that's warm, durable and brushed for a softer texture. In keeping with that traditional spirit, we cut them in our classic fit, which includes a little extra length and room in the waist. Cotton. Point collar. Machine wash. Import. Item E4467.


text:
Note: This item is more than 11 years old. Please take the publication date into consideration for any date references.
Print – Plain Text – Permalink
News Release
Media Contact: TPWD News, firstname.lastname@example.com, 512-389-8030
Jan. 30, 2006
TPW Commission Approves $1.5 Million for Boating Access
AUSTIN, Texas — Thanks to action by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission Thursday, the City of West Tawakoni will be able to build its first boat ramp on Lake Tawakoni, and the Willacy County Navigation District will be able to dredge the Port Mansfield channel to navigable depths.
Those are just two of the six boating access projects TPW commissioners voted to fund in their January meeting. The action will provide $1,541,957 in State Boating Access Program matching grants to local entities on both inland and coastal waters.
"We're interested in providing additional opportunities for boating access where needed," said Tim Hogsett, TPWD's recreation grants director. "This is pass-through money. It's a reinvestment back into boating of tax dollars that have been paid by boaters."
Hogsett said TPWD now awards the grants twice a year, with deadlines June 30 and Oct. 31.
The State Boating Access Program was authorized in 1975 by the 64th Legislature. The program provides funds for the purchase, construction, renovation and maintenance of boat ramps, access roads and other related facilities to improve public recreational boating access to public waters.
The program receives funding from the Federal Aid in Sport Fish Restoration Act, also known as the Wallop-Breaux Program. Construction for approved projects is supported on a 75 percent (federal), 25 percent (local) basis.
Wallop-Breaux funds are derived from federal gasoline taxes paid by boaters and by law must be used to facilitate access for motorized vessels.
The approved projects are:
- $375,000 for City Park Boat Ramp Development, City of West Tawakoni. The City of West Tawakoni requested a 75 percent matching share grant for construction of a two-lane boat ramp, access road, parking area, bulkheads, restroom, courtesy dock and signs.
- $499,987 for Calaveras Lake Boat Ramp Renovations, San Antonio River Authority. The SARA requested nearly half a million dollars for renovation of two sets of boat ramps (a total of five lanes), access roads, parking areas, bulkheads, lighting, walkways and signs at Calaveras Lake southeast of San Antonio.
- $125,580 for Log Cabin City Park Boating Access, City of Log Cabin. The City of Log Cabin requested a grant for the renovation and expansion of a two-lane boat ramp, courtesy dock, access road, new restroom, entry station, fish-cleaning station, pavilion and signs at Cedar Creek Lake.
- $150,000 for City Park boating access improvements, City of Point Comfort. The City of Point Comfort requested a grant for construction of a new restroom, renovation of courtesy docks, and signs at a public boat ramp on Lavaca Bay.
- $166,390 for Boerne City Lake boating access, City of Boerne. The City of Boerne requested a grant for the construction of a new restroom, courtesy dock, surfacing of existing parking area and access road and signs. The facility provides public access to Boerne City Lake.
- $225,000 for Port Mansfield channel dredging, Willacy County Navigation District. The WCND requested a grant to help pay for dredging of the Port Mansfield Channel at the Gulf of Mexico jetties. The channel provides the only public boating access to the Gulf of Mexico between Corpus Christi and Port Isabel. The one-time project will dredge the mouth of the channel to a depth to serve recreational boaters, and future maintenance will be the responsibility of WCND or another entity.
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(5.4.16 i)


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You've had enough of those crappy earbuds you got for free with your phone. Not only are they cheap and flimsy, but they don't sound very good. You're ready for an upgrade. Luckily, there are plenty of options between $20 and $100. Escape from White Wire World!
The Basics
The Cost of Sound
Most earbuds costing $30 and under sound pretty close to the freebies that came with your phone. The truth is, that's good enough for a large chunk of consumers. Once you get around $60, you start to really notice a difference. The sound gets fuller, there's less distortion when you crank the volume, and the bass is vastly improved. Models priced around $90 or $100 generally sound excellent to most ears. To get the absolute best sound from a pair of buds, you're going to have to spend between $200 and $300, but almost everyone can appreciate the richness and clarity of a $100 pair of earbuds.
Tight or Loose?
For most, the fit of an earbud is just as important -- if not more important -- than the sound. Traditional buds nestle gently into your ear-hole, and usually have some sort of rubber tip to secure them there. These are closest to the style that comes with the iPhone and other mobiles. More extreme are the in-ear style which actually insert into your ear canal, forming a very tight seal. They cut out most external noise and give you better sound, but some people find them uncomfortable -- both physically because of the way they put pressure on your ears, and mentally, because of the isolating effect. Others, particularly audiophiles, relish in that isolation.
Some earbuds have small plastic guides that route the cabling behind your ears (sometimes marketed as "sports" models), and some have a collar clip to keep the cable from bouncing around as you walk or run.
In-ear buds usually come with multiple tips -- rubber and foam -- that provide a range of fits. Foam tips are squishy and mold to your ear canal better. Rubber tips require you select the right size (there are usually three sizes in the box, and there's a chance none will fit perfectly). But rubber tips are easier to clean than foam, and allow for more breathability.
Dig the Dongle
Almost all earbuds now come with a remote built into the cable (wireless Bluetooth buds excluded, of course). This lets you change the volume, skip tracks, and answer calls easily -- there's a mic in there, too. This feature is a must if you spend a lot of time talking on the phone, or if you're a shuffle-jockey who's always skipping songs. It's common to put the remote on the cable under one of the ears, so it hangs close to your chin. Others put it where the two ear-cables meet, at the bottom of the "Y" on your chest. A few models skip the remote/mic entirely.
Buying Advice
If you're shopping for earbuds under $50, there isn't much deviation in the sound quality. The main differentiators are the design and the fit, so you have to decide what style best suits how you'll use them. If you're mostly listening at your desk or walking around town, go for a regular earbud. If you spend a lot of time at the gym, a secure fit is paramount, so choose an in-ear model, or a model with behind-the-ear pieces and a collar clip.
If good sound is your primary concern, spend the extra dough on buds that emphasize audio quality. Also, go for an in-ear fit. The tighter seal not only cuts out the noise around you, but it gives you much better bass and more detail across all audio frequencies.
Are you the type who wraps your earbuds around your phone or just throws the buds into your bag? If so, get a cheap pair because you'll be replacing them often. Even the most rugged buds can't take extensive abuse, which is why they almost always come with carrying cases.
NuForce NE-700M
NuForce is known for producing high-end digital amps, and the company has somehow squeezed its audiophile know-how into a great-sounding, comfortable and attractive set of earbuds. These machined aluminum bullets are only $70, and at that price, they're a steal. They earn our highest recommendation.
Best Under $100
$70 with in-line mic
$60 without
The NuForce buds offer different levels of isolation. You can wear them just slightly inside the ear with a plain rubber tips, or swap in the tri-flange mushroom tips and really jam them in there -- whatever you're comfortable with.
My only quibble: the all-metal construction makes them a bit heavy. They fall out easily if you're running (or even walking) and you haven't paid close attention to getting a good seal. They fall out less with the mushroom tips, and the cable is stiff enough to loop behind your ear, which keeps them in place better. Speaking of the stiff cable, these buds are pretty rugged. They take a beating well.
NuForce's $60 NE-700X model sounds the same but lacks the remote. -- Michael Calore
WIRED Truly excellent sound with no distortion. Tight and punchy. A variety of tips, including both round nubs and deep mushrooms, for a variety of fits.
TIRED Lots of machined aluminum here, making them heavy. Straight plug is annoying in the pocket. Plug doesn't fit all players -- see the website for details.
Etymotic mc5
The Etymotic name may not be well-known among the general public, but to earphone snobs, it's as familiar as the names of their children and spouses. The company built its reputation on its excellent pro-level in-ear monitors, which cost hundreds of dollars. But with the mc5 in-ear headphones, Etymotic has produced a much more affordable IEM that's equally impressive.
Best For Audiophiles
$60-70 without mic
$80-90 with mic
The sound is pristine, and much of this has to do with the fit. They ship with tri-flange mushroom tips made of semi-soft rubber, as well as two different types of foam tips. All three options give you a tight seal blocks out almost all ambient noise and gives you a extra helping of bass. Vocals and other mid-range details are full and accurate, and the highs are natural, never harsh or tinny.
I thought the rubber tips could have been softer, but that's a matter of preference. My only real complaint is the lack of a remote or a microphone at the $60-70 price point. Given that most earbuds and IEMs in this price range are marketed to people upgrading from bundled buds, it seems like a big omission. -- Michael Calore
WIRED Simply awesome sound. Thin, Kevlar-reinforced cable doesn't tangle easily. Uses replaceable filters to keep the wax out -- tools and extra filters are included. 32dB to 42dB of isolation blocks out the horrors of the outside world.
TIRED Mic/remote is an extra $20. Rubber mushroom tips are stiff and can be uncomfortable. Not made for Gigantor-eared specimens.
Astro A*Star In-Ear Headset
Gaming gear company Astro's earbuds are exactly what you'd expect from a gadget designed for gamers: they're a little big, a little bulky, and a lot badass. The size problem is mostly attributed to the flat lightning-shaped buds that stick out of your ear like a sore thumb. If you don't have any hair to cover them up (or a giant head to make them look small) you'll certainly be drawing attention.
Best For Gamers
The A*Star's overall design is what makes them so enjoyable to use. The speaker housings are set on the buds at an angle so they fit snugly into your ears. The drivers are optimized for gaming, but all sound that comes through them is crystal clear.
There's also a built-in microphone with a wind shield, sparing folks on the other end from excessive background noise. It has a mute switch, an answer (or pause) button, and volume control. The plug is angled -- not straight like it is on most earbuds and headphones -- which makes the set much more sturdy. And, best of all, the cables are flat so they never get tangled.
The only real complaint is that the answer button is extremely sensitive, making it way too easy to hit by accident. And when you do hit it, there can be a bit of a lag when your music turns back on. It's a bit of glaring problem on an otherwise near-perfect set of buds. Nonetheless, if you can train yourself to avoid the pause button, these are a great choice. -- Erin Biba
WIRED Thick flat cable with bent plug makes them very sturdy and eliminates annoying tangles. Volume control and phone answer button mean you never have to take your phone out of your pocket. Microphone mute switch is an unusual and neat addition.
TIRED Huge bud decorations are seriously conspicuous. The button that controls the phone is much too sensitive and easy to push by accident. A little heavy.
Incase Capsule
When I first heard Incase had a line of headphones coming out, my reaction was, "You mean the people who make iPhone cases?" And yes, it's the same company, and yes, the same functional and colorful design has been applied here to its $50 Capsule earbuds as its line of bags and protective cases.
Best For $50
And the sound is excellent, especially for $50. The highs are crisp without being grating or fatiguing, distortion only creeps into the in the low end when the volume is dimed, and only on aggressive tracks. Overall, the sound is very well-balanced. They aren't true in-ears, but the rubber tips form a seal that's tight enough. In fact, I wore them to the gym and on a couple of long hikes, and it's evident Incase knows its materials very well. The grippy rubber tips stayed put and performed admirably, but cord noise was kept to a minimum. Also, I abused them considerably for over a month, jamming them in my pocket instead of the case the whole time. They never once became tangled, and they still look brand new.
By and large, the best choice at the $50 mark -- sound, styling, fit and durability are all excellent. -- Michael Calore
WIRED Good sound, great fit. The remote is big and sturdy, easy enough to work even with my ham hocks. Cool coin-purse-style carrying case. Multiple tips to choose from.
TIRED You'll need a magnifying glass to tell the right bud from the left. Microphone is at the bottom of the "Y" and far from your face, you may have to hold it up to be heard.
Aiaiai Swirl
These headphones from Danish design firm Aiaiai have the familiar genetics of Scandinavian design. They come in various pastel colors (or flat black), all with the namesake spiral cord that, despite all logic, is hard to tangle up. The volume and play/pause controls sit on a simple three-button panel on the large-gauge cord.
Thankfully, the Swirls come with a set of clear tips made of familiar rubber found on other headphones. We recommend using these: Once you find the right size tip, the fit and the sound is exceptional. We'd expect nothing less for $97. -- Alexander George
WIRED Quality sound, even with nuanced classical and jazz. Wide Y-connector uncannily keeps the cord from tangling.
TIRED Angled headphone jack is unfriendly to some iPhone cases. Meant to be worn looped behind and over the ear, making them laborious to put on.
Shure SE215
Search the headphone forum and read the gadget blogs. You'll find many fans of the Shure SE215 earbuds. The praise is deserved -- they do sound really good -- but they aren't for everyone.
But where audio is concerned, they are some of the best-sounding buds under the $100 mark, right up there with the Etymotics. They are free of distortion, even when the source is cranked, and they have a crisp clarity through all the frequencies. The highs could be dialed back a bit -- classic rock sounded great, but newer stuff with crystal-clear cymbal splashes and up-front drums (rock tracks from Destroyer and White Denim, electronic tracks from Andy Stott and Actress) were a little harsh in the high end. Thankfully, the Shures respond well to EQ tweaks.
So really, my only points against the Shures are in the comfort and feel. They're beefy and the cable is excessively thick, which speaks to their durability, but a slimmed-down redesign of the same model would be more successful. Also, a remote would make them more phone-friendly. -- Michael Calore
WIRED Great sound. Cables detach and are replaceable if they wear out. Lots of tip options in the box.
TIRED They aren't the most comfortable buds in the bin. Finding the correct seal and fit takes a lot of patience. No remote or microphone, so you'll be de-pocketing your mobile more often.
Thinksound ts02
Thinksoud claims these buds are just about the eco-friendliest sound makers you can put in your ears. The housing is made out of sustainable wood (though the inner workings are aluminum) and the cables are PVC-free. But the real eco-ness is in the packaging. Made out of bleach-free recycled materials and using minimal plastic, there's no need to wrestle these puppies out of a blister pack or hard plastic bubble. They also come with a carrying pouch made out of renewable cotton. Still, the eco-friendly angle feels a little gimmicky. Very little of the buds are actually wood. The cotton pouch isn't insulated and, as such, doesn't offer much protection from the outside world.
Nonetheless, there's one thing that can't be denied about these buds, and that's how great they sound. The wood housing, gold plated plug, and tight seal inside your ear all combine to deliver deep bass and well-rounded overall tones. Whether you're into saving the planet or not, the quality and fidelity of these buds makes them worth the $80 price tag. -- Erin Biba
WIRED Great sound. 20Hz to 20kHz frequency response. Wood housing make the design unique and stylish. Super light (9.5g)
TIRED Choice of materials makes them difficult to love. Eco-friendly angle feels gimmicky and mostly shows up in the packaging.
Denon AH-C360
These Denon earbuds deliver high quality audio for only $50. But while they sound great, they suffer in the design department.
The buds themselves are light and have a "barely there" feel. But my main issue with the design is the cabling. The cable has a detachable extension, so you can wear them with either a long or short cable. But the extremes are too wide. The short cable is too short, unless you're stashing your phone in a breast pocket or one of those sport cases that fastens to your arm. Plugging into the extension makes the cable a full foot longer than other earbud cables. That's far too much cable, and the excess gets in the way. The cable is also very thin, so while cable noise isn't a problem, constant tangling is. Finally, there's no mic or remote, so you have to unplug to make calls.
If it's good audio you're after, these Denons are a bargain. But if you need more all-around utility, there are better buds. -- Michael Calore
WIRED Excellent sound, especially at this price. Wide frequency response -- 5-24,000 Hz, beyond the extremes of human hearing. Compact hard-shell carrying case for stashing extra tips and extension cable. Can be worn normally or looped behind the ear.
TIRED Cable is a nuisance. Takes practice to wrestle the buds into position and find a good seal.
H2O Audio Surge Contact
Like other products from H2O Audio, these Surge Contact earbuds are waterproof. Yes, even the microphone -- perfect for when you just have to take that call before exiting the pool.
The sound is especially well-represented across all the audio frequencies, and they sound especially good for $70. Audiophiles won't be totally knocked out, but they're worth picking up for the gym or for running in the rain. Workouts are infinitely better with some nice, loud jams, and I was happily surprised at the clarity when "Thunderstruck" came on.
Despite the high price, waterproof casing for the sound source is not included. Most of those will be $50 and up, which makes for a spendy introduction into the world of aquatic-friendly audio. Still, it's hard to swim in silence once you've done a ten laps of the butterfly to Nevermind. -- Alexander George
WIRED Even without the waterproofing, has better-than-average sound. Buds stay put while active.
TIRED No volume control on the cord for that vital pump-up. No carrying case included.
Polk Audio UltraFit 3000
Sweating through a workout has its rewards, but one undeniable hindrance is when headphones continually pop out of your ears. Polk Audio's UltraFit 3000 in-ear canal phones are engineered to stay wrapped around your ears no matter how many ounces of sweat you work up.
My favorite design detail: color-coded left and right cables. While each side still has the 'L' and 'R' near the ear bud to delineate which ear it should go in, the differently-colored cables are smart.
There are two cable choices, a 14-incher that's too short, and a 41-incher that's too long. The long one gets caught too easily, like around my knee when I bend down to put a dumbbell on the floor. I could alleviate this by using the shorter cable and attaching my iPod to my shirt with the shirt clip that comes with the 3000s, but that's not comfortable for me. A modest quibble, considering the performance. -- Kyle Stack
WIRED Fantastic sound. Design prevents buds from popping out. Color-coded cables let you tell left from right at a glance. Various ear bud sizes ensures comfortable fit. Carrying case is anti-microbial.
TIRED Microphone/remote works only with Apple products. Length of 14-inch and 41-inch cables are problematic, limiting where you can attach your iPod.
Skullcandy Fix
Famous for the garish over-ear headphones that adorn the snowboard and surf set, Skullcandy has come out a few of earbuds that stay true the brand's roots, for better and worse.
WIRED Bass outperforms peers in this price range. In-ear design mutes the bus, or suit from sales.
TIRED Fragile construction feels cheap, and ours weren't that durable. Not much sound range, and upper frequencies are weak.
Wicked Audio Jawbreakers
Judging by the moniker, I was expecting quite a punch from these buds. Happily, there are no broken jaws to report from Wicked Audio's earbuds, but the output was still pretty wicked.
I wore these everywhere from the supermarket to the gym, and the lightweight design was pleasurable wherever I wore them. The in-line microphone hangs on the cord below the left earpiece, so I found myself lifting the mic to my mouth to be heard clearly at times, which disrupted that whole hands-free thing. Overall clarity through the mic was just OK. Callers on the other end asked me to repeat myself more than usual, and the crazy San Francisco wind tunnels ripped through many an important diatribe. The small design of the jack, however, shimmies into the plug on most devices -- even those with poorly-placed inputs or bulky cases.
It's true $20 doesn't get you much. But for such affordable earbuds, I was sincerely impressed with this pair. The idea of buying multiple sets to leave at home, at work and at the gym doesn't seem crazy anymore. -- Missy Schwartz
WIRED Lightweight and able to take some abuse. Impressive range of sound. Equipped with three sizes of silicone tips -- proper fit is less likely to remain a mystery.
TIRED Odd mic placement puts the hands back in play. Listeners who like to rage at top volume have to give up too much clarity.
Marshall Minor
The rock 'n' roll sonic force inside Marshall's famous guitar amps doesn't come through these earbuds, but that's not the point.
Aesthetics aside, these buds don't bring much to the table. The sound quality is average, even hollow in many places where you'd expect more bass. Worse, the fit is less than ideal -- they jiggle loose with even slight movement. The Minors use "EarClick," a patented fit method where a small, exchangeable knob on the top of the bud braces inside your ear. Even after putting in the time to ensure a correct fit, the buds are prone to spilling out with a quick turn of the head. -- Alexander George
WIRED Design cues from one of the coolest names in music. Durability abounds, especially in the fabric cord.
TIRED Underwhelming bass and treble. No volume control on the in-line microphone.
Urbanears Bagis
Urbanears' Bagis earbuds don't wow you acoustically, but at least they'll coordinate with your ensemble thanks to their wide array of Rainbow Brite hues.
Like most cheap earbuds, the bass in these guys is virtually non-existent. Mids and highs are decent, but overall, the sound quality lacks the fullness and clarity other buds under $50 were able to produce.
The Bagis buds have an inline mic and one-button remote for pausing and un-pausing music and taking calls, but no included volume controls. The call quality is definitely reduced when talking with these -- the person on the other end sounds canned, and high-frequency interference is more pronounced. At least they're a bit clearer than Apple's standard white earbuds. -- Christina Bonnington
WIRED Wide color availability means these buds can be as aesthetically brash -- or discrete -- as you'd like. Clever plastic snap secures the earpieces together.
TIRED Crappy audio quality isn't that much better than your iCruds.
Skullcandy 50/50
We tested two models from Skullcandy, the 50/50s and the Fix. These 50/50s, the cheaper of the two, are sort of half way between in-ear headphones and traditional earbuds, and they provide decent sound for a decent pricetag ($40).
The remote's a mixed bag, too: in-line volume controls give just the right level of responsiveness and the mic picks up your voice just fine, but the person on the other end sounds like they're calling from across the country.
The best thing they have going for them is their level of isolation. For listening anywhere with a significant amount of background noise, the sealed fit is superior. The 50/50s come with three sizes of silicone tips, and the smalls provided a snug and comfortable fit even for my small ear canals. The construction is sturdier than most in this range, as well. -- Christina Bonnington
WIRED Good bass response when you get the seal correct. Wrapped cable makes for easy storing and helps cut down on cable noise.
TIRED The skull detailing is the brand's signature flourish, but man, it made me feel like 13-year old emo skater kid. Persistent static drone is irritating.
H2O Audio Flex
In addition to the Surge Contacts, H2O Audio also makes these cheaper earphones. The Flex buds are waterproof up to three feet, and they're super lightweight and buoyant.
At 3.9 feet, the cord somehow feels short. But not having the extra length was a pleasure when I took them out for a nightly jog. And because they're so light, there was little to no tugging on my ears as I bounced along.
I understand the need for all of the components to be waterproof, but the rubbery cord was noticeably noisy against my clothing. The cabling also has a tendency to adhere to competing surfaces. However, I "accidentally" dropped these headphones in my morning coffee and they didn't flinch. And although a head dunk in the San Francisco Bay was face-numbing, the music kept on playing.
For those who need waterproof buds, these are a more affordable option. But that's the only thing special about them. Also, don't forget to waterproof your music source. iPods don't fare well in swimming pools. Trust me. -- Missy Schwartz
WIRED Waterproof earbuds for all of your underwater music-listening needs! Multiple color combinations and bud sizes to choose from.
TIRED Poor sound quality might make you cut your swim short. Rubbery cord invites unwanted sounds to your listening sesh.
When you buy something using the retail links in our product reviews, we earn a small affiliate commission. Read more about how this works.Go Back to Top. Skip To: Start of Article.


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The Perfect Gift For The Obscure Injury, Obsessed Baseball Fan In Your Life
Mets fan / former Parisian Amelie Mancini is peddling a series of hand-printed linocut baseball cards marking the sport's more
pathetic unusual injuries and/or the excuses fans and front-offices alike were expected to swallow (ie. Clint Barmes falling down the stairs while trying to carrying sacks of deer meat). Though I'm sure we can all cite injuries Ms. Mancini omitted from the collection (Steve Tracshel trying to pitch with a broken heart, or Vince Coleman being attacked by a tarp), perhaps she'll see fit to print a second edition. Or branch out to other sports (link courtesy Repoz and Baseball Think Factory)


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A site explaining SQL indexing to developers—no crap about administration.
SQL indexing is the most effective tuning method—yet it is often neglected during development. Use The Index, Luke explains SQL indexing from grounds up and doesn't stop at ORM tools like Hibernate.
Use The Index, Luke is the free web-edition of SQL Performance Explained. If you like this site, consider getting the book. Also have a look at the shop for other cool stuff that supports this site.
SQL Indexing in MySQL, Oracle, SQL Server, etc.
Use The Index, Luke presents indexing in a vendor agnostic fashion. Product specific notes are provided like here:
Use The Index, Luke covers SQL indexing for IBM DB2. Tests were conducted with DB2 for Linux, UNIX and Windows, (LWU) V10.5 Express-C.
- MySQL
Use The Index, Luke covers SQL indexing for MySQL. Tests were conducted with MySQL 5.5 and 5.6. Updates for 5.7 are currently being added.
- Oracle
Use The Index, Luke covers SQL indexing for the Oracle database. Tests were conducted with Oracle 11r2. 12c updates are currently being added.
- PostgreSQL
Use The Index, Luke covers SQL indexing for PostgreSQL. Tests were conducted with PostgreSQL 9.0 and 9.2.
- SQL Server
Use The Index, Luke covers SQL indexing for Microsoft SQL Server. Tests were conducted with SQL Server 2008R2 and 2012. Updates for 2014 are currently being added.
Have more questions about SQL indexing or tuning? No problem—have a look at my training and tuning services at http://winand.at.


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6/22 Combining Challenges!
I made a quick card today so that I could dive into some new, uninked rubber! Full of Life, a delightful sentiment set that I've had my eye on for a long time and Lovely Letters . . . so lovely as you can see . . . are two of the free sets I received from Stampin'Up for Sale-a-bration Rewards. This card also uses a Sneak Peak set from the upcoming catalog called Circle Circus.
I combined two challenges to create this card because I didn't want to "think" too hard. I've got a lot on my plate today so I have to "hurry up and create!" Not my preferred way to stamp, but better than not stamping at all! lol!
The first challenge I checked in on was a Color Challenge that you can read about HERE. It's been quite a long time since I've done a KWerner Color Challenge. I was excited to try this one because I would be able to incorporate a few Sneak Peak In Colors from SU that are debuting on July 1. That rusty orange color is called Dusty Durango, and I used Crushed Curry for the mustard color.And, of course one of my FAVORITE challenges is the Mojo Monday Challenge. You can see that I added some big faux brads along the bottom. These came from the Circle Circus set punched out with the 1/2" Circle Punch.
Stamps: Lovely Letters (115030), Full of Life (111500), Debuting July 1 Circle Circus
Paper: Naturals Ivory for the base of the card (101849), Basic Gray (108692), Very Vanilla (101650), Walk in the Park DSP (115123), Debuting July 1: Dusty Durango Textured, Crushed Curry
Ink: Basic Gray (109120), Debuting July 1: Dusty Durango, Crushed Curry
Accessories: Scallop Border Punch (112091), 1/2" Circle Punch (104390), 1 1/4" Circle Punch (104403), 1 3/8" Circle Punch (104401), Dimensionals (104430), Debuting July 1: Crushed Curry Polka Dot Ribbon


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NEW ORLEANS -- There was a report Monday that 49ers quarterback Alex Smith is planning to request his release within the next two months.
ProFootballTalk.com cited a "source with knowledge of the situation" in reporting that Smith wants to be released before free agency in March. The 49ers, however, could also trade or retain Smith.
Smith, who was replaced two months ago by Colin Kaepernick as the 49ers' starting quarterback, has not publicly stated those intentions, nor has his agent, Tom Condon. Although Smith was seen at the team hotel Monday afternoon, he was not available for comment.
Smith is in the first year of a three-year, $24 million contract he signed in March, and his $7.5 million salary for 2013 will be guaranteed if he's on the roster April 1.
Smith has declined in recent weeks to discuss his future and insisted he's fulfilling his backup role by preparing for Sunday's Super Bowl against the Baltimore Ravens.
Smith was enjoying a career-best season before sustaining a concussion Nov. 11 against the St. Louis Rams. Coach Jim Harbaugh has often stated that he promoted Kaepernick in place of Smith in the team's best interest, a message Harbaugh reiterated Sunday night.
But Harbaugh added that Smith hasn't wavered in his devotion to doing whatever he can to help the 49ers achieve their goal of winning the Super Bowl this season.
"It's been the same," Harbaugh said of Smith's approach since he was supplanted by Kaepernick. "He's prepared and been involved in the game planning and preparations. He has prepared himself as the starter each week. That's what he's done, that's what's we have expected of him and that what he's delivered."
It has reached the point where Harbaugh considers Smith an integral part of Kaepernick's seamless transition from promising young player to top-flight quarterback.
"He's another person to credit in Colin's success," Harbaugh said, "because Alex has really helped coach Colin, been right there at his side, sitting in meetings every single day.
"He coaches Colin now more than I do. That speaks volumes for the kind of person and teammate that Alex Smith is."


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I've maintained a bullish bias lately, but this market continues to exceed my expectations. Once again, it dipped early but the buyers stepped in and drove it straight back to new highs. They are still pushing as I write, and breadth has moved up to 3300 gainers to 2250 losers.
These sorts of V-shaped moves seem to be continuously fueled by short squeezes and underinvested bulls desperate for more exposure. While sentiment has been positive, there appears to be quite a bit of buying power on the sidelines. Being bullish hasn't necessarily translated into actual buying. I've been optimistic about the market but I still have too much idle cash. The more the market runs, the easier it is to stand aside and wait for entry points.
Small-caps stocks continue to be the star of the show. My screen is filled with secondary stocks that are walking higher, and there are 500 new highs so far today. Volume is light but that sort of price action is awfully tough to fight.
Keep in mind that markets that are hitting new highs don't just suddenly fall apart. The risk of big downside moves tends to occur when the market is already well off its highs. This sort of action creates a big supply of dip buyers and very strong underlying support. All the folks who missed the move keep hoping they will see a pullback soon, which will allow them to put cash to work. Of course, the market does its best to frustrate by producing these V-shaped moves that just keep on running.
Once again, I remind you: Wait for weak price action before you take a bearish stance.


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Hampton & Richmond Borough trialist Alan Bray has told boss Mark Harper he is worth a punt and will prove it to him by the time the Ryman Premier League kicks-off.
The former Sutton United defender has been training with the Beavers this summer and was in action in Tuesday night's 2-0 defeat to his former club.
Bray had a brief spell with Kingstonian at the end of last term and is currently without a club, but he is out to make an impression at the Beveree to resurrect a promising career that has been
blighted by knee injuries.
"Mark has offered me a deal which I haven't signed yet, but I'm going to see how it goes," he said.
"It wasn't the sort of deal I was looking for, but beggars can't be choosers I guess.
"I'm not fit at the moment and I guess the manager is only covering his back if my injuries become a problem again.
"It is up to me to prove to him I can play 10 games without picking up an injury and then hopefully we can talk about an improved offer and sort a deal then.
"I played my first full 90 minutes in God knows how long on Tuesday and I was praying for the manager to take me off. I couldn't breathe it was so hot.
"That is something I need to work on and hopefully I'll have proved myself come the start of the season."
Another player still facing an uncertain future is former Brentford defender Lewis Ferrel, who was a second half substitute for the Beavers on Tuesday night.
The club announced last week that he had switched to Blue Square South Boreham Wood, but the move has hit a snag over the amount of compensation Hampton are entitled to.
"Lewis had an option on his contract to be with us a second season, but he declined our offer because he wanted to stay in the Blue Square South," said Harper.
"Because of that we would still be entitled to some money for him.
"Once Boreham Wood found that out, they have basically been messing him about. We could just let him go, but every little bit of money counts at the moment.
"We're waiting on them now."
Hampton signed Gary Holloway on Tuesday night and Harper is expected to trim his squad in the next fortnight ready for the season opener against Hastings United.
"Everything is a bit disjounted because the likes of Billy Jeffries, James Simmonds and Paul Johnson have been away on holiday," he said.
"I've got a few people I need to make a decision on in the next couple of weeks and then we'll be good to go."


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Detroit residents such as 84-year-old retired school teacher I.V. Barrett are tired of the spotty-at-best service accompanying Michigan's highest tax rates.
"I will pay my fair share, but I think I've overpaid," said Barrett.
Knowing he is swimming upstream, Detroit Police Chief Ralph Godbee went before Detroit City Council on Tuesday, passionately making the case that the city needs more police officers.
Related: Detroit police officers to appeal mayor's cuts
Raising taxes, in Godbee's estimation, seems to be the best option. He used a war analogy: Funding a surge of Detroit's finest on Detroit city streets.
Special coverage: Detroit City in Crisis
"We don't want it to get any worse," the chief said. "We're holding our own but I think the citizens deserve more than just holding our own."
Residents of Detroit already pay 65 mills. That's $650 a year on the average $10,000 home, or $6,500 for a $100,000 home. Detroit businesses pay even more.
Godbee wants to tack on nine more mills, or $160 per Detroit property owner. He is looking to raise $56 million each year for the next five years.
Detroit landlord Gary Roquemore would end up paying $1,000 more each year on the six properties he owns.
"We have to buckle down and bite the bullet, basically," Roquemore said. "If we do not do that, it's going to be a problem in the long run because the city will continually deteriorate."
City Council is not yet sold on the request to put the proposal on the November ballot. The Council scheduled a meeting with Godbee next week.
Read more: Just what Detroit needs
Copyright 2012 by ClickOnDetroit.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.


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NetWellness is a global, community service providing quality, unbiased health information from our partner university faculty. NetWellness is commercial-free and does not accept advertising.
Tuesday, September 26, 2017
Pharmacy and Medications
Mixing Medications
I am currently taking 1 Olanzapine 10mg tablet before bed. I have a cold now and was wondering if it was safe to mix Alka-Seltzer Plus night formula with it? I try to be very careful when mixing medications.
There are multiple ingredients in the Alka-Seltzer Plus® Night Cold Formula. None of these ingredients interacts significantly with olanzapine; however, you may experience some additional drowsiness.
Michael Ganio, PharmD
Clinical Applications Pharmacist
Wexner Medical Center
The Ohio State University


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Decoding RhymesLanguage brain teasers are those that involve the English language. You need to think about and manipulate words and letters.
Decode this well known nursery rhyme:
A small number of child laborers were attempting to traverse a more elevated position in a vain attempt to procure a quarter of a rundlet of a hydrogen and oxygen compound. Half their number experienced an uncontrollable descent that resulted in severe damage to the pate. And soon it came to pass that the rest of the labor force followed suit, but with far less serious consequences.
AnswerJack and Jill
Went up the hill
To fetch a pail of water
Jack fell down
And broke his Crown
And Jill came tumbling after.
What Next?
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Subaru: Diversify Your Partnerships
July 26, 2011
Todd Lawrence, promotions and sponsorship manager, Subaru of America, Inc. discussed the consumer insights that lie at the heart of Subaru's sponsorship program and also demonstrated how the automaker is able to track sales and ROI from these investments.
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New Media Series — William Kentridge: Two Films
January 28–May 22, 2011
This edition of the New Media Series offers two short animated films by acclaimed South African artist William Kentridge,
Weighing…and Wanting
(1998) and
Journey to the Moon
(2003). In both films, Kentridge investigates two ongoing themes in his art: the political and the personal.
Weighing…and Wanting
tells the story of wealthy industrialist Soho Eckstein, an iconic character in Kentridge's films. Exploring post-apartheid South Africa, Kentridge offers a thoughtful meditation on the complex identity of his native country. In contrast,
Journey to the Moon
provides an intimate look into Kentridge's creative processes. Using his signature method of stop-motion animation, Kentridge is filmed whimsically interacting with his own drawings as he pays homage to
Le voyage dans la lune
, the 1902 silent film classic by pioneering French filmmaker Georges Méliès.
Curated by Tricia Y. Paik, assistant curator of modern and contemporary art,
William Kentridge: Two Films
is on view in Gallery 301 from January 28 through May 22, 2011.
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THE TRAIN, HONEST TO GOD and More Set for Circa Theatre & Playmarket 2012 Play Readings, Beg. June 9
Circa Theatre and Playmarket are pleased to present a fantastic array of engaging and thought-provoking play readings. New works by New Zealand playwrights Ken Duncum, Elspeth Sandys, Joe Musaphia, Phil Braithwaite, Kathryn Burnett and Nick Ward will be presented in rehearsed readings, along with Jerusalem by international award-winning playwright Jez Butterworth (subject to rights). The readings will take place at Circa once a month from June to November. Each reading will be helmed by a well-known local theatre director and performed by a cast of professional actors.
The schedule for the Circa Theatre and Playmarket Season of Play Readings 2012 is:
9th June
The Train Set by Joe Musaphia
4th August
Honest to God by Phil Braithwaite
25th August
Rogues and Vagabonds by Elspeth Sandys
29th September
Jerusalem by Jez Butterworth (subject to rights)
27th October
Janet & John by Ken Duncum
17th November
Mike & Virginia by Nick Ward and Kathryn Burnett
Susan Wilson will direct the first reading: The Train Set by Joe Musaphia, starring Christopher Brougham, Nikki MacDonnell and Gavin Rutherford. It is set in Berlin, Germany, 1939. A Jewish couple, Herschel and Vera Stern, are selling up to start a new life in New Zealand. Among their chattels is a Marklin train set. Herschel is impatient to leave Hitler's 'anti-Semitic hellhole.' Vera still dreams of 'my Germany.' Their young son and daughter are away while they prepare the apartment for the impending sale. An SS officer knocks on their front door…and demands to see and play with the train set … a very powerful and grimly entertaining drama ensues.
The reading will take place at 2pm on Saturday, 9 June in Circa Two. Tickets are just $5, and can be purchased at the Circa Box Office by calling 801-7992 or online at www.circa.co.nz.
For the detailed information about all of the plays in the 2012 Circa Theatre/Playmarket Season of Play Readings, click here. Circa Theatre is located at 1 Taranaki St, Wellington Waterfront. Bookings: phone 04 801 7992, email firstname.lastname@example.com or visit www.circa.co.nz.


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I thought I'd bump this thread to get more pictures of long curly hair by posting this picture of my progress with growing my hair since joining NC.com
@depressedcurly Yes! I know! Aren't those curls wonderful. My type is kinda like that too...but hers are perfect...long and shiny and bouncy...it's just awesome! I am missing my length lately...especially after seeing her. I'm currently growing it back


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UC Berkeley's 22 Nobel Prize winners
Current Faculty Nobel Laureates at Berkeley
- 2013 - Randy Schekman (Physiology)
- 2011 - Saul Perlmutter (Physics)
- 2009 - Oliver E. Williamson (Economics)
- 2006 - George F. Smoot (Physics)
- 2001 - George A. Akerlof (Economics)
- 2000 - Daniel L. McFadden (Economics)
- 1986 - Yuan T. Lee (Chemistry)
Deceased Faculty Nobel Laureates
- 1994 - John C. Harsanyi (Economics)
- 1983 - Gerard Debreu (Economics)
- 1980 - Czeslaw Milosz (Literature)
- 1968 - Luis Alvarez (Physics)
- 1964 - Charles H. Townes (Physics)
- 1961 - Melvin Calvin (Chemistry)
- 1960 - Donald A. Glaser (Physics)
- 1959 - Owen Chamberlain (Physics)
- 1959 - Emilio G. Segre (Physics)
- 1951 - Edwin M. McMillan (Chemistry)
- 1951 - Glenn T. Seaborg (Chemistry)
- 1949 - William F. Giauque (Chemistry)
- 1946 - John H. Northrop (Chemistry)
- 1946 - Wendell M. Stanley (Chemistry)
- 1939 - Ernest O. Lawrence (Physics)
- Listing of the 29 UC Berkeley alumni who have received the prize
Ernest O. Lawrence
Physics, 1939
In 1930, at the age of 29, Ernest O. Lawrence unlocked the gates to the world of the atom with his invention of the cyclotron — an ingenious tool destined to become as important to nuclear science as Galileo's telescope was to astronomy. Lawrence also invented a new way of doing science. His brilliance and willingness to share his discoveries attracted the brightest young scientists of the time to Berkeley. His personal credo was that there was enough research for all, and he rejoiced in the success of others as in his own. More>
John Northrop, Wendell Stanley
Chemistry, 1946
Two Berkeley chemists, John Howard Northrop and Wendell Stanley, made breakthrough discoveries about the workings of the human body. Northrop isolated a pure enzyme for the first time in history. Stanley's great accomplishment was isolating a virus. These discoveries paved the way for such profound achievements as the conquest of polio and charting the human genome. More about Northrop and Stanley >
William Giauque
Chemistry, 1949
For more than a century, scientists agreed that absolute zero, minus 459.688 degrees on the Fahrenheit scale, was impossible to reach. No one had come closer than minus 458 degrees to realizing it . But William Giauque was undeterred. In 1933, after countless hours in the laboratory, he reached below the minus 458 mark using a magnetic refrigeration system he had invented. Giauque's trailblazing work proved one of the most basic laws of nature and led to stronger steel, better gasoline, and more efficient processes in a score of industries. More >
Edwin McMillan, Glenn Seaborg
Chemistry, 1951
A key member of Lawrence's Rad Lab team, chemist Edwin McMillan searched for an element heavier than uranium. In 1940, he discovered neptunium. Later, Glenn Seaborg, a young chemist who also worked in Lawrence's laboratory, continued McMillan's studies on the transuranium elements. In 1942, Seaborg discovered plutonium, a highly radioactive element. Seaborg and his co-workers went on to discover eight more rare-earth elements and a host of valuable medical isotopes, including iodine-131, which was used to prolong his own mother's life. More about McMillan and Seaborg >
Owen Chamberlain, Emilio Segrè
Physics, 1959
In the period following World War II, the existence of the anti-proton, the atomic particle that would prove nature's symmetry, still eluded scientists. In 1955, using Berkeley's powerful new atom smasher, Owen Chamberlain and Emilio Segrè discovered the anti-proton. This discovery signaled a major leap in the study of matter and anti-matter. More about Chamberlain andt Segrè >
Donald Glaser
Physics, 1960
In particle physics, as elsewhere, a picture is worth a thousand words. During the early 1950s, physicist Donald Glaser had this in mind when he noticed the track left by a stream of bubbles in a bottle of beer. This serendipitous event led to the invention of the bubble chamber, a tool second only in importance to Lawrence's cyclotron. Glaser's invention allowed scientists to track the movement of atomic particles and marked an important step in the exploration of the structure of matter. More >
Melvin Calvin
Chemistry, 1961
Chemist Melvin Calvin explored life's processes using the carbon-14 isotope discovered in Lawrence's cyclotron. After a long and complex search, Calvin revealed the complete path of carbon in photosynthesis to explain how plants convert sunlight to food. He went on to develop a leading center for the study of cancer, the brain, solar energy, and the origins of life by incorporating the interdisciplinary style of Lawrence's radiation laboratory. More >
Charles Townes
Physics, 1964
Physicist Charles Townes began his research into the properties of light after designing radar systems during World War II. Working with his brother-in-law, Townes conceived the idea for amplifying light into an intense beam that could penetrate the hardest materials on earth. This led to the development of the laser, a tool that has revolutionized industry, medicine, communications and astronomy. More >
Luis Alvarez
Physics, 1968
The newly invented bubble chamber captured the imagination of scientist Luis Alvarez, who recognized its great value to physics and set out to improve its design. He substituted hydrogen for ether, which produced a clearer track of speeding particles. This hydrogen bubble chamber vastly increased our knowledge of the atom, and changed the course of nuclear science. More >
Czeslaw Milosz
Literature, 1980
Poet and man of letters Czeslaw Milosz became the campus's first laureate in a nonscientific field. Born in Lithuania in 1911, he lived in the vortex of 20th century history. Milosz' themes include lost homelands, the search for identity and political repression. The Nobel committee cited the Berkeley professor of Slavic languages and literature as a writer who, "with uncompromising clear-sightedness, voices man's exposed condition in a world of severe conflicts." More >
Gerard Debreu
Economics, 1983
In a decentralized market, self-interest guides consumers in the choices they make. Economist Gerard Debreu's elegant mathematical models provided the theoretical structure to explain the law of supply and demand. Through the work of Debreu and others, the conditions of the "invisible hand" in the markeplace were clarified. More >
Yuan T. Lee
Chemistry, 1986
Many years after Charles Townes won a Nobel for his research laying the groundwork for the laser, Yuan Lee took that work steps further. Lee's designs and experiments with molecular beam devices sent streams of intensely packed molecules into each other at supersonic speeds. Scientists were then able to view chemical reactions and discover how and why they take place. This knowledge has contributed to today's powerful lasers. More >
John Harsanyi
Economics, 1994
It was the hope of economist John Harsanyi that his research could improve social welfare and lead to world peace. In this quest, Harsanyi expanded the application of game theory — a mathematical theory of human behavior in competitive situations — to economic and political conflicts such as arms control. Harsanyi's contribution to game theory would address the prediction of outcomes in games or circumstances in which players lack complete information about each other or the rules of the game. More >
Daniel McFadden
Economics, 2000
A deep interest in social welfare drives the pioneering research of Daniel McFadden. McFadden ushered Berkeley's Nobel tradition into the 21st century when his econometric methods for studying behavioral patterns in individual decision-making were recognized. Applications of McFadden's statistical tools include predicting BART's initial ridership and measuring the economic damage to individuals from an oil spill. More >
George Akerlof
Economics, 2001
Macroeconomist George Akerlof broke with established economic theory in illustrating how markets malfunction when buyers and sellers have access to different information. He explored this idea in a landmark 1970 study on the role of asymmetric information in the market for "lemon" used cars. The work has had far-reaching applications in such diverse areas as health insurance, financial markets, employment contracts and unemployment. More >
George Smoot
Physics, 2006
Astrophysicist George Smoot headed a team that was able to image the infant universe, revealing its newborn form and the patterns which have shaped the universe ever since. Smoot's work helped to change the nature of the quest to understand the origin and evolution of the universe. Historically, cosmology had been essentially a theoretical field. Smoot was one of the first pioneering astrophysicists who devised ways to conduct experiments that produced data and information about the early universe. "People have contemplated the origin and evolution of the universe since before the time of Aristotle," said Smoot. "Very recently, the era of speculation has given way to a time of science. The advance of knowledge and of scientific ingenuity means that at long last, we can actually test our theories."
Nobel Prize Talks: George Smoot
More >
Oliver Williamson
Economics, 2009
Oliver Williamson's research on economic governance, especially the "boundaries of the firm," opened an analytic window into the "make or buy" decisions that all businesses face. Williamson is credited with co-founding "New Institutional Economics." His insights have been applied to improving understanding of a broad range of organizational and institutional compacts, such as the choice and design of contracts, corporate financial structure, antitrust policy, electricity deregulation in California, investment in Eastern Europe, congressional committee structure, the function and operation of political systems, and the size and scope of firms. More >
Nobel Prizes have been awarded to 29 UC Berkeley alumni:
Physiology or Medicine
1944: Joseph Erlanger, 1895
1952: Selman Waksman, Ph.D. '18
1978: Hamilton Smith, '52
2006: Andrew Z. Fire, '78
2009: Carol Greider, Ph.D. '87
1934: Harold Urey, Ph.D. '23
1949: William F. Giauque, B.S. '20, Ph.D. '22
1951: Glenn T. Seaborg, Ph.D. '37
1960: Willard Libby, B.S. '31, Ph.D. '33
1983: Henry Taube, Ph.D. '40
1986: Yuan T. Lee, Ph.D. '62
1989: Thomas Cech, Ph.D. '75
1993: Kary Mullis, Ph.D. '73
1995: Mario Molina, Ph.D. '72
1996: Robert Curl, Ph.D. '57
2000: Alan Heeger, Ph.D. '61
1955: Willis Lamb, B.S. '34, Ph.D. '38
1997: Steven Chu, Ph.D. '76
1998: Robert Laughlin, '72
2004: David Gross, Ph.D. '66
2006: John C. Mather, Ph.D. '74
2011: Saul Perlmutter, Ph.D. '86
2011: Adam Guy Riess, Miller Fellow '96-'99
2012: David J. Wineland, B.A. '65
1980: Lawrence Klein, '42
1993: Douglass North, B.A. '42, Ph.D. '52
2002: Daniel Kahneman, Ph.D. '61
2005: Thomas C. Schelling, B.A. '44
2011: Thomas Sargent, B.A. '64


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Once again, more than 1,200 professionals from a broad set of companies, industries, and geographies participated in the annual BMC mainframe survey, the largest survey of its kind. Respondents enthusiastically told us about mainframe usage in their organizations and shared their outlook on the platform.
This year's research uncovered increased activity driven by digital business requirements for highly available and secure access to apps and data. These factors power the mainframe's strong long-term outlook.
Get the report to learn how and why data and transaction volumes are increasing, what new technologies organizations are leveraging to optimize the mainframe, and what mainframe leaders see as top priorities for the coming year.
"IT departments are moving towards centralized, virtualized and highly automated environments to drive cost and processing efficiencies... Companies are considering the mainframe an integral part of their IT strategy and one that will help them reach their future financial and business goals."Frank Cortell, Director Information Technology, Credit Suisse
"Mainframes play a key role in digital business as many digital applications are based on mobile or handheld device access to data stored on the mainframe. This is driving growth in mainframe transactions and data volumes."Tim Grieser, Program VP, Enterprise System Management Software, IDC


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The Dog & Bear hotel is a small yet perfectly formed modern establishment, with 24 bedrooms. Its location is ideally placed adjacent to Lenham's historic medieval market square.
Golf courses
When staying at the Dog and Bear you can play the following courses: Chart Hills, Walmer and Kingsdown, Littlestone, Prince's, Royal St Georges and Royal Cinque Ports.
The Dog & Bear Hotel is located in Lenham, Maidstone. You can find it just off the A20 and close to Junction 8 of the M20.


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Beckham's rehab stint stalls because of soreness
CHICAGO -- Gordon Beckham's Minor League rehab stint will be shut down until Wednesday after he experienced soreness in his surgically repaired left hand, where doctors removed a fractured hamate bone.
This action is not being viewed as a true setback for the second baseman, but will delay his return. Beckham did not get any sort of shot in the sore area, but he did have his medication changed
"Initially, when you have this type of surgery, the general timeline is at least six weeks from the surgical date, which is next Tuesday," said White Sox general manager Rick Hahn "There was some scuttlebutt that he could be back as soon as this weekend, but that would have been ahead of schedule.
"So we are still kind of on that original time frame. His hand and the ligaments have to heal and get used to their new configuration in there without the specific hamate bone. [White Sox head athletic trainer] Herm [Schneider] and our doctors spoke with the operating surgeon last night, and this morning came up with this treatment plan for the next couple of days. It's something that happens. It's nothing to be alarmed about."
Beckham is 7-for-22 over five games played for Triple-A Charlotte, including a couple of starts at shortstop. He played second and finished 1-for-4 against Rochester on Thursday, actually texting Hahn before the game to let the general manager know he was getting close to a big league return.
Hahn talked to Beckham after the game, and Beckham had a slightly less positive message at that point.
"He said, 'You know, the pain is still there. It's not going away. Is there a way we can try to knock this out?'" Hahn said. "Herm and I spoke, and they spoke to the surgeon and came up with this new protocol. It's probably just fairly regular ramp-up soreness that we've decided to take a slightly conservative route with."
"It's not anything that's damaging or anything like that," said White Sox manager Robin Ventura. "He's still feeling something in there. When you take that bone out, stuff can move around as far as nerves and stuff like that. That's more of it than anything."
Scott Merkin is a reporter for MLB.com. Read his blog, Merk's Works, and follow him on Twitter @scottmerkin. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.


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So as Crean's top-seeded Indiana Hoosiers (27-6) begin their national championship quest, starting Friday in Dayton against 16th-seeded James Madison (21-14), the coach has one over-riding message for his players:
Have fun.
"I want it to be fresh," he says. "I want it to be exciting for these guys. I really do. They've earned it. They've done everything that's been asked of them, and more. They're held to an incredibly high standard — individually and collectively."
If you play basketball, you've had a One Shining Moment dream. Perhaps dozens of them. You wonder what it would be like to do so something so special, so spectacular, that you make it on that TV clip at the end of this March Madness spectacle that spills into April.
It won't happen by magic, although, for those of a certain age who grew up with Rod Serling and the Twilight Zone, you understood that magic COULD happen if you ignored the cynical pull of a cynical age.
And so, submitted for your approval:
1) Guard Bryce Drew hitting the buzzer-beating shot of a lifetime to lift 13th-seeded Valparaiso over fourth-seeded Mississippi 70-69 in the 1998 opener.
2) Coach Jim Valvano running around looking for somebody, anybody, to hug in the aftermath of North Carolina State's improbable 1983 national championship
3) And, of course, guard Keith Smart hitting the twisting, contested jumper that lifted Indiana past Syracuse 74-73 for the 1987 national championship.
And so much more.
Crean prefers hard work over magic. He understands last year's euphoria over making the NCAA tourney after three years of sanction-filled misery has given way to pressure-filled expectations. The No. 1 seed comes with a price.
"I don't think anybody is running around taking a deep breath and doing cartwheels over anything," he says. "There is a business approach and businessmen mindset they have to have."
And yet, before Sunday's selection show, Crean pushed everything but business.
"I told them I wanted them to watch this like you did when you were a little kid. That's why you work so hard — to get in these situations."
All the work in the world never got Crean to this situation as a player. At his playing best, he had a coaching future. Still, that never soured his love for the sport and NCAA tourney drama, where anything, it seemed, could happen.
"The first NCAA tournament game I saw in person was at Dayton," Crean says. "I sat in the two or three rows from the top of the building. I was watching Michigan State play Washington. I'll never forget it."
Apparently not. That was in 1986, when the Spartans, led by Scott Skiles, beat Washington 72-70 and Georgetown 80-68 before an overtime 96-86 Sweet 16 loss to top-seeded Kansas.
"It was unbelievable," Crean says.
And then …
"Every time you watch the NCAA selection show, it should be like the first time you ever see it. You're never guaranteed to make it. So many things have to go right."
IU got it right 27 times out of 33 this season to win the Big Ten championship and earn the No. 1 seed in the East Region.
"To be a No. 1 seed is special," Crean says. "At no time did these guys work like they were special. This didn't get built with entitlement. It was built with incredible work. That's how they'll approach it."
The Hoosiers had hoped to receive the tournament's overall No. 1 seed, which would have put them in Indianapolis for the Sweet 16 with a huge home court advantage. It didn't happen. Louisville got that honor and that Midwest Region path. IU will go to Washington D.C. if it wins two games in Dayton.
Crean isn't about to gripe about what might have been.
"The fact we're a No. 1 seed speaks for itself. There are four No. 1 seeds and we're one of them. That's a big deal."
So is the extra class time the Dayton site and its Friday-Sunday game format presents. Academic improvement was just as big as basketball in rebuilding the Hoosiers from the Kelvin Sampson wreckage.
"We get a little more time in school," Crean says. "We can use that."
That's great, but Crean isn't making $3 million or so a year because of academic achievement. The Hoosiers have to win, and they have, with their sights focused on Atlanta and the Final Four.
When you look at the draw (No. 8 seed North Caroline State, No. 4 Syracuse, No. 3 Marquette and No. 2 Miami are the biggest apparent challenges), IU's path through the East Region seems easier — with "easier" a relative term given the parity of college basketball and the unpredictability of this tournament — than what Louisville will face in the Midwest Region
"Like anything else, there are a lot of different roads and paths you have to go through to get to your goals," Crean says. "This is just one of them. This team has done a good job with that, constantly and consistently.
"The story lines keep changing. People were saying we couldn't win on the road — yeah, we went 7-2 on the road this year. One thing after another they keep taking care of. That happens because they stay humble as to what they have to do to get better, and then they get better. That's our key."
Crean keeps pushing that got-to-get better theme. He talks about self scouting and working on what needs to be addressed.
"That's been the focus. The whole goal is to be as good as we can be this week, win in Dayton and take it from there."
That's not magic. That's reality.
More Information
Up nextTipoff: Indiana vs. James Madison, NCAA tourney, 4:10 p.m. Friday
Online: For more on college athletics, follow Pete DiPrimio via Twitter at pdiprimio.


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Probably the most important category of resources in any business operation is human resources. That definitely includes our farm and agribusiness operations. Labor costs are often one of the highest cost categories - particularly in dairy, swine and beef feedlot operations - so it is vital to hire right and then train and retain those good employees. Here are a few notes on how to improve your hiring process.
First, review the needs of your farm and hiring practices that you have used in the past. Reviewing the needs of your operation may require an analysis of costs and cash flow for your operation to help determine what labor costs you can afford. Analyze whether full-time or part-time employees are needed and perhaps more specifically when the labor needs are greatest – such as weekends, evenings or early mornings. There may even be times of the year. For example, in dairy operations there may be peak periods of freshening when the labor requirement is somewhat increased.
Before posting that help wanted announcement, give careful thought to putting together a written position description. Don't just use a canned job description for farm workers. Sit down and make a list of all the different duties you may expect of this new employee. Then review the list and determine whether expectations are reasonable, or whether you need to prioritize some of those duties.
Be sure to include any physical requirements of the position, such as lifting, standing, reaching and stretching. Also list whether there is any knowledge, training or previous work experience you expect the new employee to bring to the job. Finally, describe the working conditions, such as days and hours to be worked, flexibility required.
With any farm employment, it is always important to determine whether the position requires a regular driver's license or CDL. There is information on the Iowa Department of Transportation website http://www.iadotforms.dot.state.ia.us/iowadotforms/GetTemplate.aspx?did=816 that can help an employer determine whether a CDL is needed for the position.
While it is not necessary to include a pay range in a job announcement or position description, a proposed pay range should be determined prior to starting the recruitment process. The pay range should be in line with what you can afford, but it is also needs to align with the expectations of the position. Consider possible incentive or bonus payments and benefits that may be offered with the position.
When you are ready to start recruiting a pool of possible applicants, be creative. Many of us come from an era of looking at "help wanted" ads in local newspapers or shoppers. However, many jobseekers these days never look in printed media. Depending on your needs, contact area schools who may have students seeking farm employment. Iowa Workforce Development is another source for listing your employment opportunities. Many local radio stations have on-air or online job boards or help wanted sites. You may want to print a simple help wanted flyer with contact information and post it on community bulletin boards. Finally, remember that word-of-mouth is one of the best ways to seek good employees. Ask your current good employees if they know anyone who may be interested in a farm labor position.
Determine what information you want from potential job applicants. Obtain or prepare a job application form for this purpose. Be sure that the form used does not seek information that is inappropriate or even illegal to request from job applicants. You will want to ask job applicants for references.
Prepare carefully for job interviews. Make a list of information that you want to share with applicants, such as the position description. Remember that many of your applicants will be unfamiliar with how a dairy farm operates and the kind of hours and duties that are required. Describe the hours and working conditions, and outline the training that will be provided to the new employee. Share information about the pay structure and benefits that come with the job.
Make a list of the questions that you want to be sure to ask each applicant. Again, seek legal guidance regarding inappropriate areas of inquiry. ISU Extension and Outreach offers some interview guidance at www.extension.iastate.edu/agdm/wholefarm/html/c5-101.html.
Check references. References may be former employers, teachers, volunteer work coordinators or even neighbors or community members. While persons acting as employment references may need to be careful regarding statements made about another, a potential employer can always ask a former employer to confirm employment dates and positions held. It is reasonable to ask the simple question, "Would you hire this person?" Ask the reference about the applicant's former job duties.
When you have interviewed possible applicants, make your evaluation and selection(s) and determine the nature of the job offer you wish to make. While the initial offer may be by phone, it is a good idea to follow an oral offer with a written offer of employment. This written offer can confirm the details such as pay, benefits, hours, duties and flexibility required in the position.
If the offer is accepted by your chosen applicant, be sure to contact the other applicants. Let them know of your decision. If this is a person that you might consider for other, future employment, let them know that you will keep their application on file for that purpose.
Once your employment offer has been accepted, there are a number of forms and procedures that must be completed to be in compliance with state and federal law. Those procedures will be the topic of a future article on farm and agribusiness employee management.
AgDM Information File C5-100 provides another beneficial resource on hiring good employees at: www.extension.iastate.edu/agdm/wholefarm/html/c5-100.html. In the meantime, feel free to contact me with any of your employee management questions at: firstname.lastname@example.com.