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Today marks the first trading day of the last trading month of the year. We are all wondering whether the politicians will be able to avert the "fiscal cliff" so we can quit hearing about it 100 times a day and be able to make investing plans for 2013. Politics aside, I am beginning the process of reviewing all the positions in my portfolio. This has been a December tradition for me for as long as I have run my own portfolio. To me, it is the equivalent of "spring cleaning," a time to look at everything I have in my garage and determine what to keep and what to throw out.
One of the first positions I have reviewed is my stake in Staples (SPLS). The company came to my attention over the weekend when it announced they will be offering three-dimensional (3-D) printing services in its stores. A customer will be able to upload a 3-D printing file from home and then pick up the printed object in the store or have it shipped. I believe 3-D printing will be one of the top 10 technologies that change the world over the next two decades. I don't know if this will have more than incremental impact on sales, but it puts the "cool factor" in Staples' corner for the first time in recent memory.
Obviously, I would have to like Staples for other reasons for it to maintain a stake in it going into 2013. The stock has meandered in a narrow range over the last six months after I picked it up after it fell sharply in the second quarter. After reviewing Staples, I think it remains attractive for a variety of reasons.
Market Leadership: Staples is the clear market leader in the office supplies sector. Its two main competitors Office Depot (ODP) and OfficeMax (OMX) are still struggling operationally. Over the last five years, Staples is the only one of the three that has shown positive average annual revenue growth. When small business activity starts to recover, Staples will likely be a beneficiary of the recovery in that space.
Valuation: SPLS is cheap, as the stock is trading at just over 8x forward earnings and around 4x EBITDA. At under $12 a share, the stock is selling at the bottom of its five-year valuation range based on P/B, P/S, P/E and P/CF.
Yield: The stock yields 3.8% and has a payout ratio of a little over 30%. It has a strong balance sheet and has raised its payout an average of 8% annually over the past five years.
Private Equity Kicker: Rumors about private equity being interested in acquiring Staples have been present over the last six months. Given Staple's consistent cash flow, market leadership and relatively low market capitalization (under $10 billion); I think this is possibility at some point on the horizon. An acquirer could offer a 35% premium and still acquire Staples for under 6x EBITDA.
For all of these reasons, I am keeping my stake in Staples and looking forward to a brighter 2013 for this stock.


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A miner reacts after being exposed to toxic gas while searching for co-workers who remain trapped underground on May 14, 2014 after an explosion and fire in a coal mine in Manisa, Turkey, killed at least 282 people.
A woman reacts as she searches for her relatives while rescuers carry out dead miners on May 14 in Manisa, Turkey.
A man flees erupting flames as a house on Skimmer Court is engulfed by the Poinsettia Fire on May 14 in Carlsbad, Calif. Twenty-two housing units were destroyed and 400 acres were burned in the fast-moving Carlsbad blaze, fueled by record heat, high winds and dry conditions. At least four other fires advanced in nearby communities.
A backyard bounce house was swept high into the air by strong winds, leaving two boys hospitalized but in stable condition after falling about 20 feet in upstate New York on May 12.
Flags flutter during the re-opening ceremony for the Washington Monument in Washington on May 12. The monument was closed in 2011 after it suffered widespread damage caused by a 5.8 magnitude earthquake along the East Coast.
Wearing a protective suit and a mask, U.S. Ambassador to Japan Caroline Kennedy, left, listens to Naohiro Masuda, an executive of Japan's Tokyo Electric Power Co. (TEPCO), during her visit to the tsunami-crippled Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant in Fukushima on May 14. Kennedy pledged U.S. support for the clean-up at the nuclear power plant on Wednesday after her first visit to the site.
An Indian Muslim voter waits in line to vote at a polling station on May 12 in Varanasi, India. Indians voted in the ninth and final phase of elections on Monday, with ballot counting set to begin on May 16.
Sea turtles crawl before being returned to the ocean on a beach in Bali, Indonesia, on May 14. With the help of tourists, Bali police released about a dozen turtles which they seized last month from illegal poachers.
A young member of the choir "Sinfonia por el Peru" vomits before performing with Peruvian tenor Juan Diego Florez at Lima's National Theatre on May 13. The choir is a social project created by Florez to promote music among children from low-income households as a tool to become better people and overtake adversity, according to the project.
LeBron James of the Miami Heat reacts to winning Game Five of the Eastern Conference Semifinals against the Brooklyn Nets in the 2014 NBA Playoffs at American Airlines Arena on May 14 in Miami, Fla.
Prospectors work at an open-pit at the Ndassima gold mine, near Djoubissi, Central African Republic, on May 9.
A woman walks past a burning shop in the Maskuf market in the Old City of Homs in Syria on May 12. Syrians streamed back into the ruins of the city on May 10, picking through the remains of their homes and trying to come to terms with the destruction.
The influx came a day after the last rebel holdouts left the area under an evacuation deal that handed the Old City back to the government, granting it a symbolic victory.
Rebel forces were in the besieged Old City for nearly two years and regime troops shelled the area almost daily before the deal.
A boy named Johan tied his father's raincoat around himself while playing in the front yard of their temporary home after it had stopped raining at a mining camp in La Pampa, Peru, on May 5.
Peru's government declared all informal mining illegal on April 19 and began a crackdown. In La Pampa, miners fear they are next. People in La Pampa say that if the authorities eradicate their livelihood, it must make good on promises to provide employment alternatives.
This image was received by NBC News on May 11.
A member of the Secret Service stands guard while President Barack Obama speaks at a Walmart on May 9 in Mountain View, Calif. Obama praised measures taken by his administration to develop solar energy in the United States, despite attacks and setbacks from his Republican opponents.
Vote for the best image from this week

subset: commoncrawl


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NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Home decor retailer Kirkland's announced that Robert Alderson, the company's long-time president and CEO, has advised the board of directors of his intention to retire from the company at the end of fiscal 2013, or approximately Feb. 1, 2014.
Alderson noted, "Over the past five years, we've restored Kirkland's stability and significantly enhanced its profitability. We've also completed a huge amount of foundational work in systems, e-commerce, marketing, merchandising process, real estate and store operations. Over the course of the year, we will continue to work on substantially upgrading our merchandising talent and leadership. I have enjoyed the last 27 years at Kirkland's, but now is the right time to begin recasting the leadership."
Wilson Orr, the company's chairman, noted, "Robert is an exemplary leader and has given much of himself to Kirkland's over the past three decades. We obviously respect his desire to step back at the end of the year and will work with him on planning for the appropriate leadership for the next phase of our growth."


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Retro uniform Mendenhall...
For a great selection of sports action figures and collectibles, check out BigBadToyStore.com, ToyWiz.com, Urban-Collector.com, and BriansToys.com.
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To insure your action figure collection, get in touch with our sponsor Collectibles Insurance.
McFarlane Toys and William Davis Collectibles are teaming up again to bring NFL fans an exclusive figure of Pittsburgh Steelers running back Rashard Mendenhall. Pittsburgh's starting running back is part of McFarlane's NFL 23 series in the Steelers' black jersey, with a white jersey version as a Collector Level figure - but this exclusive version features Mendenhall in Pittsburgh's popular retro uniform - complete with white pants and a yellow helmet.
Collectors can find William Davis Collectibles online at everythingmcfarlane.com. Pre-orders are open now for the Mendenhall Exclusive with the figure expected to arrive in mid-September. It is limited to 4,000 pieces.


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In addition to plenty of Point Lookout coverage, we've got web updates for Brink, Broken Steel, and WET.
Starting with Brink, there's lots to share. With the help of Steve 'Badman' Hessel, we've got a Facebook page up for the game. Join the group here.
In news, PlayStation Insider put together their E3 Wrapup, where they included Brink among their list of titles they wish they could've played. Here's what they said:
"The first thing I said to myself when I sat down and watched the demo of Brink is this: 'this is the only other game to look as good as Uncharted 2.' Yes, Brink really does look sharp and it stands out."
Moving on, GameShark interviewed Creative Director Richard Ham and Senior Game Designer Ed Stern at E3 to find more about the game. Here's a sample:
GS (B): So my question is, for every class is there one specific action, multiple actions or is it still being worked on?
RH: First of all, it's very much an RPG-Lite. As you're earning levels and leveling up there's a lot of new abilities you can unlock. You can choose to focus only one one class or spread out amongst all of them, but at any given point, right now at any given point, there are way too many things you that could be doing depending on what class you are, and right now we're kind of limiting it to six.
You can find the rest of GameShark's interview here. Elsewhere, don't miss AusGamers' double dip of coverage — they've got an interview with Richard, as well as a new preview.
For additional Brink news, GamersRoute has their E3 preview up, Gamasutra recapped Splash Damage CEO Paul Wedgwood's speech at yesterday's Game Horizon Summit, and Gamerzines included the game in their Best of E3 list.
Moving to other games, there's a new review for Broken Steel up at Game Industry News. Speaking of DLC #3, Game Daily's giving away Broken Steel codes for Games for Windows LIVE and Xbox LIVE. For a chance to win, join their Facebook page.
Wrapping up this "Around the Web," the guys at Machinima have a new interview with WET Lead Designer Ash Ismail.
Until the next time…gstaff out.


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BP Comment Quick Links
|Strength of Schedule Report
September 9, 2010
Prospectus Perspective
Race to the Top
While no one could decide on the second-place team in the National League Central, it was expected that the St. Louis Cardinals would come away with the division crown when the season began. Heading into Wednesday night's action, the Cards find themselves six games back of the surprise Cincinnati Reds with playoff odds that look better from a wild card point of view than that of division champs. How did the Reds, who were not universally loved, end up with such a commanding lead this late in the season, while the expected favorites sit so very far behind?
If the Reds do one thing exceptionally, it is hit. They rank second in the NL (and fifth in the majors) in True Average, behind only the Milwaukee Brewers. Thanks to a lineup powered by a resurgent Scott Rolen (.306 TAv), Brandon Phillips (.273), Jay Bruce (.282), surprising work at catcher by Ramon Hernandez (.281) and Ryan Hanigan (.291), and of course, Most Valuable Player candidate Joey Votto, who leads the NL in TAv at .341, the Reds have managed to work their way into first place—and stay there—for much of the season. This is the one place where they legitimately stand out amongst the rest of the playoff competition in the NL, and thanks to Paul Janish (.268 TAv) they have even managed to fill in the one hole they had in shortstop Orlando Cabrera, who was much closer to replacement level on the year.
Their bullpen is a different story—having Aroldis Chapman and his record-setting velocity has been a godsend for the pen, but that's a recent development. Before Chapman, their bullpen was very average. It ranks 12th in the majors in WXRL, mostly on the strength of Nick Masset (2.5), Arthur Rhodes (1.9), and Francisco Cordero (1.7). After that you're looking at a bunch of relievers who aren't much better than replacement level, though, so that triumvirate has carried the load.
The defense has helped make the starting pitching look better than it is (more on that in a bit) as it ranks fifth in the majors in Defensive Efficiency. For a team that plays in a hitter's park, this is a significant development, as that gives its pitching staff an advantage over the opposition in addition to the extra damage its already powerful lineup can do. There is a reason the Reds are 41-27 at home this year, more than half of their win total.
As for the rotation: it's not that it's bad, it's just that it's been helped along by a few factors. The defense, as mentioned, has provided a huge boost. The most significant factor, though, is the quality of competition that the team has faced. Amongst NL pitchers with 100 innings pitched, Bronson Arroyo has faced the fourth-easiest lineups via quality of opponent OPS. Aaron Harang ranks sixth (not that it's done much to help his season), Mike Leake is seventh, and Johnny Cueto rounds out the top 25. Homer Bailey and Travis Wood have had it a bit tougher (the second-half schedule for the Reds, though not difficult, was more menacing than the pillow-soft first half) but they haven't faced the stiffest competition, either. This has allowed the rotation as a whole, which is made up of average-or-better starters, to tear through the NL. Looking at TAv from an opponent's perspective, the Reds have had an easier time of it than any other team in the NL—that's part of the reason why their third-order standings have them with five extra wins they shouldn't have right now.
Even if those wins were taken away though, they rank ahead of the Cardinals. Via third-order standings, the Reds should be 74-64, while the Cards should sit in second at 71-65—that's just one fewer win than the Cardinals actually have, meaning their record is right where it should be given their production in 2010. How is that the Cardinals, the favorites for the division, are right where they should be in the standings when that place is not first?
Injuries to the rotation have been a problem, as Kyle Lohse has thrown just 65
One of these holes was filled with the acquisition of Jake Westbrook at the trade deadline, but by then the Cardinals had already lost ground they couldn't get back. It also doesn't help that St. Louis was forced to deal outfielder Ryan Ludwick (who still ranks fifth on the club in equivalent runs, despite a DL stint and his being dealt at the end of July) in order to acquire pitching help—this at a time when fans and the local media expected the Cardinals to acquire a bat to help in the lineup. Throw in an injury to David Freese that put him on the 60-day DL when he was hitting .296/.361/.404, and it's easy to see why the Cardinals lineup sits close to the league average despite the presence of Albert Pujols and Matt Holliday.
By now you have heard of the problems between future star Colby Rasmus and manager Tony La Russa. Part of the reason for that "future" label is that he hasn't been allowed to become the star he is now: Rasmus ranks third on the Cardinals in equivalent runs and fourth in True Average (behind small sample size and BABIP-fueled Jon Jay on the latter) despite just 429 plate appearances. Conversely, the other two sluggers on the club, Pujols and Holliday, have 598 and 549 plate appearances respectively. The feud is more public now, but any fantasy owner with Rasmus on his team can tell you he's been in and out of the lineup all year despite production. He ranks fourth amongst all center fielders in TAv, behind Carlos Gonzalez, Andres Torres, and Torii Hunter, yet he's 16th in equivalent runs due to playing time limitations—that slots him between Michael Bourn and Franklin Gutierrez, two far less impressive names than the company he keeps on a rate basis.
A team dealing with injuries is already at a disadvantage, especially when the replacements are relievers that are stretched out into starters or someone like Suppan, who was cut by a team that couldn't seem to put together its own pitching staff. Trading Ludwick and not playing the players who increase the odds of winning the most as often as possible are two things a team cannot afford to do when they are already behind. With the Reds playing good baseball and getting an assist from a soft schedule at the same time the Cardinals have had tough luck with injuries and questionable moves by the front office and manager, it's easy to see why the standings are the way they stand today, rather than the way they were expected to be.
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You're right, it's all injuries that the Reds are in front of the Cards! It's not the fact that the Reds rookie pitchers have stepped up, or the fact that they are hitting way, way above the expected.
Sep 09, 2010 06:42 AM
I enjoyed this article, as it gave me more insight into a division I don't follow all that much.
Sep 09, 2010 07:05 AM
The Reds are a year or two ahead of their timetable, and it can be attributed to their young pitchers pitching well enough. Rolen played way above his head for the first half of the season, and outside LF, when Janish plays, they are a premium defensive team night in and out.
Sep 09, 2010 07:19 AM
About strength of schedule- aside from different inter-league opponents, isn't the Reds' schedule the same as the Cards? Does this mean that random fluctuations like certain opponents sitting key players accounts for the difference in quality of opponent? There has to be something else...
Sep 09, 2010 07:49 AM
They have some differences in their interleague schedules, but also the Cards have games against the Reds on their schedule, while the Reds have games against the Cards on theirs. Since the Reds are doing better, this translates to a softer schedule for the Reds and a more difficult one for the Cards.
Sep 09, 2010 17:18 PM
With Chapman, Bailey, and Volquez looking to probably move into the rotation next year, the Reds aren't going away.
Sep 09, 2010 09:07 AM
As a Reds fan, the biggest surprises of the season have been Mike Leake, Scott Rolen and Miguel Cairo. Obviously Votto is doing beyond what anybody reasonably expected, but it was in the realm of expectations.
Sep 09, 2010 10:50 AM
Great article, Marc, but one quibble: I think it's a bit flip to say that Rasmus "hasn't been allowed to become the star he is now," and then use as evidence the discrepancy in PA's between him and players like Pujols and Holliday. Yes, La Russa's use of Rasmus has been frustrating and whimsical, and Rasmus should play more than he does. However: the overwhelming majority of Rasmus' missed plate appearances are due to injury, not managerial shenanigans.
Sep 10, 2010 07:48 AM
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Miguel Cabrera To Host Sixth Annual 'Keeping Kids In The Game' July 7th
DETROIT - Detroit Tigers MVP slugger Miguel Cabrera will host the sixth annual 'Keeping Kids in the Game', presented by Lear Corporation on Monday, July 7 at Comerica Park. Proceeds from the event support children's health and youth baseball programs facilitated by the Children's Hospital of Michigan Foundation, the University of Michigan C.S. Mott Children's Hospital, the Detroit Tigers Foundation, an affiliate of Ilitch Charities and the Miguel Cabrera Foundation, a charity established by Miguel and Rosangel Cabrera. Tickets for this once-in-a-lifetime event are $275 and may be purchased at www.detroittigersfoundation.com or by calling (313) 471-2113.
The Detroit Tigers Foundation's signature fundraising event features exclusive ballpark and field access, including self-guided tours of the home clubhouse, a dugout photo station and a private fireworks show. Guests at the event will also be treated to live entertainment, extraordinary auction items and a strolling dinner, along with beverages and cigars in the Tiger Club.
While patrons and guests are enjoying the Tiger Club, the Detroit Tigers will host nearly 200 patients and family members from Children's Hospital of Michigan and C.S. Mott Children's Hospital at Comerica Park for a special night under the lights at the ballpark. The children and their families will enjoy dinner in the Brushfire Grill, have access to the playing field, dugouts and clubhouse, as well as enjoy face painters, balloon and temporary tattoo artists, go for rides on the Fly Ball Ferris Wheel and meet special guests-including Tigers mascot PAWS and members of the 2014 Detroit Tigers. The children are invited through the respective Hospital Child Life Departments and are sponsored by Tigers players.
Event Sponsors Include:
Ambassador Magazine
Asylum Cigars
Citi Building Services
Delaware North Companies
Fabulous Events
FOX Sports Detroit
Hard Rock Café
Hudsonville Creamery & Ice Cream Company
Johnnie on the Spot
Lear Corporation
Michael Tobin & Family
Miller Lite
Midnite Oil Creative
MotorCity Casino Hotel
Pernod Ricard
Potbelly Sandwich Shop
Radio Disney
Take 2
Tapper's Diamonds and Fine Jewelry
The Patron Spirits Company
The Melting Pot of Troy
Thomas Lauzon & Family
Total Lubricants
Valerie Elliott & Family


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CBOT futures held up well in the face of poor export sales news and sustained early-week gains through their Thursday trading session. It was rather clear that many participants in the grain and soy markets were evening up positions ahead of the Friday morning USDA Crop Production and Supply/Demand reports. Indeed, we think traders did more of the same overnight, although the futures losses indicate more bulls were exiting positions than bears. We expect little price movement prior to the 11:00 AM CST release of the USDA data, which may be followed by a dramatic reaction. March corn slipped 3/4 cent to 6.98/bushel in Thursday night action, while December edged 2 3/42 cents lower to $5.81 1/4.
Soybean futures reacted rather well to the weekly export data Thursday, but that news was quickly overshadowed by the ensuing announcement that private exporters had reported 587,500 tonnes of bean sales to China and unknown destinations earlier in the week. The resulting gains reversed rather sharply around midsession, possibly due to the concerted exit of traders unwilling to hold long positions through the release of the Friday USDA data. That phenomenon apparently continued overnight, with the whole soy complex losing significant ground. Traders may be expecting the USDA to forecast huge South American production in early 2013 when it releases its reports later this morning. March soybeans fell 12 1/2 cents to $13.67 1/4 per bushel in early Friday trading, while March soyoil dipped 0.19 cents to 49.56 cents/pound and March meal tumbled $6.3 to $399.3/ton.
Export news apparently pushed wheat futures higher Thursday morning, but those gains were seemingly reversed by widespread profit-taking by bulls ahead of the USDA data set for release late this morning. The weakness experienced through the early part of this week probably encouraged bears to stick with previously established positions, but the modest gains posted Thursday night suggest those traders are now evening up their positions as well. Wheat could prove particularly sensitive to the USDA numbers, since the usual 2012 production and supply/demand news will be supplemented by its first estimate of winter wheat seedings, which will have direct implications for the mid-year harvest. March CBOT wheat advanced 3 1/4 cents to $7.47 1/2 per bushel in pre-dawn electronic market activity, while March KCBT wheat gained 2 cents to $7.98 1/2 and March MGE futures edged 1 1/4 cents higher to $8.40 1/2.
Prospects for continued short-term weakness seemingly weighed upon CME live cattle futures Thursday, with traders apparently expecting flat early-week cash activity and the Wednesday Chicago breakdown to drag country prices lower Friday. It would be easy to assume futures are headed lower, since the nearby contracts fell below their closely-watched 50-day moving averages yesterday, but they appear to be trying to hold above the confluence of their 50 and are in danger of falling below their 100-day moving averages today. Still, the cattle market has consistently confounded bears by rallying strongly whenever the situation seemed in danger of turned negative during the past two years. February cattle slipped 0.32 cents to 131.22 cents/pound in Thursday night transactions, while April dipped 0.30 cents to 134.77.
CME lean hog futures traded in a mixed fashion Thursday, possibly due to differences in contract prices on their respective charts. That is, the nearby February future remains well above its December lows, whereas the April and June contracts have fallen to their lowest levels since October. Cash and wholesale weakness earlier this week clearly weighed upon the market during its Wednesday breakdown. Conversely, mixed country quotes and a modest wholesale advance probably supported futures Thursday night. Nearby futures seem due for a bounce, but technicians might warn of the potential for a follow-through breakdown. February hogs slipped one tick to 84.57 cents/pound as traders were arriving at the Chicago pit this morning, whereas June had risen 0.05 cents to 96.60.
Cotton traders seemed somewhat impressed with the result of the weekly Export Sales report Thursday, although wire service sources cited the concurrent breakdown being suffered by the U.S. dollar for the rise in white fiber values. Futures later seemed to turn downward in concert with the mid-morning soybean reversal, but the New York market ultimately proved able to sustain a portion of its gains through the close. Those continued in Thursday night trading, possibly due to bullish expectations for the forthcoming USDA data. Bears may also have been evening up their positions. March cotton rose 0.41 cents to 75.61 cents/pound in pre-dawn trading, but December slipped 0.09 cents to 79.00.


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To register to vote in this State, a person must sign a voter declaration attesting that:
- You are a U.S. citizen.
- You have been a resident of North Carolina and the county for 30 days before the election.
- You will be at least 18 years old by the next general election.
- You are not registered nor will you vote in any other county or state.
- If you have been convicted of a felony, your rights of citizenship have been restored.
Must register to vote at least 25 days before the election.
Can change or select party affiliation up to 25 days before the election.
Can change or select party affiliation up to 25 days before the election.
Can register to vote in person or obtain a mail-in application from:
State agencies that are participating in the agency voter registration program, which include:
- Work First
- Women, Infants and Children (WIC)
- Food Stamps
- Medicaid
- Services for the Blind
- Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities and Substance Abuse Services
- Vocational Rehabilitation
- Governor's Advocacy Council for Persons with Disabilities
- Employment Security Commission
- Department of Motor Vehicles
- County Board of Elections
- Libraries
- Public high schools
You can also download a voter registration application forms in English and Spanish.
Absentee Voting:
Any registered North Carolina voter can request an absentee ballot by mail.
Voters can request an absentee ballot from the county board of elections if they are registered to vote. You must make a written request not later than the final Tuesday preceding Election Day. The request should include the voter's name, residence address, date of birth, and address to which the ballot should be mailed.
A near relative (spouse, brother, sister, parent, child, grandchild) may appear at the elections office fifty days prior, but not later than 5:00 P.M. on the Tuesday preceding Election Day, and complete an absentee application for the absentee voter.
Registered voters can also vote using the one-stop absentee voting program during the two weeks preceding the election. For more information regarding this program and specific locations for early voting, contact the local county board of elections.
The absentee ballot must be returned to the county elections office in person or by mail no later than 5:00 P.M. on the day before the Election.
For more election and voter information, you can contact the North Carolina Board of Elections' website.


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Posted 5 years ago
(6 items)
I purchased this lamp at a garage sale for $35.00. It seems to be in very good shape although I will have it rewired before using. It stands almost 5 feet and the bottom of the base is marked "BROOKS 115". I am interested to know the age of the lamp, its approximate value, where it may have been manufactured and what type of shade I should look for. I have tried to look up "Brooks" but have had no luck.
Thanks you in advance!


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Marlins add Diaz as potential righty bench bat
JUPITER, Fla. -- Throughout his career, Matt Diaz enjoyed great success against Marlins pitching. The 35-year-old outfielder is a career .360 hitter with 10 homers in 66 games against Miami.
After years of seeing what he could do to them, the Marlins now are about to find out what Diaz can do for them.
On Monday night, Miami reached an agreement with Diaz on a Minor League contract with an invitation to Spring Training. He will be in camp on Tuesday, and is expected to be in uniform when the Marlins face the Nationals at Roger Dean Stadium.
Diaz, primarily a corner outfielder, was released by the Yankees on March 17.
Although Opening Day is a week away -- April 1 at Washington -- Diaz will be given a quick look to see if he can make the club.
This spring with the Yankees, the veteran backup outfielder was 6-for-30 (.200) in 13 Grapefruit League games.
Diaz appeared in 51 games with the Braves last year, batting .222 with two home runs and 13 RBIs.
The Marlins are seeking a right-handed bat off the bench to complement the left-handed-hitting Greg Dobbs.
Diaz is a career .324 hitter against left-handed pitching.
The Marlins are still rounding out their roster, and they are exploring players who are being released to see if they are a possible fit.
On Saturday, the Marlins signed utility infielder Wilson Valdez, who was released on Friday by the Giants.
Diaz broke in with the Rays in 2003, and he played in 2005 for the Royals. His greatest success came with the Braves.
Diaz attended Florida State University, and he is a .291 career hitter with 45 homers.
Joe Frisaro is a reporter for MLB.com. He writes a blog, called The Fish Pond. Follow him on Twitter


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The U.S. Department of Agriculture is scheduling a hearing on proposed amendments to the marketing order for Florida citrus.
At the April 24 hearing in Winter Haven, Fla., USDA officials plan to discuss proposed modifications to the federal marketing order for Florida oranges, grapefruit, tangerines and tangelos.
The hearing plans to cover amendments recommended by the Lakeland-based Florida Citrus Administrative Committee which oversees local administration of the marketing order.
Among other things, the amendments would authorize different pack and container requirements for shipments inside Florida, the U.S. and internationally and regulate intrastate fruit movement, according to a news release.
The recommendations would also require handlers to register with the committee, allow the committee to approve regulation of new citrus varieties and hybrids and modify committee member terms of office and tenure requirements.
If the USDA agrees the proposed changes and could improve the marketing order's operation, it will conduct a grower vote, according to the release.
The USDA published the hearing notice and proposed amendments in the March 28 Federal Register.


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Corbett calls for pension system changes, increase to education in $28.4 billion plan
Gov. Tom Corbett is proposing a 2.4 percent increase in Pennsylvania spending in the next fiscal year.
He used his budget address Tuesday to make a few other big announcements touching on transportation, Medicaid and the state's pension system.
In his address before the General Assembly, he framed the $28.4 billion budget proposal as a turning point as Pennsylvania regains its financial footing.
"Now is not the time to be timid in our approach. Now is not the time to cling to old ideas and the status quo," he said. "Now is not the time to make small changes and expect big results."
Multimillion-dollar K-12 increases
After calling for sweeping cuts in previous budgets, Corbett is proposing multimillion-dollar increases in kindergarten-through-12th-grade education and programs serving those with disabilities.
Corbett intends to generate more money for transportation projects, which face a $3.5 billion deficit annually, by beginning to lift the cap on the wholesale gas price paid by gas stations and siphoning funds from revenue sources such as driver's license fees. He said those changes could bring in $500 million in the next fiscal year
He said he would combine that with a 17 percent reduction in the tax paid by motorists at the pump.
Corbett also used his speech to announce he'll reject a Medicaid expansion authorized under the federal Affordable Care Act.
"Without serious reforms, it would be financially unsustainable for the taxpayers, and I cannot recommend a dramatic Medicaid expansion," the governor said.
Corbett's long-awaited answer to the state's rising pension costs is threefold.
He said he would lower the state's payments on its pension debt, spreading out the obligation over a longer period. He also wants to shrink future benefits for current state employees, and enroll all future state employees into a 401(k)-style plan.
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By Luc Gruenther
Oct 23, 2002
I just climbed the 2 rightmost of thes routes and found that they both go to an anchor below the lowest roof that is less than 100 ft off the deck, so you can use a single 60m rope. However, the leftmost route (immediately right of the Staircase) goes to a separate anchor below a higher roof...you will need 2 ropes to rap from there.
Also, the 2 routes on the right have 6 bolts each and are well-spaced and plenty safe. I didn't see any need for passive gear.
The leftmost route is listed in the Colorado book as a 3-pitch route. The CO book says it has 5 bolts, but it has more...not sure exactly how many.
By J. Thompson
From: denver, co
Apr 15, 2003
|Having done these routes last weekend....you cannot do theses routes with a single 60m rope...believe me it was a pain.
By Luc Gruenther
Apr 28, 2003
With regard to Thompson's post:
Actually, the two rightmost routes (of the three bolted slab routes immediately right of Staircase and immediately left of Hollow Flake) can be done as "sport climbs" with a 60m rope. I've climbed them both several times this way. In fact, I just had an outing with a bunch of beginners and we set up a toprope on the two rightmost routes. They share the same set of anchors, whereas the leftmost bolted route (3-pitch 5.9), goes to a different set of anchors that is higher up. This 5.9 route needs two 60m ropes to reach the ground.
By Jim McGuire
Oct 30, 2003
|We had no problems doing this route with a 60m rope, for both lead and descent and top-roping. This is a great face climb with abundant little knobs and foot divots. I would give it a 3 star rating.
By Paul
Oct 31, 2003
rating: 5.8- 5b 16 VI- 14 VS 4c
|I really enjoyed this climb. It is certainly doable with a 60m rope. For a leader that is pushing the limits with this grade, getting to the second bolt could be a little bit scary (belayer beware). After the second bolt is clipped, you are pretty much home free as the climbing drops a grade and you have nice climbing up to the anchors. The top is very nice with great holds and easy climbing and just a tiny bit run out to keep things fun. Just a tiny bit runout, certainly not a lot. Have fun as this is a classic slab with dishes for holds. It's great.
By Rich F.
From: Colorado Springs, CO
Sep 7, 2009
rating: 5.8- 5b 16 VI- 14 VS 4c
|Climbed all three routes today with my wife. All of the bolts and all three anchors/chains look good. Appears to be a new set of anchors/chains at the top of Kansas Honey (1st pitch) -- thanks to whoever put them up! I thought the crux on all three routes was either getting to the 1st bolt, or the 2nd bolt. Once past those bolts, the rest of the climbing is pretty straightforward (5.7ish). A little run out at the very top of Kansas Honey and the middle route but the climbing is straightforward. Can place protection at the top of the middle route under a large overlap using a #2 or #3 Camalot before making the final move to the chains. Definitely need a 70m rope to toprope Kansas Honey and the middle route.
By Jennifer Franklin
From: Durango, CO
May 31, 2010
|Julie and I led the third one to the right of the Staircase. The third to the right is a good beginner 8, but the 2nd to the right is a pretty sketchy start for a beginner, since the first two bolts are high up. We used a 60 meter rope for both, but with the 2nd route to the right, Julie traverse over to the chains meant for the 3rd route...just to be on the safe side. Both were lots of fun.
By Bill Olszewski
From: Colorado Springs, CO
Aug 4, 2010
|These routes are listed in the new, updated version of Stewart Green's Rock Climbing Colorado, which just came out this summer. Unfortunately I do not have a copy, but hopefully someone who does will list the names/ratings.
By David Reuille
From: Denver, CO
Jul 11, 2012
|I just added these 3 routes as their own routes. From right to left: Unknown - 5.8R, Kansas Honey - 5.9, Unknown 2 - 5.6.
By Rocky_Mtn_High
From: Arvada, CO
Aug 24, 2013
According to Ben Schmitt's guidebook, Eleven Miles to Freedom: The Rock Climber's Guide to Elevenmile Canyon, these three routes immediately adjacent to The Staircase (from right to left) are "Waiting on a Resolution", "Kansas Honey", and "Waiting on the Staircase".
The first bolt on "Waiting on a Resolution" may be the crux and is quite far off the deck (Ben recommends a stick clip to avoid a potential broken ankle; I clipped it from the left and then restarted).
I agree that reaching the anchor on Kansas Honey was a bit too runout for my comfort level, and I was glad to put a cam in under the flake below the anchor. I was also glad to have a 70m rope for lowering / rapping from these three routes.
By ErikaNW
From: Golden, CO
Aug 31, 2014
Just in case people get the idea it is safe to use a 60m rope on the 2nd of these routes (Kansas Honey) - it has its own anchor now (maybe it shared an anchor with Waiting on the Staircase when this description was originally posted) which is quite a bit higher than the 5.6 anchor.
It definitely requires a 70m - we just made it on stretch with our 70m. The information posted under the Kansas Honey description on this page is correct.
By Karl Kiser
Aug 9, 2015
rating: 5.7+ 5a 15 V+ 13 MVS 4b
|This is a nice pitch for the grade. One can place a #3 Camalot with a long sling on Hollow Flake prior to the first bolt.


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THEY ARE HERE: Fear. Fire. Mortis.
The countdown which has been running at 2000adonline.com came to an end earlier today and the site has closed, replaced with a single image bearing the legend 'THEY ARE HERE'. Readers have been tantalised over the past month by a series of teaser images published through Comic Book Resources (below), which began as oblique symbols before slowly revealing the impending return of the terrible threesome. They must now wait to see what will be unveiled...
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With a stunning cover by Henry Flint, this has been the most keenly anticipated 2000 AD event in years. Prog 1781 goes on sale on Wednesday.
Source: 2000 AD
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text:
Each flight time is different for the team. Typically, they fly home immediately following the end of a road trip. There isn't really a departure time because they may have team-only postgame meetings and then media availability prior to leaving.
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Each flight time is different for the team. Typically, they fly home immediately following the end of a road trip. There isn't really a departure time because they may have team-only postgame meetings and then media availability prior to leaving.
So basically there is no way of knowing actually when they would arrive. I understand that might be a bit of a roll of the dice, but what about where fans might greet the team as they arrive? Is it the international terminal or will they arrive at some secure location that we would not be able to get into. I've heard other folks say that they had to "know" someone to get through the secured area to greet the team.
We really should make a concerted effort to meet at the airport unless it is some ungodly hour. Even then, I'm sure some folks will want to go. The key is to spread the word on how to do it.
Man It's kind of my fault I was trying to get the info ahead of time to give to everybody they do come in at the international arrivals terminal over by the old airport. We just didn't have an exact time so we had Denari text us when they left and text us again when they landed.
Let's plan to meet after the second Heat game at the airport unless it is in the dead of night. Even then some may still want to go. Thanks!
Also a heck of a lot cheaper to park at!
"Nobody wants to play against Tyler Hansbrough NO BODY!" ~ Frank Vogel
"And David put his hand in the bag and took out a stone and slung it. And it struck the Philistine on the head and he fell to the ground. Amen. "
Salutations, 55ers. Well, Round 1 of the Playoffs now stands 3-1 in favor of the Pacers. I think you can just about stick a fork in the Magic. The Amway Disneys are almost – but not quite – done.
Tonight, hopefully, our guys will administer the merciful coup de grace. Then, we'll have won the mandatory 4 games we need to advance to Round 2. Then we won't have to see Stan Van Gundy, Big Baby, Ryan Anderson (The Most Improved Player in the NBA!) or J. J. Redick any more for a long, long time. They will all just return to Dwightsville and start scheming and building for another successful season. (Yes, I'm being sarcastic here. I don't see Stan Van Gundy and Dwight Howard in the same town ever again).
Oh, yes, tonight the Magic will "play hard"; they will "still believe in themselves"; and they "will be scrappy." But if the Magic's necromancy proved unavailing against the Pacers on their own swampy Florida turf , then you have to wonder how it's going to have any efficacy here in Indy before a sold-out and raucous BLF? To me, Stan Van Gundy's bottle of ju-ju appears pretty empty. More to the point, Frank Vogel has publicly promised Game 7 intensity tonight from the Pacers. Frank doesn't usually make idle threats. .
So, I like our chances tonight, O painted ones. Let's do all we can as a unit to put an end to this Round One charade. I think everyone's about ready to witness the Pacer's real test – our upcoming rumble with Miami's troika of James, Wade, and Bosch. Let's get rid of the Magic and get to the main event.
More Reasons to Loathe Orlando – The Horrendous Poetry of J. J. Redick: It was interesting to see Jonathan Clay "J. J." Redick bump into Tyler Hansbrough in Game 4., wasn't it? J. J. emerged from the encounter all put out and testy. There was a flurry of arm flailing, some demonstrative pushing, and a quick spasm of nasty name-calling -- all indicating a bit of personal pique on the part of J. J.
Perhaps J. J. was just surprised Tyler happened to be in his way. Perhaps J. J. was offended that Tyler did not just mildly step away and thereby allow J.J. to spin effortlessly toward the hoop for a driving layup. Whatever, J. J. was not happy with Tyler. J. J.'s resulting hissy fit is preserved here. Vide!
The above prompted me to do a little research on J. J. Redick as previously I did not know too much about him. My research is now completed. Suffice it to say, I now despise J. J. Redick for a more important reason than his hissy fits. I now despise him for his affronts to the English language.
See, J. J. Redick does not view himself as simply a better than average jump shooter (which he undoubtedly is). In his own mind, his waters run far deeper than that. He has an introspective, "sensitive side." This side comes out only in J. J.'s quieter, more pensive, off-court moments. Then J. J. Redick the jump-shooter morphs into J. J. Redick the poet.
No kidding. J. J. writes poems.
Consider this one, which J. J. self-published on the SI.com website. It is so aptly called "July 7, 2004"
"July 7, 2004
As I decide to fulfill my life's strategy The devil insists on trying to battle me I meet him in an empty field on the high plains He throws temptations my way to inflict internal pain
Life and death matters, this ain't no game
It's mind over matter, the power of my brain
He thinks I'll give in if my muscles start to strain
He believes I'll submit to the evil of society's frame
And benefit from notoriety's gain
He says I don't have to properly train
and that he'll give me all the fame
and everyone will know my name
But I think he's insane
'Cause I know the truth- to gain is to give
To have pain is to live
So I call on my heavenly Father's name
And slowly watch the thunder and rain subside
I'm finally able to push the temptations aside
I went blow for blow, I went face to face
Now the devil knows, I'm able to escape
Not by a back door or an alternate route
I saw the middle high ground and I ran right through"
Pretty good, huh? Great use of rhyme! I particularly enjoyed this complex A/B/B/A scheme he opens with: .
"He says I don't have to properly train
And that he'll give me all the fame
And everyone will know my name
But I think he's insane"
And then there's J. J.'s boffo unrhymed A/ B/ C/ D ending:
"I went blow for blow, I went face to face
Now the devil knows, I'm able to escape
Not by a back door or an alternate route
I saw the middle high ground and I ran right through"
Rhyme consistency isn't something J. J. worries much about. Sometimes it's there and sometimes it isn't.
And the subject matter of this poem! Very powerful stuff! What imagery!
Here we have jump-shooter J. J. Redick involved in a life and death struggle with "the devil" in an "empty field" on the "high plains." Reading it, I couldn't help but wonder if those "high plains" might perhaps be located somewhere "in Spain" and, of course, be all wet, damp, and dewy due to the persistent "rain." Yes, I had an Eliza Dolittle moment.
And consider the basic and thoroughly profound message of this poem:
The Devil is tempting J. J. Redick, telling him that he "does not have to properly train!"
(I can see Old Nick now: "Psst, J. J., You can cheat on those pushups! No weight work today!")
Happily, though, J. J. fights through Satan's temptations. In fact, he sees some "middle high ground and runs right through". I for one felt relieved when this happened but had to wonder why he elected to run right through that middle high ground.
One minor critique: Perhaps, somewhere, J. J. might have worked in that old weight-room maxim, "No pain, no gain!" But, then again, he really does sort of do this, doesn't he? When he says:
'Cause I know the truth- to gain is to give
To have pain is to live
So true, J. J. And spoken like a true masochist.
Want more? Okay.
How about this one, aptly named "July 15, 2004" (and apparently written by J. J. a week after his earlier "July 7, 2004" opus, and while still on a poetic roll):
"July 15, 2004
No bandage can cover my scars
It's hard living a life behind invisible bars
Searching for the face of God
I'm only inspired by the poems of Nas
Because the truth has carved my life's patterns
The reality of pain, and the joy of laughter
My hopes and dreams shattered
by the miscalculation of my own situation
It's difficult to keep my nerves patient
Facing the forecast of fears
that none of my peers have ever been faced with
I wanna reach the top floor, but I'm stuck in the basement
With not enough juice to burst through
the chains that have shackled my brain
It seems my dreams have carried me to a separate peace
apart from reality
Society is allowing me to grow into the man I'm destined to become
But how can I move when my entire skeleton is numb?
Numb from the obstacles that I've been given
Suddenly the bars connect to walls
and I find myself contained inside life's prison"
This one is so ingenious. J. J. starts powerfully with "No bandage can cover my scars; It's hard living a life behind invisible bars" And you think, hey, J. J.'s rhyming!
But then, another surprise! Nothing else in the poem seems to rhyme until you get way down to "Society is allowing me to grow into the man I'm destined to become; But how can I move when my entire skeleton is numb?"
"Become" / "Numb" - Well, it sort of rhymes, kinda….
Here's my favorite J. J. Reddick poem, aptly titled "November 10, 2004"
"November 10, 2004
I can't see what my future has in store
but I move forth with the strength of a condor
The courage of a warrior
The commitment of an American soldier
Despite this weight on my shoulder
my inner forces circulate to form
a nucleus of an unbreakable bond
These words describe the soundtrack to my life's song
My mind and body united like the Colors of Benneton
My destiny isn't told by the creases of my palm
A sharp thorn once cut my soul
The blood flowed
But no bandage would cover the wound
I couldn't help but stare at the distant moon
Waiting for a resolution to come at an instant soon
I asked the Lord, "What am I to do?"
He said, "Son, I made the sky blue
The rain falls because of me
Leaves change colors on a fall tree
I was the inspiration to Martin Luther King
I'm the reason Ray Charles could sing
I've changed others through and through
And my son, I'll do the same to you"
I love the opening heroic couplet: "I can't see what my future has in store; but I move forth with the strength of a condor" Ah, the imagery this conjures!
See, J. J. is blind, uncertain of his future, but he still is "moving forth" like a big South American vulture gliding on those warm air currents high in the Andes mountains.
And then there's this image (my favorite): "My mind and body united like the Colors of Benneton (sic)"
Such an evocative metaphor! J. J. – body and soul – made one, like … well, like an Italian global luxury fashion brand – "United Colors of Benetton"
And there's J.J.'s resort to the Lord for guidance, a la Tim Tebow: "I asked the Lord, "What am I to do? He said, "Son, I made the sky blue."
This is truly profound. And I love how God answers J. J. right back! Just like he does with Tim Tebow!
So there is much reason to defeat Orlando tonight, 55ers. Assuming we get rid of the Magic without further fanfare, there will be further cause for more postings of wretched J. J. Redick poems in this Newsletter.
I promise!
Hmmm, I wonder if LeBron has a poetic side?
Last edited by IndyHoya; 05-10-2012 at 08:51 AM.
To everyone that ordered an Indiana T-shirt. We hope to have them done by game 3 of the 2nd round series (first home game) I can either ship them to you or bring them to the game.
This was from Kravitz in his article about the brawl bla bla bla....
But gotta give the guy credit lol
With a bit more than a minute left in the Pacers' 105-87 series-clincher over the Orlando Magic, the chant went up from Area 55: "Beat the Heat! Beat the Heat!'' Then the rest of the crowd joined in.
Alright Area 55 we are going to have to have a viewing party on Sunday.
Any opinions on where to have it?
Also input from all PD members is needed because we hope to see many of you there also.
"Nobody wants to play against Tyler Hansbrough NO BODY!" ~ Frank Vogel
"And David put his hand in the bag and took out a stone and slung it. And it struck the Philistine on the head and he fell to the ground. Amen. "
Yeah because we had only been trying to get it going since about 3 min left lol.
I have a cleveland Lebron jersey I bought at goodwill just to use it for a game like this. How can we go about this.
DG for 3
Print out a big Delonte West head and put it in the jersey with a Quote bubble saying "I'm Proud of you son!"
Hey we need to think about a new fathead or two. Does not have to be a head in particular coudl just be a big sign.
I had a few Ideas. Maybe a big sign with all the players faces on it that says built not bought.
A big sign that says FLOPPER! What do you guys think?
Anyone going to the viewing party at Champps?
not I
Looks like everybody's having margaritas with their mommas. Okey-dokey, guess I watch it at home.
As for fatheads, we will continue to bring our own Foster fathead with us, that we made with a picture taken the day before he officially retired. Our way of saying that he is still part of the team. Had hoped to use the image of Foster staring down D. Rose (from last year's playoffs) if we played Chicago, but a) we won't be playing them and b) I guess there is something about photo copyright infringement that we'd have to worry about.
I do have a picture of Hibbert dunking over LeBron. I will give some thought to making that into a poster for games 3 & 4. However, it would be nice if we can reclaim the ones that went to the G-squared zone. I'm not sure that area is convening for the playoffs anyway.
I guess you could wear floppy bunny ears in respect to Frank's comment.
You know how hippos are made out to be sweet and silly, like big cows, but are actually extremely dangerous and can kill you with stunning brutality? The Pacers are the NBA's hippos....Matt Moore CBS Sports....
I think we need a big sign that just says FLOP! When a player flops we could count 1, 2, 3 and then put up the sign and everybody in A55 flops over into their seats.
Yes Brumback. Yes.
DG for 3
Love it. I doubt that it would bother Sandy. It would more likely trigger an effort on the part of David Stern to have Area 55 disbanded. :-)
So....can someone please post info on when/where the team will be landing and if anyone will be going to meet them at the airport?
I'm trying to find that out..... Looks like I'm burning the candle late tonight. Good thing I have plenty of caffeine and get off work at 1PM!
"Nobody wants to play against Tyler Hansbrough NO BODY!" ~ Frank Vogel
"And David put his hand in the bag and took out a stone and slung it. And it struck the Philistine on the head and he fell to the ground. Amen. "


text:
WOW...so sorry to any finalist throughout the years who ended up not qualifying AFTER being selected....what a heart break that would be!!!!
Contest Nitty Gritty
You guys are probably wondering why we haven't posted the 2009 Build a Better Burger® finalists yet…I mean, it's almost Labor Day! But here's the thing. It takes time to verify all the Affidavits of Eligibility. The trick is that, in trying to verify that everyone is eligible, we find that people don't even realize that they are ineligible! It's totally not their fault but then we have to start the process over again with the next semi-finalist in line.
We thought it would be a good idea to give you a look into what happens in the selection process. This also gives us an opportunity to explain why we can't possibly get back to every.single.person. who enters a recipe and let them know if they passed the review or not.
First off, let's cover the ever-intriguing topic of government rules. We have to consider the state alcohol beverage laws that say something to the effect that a winery can't give any "thing of value" to an entity/person working for an entity with a liquor license as it could be construed as incentive to sell our product. And believe me, a $50,000 cash prize is a thing of value!
That is just one example but that's why we have to be careful when verifying our finalists. If your spouse works at a restaurant that has a liquor license, sadly, the contest rules make you ineligible because winning $50,000 might be construed as "giving something of value" to your spouse. It's not awesome on our part to have to tell someone who has worked so hard on a recipe that they can't compete because of that rule. There's lots of things we have to think about…that's just one.
But that is also why we haven't posted names yet, because in theory, they aren't set in stone yet.
Finally, addressing the age-old (trust me, you guys aren't the only ones who ask it) question as to why we can't let everyone know if their recipe was disqualified in the review round: the answer is actually simple. It comes down to manpower. We get flooded with entries. I mean, I remember one year not-so-long ago in which we got well over 10,000 recipes. 10,000 very in-depth recipes. And our review team (which isn't made up of a ton of bodies) looks at every.single.one. Twice. With their own eyes. There is no automated system. It's good ol' fashioned review. So after that happens, the stack of recipes is really just too darn big to contact the owners of the recipes who haven't passed. The other side of the coin is that if we contact them telling them they are disqualified, then people will want to know what specifically DQ'ed them. The truth is that it's various reasons—ingredients are out of order, you forgot to include buns as an ingredient (it happens!) or maybe the patty isn't ground meat of some sort, just to name a few.
All these reasons contribute to being disqualified in the review round but imagine having to contact 5,000+ people, each with a different reason for not making it past the review. Sadly, we just don't have manpower. We need all the help we can getting ready for the contest because once it closes for entries, it's a whirlwind around the winery trying to get everything in order.
We're very excited that everyone is passionate about Build a Better Burger®…we are too and love to share everything with you, hence this looooong blog post.
NOW…here is an official announcement. The finalists for the 2009 Build a Better Burger® Contest will be announced on Monday, August 31, 2009 by 12 p.m. (noon) PDT. Look for the results at buildabetterburger.com
Learn more about Build a Better Burger
Is there any way that you can blog at some point about the types of things that DQ a recipe or a contestant? I mean - I know it's silly, but I know I didn't put buns in my ingredients lists for any of my submissions. Looking back on it ... duh! I need to include that because there are so many different kinds of bread that could be used. But in my mind I was thinking "hamburger buns are obvious". Again ... duh!
I also don't understand the "ingredients out of order" thing. I always list my ingredients in the order they're called for in the recipe, but maybe that's not what you're looking for?
I'm sure there are a ton of other little things that might have DQ'd me even if my burgers were outstanding. It would be nice to have a list of common errors and DQs to reference for next years submissions so I don't make the same mistakes again! :)
It's hard to believe that 5 to 10,000 people enter the contest—that is an outstanding number.
The contest is so much fun and who couldn't use the grand prize. It is quite an undertaking to review each recipe, have you ever tried to recruit interns and or culinary school students? I would think it would be helpful to them and to you. It could be unpaid or even college credit. Perhaps then you could have a database and let people know if they qualified so they could prepare for next year. Every day at work I get asked whether I qualified and how do they test the recipes, It would be nice to give all the people that were involved in my process a heads up on the contest. :) and :( (sad I didn't get picked)
It's all written in the rules. You get DQ'd if you or someone in your immediate family hold a liquor license. You can't live in CA.
You also need to list the ingredients in order of use. In the Ingredients section, if you list:
and then in the method section say, "Form 6 patties with the meat and season with salt and pepper" then that's a DQ because you listed the meat first b4 the salt and pepper.
You need to take the rules quite literally.
I'm hoping this year's chosen recipes are up to the challenge as I know there were many qualifying recipesthat are dead on awesome.
Not all the nitty gritty is listed in the rules - it would be impossible to. But for example, I get the rule that you and no one in your family can hold a liquor license. But if my spouse does occasional contract work for a friend of his who is a caterer and holds a liquor license ... it wouldn't have occurred to me that could be a problem. After all, my spouse isn't the one holding the license. But apparently it would.
I'm just saying, it would be nice to see a list of the more common mistakes or DQ errors at some point after the craziness of the contest is over. It would be a good reference to use for next year. :)
Updated ... I just went and reread the rules and found this:
"Each ingredient, including the bread product and all other elements, must be listed, preferably in order of use,"
PREFERABLY ... in order of use, not required. So if this is a DQ issue, it needs to be stated as such.
Ok-I decided to print my recipes on nice paper and send them via the us mail system-not e-mail. I read, and reread the rules. The rules said that you had to include your name, address, category, ingredients and directions and follow the rules regaurding the eligibility factors and so on. It did NOT say to include wine pairing and the store you purchased your wine from. You would have to include that info if you filled out the form online. Since they said to follow the rules carefully, I did what they said. Was that a mistake? I hope that will be made clear in the future!!
This is my first entry into a cooking contest. I understand the whole staffing thing. What I don't understand if you enter online, one would assume they are reviewed online. In which case it would be easy to respond and write you have been disqualified and why. The U.S. Mail entries I understand the email entries I don't. Also I had a couple of questions during the creation phase and there was no one to ask. I think they should have someone to ask specific questions to. Not that it matters now but one of my questions was do you get to select your own ingredients if you are a finalist, or are the ingredients provided for you?
Good luck to the finalists I will be looking later to see how they stack up.
....And now I see why I didn't win!!!!!!.....Great line-up of recipes!!!....
Hey anyone know the venue info? I have watched this on tv for a few years and am very interested in attending the event. I haven't been able to find this out. Any help is appreciated. TX!
Hi Betty! The contest is held at the Sutter Home Victorian Inn in the Napa Valley. Unfortunately because of space constraints, we can't open the event to the public but thanks for tuning into Food Network!


text:
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The Seacons are a team of Decepticons named for their sea-animal alternate modes. The team is able to merge their bodies and minds to form the gigantic Piranacon. Read our full review on this cool Transformers release HERE!


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News and Information about Financial Education from the FDIC
In This Issue
Message from the FDIC
During our changing -- and challenging -- economic times, consumer financial
education takes on added importance. This issue of Money Smart News
provides timely resources for financial educators to use to help people of
all ages
and income levels understand how they can more effectively manage their money.
You will find a discussion of federal programs and Web sites promoting financial
education that can be particularly helpful in the current environment.
This issue presents resources that will help consumers understand their deposit insurance coverage. These include a new Spanish-language version of the FDICs online Electronic Deposit Insurance Estimator, which we call EDIE.
The 2009 tax season provides financial educators with an excellent opportunity to teach adult students how they can save money for the future. You will find tax time success stories for educators, including ways to partner with free IRS tax-preparation sites. In the process, educators can help low- and moderate-income individuals open and add to bank and savings accounts. Also on the topic of saving money, the third annual America Saves Week -- February 22 to March 1, 2009 -- is a time when many government agencies (including the FDIC), private companies, and non-profit organizations emphasize the importance of putting tax refunds and other money into savings.
We hope you will find useful information and resources in this issue of Money Smart News. As always, if you have questions or suggestions, contact your FDIC Regional Community Affairs Officer.
Sandra L. Thompson
FDIC Division of Supervision and Consumer Protection
FDIC Web Site Features Resources on How and Why to Save Money
Savings are critical in helping consumers handle everything from surprise expenses to income disruptions to paying for a home or college education. A new FDIC Web page provides links to savings-related resources for financial institutions, community-based organizations, and others involved in financial education. Go to http://www.fdic.gov/deposit/deposits/savings.html
Federal Programs Promoting Economic Recovery Via Financial Education
The FDIC has partnered with the White House, the U.S. Department of the Treasury,
the Commerce Department, and other federal offices to produce a Web site that
focuses on how Americans can protect their savings. Financial educators and their
students can learn more by visiting www.economicrecovery.gov. Also, given the current challenging economic situation and the need for financial education, the FDIC highlights the availability of grants for financial educators from two Money Smart partners in the federal government. One program, from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Assets for Independence, provides funds for financial education and asset building for low-income families. For more information, visit: http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/ocs/afi/. The other program, from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, offers grants for colleges and universities to work in the area of financial education in their local communities. To learn more, visit: http://www.oup.org/programs/programs.asp
Promoting Financial Education at IRS Tax-Preparation Sites: Success Stories
Money Smart partners are making a difference in local communities by helping
to offer free tax help to eligible wage earners through IRS Volunteer Income
Tax Assistance (VITA) sites. To read how Money Smart can be used with the VITA
program to deliver financial education at a "teachable moment," see
the latest installment of our "Success Stories." (Read this story and
FDIC Publication Helps Consumers Understand Changes in Deposit Insurance Coverage
The Fall 2008 FDIC Consumer News explains recent changes in the deposit insurance
rules -- primarily a temporary boost in the basic insurance limit from $100,000
to $250,000 through December 31, 2009 -- and provides other information to help
bank customers understand how their deposits are protected. Educators and students
can subscribe free to the online version of the newsletter. (See the latest
newsletter and subscription information.)
New Spanish-Language Web Site Helps Depositors Understand Their Money Is Federally Insured
The FDIC has created a Web site devoted to material and information the agency makes available in Spanish on deposit insurance coverage. The site -- www.fdicseguro.gov -- features the FDICs new version of our Electronic Deposit Insurance Estimator (EDIE), as well as a Spanish public service announcement that encourages consumers to keep their funds in federally insured institutions where their money will be safe and can grow. Readers of the Fall 2008 Money Smart News may recall the FDIC launched a similar Web site -- www.myfdicinsurance.gov -- in English.
Send Us Your Success Stories
The FDIC wants to hear how Money Smart is making a difference. We're interested in finding out about your programs and procedures, tips and other information that Money Smart educators and partners might find useful. The best contributions may appear in a future issue of Money Smart News. See our previously published success stories. Submit your stories today!
Keep Up With Money Smart News
To subscribe to a listserv that will e-mail you each new edition of Money Smart News, follow the instructions at www.fdic.gov/about/subscriptions/index.html. The FDIC does not send unsolicited e-mail. If this publication has reached you in error, or if you no longer wish to receive this service, please unsubscribe.
For More Help or Information
If you need additional assistance, contact your regional Community Affairs Officer; or if you would like additional information on the Money Smart program, visit our overview.
Past Issues
See other issues of the quarterly Money Smart News dating back to 2003.


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John Bunyan (1628 - 1688) is best remembered as the author of the beloved Christian classic Pilgrim's Progress. A Baptist minister, he would become one of England's most celebrated prisoners. He is born in Bedfordshire, the son of a tinker who went from house to house repairing broken items. Bunyan later recalls living in abject poverty; with little formal schooling and "without God," he was an unruly child.
Later, while serving three years in the parliamentary army, he senses God singling him out for protection, while other soldiers around him die in battle. On leaving the military, he takes up his father's trade and becomes an impoverished tinker. When he marries Mary at twenty-one, he becomes convicted of his sinful life of worldliness—particularly dancing and sports—and begins attending church. In 1653, at the age of twenty-five, he is baptized and licensed to serve as a lay preacher.
With Mary's death six years into their marriage, Bunyan is left alone with four little children. Moving to Bedford, he remarries and begins his preaching ministry. His is a simple style of biblical storytelling, but he is soon drawing crowds, some coming from great distances to hear him. However, the timing corresponds with the Restoration of Charles II in 1660. After twenty years of freedom of worship, Nonconformist services are banned, and ministers are rounded up and arrested. Thus begins Bunyan's dozen years of prison. His second wife, Elizabeth, only seventeen when they marry, is now alone with young children. Yet she becomes his strongest defender and advocate, going before judges and magistrates and pleading his cause.
He can free himself by promising not to preach, but he refuses. He tells local magistrates that he would rather remain in prison until "moss grows on his eyelids" than fail to do what God has commanded him to do. Unlike many seventeenth-century incarcerations, his time behind bars is not all misery. In fact, guarded by a friendly small-town jailor, he is permitted some nights at home, and visitors are welcome. Most astonishingly, on occasion he is allowed to preach to those gathered in "unlawful assemblies." But the most precious freedom he enjoys is time for reading and writing.
Grace Abounding to the Chief of Sinners, his spiritual memoir of his early life and ministry, is a treasured piece of Puritan writing. With a simple straightforward style, he records events and relationships without overstated religious piety. He confesses temptations even during his Sunday sermon. Besides inner struggle, he confronts community gossip and rumors of his own sexual impropriety, which he insists are untrue.
Bunyan's final years in jail are devoted primarily to writing Pilgrim's Progress, the book for which he became famous. He is released, however, before the volume is finished. When Charles II issues the Declaration of Indulgence, freeing Nonconformists from their prison cells, Bunyan wastes no time in getting back into regular ministry. But he soon finds himself back in jail when Nonconformity is again made illegal. The six-month confinement affords more time for writing.
Pilgrim's Progress, quickly regarded as a literary masterpiece, is an allegory that touches the emotions like few other books have, spanning every social class and religious identity. By the time of his death there are nearly a hundred thousand copies in print.
While his fame is spreading, Bunyan continues to preach as an itinerant evangelist. Indeed, he travels so much that he is dubbed "Bishop Bunyan." He also serves as chaplain to the mayor of London. All the while he continues writing, producing in 1680 what some have regarded the first English novel: The Life and Death of Mr. Badman. He also writes theologically oriented treatises, including Differences in Judgement about Water-Baptism no Bar to Communion.
Today's reading is from Parade of Faith: A Biographical History of the Christian Church by Ruth Tucker. © 2010 by Zondervan. Used with permission. All rights reserved. The book's title must be included when sharing the above content on social media.


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Rather than clutter up the Great Rebirth Debate viewtopic.php?f=16&t=41&p=15703#p15703 I've got some observations regarding the picking and choosing of the Buddha's teachings.
I've been recently studying MN117: "The Great Forty" http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka ... .than.html in the last few weeks. In various talks both Bhikkhu Bodhi http://www.bodhimonastery.net/bm/about- ... ?showall=1 and Ajahn Brahmali http://www.bswa.org/audio/podcast/SuttaStudy.rss.php point out that the discussion of mundane and supermundane paths in that Sutta is directly from the Abhidhamma and those concepts don't appear in many (if any) other Suttas. So if one has the inclination to reject Abhidhamma and Commentaries and go for the "pure teachings of the Buddha" then, in fact, it's in those more abstract Suttas such as MN117 that one should be suspicious of.


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Review: Sennheiser RS 170 wireless headphones
I've written about car audio for Crutchfield since 2003, after four years as Crutchfield Sales Advisor, and 10 years as a music teacher. I'm an avid music listener, with a real love of classical and film music. I love having a great system in my car, and I'll still match the system in my 98 Ford Ranger (may it rest in piece) up against anything else I've heard for great SQ. I attended West Virginia University, where I received a Master's Degree in Music Performance and a Bachelor's Degree in History. Let's Go Mountaineers!
More from Ken Nail
Heads up!Welcome to this article from the Crutchfield archives. Have fun reading it, but be aware that the information may be outdated and links may be broken.
Sometimes it seems like I'm in constant motion, even during my downtime. That can make using regular corded headphones challenging — every time I settle down to listen to a little music, something comes up that needs attended to. Pause goes the music or video, off go the headphones. So while good sound is important to me, cutting the cord and having headphones that can move with me is appealing.
Wireless headphones are a logical solution for my kinetic listening habits, so when I got a chance to test drive a pair of Sennheiser's RS 170 wireless headphones, I jumped at it.
High-quality sound design
The RS 170's are built for excellent sound reproduction. They feature amply padded earcups that effectively block out outside noise and feature Sennheiser's "Kleer"™ technology for lossless CD-quality digital audio. A Dynamic Bass Boost circuit augments the lows if you want more bass, and the selectable Surround Sound simulation circuit creates a simulated surround effect for an enveloping sound field.
Easy hookup
Setting up the RS 170 headphones was a snap. All the necessary connection cables were included, which gave me the option of plugging the transmitter into either the preamp outputs or the headphone jack of my receiver. I chose to use the headphone jack, mainly for the utility — when connected through the headphone jack, I could adjust the volume with my receiver's remote control. Otherwise, I would have been limited to the volume controls on the headphones themselves for adjustments.
Useful in so many places
Of course the main appeal of the RS 170's to me was utility. I could wear the headphones in a variety of settings while engaged in a variety of tasks without having to worry about tangling up the cord or having to stop listening if I needed to move. The RS170 excelled in every location and type of audio I tested it with.
For quiet listening when reading, the RS 170's easily handled my usual diet of classical music. The warmth of the clarinet in the Adagio of Mozart's Clarinet Concerto was spot on, and the headphones never faltered on very quiet and very loud passages in my other listening. In particular the closed ear design effectively shut out external distractions.
Sitting on my deck listening to a ball game was a fun experience. The headphones' wireless range was more than adequate, and I never missed a play. I found that the Surround Sound simulation added a nice sense of depth and "being there" presence to the play-by-play and crowd noise of a college football broadcast (Go Mountaineers!)
Night time movies were a blockbuster hit. I enjoyed watching a movie with the volume cranked without worrying about disturbing the rest of the house when the action got intense.
But best of all...
I compete in triathlons, so training is an ongoing exercise. But if the weather is bad or it's too dark outside, I've got to put my bicycle on an indoor stationary trainer. Watching the television or listening to music helps the time go by, but since the trainer is loud, headphones are a must if I want to hear what I'm watching. With the RS 170 headphones, I didn't have to worry about running a long extension cable from my bike to my receiver. It saved set up time, and the sound dampening and sound quality were excellent, so I never missed a word or note while working out.
The RS 170 definitely make the grade
The RS 170 wireless headphones exceeded my expectations for wireless headphones. Sound quality was on a par with, or better than, many wired headphones I've used in the past, and they did a solid job getting my music or video audio track to where I was, with no transmission noise or dropouts. Setting them up was easy — a plug and play operation and the form factor of the headphones and their stand almost seemed to invite me to use them. If you want sound quality in a set of wireless headphones, you'll enjoy the Sennheiser RS 170 wireless headphones.


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O'Kane, who had defended the decision to publish paparazzi shots of Kate Middleton on 15 September as "a service to our readers," had been suspended from his post during an internal investigation by parent group Independent Star Limited.
The Dublin-based Irish Daily Star said in a statement on Saturday (24 November): "As a result of the publication on 15 September 2012, issues arose with the shareholders of Independent Star Limited.
"Having considered those issues in tandem with Mr O'Kane, it is Mr O'Kane's decision to resign as editor of the Irish Daily Star, effective immediately."
The pictures of the Duchess and Prince William sunbathing on a private holiday in France had been strongly condemned by the group's British co-owner, Richard Desmond, as a "grotesque invasion of their privacy".
Desmond, whose publishing portfolio includes the Daily Star, Daily Express and OK! Magazine in the UK, had consulted with his lawyers "as a matter of urgency" after the event, over what he viewed to be "a serious breach of contract", in terms of the 'Daily Star' brand positioning and values.
He later announced "immediate steps to close down the joint venture," in what has been his last official comment on the matter to-date.
However, at the weekend the other co-owners of the Independent Star Limited, Independent News & Media (INM), claimed O'Kane had acted at all times "in a highly professional and appropriate manner", and in the best interests of the newspaper.
The apparent discrepancy between the two could hint at an upcoming legal battle regarding the future of the Irish Daily Star between Desmond and INM.
At the time of publishing the controversial photos, O' Kane said: "I did this as a service to our readers, I'm a little taken aback by the reaction in the UK
"It only seems to be an issue in the UK because she is your future queen. But from our point of view in Ireland, Kate Middleton is just another of the fantastic line of celebrities."Follow @DurraniMix


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Magic KenKen® Puzzle
Your middle school student will need to put on his thinking cap to solve this KenKen® puzzle! It uses a 5x5 grid and features addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. Many math teachers are using puzzles in the classroom, because they help students become better problem solvers! Get your child using his logical thinking skills, as he works through the grid to figure out where each number belongs. Here's how:
Using the digits 1-5 in this 5x5 puzzle, fill the small squares with digits so as not to repeat a digit in any row or column, and so that the digits within each heavily outlined area will equal that area's corner number when combined using the indicated operation. For more information visit www.kenken.com.
"KenKen® is a registered trademark of Nextoy, LLC, ©2009, KenKen Puzzle LLC". All rights reserved.


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WEDNESDAY, Oct. 23 (HealthDay News) -- The 16-day federal
government shutdown earlier this month hindered the ability of U.S.
health officials to monitor flu activity around the country.
Turns out, there wasn't much to monitor because there haven't
been many outbreaks of the infectious disease so far this fall,
officials said.
But that could change at a moment's notice, noted the health
officials, who are fond of saying that the only thing predictable
about the flu is its unpredictability.
So far, there have been isolated cases of flu in Alabama, South
Carolina and Texas, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention.
"The flu has been pretty quiet right now," said Dr. Joe Bresee, chief of the epidemiology and prevention branch in the CDC's Influenza Division. "But flu is coming, it's right around the corner and we expect an increase to come in the next few weeks."
And now's a perfect time to get vaccinated, he said, adding,
"it's never too late to get vaccinated."
Getting vaccinated is the best way to prevent the flu, and
there's plenty of vaccine to go around, Bresee pointed out.
"We expect to have 135 to 139 million doses available, so there should be plenty of vaccine to vaccinate anybody who wants to be vaccinated," he said.
The number of Americans getting vaccinated has risen since the
H1N1 pandemic flu in 2009, according to Bresee.
"It's edging up in most groups, which is really gratifying, especially in some of the high-risk groups like pregnant women and kids. We are seeing good gains over the last four or five years," he noted.
"But we have a long way to go," he added. "Still only half of Americans get vaccinated. Vaccine is still the single best thing folks can do to prevent flu."
It's too early to tell, however, whether this year's vaccine
will be a good match for the flu strains that are circulating.
"As with most things with flu, we always hedge a little bit. We do know the vaccine is a good match for the strains that have circulated around the world and the U.S. over the summertime and that's a good sign. But we won't know really until we get into the season, but we think it will be pretty good," Bresee said.
Flu season typically starts in the fall and peaks in January and
Even if this season's vaccine isn't a perfect match, it can
still be beneficial. Antibodies triggered in response to a
vaccination with one flu virus can sometimes protect against
different but related viruses, according to the CDC.
There are three kinds of flu viruses that are most common today:
influenza A (H1N1) viruses, influenza A (H3N2) viruses, and
influenza B viruses. According to the CDC, the 2013-2014 vaccine
consists of the following three viruses:
Dr. Len Horovitz, a pulmonary specialist at Lenox Hill Hospital
in New York City, said that, in addition to getting vaccinated,
hand-washing and staying away from people with the flu are other
ways of avoiding the disease.
For Horovitz, however, the take-home message is: "vaccinate,
vaccinate, vaccinate."
Bresee said getting a flu shot not only prevents flu, which is
bad enough, it can also head off complications from underlying
chronic diseases.
For example, a study published Oct. 22 in the
Journal of the American Medical Associationfound that people
with heart disease who get a flu shot significantly reduce their
risk of heart attack or stroke.
"In flu season a lot of the deaths or hospitalizations attributable to flu were probably triggered by a worsening of an underlying disease like a chronic lung disease or heart disease or diabetes," Bresee explained. "The idea is that if you prevent the flu, you also prevent the complications of those underlying diseases."
Horovitz said the flu vaccine doesn't prevent heart attacks or
strokes. "But influenza is a severe viral illness that strains the
body, so it wouldn't be surprising that preventing the flu can help
ward off a further strain on the body," he said.
For the CDC, the recent government shutdown was a mixed bag,
Bresee said. It didn't affect the flu vaccine program because the
machinery to get the vaccine out and into clinics and pharmacies
was already under way, he stated.
"Where the shutdown did affect us a bit was in our ability to do surveillance early in the season, which is a critical time to know what's happening with flu," Bresee said. "We kept up with surveillance to some extent, but we weren't able to look at all the data. We're catching up now and we're about up to date."
More information
For more on flu, visit the
U.S. Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention.
EBSCO Information Services is fully accredited by URAC. URAC is an independent, nonprofit health care accrediting organization dedicated to promoting health care quality through accreditation, certification and commendation.
Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
Copyright © EBSCO Information Services. All rights reserved.


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More Cautious on Key Semis
I continue to believe Applied Materials (AMAT) is showing signs of exhaustion. Last week the semi stock reached its 2012 highs near $14. The huge bull run that has been under way since the start of this year had pushed shares 25% higher. With last year's spike high now re-tested, AMAT may be headed for a healthy pullback. The overbought condition now in place will need to be worked off before heavy supply near $14 can be convincingly cleared. I am long the stock and have taken profits today. I will maintain a core position and expect to add following a pullback. The January high of $13 is the initial layer of support. A consolidation here would allow shares to rebuild its strength for a fresh rally leg.Applied Materials (AMAT) Source: TradeStation View Chart » View in New Window »
The action in Texas Instruments (TXN) is very similar. The stock re-tested its 2012 double top earlier this month. This level, just above $34, is beginning to look rather heavy in the short term. Unlike Applied Materials, Texas Instruments is not as overbought but the momentum appears to be fading. Since the start of this year, the stock has rallied 10%. I expect a pullback here as well. Last week I sold some TXN but will keep 50% of the position and remain on the sidelines until a fade plays out. The $32.40 area is the initial layer of support. Just below is a supportive 50-day moving average....94 more words left in this article. To read them, just click below and try Real Money FREE for 14 days.
There's no substitute for a trading floor to get great ideas, so Jim Cramer created a better one at Real Money and blogs there exclusively. We then added legendary hedge fund manager, Doug Kass, with his exclusive Daily Diary and best investing ideas. Staffed with more than 4 dozen investing pros, money managers, journalists and analysts, Real Money Pro gives you a flood of opinions, analysis and actionable trading advice found nowhere else, and allows you to interact directly with each expert.
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Budget Lets GSA Invest Rent in Portfolio
WASHINGTON, DC—By investing the rents they collect, GSA will be able to better maintain its properties, JLL's Chris Roth tells GlobSt.com's Erika Morphy.
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