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Tamar Field's Gas Will Save Israeli Industry a Bundle in Energy Costs
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|Número de publicación
|Tipo de publicación
|Número de solicitud
|Fecha de publicación
|27 Sep 1983
|Fecha de presentación
|4 Mar 1982
|Fecha de prioridad
|17 Mar 1981
|También publicado como
|Número de publicación
|Pierre Kayoun
|Cesionario original
|Exportar cita
|BiBTeX, EndNote, RefMan
|Otras citas (2), Citada por (44), Clasificaciones (12), Eventos legales (6)
|Enlaces externos: USPTO, Cesión de USPTO, Espacenet
The invention relates to a process for the controlled modification of the geometrical characteristics of the endmost face of a monomode optical fiber particularly with a view to providing optimized coupling with another monomode optical element, this element being able to be without distinction another optical fiber, an integrated wave-guide or a laser.
Such devices are more especially used in optical connection systems. These systems are used for providing optical path telecommunications in numerous fields. By way of non limiting examples there may be mentioned telephone or telex transmission, telematics or teledistribution.
For transmissions over long distances, very low loss optical fibers are used. Particular care must be taken with couplings between optical fibers on the one hand and, on the other hand, between the optical fibers and the opto-electronic means for emitting and detecting the radiant energy transmitted by these optical fibers.
As is known, the connection may be of the multimode or monomode type, these latter allowing connection with a higher flowrate and lower attenuation over long distances.
For these applications, efforts have then been made to form optical systems comprising only monomode elements such as semiconductor lasers, integrated wave-guides or monomode optical fibers.
One of the fundamental problems which arises in a monomode transmission chain is that of coupling between the different monomode elements, this is all the more acute than when multimode elements are used. In fact, in each element a mode is excited which is not necessarily adapted to the next element in the chain. Thus, so as to couple a maximum of energy into the downstream monomode element, the upstream mode must be modified and matched, or the reverse.
A particularly delicate example of coupling to be a achieved is the coupling between a divergent radiation source, particularly a transverse monomode semi-conductor laser, and a monomode optical fiber. Direct coupling, in which the source and the fiber are simply placed face to face without an intermediate optical element is of low efficiency because of the reduced dimensions of the fiber and of the generally large aperture of the laser beam. So as to increase this efficiency, different optical configurations have been studied on the basis of cones, cylindrical, semicylindrical or spherical lenses, hemispherical lenses. Theoretical and practical studies show that interesting results can be obtained with a hemispherical lens coupled to the end of the fiber. Different manufacturing methods have been proposed. Among these, thermo-forming, which consists in melting the end of the fiber by any means, has been described more particularly in two articles published in 1975 in the review "Applied Optics": vol. 14, no. 2, pages 294-298 and vol. 14, no. 12, pages 2815-2816. This technique often requires, especially for the silica fibers commonly used, very high temperatures, so heavy apparatus.
A simpler solution to this problem was described in French patent application published under the no. 2 465 238 entitled: "Dispositif de couplage entre une source lumineuse de rayonnement divergent et une fibre optique at procede de realisation d'un tel dispositif".
This patent application relates to the construction of a plano-convex lens made from high index glass on any type of fiber. The coupling device comprises a plano-convex lens coupled to the input face of the fiber, formed from a glass having a refraction index greater than that of the fiber and obtained by placing the end of the fiber in contact with a drop of molten glass. A spherical skul-cap shape is obtained whose parameters are controllable.
Although simpler to use than the previously known processes, this process requires nevertheless the creation of an added element, foreign to the fiber: the plano-convex lens; and having a geometry defined once and for all: demi-sphere.
On the contrary, the invention proposes a process for elaborating a phase object on the endmost face of the fiber which remains simple to use while permitting increased flexibility with respect to the processes of the prior art. Moreover, this process does not require the addition of external elements to the fiber, the modification made to the fiber for the elaboration of said phase object being carried out in a continually controllable way.
The invention provides then a process for the controlled modification of the geometrical characteristics of the end of a monomode optical fiber, the fiber being formed from a central region and at least one peripheral region having different optical refraction indices, these index differences being obtained by incorporating in a basic material in a given percentage at least one doping material, which process comprises the following steps:
previous preparation of the end of said fiber so as to obtain an endmost face free from splinters;
chemical etching for a pre-determined period of time at differentiated rates of said regions with given doping percentages at the end of the fiber;
neutralization of the etching;
injection into the fiber of guided radiation and control of the state of modification of said geometrical characteristics of the end of the fiber by plotting the variations of the profile of the remote field of said radiation radiated by this etched end.
The invention has further as object the application of this modification process to the coupling of a monomode optical fiber with another monomode element.
The invention will be better understood and other advantages will appear from the following description with reference to the accompanying figures:
FIGS. 1 and 2 show in section a monomode optical fiber and the diagram representing the optical refraction index profile of such a fiber;
FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrate one example of modifications of the geometrical characteristics of the end of the fiber obtained by the process of the invention;
FIGS. 5 to 7 illustrate special measuring devices used in the process of the invention;
FIGS. 8 to 10 are diagrams illustrating the variations of the remote field of the optical fiber modified by the process of the invention;
FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating the remote field of a semi-conductor laser emitter; and
FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating the efficiency of coupling between two monomode optical elements as a function of the distance separating them.
Before describing the process of the invention, it will be useful first of all to briefly recall the principal characteristics of optical fibers and the manner in which these fibers are obtained.
One of the most widely used processes for manufacturing optical fibers is known under the abbreviation "MCVD" (modified chemical vapor-phase deposition). This process consists in causing to flow inside a silica tube a gas mixture comprising more particularly oxygen and silicon, germanium or boron compounds, these latter being introduced into the tube in predetermined sequences. The tube is heated by a heat source which is moved in a direction longitudinal to this tube. The cycle is begun again several times. At each passage through the heated zones, there occurs an oxydo-reduction reaction of the components in presence and the deposition of silicon, boron or germanium oxides on the internal wall. At each passage of the tube past the heat source, a new layer is deposited.
Then a final step is carried consisting in vigorously heating the silica tube. Collapsing occurs. The product obtained is called preform and is in the form of a bar having external dimensions typically of the order of 9 mm. This preform will serve for the manufacture of the optical fibers properly speaking, which will be obtained by drawing this preform. After this final phase, the fiber will have an external diameter of about 125 μm.
As is known, an optical fiber comprises a core, an optical sheath, a supporting tube and a sheath which are essentially differentiated from each other by their optical refraction index. The evolution of this optical refraction index must take place according to a definite profile. To reach this result, it is necessary to deposit on the internal face of the original tube different materials so that the optical refraction index varies according to a profile homothetic to the one desired for the optical fiber. By way of example, with the mean refraction index being that of silica, i.e. that of the tube, if it is desired to increase the refraction index germanium dioxide may be introduced in a given percentage.
After drawing, the optical fiber will most often be formed of two regions, core and optical sheath, a support tube formed by the material of the original tube and an outer protection sheath disposed about this support tube in a subsequent manufacturing phase.
There exist two types of fibers:
optical fibers of the so-called multimode type, in which the core diameter is typically of 50 μm and the outer diameter of the optical sheath is 70 μm;
fibers of the so-called monomode type, in which the core diameter is between 5 and 10 μm and the outer diameter of the optical sheath is about 40 μm.
The outer diameter of the support tube, most frequently made from pure silica, is about 125 μm and the outer diameter of the protection sheath, made for example from silicon, is of the order of 300 μm.
The fibers may present an index jump or an index gradient.
The invention relates to fibers of the monomode type.
FIG. 1 shows in section an optical fiber. R is the outer radius of the fiber. There is shown in FIG. 1 the different regions: core 10, optical sheath 11, support tube 12 and protection sheath 13.
FIG. 2 shows one example among others of the index profile of an optical fiber able to be used in the invention. The profile shows the index variations along an axis Δ passing through the center of the fiber.
In the chosen example, core 10 is made from very slightly doped silica. The doping is not uniform so as to obtain a bell-shaped index variation having a maximum value n10. The optical sheath 11 of index n11 is made from boron doped silica, the doping material also comprising traces of phosphorous. The support tube 12 is made from pure silica of index n12 slightly greater than n10. Finally, the protection sheath 13 is made from epoxy with an index n13.
The following relationship: n13 >n12 >n10 >n11 is confirmed.
Other optical fibers having optical refraction index profiles entirely different from the one shown in FIG. 2 can of course be used within the scope of the invention, the purpose of this example being solely to present a concrete form of embodiment.
As was previously recalled, to obtain optimized coupling between two monomode optical elements, it is necessary to modify the mode of one of these elements. If it is a question for example of coupling a monomode optical fiber with a radiant energy emitter of the semi-conductor laser type, it seems excluded to be able to modify simply the emission mode of this latter. It is then necessary to modify the geometry of the endmost face of the optical fiber, i.e. more particularly of the dioptre which the guiding structure, the core, forms with the outer environment, generally the ambient air.
In the prior art, as has already been mentioned, one of the solutions chosen for increasing the efficiency of coupling is to create a demi-spherical lens at the end of the fiber. However this process lacks flexibility.
The modifications of the guided mode in the neighbourhood of the end of the fiber which result from this arrangement are not in fact equally advantageous for all the kinds of coupling used in a monomode element optical transmission chain.
The invention takes advantage of the fact that the index variations along axis Δ (FIG. 1) are obtained by selectively doping the regions of the fiber with different materials, this in definite proportions. If the end of the fiber is subjected to chemical etching, it follows that the etching speed of these regions also varies depending on the nature and the concentration of the doping materials as well as on the product used for the chemical etching and the concentration thereof. This has as consequence that the geometry of the end of the optical fiber evolves concurrently. This has finally the effect of modifying the guided mode in this zone.
There remains however a difficulty: it is to be able to effectively control this modification close to the endmost face of the fiber, considering the dimensions of this latter, typically 125 μm diameter for the support tube 3.
To get round this difficulty, radiation is injected into the fiber by means of a laser emitter for example, and the propagation of this mode is studied in the free space at the output of the fiber at the end having undergone chemical etching, i.e. the distribution of the intensity of the radiation emitted in the remote field of Fraunhofer region.
This region is situated, as is known for a radiating structure of dimension D, at a distance greater than or equal to 2D2 /λ from this source, λ being the wave-length. In the case of an optical fiber fed by a laser emitter, it is sufficient to operate at a few tens of micrometers to satisfy this condition. Furthermore, in the general case, with the end of the fiber being of revolution, it is sufficient to study the remote field in a single plane containing the axis of the fiber.
The evolution of the remote field is representative of the near field for there exists a biunivocal relationship between these two fields. Theoretical considerations allow passage from one to the other by means of Fourier's transform.
The controllable chemical etching amounts then in the last place, if we refer to what has been described previously, to modifying the remote field in a way which is also controllable.
In the process of the invention, the modifications may result in satisfying different criteria and thus adding a flexibility which the processes of the prior art could not offer.
In a first variation, the remote field of a monomode optical fiber is modified so as to cause it to resemble that of the monomode element into which it is desired to couple the light, for example to that of a semi-conductor laser whose proper remote field it is difficult to modify.
This matching of remote fields is equivalent to matching the modes and allows then the efficiency of coupling to be increased between the fiber and the other monomode element.
In a second variation, the modification also ensures maximum coupling but this when the two elements are not in contact immediately proximate one another, which is of great practical advantage: possibility of inserting an optical element such as attenuator, polarizer, modulator, etc. . . in the transmission chain.
The process of the invention will now be described in more detail. It comprises the following steps:
1. obtaining as a first step a good break by cleavage or any other process of the known art of the end of the monomode optical fiber so as to obtain a splinterless face. The result of the operation may be checked by means of a microscope.
2. cleaning the end of the fiber with alcohol for example,
3. steeping this end in an acid solution for a given time t;
4. cleaning with water and alcohol the end of the fiber so as to neutralize the etching,
5. plotting the profile of the remote field diffracted by the end of the fiber;
6. comparison of this remote field with a profile to be obtained or at least with a profile with which the greatest possible correlation is to be obtained.
Steps 3 to 6 may be effected iteratively, until the anticipated result is obtained in step 6, this in the case where theoretical or experimental considerations do not allow the given time t to be defined in advance.
Finally, in the second variation of the process, if it is desired to obtain given coupling efficiency when the two elements to be coupled are placed at a pre-established distance from each other, step 6 such as previously defined may be replaced by the following step: the two elements are placed with respect to each other at this pre-established distance and the efficiency of the coupling is measured. An example of implementation of the process will be described in what follows with reference to FIG. 6.
To give an idea, there will be considered in what follows the coupling of a semi-conductor laser emitter with a monomode fiber. The principal characteristics of these two elements are given in the table below:
core diameter 5 μm
material forming the core: slightly doped silica
optical sheath: doped mainly with boron
index profile: according to FIG. 2
type AsGa
wave-length λ=0.83 μm
dimensions of the cavity: 0.2×4×300 (in μm)
Under these conditions, the acid solution of step 3 may be 40% hydrofluoric acid solution. Steps 1, 2 and 4 use techniques well known in the optical fiber field and do not require fuller description. In so far as step no. 3 is concerned FIG. 5 shows schematically a device for plotting the remote field of the monomode fiber 1 whose end e1 has been etched.
There is injected into the fiber, through end e2, radiant energy produced by a laser source 2, which may be the laser source to be coupled or a source of the same type. The profile of the remote field of fiber 1 is plotted by means of an auxiliary detection fiber 3 in a plane P containing the axis of symmetry Δ1 of fiber 1. This plane may be a support on which source 2 and fiber 1 have been placed. The detection fiber may be firmly secured to a carriage moving over an arc of a circle whose center merges with the output face e1 of fiber 1. A means (not shown in FIG. 5) for measuring angle θ which the axis of symmetry Δ3 of fiber 3 forms with the axis of symmetry of fiber 1 generates an electric control signal, for example a control voltage, having an amplitude proportional to angle θ, which is transmitted to one of the control ends of a plotting table 4.
The light intensity collected by the detection fiber 3 is measured by means of a photo-detecting means 5, for example a photomultiplier, which converts this intensity into an electric signal I transmitted to the other control input of the plotting table 4.
Thus the chart of the remote field of fiber 1 is plotted, this after each etching cycle.
FIGS. 8 to 10 give an experimental example of plots representing the evolution of the remote field as a function of etching time t, the concentration of the acid solution remaining constant. The ordinate represents the relative optical intensity and the abscissa the angle θ in degrees.
In the diagram of FIG. 8, curve A represents the profile of the remote field of fiber 1 before chemical etching and curve B after about 1 minute's etching. A very clear widening of curve B can be seen.
Curves 9 and 10 show profiles of the remote field after respectively 3 and 15 minutes of chemical etching.
FIG. 11 shows the profile of the remote field of the laser to be coupled. It is known that the radiation diagram of semiconductor lasers is not of revolution but inscibed inside a curve which approximates to an ellipsis. In FIG. 11 have been shown the extremum profiles corresponding respectively, for curve C, to the plane parallel to the function forming the laser and to the plane orthogonal to this function for curve D.
It can be seen that an etching time corresponding to about 1 minute (FIG. 8: curve B) maximizes the overlapping integral of the remote fields of fiber 1 and of the laser to be coupled 2. Then the curves narrow again (FIGS. 9 and 10). In the example chosen, the time of 1 minute will be chosen, this naturally for the 40% hydrofluoric acid solution.
FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrate schematically the condition of the end e1 of fiber 1 after this etching time A bowl is formed in the region constituted by the optical sheath 11. The core 10 of the fiber is in the form of a hummock shaped as a dome emerging from the bottom of the bowl.
The scales are given in FIGS. 3 and 4, this latter representing the central part (core 10) of the enlarged end e1.
It is possible to automate the measurement of the remote field by replacing the detecting fiber 3 and photomultiplier assembly by a detector array, for example photodiode array. It is in fact possible, if we operate sufficiently distant from end e1 of fiber 1, to carry out the measurements in a plane perpendicular to axis Δ1.
FIG. 6 shows the variation of the device for measuring the remote field as well as the principal circuits required for implementing this variation.
The diode array 60 comprises (2n+1) diodes: D-n . . . Do . . . Dn spaced apart along an axis Δ perpendicular to axis Δ1 ; diode Do being centered on axis Δ1. The distance between two successive diodes represents an elementary variation of the angle θ.
The outputs of photodiodes D-n to Dn are transmitted to an analog multiplexer 61. Such multiplexers are commercially available and comprise more especially a series of analog gates receiving, at a first input, the signals to be multiplexed, within the scope of the invention the output signals of diodes D-n to Dn and, at a second input, binary enabling signals. The multiplexer receives for this clock signals H produced by a generator 62, these signals being transmitted, for example, to a relooped binary counter included in the multiplexer 60 having as many binray states as there are different signals to be multiplexed: (2n+1) within the scope of the invention. Logic circuits, also proper to multiplexer 60, select one of these binary states so that, at all times, a single photodiode output is selected and transmitted to a common output of the analog multiplexer 60: VS.
This output signal is transmitted to one of the inputs of a circuit 66 for controlling the pen 67 of a plotting table 4. This circuit may receive at another input the clock signals H used as enabling and sampling signals for controlling pen 67 point by point in synchronism with the scanning of the outputs of photodiodes D-n to Dn.
The clock signals H are also transmitted to a circuit 63 for controlling a stepper motor 64 driving the writing medium 65 of the plotting table.
This medium may be graduated in values of angle θ in abscissa and in the relative optical intensity I. As is well known, control circuit 66 comprises signal calibrating, matching and amplifying means which are outside the scope of the invention.
It is furthermore possible to use other types of display apparatus, such for example as an afterglow oscilloscope. A television camera may further be used as detecting element.
According to a second aspect of the invention which has been mentioned, it is possible to obtain maximum coupling when the two monomode optical elements are placed at a pre-established distance with respect to each other.
FIG. 7 illustrates a device for determining the etching time of the end e1 of fiber 1 required for obtaining maximum coupling for a pre-established distance d. After step no. 4 of the process of the invention, end e1 of fiber 1 and the laser 4 to be coupled are firmly locked mechanically respectively to micro-manipulators 6 and 7, the end faces of the two elements being separated from each other by the pre-established distance d. By means of these two micro-manipulators, which may effect movements parallel to the three axes of a reference trihedron X Y Z, the two elements to be coupled together are moved with respect to each other until maximum coupling is obtained. This coupling may be determined by placing at end e2 of fiber 1 an opto-electronic means 5, for example a photomultiplier or a photodiode, detecting the optical intensity of the radiation transmitted by fiber 1 and converted into an electric signal measured by any appropriate apparatus 8. The etching time t required may be optimized in this way.
In all cases, the device which has just been described may be used in a final phase for achieving effective and maximum coupling of the two elements to be coupled. For example, in the variation described with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6, when the desired remote field profile is obtaned (step no. 6 of the process) the two elements to be coupled together are firmly locked to the micro-manipulators 6 and 7 and, more particularly, the distance d separating the two elements is adjusted until maximum coupling is obtained. The two elements are then fixed in this position by any known process: sealing, bonding etc.
Within the scope of the example chosen, FIG. 2 illustrates the variations in efficiency of the coupling shown by the relative intensity I measured by detector 5, depending on the distance in micrometers separating the end faces of the laser 4 to be coupled with fiber 1. It appears clearly from the curve that the maximum is situated at about d=8 μm, a higher value (10 μm, for example) being able to be selected with a coupling efficiency which remains high.
The fluctuations of the curve represent a parasite phenomenon due to the "Perot-Fabry cavity effect". However, and this is an additional advantage, because the surface of the end face of the fiber after etching in accordance with the process of the invention is no longer flat, this parasite effect is significantly reduced: from 5 to 20% depending on the surface condition reached after chemical etching.
Still within the framework of the example considered, the coupling efficiency reaches typically 35%, as whereas for a laser and an identical non treated fiber, it is only 10%. Thus, with the process of the invention, the coupling efficiency has been considerably increased.
Furthermore, the 10% efficiency can only be obtained by placing opposite each other, the closest possible, the non treated fiber and the semi-conductor laser. Theoretically, the maximum efficiency is in fact obtained when the elements are placed in contact but, under penalty of damage, we cannot go below a distance of a few microns. On the other hand, with the process of the invention, the coupling efficiency is maximum not in contact but when the elements are spaced apart typically by ten micrometers or so.
Up to this point in the description of the process of the invention, it has been admitted that chemical etching produces symmetrical effects if we consider a plane orthogonal to the axis of symmetry of the fiber to be treated 1. This is effectively achieved because of the symmetry of revolution of fiber 1.
However, it may be advantageous, for certain applications, to obtain a remote field whose profile does not possess this symmetry of revolution.
If we refer again to FIG. 11, it is clear that the coupling of fiber 1 with laser 4 may be further improved if the profile of the remote field approximates that of the laser whatever the direction considered in a plane orthogonal to the axis of the fiber (FIG. 5: Δ1) In FIG. 11, curves C and D represent the profiles along two orthogonal axes.
Maximum coupling may be desired also when the axes of symmetry of the two elements to be coupled together form therebetween a given angle.
The condition stated in what has gone before may be fulfilled by starting with a fiber in which at least the end to be modified by etching in accordance with the process of the invention has been previously treated, for example during the manufacturing stage, so as not to present a symmetry of revolution.
During step 1 of the process, at the time of breaking, an end face may further be prepared presenting an angle with the optical axis different by π/2 radians.
In this case, contrary to what has been suggested up to now, the profile of the remote field must be plotted in the whole of space, or at least in certain privileged planes and not just in a single plane (FIG. 5: plane P) since the end of the fiber and the geometrical modifications made by the process of the invention no longer present the properties of symmetry of revolution. In the majority of applications, it may be sufficient to plot the remote field profile in two planes corresponding to the extrema similarly to what has been illustrated in FIG. 11.
|IBM Technical Disclosure Bulletin, vol. 20, No. 3, Aug. 1977, Fabrication of Lenses on Tips of Fibers by J. D. Crow et al., pp. 1235-1236.
|Optical Communication Conference, Amsterdam, Sep. 17-19, 1979, Fabrication of Coupling Fibres with Spherical End Faces by a Selective Etching/Melting Technique by S. Hopland et al., pp. 9.3-1 to 9.3-4.
|Patente citante
|Fecha de presentación
|Fecha de publicación
|1 Abr 1983
|28 May 1985
|At&T Bell Laboratories
|Optical attenuator
|4 Oct 1983
|14 Ene 1986
|Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
|Method of manufacturing an optical coupling device
|1 Nov 1985
|5 May 1987
|Sumitomo Electric Research Triangle, Inc.
|Method of measuring the geometry of optical fibers
|28 Feb 1990
|31 Mar 1992
|At&T Bell Laboratories
|Optical fiber with an integral lens at its end portion
|27 Sep 1990
|21 Abr 1992
|U.S. Philips Corp.
|Method of manufacturing a monomode optical fiber
|23 Dic 1991
|6 Abr 1993
|At&T Bell Laboratories
|Wet chemical etching technique for optical fibers
|5 Sep 1995
|10 Sep 1996
|Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd.
|Optical transmission system with dispersion compensating optical fiber
|19 Dic 1994
|4 Nov 1997
|Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd.
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|Fiber coupled laser diodes with even illumination pattern
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|27 Dic 2005
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|30 Ago 2002
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|Optical waveguide devices with electro-wetting actuation
|3 Mar 2003
|9 Sep 2004
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|Lenses with tunable liquid optical elements
|2 Jul 2004
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|Method and apparatus for calibrating a tunable microlens
|31 Jul 2003
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|Clasificación de EE.UU.
|216/85, 216/99, 385/127, 65/31, 356/73.1, 359/900
|Clasificación internacional
|Clasificación cooperativa
|Clasificación europea
|4 Mar 1982
Owner name: THOMSON-CSF 173, BOULEVARD HAUSSMANN-75008 PARIS
Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST.;ASSIGNOR:KAYOUN, PIERRE;REEL/FRAME:003983/0521
Effective date: 19820223
|17 Feb 1987
|Fee payment
Year of fee payment: 4
|12 Feb 1991
|Fee payment
Year of fee payment: 8
|2 May 1995
|Maintenance fee reminder mailed
|24 Sep 1995
|Lapse for failure to pay maintenance fees
|5 Dic 1995
|Expired due to failure to pay maintenance fee
Effective date: 19950927


text:
July 20, 2004
v No. 245725
Midland Circuit Court
LC No. 01-004472-DO
Before: Bandstra, P.J., and Fitzgerald and Hoekstra, JJ.
Defendant appeals as of right from the parties? judgment of divorce. The trial court
awarded plaintiff $41,500 for her interest in the marital home and one-half of the parties?
Amazon.com stock. The trial court also awarded plaintiff $150 per week in rehabilitative
spousal support for one year and $3,000 for attorney fees. The duration of the marriage was
eighteen months and no children were born of the marriage. We affirm.
Defendant first argues that the trial court incorrectly determined that the parties? marital
home was a marital asset. Defendant contends that the marital home was his separate property
and no exception existed for invading this asset.
In a divorce action, the trial court must make findings of fact and dispositional rulings.
Sands v Sands, 442 Mich 30, 34; 497 NW2d (1993). The factual findings are to be upheld on
appeal unless they are clearly erroneous. Id. A factual finding is clearly erroneous if, after a
review of the trial court?s entire record, this Court has the definite and firm conviction that a
mistake was made. McNamara v Horner, 249 Mich App 177, 182-183; 642 NW2d 385 (2002).
A dispositional ruling ??should be affirmed unless the appellate court is left with the firm
conviction that [it] was inequitable.?? Sands, supra at 34, quoting Sparks v Sparks, 440 Mich
141, 152; 485 NW2d 893 (1992).
In dividing property in a divorce proceeding, the trial court?s first consideration is the
determination of what is marital and what is separate property. Reeves v Reeves, 226 Mich App
490, 493-494; 575 NW2d 1 (1997). The trial court should include all property that came ?to
either party by reason of the marriage as part of the marital estate.? MCL 552.19. Further, the
court should ?strive for an equitable division of increases in marital assets ?between the
beginning and the end of the marriage.?? Id. at 493, quoting Bone v Bone, 148 Mich App 834,
838; 385 NW2d 706 (1986) (emphasis omitted). When the parties have commingled their
separate property or used it for joint purposes, an appellate court will consider the parties? intent
in regard to including the assets in the marital estate. See Polate v Polate, 331 Mich 652, 654-
655; 50 NW2d 190 (1951) (affirming distribution of a building to both parties although it was
owned by the husband before the marriage, but put into both parties? names); Ross v Ross, 24
Mich App 19, 30-31; 179 NW2d 703 (1970).
Defendant maintains that the home was defendant?s separate property because he
supplied $150,000 of the equity in the home, compared to plaintiff?s $20,000 contribution.
Further, defendant contends that because the marriage was short-term and childless, he should be
returned to his premarital position.
In short-term, childless marriages, with few economic consequences, premarital property
is often returned to the parties and only the assets that are accumulated during the marriage are
divided between the parties. Bone, supra at 837. In this case, however, the trial court
determined that this rule did not apply because there were ?significant and legal consequences
attached to the joint decision of these parties to merge their assets and create their marital estate
as they did.? Specifically, the trial court made the following findings in its determination that the
martial home was a marital asset subject to distribution:
The testimony surrounding the question of how they managed to merge
their assets in this short-term marriage is interesting. Plaintiff testified that the
church frowned on pre-marital agreements and encouraged them to come together
as a couple spiritually as well as financially. She says that is what they did, and
she is correct ? that is exactly what they did. Defendant only agrees on the
statement that the church frowns on pre-marital agreements. He says they never
discussed joint property and never intended the consequences of joint property.
He now says that he ?wanted his property to go to his heirs.? Whether his wife
was included in that statement goes unanswered. In his testimony, he admits
going to the pre-marital seminar at the church, and that the church counseled
against pre-marital agreements. But he says that the joint tenancy is all her fault,
was never discussed, and not his intention. His testimony is unpersuasive. The
parties did exactly what the plaintiff says they were counseled to do. Defendant
cannot get out from under decisions jointly made prior to marriage and carried out
through church counsel, no matter how ill advised in retrospect, by simply
denying all and claiming confusion and being duped.
The record reveals that (1) that the parties agreed to follow the teachings of their church,
which had counseled that when two people are married they should merge their funds together;
(2) the parties, in fact, did merge their funds; (3) the parties agreed to purchase a house together
and selected the marital home together; (4) plaintiff put $20,000 toward the purchase price of the
marital home; (5) defendant put $150,000 toward the purchase of the marital home; and (6) the
parties purchased the marital home together and put the title in both parties? names, thereby
creating a joint tenancy. These facts are sufficient to support the trial court?s finding that the
marital home was a marital asset.
Although it is defendant?s position that he never intended to equally share the equity in
the marital home with plaintiff, the trial court rejected this argument as unpersuasive and
determined that plaintiff?s recollection of the parties? intent was more probable. The trial court?s
finding of the intent of the parties based on the testimony given by the parties is an issue of
credibility for the trial court to determine. ?This Court gives special deference to a trial court?s
findings when they are based on the credibility of the witnesses.? Draggoo v Draggoo, 223
Mich App 415, 429; 566 NW2d 642 (1997). Deferring to the trial court?s superior ability to
assess witness credibility, we find no clear error in the trial court?s finding that the parties
intended to treat the marital home as a marital asset.1 Polate, supra at 652, 654-655; Ross, supra
at 24.
Defendant also asserts that the trial court?s findings of fact regarding the parties?
contributions to the marital estate, defendant?s income, and plaintiff?s inability to obtain
employment were clearly erroneous. The trial court made the following findings of fact:
This is a short-term marriage and the contributions to the marital estate are
quite unequal. The equity in the marital home is $180,000. The plaintiff brought
a total of $32,500 to the marriage. She took out $18,400 of the marital equity
when the parties separated in August of 2001. The rest of the marital equity is
from the defendant. If those two factors were all the court were to look at, they
would be persuasive in favor of defendant?s argument. Two factors are irrelevant
in this case. There are no health or fault issues. Defendant raised the question of
fault, but the court has already addressed those rather pathetic attempts of
defendant to paint an absolutely absurd picture of the plaintiff. All the remaining
factors support the plaintiff?s position, or at least some variation of the argument.
Defendant is in a far better position at this time than is the plaintiff. As
indicated, his business is generating income in the area of $100,00 a year. He
owns his business, will receive the marital home and IRA?s and other assets not at
issue. Plaintiff, on the other hand, is a victim of the economic times. She has
been ?down sized? at age 53. She?s been unemployed for almost a year and has
been unable to find a new position. Her unemployment ran out a few months ago
and she has been getting along with day-to-day living expenses with the help of
friends and no assistance from the defendant. The combination of her age,
general circumstances, ability to earn, and general principals [sic] of equity cry
out to the court to provide a reasonable amount of the marital estate, giving due
deference to defendant?s obvious issues of length of marriage and contribution.
1 The trial court further stated that ?even if the court had found that the home was a separate
property, in effect, giving the defendant the benefit of a pre-marital agreement that they both
unwisely did not enter into, the facts of this case would cause the court to invade that separate
property for purposes of providing suitable support to the plaintiff based on her need. MCL
Defendant?s argument that the trial court should have given more weight to the fact that
he contributed nearly all the equity in the marital estate is without merit. Contribution toward
the acquisition of the marital estate is but one of the factors to be considered in the equitable
division of the property. The trial court must consider all relevant factors, without assigning
disproportionate weight to any one factor. Sparks, supra at 158.
With regard to defendant?s income, the trial court?s finding that defendant made an
annual income in the area of $100,000 is not clearly erroneous. Defendant testified that he pays
himself a salary of $39,000 annually. He also testified that in 2000 he earned $80,000 to
$90,000 from salary and profits, and in 2001 he earned $103,000. In 1999, defendant earned
$19,000 in profits, and in 2002 he expected to earn $35,000 – $40,000 in profits. The average of
the profits defendant testified he earned or will earn is $59,250.2 Adding defendant?s reported
salary leads to an annual income of $98,250.
Defendant also argues that the trial court?s finding regarding plaintiff?s inability to find
employment was clearly erroneous. Plaintiff testified that she actively sought employment by
networking and attending job search groups, but had been unable to find employment. Further,
plaintiff testified that the messages regarding job opportunities that defendant left on her
answering machine did not leave information that would enable her to follow up on the
opportunities. On this record, we cannot conclude that the trial court?s finding that plaintiff was
unable to find employment was clearly erroneous.
Defendant also argues that the property distribution was inequitable. If the trial court?s
findings of fact are upheld, this Court must next determine whether the dispositive ruling was
fair and equitable in light of those facts. Sparks, supra at 151-152. The dispositional ruling is an
exercise of discretion and should be affirmed unless this Court has the firm conviction that the
property division was inequitable. Id. at 152.
In distributing marital assets, the goal is to reach an equitable property distribution in
light of all the circumstances. McNamara, supra at 188. The trial court is given broad discretion
in its ruling. Sparks, supra at 158-159. The division need not be mathematically equal, but any
significant departure from congruence must be clearly explained by the trial court. McNamara,
supra at 188.
In dividing the parties? marital estate, the trial court stated as follows:
The balancing of the equities here favor the disposition of a percentage of
the marital estate which is primarily the marital home somewhat less than 50
percent. The court has already found that a complete recognition of a tenancy by
the entireties in the marital home would be unfair and inequitable. It is the
decision of the court that the plaintiff should realize at the least the same
percentage of the home as if the defendant had died intestate and she was the
surviving spouse. Under the Dower provisions of the Probate Code, . . . she
2 This figure is calculated using the lower estimates reported by defendant.
would receive one-third of the equity in the home. That is a good benchmark for
the court to start from in this case. That figure would be $60,000. From that, the
court will subtract the portion of the marital estate she received in the summer of
2001, namely, $18,400. This leaves a figure owing to the plaintiff of $41,500.
The defendant will be awarded the marital home subject to the mortgage and will
have 90 days to raise the plaintiff?s share and to remove her from the mortgage.
She shall have a judicial lien against the premises to protect her interest. After 90
days, that amount owing will bear interest at the rate of 5 percent per annum and
she shall have the ability to collect actual attorney fees and costs for any action
necessary to enforce this provision.
Both parities are awarded all personal property in their respective
possession including automobiles, furniture and furnishings, as well as all pension
or retirement benefits and bank accounts. The Amazon stock will be divided
equally. In addition, the plaintiff is awarded all jewelry purchased, gifted to, or
owned by her. She is also awarded the binoculars.
The trial court awarded roughly $138,700 to defendant and $41,700 to plaintiff.3 The
trial court?s property division was equitable in light of all the circumstances.
Defendant also argues that the trial court?s award of rehabilitative spousal support of
$150 a week for one year is inequitable because plaintiff possesses the ability to support herself.
This Court reviews the trial court?s factual findings relating to an award of alimony for clear
error. Mitchell v Mitchell, 198 Mich App 393, 396; 499 NW2d 386 (1993). A factual finding is
clearly erroneous if this Court is left with a firm conviction that a mistake was made. Id. If the
factual findings are not clearly erroneous, this Court must then decide whether the dispositional
ruling granting alimony was fair and equitable in light of the facts. Id.
The trial court has the discretion to award alimony as it considers just and reasonable
under all of the circumstances relevant to a case. MCL 552.23. Principles similar to those
considered in the property distribution apply in determining whether to award spousal support.
Hanaway v Hanaway, 208 Mich App 278, 295; 527 NW2d 792 (1995). The main objective of
alimony is to balance the incomes and needs of the parties in a way that would not impoverish
either party. Id.
In awarding plaintiff temporary or rehabilitative alimony in the amount of $150 a week
for a period of one year, the trial court determined that plaintiff?s circumstances, as analyzed
under the property distribution, supported such an award. The trial court also held that the
alimony award was modifiable and subject to termination on specific events, including plaintiff
obtaining employment.
3 These figures are based on the $180,000 of equity in the marital house and an estimate of the
value of certain stock.
Defendant argues that alimony is only appropriate where the parties were married for a
significant duration and the spouse requesting alimony worked in the home in lieu of learning
employable skills. Defendant asserts that in such circumstances, the award of alimony would
allow that spouse financial support while she acquired skills to support herself. Defendant
argues that none of these circumstances are present here.
Defendant offers no binding authority to support his proposition that because plaintiff
possesses a degree and marketable skills, she is not entitled to alimony. This Court is not
obligated to search for authority to support an argument raised on appeal. Central Cartage Co v
Fewless, 232 Mich App 517, 529; 591 NW2d 422 (1998). Nonetheless, the trial court
considered the required factors and the record supports the court's factual findings. The record
supports the court?s findings that defendant earns $100,000 a year, that plaintiff was unemployed
for almost a year and was unable to find employment, that she was receiving unemployment
benefits but that the benefits expired a few months before the trial, and that her friends were
helping her with day-to-day living expenses. The record also reveals that plaintiff had the
$18,400 she had received from defendant after the parties? first separation.
Given the trial court?s findings of fact concerning plaintiff?s needs and the parties?
incomes, the trial court?s award of alimony in the amount of $150 a week for one year was just
and reasonable under the circumstances. MCL 552.23; Hanaway, supra at 295. This
determination is strengthened by the court?s decision that the award was modifiable and subject
to termination upon plaintiff obtaining employment.
Finally, we reject defendant?s argument that the trial court abused its discretion by
awarding plaintiff $3,000 in attorney fess. Gates v Gates, 256 Mich App 420, 437-438; 664
NW2d 231 (2003). MCR 3.206(C) allows for the award of attorney fees provided that a party
who requests attorney fees alleges ?facts sufficient to show that the party is unable to bear the
expense of the action, and that the other party is able to pay.? Attorney fees may also be
awarded when a party has been forced to incur additional costs as a result of the other party?s
unreasonable conduct in the course of the action. Hanaway, supra at 298.
The record supports the trial court?s findings that plaintiff was unable to finance this suit,
that defendant was able to pay, and that plaintiff incurred additional costs as a result of
defendant?s unreasonable conduct. The trial court did not abuse its discretion in awarding
plaintiff $3,000 in attorney fees. Hawkins v Murphy, 222 Mich App 664, 669; 565 NW2d 674
/s/ Richard A. Bandstra
/s/ E. Thomas Fitzgerald
/s/ Joel P. Hoekstra


text:
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Eythor Bender, CEO of Berkeley Bionics, discusses the technology behind his company's eLEGS device, a self-powered exoskeleton enabling paralyzed individuals to walk.
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text:
Sexy Britney soon realised she had made a colossal mistake when she asked George W Bush to explain global warming.
The reason you've got global warming, Britney-is because these son-of-a-bitch windmills are blowing us closer to the sun', explained the President....
'My dear, sweet child', he expounded, your globes is gittin' warmer because the giant propellers are blowing us through space, just like a giant, goddamn, aeroplane.'
'All the dumb-assed 'Labour-greens', in London, thought it made sense, making electricity from the wind, but what do they know?' Bush sneered..
'But I thought global warming was about climate changes on planet earth and not about my mammary glands getting hotter?' Britney teased.
'Now look here my sweet angel child', George W scolded, -- my pappy told me everything there is to know about global warming,'
'My pappy was a Korean War veteran! - He don't tell no lies, child'
'I wonder what the weather is like on the sun?' the President's mind rambled.
'Better take a raincoat, -- just in case!'


text:
DETROIT {AP} Al Gore and George W. Bush both urged Palestinians to end the rising Middle East violence and demanded retribution for the apparent terrorist bombing of a Navy destroyer, finding rare agreement on foreign policy crises that overshadowed their presidential campaign.
A day after their second debate, Gore and Bush scaled back plans to criticize each other's credibility, realizing that candidates like the commander-in-chief they hope to become must adapt to world events.
"It's time for our nation to speak with one voice," said Bush, the GOP nominee. Gore, the Democratic vice president, cut short a campaign trip to return to the White House, where he hadn't been since June because of the presidential race.
"They're learning what it means to be president of the United States because their plans and their campaigns just got wiped off the front pages," said Democratic political consultant Jim Duffy. "And neither one of them better get caught playing politics with these issues."
As the U.S. candidates slept, an angry mob of Palestinians killed three Israeli soldiers in the West Bank town of Ramallah. Israel's response was swift: Helicopters rocketed Arafat's residential compound in the Gaza Strip as well as targets in the West Bank.
Separately, a small boat apparently carrying explosives tore a hole in the side of a Navy ship in port on the Arabian Peninsula, killing and wounding American sailors.
In one way, the turn of events worked against the vice president. After their first debate, Bush highlighted Gore's misstatements and undercut his credibility to gain in polls. Gore hoped to turn the tables Thursday by trumpeting Bush's miscues in their second meeting, particularly the misrepresentation of a case involving three convicted murderers in Texas.
"Mr. Bush ought to be held to the same exacting standards applied to Al Gore last week," deputy campaign manager Mark Fabiani said.
Bush let his aides respond, knowing foreign affairs would overshadow the post-debate criticism.
The Texas governor said he was saddened and angry by the attack on a Navy ship. "Take the necessary action," he said. "There must be a consequence."
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text:
This week has been a really great one for me.
This great big box arrived from Moda full of my new fabric range "Gardenvale" I was holding my breath with anticipation. So surreal seeing my name on the selvedge
Just a little tease. I will show you more as I cut into it ( singing along to Rod Stewart " the first cut is the deepest, baby I know"
Small typo....... There are 15 projects as the book suggests
So that is my news. I'm afraid next week might be a little disappointing, ah well I guess I can't have that much excitement every week. Don't think my heart could cope!


text:
Golf Driving Ranges are large open areas where golfers can practice their swing. They can also include target greens and yardage markers. The golf Driving Range industry used to be a "mom and pop" operation but has gone through some major changes and is now being operated by large companies.
Traditionally, golf driving ranges have depended on revenue from sales of buckets of balls (most golf driving ranges sell buckets of balls of varying sizes – typically small, medium and large). But today's large companies have added services such as providing golf lessons, a pro shop with all of the latest in golf club technology and food services. Some driving ranges also provide areas for practicing chip shots, sand trap shots and putting.
Golf Driving Ranges may have natural grass or rubber mats with a tee. If available, it is preferable to hit off the grass as this is more similar to playing on a golf course. Driving range balls differ very much from those that are used on the conditions you will face on the golf course. They typically don't travel as far as they are often cheaper balls; with hard covers to make them last longer and in general are what I call "dead" balls. But the whole point is about hitting balls and building a routine golf swing memory.
A mistake by many beginning golfers is that they spend the largest amount of their practice time on hitting their driver and other long clubs. A golfer actually spends more time on the golf course chipping and putting. For practice, you should split your practice time between your long clubs and chipping and putting.
So have some fun out there on your next practice at the driving range.


text:
This well maintained manufactured home is located in a gated senior community in the high desert, Vista Del Rosa. Features 3 Bed/2 Bath,NEW A/C unit, split floor plan, all kitchen appliances are included in the sale, covered patio, oversized 2 car garage handicap access, walk-in therapy tub in guest bath, 2 X 6 exterior wall construction, dual pane windows, and much more. Park features pool, spa, pool tables, club house with full kitchen and banquet room, tennis court, fenced dog area, and much more
Please complete the form below to request a showing for this property. We will review your request and respond to you as soon as possible. Please add any additional notes or comments that we will need to know about your request.
If you would like to send this property to a friend that you think may be interested, please complete the form below. To send this property to multiple friends, enter each email separated by a comma in the 'Friends Email' field.
Bounce Realty17993 Hwy 18 Suite 102Apple Valley, CA 92307
Direct Office: 760-964-7240Fax: 760-513-9010Main Office: 760-964-7240


text: There is a countdown timer on Cryptic Studios website. This countdown includes promotional art from Star Trek online. In less than a day there will be an official annoucement that the studio is developing the game and that it will indeed see the light of day. Here is more evidence : Crytpic studios are openly hiring for staff positions on Star trek online : http://www.warcry.com/news/view/85253-Updated-Star-Trek-Online-Revealed-August-10 Note this is an official mention of Star Trek online. This can't be disputed. From Hailing frequency website : At 1.30pm on Sunday August 10th, there is a mysterious entry on the Creation Entertainment website that simply says "Star Trek Online Revealed". http://www.creationent.com/cal/stlv.htm 12:30 PM AUTOGRAPHS WITH SCOTT (those with Klingon lunch tickets or Leonard Nimoy photo ops may go first). Scott's autograph ticket is available in the vendors room for $149. 1:30 PM "Star Trek Online Revealed" 2:30 PM LEONARD NIMOY on stage (Mr. Spock, superstar director, actor, producer, photographer!) So there you have it folks, Star Trek : Online is happening. The countdown timer will soon end and we will know. But even without that, I believe no more confirmation is needed. Hopefully the game will come out this time.


text:
U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell released the following statement today regarding the 40th Anniversary of Roe vs. Wade and March for Life:
"The 40th anniversary of Roe vs. Wade is a time to affirm the principle that all human life has inherent dignity and is thus deserving of the protection of the law. Later this week hundreds of thousands of Americans of all ages and backgrounds will gather in Washington to affirm this belief and that, contrary to the Supreme Court's activist ruling in Roe v. Wade, the most vulnerable among us should be welcomed in life and protected by law. The participants in this year's annual March for Life know that any just society is measured by the manner in which it treats the most defenseless of its citizens at every stage of life. I applaud them for their enthusiastic witness to this timeless truth, and I share their commitment to the cause of life."
Source: http://www.mcconnell.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?p=PressReleases&ContentRecord_id=fa1e8b0f-b0b2-41ba-a36b-9609e23e277d&ContentType_id=c19bc7a5-2bb9-4a73-b2ab-3c1b5191a72b&Group_id=0fd6ddca-6a05-4b26-8710-a0b7b59a8f1f


text:
Sigur Ros Tickets
The Icelandic Post-Rock band Sigur Ros is lead by Jónsi Birgisson. The band incorporates Vonlenska which is essentially gibberish repeated in the songs and resembles scat singing.
Hot Tickets
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<Tim McGraw tickets - Zac Brown Band tickets - ZZ Top tickets -
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text:
Allied Bakeries could lose £30M as flour prices eat into profits
Allied Bakeries could lose £30M this year thanks to rocketing flour prices, analysts have predicted.
Parent company Associated British Foods (ABF) declined to give figures, but confirmed that "grocery profits will be lower than last year, primarily as a result of the losses incurred by Allied Bakeries, charges for factory rationalisation in ACH and Blue Dragon and adverse currency translation"
The price of its Kingsmill bread brand would also have to rise again, it said. "The recent relaunch of Kingsmill has increased volumes and market share, but a further bread price increase is now required to recover the recent sharp increases in the cost of flour."
Currently, a Kingsmill standard white loaf costs 96p, while Hovis, which is owned by rival Premier Foods, charges more than £1.
Margins at ABF had also been impacted by the rising cost of vegetable oils, said the firm.
However, "Twinings and Ovaltine continue to deliver strong growth with the benefit of the marketing investment in their strategic markets."
It added: "Since the half year we have started the restructuring of G Costa with the intended relocation of manufacturing to Poland and work is underway to bring together the Patak's and Blue Dragon businesses."
Prices of breadmaking wheat have almost doubled over the last 12 months to £200/t; starches are up 30% and yeast prices have seen double-digit growth.


text: I know this topic is discussed in other threads but now that i guess people will have some experience with it, 2 questions: Any one used Film screen protectors? Are they clear enough? Do they affect touch function? What is ur experience with cases? which ones do u like? I found quite a few of them. Basically i just something that will absorb some shock at least, is not slippery and not bulky.. Here are few different ones i found so far.. (please search at ebay for these exact terms and see the first one in the results.. For some reason i cant get the direct ebay links to work when i post them here..) Black SOFT SILICONE SKIN CASE COVER FOR HTC Aria A6366 New Black Rubberized Hard Case Cover For HTC Aria ATT JET BLACK Soft Gel Hard Case Skin for AT&T HTC Aria Rubber Hard Case Skin Guard for HTC AT&T Aria A6366 New Black Silicone Case Cover For HTC Aria AT&T Liberty Rubberized Rubber Hard Case Cover Skin For Aria A6366


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Becker County Sportsman column: The wolf pack -- an important part of MN's outdoors
It is a complex social structure with a definite hierarchy. It is usually a family unit consisting of a breeding adult pair and their offspring, subordinate adults, juveniles and pups. Normally there are seldom more than eight.
The wolf pack is led by an adult male, called the alpha male. The alpha female is the breeding female. Only one female in a pack has pups each year. The rest of the pack has a definite place in the heirarchy.
The wolf pack functions as a unit. There are displays of dominance using body postutuions, scent markings, howling and their rituals. The pups bide their time and move up within the pack. Some pups disperse, go it alone, or form new packs when they become adults. These become the lone wolf in search of a mate and territory, and the cycle begins again. If the lone wolf is unsuccessful in finding a mate or starting a new pack, they may be killed by other wolves or otherwise perish.
The wolf pack is one of the most disciplined organizations in the wild world, and one of the most fascinating. We do understand a lot of the wolf and his life, but we're always in search of more about the pack.
Lund boats remains afloat
But not exactly cruising as the market for watercraft is fierce, with such players as Alumacraft, Glastron, Ranger, Crestliner and Triton making boats for the U.S. and Canadian markets.
After World II, Ole Lind of Detroit Lakes, and Howard Lund of New York Mills and Perham, attempted to re-enter the market with their proven designs with all the curves and planes in the right places. Only trouble was that an upstart company named Alumacraft was ready with great hull designs, made of aluminum sheeting -- at a great deal less cost than the cedar strip designs of Lund and Lind. Both ventures closed down local plants. Fiberglass came in as yet another base material. Not only adapted to boat hulls, it came into wide use for body parts for snowmobiles, jet skis and off road craft.
When I went to Perham's Fort Thunder shooting grounds for skeet, I'd often squad with Howard Lund. Then reaching near ninety years of age, we shot lots of 20 gauge shells, and over cokes later, Howard Lund told of his business mistakes, selling his great hull designs to large eastern interests for what was considered big money. He always said that he should have had a financial advisor, with perhaps a royalty arrangement.
In any case, Lund boats held on with production going to aluminum and offering fishermen a 16 1/2 foot model, which was immensely successful. The manufacturer of Mercury motors of Michigan became the eventual owner of the Lund designs. Ole Lind's DL boatworks were never resurrected. Cedar strip boats were lost forever. Brubswick Corporation became sole owner of Lund.
Now Lund moves into fiberglass at its plant in Tennessee. The New York Mills plant will continue to construct the several popular designs that it now turns out, as well as continuing to produce lots of boats in Canada, as well.
The economy is suffering right now and finished craft are stockpiled at NYM and other places. A lower cost Lund can run beyond $15,000 when equipped with all the bells and whistles that fishermen and other boaters want today.
Stern drive models with Mercury 75+ HP can go over a hundred grand, and the trailer to cart it about another twenty grand. So the market for aluminum craft may give way to fiberglass, which many prefer. Bigger out-boards are better when aluminum is out of the picture and fiberglass, which adapts to quick changes in shapes, is employed. Howard Lund, my friend for a very long time, died a few years ago, nearly a century of lifetime. He was a designer and manufacturer. He did enjoy seeing watercraft scenes on the back covers of outdoor Life and Sports Afield, the name LUND prominently emblazed on the hull. Lund boats continue to hold an important place in the marketplace. It is unfortunate indeed that Ole Lind of Detroit Lakes was out of the picture. It, too, was a sound design, but met a less fortunate end.
The last hurrah for the Ole Lind Boat Works came in the autumn of 1941, when "Miss Detroit" a sleek wood and varnish hull made its last run across the local lake. You bought your ticket from John Peterson, who, with his wife Irene as chef, operated the big old white former hotel in the name of the Elks lodge. The place survived for a time, the Lind boat didn't!
Minnesota Waterfowler's winter meeting
The local chapter of MWA will hold its winter meeting tomorrow night, Feb. 25 in the basement meeting room of the Detroit Lakes VFW club. Convening promptly at 7 p.m. Come and present some ideas as to the disposal of the $400,000 cash gift, which the headquarters office recently received from a benefactor. This puts the MWA into an important position in its role as a waterfowl habitat protection agency.
Light goose hunting will begin March 1st
Minnesota's hunters will be allowed to harvest snow geese this spring. The season will be open from March 1 through April 30. Only the extreme western border will be productive. If you really want to get a few snows, a trip into the Dakotas will be necessary. But Minnesota will have its season. Electronic calls and unplugged shotguns are allowed. Non-toxic shot requirements are in effect, and most of the autumn regulations common to goose hunting will apply. Permits to hunt are free but there is a $3.50 application cost. Get the license at any of the 1,800 electronic licensing agents in the state. The spring harvest of snow geese in Minnesota has varied from about 600 in the early years to about 6,000 birds when the weather cooperated. By mid-April conditions improve and Minnesota hunters do take a few snow geese. Best bet is still south central North Dakota.


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UJ embroiled in false sick notes saga
Law enforcement officials have cracked a syndicate involved in providing university students with fraudulent sick notes, which allow them to cheat their way out of writing exams on time.
Hawks spokesperson Paul Ramaloko confirmed that a case of fraud has been opened in the so-called "sick note saga" and that two men had been arrested in connection with the case.
"These are boys in their early 20s, they were pretending to be doctors so if students didn't want to write their examinations at the University of Johannesburg, they were giving them doctors' certificates using false names and false practice numbers," he said.
Ramaloko said the situation had been going on for "quite a long time" and that it was clear the students knew the men were not real doctors.
"Students knew these people are not doctors and they're issuing certificates, so this managed to grant them another opportunity to write their examinations," he said.
The matter was referred to the Hawks for investigation because the operation fits the bill of an organised crime syndicate. A number of individuals are believed to be involved in the operation and law enforcement officials are expecting to make more arrests.
Ramaloko said he could not speculate further on the extent of problem as the investigation is ongoing. "We cannot say if it's a national problem. So far it's just a UJ issue," he said.
Damage control
Students at UJ say the sick note saga first came to light last week, when faculty members began investigating students suspected of having used fake sick notes to get out of taking their exams.
A notice circulating on Twitter, purportedly taken from the university's online learning environment, warned that accounting students would receive zero for their exams if they had used fraudulent sick notes. The M&G could not confirm the veracity of the notice.
By 11am on Thursday, a list of unacceptable doctors – including a "Dr Shy K Rowling" – was circulating among students. The list has been embellished but closely matches an official list seen by the M&G.
In a statement released on Thursday afternoon, UJ said that it was investigating the claims together with the South African Police Service. The university said that if students are found to have submitted fraudulent sick notes, a disciplinary hearing will be held and "an appropriate response" would follow.
UJ's deputy vice-chancellor, Professor Adam Habib, said that while faculty members assess sick notes, in cases where lecturers, faculties or committees notice that several sick notes are issued by the same doctor, or if any other suspicious trends are observed, the university asks for students to be examined by its own healthcare practitioners at the university's Health and Wellness Centres or by a preferred healthcare professional.
"We take all allegations of unethical student or staff behavior extremely seriously and we await the outcomes of the investigations into this matter," said Habib.
SRC seeks leniency
Meanwhile, the Student Representative Council (SRC) is scrambling to support students who may have been involved in the saga. Affected students are expected to meet with the council this evening to discuss the matter.
Ali Komate, chairperson of UJ's Doornfontein campus SRC, said that the council was in the process of negotiating with both students and management. Komate said not all of the students may have been aware the sick notes they got were not legitimate.
"Some of them were not aware, some were aware. We are negotiating with management so that students who got the sick notes can be able to write their tests again," he said.
He said that while the SRC condemned the use of fake sick notes, students should not be expelled over them. "The university is investigating and there must be disciplinary action … but students must not be expelled. They must be disciplined but it should not be anything extreme," he said.
Mudslinging on social media
The hastag #UJSickNoteSaga was trending on Twitter on Thursday and, as details emerged, students from the country's various academic institutions took the opportunity to slate each other on Twitter and Facebook.
@mitch_officiall complained that UJ students "alwyz gv wits students something to insult us abt" and Themba Malik Shabazz laughed about "typical UJ tendencies".
But @sasiomendez, took offense at the criticism, especially from Damelin students, saying they "kno nothing bou degree pressures".
Meanwhile Xhanti Sivatemba joked that NMMU was "so behind" other universities because "we don't even get sick notes from Dr Wiz Khalifa & Dr Dre", and a smug Tlalane Letlhaku tweeted that while UJ & Wits students fought over the issue, UCT students were working "to make sure we keep our #1 spot in the continent".
Musa Mahlangu asked: "Why are people so sensitive? We are not judging the people who do dumb things. We are making fun of them."
Borrowing from rapper Jay-Z, Darryl Margolis tweeted: "If you got caught I feel bad for you son, you got 99 problems but exams ain't one."
The UJ SRC on Friday distanced itself from the comments made by Komate, who has been elected to the SRC for 2013 but has yet to take on the role.
SRC president Isaac Moagi said in a statement that the UJ SRC condemned, in the strongest possible terms, the unethical behavior of students who had used the fake sick notes.
Moagi said that considering the number of students involved in the saga, the SRC is in discussion with the university management to find a possible solution. It is also awaiting the completion of the due disciplinary process.
"Every student who will be found guilty should just forfeit the credit attained in a particular module affected but still be afforded an opportunity to repeat the module in the next academic year.
"Sanctions should definitely send a strong message that the university does not tolerate academic dishonesty and fraud. However, in communicating such a message sanctions should be of corrective and rehabilitation in nature," he said.


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i am currently referencing any files i use in my code from my Root Directory.
i would now like to move all my files to a folder relative to the project.Code:using (StreamReader stream = new StreamReader(@"c:\map.txt"))
I have created a directory in the project folder and updated the code to the following.
but i keep gettings exceptions thrown when trying to debug due to not being able to see the file path.Code:using (StreamReader stream = new StreamReader(@"maps\map.txt"))
is there something i should be doing to tell the IDE that these are relative to my project ?
i have looked at other code which appears to do this without any other steps that i can see.
do i need to 'set' a path in the project options ?


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If you get hungry, you get up and get some food. If you're cold, you seek warmth. If your drains are clogged you get a plunger or a plumber.
Likewise, if your government is in great and immediate need, why wouldn't you take action to fix it?
That's the case with the Augusta Commission, which has become the clog in the community's drain. It's time to grab a plunger and fix it.
Commission District 1 voters can do just that today by voting in the runoff to settle the Nov. 3 election once and for all.
We strongly believe Matt Aitken, the district's top vote-getter Nov. 3, is head and shoulders the best choice in today's runoff. We believe he will unclog the drain and help get this community moving again. Many also believe his opponent represents business as usual -- meaning stagnation and division.
Whatever your own preference, if you live in District 1 we hope you vote today -- and surprise election officials, who expect a turnout of only 10 to 20 percent.
It's amazing that so many of us will allow such a watershed election to be decided by so few. Although an obscure runoff after a holiday weekend in only one of 10 Augusta Commission districts, this really is one of the most important elections here in years. It may decide whether Augusta moves forward together -- or lags behind, still divided. It may help decide between surviving and thriving.
The good thing about all of that is, the lower the turnout, the more that your vote will make a difference. We had a commission election decided four years ago by a mere 11 votes.
That means, if you want better government and a more vibrant city, you need to vote today -- and remind 10 of your friends to vote.
The bottom line is this: If you expect to eat, you have to gather some food. If you expect good government, you have to vote for it.
District 1 voters, you're our plumbers today. Grab a plunger and vote, would you?


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Copyright © 2017 Capital Books and Wellness. Ecommerce Software by Shopify.


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At Gemvara, we believe that the jewelry you wear should be one of a kind, like you. That's why we make each piece to order, one at a time, just the way you want it. Choose amethyst and rose gold or garnet and platinum: it's your choice. Mix and match gems and precious metals for a look that's exactly you. It's jewelry for all life's occasions, from an anniversary or birthday to your own personal milestones and celebrations. Celebrate her graduation with a brilliant gift of jewelry that will always remind her of you. Gemvara uses only the highest quality materials to craft your platinum january birthstone jewelry design 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. Platinum is exceptionally rare and luxurious to the touch, with a recognizable heft in your hand. Naturally white, its purity makes it hypoallergenic as well. Our wide selection of platinum january birthstone jewelry by Damon Washington, Just Like You Designs, Jeet Palavwala, and other talented designers means you can find jewelry that's exactly your style. You can also shop by style, choosing our Claddagh, Contemporary, or Religious Collections. Gemvara's fine quality platinum january birthstone jewelry is designed to be passed down for generations to come, crafted by hand in the United States.
We can help right away. Chat with a jewelry expert now!


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Janesville police offer training to keep women safe
JANESVILLE--Janesville police will conduct safety training for women from 5–7 p.m.�Tuesday, Aug.19.
The training will take place at the Mercy Center at Mercy Hospital and Trauma Center, 1000 Mineral Point Ave., Janesville.
The training is called S.A.F.E., which stands for Self defense, Awareness, Familiarization and Exchange. The program is taught by police officers and is designed to teach women how to protect themselves from crime by being aware of their surroundings and by introducing them to physical training methods.
To register, contact Mercy Health Systems at 608-756-6100. For more information, call Sgt. Brian Donohoue at 608-755-3133.
Classes typically fill quickly, so early registration is recommended.
Those unable to attend can contact the police department to ask about future training sessions.


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TC Fine Intimates Even More Torsette Bodybriefer 4046
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The Mets and Padres pulled off a minor deal that will give several players a change of scenery. Outfielder Ben Johnson and righthander Jon Adkins joined the Mets, with righthander Heath Bell and lefty Royce Ring going the other way.
Johnson, a fourth round pick of the Cardinals in 1999 out of a Tennessee high school, failed to establish himself as a major league regular in 2006, after entering the season ranked as the club's No. 4 prospect. He has batted just .236/.324/.441 in 195 big league at-bats, but is a career .263/.351/.447 hitter in almost 3,000 minor league at-bats. The 25-year-old Johnson, who has spent most of his time in San Diego playing left field, has the arm for right and can handle center in small doses. He enjoyed his best minor league season in 2005 after he shortened his swing and improved his grasp of the strike zone while still maintaining above-average power. He hit .312/.394/.558 with 25 home runs for Triple-A Portland that year, far and away his best work. Johnson joined the Padres in 2000 in the trade that sent catcher Carlos Hernandez to the Cardinals.
Adkins put together his best big league season in 2006, going 2-1, 3.98 in 54 innings for the Padres. He was a ninth-round pick of the Athletics in 1999 out of Oklahoma State and was traded to the White Sox for Ray Durham in 2002. Adkins, 29, got his first extended big league look with Chicago in 2004, but gave up 13 home runs and posted a 4.65 ERA in 62 innings, dooming him to a 2005 spent almost exclusively at Triple-A Charlotte. For his minor league career, Adkins is 47-43, 4.53 with 504-221 strikeouts-walks in 734 minor league innings. 119 of his 158 appearances have been starts.
Bell has had a distinguished minor league career, but had not earned many high-leverage inning opportunities with the Mets, despite pitching 108 big league relief innings the past three seasons. He's 1-5, 4.92 with 105-30 strikeouts-walks in that time. Bell, 29, was signed as a nondrafted free agent by the Mets in 1998 and has amassed 108 saves in 343 minor league games, just two of them starts. He's 23-20, 3.17 with 543-128 strikeouts-walks in 468 minor league innings.
Ring, the 18th overall pick of the White Sox in the 2002 draft out of San Diego State, had seen his fastball velocity diminish since his days as power lefty closer for the Aztecs. He joined the Mets in 2004 as the main piece for Roberto Alomar, and the Mets dropped his arm angle in 2005 to give lefthanded batters a tougher look. Using his fastball and slider, the 25-year-old Ring limited Triple-A lefties to averages of .145 and .140 in 2005 and 2006, including just three extra-base hits, all in 2005. Ring has found less regular work in the big leagues, as he's gone 0-2, 3.47 in 23 innings. For his minor league career, he's 16-9, 3.06 in 227 innings and has never started a pro game.


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1 to 2 years. After a year, with no further late payments on accounts, it shouldn't affect it very much. Keep in mind; the higher your credit score, the more a late payment affects it. A high score will see more of a drop than a lower score.
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Herb Garden Container from Royal VKB
This melamine herb garden container, with scissors tucked into an integrated pocket, can be used to grow your own herbs or simply to organize those you've bought from the greenmarket. Although it would look lovely on a windowsill, we could even imagine the container as a centerpiece filled with herbs for post-meal tisane.
The Herb Garden was designed by Officeoriginair for Royal VKB. It sells for €30 direct from Royal VKB — though we've previously spotted Royal VKB products at Conran Shop and MoMA Store.


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Yesterday we presented you the Nike AF1 Supreme Canvas Pack in part and today we can give you thanks to Honeyee a look at the full pack. Next to the navy blue, red and grey colorways, there are also a khaki and a black colorway part of the pack. As mentioned before, the upper is all canvas with a light brown leather swoosh. One of the best AF1 packs so far this year. The pack launches on the 9th of August.
Nike AF1 Supreme Canvas – The Full Pack
Highsnobiety Sneakers