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Cubs fill roster spots with pair of prospects
LOS ANGELES -- The Cubs filled the vacancies created by the trade of James Russell and Emilio Bonifacio, adding Chris Valaika and Blake Parker from Triple-A Iowa.
Left-hander Felix Doubront, acquired in a trade with the Red Sox on Wednesday, was placed on the 15-day disabled list with a left calf strain, which allowed the Cubs to recall Parker.
The Cubs selected the contract of Valaika from Iowa. A non-roster invitee this spring, Valaika, 28, played in the Major Leagues last season with the Marlins, batting .219 in 22 games. In 102 games at Iowa, he was batting .278 with 10 home runs, 21 doubles, and 50 RBIs. He has played every position except catcher this season with the Minor League team.
Parker, 29, has pitched in seven games with the Cubs in his previous stints, and given up six earned runs over 9 2/3 innings. He has 21 saves at Iowa. The right-hander was optioned to the Minor League team on Wednesday, but was able to return because of the injury to Doubront.
Russell and Bonifacio were dealt Thursday to the Braves for Minor League catching prospect Victor Caratini.
Carrie Muskat is a reporter for MLB.com. She writes a blog, Muskat Ramblings, and you can follow her on Twitter @CarrieMuskat. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.


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Don't Hate Me Because I Am Sicarius Long-sleeve T-Shirt
Product Color:
Product information
The Long-sleeve T-Shirt Don't Hate Me Because I Am Sicarius is the long sleeve version of the popular favorite t-shape. It provides comfort and control over most weathers and can also be worn underneath a t-shirt or a shirt for extra protection.
Put Don't Hate Me Because I Am Sicarius on the finest combed jersey which feels soothing against your skin. Shoulder-to-shoulder taping guarantees long life and a good fit. Sicarii Long-sleeve T-Shirt is available in 10 different color options. Heather Grey: 80% Peruvian Cotton 20% Polyester, Remaining Colors: 100% Cotton.
Sku: LW1BL0000024720909090932YG0000000

subset: commoncrawl


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I moved recently and there is a course within a 5 minutes walk of my house. It's an old course that can be played mostly with rocs and wizards. That said:
172g glow wizard (between medium and soft, closer to medium) 7/10
165g med wizard 8/10
174g Roc 7/10
D Cyclone 3/10
edit: changed syntax protocol to English


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Measuring the Intensity of a Media Sponsorship
May 22, 2013
Sprite has a long-standing 26-year relationship with the NBA, and have been the title sponsor for the Slam Dunk Competition for the last 12. However, it came time to refresh the sponsorship and create a way to better engage the audience. In 2012, we introduced the Slam Dunk Intensity Meter helping Sprite earn over 171 million additional media impressions during the 2012 NBA All-Star Weekend.
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Riva Collection by Feiss
Looking for a way to brighten your home vanity? Try lighting from Riva Collection by Feiss. These contemporary designs are made from brushed steel, polished nickel, and oil brushed bronze. The shades are imprinted in cream and opal glass. Available in different styles, these lights reflect your own fashion sense on any vanity setting.


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Salt Lake City -- Overstock.com said Wednesday it has opened a distribution and returns facility in Hebron, Ky., outside Cincinnati.
The facility, the company's second, will receive product returns and handle outbound shipments. Overstock.com officials say this additional distribution facility will reduce the time for resolution and refunds for customer returns.
The company's primary warehouse will remain in Salt Lake City.


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NEW YORK ( TheStreet) -- Few noticed when the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. (FDIC) sold some 31 million preferred shares of Fannie Mae ( FNMA) and Freddie Mac ( FMCC) on three separate dates in spring 2011, but as a legal battle heats up between the U.S. government and private shareholders of the Government Sponsored Enterprises, those transactions are taking on new significance.
The question boils down to this: Did the FDIC trade on inside information from the Treasury Department?
The FDIC and the Treasury Department say it did not, but don't expect their answers (which I'll go into more deeply in a moment) to satisfy private plaintiffs.
"We have only recently come to understand ourselves that the FDIC in 2011 sold a very large stake of stock in the GSEs," Chuck Cooper, an attorney representing Fairholme Funds in its case against the U.S. government, told me Wednesday. Cooper said the sales, in light of circumstances surrounding them, raise "gravely important issues."
Those circumstances include a Dec. 20, 2010 internal U.S. Treasury Department memo unearthed recently as part of the litigation, stating "the [Obama] administration's commitment to ensure existing common equity holders will not have access to any positive earnings from the G.S.E.'s in the future." (The New York Times' Gretchen Morgenson reported on the memo Feb. 15.)
The public, including the GSE shareholders referred to in the memo, were not privy to this commitment, but what about the FDIC? What did its officials know when they sold the vast majority of the shares the regulator acquired from failing banks it seized in the wake of the 2008 mortgage crisis? (The FDIC says it still owns about 130,000 GSE shares, of which 46,000 are common.)
Any investor aware of the full extent of the Administration's hostility to GSE shareholders would have thought much more carefully about holding onto any preferred or common shares. That hostility may have been implicit in the fact that the Administration rarely if ever mentioned shareholders in its public statements about the GSEs after the crisis, an argument made frequently by consumer activist and GSE shareholder Ralph Nader. Still, it was never made as plain in public as it was in that internal memo. An investor aware of the memo would have thought much more carefully about holding onto any preferred or common shares.
Hedge fund manager Michael Kao of Akanthos Capital Management says it was widely known in the marketplace the FDIC was the seller when the large blocks of GSE preferred shares that came up for bid in 2011. (The exact dates of the 2011 sales were March 22, April 13 and May 18, according to the FDIC.)
"I remember distinctly asking myself during those auctions, 'hmmm I wonder what the FDIC knows that I don't.'" Kao recounted to me in an email exchange.
Kao, a long-time Fannie and Freddie shareholder, continues to hold stakes in both GSEs.
An investor aware of that memo would also have been less shocked by the highly controversial third amendment to the GSE conservatorship announced Aug. 17, 2012. The amendment changed the terms of Fannie and Freddie's debt to the government. Instead of owing the Treasury an annual 10% dividend, the GSEs suddenly owed the Treasury all of their profits for an indefinite period, aside from minimal capital buffers. That amendment -- also known as the "net worth sweep" -- is at the crux of many of the roughly 20 lawsuits brought against the government by GSE shareholders. The lawsuits taking issue with the sweep contend it violates the fifth amendment of the U.S. constitution's prohibition of the taking of private property for public use without just compensation.
Once the net worth sweep was announced, GSE preferred shares dropped sharply in value. For example, the benchmark Fannie Mae "S" series preferred shares, which closed at $2.35 on Aug. 16, 2012, closed the following day at $1.05 and at $0.86 the day after that. They would remain below a dollar until Oct. 10 and below $2 until Feb. 22, 2013.
As of this Thursday, they are at $12.08, driven higher by a Freddie Mac earnings report, as well as a judge's decision late Wednesday that plaintiffs' attorneys will be allowed to question current and former government officials for the first time.
Given where the shares trade now, it is clear the FDIC would have done far better to have hung onto its shares. However, the shares have rallied largely because of the lawsuits and also because of an increasing consensus that returning the GSEs to something like their pre-crisis status might not be such a bad idea. The FDIC was unlikely to have made such a gamble at the time.
FDIC spokesman David Barr told me in an email exchange that the FDIC was not informed by the Treasury of the "administration's commitment" as described in the memo.
"Generally speaking, it is the FDIC's practice to dispose of inherited assets as quickly as possible while maximizing proceeds to the receivership(s). We also identify opportunities to maximize economies of scale," Barr wrote.


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Known as the Regulatory Reform Act of 2013, the bill has a general intent to "begin the efficiency challenge," said Catlin.
One of Rep. Rick Catlin's primary goals this legislative session is to see reform of the myriad and tangled state regulations that slow the development of industry – but without giving in on environmental safeguards.
It's a tight rope to walk.
And he's concerned about a Senate bill moving quickly through the General Assembly that proponents argue takes a big bite out of the problem.
Known as the Regulatory Reform Act of 2013, the bill has a general intent to "begin the efficiency challenge," said Catlin, R-New Hanover, but it "may be off balance on also protecting our environment." Among its major components, the bill would forbid local environmental regulations stricter than those of the federal or state government.
None of the bill's three primary sponsors – Sens. Harry Brown, R-Onslow; Brent Jackson, R-Sampson or Andrew Brock, R-Davie – returned phone calls seeking comments on how the bill could impact coastal areas. The measure passed the Senate 36-11 in early May and has been assigned to the House Committee on Regulatory Reform.
Catlin, an engineer and geologist, said his major concern with Senate Bill 612 is that it could allow aquifer-impacting disposal systems and create allowable areas of disposal of liquids or leachate that exceed our present water quality standards under certain conditions. Catlin called for more involvement from local officials before passage of such legislation.
"There may be existing situations that could comply safely with these new standards, but if implemented this section of the bill could attract new disposal systems that could impact our coastal aquifers," Catlin said in an email. "It is unclear if the definition of 'disposal systems' could include wastes from hydraulic fracturing, but I do have concerns that this could unlock that door."
The General Assembly is also considering legislation to open up the Piedmont to fracking and to lift a state ban on deep well injections. Catlin earlier sounded alarms that fracking wastewater could be shipped to the coast for disposal where the land is more porous and acceptable to deep-well injection.
For these reasons, Catlin said he opposes SB 612 as written and will continue to research necessary amendments to ensure "protection of our groundwater resources in balance with finding affordable solutions for existing problems."
Wrightsville Beach Town Manager Tim Owens also has concerns about the bill.
"As I read the bill, the bill's biggest impact would be on our stormwater ordinances and practices," he said.
Environmental groups have raised a red flag about the bill's impact on local stormwater regulations statewide.
"Stormwater is a larger source of pollution than wastewater," said Molly Diggins, state director of the N.C. Sierra Club, in a statement. "Local stormwater programs are often more robust than state and federal minimums because they are designed not only to protect water quality but also to minimize flooding."
Owen said his interpretation of the bill is that unless a town has an ordinance, the state would only require stormwater treatment if the amount of built-upon area is greater than 10,000 square feet. Most residential lots in Wrightsville Beach are between 5,000 and 10,000 square feet on the upper end.
"Therefore, no treatment or storage would be required if the town had to follow the state's rules," Owens said.
Wrightsville Beach requires treatment if 500 square feet of impervious surface is added.
"The result of the town not being able to enforce stricter stormwater rules would be additional nuisance flooding and a degradation in surrounding water quality," Owens said in an email.
Owens said another difference between the state regulations and the town ordinance is that the state requires the removal of 85 percent of the average annual amount of total suspended solids in the requirements for structural stormwater controls and Wrightsville requires 90 percent removal of total suspended solids. Finally, the state will allow redevelopment of a site without treatment if the new development does not propose any additional impervious surface beyond what existed, he said.
Like Catlin, however, Owens wants to see an expedited permitting process and appreciates that intent of the bill.
"This is a positive given that permitting can often take a very long time," Owens said. Customer-friendly permitting is one issue Catlin wants to address as chairman of the Environmental Subcommittee on Regulatory Reform. The goal, he said, is to balance being business- and environment-friendly. Catlin said most environmental regulations are fairly recent from a historical perspective, what he calls the post-war "Regulatory Age."
Catlin references history in explaining why he sees responsible regulatory reform as so important.
If you go back to World War II in Wilmington, new shipways were built along the river, whole communities for workers, and many ships that helped win the war.
"If we had to do that today, the war would be over before we obtained our permits. In today's permitting world, even if we could put jumper cables on the heart of our economy, it would be years before our tangled process created new jobs," he said.
Catlin said that if North Carolina became the fastest, most efficient state for project permitting, "we would create a very economically competitive state."
But the devil is in the environmental details when it comes to SB 612, he said.
"It is my intent to tackle this efficiency challenge while keeping North Carolina environmentally healthy and sustainable."
Metro desk: 343-2389
On Twitter: @StarNewsMolly


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A fascinating discussion on the impact of streaming media on the NPR website for their Talk of the Nation show, moderated by Tony Cox; in essence, what they're saying is what I've been arguing for years; the advent of complete, anytime, on-demand streaming video, music, and text means that any time is prime time, and that we aren't slaves to the networks anymore when it comes to scheduling. As far as content, though, that's another matter. There's still 500 channels and nothing on, if you know what I mean.
Read the transcript, and/or listen to it here.


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Republicans in the House of Representatives proposed $31 billion in farm subsidy cuts and the conversion of food stamps into a cash benefit program, as a way to help balance the federal budget in 10 years.
The proposal, signed by House Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan, left it to the Agriculture Committee to pick the specific cuts, but cited the $5 billion-a-year "direct payment" subsidy, paid regardless of need, and the heavily subsidized federal crop insurance program as areas worthy of review.
It also called for turning food stamps, used by millions of poor and elderly Americans to buy food, into a cash payment and to allow states to "tailor their programs to their recipients' needs." Under the plan, food stamps would become a block grant.
Ryan proposed similar steps a year ago. At that point he asked for $30 billion in savings from farm supports. Farm groups and their allies in Congress would prefer to create new types of crop insurance coverage as part of a new farm bill and have opposed any cuts.
"With farm profitability - and (federal) deficits - continuing at high levels, it is time to adjust support to this industry to reflect economic realities," the Ryan budget document said.
The review should include "fixed payments that go to farmers irrespective of price levels and the current structure of the crop insurance program," it said.
Reformers have targeted the direct payment for elimination in the farm bill. They say it squanders money with no benefit to taxpayers. Lawmakers failed to pass a new farm bill by the end of 2012, at which point a temporary extension was put in place, including another year of direct payments.
House Agriculture Committee Chairman Frank Lucas has a target of at least $35 billion in farm bill savings, with cuts split between agricultural programs and food stamps. Lucas' committee proposed $16 billion in food stamp cuts, the largest in a generation, in the bill that died at the end of 2012.
"We will consider the suggestions contained in Chairman Ryan's budget as is customary for the Agriculture Committee to consider a variety of viewpoints when crafting comprehensive legislation," Lucas said in a statement.
Food stamps are the major U.S. anti-hunger program with enrollment that swelled to a record 47.8 million people, including those receiving disaster aid, at the end of 2012.
The budget document said that cash benefits work well in welfare programs, so "now it is time to implement similar reforms across other areas of the safety net."
By allowing customized food stamp programs through block grants, "it encourages states to help recipients find work," Ryan's budget said, adding there should be time limits and work requirements for food stamp recipients.
Two-thirds of food stamp recipients are children, the elderly and disabled people, according to the think tank Center for Budget and Policy Priorities.
Food stamp advocates said the block grant proposal amounted to a $150 billion cut when Ryan proposed it in 2012 because of its limits on funds. This time, Ryan said the grants would be "indexed for inflation and eligibility." Some Republicans want to tighten eligibility requirements for the program.
Food stamp benefits are scheduled to fall in November with the expiration of an increase approved as part of the 2009 economic stimulus package.


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Join us on wacky walk for sick girl
4:00pm Saturday 31st May 2014
4:00pm Saturday 31st May 2014
A MUM from Canvey is organising a sponsored charity walk to raise money for a five-yearold girl suffering from cancer.
Melissa Glover, of Rochford Road, will be holding a charity fancy dress fundraiser around the seawall on Canvey.
She wants to get more residents involved with the walk and is hoping to raise at least £200 for Summer Allen, who is suffering from neuroblastoma.
Summer, from Yorkshire, was diagnosed at three with a tumor in the nervous system.
Miss Glover is hoping to raise awareness of the illness and at the same time is eager to raise as much money as possible for Summer.
She said: "We complain of small things and there are children out there who are really suffering.
"Summer only has a 20 per cent chance of pulling through, so to give her and her family a small gift that could maybe help take them on holiday, or go abroad for further treatment would be a bonus."
Miss Glover is hoping to hold the sponsored walk in pyjamas and fancy dress.
The event is set to take place on Saturday, June 14.
For more information and how to donate, contact Miss Glover on email@example.com
© Copyright 2001-2017 Newsquest Media Group


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Guilin Riverside Hostel
Guilin Riverside Hostel is an attractive property offering hotel-quality accommodation at hostel prices. We have a range of private guest rooms, all featuring en-suite bathrooms (with western toilets!), comfortable beds, televisions and internet access.
We enjoy a scenic location next to the famous Nan Men Bridge and the Peach Blossom River. We are approximately a ten-minute walk from the iconic Elephant Trunk Hill and many of the city's other important sights. The main shopping area is also only a short walk from us, as are the train and bus stations.
Facilities provided by the hostel include bicycle rental, laundry, free parking and an airport pick-up service. We also have a bar, a tours desk and a 24-hour reception.
No smoking in the room!
Availability & RatesTo view availability and prices please select dates and click 'Update Dates'
Hostel Facilities & Policies
- 24 Hour Reception
- 24 Hour Security
- Air Conditioning
- Airport Transfers
- Bar
- Bicycle hire
- Bicycle parking
- Book Exchange
- Breakfast Not Included
- Cable TV
- Café
- Card Phones
- Common Room
- DVDs
- Free Internet Access
- Free Parking
- Free WiFi
- Hair Dryers
- Hot Showers
- Internet Access
- Key Card Access
- Laundry Facilities
- Linen Included
- Security Lockers
- Luggage Storage
- No Curfew
- Parking
- Postal Service
- Reading Light
- Restaurant
- Tours/Travel Desk
- Towels Included
- Vending Machines
Cancellation PolicyThis property has a 1 day cancellation policy. Failure to cancel within this time will result in a cancellation charge equal to the first night of your stay.
DirectionsShow MapHide Map
From airport, take the airport shuttle to CAAC station which is the last stop, then take a taxi to our hostel. The taxi costs 8 RMB and takes 8 minutes, Alternatively you may take a taxi directly to our hostel from the airport, or call us for pick up. Airport pick up costs 90RMB for 4 people a car(if you are less than 4 people you also have to pay 90RMB or if more than 4 people we'll charge you 30RMB for per person)
From the train station:exit the station then turn left in the direction of Nanmen Bridge (Nanmen Qiao in Chinese). After 5-10 minutes walking toward the bridge, cross the bridge then directly turn left along the river waliking 1 minute you will find us ,Our place is less then one kilometer away from the train station so we don't suggest taking any transportation.
From the Guilin long distance bus station, exit the bus station and take a left,cross the Nan Men Bridge and take the first left in the alley,you will find us !
Note: when you need a pick-up please contact us in advance, with the information below:
flight number, departure location and departure time.
For more details please see the map in the gallery
Hostel address: No6, Zhumu Xiang Nan Men Bridge,
Chinese address : 桂林市中山南路南门桥九龙别墅酒店
Located Near
We are near the most famous scenic in guilin city :
the part of the Liriver in the downtown
the elephant trunk hill ,
peach blossom river which is one of the famous water system in guilin ,
the Mosque in guilin (five minuntes walk from our hostel)
the night market along the Zhongshan Road where you can enjoy the life of the local people!


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Life's Fine Points
The World's finest pen makers are crafting works of art that fit in the palm of your hand
(continued from page 2)
All this artistic activity signals a second golden age for pens, a throwback to the early 1900s when fountain pens, not cyberspace instruments, were luxurious masterpieces of engineering and stylistic ingenuity. Then, Parker and Waterman were king; today, every limited-edition pen manufacturer is trying to claim that throne by stretching the design envelope, striving to fashion gold- or jeweled-studded pieces that are worthy of museums. Many succeed, as a pen renaissance strongly indebted to the Italian spirit of highly detailed sculpturing is flourishing, with limited editions appreciating 15 to 25 percent a year in value.
But that cachet market has also become increasingly crowded with pretenders, firms that lack the blue-chip investment solidity of the companies with true brand equity. There are so many new entrants into this arena with marbleized and precious stone millennium commemoratives, space-age fiber offerings in fancy velvet packaging, and outright gimmicks, that the tag "limited" is often just flash and dance, disguising an ill-conceived, nonperforming piece destined to only spill red ink. As Terry Wiederlight, the co-owner of New York's Fountain Pen Hospital, the world's largest writing instrument emporium, says, "While the market is still hot, buyers must now be selective. Unlike a few years ago, not every limited is going to rise 25 percent. The savvy consumer can still enjoy a terrific hobby and profit. But the investment trick is to only buy the prettiest pens, those with unquestioned craftsmanship from companies with proven track records. Do your homework. Then go for the best, the manufacturers with real history."
The most spirited of these pedigreed companies is the Bologna-based Omas, a family-run concern that has been creating legendary celluloid masterpieces since 1925, when Armando Simoni, the patron saint of penmakers (a Paris museum is dedicated to his artwork), founded the company. Now grandson Gianluca Malaguti is obsessed with leaving his own distinctive legacy.
Enthusiastically discussing his latest collaboration with New York's Museum of Modern Art, which will showcase a triangular, "ergonomically correct" "360" pen (at a comparatively affordable $400), Malaguti says, "This innovative shape has made us famous, and it's also technologically perfect. Yet I still can't say we've reached a design pinnacle, a pen that evokes all of the passion my family has for this art form. I don't want to sell two million pens, be the commercial kingpin. I just want to create pieces that set the standard for performance and beauty."
Malaguti has already triumphed. The $35,000 "Merveille du Monde" (an homage to Marco Polo released in the mid-1990s and now worth $80,000 to $100,000), the "Almirante" (a tribute to Columbus), the intricately sculptured "Hong Kong," and the $14,000 solid gold "Bernini," with inlaid mother-of-pearl and lapis stones, are such fabled collectibles that New York pen dealer Geoffrey Berliner calls Malaguti "the Michelangelo of pendom."
Despite international acclaim, the cigar-smoking, 34-year-old workaholic, who relentlessly hopscotches around the globe in search of a limited-edition concept that has "true historical significance," is still heavily burdened by family traditions. It scarcely matters to him that the president of a rival company raves about Omas's impeccably crafted Paragon collection (12-faceted pens from $150 to $5,000) and the hand-etched "Apollo 11." The recently released "Apollo 11," a solid white-gold pen embedded with gold-and-sterling silver particles, takes three months to craft and is limited to 69 pieces.
Malaguti's "symphony," however, which was three years in the making, is the "Nelson Mandela 80" collection. This four-pen extravaganza was styled in collaboration with the Mandela Foundation, and is meant to attract attention to the 80-year-old Mandela's charitable work on behalf of Africa. Though the sculptured themes on each pen vary, from Mandela's tribal roots to his life in prison and role in shaping the birth of a nation, as always Malaguti has tackled "one unifying, abstract big idea, freedom--man's unremitting quest to flee darkness, and to emerge in a brave new promised land. "The Struggle," made in red enamel with a sterling silver or 18-karat gold shield motif, depicts Mandela's life in prison. The gold-and-silver "New Nation" traces the evolution and promise of African society through a series of detailed raised-relief sculpturings. The yellow-and-orange enamel "Africa" features a raised-relief design in the shape of the continent in either sterling silver or gold.
"When we make a pen, we want to transmit a message, something of higher value and meaning, for a pen is the essence of communication, not just a piece of celluloid or metal," insists Malaguti, who has also collaborated with Israeli leaders, the Dalai Lama and European Economic Community members to style museum-worthy fountain pens.
In paying tribute to his origins (Mandela was the son of a tribal king), the "Royal Family" depicts mother and son, as well as the African landscape, with red and orange enamels. The pen is crafted in silver or gold, or with diamonds with a platinum finish. The most expensive version (only 61 of these $15,000 treasures will be offered) features yellow and white diamonds from South Africa. More than 10 percent of the profits from each "Royal Family" pen will go to the Mandela Foundation.
But rather than feast on these accolades, Malaguti is hoping his "Mandela 80" collection trumpets such "a clarity in communication" that the pens "inspire people" and compel them to "rethink everything they once felt about Africa."
Unlike some other pen manufacturers, Malaguti can afford to be the romantic, as Omas doesn't have to produce profits for a conglomerate parent, or play a numbers game that has its pieces appearing in every airport and department store on the planet. He's able to remain loyal to his strictly maintained "culture of the hand" (hand-crafting) mentality, a commitment to limited production that impels Geoffrey Berliner to say that "Omas is the Rolls-Royce of fountain pens. It's unequaled for integrity, durability and performance."
Malaguti, though, isn't the only passionate penmaker. At internationally renowned Montblanc, a company esteemed for introducing collectible limited editions that soar in value like Internet stocks, Fred Reffsin, CEO of Montblanc North America, is also fervent about his newest "good life" trophies.
Insisting the Germany-based Montblanc is the market's "trendsetter," the penmaker synonymous with "prestige, unique technical innovation and quality," Reffsin is confident that the just-issued "Marcel Proust" will write a new chapter in the firm's obsessive devotion to "de-acceleration," or to a slowing down in life that "preserves the beauty of the moment." Montblanc opened its first flagship boutique, at 834 Madison Avenue in Manhattan, with a gala event in June. The store features the company's first "De-Acceleration Studio," a 1,800-square-foot "spa for the mind" where pen devotees can read, write and relax surrounded by rare books and writing instruments.
Such a philosophical bent is the beauty of writing with a fountain pen, and newcomers to this stylish world are advised that putting nib to paper demands a bow to Proust's Remembrance of Things Past, a mindset totally removed from the freneticism of day-trading on the Web. But despite Reffsin's best intentions, this thick, sterling silver $750 pen is the latest in Montblanc's "writer series" homages, following pens that have honored Hemingway, Voltaire and Edgar Allan Poe, and that limited-edition cachet invariably sparks a buying frenzy.
"Months ahead of its issuance, we already had a waiting list for the 'Proust,' for the investment values of Montblancs are like IBM and Microsoft: the market leader," says Fountain Pen Hospital's Wiederlight. "Montblanc is just magic when it comes to vintage, secondary market sales, especially with its 'Oscar Wilde' and 'Hemingway.' The 'Wilde' came out at $650 [in 1994] and is now $900, while I can't get enough 'Hemingways.' A spectacular piece, it was first $600 [in 1992], and has jumped to an amazing $2,200."
To celebrate the 75th anniversary of its signature black resin "Meisterstück" pen, Montblanc is offering four editions crowned with a small diamond, from the "Special Anniversary Edition" for $425, the "Limited Edition" with a rose-gold finish for $650, the sterling silver "Solitaire" for $1,500 and, exclusively in Montblanc boutiques, the "Limited Edition 75," a $13,800 stunner in solid white gold. Reffsin feels these editions epitomize the "revolution" in writing instruments, their becoming "a statusy hallmark on the order of fine jewelry." To further crown the "Meisterstück" line, Montblanc is unveiling a 75th anniversary collection of 75 transparent "Skeleton" watches and pens, crafted with 18-karat gold and mother-of-pearl.
"These watches are another sign of our devotion to living in the moment, and yet we're not sitting still," says Reffsin, 42. "As the limited-edition category leader, we felt an obligation to take stock of all that was wonderful this past century. That's why we made a 'retro' move with the 'Marcel Proust,' a safety-filler pen with a cartridge which is based on early 1900s technology."
Making its own statement of singular craftsmanship, Namiki also turns to the past for artful inspiration. Founded in 1918, Namiki employs painstaking hand-lacquering techniques dating back to the seventh century (called maki-e). This Japanese firm (which has been enlisted by the Vatican to style a millennium pen) will soon spotlight the solid gold $9,000 "Double Dragon Emperor."
The "Emperor" will probably follow the same august path as Namiki's $25,500 "Miyabi" series. Powdered in gold, and burnished with charcoal for extra sheen after receiving 10 coats of urushi lacquer, the three-pen "Miyabi" collection sold out almost immediately, says Namiki USA general manager Sal Esposito.
But don't despair. If the yen for "Double Dragons" proves all-consuming, geishas, shoguns and other traditional Japanese themes are artfully interpreted in Namiki's "Sterling Silver Collection," a series of $475, torpedo-shaped .925 sterling pieces (only 600 worldwide annually and covered by a lifetime guarantee) that feature a hand-etched butterfly design. "Namikis are beautiful, wonderfully conceived, sturdy fountain pens," raves Geoffrey Berliner. "Their artistry is brilliantly executed."
Italian craftstmen are equally devoted to shaping hand-wrought classics. Delta, a firm renowned for its red celluloid "Pompeii" pens and carbon fiber and titanium technology, will issue a new four-inch version of the $600 "Colosseum" pen next year, plus the "David," a $1,000 celluloid homage (about $4,000 in platinum) to Michelangelo's famous statue in Florence.
Established in 1982, Delta produces only about 150,000 pens each year (compared to Omas's half-million), which allows for Old World attention to detail: the turning, threading and drilling of every piece by hand.
Grace and colorful elegance also typify Montegrappa's "Science & Nature," a sterling silver, engraved representation of a microchip circuit diagram and passion flower (only 1,912 of these $1,950 hand-enameled pens will be made), and for a lucky few, Montegrappa presents "The Cigar," an engraved silver limited edition (a mere 200 worldwide) featuring the intricate details of a tobacco leaf.
The la dolce vita style of Delta and Montegrappa is increasingly leaving its mark among connoisseurs. But these brilliant stars in the pen constellation are not the only Italians redefining the boundaries of creativity. Florence-based Stipula also sparkles, particularly its "Virtus Memoriae." The fourth installment of its "human civilization" collection, this $6,500 solid gold work ($2,500 in sterling silver) is dedicated to Homer's Odyssey. Much like that timeless saga, the pen's low-relief sculpturing honors an age-old Florentine design process known as "lost wax," whereby molten gold and silver is poured into a wax cast, then shaped to create memorable images.
Hand-carved treasures are also a staple of Aurora, an 80-year-old Turin firm that delighted collectors last year with its virtuoso-inspired "Giuseppe Verdi." While then a bravura treat in vermeil, guilloche engraving and delicate fine lines, the "Verdi" is now poised to write even prettier music, as it's being offered in an all-platinum version with 14 fully cut white diamonds on the cap, for $18,500. Sapphires adorn the equally lustrous "Verdi" done in 18-karat solid gold, for $7,000. Aurora is following up the "Verdi" with the gold-plated "Jubileaum." This cream-colored, lacquered resin pen will sing praises to the millennium, and promises to be a New Year sensation at $1,100.
While the Italians are steeped in tradition and elegant refinements, the pen world also has its maverick, a cutting-edge force that is not afraid to flirt with what some critics call gimmicks.
In the past few years Krone has offered its "William Shakespeare," a deep purple celluloid pen enhanced with an embedded piece of the playwright's Stratford-upon-Avon mulberry tree; the "Abraham Lincoln," complete with a crystallized form of Abe's own DNA in the cap; and the rugged-looking "Sir Edmund Hillary Mount Everest," containing an authentic piece of rock from that legendary peak's summit.
"We want to make the collecting of pens fun, give this whole legacy business a shot of unique attributes," says Krone president Robert Kronenberger, who's taken to collecting vintage pens himself. "Everyone loves our pens--they're cool, different and, due to our added touches like the DNA and the Bard's own tree, they're the ultimate in personal connection." Increasingly popular (Terry Wiederlight says Krone is a "definite comer which is doing all sorts of wondrous things"), these pieces are meant to capture the spirit of men facing challenges, and to be "living history."
Kronenberger is hoping to tap into the charms of an even greater "miracle worker," the spine-chilling monarch of mystery, mayhem and magic, the great Houdini.
While the limited-edition "Houdini" ($1,275 in smoky gray resin, $2,800 in white gold, $9,500 in platinum) won't open any padlocked chests, handcuffs or bolted coffins, the special reserve "Houdini" is adorned with his image and fragments from a key that the conjurer actually used, and is packaged in a sumptuous black lacquered magician's drawer box that performs its own mind-boggling trick. "If you don't possess the magic, the pen can disappear before your very eyes," Kronenberger says with a laugh. "For we've created a special box with a drawer that works wonders."
Insisting that he has a limitless array of possible "personality" projects, Kronenberger, 43, won't disclose his next creation. But in the meantime, he intends to dazzle us with an affordable surprise that also recalls Houdini's era. Krone's "Vintage Select," like many pens of the 1920s, is equipped with a compression filler system. Press a button on this $250 gem and the ink flows into the pen, again dramatizing Krone's gift for designing mind-over-matter marvels.
Drawing from the Incas for its own historical inspiration, France's S.T. Dupont has crafted a tribute to the artistic brillianceof that New World civilization in its "Nuevo Mondo" collection. Styled in eye-catching blue Chinese lacquer with semi-precious stones and gold plating, this two pen and two lighter set is a hand-carved paean to the Incas' "spirit of discovery." Priced at $6,000, only 500 sets will be available worldwide.
Usually the firm would make just one limited edition a year but, in preparation for gala millennium celebrations, it is also offering the "Perspective 2000," another multiple pen-and-lighter combination that will contrast black Chinese lacquer with the radiance of white palladium, a metal of the platinum family.
Cartier's "Diablo" line is another French joy. Handsome complements to the company's striking watch collection, the mini "Diablo" with an 18-karat-gold nib is made of a composite material with gold-plated accents, while a larger version of this classic-looking piece is finished in alluring platinum or gold. Both pens are sleek, elegant and regal successors to the solid gold "Pasha," a one-of-a-kind $65,000 fountain pen adorned with sapphires and diamonds that evokes all the splendor of palatial Arabian nights.
Though uniquely colored celluloid treasures have shaped Pelikan's proud history since it launched a piston-filling fountain pen in 1929, this industry stalwart is also issuing a golden delight. Its $2,000 "White Gold" pen with an Art Deco look is an exact replica of a work introduced in the 1930s, and while slightly smaller than the much-acclaimed marble jade "1935" or deep blue "Concerto," this gold-over-brass divertissement still carries the weight of Pelikan's corporate credo, "the best functioning pens in the world."
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Now that Cleveland Browns owner Jimmy Haslam has both his new chief executive officer and new team president in place, big changes below them might be just around the corner.
Joe Banner, the new CEO, told reporters Tuesday that he and freshly hired president Alec Scheiner won't take long to decide the fate of head coach Pat Shurmur and general manager Tom Heckert after the Browns' 2012 season ends a week from Sunday.
Cleveland's on-field product, especially offensively, has improved in Shurmur's second year with the addition of three rookies drafted by Heckert—running back Trent Richardson, quarterback Brandon Weeden and wide receiver Josh Gordon. But with Denver and Pittsburgh left on the schedule, the Browns (5-9) may end up improving their 2011 record (4-12) by only one game.
One name that has surfaced in the rumors about a possible coaching change is Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels. The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports if McDaniels is offered the Browns job, he would "jump" at the second chance to be an NFL head coach. McDaniels showed promise as head coach of the Broncos, but some personality struggles caused him to be relieved of his duties after posting an 11-17 record in less than two full seasons.
McDaniels, 36, is an eastern Ohio native who attended high school in Canton before playing wide receiver for John Carroll College in suburban Cleveland. One of his college teammates, linebacker London Fletcher, just helped the Redskins win at Cleveland in Week 15.
According to the Boston Globe, McDaniels might have some high-profile competition from the college ranks for the Browns' coaching job, including Alabama's Nick Saban and Oregon's Chip Kelly. With the Browns' new leadership looking to make a big splash with its own stamp on the team, it doesn't look good for Shurmur and Heckert.


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People with Parkinson's disease (PD) had low vitamin D levels and PD patients taking the pharmaceutical drug, levodopa, had low folate and vitamin B12 levels, in two new studies.
Brain nerve cells involved in PD have large numbers of vitamin D receptors, meaning they need vitamin D. In this study, doctors wanted to test for a link between PD and low vitamin D. Researchers measured vitamin D levels in about 100 participants with PD, 100 with Alzheimer's disease (AD) and 100 healthy individuals. More than half of those with PD (55 percent) had low vitamin D levels compared to 41 percent for those with AD and 36 percent for healthy folks. Study authors
found that "vitamin D deficiency may have a unique association with Parkinson's" and noted that new studies are now underway to see if vitamin D can reduce the severity of PD.
Levodopa, the most effective PD drug, is also a natural substance in the body that converts to the nerve-signaling chemical dopamine which permits muscles to move smoothly. Without dopamine, muscles tremble and stiffen. In this study, researchers found that in more than 100 participants with PD who were taking levodopa, blood levels of folate and vitamin B12 were lower compared to a similar group without PD.
Archives of Neurology; 2008, Vol. 65, No. 10, 1348-52.


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BrotherDave wrote:Hey Hawk,
Which is a better offense and why, the UCLA high post or the Triangle?
The high post won a bunch of collegiate National Championships:
The triangle won a bunch of NBA Championships:
Any offense benefits from having the best player(s) currently in the game. Since both offenses have proven successful let's examine the prize:
UCLA Cheerleaders:
Lakers Cheerleaders:
I would always go pro with the triangle. (Insert own joke here)


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Moore, Espinosa trying to break out of funks
LOS ANGELES -- One has to wonder how concerned manager Davey Johnson is about his offense, which ranks 28th in the Major Leagues entering Wednesday's action.
Some of Johnson's hitters look overmatched at the plate, especially outfielder Tyler Moore and second baseman Danny Espinosa, who struck out a combined five times against the Dodgers on Tuesday night.
Moore was one of Washington 's best hitters off the bench last year, but he now has a .145 batting average with one home run.
As for Espinosa, his problems at the plate date to last October, when he went a combined 2-for-24 during the regular season and the postseason. Espinosa has been playing with a torn rotator cuff in his left shoulder, but he has not used that as an excuse as to why he is not hitting. Espinosa has a .175 batting average going into Wednesday's action.
Asked why Moore and Espinosa are struggling so badly, Johnson said, "Danny's best side is right-handed. [Left-hander Clayton] Kershaw made some good pitches on him and he had some pitches to hit and I think he is trying to do too much.
"Tyler Moore is in a little bit of a funk, he had been kind of all year. He hasn't been himself. We are going to try to get him more at-bats to get him in a groove."
Hitting coaching Rick Eckstein said that both Moore and Espinosa are missing the fastball.
"They have to get back on the fastball," Eckstein said. "You can't be in between. …. When you are facing guys as tough as Kershaw, you are not going to get too many pitches that are over the heart of the plate. The breaking stuff, when it's down in the zone, it has late sharp bite on it. It's pretty good. You have to get on the fastball. Anytime you are sitting in between, you are late on the heater and early in the off speed. You have to get back on the heater."
Bill Ladson is a reporter for MLB.com and writes an MLBlog, All Nats All the time. He also can be found on Twitter @WashingNats. Andrew Simon is a reporter for MLB.com. Follow him on Twitter @HitTheCutoff. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.


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Oct. 18, 2013
Boeing Awards Grant to Help Restore Native Landscapes at Hueco Tanks State Park and Historic Site
EL PASO – One of Texas' most unique cultural resources will soon reap the benefits of environmentally friendly landscaping, thanks to support from Boeing, which recently awarded Texas Parks and Wildlife Foundation a grant in support of native landscape restoration at Hueco Tanks State Park and Historic Site.
"Boeing has a long history of supporting conservation and communities," said Anne Brown, executive director, Texas Parks and Wildlife Foundation. "We're honored to receive funding from Boeing to help us launch a three-year landscape restoration project at Hueco Tanks State Park and Historic Site. It's a wonderful example of reestablishing a natural ecosystem that the community of El Paso and its visitors will enjoy for years to come."
Located 32 miles northeast of El Paso, Hueco Tanks State Park and Historic Site is named for its large natural rock basins or "Huecos" that collect rainwater prized by thirsty dwellers, travelers and wildlife in this arid region of West Texas for millennia. The site is noted for its remarkable collection of over 2,000 pieces of Native American rock art, many thousands of years old, and rich wildlife and plant diversity. The park's attractions draw visitors from around the world to experience its history and enjoy numerous outdoor recreation opportunities like hiking, camping, rock climbing, nature study and birding.
Texas Parks and Wildlife Foundation and Texas Parks and Wildlife Department designated Hueco Tanks State Park and Historic Site as a priority location for landscape restoration to reduce soil erosion on the park's trail systems, reestablish native vegetation and ultimately protect the park's archeological resources.
"Boeing supports organizations that create community change in places where our employees live and work," said Rosaura Corral-Perez, Boeing El Paso site leader. "This new Hueco Tanks environmental restoration effort will benefit the region well into the future."
The project will include the following activities:
- Assessing baseline landscape needs and planning drainage area check dams to reduce erosion, improve habitat, and protect the park's archeological resources.
- Reseeding native grasses for erosion prevention and habitat reestablishment.
- Constructing check dams to prevent erosion and gullying that negatively impacts trail systems and risks damage to archeological resources.
At its completion, the project will ensure visitors can continue to experience the heritage and biodiversity of the Chihuahuan Desert. "We are extremely grateful to have a community partner like Boeing that understands the value of restoring native landscapes to conserve critical natural resources and protect the world-renowned archeological resources at Hueco Tanks," said Brent Leisure, TPWD state parks director.
Boeing is the world's leading aerospace company and the largest manufacturer of commercial jetliners and military aircraft combined. Additionally, Boeing designs and manufactures rotorcraft, electronic and defense systems, missiles, satellites, launch vehicles and advanced information and communication systems. As a major service provider to NASA, Boeing is the prime contractor for the International Space Station. The company also provides numerous military and commercial airline support services. Boeing provides products and support services to customers in 150 countries and is one of the largest U.S. exporters in terms of sales. For additional information, visit http://www.boeing.com/boeing/
Founded in 1991, Texas Parks and Wildlife Foundation is the non-profit funding partner of Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. Overseen by 21 Trustees, the Foundation's mission is to provide private support to Texas Parks and Wildlife Department to manage and conserve the natural and cultural resources of Texas and to provide hunting, fishing and outdoor recreation opportunities for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations. Since its inception, the Foundation has raised more than $80 million to support priority projects with measurable results and meaningful impact. Its programs include conservation, wildlife research, community outreach, and expanding opportunities for outdoor recreation. For additional information, please visit http://www.tpwf.org/.
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Want to impress your pizza-loving lady this Valentine's Day? For this installment of Top This, Kesté pizzaiolo Roberto Caporuscio shows us how to make a pizza stuffed with nutella, berries, and ricotta.
The recipe was conceived by Roberto, but it was pastry chef Johnny Iuzzini of the Jean-Georges restaurant group who took this chocolatey dessert pizza to the next level.
It all started when Johnny and Roberto were messing around in the Kesté kitchen one evening (as chef friends often do). Johnny sprinkled fresh lemon juice and a pinch of sea salt over the berries and ricotta right before Roberto finished the pizza with a Nutella drizzle. The resulting pie was a clear hit: unapologetically decadent, but lightened by the creamy ricotta and citrus.
Click through the slideshow to find out how to make Roberto and Johnny's irrestistible dessert pizza at home.
What You'll Need (for one pizza)
- 1 dough portion (Watch this video to learn how to make Neapolitan-style dough)
- Nutella (If available, use Nutella imported from Italy)
- Fresh blueberries, raspberries, and blackberries
- Ricotta (If you live in NYC, Alleva Dairy makes stellar ricotta)
- 1 lemon, halved
- Sea salt
- Confectioner's sugar
Kesté Pizza & Vino
271 Bleecker Street, New York NY 10014 (map)
212-243-1500 kestepizzeria.com
About the author: Originally from Los Angeles, Erin Mosbaugh writes Je Blague, where she captures her food adventures in NYC and beyond. Erin also writes for Robb Report New York City, First We Feast, and Food & Wine Magazine.


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Mail: Southern statutes symbolize suppession
Mail: Thanks for helping Aiden
More opinion
Fall: Good time to spray musk thistle in rosette stage
Robertson and Delsing re-elected chair, vice chair of NWB
More Ag News
After losing badly in its first two games of the season at Scottsbluff on Saturday, the North Platte First National Bank Seniors got its first win on Monday night with a 15-5 victory over McCook at Bill Wood Field.
In the top of the first inning, McCook scored the first run when Cameron Burkey hit a two-out double to center field.
But the First Nationals got going in the second and scored seven runs. They took advantage of McCook pitcher Jon Spilinek.
Four of the seven came home off of wild pitches by Spilinek. After Luke Volz's two-out single to right that made it 6-1, Spilinek was replaced by Justin Kefalas. Against Kefalas, North Platte scored one more run on an infield single by Ty Brockmoller.
"We extended our plate appearances and we were patient," Ostergard said.
The Nationals never looked back and they ended the game early in the bottom of the fifth with the 10-run mercy rule after scoring three runs.
On Tuesday, North Platte opens its Cornhusker League schedule with a doubleheader at Norfolk.
Juniors slam McCook
The North Platte First National Bank Juniors scored seven runs in the third inning to pull away from McCook on its way to a 17-7 win on Monday.
McCook led 6-2 going into the bottom of the second inning. The First Nationals, who are now 2-1 after splitting its first two games of the season on Saturday against Twin Cities, scored a run in the second before erupting in the third.
In the bottom of the third, Marcus Silos tied the game on a sacrifice that allowed two runners to score. Then Austin Chitty gave North Platte the lead for good with a two-run single that made it 8-6.
Two more runs came home when Kevin Hancock tripled to left-center and then Brendan Folk scored the last run on a sacrifice to make it 11-6.
Flatrock Publishing, Inc.
1300 E 4th St., Suite F
North Platte, NE 69101


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Plato tips are top-quality, drop-in replacements for your brand name soldering and desoldering equipment. Designed for long-life for any soldering application, including lead-free work. Tip has been pre-tinned with lead-free solder. Fast heat recovery for increased soldering speed.
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This lead free tip tinner is a fast, efficient, and safe means of re-tinning tips. This thermally-stable compound is residue-free, ESD and environmentally safe. Provides improved cleaning and re-tinning of highly oxidized soldering iron tips safely and efficiently...
22-8705 - Platoshear Lead Cutter
Lead cutters that provide effortless shearing action, and require less operator effort. Features a thin profile designed for those hard-to-reach areas in electronic assembly.
Purchasing was easy, shipping was fast and the items were packed well.


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by Ben Lindbergh
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Cuenca, Ecuador's Pretty City
Cuenca, Ecuador: A Place to Retire Tomorrow But Enjoy Today
By Max Hartshorne
There must be a good reason why between than 4-5,000 North Americanos now call Cuenca Ecuador their adopted home. Most of the wave began several years ago, when International Living and other outlets declared this city of 400,000 to be a perfect place for retirement.
It's at 8200 feet, there are clean rivers running through the city, and flowers, blooming trees and historic colonial architecture are everywhere, alongside nice walking streets and plazas. It feels safe and there are lots of students who attend a big university in the city.
It's not hard to see why so many expats love Cuenca. Though on our visit we didn't hear many American accents, the wave has had an impact on Ecuador's third largest city.
Concentrated in a leafy section of Cuenca, the high rise condos sit beside the fast flowing Rio Tomebamba that's filled with trout. It's one of four rivers that wind their way through this historic city.
There are big plans to make Cuenca attractive to even more American and Canadian expats in the years to come. But officials say you better come now because the generous tax rules that allow foreigners to own houses here (unlike in Mexico where most people lease land and buildings but don't own them). Today, Americans don't have to pay taxes on their social security and many expats say they live comfortably for less than $2000 a month!
Ecuador is blessed with natural resources like oil that contribute mightily to the government's coffers. A result is a spending spree that's going to invest billions in new roads, new railroads, a newly opened tourist train from Guayaquil to Quito and millions of dollars in marketing to bring more tourists. One government official told me that the goal is to bring Ecuador's average wage closer to the what the citizens in Colombia and Chile enjoy.
The Blue Buses
Cuenca is a beautiful colonial city, if you can see past the hundreds of blue city buses that never seem to stop getting in the way of a pretty street scene. A large number of locals need to take the buses to get to work at the many tire factories and other industrial employers just outside of town. This is one thing that can mar the scenery, but there is a solution coming.
These streets were first laid out by Spanish conquerers in 1550, and that means narrow streets. When the buses come by,
pedestrians have to run off the sidewalk to avoid being knocked over. But this is all changing in 2014, when a new city tram will be built in the historic center which will eliminate 200 of the buses. Built in France and financed by the French government, this will be the first modern tram line in the country. "Cuenca is often the place where new things get tried out," we were told by a tourism official. It can't happen soon enough!
Cuenca's Hat-makers
In Ecuador, one of the most lasting visual symbols on people is the Panama hat. You see them everywhere, mostly on short native women selling snacks and clothing on the street. But just as often, a tall dapper dude will walk by wearing a sharp-looking Panama.
You can visit the Homer Ortega hat factory where hundreds of these hand-woven hats are made every day in downtown Cuenca. The Sombrero tour begins with a real live indigenous woman weaving the reeds in a replica of a jungle hut, with her real-life tot by her side. To make the vastly more expensive superfine weave hats, the reeds are split again to make a much finer weave.
These are sold to movie stars and salsa recording kings—in the showroom one was selling for $1000. The typical Panama hat will set you back about $25 and the have wider models for women along with the fedora and pork pie style too.
The process of weaving, dying, drying, shaping and finishing the hats take about 12 days, the tour brings you close to each process in the long chain. It ends, of course in the showroom where you can pick out your favorite Panama and walk out with a shipping-ready box.
In the distance from just about anywhere in Ecuador, you'll see giant volcanoes, most of which are now dormant.
But the power that made these mountains is still bubbling down below, and we visited a hot spring resort that takes full advantage of a torrent of steaming hot water to heat a series of pools and spas.
It is called Piedra de Agua, just ten minutes from the city. A great place to relax in your choice of large, small and super hot pools, plus a nice bar and restaurant.
Hotel Ore Verda
One of Cuenca's biggest hotels is the Hotel Ore Verde Cuenca, which is comfortable and like most hotels here, not expensive. That's got to be the one of the highlights of Ecuador—not only can you use American money, nothing costs that much.
Especially cheap are taxis, you can get from one side of the city to the other for $4-5 max. They rarely turn on the meters, you just negotiate with them and watch in awe as the driver holds up a few finger signifying the meager fare. Nights at the Ore Verde range from $98-130 per night, will all of the services you'd expect of a top notch small chain. This hotel is located out of the center of the city, a short drive.
Dining in Cuenca
The city's historic center is built around the city's big main plaza San Sebastian Square, where old and new churches face each other and people congregate under the huge pine tree planted decades ago by early settlers.
The favorite dish in Cuenca is served on Sunday afternoons—a whole pig cooked using blow torches or in an oven. I was hoping to get another bite of the wonderful corn cakes that are grilled by native women in the countryside, but I was told that here in Cuenca, corn cakes are not served. But boy, that pork with the fatty layer is pretty tempting!
We stopped into a popular restaurant called Tiestos, where chef Juan Solano creates what he calls Cuenca fusion cuisine. He brought out a platter of chicken curry with coconut and nuts, then another with beef rounds with a spicy tomato sauce.
Cous-cous and mota, giant corn kernels served everywhere in Ecuador, rounded out the meal. Another day we had lunch here and the highlight was a giant steaming bowl of langoustines in a yellow garlic sauce, which was heavenly. Chef Juan is also an artist–he paints the dessert plates with ornate decorations using edible paints that look too pretty to eat.
Hosteria Caballo Campana
Pumapungo Archeological Park in Cuenca, where Inka ruins can be explored.
For our final nights in the city, we drove out of town to the Hosteria Caballo Campana, about 15 minutes from the center of Cuenca. Despite this easy distance from the city, this lovely small hotel is a refreshing country retreat with views of the city and a very large horse barn and riding arena full of activity.
The managers here are a young couple who met in college in Argentina where they majored in hotel management. Priscila Saldana de Traversa and Fernando Traversa.
This young couple is very fond of horses, here at the Hosteria there are 60 steeds, and there are plans to build another large arena on land they're filling in at the edge of the property. We walked down to the arena where four youngsters were jumping wooden jumps, each time the bar being raised by their Argentinian instructor.
There are 18 guest rooms at the Hacienda, each decorated with paintings of horses, and each with its own cozy woodstove to keep the chill away. Guests can take horse rides in the country and do dressage in the arena. There is a big set up for weddings and a cozy restaurant called Barabon, featuring Ecuadorian food.
Fernando told us about how many of the guests come here who enjoy horses and riding. But it's not only for equestrians, it's a warm country inn with dogs running everywhere and plenty of cold beers in the fridge for the guests. This was once a private home, owned by Priscila's grandfather. Today it's in very good hands with these two young well-trained hoteliers.
Ecuador is poised for tremendous growth in tourism, and now is a perfect time to see this country that offers so much in a small area. There are mountains, rainforests, pristine beaches, historic cities and in every place, friendly locals who welcome you. Ecuador is ready–are you?
Max Hartshorne
Latest posts by Max Hartshorne (see all)
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- Gaspe Peninsula, Quebec: Plenty of Room, Plenty of Whales - August 16, 2017


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A driver who died Monday in a flaming wreck in West Marin was identified as Abraham Avalos, 23, of Petaluma, the sheriff's department said Thursday.
The Marin County coroner's office is still investigating the cause of death.
The crash occurred at about 12:30 a.m. Monday on Point Reyes-Petaluma Road in the Hicks Valley area. Authorities said the vehicle, a 2003 Chevrolet Silverado, apparently went off the road, hit a tree and burst into flames.
Avalos was pronounced dead at the scene.
The California Highway Patrol is investigating the crash.


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MrScoopa wrote:...Here is a new video... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VyyAbo6mevs
The arm motion and elbow stop look much much better. You're on the right track.
As you suggest, it still seems like you're not getting proper momentum transfer. Try delaying the start of your pull a little bit, this may help. And try to get the feeling of whipping your arms more using this forward momentum transfer and rotation of shoulders.


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I have been following with interest the developing story of how Iran has reportedly managed to capture some of the U.S.'s most sensitive surveillance technology, and I still have to shake my head at what a waste it was.
In 2009, the aviation world was abuzz over grainy pictures of a new unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) spotted on the runway at a U.S. airbase in Afghanistan. Dubbed "The Beast of Kandahar," the mysterious aircraft—which looked like a miniature B-2 stealth bomber—spurred speculation as to its purpose and capabilities. As more information slowly leaked out, the Air Force confirmed that the shadowy drone was actually the Lockheed Martin RQ-170 Sentinel, and among its alleged achievements was the conducting of aerial observations on Osama bin Laden's lair in Abbottabad, Pakistan before the Seal team operation that killed him. Now it seems that all that secrecy was in vain as the jet-powered RQ-170 is poised to be rendered bare as a plucked chicken. Iran, which seems to have bagged one, is gleefully displaying its trophy to the world. As it continues to investigate and perhaps dissect the RQ-170 it somehow seemingly disabled and forced down during a reconnaissance flight over its territory, propaganda photos and video released from Iran show the bat-winged robotic craft looking intact but quite forlorn lying on what looks like a banquet table surrounded by anti-American posters (apparently they haven't figured out how to deploy the landing gear yet).
According to several reports, Iran claims it was able to hack into and override the UAV's guidance system and trick the craft into landing in Iran, thus explaining the apparent lack of damage. If so, the recovered reconnaissance drone becomes just the latest treasure chest of American military technology to be available for view to the highest bidder among America's rivals. In addition to its advanced surveillance equipment, the Sentinel is also said to be clad in the latest stealth coatings aimed at cloaking its operations.
During the aforementioned Bin Laden raid, a heavily modified "low observable" Sikorsky Black Hawk helicopter crashed and had to be destroyed by U.S. forces as they departed the scene. The wreckage, recovered by Pakistani authorities incensed that the raid had been carried out unannounced under their noses, was returned to the U.S. several weeks later, most likely after it had been thoroughly picked over by other countries.
The Iran situation reminds me of another time the U.S. suffered a black eye: the U-2 incident of 1960 in which a CIA spy plane (which, ironically enough, took off from Pakistan) was shot down by the Soviets over Mother Russia. The pilot failed to activate the aircraft's self-destruct system before he ejected, and as a result the Soviets were able to recover it largely intact, quickly ringing false any U.S. assertions that the mission was a weather surveillance flight that strayed off course. The Russians kept the top-secret U-2 and its surveillance equipment but two years later swapped pilot Francis Gary Powers for one of their own spies, captured earlier by the U.S.
That probably won't happen in this case. Despite requests from President Obama to return the drone (which were met with derision from Tehran), unless/until Iran synthesizes its newly gained technology, builds UAVs of its own and sends them winging over Washington, we won't have anything to capture and trade with them.
Doug (not verified)
December 23, 2011 - 11:18am
Really, Curt.
Do you really think the Iranians are smart enough to even have a clue as to what was dropped on them? Do you really think they were able to "bring it down" with their own technology? Since their focus is on an atomic weapon to "bring down" Israel, I REALLY think this is all a propaganda jamboree for them and nothing else. Obviously, our guys somehow lost contact with it and it strayed away and ran out of fuel over Iran.
If the "skunk works" developed this thing, I think you can be assured that they made it so it could not be readily dissected and discovered. I would not be at all surprised if the thing has already self destructed and took out all who were around it when it did.
Keep in mind that this thing is serious technology. This is not a U-2, which, by the way, we still fly and collect intelligence with! While not in the Military, I have no doubt that many safeguards are built in to this type of plane to make sure that no one can access it easily. Even sold to the highest bidder, I believe that it's long gone by now...in little bits and pieces and a big, black hole in the ground!
Iranian (not verified)
November 12, 2012 - 7:22am
It going some days from the story and the new story is the story of iran's Airplane On Isreal.
What do you think now?


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Electronic Chess Books (E-Books)
This is a reprint of the original "Chess Fundamentals" by Capablanca, as first published in 1921 and only a preface added by Capablanca in 1934. The reader here can feel confident that this reprint contains the exact, complete words of Capablanca. Unlike other reprints, not one word has been changed or omitted.
EBOOK - Chess Fundamentals
One of the finest chess books ever written, now revised in algebraic edition. The author expounds both the basic principles and the most complex forms of attack on the king. It has been updated by legendary author GM John Nunn. Still one of the great classics ever written on tactics.
EBOOK - Art of Attack in Chess
Grandmaster Chris Ward explains the important ideas behind every major opening, unravelling among others the secrets of the Sicilian, the mysteries of the Modern and the fundamentals of the French. He emphasizes the need to understand the key elements of each opening rather than simply memorize a series of complicated variations which leave you stranded if the opponent varies from the expected route.
EBOOK - Improve Your Opening Play
This book provides the reader with a selection of puzzles to solve. However, unlike other books of the White to play and mate in three' variety, it simulates real game scenarios, offering readers a choice of tempting alternatives and requiring them to pick the best
EBOOK - Its Your Move
In this book, Grandmaster Sadler explains the ideas behind the Queen's Gambit Declined, one of Black's most dependable replies to the queen's pawn. He discusses all of the major variations in popular practice, explaining the key plans and ideas and highlighting important recent developments. Written by Grandmaster Matthew Sadler, one of the world's top young players, this book offers a full explanation of both the latest theory and important thematic ideas and covers the ever-popular Queen's Gambit Declined.
EBOOK - Queen's Gambit Declined
In this ideal book for players wishing to improve their endgame play, grandmaster Glenn Flear explains the fundamental principles which must be mastered. Taking examples from his own games and those of other players, he shows how drawn positions can be converted into victories and lost positions saved at the last moment.
EBOOK - Improve Your Endgame Play
Fed up with having to learn so much theory? Struggling to keep up with all the latest developments? Then this book will be the answer to all your problems. Grandmaster John Emms offers a new arsenal of opening weapons with which to attack your unsuspecting opponents. Starting with the move 1 e4, the reader is armed with systems against all possible black defenses.
EBOOK - Attacking with 1. e4
Tired of playing the same old openings? Worried about having to learn too much theory? Then this book is what you're looking for! International Master Angus Dunnington presents you with a new attacking opening repertoire based on the move 1. d4.
EBOOK - Attacking with 1. d4
This book is especially useful for players who have neither the time nor inclination to learn reams of the latest opening theory. Throughout this work, Aagaard & Lund delve into the strategies, ideas and tactics for Black, while also showing the possible traps and pitfalls.
EBOOK - Meeting 1. d4
Fed up having to defend with Black? Annoyed by all those irritating white systems? Then this is the book for you! Russian international master Alexander Raetsky draws upon his wealth of experience gained playing on the tough international tournament circuit to supply you with an all-in-one solution to your problems. The reader is provided with a complete repertoire for Black against 1 e4, based on the ever-reliable Sicilian Defence.
EBOOK - Meeting 1. e4
Some players become good at chess, some very good, while others excel at the game. Jacob Aagaard identifies the key factors that separate the very strong players from the rest. He includes chapters on when to calculate, how to evaluate positions, how to study theory, how to study the endgame and when to force the position.
EBOOK - Excelling at Chess
The Nimzo-Indian is one of the soundest and most popular defences against 1 d4, offering Black the chance to unbalance the game early on and play for a win without undue risk. Advocates include virtually all of the world's top players, including Garry Kasparov, Vladimir Kramnik, Vishy Anand and Anatoly Karpov. In this revolutionary book, Grandmaster Chris Ward revisits the basic principles behind the Nimzo-Indian and its many variations.
EBOOK - Starting Out - Nimzo-Indian
In this easy-to-read guide, Grandmaster Joe Gallagher goes back to the basics of the Caro-Kann, studying the key principles of its many variations. Throughout the book there is an abundance of notes, tips, warnings and exercises to help the improving player, while important strategies, ideas and tactics for both sides are clearly illustrated.
E-BOOK - Starting Out - Caro-Kann
The Queen's Gambit Declined is one of the most popular and fundamental chess openings of all time and it has been the battleground for countless world-class encounters throughout the history of chess. Adherents include a long list of World champions, including Garry Kasparov, Anatoly Karpov and Vladimir Kramnik.
EBOOK - Starting Out - Queen's Gambit
In this highly original and instructive test yourself book Chris Ward invites readers to solve a selection of carefully chosen puzzles. In this, the second book in the 'It's Your Move' series, the positions are aimed at improving players, specifically the low level club players who are looking to hone their skills in order to climb further up the chess ladder.The reader is given a choice of five plausible plans for each position and has to decide which is the most likely to succeed.
EBOOK - Its Your Move Improvers
The King's Indian is one of the most exciting defences in chess and is favoured by ambitious and aggressive players. At the highest level it has been a major weapon for World Champions Bobby Fischer and Garry Kasparov. In this easy-to-read guide, Grandmaster Joe Gallagher goes back to the basics of the King's Indian, studying the key principles of its many variations.
EBOOK - Starting Out - The King's Indian
The opening phase of the game throws up difficult questions for those keen to study and improve their chess. In Mastering the Opening, international master Byron Jacobs outlines the key plans and strategies in all major openings and helps the reader to decide upon an opening repertoire. This guide deals with every major opening, has numerous thematic games that illustrate important principles and a revolutionary layout allows readers to absorb the key ideas.
EBOOK - Mastering the Opening
A Complete Repertoire for Black in the Most Dynamic of Openings
The Najdorf Sicilian is one of the most sharp, dynamic and popular openings that Black can play and is a firm favourite amongst the world's elite players, including world number one Garry Kasparov. From very early on, Black unbalances the game to a reach a position in which one can play for the win without exceptional risk.
EBOOK - Play the Najdorf - Scheveningen Style
A Repertoire for White Against the Most Popular Black Opening
The Sicilian Defence is Black's most ambitious and popular defence to 1 e4. Finding a suitable weapon against it has taxed many a grandmaster's brain. Should White dive into the labyrinth of mountainous theory and complications, in which the player who knows the latest theoretical wrinkle is likely to prevail, or should White abstain and instead head for the more tranquil waters of the various Anti-Sicilians on offer? Perhaps the answer lies somewhere in-between!
EBOOK - Taming the Sicilian
Steinitz, Lasker, Capablanca and Alekhine
The battle for the World Chess Championship has witnessed numerous titanic struggles which have engaged the interest not only of chess enthusiasts but also of the public at large. The chessboard is the ultimate mental battleground and the world champions themselves are supreme intellectual gladiators. These magnificent compilations of chess form the basis of the first two parts of Garry Kasparov's work on the history of the World Chess Championship.
EBOOK - Garry Kasparov on My Great Predecessors - VOLUME I
4. Nf3 as Popularized by Garry Kasparov
The Nimzo-Indian Defence is certainly one of Black's most respectable ways of meeting 1 d4; it's popular at all levels of chess and white players have been banging their heads against brick walls in trying to find an advantageous line. What can White do to throw his opponent off balance at an early stage? The answer is contained in this book!
EBOOK - Nimzo-Indian Kasparov Variation
Ideal for those wanting to understand the basics of the Ruy Lopez.
The Ruy Lopez is one of the most famous of all chess openings. It has a long and distinguished history and has been played by virtually all of the strongest Grandmasters: Fischer, Karpov, Kasparov, Kramnik, Anand - the list goes on!
EBOOK - Starting Out - Ruy Lopez
The French is one of Black's soundest defences to 1 e4 and is very popular at all levels of chess. Club players enjoy its super-solid structure, while at the top it's played by famous grandmasters such as Vishy Anand and the young Russian star Alexander Morozevich.
EBOOK - Starting Out - The French
Ideal for those wanting to understand the basics of the English Opening. The English is a sophisticated and popular opening system that is suitable for all types of players and can lead to both positional and tactical middlegames. Many of the world's top players, including Kasparov and Kramnik, include the English in their openings weaponry.
EBOOK - Starting Out - English
Positional chess remains a mystery to many and yet an understanding of the finer points of the game so often makes the difference between two equally matched players. Improve your positional play and you will see chess in a totally new dimension! In this unique book, International Master Jacob Aagaard selects many original examples of positional chess, the creme de la creme of those that he uses for training and study.
EBOOK - Excelling at Positional Chess
The authors of these books are very skilled and experienced chess writers, who are used to writing for players of all levels and are renowned for their ability to explain ideas in a lucid and straightforward manner.
EBOOK - Starting Out: The Pirc/Modern
Surprise Your Opponents with the Tricky 2. Nc3!
The Veresov could be the one for you! It's a surprisingly tricky system that, in the right hands, can be forged into a powerful attacking weapon. White forgoes the normal queen's pawn opening ideas in favor of speedy development of the queenside pieces. One advantage of this underrated line is that players with the black pieces are less likely to be familiar with all the subtleties here than in a more mainstream opening.
EBOOK - The Veresov
Did you ever notice how some famous GM games are more interesting to play through than others? For instance, tell me you have a Tartakower or Nimzowitsch game and I'm sorry, but I just can't get that excited. But tell me you have a Fischer, Alekhine, or Tal game you want to show me and woo-hoo!, break out the milk and cookies because I know I'm in for a real treat! And Mikhail Tal: Tactical Genius by Alexander Raetsky and Maxim Chetverik is loaded with enough tasty treats to satisfy the most demanding of palates.
EBOOK - Mikhail Tal - Tactical Genius
Capitalizing on Tactical Chances
There are many differing opinions amongst the top players in the world of chess, but there is one thing upon which World Champions, Grandmasters and other experts all agree: the art of chess calculation is the absolute key to the success of a player. Master this discipline and you can surely expect your results to improve dramatically. Jacob Aagaard tackles the 'art of chess calculation', unravelling its many secrets and arming the reader with the necessary tools to be able to calculate effectively at the chessboard.
EBOOK - Excelling at Chess Calculation
The Queen's Indian is one of Blacks most dependable and respected defences to the queen's pawn opening. Is an established favourite amongst world-class grandmasters such as Vladimir Kramnik, Vishy Anand, Michael Adams and Judit Polgar, not to mention Anatoly Karpov, who has been a loyal Queen's Indian supporter and theory developer for over three decades.
EBOOK - Starting Out - Queen's Indian
From a theoretical backwater to a fully blown main line opening, the rise of the Scandinavian Defence (1. e4 d5) has been nothing short of meteoric. Over the past fifteen years the Scandinavian has become more and more popular both at club and Grandmaster level. It even managed to obtain an ultimate seal of approval when Vishy Anand employed it in his World Championship match with Garry Kasparov!
EBOOK - Scandinavian
Learn to Identify and Exploit Small Advantages
The implication from the author is that the task of converting a typically winning position into a full point or converting a drawing position into half-a-point is relatively straightforward. However, as all of us practical players realise, it's not always a simple as this, and many hard-earned points are wasted through 'a lack of technique'. In this valuable book, Jacob Aagaard aims to solve this perennial problem. He arms the reader with several endgame weapons that every strong technical player has in his toolbox.
EBOOK - Excelling at Technical Chess
The Reti Opening has been a popular choice at all levels of chess for many years and is a favorite among hypermodern players who like to control the center with pieces. Yet there remains a dearth of published material on this subject ... until now. In The Dynamic Reti, Grandmaster Nigel Davies redresses the balance and advocates a repertoire for White based on this refined opening. Davies outlines the typical ideas and tactics for both White and Black, and studies both the fashionable main lines and the tricky sidelines. If you already play the Reti or are looking for a sophisticated new opening weapon, then this is essential reading.
* A dynamic repertoire for White
* Full explanation of the most important thematic ideas
* Ideal for club and tournament players
EBOOK - Dynamic Reti
Learn to Identify and Exploit Tactical Chances
Excelling at Combinational Play: Learn to Identify and Exploit Tactical Chances by Jacob Aagaard, 239pp. (Everyman 2004) Being able to solve puzzles and combinations is one of the principal components of a successful chess player. But how can one improve on such an important skill? How can one acquire combinational vision? The answer lies within the pages of this book! Experienced chess writer Jacob Aagaard explains how tactical intuition and ability develops and uses pattern recognition to improve the reader's tactical ammunition. Is also no secret that the continued practice of puzzles and combinations helps to sharpen the chess brain, and here there is a wealth of exercises and problems to solve accompanied by the full solutions and explanations.
EBOOK - Excelling at Combinational Play
The Modern Benoni is one of Blacks most ambitious and audacious defences to the queens pawn opening, and it has been used with devastating effect by such legends as Mikhail Tal, Bobby Fischer and Garry Kasparov. From the very start Black creates an exceptional imbalance in the position, one which leads to dynamic play and gives Black real chances to seize the initiative.
EBOOK - Starting Out - Modern Benoni
A Complete Repertoire for Black in the Open Games
Play 1 e4 e5! Nigel Davies provides a complete answer to this perennial problem by offering a concise and practical repertoire for the Black player, whilst crucially including a dependable defence to the Ruy Lopez - White's most popular attacking try in the Open Games. Davies is the perfect choice for this subject, having been battle-hardened by years of international competition in these openings.
EBOOK - Play 1. e4 e5


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Mail: Thanks for helping Aiden
Brewer at the Legislature: Mob rule
More opinion
Robertson and Delsing re-elected chair, vice chair of NWB
Goat Expo set first October weekend
More Ag News
A North Platte man, paralyzed in a freak accident at Lake McConaughy, is fighting to recover.
A benefit car wash will be held Saturday and Sunday, June 29-30, at Advance Auto, 1220 S. Jeffers in North Platte. The car wash will be from 9-5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. The cost is $3 a car. (These times were updated Wednesday evening.)
Evans, the father of two, was injured June 7 when he and his family were at Lake McConaughy with friends camping.
One of their friends was floating on an air mattress in shallow water and Evans decided to jump over her to splash her. He landed on his head on the other side of her in shallow water, a family member said.
Evans immediately complained of neck pain and said he was unable to feel or move his lower extremities. A medically trained friend held him still in the water until paramedics arrived. He was airlifted to Scottsbluff.
A CT scan showed that he had fractured his C6 vertebrae. An MRI showed his spinal cord was not severed, but compressed. A surgeon removed fragments from the broken vertebrae to release pressure on his spinal cord, and then used the fragments along with synthetic material to fuse his spine.
A plate was also put in place to further stabilize the spine.
Surgeons made it clear that his outcome is uncertain as no two spinal cord injuries are the same. They advised Evans and his family to be patient, as he has a long and rough recovery ahead. The injury was an extra blow to Evans, who lost his mother just a month earlier.
The good news is that his spinal cord was not severed, his wife said in a facebook post. In the first days after the accident he made significant improvement, regaining feeling in his hands and toes. However as of June 12 he could not use his hands. Evans celebrated his birthday that day.
We thank you for all the support, calls, cards, messages, and kind words both after moms death and now, his wife Teresa said. It means so very much to all of us to know how many people care and are so willing to help!
On June 15 she wrote: He now has feeling in his feet and up his legs. He can tell us what toe we are touching without looking. This is an improvement from the "deep sensations" he was having just a couple days ago. The touch he can feel is just light. He cannot move his lower extremities but they have assured us that the feeling returns before any motor skills so we are hopeful.
The facebook page is called Prayers for Travis. The family asks for prayers, good wishes to keep their spirits up, and donations.
A benefit account is set up at Nebraskaland National Bank to help with travel, food, lodging and other expenses.
Flatrock Publishing, Inc.
1300 E 4th St., Suite F
North Platte, NE 69101


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Moderators: Timko, Fritz, Solty, Booter, Blake_T, Frank Delicious
jsun3thousand wrote:Disc golfers are holding the sport back.
Furthur wrote:Zach, I would be all over that Octoberfest stamp if they made a dx Roc. From the size of the stamp, I bet the shape would turn out perfect.
Leopard wrote:it's tourny stamp season again!!
yesss... i fished those waters for compliments like immediately. DJ Junkie is off the hook as he already fed the troll on FBbooter wrote:yep I saw the kyle one on fb. Still lovin em zamson. Keep up the good work
marmoset wrote:Your COTO stamp is headed towards neo-psychadelic.
That's something I've been working towards myself... definitely outside my comfort zone so it is kinda fun.
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text:
CHINO HILLS – A LifeStream community blood drive will be held Tuesday at Ayala High School, 14255 Peyton Drive.
The drive will be from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Fifteen- and 16-year-olds must provide LifeStream with written parental consent. All prospective donors should be free of infections or illness, weigh at least 110 pounds, and not be at risk for AIDS or hepatitis.
Information: 800-TRY GIVING.


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Why should you own a bowsaw? Why not? You have many other tools that you use only when you need them. Seriously, if you make 18th-century-style furniture, or you make furniture with hand tools, you should own a couple of bowsaws.
In my shop, which has all the machines you can imagine, I use bowsaws. If I cut dovetails in material thicker than 1/2″, I reach for my bowsaw. I keep my material behind my shop in a pole barn. If I have to crosscut a board for one piece, the fastest way is with a bowsaw. I put the board on a couple horses, cut it, put the leftover back on the rack and take the piece in the shop. There's no extension cord or machine to put away.
In my native Hungary, I grew up without electricity. Therefore in the shop, the bowsaw was the main tool used for crosscutting, ripping, dovetailing, for mortise-and-tenon joinery and more.
My father came for a visit to the United States in 1974, and he spent some time working with me in my shop. He started looking for the frame saws. I told him, "Sorry Dad, this is America; we cut wood with machines."


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District Court Judge Denis LeDuc ruled to keep bail at $500,000 on the felony charge of false report or threat of terrorism in the case of Alex Rosario, who is accused of using Twitter to make threats against co-workers, Tuesday morning.
Defense attorney Matthew Abdo waived the preliminary hearing and the matter was bound over for trial in Macomb County Circuit Court in two weeks.
On the afternoon of Jan. 25 the 18-year-old was arrested at his home by Armada Police Chief Howard Smith and two other officers for threatening tweets that were posted on Rosario's Twitter account on Jan. 8.
He was charged by the Macomb County Prosecutor's office with False Report or Threat of Terrorism, a felony punishable by up to 20 years in jail.
After taking care of the procedural matter, Abdo asked for a reconsideration of bail for Rosario, who has been housed at the Macomb County correctional facility since his arrest.
Abdo said that his client was looking for "reasonable" bail and was open to any restrictions that LeDuc was willing to implement.
But the judge was hesitant to lower the bail amount based on the "over 20" messages sent out by Rosario prior to his arrest. The severity of the felony charges and the threatening nature of the twitter messages weighed on LeDuc's consideration of public safety when setting bail.
One of the most severe messages LeDuc read in court stated, "I want to bring a gun with me to work and shoot everybody that walks in".
Taking all factors into consideration, LeDuc ruled he would keep the current bond in place.
The next scheduled appearance for Rosario will be at 1:30 p.m. on Feb. 19 at the circuit court in Mount Clemens.