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On average, land recycling has increased in Europe but the levels remain low compared to land take, the report shows. Based on Copernicus satellite data, land recycling as a share of total land consumption across EEA member and cooperating countries (EEA-39) has increased from about 2.0-2.2 % in 1990-2000 to about 2.7-2.9 % in 2006-2012. However, the rates vary considerably across countries.
Land is a finite resource with many demands, and land take and soil sealing have long been a cause for environmental concern. From 2006 to 2012, taking land for development in Europe (EEA-39) continued at an average annual rate of 1065 km2. However, land in urban areas is sealed and reused in small parcels and often remain undetectable by land take monitoring. Analysis of land recycling and soil sealing needs more detailed data. For example, measured by high resolution imperviousness data, during 2006-2009 soil sealing increased at an average annual rate of 1454 km2.
When soil is covered with an impervious surface, such as tarmac, the functioning of the ecosystem is disrupted, impacting nutrient and water cycles as well as the soil's ability to supply ecosystem services, including everything from provision of food and water to climate regulation and space for recreation.
By recycling land, the report showcases, it is possible to reduce new land take and also to improve the ecological status of previously developed land. Land recycling, hence, can be key to maintaining and developing green spaces that are important for ecosystem services. Recycling land can also make an important contribution to achieving a circular economy, in which maximum value is derived from limited resources, in this case land.
The report also compares different models of land recycling based on a life-cycle assessment of the environmental impacts of developing and using a land area. The assessment shows that bringing previously developed land back to more efficient use or improving its ecological state have greater positive impacts than turning, for example, agricultural land into urban development.]]>
The EEA report checks the EU's four biggest policies — the Cohesion Policy, Transport Policy, Energy Policy and the Common Agricultural Policy — to see how they affect land use across Europe. The analysis was carried out based on an approach or methodology that looked at a set of evaluation criteria, including evidence of impacts, relevance, coherence, effectiveness, and EU added value.
The initial evaluation found that the policies would be more effective if they better balance environmental concerns with other priorities. This can be done with the use of targets to improve the balance between demand and supply of available land. This would also help EU-wide efforts to protect land and the environment.
The report also considers EU objectives related to land take and land degradation under the EU's 7th Environment Action Programme, which aims to protect land and soil for future generations. EU objectives include setting a target of 'no net land take' by 2050; reducing soil erosion; increasing soil organic matter; remediating contaminated sites; and integrating land use concerns into all levels of government, including via the adoption of targets on soil and land as a resource.
The analysis also draws on two in-depth case studies, assessing the impacts of EU Cohesion Policy, and specifically spending for transport on land in Poland, and the role of EU policies in land take and land degradation impacts in the region of Andalusia, Spain.
Land and soil are finite, non-renewable resources, which continue to degrade, affecting their ability to function and deliver services. Food growing, biomass and biofuel production, carbon storage, the hosting of soil biodiversity, the filtering of water and cycling of nutrients, and the provision of raw materials are under increasing pressure. The natural and archaeological heritage of soil is also being jeopardised.
A number of processes contribute to this degradation including soil erosion, the decline of soil organic matter, soil contamination and soil sealing (soil covered by impervious surfaces, also called imperviousness.) These are driven by human activities like land take, land use intensity (among others reflected in the amount of nutrients used on rural land) and land abandonment. Each process has an impact on the main dimensions of land: land cover/land use, vegetation and soil. These determine the land resource stocks and functioning, and the derived flows of goods and services. They also affect the intrinsic value of land and its contribution to human wellbeing and welfare.
The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) will set targets for the global effort to tackle land and soil related problems. In this context, the Global Land Indicators Initiative was introduced in 2012 to develop a set of globally collectible land indicators that are comparable over the long term. The initiative, which initially focused on land rights, also aims to influence the post-2015 global agenda. However, the environmental component was missing from the suggested indicators. To rectify this, the EEA and the Institute for Advanced Sustainability Studies proposed land and soil indicators to monitor the achievement of the SDGs in terms of changes in land cover/land use, land productivity and soil organic carbon.
Our work feeds into the development of EU land and soil policy. The recent European assessment of soil's ability to deliver ecosystem services is one example. Our Multi-Annual Work Programme also deals with land resource efficiency and ecosystem assessment and capital accounting.
Land resource efficiency studies the balance between the supply of land and the functional demands on it. It recognises that land is finite and non-renewable, and considers how land cover changes, e.g. for infrastructure and industrial purposes, affect the services that land can deliver. It also includes land recycling as a response to land take, promoting the reuse of land that has been developed on but abandoned.
Work on the balance of soil nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus, as well as metals like copper, zinc, cadmium and lead contributes to the EEA's ecosystem assessment and capital accounting projects. EU and national budgets were estimated in 2014, and critical load exceedances of ammonia emission deposition with respect to biodiversity, nitrogen and phosphorus leaching and run off with respect to ground and surface water, and cadmium uptake in relation to food quality are currently being examined.
The EEA wants harmonised data on these issues, leading to comparable country data throughout Europe. As such, it cooperates with the Joint Research Centre (JRC), which collects soil data under the mandate of the European Soil Data Centre. Land data comes from satellite observations from Corine Land Cover (CLC) and the High Resolution Layers (HRLs), including imperviousness.
To increase the visibility of land and soil, the EEA has also created a thematic cluster of indicators. This currently comprises land take, imperviousness, management of contaminated sites and land fragmentation and includes indicators derived from climate change work including soil organic matter, soil erosion and soil moisture.
EU policy that is relevant to land and soil is fragmented and existing provisions in environmental, agricultural or regional policies are neither coordinated nor comprehensive. The Soil Thematic Strategy 2006 is a guiding document, which explains why further action is needed to ensure a high level of protection of soil functions and the sustainable use of soils. However, a Soil Framework Directive, proposed in 2006, was withdrawn last year.
The European Commission plans to study existing EU and national policies that are relevant to soil, their effectiveness and coherence, and any gaps there might be. This is in response to the 7th Environment Action Programme, in which the EU commits to use and manage land sustainably and protect soil, and find ways to best achieve this based on proportionality and subsidiarity principles.
Globally, UN Member States are expected to agree on the SDGs in September. With the current wording, land and soil are included in several targets. However, reversing the trend of losing land and soil resources globally depends on the implementation of the SDGs at national and sub-national level.
Geertrui Louwagie
Interview published in the issue no.2015/2 of the EEA newsletter, June 2015.]]>
Across Europe and the world, accelerating rates of urbanisation, changing demographic and diet patterns, technological changes, deepening market integration, and climate change place unprecedented demands on land. Yet the availability of land is finite. This imbalance is unsustainable. Land must therefore be 'governed' in such a way as to preserve its potential to deliver goods and services.
These services are lost or weakened (due to disrupted water and nutrient cycles) when land is sealed for the development of housing, industry, commerce, or transport infrastructure. Some forms of land use and management, e.g. driven by agricultural intensification and abandonment, result in degradation processes, like soil erosion, soil organic matter decline, habitat loss, or reduced nutrient cycling. Land fragmentation exacerbates these effects.
Such negative impacts can be referred to as dysfunctions and disservices and can further affect the economy or human health. They ought to be a cause of concern as the land medium integrates three spatial dimensions: the two horizontal ones of land cover/land use, and the third, the vertical one of soil and the underlying geology. Soil properties thus largely define the quality of land. The land system then embodies the relationship between human activities on land, socio-economic conditions, the natural environment, and the systems of governance that manage these interactions.[1] Linking its components through cause and effect, it thus refers to the chain of driving forces, pressures, state, impacts, and responses to which the land is subject (Figure 1).
Following this logic, land use (by sectors/policies), land management (indicating a different use intensity), and soil characteristics jointly define the land's functions.
Addressing the issues raised, the European Union's (EU) 7th Environment Action Programme (7th EAP)[2] aims to ensure that by 2020 land is managed sustainably. Concretely, this commitment requires coordinated governance and integration of environmental considerations (including water management and biodiversity protection) into territorial planning decisions on land use. Land policy targets would also help achieve this goal, and the 7th EAP specifically suggests a target of 'no net land take' by 2050. This resonates with the UN Rio+20 Summit[3] call for a land-degradation-neutral world in the context of sustainable development, a goal to which the EU has subscribed.
Place-based[4][5] land allocation and management is needed in order to integrate land functions across multiple sectors, sustainability dimensions, and governance levels (global, EU, national, regional and local) (Figure 2). Interaction between various actors is central to such a cooperative process, also a key driver for territorial cohesion as described in the Territorial Agenda of the EU.[6]
The EU policy agenda can thus set a frame to promote place-based planning and solutions that make the most of an area's inherent features. Land decisions should therefore reflect such solutions, while being adapted to the local conditions and assets, including soil, terrain, climate, and communities' knowledge.
Land-cover change in Europe is not dominated by agriculture demand as it is in other parts of the world.[7] Accounting of land in Europe based on the most recent full data set shows that artificial areas[8] gained most land between 2000 and 2006 (2.7%). On the other hand, semi-natural vegetation and wetlands, as well as agricultural land and open spaces/bare soils, showed slightly decreasing trends. Meanwhile, forested land and water bodies showed very small net increases.[9][10] Trends and figures obviously differ between countries (or other areas of spatial aggregation).
Land use and land management changes over the period 1990 to 2012 confirm these trends, even though the rate of increase in forest areas appears to have slowed down towards the end of this period.[11] Increasing management intensity, land use outside the EU (e.g. through consumption of imported goods[12][13]), and farmland abandonment are the main drivers.[11]
The increased share of artificial areas is essentially the result of 'land take',[14] close to half of which was driven by demand for housing, services, and recreation between 2000 and 2006.[10] While land thus provides space for human activities, land take also implies substituting the original (semi-)natural land cover to varying degrees with impervious surfaces. Thus, the connection with natural cycles is lost and the services delivered by soils, including those important in the face of climate change mitigation and adaptation, are curtailed (see also SOER 2015 briefing on soil). Between 2000 and 2006, almost half of the land take came at the expense of arable farmland and permanent crops (EEA Land take indicator). Land take thus also puts pressure on the biomass production potential of the land resource. Further, development of transportation infrastructure and built-up areas leads to landscape fragmentation. Fragmentation has a number of ecological effects, such as the decline and loss of wildlife populations, an increasing endangerment of species, changed water regimes, and a change in recreational quality of landscapes.[15]
General trends of annual land take[16] in Europe showed a slow-down in the periods 1990 to 2000 and 2000 to 2006: from 1 078 km2/year to 914 km2/year (based on data for 28 countries). A higher-resolution, new data source suggests that artificial surfaces are underestimated. For example, the change rate in impervious areas,[17] indicates an increase by 1 252 km2/year between 2006[18] and 2009[19] for the same set of countries.[20] Even though not directly comparable, the land take data may indicate a slowdown of urban development on the outskirts of cities and the countryside, leading towards an increase in density in urban areas, suggested by the impervious area increase. This is an aggregated European trend, which hides diverging patterns between different territorial units. These patterns may reflect different approaches to spatial planning. European averages also obscure trends in sensitive zones: e.g. in coastal areas the annual rate of urban development (0.66%) was higher than the average for all areas (0.52%) between 2000 and 2006.[21]
Preliminary results for 20 countries indicate that, compared to 2000–2006, overall land cover change increased during 2006–2012. For the same countries, artificial surfaces increased faster than in 2000–2006, by 2.1%.[22]
Limiting land take is already an important land policy target at national or sub-national level.[23] In order to avoid increases in land take, incentives for 'land recycling' are worth pursuing. Land recycling refers to regeneration of land that was previously developed, but is currently not in active use or available for re-development.[24] Between 1990 and 2000 2.5% of new artificial surfaces were created on land already used or destined for development (excluding construction sites) (based on data for 24 countries).[25] Between 2000 and 2006 this fraction decreased to 2.0%. However, these figures include densification of artificial land, rather than solely indicating recycling.
Potentially negative land-use impacts can also be mitigated: compact urban development and investment in urban 'green infrastructure'[26][27] have positive effects on the delivery of ecosystem services.[28] A study of this issue concluded that 'economic growth and Cohesion funds can, but do not necessarily have to be detrimental to the environment as long as smart spatial planning policies and recommendations are considered at different territorial scales, and more efficient land use and investment in green infrastructure is encouraged'.[28]
Moreover, in some cases, the many functions embedded in the land resource can be delivered simultaneously and lead to synergies. For example, extensively-managed permanent grassland not only supports nutrient cycling but can also reinforce existing connectivity between areas with biodiversity value. In other cases, alternative uses for the same piece of land have to be considered, leading to trade-offs. The competition for land between food and bio-fuel production has become a well-known example.
Land resource efficiency seeks an optimum level of land use and management in establishing appropriate shares between the different services provided by land. Policies and related targets would be helpful in making decisions to reach land resource efficiency, so as to strike a balance between the demand for — and supply of — the finite land resource. Accordingly, indicators underpinned by robust data collection are required to measure progress in resource efficiency.[29]
The estimates presented in this fiche are based on voluntary monitoring of pan-European data.[30] They therefore only give an aggregated representation of land issues and challenges in national or sub-national contexts on the one hand, and responses to these challenges and dysfunctions on the other hand. It is important to develop a consistent approach to monitoring the different dimensions of land in a timely manner. The resulting data sets should meet the requirements of both European and national levels (developing land strategies), and of local governments (implementing planning policies). The impact of European land use and management (whether driven by EU policies or not) on land take and degradation in third countries should also be considered.]]>
The degree to which society can benefit from soils is dependent on how it uses and manages them. Soils that are sealed for urban development or transport infrastructure lose most of their functions due to disrupted water, nutrient, and biological cycles. This loss is close to irreversible.[1]
Equally, soils can be degraded by the interplay of human and natural processes that cause decline in organic matter and biodiversity, compaction, and erosion by wind and water. Mineral or groundwater extraction can lead to pollution and affect soil stability, even causing subsidence in some urban areas; while large-scale drilling for shale gas production may add to existing contamination processes.
These phenomena affect the delivery of soil-based ecosystem services and can be costly or difficult to resolve. In recognition of these pressures and the importance of soil functions, the European Commission launched a Thematic Strategy on soil, which called for the protection and sustainable use of soil[2] while highlighting several vital soil functions: providing biomass and raw materials; storing, filtering and transforming substances; and acting as a carbon and biodiversity pool, as a platform for human activities and the landscape, and as an archive of heritage.
Soils received further recognition when the UN Rio+20 Summit[3]highlighted soil degradation as part of land degradation, and called for a land-degradation-neutral world in the context of sustainable development, a goal to which the EU subscribed. This target is reiterated in the European Union's 7th Environment Action Programme (7th EAP).[4]
Converting broad policy positions into action requires increased efforts and related targets to reduce soil erosion, to increase soil organic matter and preserve soil biodiversity, to remediate contaminated sites, and to limit soil sealing.
Quantifying soil-based ecosystem services, in terms of the physical services provided and their economic value, is a relatively recent research area. While it is currently not possible to describe trends in soil functions, some baseline data are available at pan-European level.[5] More detailed data may exist at national levels.
Soils are used to produce a range of biomass products that serve as food, feed, fibre and fuel. Biomass production can be particularly relevant in biodiversity conservation and climate change mitigation efforts, through supporting elements of 'green infrastructure'[6][7] and flood regulation.
An EU-27 baseline study of biomass production under arable land, grassland[8] and woodland[9] showed that on arable land, local soil quality determines to a greater extent the variability of the biomass production potential than climate. Thus, in most regions, well-managed arable land that preserves the soil quality can compensate for climatic handicaps. However, in the Mediterranean area, good management may not be sufficient to make up for climatic limitations.
Three other factors that affect biomass production are soil management (including irrigation and fertilisation), soil degradation processes (e.g. soil erosion) and 'land take'.[10] From 2000 to 2006, 0.26% of the production potential on arable land in the EU-27 was lost as a consequence of land take;[11][12] over the period 1990–2006, this loss amounted to 0.81%.[13] Map 1 illustrates the issue in relation to industrial and commercial sites plus transport networks and indicates some hotspots.
Sources: ETC SIA based on Corine Land Cover 2000 and 2006.
Note: Orange and red areas are interpreted as hotspots.
A key service provided by soil is the storage and release of organic matter and carbon. Soil organic matter is essential for biomass production and for sustaining biodiversity. Soils can offset other greenhouse gas emissions by capturing and storing carbon, and they can help to adapt to climate change (e.g. in flood regulation owing to the structuring effect of soil organic matter).
Soil organic carbon (SOC) stocks in the EU-27 have been estimated at 75–79 billion tonnes.[14][15] Modelling results from the CAPRESE project suggest that prior assessments may have overestimated the SOC pool in agricultural topsoils[16] by around a quarter.[17][18] This highlights the need for systematic monitoring and the even greater importance of soil organic matter conservation.
The removal of topsoil by erosion is a worrying phenomenon as it impacts on SOC stocks and causes various off-site issues (e.g. siltation[19] of water bodies).[20] A recent study estimated that 130 million ha were affected by water erosion in the EU-27.[15] Improvements in modelling[21][22] are leading to higher precision in erosion estimates.[23][24]
Soil stores, filters and transforms a range of substances including nutrients, contaminants, and water. In this context, soils act as a biological engine, controlling many key natural life cycles. In parallel, this function in itself implies potential trade-offs: a high capacity to store contaminants may prevent groundwater contamination, but this retention of contaminants may be harmful for biota.
The issue of contamination is crucial for this function as both diffuse and point source pollution[25] can impact human health and ecosystem services, thus affecting a soil's capacity to 'regenerate'. On the basis of non-harmonised national inventories, local soil contamination in the EEA-33 plus the 6 cooperating countries has recently been estimated at 2.5 million potentially contaminated sites.[26] About one third of an estimated total of 342 000 contaminated sites in the EEA-33 plus the 6 cooperating countries have already been identified and about 15% of these have been remediated. However, there are substantial differences in underlying definitions and interpretations in different countries.
The intensity of soil use can considerably influence soil organisms, which in turn drive nutrient cycling.[27] High-intensity arable land results in lower diversity and biomass of soil organisms compared to land that is less-intensively cultivated or under permanent grassland.[28]
As local soil quality largely determines biomass production potential on arable land, nutrient status plays a defining role. Soil fertility is the result of inherent soil characteristics (such as texture), nutrient inputs, and other management practices, which may strongly influence nutrient cycling. Europe-wide harmonised measurements of particular soil characteristics from the LUCAS Topsoil[29][22] and GEMAS[30] projects provide a picture of both the inherent characteristics of the soil and a signature of past soil use and management. Time series of soil characteristics, as expected from the continuation of the LUCAS Topsoil Survey, are required to assess changes and trends in biomass productivity.
The CAPRESE study found that the conversion of arable land to grassland is the most rapid method to gain SOC (Figure 1). Under future scenarios of arable land management, the use of cover crops[31] was found to be the most effective way of increasing SOC, although the effects are markedly regional due to climate. Such findings could be useful for estimating carbon emissions and removals from agricultural land in the context of LULUCF.[32] These results reinforce the message that land management is crucial in protecting, maintaining and improving the delivery of soil-based ecosystem services. This becomes even more relevant when considering that 40% of the EU area is agricultural land, managed in line with Common Agricultural Policy provisions that require land to be maintained in good agricultural and environmental condition. However, in the event of poor policy implementation, continued soil function loss is expected.
Source: CAPRESE project[17][18].
The lack of good-quality and harmonised soil data at pan-European scale, and the relatively undeveloped state of research on linking soil data with soil functions, makes it difficult to assess the prospects for soil functionality and soil-based ecosystem services. Only when robust baselines and a harmonised soil monitoring framework (addressing relevant soil functions and degradation processes) are in place can regular updates on trends be expected. Despite some promising projects, activities are clearly insufficient to deliver a comprehensive information and knowledge base to adequately support policy making in this area. Further research is thus needed to manage soils sustainably in the future. A binding and coherent soil policy at EU level would provide the framework to do so.]]>
Roads, buildings and other artificial surfaces are spreading in Europe, and almost half of this spread was on to farmland between 2000 and 2006. To a lesser extent, these
areas also encroached on forests, semi-natural and natural areas. Almost half of these surfaces were new residential areas, services and recreation facilities.
However, urban sprawl seemed to be slowing according to the data. Artificial land cover, such as roads and buildings, increased 2.3 % per year between 1990 and 2000, but this rate fell to 1.5 % between 2000 and 2006.
While only 4 % of Europe's land is covered by artificial surfaces, according to the data, this seems to be the only type of land cover which is increasing significantly in Europe. Forested areas cover 34 % of Europe. Grassland and other semi-natural vegetation makes up just 8 % of Europe's surface, while bare soils and wetlands cover 6 % and 2 % respectively.
Approximately 43 % of land is covered by agricultural areas, of which the most common types are non-irrigated arable land (50 %) and pasture (16 %). Both these types increased since 1990, according to the most recent data.
The fastest land use change happened in Portugal, Ireland, Hungary, Finland and Sweden. In contrast, the most stable landscape structure is found in mountainous areas such as the Alps, the Pyrenees, the Romanian part of the Carpathians and in the Scandinavian mountains (Norway). Most conversions to forest occurred in Finland and Norway, while most agricultural land conversions took place in Spain.
"Our high-consumption lifestyles are putting more pressure on the land," EEA Executive Director Hans Bruyninckx said. "But beyond the proportion of land we are covering with concrete, there is another important effect – roads and other infrastructure are carving valuable habitats into increasingly smaller fragments, with serious consequences for some of Europe's most endangered species."
Alongside the analysis, the EEA presents more information on land use changes in different European countries in its land take indicator.
A new Corine Land Cover dataset is expected to be available in 2014. It will provide information on land cover change in the period 2006-2012.]]>


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Tae Kwon Do
Oct 10 - Dec 12 (Monday)
Brittingham-Midtown Community Center
Starting at
Meeting Dates
From Oct 10, 2016 to Dec 12, 2016
Each Monday from 06:00 PM to 07:00 PM
About This Activity
This activity is closed to further registration.
Tae Kwon Do is the Korean art of self-defense. Literally translated, TAE means "to kick" or "to strike with the foot", KWON means "fist" or "to strike with the hand" and DO means "discipline" or "art". Tae Kwon Do is much more than the physical aspects of martial arts. It is designed as a nonviolent form of self-defense and a system of complete body exercises, as well as a guide to practicing a disciplined way of life. It includes physical techniques, mental discipline and a deep philosophy.
Tae Kwon Do is not just a physical action. Control separates training in the dojang (school) from fighting in the street. The student learns how to strike and kick with devastating speed and force for self-defense, yet through training, they learn how to control their movement with the exact precision to snap a kick within inches of their sparring partner. Regardless of age, students can learn a discipline of the mind and body that remains with them throughout their lives.
Progressive 4th degree master level instruction is offered to the beginner, intermediate and advanced participant with training in pattern forms, sparring, weapons and self-defense tactics. Intermediate rank recognition is offered. As an advanced participant you'll have the opportunity to train and test under Grand Master Dong in Richmond Va. Grand Master Dong currently holds a 9th Degree in the following; Tae Kwon Do (Kukkiwon), Kum Do (Sword) & Ta Kyuk Do and is currently rated as the "King of the World Speed Champion."
MCC Room 122 at Brittingham-Midtown Community Center
William Morrisette
Organizer Info
Newport News Parks Recreation and Tourism

subset: commoncrawl


text:
All Comments by Erik Portelius
- Semagacestat, a Pseudo γ-Secretase Inhibitor?
- Lessons from a failed γ-secretase Alzheimer trial.
- Cleavage of tau by asparagine endopeptidase mediates the neurofibrillary pathology in Alzheimer's disease.
- Regulation of presynaptic Ca2+, synaptic plasticity and contextual fear conditioning by a N-terminal β-amyloid fragment.
- What's Another Amino Acid? Aβ43 Drives Amyloid Pathology


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CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. — For a few seconds on Thursday, astrophysicist Stephen Hawking expects to feel the exhilaration of escaping his paralysis and floating free in zero gravity.
"As you can imagine I'm very excited," Hawking told reporters before the flight. "I have been wheelchair bound for almost four decades. The chance to float free in zero-g will be wonderful."
Hawking, a mathematics professor at the University of Cambridge who has done groundbreaking work on black holes and the origins of the universe, has the paralyzing disease ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig's disease.
The 65-year-old was set Thursday to become the first person with a disability to experience the Zero Gravity Corp. flight.
Unable to talk or move his hands and legs, Hawking can only make tiny facial expressions using the muscles around his eyes, eyebrows, cheek and mouth. He uses a computer to talk for him in a synthesized voice by choosing words on a computer screen through an infrared sensor on a headpiece that detects motion in his cheek.
He raises an eyebrow to signal "yes," and tenses his mouth to the side to indicate "no."
"I want to demonstrate to the public that anybody can participate in this type of weightless experience," Hawking said Thursday.
The zero gravity flight in a modified jet creates the experience of microgravity during 25-second plunges over the Atlantic Ocean.
The jet's interior is padded to protect the weightless fliers and equipped with cameras to record their adventure. Normally, the plane conducts 10 to 15 plunges for its passengers who pay $3,750 for the ride, although that fee has been waived for Hawking.
After the jet has reached its proper altitude, Hawking's assistants will lift him out of his seat and lay him on his back in the front of the cabin on a special foam pillow for the first plunge.
Other plunges will be made only after doctors and nurses accompanying ensure he is enjoying it. He will be hooked up to monitors measuring his blood pressure, heart rate and oxygen levels during the flight _ including while he is weightless. Medical equipment sufficient for a mini-intensive care unit will be on board, said Dr. Edwin Chilvers, Hawking's personal physician.
Hawking won't have his wheelchair and talking computer on the jet with him, although his assistant will bring a laptop and a card with the letters of the alphabet in case Hawking wants to communicate beyond facial expressions.
"We consider … having him weightless for 25 seconds is a successful mission," said Peter Diamandis, chairman and CEO of Zero Gravity. "If we do more than one, fantastic."
The space tourism company has flown about 2,700 people on the Florida-based flights since late 2004 and began offering them in Las Vegas this week.
Gary A. Leo, president and CEO of the ALS Association, said there should be no medical concerns with someone who has the condition going on a zero-gravity flight, although any person who does should consult a physician.
Hawking is one of the best-known theoretical physicists of his generation and also wrote the book "A Brief History of Time."
He has an ulterior motive for going on the flight other than the personal thrill of weightlessness _ Hawking believes in the importance of private space ventures and the need to reduce the cost of space tourism so that it's accessible to more people.
"I am hopeful that if we can engage this mass market, the cost of space flight will drop and we will be able to gain access to the resources of space and also spread humanity beyond just Earth," he said. "Sooner or later, some disaster may wipe out life on Earth. The long-term survival of the human race requires that we spread into space."


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As a result (maybe) of global warming, the incredibly toxic, prolific, and all-but-invisible box jellyfix or irukandji (Carukia barnesi and similar species) are poised to become the dominant life-form in the world's oceans. Or at least ruin your warm-water vacation. Declining populations of sea turtles, a major jelly predator, may also be contributing to the impending ecotastrophe.
The swarms of jellyfish are multiplying in the Western extent of the Pacific ocean and threatening 20,000 miles of coastline off Japan, Irian Jaya, Papua New Guinea and Australia.
In the film scientists conclude that they swim towards land because it is easier to kill their main prey – fish – in shallow water off the coast which puts them on a dangerous and potentially fatal collision course with unwary swimmers. [Telegraph]
More coverage: squidoo, The Telegraph, Life is Beautiful, wiki


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Eastman Chemical Company Reports Operating Results (10-Q)
Posted by: gurufocus (IP Logged)
Date: November 1, 2010 04:42PM
Eastman Chemical Company (EMN) filed Quarterly Report for the period ended 2010-09-30. Eastman Chemical Company has a market cap of $5.4 billion; its shares were traded at around $78.57 with a P/E ratio of 12.6 and P/S ratio of 1.1. The dividend yield of Eastman Chemical Company stocks is 2.3%. Eastman Chemical Company had an annual average earning growth of 4.9% over the past 10 years.EMN is in the portfolios of RS Investment Management, Jean-Marie Eveillard of First Eagle Investment Management, LLC, Paul Tudor Jones of The Tudor Group, Jim Simons of Renaissance Technologies LLC, Steven Cohen of SAC Capital Advisors, Jeremy Grantham of GMO LLC, George Soros of Soros Fund Management LLC.
Highlight of Business Operations:
The Company generated sales revenue of $1.7 billion and $1.3 billion in third quarter 2010 and 2009, respectively and $5.0 billion and $3.7 billion in first nine months 2010 and 2009, respectively. Sales revenue increases for both third quarter and first nine months 2010 compared to comparable 2009 periods were due primarily to higher sales volume attributed to improved end-use demand in packaging, durable goods, and other markets in third quarter 2010 and the upturn in the global economy in first nine months 2010 as well as the positive impact of growth initiatives in both periods. Sales revenue increases were also due to higher selling prices in response to higher raw material and energy costs.
Operating earnings were $280 million in third quarter 2010 compared with $191 million in third quarter 2009, and $719 million in first nine months 2010 compared with $347 million in first nine months 2009. Operating earnings were negatively impacted by restructuring charges of $3 million in first nine months 2010 and $23 million in first nine months 2009. The increases in both comparable periods were due to higher sales volume and higher capacity utilization which led to lower unit costs. In addition, higher selling prices more than offset higher raw material and energy costs. Operating earnings in third quarter 2010 were also positively impacted by a partial settlement of an insurance claim of $22 million related to the first quarter 2010 power outage at the Company's Longview, Texas manufacturing facility, which was primarily reflected in the Performance Chemicals and Intermediates ("PCI") and Coatings, Adhesives, Specialty Polymers, and Inks ("CASPI") segments. In first nine months 2010, the Company received $32 million in insurance proceeds from partial settlement related to the outage. The Company expects any remaining insurance proceeds in fourth quarter 2010. First nine months 2010 operating earnings also included $12 million from acetyl license revenue. First nine months 2009 operating earnings included approximately $20 million in costs related to the reconfiguration of the Longview, Texas facility.
The Company generated $297 million in cash from operating activities during first nine months 2010 compared to $668 million generated in first nine months 2009. Excluding the $200 million impact of the adoption of amended accounting guidance described above in "Presentation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures", Eastman generated $497 million in cash from operating activities in first nine months 2010 primarily due to higher net earnings partially offset by an increase in working capital. Excluding the impact of the adoption of this amended accounting guidance, the Company expects to generate free cash flow of greater than $300 million for full year 2010, assuming capital expenditures of approximately $225 million and U.S. defined benefit pension plan funding in an amount of $135 million, of which $100 million is expected to be contributed in fourth quarter 2010. Free cash flow is defined as cash from operating activities less capital expenditures and dividends.
The Company announced on October 23, 2010 that it has entered into a definitive agreement with DAK Americas, LLC, to sell the polyethylene terephthalate ("PET") business, related assets at the Columbia, South Carolina site, and technology of its Performance Polymers segment. The transaction is expected to close during fourth quarter of 2010. The sale, which is subject to regulatory approvals and satisfaction of other customary closing conditions, is not expected to impact product lines in the Specialty Plastics segment. The total cash proceeds of the transaction are expected to be $600 million before transaction fees and working capital adjustments at closing. In conjunction with the sale of the Performance Polymers PET business, the Company on October 23, 2010 approved a restructuring plan to reduce costs and will recognize severance restructuring charges in fourth quarter 2010 estimated to be between $20 and $25 million.
Gross profit in third quarter and first nine months 2010 increased compared to third quarter and first nine months 2009 in all segments. The increase in both comparable periods was due to higher sales volume and higher selling prices, as well as higher capacity utilization which led to lower unit costs in first nine months 2010. Gross profit in third quarter 2010 was positively impacted by $22 million from the partial settlement of the Longview, Texas insurance claim which was primarily reflected in the PCI and CASPI segments. In first nine months 2010, the Company received $32 million in insurance proceeds from partial settlement related to the outage. First nine months 2010 gross profit also included $12 million from acetyl license revenue. First nine months 2009 gross profit included approximately $20 million in costs related to the reconfiguration of the Longview, Texas facility. The reconfiguration costs impacted the PCI and CASPI segments.
In first nine months 2010, there were $3 million in restructuring charges primarily for severance associated with the acquisition and integration of Genovique. In first nine months 2009, restructuring charges were $23 million, net. The 2009 charges, primarily for severance, resulted from a reduction in force.
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The 10 worst ways to communicate with end users
To be a successful support tech, you have to be a skilled communicator. See if you recognize any of these common communication missteps.
This download is also available as an entry in our 10 Things blog.
Provided by: Becky Roberts Topic: CXO Date Added: Aug 2011 Format: PDF


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Bloemfontein - A member of the SA Army Air Defence Artillery died on Monday when his parachute failed to open during an exercise, the SA National Defence Force (SANDF) said.Spokesperson Siphiwe Dlamini said the incident happened during Exercise Young Eagle at De Brug training area in Bloemfontein.The annual army exercise is held to train and exercise the SA Army's airborne and air assault forces to enhance airborne capability and combat readiness.Dlamini said a board of inquiry had been convened to investigate the incident. The police were also investigating.Defence Minister Lindiwe Sisulu, the Secretary of Defence Mpumi Mpofu and acting SANDF chief Lieutenant General Temba Matanzima extended their condolences to the soldier's family.
Bad one, condolences to the family and unit.
akwe hlanga kungehlanga lala kahle qhawe lesizwe
Reserve drill?
Condolences to family and friends.
Thoughts are with the family.
Hartseer dag vir die SA weermag.Sterkte aan die familie.
Shame. Bad one.
all these unnecessary jumps to impress the defence big wigs are a recipe for disaster. how often do we actually need paratroops to invade countries?
WTF... You never know, touch wood never, but one day their services may be needed, and what good would the paratroopers be if they had never done a jump... Get Real Zip... Condolences to the family and regards to the SA-ADA
That's a stupid question. Troops need to be READY when needed, not TRAINED when needed. And whether it was a "show" jump in front of dignitaries or an isolated "training" jump, makes no difference. A 'chute can fail to open anytime.
What's more of interest is why his reserve chute didn't save him. Maybe he deployed it too early or too late, which points to a flaw in his training. Hence the reason for the training jumps.
Condolences to the family from me too.
So you want them to start training a few days before we actually need them? Really? Your comment makes perfect sense.....
jip, netnou val Lesotho of Botswana ons binne, en dan?;-)
Your knowledge of military matters astounds me. go back to your kennel and bark at postmen.
South African troops have been operating regularly under contact conditions in Congo and Sudan and a few other remote spots for the last few years. Training such as this is not meant to impress anyone. While this SANDF is nothing compared to the old one I still have all the respect to those doing the business and jumping out of planes and knowing the risks. RIP Soldier.
I had a feeling this was going to happen when i read the story about them jumping yesterday.
Condolences mate. Blue skies
RIP, condolences to his family, friends and unit!!
Condolences to the family...! BUT I must share something - when I saw the article yesterday my first thought that came into my mind was: I wonder how many parachutes fail to open..! It is SAD!
He took the plunge for his country ... RIP
Sorry to hear.
...are paratroopers equipped with back up shoots?
need more info.
i believe i can fly , i believe i can touch the sky ..... NOT
no way you heartless freak...
Meat bomb....
please excuse my stupidity but i remember that it was only paratroopers and specialforce (RECCES) who did jumps in the old days why is an air defence artillery personel doing jumps? it does not make sense isn't air defence artillery a land based unit?
They jump with 140mm artillery mortars. When I did my military conscription some 25 years or so back, I was in the artillery, but did the jump course specifically to be able to jump with the 140mm mortar. One guy jumps with the barrel and sights, another (usually a strong brute) with the heavy base plate and another is the ammo donkey.
No mention of him trying to deploying his reserve chute? Not a good day for the regiment.
thanks TATUNKA
WTF who packed the chute ... investigate...
Possibly forgot to pack it.
Sorry, I am old school but in those days we jump on static line and the shoot was opened for you. Was this drilled changed or did he not hoocked up when the command was given. Condolences.
Condolonces to the family, this is human error so some guys in the army should stop smoking dagga as this is the result of it. Dagga is another cigarette


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Any Safe Port In A Nasty Political Storm---An investigative journalist for the National Inquisitor and the Starry Globe has unearthed the ultra secret reasons for the rejection of the Dubai world ports deal by the U.S. Congress.
"American elected officials don't like those kind of people. They don't pay taxes. They don't get out the vote. They don't offer no show jobs or make work propositions. Nor do they follow the Party Line," is what he has been told in confidence. "It's just a terribly wasted political situation where the ends are justifiably mean."
"Sad but true. Dubai is a dubious foreign government that does not play by American political rules and is therefore extremely suspicious in the eyes of American based political operatives and machine politicians. Dubyans used to like the Taliban. They still like to trade oil for money and they don't help the balance of payments. They have plenty of oil and not slicked up grease or pork rinds"
"You can't make them cow tow and bow wow," he reports.
"They're too far away and there is no justice in this world."
"It's just plain discrimination and discrimination is good politics when it lets folks yell and scream and stuff the ballot box."
George Dubya. Bush, in defense of his foreign policy, has complained that picking on dubious Dubai is not fair. "Indubitably, Dubai is ddoing double time with us and dubbing my initiatives into doobey, doobey doo moves, oobey doobee do! Their money is just as green as the grass local pot heads smoke and I can count on them not to make troubling domestic revelations."
"They have no mafia ties and our ports are already denominated in foreign currencies. So what is the big deal?"
"Get real," he complains to the political opposition.
"They whip heinies and notas just another flavoring of tough love," was the response of the opportunistic opposition made, and then they went on to make greater demands..
Senator Barbara Boxer said she would fight further friendly initiatives by the Administration using round houses and left jabs and Russ Feingold has announced he wants to censor the Republican forays into Democratic turf.
Man in the street interviews raised worries about fear and intimidation, not to mention fear of funky looking people. "People look suspicious wearing scarves over their heads," was the way one anonymous voter put it.
So what can George Dubya Bush do? Keep making nice and carry a big shtick. Or else? Or else what?
Simply or else!


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Discussion in 'Tennis Tips/Instruction' started by Frankauc, Nov 22, 2008.
^^Ahhh, come on. Don't break up with us.
Don't let a few folks run you off. For each one of them, there are 10-20 more who appreciate your special insights, due to the type of playing you do.
I'm pretty surprised that anyone found you big headed. You always seemed pretty level headed to me all things considered.
Agreed with 5263.
It seems you can't win at all on here.
The anonymous posters get slammed because they don't show their results and then someone freely offers their identity and even that doesn't stop people trying to call them out.
Hope you stay around - I always appreciate your feedback because I know who you are, know your results and, as a result, can put context behind your opinions.
^^^^I agree. TonLars is one of the good guys on the boards, and although he and I had a disagreement, it seems like a drastic measure to take because he doesn't see eye-to-eye with a handful of posters.
In my opinion, people take stuff on these boards way too seriously.
Quality post, and accurately describes what goes on around here..this forum repulses the people it should be trying to attract....ie; really good players like you, quality teaching pros, people who are well connected, and etc
It isnt your fault there are a few rude, inconsiderate, obnoxious people here who ruin the forum for everyone else. These people are obviously insecure, jealous, have huge yet fragile egos, and quite frankly, are just low quality people..these same ones are permitted to troll the forum and attack and insult others on a regular basis here, ruining the forum for all those who have some level of maturity
Cant say I blame you for bailing..you seem like a good guy, and am wishing you the best on your adventure...Mojo
ps. leaving you with another post from a new forum member who was the first to review the new Sampras racquet, tried to help the forum by posting specs on the other upcoming wilson frames, is a teaching pro, and advanced tourney player..all this substantiates what i wrote above as this guy was summarily trolled, stalked, badgered, and insulted off the forum by the usuals
^^Wow you are dense. It's already been determined he never reviewed it, is not a teaching pro or top player. LOL
No not at all....:shock:
Your computer rating IS NOT 6.0. End.
There is a reason for that.
Pete Sampras' computer rating IS NOT 7.0. End.
Roger Federer's computer rating IS NOT 7.0. End.
Hey Drakulie - you may think that NBMJ is dense and stupid and whatever, but did you actually get evidence the other guy was lying about the sampras racket or was that just deduction on your part as he didnt post pics? Cheers man.
So your comparing the two greatest tennis players of all time to Tony?
What would they be given then? 3.5? 4.0?
Tony's won $.. Give him some respect
Most decent tennis players above 4.5 have won some $....
I think a lot of what we're bickering about here could be boiled down to one thing...lack of respect.
People who work their arses off on a game such as tennis IMO deserve a certain amount of respect, whether they are men, women, 6.0s, or 3.5s.
No I'm proving that you don't have to have a computer rating to be at a certain level. Federer is a 7.0 because the guidelines state that being in the top 400 means you are a 7.0. Tony is a 6.0 presumably because he has performed at a level that the USTA considers 6.0. Doesn't mean he will have a computer rating. Computer ratings are not even applicable to players of those levels. Thats why they say that rankings speak for themselves.
Why, is the string pattern 18*20?
Spot on Raiden...and if you do look up Tony's record, you will see he pretty much demolishes 5.0s, and if you have any inkling of his college record/career, the 6.0 is not a stretch by any means.
Hey Tony, we never communicated but I really enjoy reading your posts... if it's not too late, please change your mind about leaving.
Yeah, there are a few pit bulls here that go on a rampage for no reason and chew up everyone, but ignore them... there are many more like me who appreciate that fact that there are quality players who contribute to this board.
If you don't come back, hey, I wish you all the best!
So, shall we get back to topic...is it even worth it at this point?
The question is...what level of men [sic] players can beat a top ranking female player?
Top ranking, I don't think, has been defined by the OP or anyone else. So, we say top 100?
But, I think there should be a delineation for the top 20, or even top 10.
As many others already stated, a D1 male will more than likely fill this role (or someone of that caliber).
A 4.5 is *not* of that caliber. So, all you guys on here who think you can beat Venus...dream on. Unless you are at least looking at 5.5, you're in fantansy land.
Look, I think we can all agree, women are not going to hit as hard as men, right? There are phsyical attributes that will always set them apart. However, this does NOT mean that the women on the WTA tour are not top notch athletes and tennis players. Over time here, there have just been too disrespectful posts to that effect (even to some of the top guys...people here seem to know what Fed needs better than he does!).
If I had a penny for every post I've read on here that generally says 'I only watch the WTA for the outfits' or 'The WTA players should compete in bikinis' then I could singlehandedly solve the US's financial crisis! So, yes, when I see this topic posted for the umpteenth time, I bang my head on my desk.
And that is without mentioned the posts on the league forum. And certainly not mentioning a thread about how some people say they are so good that they can beat 3.5s...with a broomstick. Imagine being someone who has worked hard to get that bump-up to 3.5, and then reading such crap!
So, yes, I've wildly strayed off topic again! Again, I think it all boils down to respect. Am I innocent in all of this mess? Heck no!
But I still think Dennis's post was one of the best I've read on here in a long time!!! I'm still laughing at the notion of 'grabbing my sisters and running' for the hills (or something to that effect)!
At the end of the day...I ask this...WHY DOES IT MATTER??? Why do any of us care what level man can beat or compete with a top ranking female pro??? In tennis, there are so many variables, that even if we ALL agreed on a certain level, on any given day.....
That's why they (we?) still play the matches.
Ok, gotta head home...got some demos waiting for me! Yee ha!
^^^ You are right Topaz, it doesn't matter. Whoever wins, I am going to like women more than men, anyway!
Seriously, I think it will take a 6.0 or higher to beat the likes of Ivanovic and Jankovic, and on any given day, it can go either way. I base this on their fitness, speed, and consistency. They also have a huge amount of power when they need it - they are professional athletes, after all.
But again, who cares about this hypothetical comparison. Women are women, and men are men, and never the twain shall compete.
They actually do compete, in table tennis. There are regional Opens in the US where men and women play each other.
It is also allowed in golf, but Wie tried and couldn't make it.
And Danica Patrick seems to doing quite well in NASCAR, though I really don't follow that "sport."
Couple of things.
1. He offered to post photos, and never did. He also stated he would complete a review, and never did.
2. He then asked if someone could tell how to post photos.
3. When offered several links, including tutorials>>> he never posted the photos.
4. He offered to email the photos to those interested. he never did.
5. He stated he had a manager, however, a few days later he started a thread asking if posters could tell him where to play money tournaments. (If he has a manager, why isn't his manager doing this)
6. Only when being "called out" a few weeks later, did he post a review.
7. His review is essentially the K90.
8. He again offered to email the photos to those interested. He never did.
9. He also stated in his "review" the frame was evenly balanced, and then in another post stated it was headlight (or vice versa. can't remember but he was called on it, and got defensive, and then quit the boards.).
10. After "quitting the boards" came back twice just to insult several members.
After so much back and forth, it would have taken him less time to send the photos and prove he actually even saw it, or back up what he claimed.
You do the math.
This is the internet. Wake up.
you're such a sexist! ;O a few of the women can hit it harder <more ball speed> than several of the men, for a few reasons which I can explain if anyone is interested. Sharapova and Davenport immediately come to mind. tennis is far from being mostly about physical power unless comparing two players who generate their power from muscling the ball. BTW, the WTAers usually use a livelier ball than the ATPers so that makes things a little sticky too
ok..let's get back on topic. i've some real on court experiences so like to think i can make a valid contribution.
the answer i believe is that it depends. cant see a 5.5 baseliner who doesnt posess a really good serve and a good service return doing very well against say a top20..after all, those are the 2 most important shots in tennis, even though lots of people seem to be hung up on groundstrokes. there are also levels within the top20, lots in the top50, and even more in the Top100. A young, fit, very good serving all courting 5.5 would be competitive I think
these girls thrive on pace. they arent going to be hit thru. where they are weak is hitting their spots on serves. that's why I say from experience that they have lots of trouble w. well placed serves deep in the box or y serves w. enough work because they arent used to seeing such things because they themselves dont have serves like this in general. their 2nd serves are often attackable. they tend to serve very short in the box which negates the high MPH some of them get on their serves. they also generally dont like to be presented w. a lot of variety and dont do that well with balls placed in awkward positions for them..obviously all courters like henin are fine w. shots like that..so they would be very happy playing a typical modern 5.5 guy baseliner who lacks shot variety and a really good serve
drakulie - who did this? (apology in advance cause i can't keep up with this forum and the continuing economic bailouts... ...no end in sight...WTF !!! )
Hi Nickb
Every now and again you seem to have a grumpy day and I suppose this is one of those!!
Tonlars, like some people, has a rating that underestimates his game. This is very prevalent in the US at 5.0 and above because the mechanisms over there are not efficient at re-rating above that level. It's not disingenuous for him to put that in his signature as that represents his standard. Check his results if you don't agree.
Let me give you an example in the UK - where the system is a lot more efficient - of someone who obviously plays above his rating level.
You. You are rated an 8.1 by the Lta, which (according to the ITN conversion charts) is the equivalent of a 3.0.
Do you think it would be fair to describe yourself as a 3.0 in discussion here? Or do you think it would be more appropriate to give an indication of your true level which would be higher?
This is what Tony is doing and I am very surprised that in your situation you appear offended.
Is this worth losing a good poster over?
If im honest...I couldn't care less what people on here think of me....yes I play higher which is why im being put up to a 5.2. Have I ever said im higher rating than whats on the computer here? No. I wouldn't lie.
I try and avoid reading Tony's post so....
BTW we need to play each other some time!
Yeah please, that would be most educational. Do you mean ATP players CANT hit it harder than the women. For instance I imagine Ivanovic (one of the bigger hitters on WTA) playing her boyfriend Verdasco would get absolutely blown off the court
6-0 6-0, Do you agree ?
People have asked you before on other threads and you have given them a 5.0 guideline though.....right? (That would be a 4.2/4.1 in LTA terms). That guideline was useful so they knew the level of player they were dealing with. That's all Tony is doing IMO.
Anyway, enough of that....
We'll have to hit sometime. I've got a mate near Nottingham whom I visit every now and again which is probably half way between us. They have indoor courts at the national centre. I will email you next time I plan on being up there.
and drag that bum nickynu along!
HEY nickb, hey Moz, can I get in on this action - I break from Uni for xmas mid dec - a little roadtrip to cambridgeshire maybe ?
I dont think that conversion chart is much use. I feel that 6.1's are playing at the 5.0 level. Most 8/7's I have seen are better than 3.5 players .
I could get there...let me know.
lol - SOUNDS GOOD GUYS!
Oh ****! Your in cambridge?
Im there 12-14 Dec on LTA course...coaching at hills road centre (think its called that).
What Evert actually said was that a top college player could beat the top women.
This was in response to Martina Navratilova's claim that she could beat the #100 man in the world. Vitas Gerulaitis responded to this by saying he'd bet his house that she couldn't. Navratilova responded to this by adding the caveat if she could pick the surface she thought she stood a chance. This prompted Gerulaitis to look up the #100 man in the world and attempt (real or not) to set it up.
At that time, Evert's younger brother played #1 singles for the University of Auburn which may have prompted Evert saying that a top college player could beat a top woman's professional.
It should also be noted that the single most grueling drill I've ever heard of was one imposed on Chris Evert by her father. Evert would have to hit 50 balls in a row on HarTru back to her male hitting partner. The hitting partner would be some world class pro whose job was to hit the ball away from Evert. Evert had to hit the ball back to him and if she missed, the count started over. The pro got to stand in one spot. Amazing stuff and something I don't think even a 5.5 male could do consistently but Evert did.
I had the opportunity to hit with a girl from the Czech Republic who was a Tier 2 event player. She was headed to Los Angeles for an event and the pro I took from at the time asked if I'd give her a work out. I posted on it then. I'm a 4.5 and couldn't keep up with her groundies. There were two 'drills' if you can call them which challenged her. Her coach had me stand in either one of the service boxes and hit volleys. Her job was to hit through me. I got to hit the entire court. She got tickled that I volleyed so well (better than her I must admit) but being an old fart it probably wasn't fair. When we rallied, the only balls that gave her trouble were slices.
The other 'drill' was when they asked me to serve to her. I had figured out that this was for her and not me and asked her where she wanted me to serve. She asked me to serve 9/10 to her backhand to start and throw one or two as a surprise. When she knew where the ball was going, her returns came back faster than the serve went over. We then repeated on the forehand side. Again, if she knew where the ball was going to be....it was ugly....
I saw nothing that would disagree with what Evert said. A professional woman....someone who makes their living on the tour....will not lose to anyone needing an NTRP ranking. NTRP rankings are handicaps to help us play people of our own ability. Professionals get handicapped by how much they win/lose.
Ana Ivanovic would kill a club pro.
I have played 4.5 league and 4.5 and open tournaments in the US for a few years and lots of tournaments in the UK. My experience in the US in the whole of the mid-atlantic area and Florida.
A 6.1 is nowhere near a 5.0. Sorry, that's a fact. In my real world experience the better 5.1's are a low 5.0 level but the lesser 5.1's would be just below that level at 4.5. The conversion charts don't mean much at levels worse than 6.2 / 4.0 - but were used to illustrate a point.
Yes, Hills Road. You get to see how poor the Cambridge high performance centre is! We might be able to work something out but at the moment I am scheduled for an ITF tournament in La Manga until the 14th....
Are you down at Sutton over Christmas / new year?
I was there last month...nice courts but a bit of a crappy place.
Might go down for that Christmas open but its a long way for that...
Will just have to agree to disagree. 5.2's are playing at the 5.0 level imo. There are some very good 6's out there.
hi..no..i meant what what i said..that someone like Sharapove can hit it w. more ballspeed than some of the ATPers.
Verdasco would easily destroy any WTAer.
As far as the ballspeed goes, lots of the women are using more powerful lighter gear than the guys and able to create tremendous batspeed..granted their ball isnt as heavy as most of the ATPers, but it is VERY fast and lively, and they are using a faster ball
also the WTAers tend to hit with less margin for error <net clearance> than many of the guys....that means they make more errors but also means that the balls spend less time in the air because of trajectory, so get up on you VERY quickly
You know their outdoor clay courts are closed for about 7 months a year - disgraceful. It's just too small to be the best centre for miles. What course are you doing there? I'm thinking of doing some to make some spare cash next year.
Yes, Sutton is a long way for that. Any up your way? I may play Bristol on the 27th.
We can agree to disagree but I would be curious where you are getting your data from. Not videos on here I hope!
I hit with some very good but young junior women (c. 14 y-old) this year and they absolutely clubbed it. Noticeably flatter, harder and earlier than the guys. Made me look stupid until we played some proper points.
I would get my arse severely kicked by a top 50 woman.
Its the LTA Level 2 coaching course...when ive done that its off to do the level 3.
None at all near me. Shame.
Level 2 is the old CCA and level 3 the old PCA?
How the hell are you supposed to improve without any tournaments all winter? Ridiculous.
No they have changed it. There is no DCA/CCA now. Level 1 is assistant, Level 2 you can coach on your own, Level 3 you choose club coaching or performance, then PCA is level 4. I think that's right.
Its a joke really...not 1 single tournament...not happy :-?
kind of disconcerting at first isnt it? good point about taking it earlier too, as that robs you of time as well.
these and the other reasons i stated earlier are why i think it would take a 5.5 fit young all courter w. a strong serve to compete.....to try and bang away w. them from the back is a recipe for a beatdown
they really do play a diff game than the guys..just compare the UE's
Disconcerting is a great description. There I was trying to make a good impression (at my age - sad!) and I get belted off court by a 5'2" 14 year old girl during the drills.
I did better in the drills where we weren't fixed in one spot and there was more movement. Relatively better anyway!
Ah, got it. I have an old TA qualification I could maybe wheel out.
Did I see you post you were playing christmas tournament at bristol a few pages back? Is that the one at david lloyd center?
Yes, thinking about it mate. I have a mate that lives there so was going to combine the trip if he's around. You?
ok shall we add humbling as well then? i've been there having been taken by surprise....things got better after adjusting and not giving them what they want, but most of my job w. them was to give them what they want.
one thing i've noticed is how little time they spend practicing serves and service returns relatively speaking....it really shows in their matches.
Separate names with a comma.


text:
Jun. 7, 2013
Source: Agriculture Future of America news release
To learn more about West Coast agribusiness, Agriculture Future of America's national Student Advisory Team is taking a trip to Fresno, Calif., June 8-11.
While in California, the nine-member Team will visit several area agribusinesses. The Team's visits were coordinated by Bank of the West, whose executives will host the group.
While the students represent 8 different states, many of them are from the Midwest region where farming looks different than it does in California.
To give the students a first-hand account of West Coast agriculture, managers of Terranova Ranch, Dipersloot Ranch, Porterville Citrus, Horizon Nut and Kingsburg Orchards will take the time to explain their business structure and practices to the group. By touring a broad spectrum of farms, the students will expand their understanding of agriculture in the United States.
After visiting these farms, the students will also visit California State University - Fresno to visit the Water, Energy and Technology (WET) Center.
While there, students will explore innovations in water use efficiency. The Team recognizes responsible water use is an important factor in agriculture throughout the world. Learning from leading researchers and entrepreneurs provides value to the students' understanding of these issues.
The students' exchanges at the farms and water lab will broaden the Team's view of agriculture, which will benefit all students who participate in AFA programing. What the Team learns during their visit will assist them in planning and facilitating the annual AFA Leaders Conference.
The Team expects to host nearly 550 of the nation's top agriculture students at Conference in Kansas City, Mo., November 7-10. Learning from leaders in the agriculture industry allows the Team to plan relevant programming experiences for all students.


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NIS 60m Water Treatment Plant Set to Save Jordan River Near Kinneret
The river currently serves as something of a sewage canal for Tiberias and the Jordan Valley.
A section of the Jordan River containing Israel's first Kibbutz and important archaeological sites has been plagued by sewage for years, but work has now begun on a NIS 60 million Bitanya treatment plant due to open in about two years. Treated wastewater will combine with salty springwater from the Kinneret and freshwater from the Yarmuk River to be used for agriculture in the Jordan Valley.
The plant, a joint project of the Jordan Valley Regional Council and the Tiberias water corporation, will supply 19 million cubic meters of water a year, according to regional council head Yossi Vardi.
The Jordan serves as something of a sewage canal for Tiberias and the Jordan Valley; this week the Environmental Protection Ministry filed pollution charges against Vardi, who scoffs at the move.
"We took care of our environment before the [ministry] clerks [did]," he said. "They can't teach us about environmental protection. We residents of the Jordan Valley are taking care of our home."
The plant will be the first step in saving the downriver section of the Jordan that stretches from Kibbutz Degania to Menahemia. Several organizations have been trying for nearly 10 years to turn the area into a tourist attraction, but the delay in building the water-treatment plant has slowed things up.
The Jordan is one of the last Israeli rivers to serve as a sewage canal. The water flows clean just a kilometer past the Degania Dam, which is open nearly year-round to supply water for agriculture and the Yardenit baptismal site. This water is blocked by the temporary Alumot Dam, after which sewage from several kibbutzim spills into the river along with saltwater pumped from springs north of the Kinneret.
The section of the Jordan between the Alumot Dam and Menahemia cannot really be called a river; the sewage has to be removed if that area is going to be rehabilitated. The flow of sewage even violates the terms of the peace agreement with Jordan, under which water must be usable for agriculture.
Important historic sites are located near the downriver area, including Umm Juni, where Kibbutz Degania A, Israel's first kibbutz, was built. Not far away is Ubeidiya, where traces of the earliest migrations out of Africa have been found.
Preparations have been made to restore both sites and combine them with a larger tourist project. The site of an ancient flour mill and the attaching of Nahal Yavne'el to the Jordan will provide promising tourism opportunities. The two sides of the river are due to remain undeveloped, and tourist facilities including holiday villages will be set up in neighboring communities.
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You are here
MIone robotic milking system officially launches in North America
GEA Farm Technologies has adapted the MIone multi-box robotic milking system for the North American dairy industry. The udder prep process used by this system has been approved by the Atlantic-Midwest Dairy Equipment Review Committee (AMDERC) and accepted by FDA and state inspector.
The MIone sets itself apart from other systems because it uses one robotic application arm to service up to five milking boxes. It also features a 3D camera, which simultaneously sees the teat cup and teat, for precise attachment. Once the teat cups are attached, teat cleaning, pre-dipping, drying, a milk quality check, stimulation, and milk harvest are executed in sequence - within the teat cup. This single attachment process saves time and prevents any system contamination.
"Today's dairymen face heavy pressure to produce milk at the lowest possible cost per CWT – whether they milk robotically or conventionally," says Steve Pretz, GEA Farm Technologies U.S. National Sales Manager for Milking and Cooling products. "The milking procedures utilized with the MIone multi-box system most closely mirror the milking practices utilized on conventional operations. These are the practices that have been proven over many years to yield the most milk and preserve milk quality."
The MIone prep process includes teat cleaning and pre-dipping. In addition, the design of the system's milking rack allows for trouble-free manual attachment of the teat cups when required. Lastly, only the MIone uses patented Stimopuls technology to optimize teat stimulation, enhancing milk let down.
"The "MI" in MIone stands for "Milking Intelligence," summarizes Pretz. "If your goals are to embrace new technology, manage your herd more precisely, create the best possible living environment for your cows, and carve out a more balanced life for yourself, GEA Farm Technologies would like to help you get there with the MIone automatic milking system."
The MIone is available through selected GEA Farm Technologies dealers. For more information contact GEA Farm Technologies at 877/973-2479.


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Endomondo is one of the most used apps for workout monitoring, one of the oldest and, without a doubt, one of the most complete. The app allow us to monitor almost 60 activities and informs users about 12 types of data. This data are treated and connected with our profile. This way we can consult our registry, averages and records. I would like to point out as a strong point, the new update that gives it a much cleaner look and a more intuitive one.
It's very simple to install Endomondo, it's just like a usual app. We just have to enter Google Play Store and download the app, it will install in few seconds and then it's ready to be used.
Initially it asks us to create a profile, or, associate our Gmail or Facebook account, in my case I associated my Gmail account. From here begins the best part: enjoying the freedom of a very intuitive app, as I stated before. This app also allow us to connect with a heart rate monitor, e.g. Polar WearLink +. Very important to monitor a workout, therefore, this way we can achieve the initially set goals with more accuracy, e.g. maintenance, reduce body fat percentile, increase resistance and others.
When I say simple, believe it, this app is really simple, the main menu is nothing more than just our activity interface, we just choose 3 types of data we wish to access on the main display, the type of activity and if we have any type of objective, e.g. distance, calories or workout time, afterwards just press the Play button.
For the music lovers, as an indispensable partner in physical activity, this app doesn't have a integrated music player, nonetheless, with a touch we can access or music playlist. However, already integrated is the possibility to choose if we want, or not, voice encouragement or an audio coach— without interfering with the music that might be playing at the time — in the moment that coach intervenes, the music volume decreases, or stops, according the users settings.
At the end, the acquired data can be consulted on our profile, where all of our activities are registered, as well as in our computer. We can also challenge or follow our friend's records, enter in competitions, receive feed in activities that will happen in a near future, share results on Facebook or Google+, associate a photo to our workout and much more. It's a pity that for having access to a workout plan we need to upgrade to a Premium version.
Decisively, we're standing in front of very useful app, not only for the common athlete but also for the athlete specialized in the way he works out, because all of this information is in fact very complete and important to the improvement of sports performance.
We can affirm that Endomondo has a steady performance in our Android, occupying a little more than 30MB and not being a battery consumer, we would say that in our smartphone it consumes battery in a reasonable fashion, keeping in mind that it uses GPS, and also associate audio and Bluetooth.
To conclude, I would like to point out as positive factors the excellent interface, the simplicity but at the same time the app efficacy, the several modalities and the several data included in it, also the excellent and quick access to the GPS signal. As negative factors, it's just the fact that we have to pay for the Premium version to have access to the workout plan. I enjoyed the experience and would recommend the app as being one of the main references in workout monitoring.
Note: This review was made by Miguel Barros in android-emotions.pt and translated by João Paulo Carvalho.


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A great classic in the male wardrobe, this simple round neck T-shirt goes well with all silhouettes. The embroidered initials subtly sign this style. It comes in three colours: black, white and navy blue.
Ref : MEN T-SHIRT HTSMC1273WHI01
exterior : 100% cotton


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At Gemvara, we believe that the jewelry you wear should be as unique as you. Every beautiful Gemvara palladium january birthstone vintage-inspired jewelry design will be made just for you. It's jewelry for all life's occasions, from a birthday or graduation to your own personal milestones and celebrations. We have great anniversary ideas with a personal touch that will make this an anniversary she'll always remember. Gemvara uses only the highest quality materials to craft your palladium january birthstone vintage-inspired jewelry with meticulous attention to detail. Our precious metals are recycled or responsibly mined. January's birthstone is garnet. Gemvara offers both deep ocher red garnet and purplish-pink rhodolite garnet for January babies. A platinum group metal, palladium has high purity and white tone of platinum but is less dense, making it more affordable. Our wide selection of palladium january birthstone vintage-inspired jewelry by Randy Dixon, Martha Gomez Gutierrez, Tony Rodrigues, and other talented designers means you can find rings, earrings, and necklaces that are exactly your style. You can also shop by style, choosing our solr.product_tag_style.1483, Streamlined, or Lucky Charm Collections. If you love vintage jewelry but have a modern fast-paced lifestyle, our vintage-inspired designs give you the best of both worlds: modern quality construction and comfort with the detailed design and hand craftsmanship of the past. When our work is done and you open that box, you'll see your design is even more beautiful when brought to life in the finest precious materials.
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White House mulls how to strike over Libya attack
jsf Centerville, UTOct. 16, 2012 10:03 a.m.
"if investigators can find the al-Qaida-linked group responsible" Isn't all al-Qaida groups terrorists attacking innocent people. Shouldn't the administration just target all al-Qaida groups.
Thanks Obama, turn the lights on so the little roaches can safely scurry away.
Say No to BO Mapleton, UTOct. 16, 2012 7:32 a.m.
It sort of reminds me of that old saying...the one about latching the gate AFTER the horses got out.
Why is it that the most recent October surprises aren't surprising?
Rifleman Salt Lake City, UtahOct. 15, 2012 1:39 p.m.
So is the Obama Administration announcing this news to impress the American voters or to warn the terrorists? Either which way is wasn't very smart.


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|10 Aug 2011
Drag and Drop
An alumni of mine asks for help and I can't.
He has Win 7 Home Premium
Windows Live Mail 2009
He has Hotmail configured into WLM as a POP protocol account. Hotmail is his default account. He has no other account in WLM.
His problem :
He cannot do Drag&Drop.
He tried to drag an e-mail out of WLM and drop it to the desktop.... no go.
He tried to drag and drop an e-mail directly from WLM into Documents folder .... no go either.
In both cases he saw a black circle with a black line across ( like a stop sign in black ) when he started the drag and drop. He ignore it and proceeded to drop ..... nothing
Any suggestions ?
|My System Specs
|10 Aug 2011
I can't remember where I saw it, but I had this in my notes so I'll post it for you in the hope it helps.
Launch IE8 or IE9, whichever you're using.
Navigate to Tools>Internet Options>Security Tab and uncheck Enable Protected Mode. Ignore the UAC warning then click Apply.
|My System Specs
|10 Aug 2011
I can't remember where I saw it, but I had this in my notes so I'll post it for you in the hope it helps.
Launch IE8 or IE9, whichever you're using.
Navigate to Tools>Internet Options>Security Tab and uncheck Enable Protected Mode. Ignore the UAC warning then click Apply.
I have found the answer.
I remember seeing the Drag/Drop, Copy/Paste option in internet options. I couldn't find it. So I posted this question.
Your suggestion ( Security tab ) jolted my memory and I found the options.....( I was looking for them in Advanced tab.... wrong tab )
Security tab > Custom Level... > scroll down to Miscellaneous heading > under Drag and drop or copy and paste heading > dot Enable > OK
That should work for my alumni.
|My System Specs
|10 Aug 2011
OK, that's great.
I'll update my notes, thanks for the feedback.
|My System Specs
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ROCHESTER, N.Y., Feb. 23 (UPI) -- High-quality hospitals provide superior trauma care at a lower cost compared with average-quality hospitals, U.S. researchers found.
Lead author Dr. Laurent G. Glance of the University of Rochester Medical Center in New York says the finding suggests high quality can coexist with lower cost.
The study, published in the Annals of Surgery, found high-quality hospitals have death rates that are 34 percent lower, while spending nearly 22 percent less on trauma patient care than average-quality hospitals. However, the researchers say the reason is not clear.
Trauma victims are usually younger and in this study, most trauma patients -- car crash, fall, gunshot or stab wound -- were about ages 40-50 and male.
One possible explanation is that higher-quality hospitals may have fewer patient complications such as infections compared with lower-quality hospitals, Glance says.
"There is a growing recognition that, when it comes to healthcare, we have a quality problem in this country," Glance says in a statement. "We all want better quality and outcomes, and one possible theory is that achieving better quality may be less expensive in the long run."


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Phone recognizes your walk
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Finnish scientists have invented a device that makes it harder to steal a mobile phone.
I came across a release the other day that explained how Finnish scientists have invented a device that makes it harder to steal a mobile phone. So far, so good.
Now for the interesting partit does this by enabling the phone to detect a change in the owner's walking style. Upon detection, the phone would freeze, thereby preventing unauthorized use.
This certainly doesn't stop the phone from being stolen. But it does stop a thief from running up a huge phone bill or accessing private records that may be stored on the phone.
According to representatives of the VTT Technical Research Center of Finland, the phone would be equipped with sensors the measure certain characteristics of the user's gait. It would then monitor the walking style and check it against what's saved in memory. If the values differ, the user would be forced to enter a password into the system.
Sounds interesting technologically, but I think I'll pass.


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42,505 ways to enjoy music...
This product is currently not available for purchase
Product Ref: 64037
Prelude strings have the warmest sound available in an economy, solid steel core string design. Prelude is the educator's preferred choice for student strings due to their unique blend of warm tone, economy, and durability. The 3/4 scale strings are gauged specifically for 3/4 size cellos with a playing length of 25 1/2 inches (650mm).
Once the product is delivered, you have 30 days to decide that you definitely want to keep it. If you decide it is not suitable for any reason, you can return it back to us for replacement or full refund, including standard delivery charges.
All Products are new unless stated, and include a minimum of 2 years warranty.
Some items are only eligible for money back guarantee if they are returned to us unused and sealed in the original packaging, and in the case of software, unregistered. These items include:
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So here's the situation.
I got my Wii modded by a friend using a solderless mod chip. It played burnt discs and all was well. I lost said discs whilst moving house and recently dusted off my Wii in hopes of playing it again. I burnt ISO's both for Gamecube and Wii onto a -R DVD disc yet the Wii would not read them. I run them through the disc channel, I do not have Homebrew or Neogamma and would prefer not to go through the hassle of downloading them if possible. It has not been updated before having the chip in, I think its at system update 4.2.
I suppose that with this failure in mind, I was wondering if it is possible to just read games from an SD/USB to save me from wasting DVD discs.
Almost all mod chips rely on the optical (DVD) drive to play backups. So unless you have say a WiiKey Fusion, then the answer is "no." 99.9% of modchips do not feature or support USB/SD for backup purposes. Try Verbatim brand media (make sure the packing says Azo Dye) and use +R which has a higher reflective rating and is easier to read.


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" Address: Frieth Road / Bovingdon Green / Nr. Marlow / Buckinghamshire SL7 2JF / England "
we have been to the Royal Oak many times in the past year. The location is wonderful but unfortunately the service is poor and the quality of food is erratic. At times the starters have been barely defrosted and once they totally forgot about us and the kitchen closed. Not a place I would visit in a hurry particularly if I want to be assured of a pleasant evening. Many of our neighbours have had a similar experience.
The Royal Oak in my opinion is simply the best pub in Marlow. It is a rare traditional pub which is a breath of fresh air and a welcome break from all the chain pubs that seem to be everywhere nowadays.
The most important part of the Royal Oak that makes it so special is their staff, which is always friendly and willing to chat. The selection of drinks is excellent with a good choice of real ales.
The general décor of the inside of the Royal Oak is very cozy with a real log fire in the winter and lovely wooden floors. And it has a great menu with proper top quality restraint type food. If you choose to eat here you can pre book or just walk in and wait for a table. The service of the food is top notch and as I said the before the staff make it a pleasure to eat here.
The garden is brilliant in the summer with lots of benches to sit on and a huge garden and a sunny terrace, and if you have children they have enough room to run around and play games. Also outside there is a petanque piste of which you can have a go if the local team is not playing.
Overall I would definitely recommended this pub it is the best in the county by far :o)
Spacious, but cosy atmosphere offering great pub food and hospitality.


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Iraq: 3,500 American troops to leave
The U.S. military said on Tuesday 3,500 troops sent to Iraq last summer as part of the so-called surge will soon be leaving. A military statement released said the soldiers will redeploy to the U.S. in the coming weeks.
All of the troops sent in as part of the surge were expected to leave Iraq by this July, but U.S. commanders are asking for a "pause" in redeployments so they can assess the security situation as soldiers leave.
"The continued draw down of surge brigades demonstrates continued progress in Iraq," US commander Brigadier General Dan Allyn said in the statement. "After July, commanders will assess our security posture for about 45 days and determine future force requirements."
Washington has said it wants to complete a withdrawal of the 30,000 troops by July and have a 45-day evaluation period before considering the overall level of US troops.
According to AFP, US military officials said the number of American troops currently deployed in Iraq was 156,000 while another 10,000 troops from other coalition member states were also on the ground.


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View Poll Results: Which name do you prefer?
- Voters
- 57. You may not vote on this poll
Results 1 to 5 of 15
Thread: Felicity vs Elisabeth
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May 17th, 2013 09:12 AM #21Senior Member
- Join Date
- Mar 2012
- Posts
- 4,858
I only like Elizabeth with a z. The s ruins it for me.
Felicity has only one spelling, which is a plus. And it's familiar without being Top Ten popular, which is nice. Elizabeth is evergreen and impeccably classic and has a huge range of nicknames.
Tough call but I'll go with Felicity. I think the "familiar but not popular" is a good balance to Genevieve (I love Genevieve btw) which otherwise might be hanging out on its lonesome a little bit, compared to Alexander and Madelyn and Elizabeth.


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From what I could tell from Purdue's site, it doesn't matter when you apply for housing since there is a lottery. Isn't this true?
Students who apply for housing by May 1 will be assigned a random number via a lottery system for housing assignments. Housing assignments will be communicated via your @purdue.edu email address in early June.
So why does it matter if you put the deposit in now or on April 31?


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Written on: 02/04/2011 by lufcttp31 (1 review written)
I decided to get a quote from Safestyle after already getting 5 other quotes from local firms even though I was a bit unsure after reading the reviews. We want Rosewood on white windows and the cheapest we had been quoted was £4200 for 12 A rated windows that looked poor quality and £4800 for very good B rated windows which a neighbor had installed for £3800 but only 10 windows. I was prepared for the old fashioned sales pitch and was not suprised to be quoted £11000 for their A rated window and £9000 for their cheaper window. We made it clear that we were only interested in the A rated and how wonderful we thought it was but his quote was a little on the high side. He then asked what we would pay to which we said £1500 if we were to play his game of stupid prices. He then called his manager and came back with £3980 with £80 deposit. We signed up for that price and then called the original B rated quoters to get their quote down from £4800. They were very suprised that they had been undercut by that much and could only go to £4400 which has made me feel that I will not get a much better quote. Safestyle surveyor has been today and installation booked for Easter Monday. Fingers crossed all goes well from here but so far I have no problems with them apart from the stupid figure that was 1st quoted.
Written on: 22/04/2011
I found this review very helpful because...i have just had them round to give a quote and i needed to know if it was high.
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