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Trans-Canada distance: 1,317 km
Actual distance driven: 2,531 km
THEN: The Trans-Canada Highway used to come right through the middle of town in Charlottetown, along Grafton Street and up University Avenue. This was common practice across the country in 1962, because merchants wanted the inevitable traffic from tourists.
In Montreal, for example, the Trans-Canada Highway was officially placed right on St. Catherine Street downtown. But the merchants also got the inevitable truck traffic that comes with hauling goods around the country, and there are now bypasses to redirect traffic around commercial centres.
The Charlottetown bypass did not begin construction until the early 1980s, but today it loops around the island's capital city. Some 200 trucks use it on average each day, staying well clear of the centre of town.
NOW: At the risk of over-alliteration, Prince Edward Island is an impossibly pretty, postcard-perfect province, and the Trans-Canada Highway dips and winds its way directly through several communities on its way between the bridge and the ferry. This may be pleasant on the two-lane portions, but it's not efficient – and it's dangerous. More accidents occur along the 6.1 km stretch near New Haven than anywhere else, and so as I wrote in yesterday's blog, the province is widening and straightening that portion of road. Thirty-five properties will no longer have their driveways opening directly onto the TCH.
But not everyone is happy about this. "It doesn't make any sense," says Miller Choi, who owns the Bonshaw amusement park. There's a small go-kart track on the 10 acres of land, as well as a pool for bumper boats and a mini-golf course, and it fronts directly onto the Trans-Canada. When the new road goes through on the other side of the trees behind, the amusement park will be cut off completely by the forest and drivers won't see that it exists.
This was the first go-kart track in PEI and has been there for 42 years, says Choi. He doesn't understand why the road is being directed behind his property and not in front of it, where it would continue to remove the sharp curve at the top of his hill.
"I bought this place (in 2005) for its exposure onto the highway," he says. "In the summer, we get more than a hundred visitors a day, but we'll lose that. It will all be terribly worse, but the government doesn't care."
Choi wants the government to compensate him for lost business, or buy his property at a fair current price, but he's heard nothing from enquiries he's made. And he's not the only person who's affected by the new routing.
"I really don't want to talk about it – everything's in negotiations," says the man who comes to the door of the white house on the other side of the hill. The house was built in 1862, and the new road will go right through its living room. He says he's lived there for 47 years, but he doesn't know where he'll move to when his home is demolished for the road. As for protesting, he says he has no choice – when the government wants to do something, they just do it.
He does acknowledge, though, that the current stretch of road is dangerous. "There's at least two, three, four times a year that people come knocking on my door and say they've put a car in the ditch," he says.
Alex Calder is also losing part of his property's lawn, but he's circumspect about the situation.
"I can see the positives in it," he says, pointing out how the new route will flatten the hill and remove two sharp S-curves. "Water drains down the road here and then freezes on the curve, where it's in shadow, and cars, trucks hit the glare ice and that's it for them. It'll be a lot safer when it's done, and that's what's important, isn't it?"
SOMETHING INTERESTING: No, this isn't just a beauty shot of the Camaro convertible (though it does look pretty good). It's a photo that illustrates what happens when you rely on a GPS mapping program to find your way around.
If everything's bigger in Texas, then everything is smaller on Prince Edward Island. That extends right down to its country lanes, including this one, Peters Road, which started out as a regular two-laner and then, well, petered down to this.
Earlier, I'd stopped in to visit the office of the Canadian Automobile Association in Charlottetown and the helpful staff had offered to give me directions and a TripTik to get to Green Gables country, but I turned them down because I'm a guy and guys don't ask for directions. Should've listened… They say it's fun to get lost and it can be, but I was worried for the wide tires on the rocks in the mud, not to mention the low-slung chassis.
All turned out OK, but next time I'm on Peters Road, it'll be with a dirt bike.


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Lifetime Fr/2YR FABR
37 pounds
Overall Dimensions:
25.5" W x 25" D x 35" H
Seat Height:
Inside Seat Dimensions:
22" W x 19" D
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Save 47% on
MSRP of $678.00
- 400 lb. weight capacity
- Durable powder coated finish in Silver or Black
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subset: commoncrawl


text:
Summer of Sandwiches: Vanilla Berry Brownies
Summer of Sandwiches: Vanilla Berry Brownies
It was my turn to make ice cream sandwiches this week — I know, tough task! — and I was staring at some leftover rich, fudgy brownies when it hit me. Duh! Why not cut the brownies in half and fill them with ice cream?
Once I had a plan, it was time to determine the flavor. I really wanted mint-chip, but we had vanilla in the house, and more than one open container of ice cream at a time is really bad news in our house... However, I wasn't totally thrilled with plain vanilla, so I took some fresh blueberries and raspberries and mixed them in.
To learn how to do it yourself, as well as more pictures of brownie-ice cream goodness,
First you need to take the ice cream out of the freezer and let it thaw for a while. Next you'll gently fold in the berries. You want to make sure to be gentle so that you don't mash the berries. Once they're mixed in, put the mixture in an air tight container and stick it back in the freezer until it firms up. Or, alternatively — if you have the space in your freezer — spread the ice cream on a flat baking sheet. This will make it easier to cut into ice cream sandwich sized pieces.
When the ice cream is firm, cut into squares the same size as brownies, cut the brownies in half horizontally and stick the ice cream in between! You can serve immediately, or put back into freezer (in a container or wrapped in foil) until ready to serve.


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Also see the entries in the Monash Course Finder.
What is a Diploma in Languages?
The Diploma in Languages is an extra undergraduate qualification that can be taken while studying another degree. It is the equivalent of a language major (48 points of study) and is appropriate for both beginners and those with a language background, as there are several entry levels. Languages offered are Chinese, French, German, Indonesian, Italian, Japanese, Korean and Spanish.
Why study a Diploma in Languages?
Undertaking language studies will boost your appeal to prospective employers.
Many organisations require personnel who can communicate effectively with international companies or are able to easily move overseas to work.
The Diploma in Languages provides you with:
- Competency in a language other than English comparable to that of an Arts student majoring in the discipline;
- an understanding of the culture(s) and society(ies) associated with the language;
- increased cross-cultural understanding;
- enhanced possibilities for professional experience in the country(ies) where the language is spoken.
Studying a language also hones general skills. For example, language learning requires keen listening, and switching between languages develops flexible thinking patterns and sharper evaluation and comprehension. These skills are valuable for any career.
Students enrolled in a Monash Arts or non-Arts undergraduate (single or double) or postgraduate masters by coursework degree
Students may be eligible for up to 24 points credit if they have already completed some language electives.
The diploma will usually add one year to your studies and will be completed concurrently with your main degree over a three to four-year period.
Completion time may be reduced if you receive credit for electives already done, or undertake summer semester units, including intensive study abroad programs available in some languages (see study in-country section).
High-achieving students may be able to reduce the time required by overloading in later years.
Study in-country
Diploma in Languages students can undertake an in-country intensive program of four to eight weeks duration. Programs are offered over the Australian summer break in Shanghai and Beijing (Chinese), Prato (Italian), New Caledonia (French), and Yogyakarta (Indonesian). Semester-length programs are also available. More information on our in-country language programs and study abroad options …
Application procedure
Read the full application details.
For non-arts students entry to the diploma requires the approval of your home faculty. Students admitted into the diploma negotiate a suitable program of study in consultation with their home faculty, and the relevant language discipline.
You should discuss your application with your home faculty and seek approval before lodging the application form.
Students who have completed some language electives at university may be eligible to apply for mid year intake into the Diploma in Languages.
Students cannot defer their place in the course. They should re-apply for entry in the year they wish to commence studying the diploma.
Further Information
Arts Coursework Office
Second floor south wing
20 Chancellors Walk
Clayton campus
Telephone: (03) 9902 6011
School of Languages, Literatures, Cultures and Linguistics
4th Floor South (Room: S423) Menzies Building
Telephone: (03) 9905 2223
Email: firstname.lastname@example.com
CRICOS provider: Monash University 00008C


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From its docking station in the "Chocolate Milky Way," the Mothership lands at Ziggy's in downtown Wilmington.
From its docking station in the "Chocolate Milky Way," the Mothership lands at Ziggy's in downtown Wilmington Sunday night.
The captain, George Clinton, will be accompanied by a crew collectively known as Parliament Funkadelic. The awaiting crowd will chant, "Make my funk the P. Funk / I wants to get funked up."
Since 1975, when the album "Mothership Connection" was released, touchdowns have morphed into rituals with 15 or so musicians, singers and dancers so mesmerizing that the wall between performer and audience has given way to mass partying. Concerts can stretch nonstop for three hours or more.
Clinton was born in Kannapolis and lived in Virginia and Washington, D.C., before his family settled in Plainfield, N.J. As a teenager, he formed doo-wop vocal group The Parliaments with Clinton as the lead singer. They began making a cappella records in the mid-'50s but it wasn't until 1967 that they had a hit, "(I Wanna) Testify," later covered by Roger Taylor of Queen and Stevie Ray Vaughan. By this time the singers had added a band that eventually changed its name to Funkadelic or Parliament Funkadelic. (The two group names have been used singularly and together without a definitive explanation.) Over the next five years, an additional 10 songs scored in the Top 100 on the R&B charts.
Through the '70s and early '80s the Parliament Funkadelic crew created tunes that soon became classics. "Tear the Roof Off the Sucker (Give Up the Funk)," "Dr. Funkenstein," "One Nation Under a Groove" and "Cosmic Slop" are some of the tunes that charted. But the success of the band was most evident in its ecstatic following and the revolutionary impact it had on rock and R&B.
Visual effects have been essential to both the reputation and popularity of P. Funk, with costuming and props as the opening surprise at all Parliament Funkadelic appearances. Clinton has had pink, green and yellow hair. At one time the band entered from a large spaceship, and there are reports from the early days of Clinton appearing nude. Wigs, hats, masks, spears, feathers, giant eyelashes and even a baby bottle often made the spectacle match the music.
Clinton has a sweet, soulful vocal style that attracted R&B fans but the P. Funk sound quickly evolved into a bold, in-your-face combination of psychedelic rock, funk and R&B. The virtuosity of guitarist Eddie Hazel was explosive and emotional. Hazel remained a significant force in Funkadelic for more than two decades though he also played with other groups and had his own recordings. He died in 1992.
Another early Funkadelic member was keyboardist Bernie Worrell, who came to the funk from classical music training. Once Worrell added synthesizers to his keyboard talent, the P. Funk sound went cosmic. Today, Worrell's prowess on synthesizers is an essential element to students of the instruments.
Worrell left Parliament Funkadelic and worked with the Talking Heads in the '80s. His own jazz fusion bands and recordings remain popular. Worrell has rejoined the P. Funk crew on occasion but is not expected in Wilmington.
The P Funk member who made the biggest splash on his own is bassist Bootsy Collins. (He plays Ziggy's on Oct. 27). Another James Brown alumni, Collins' big bass playing is infectious while his stage persona is like that of a circus performer. He went out on his own, with a number of P. Funk players joining him, as the ultra funky Bootsy's Rubber Band in 1976. The group scored a hit with "Bootzilla."
There was a long, dry period for P. Funk in the '80s. But by the time the '90s came around, the group's music was more revered than ever because a new generation heard the Parliament Funkadelic tunes embedded in rap and hip-hop. "Atomic Dog" alone has been sampled 80 times. Among the artists who have taken grooves and melodies from P. Funk are Dr. Dre, OutKast, Red Hot Chili Peppers and Snoop Dogg. At one point in the '90s, Clinton was chasing down royalties from the many hits his group had helped make but never been paid for. Some returns have come from rappers appearing and recording with members of P. Funk.
With the exception of George Clinton, who will be in the collective Sunday night at Ziggy's is a mystery. Whoever shows up might not be performing under his or her own name. Star Child, Sir Nose and Caspar are some of the characters band members have created. Reports are that the music and spectacle remain captivating. The play list is expansive – as it must be for a three-hour set – and visual stimulation is assured.
The one unavoidable change is that the P. Funk cast has aged. But have they mellowed?
Features: 343-2343


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Swede girls advance with 38-34 win over Ogallala
It wasn't pretty.
At some points, it was even a little difficult to watch from the bench.
But Gothenburg girls basketball coach Chris Lecher said the Swedes' 38-34 win over Ogallala in the first round of the Southwest Conference tournament Monday night at home was just that—a win.
"We're not giving it back," he said, "no matter how ugly it was."
Gothenburg started slow, not hitting a bucket until nearly three minutes into the game.
Then about midway through the first quarter, the Swedes clicked for a little while and finished the period with a 13-2 run to lead 15-5.
It looked like Gothenburg might run away with the game as the girls continued to dominate, carrying a 26-17 lead into halftime.
"We weren't playing too bad in the first half but I could tell something just wasn't quite right," Lecher said.
The Swedes came out in the third quarter and scored a bucket and pair of free throws in the first minute and a half.
Then the wheels fell off.
"I don't know what it was," Lecher said. "We were just blah. I haven't seen them like that all year."
After those first four points of the period, Gothenburg didn't score again until the four-minute mark of the fourth quarter.
"I don't know if the girls were tired or it was just so far out of our Monday routine but we couldn't get anything to work," the coach said.
In the meantime, Ogallala managed to whittle away at the lead.
By the end of the third quarter, the Swedes had only a 30-28 advantage and with six minutes to go in the game, the Indians took a slim 31-30 lead on a three-pointer by Jessica Paloucek.
The Swedes regained the lead with a basket by junior Regan Geiken, only to see the Indians come back to tie again.
With 1:14 on the clock, the score was knotted 34-34.
Aryn Meisinger broke the stalemate with 32 seconds left and Geiken put the game out of reach for the Indians by making a pair of free throws with just 17.5 seconds on the clock.
Geiken led all scorers with 13 points, including five from the line.
Meisinger had 10 points and nine rebounds.
The victory takes the Swedes to 9-8 on the year and moves them into the semi-finals of the SWC tournament.
They will travel to Minden on Thursday to take on the No. 1 state-rated Whippets at 7 p.m.
The consolation is scheduled for 1 p.m. Saturday at North Platte High School with the championship at 4:30 p.m.
Latest Headlines
- Gothenburg native releases first novel
- We all need help from a friend
- Monsanto hosts 6th annual Safety Day program
- Brady places champ and runner-up at State FCCLA
- Swedes continue conference domination
- Dancing With The Stars changes venues
- Middle-of-the-Pack Finishes For Swede Boys and Girls
- Girls Show Support for Teacher's Cancer Fight


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Prepare using KRAFT Lite Zesty Italian Dressing.
Chop fresh basil just before using to keep the leaves from turning black. This will occur if the basil is prepared too far in advance.
Enjoy this low-calorie, low-fat meal on a warm summer evening. In addition to the spinach containing vitamin C, it's also rich in vitamin A. And as a bonus, the mozzarella cheese provides calcium.
* Nutrition information is estimated based on the ingredients and cooking instructions as described in each recipe and is intended to be used for informational purposes only. Please note that nutrition details may vary based on methods of preparation, origin and freshness of ingredients used.


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(AP) Chicago snaps skid, beat Seattle 7-5 in 16
By TIM BOOTH
AP Sports Writer
Alejandro De Aza and Alex Rios each had an RBI single in the 16th inning, and the Chicago White Sox snapped an eight-game losing streak with a 7-5 victory over the Seattle Mariners on Wednesday.
De Aza's tiebreaking hit came after the teams combined to make baseball history when Chicago scored five times in the top of the 14th, only to have Seattle complete an improbable rally on Kyle Seager's tying grand slam off Addison Reed (2-0) with two out.
According to the Mariners, with information from Elias Sports Bureau, Seager was the first player to hit a tying grand slam in extra innings and no team had ever scored five or more runs in the 14th inning or later to tie a game. It also was the first game in major league history when each team scored five or more runs in the game when it was scoreless through the ninth.
After 13 innings of offensive futility, the two sides combined for 10 runs and 10 hits in the 14th inning alone.
But all that became a footnote when the White Sox scored twice in the 16th against Hector Noesi (0-1), who gave up three runs and seven hits in three innings. De Aza drove in Gordon Beckham and eventually came around on an infield hit by Rios, who also singled home the first run of the game.
The two-run cushion proved to be enough for Reed this time. He struck out Brendan Ryan on three pitches, and then got Endy Chavez and Jason Bay swinging to end it 5 hours and 42 minutes after the first pitch.
Reed was charged with five runs and five hits over three innings, but got the victory. The White Sox avoided the first winless road trip of seven or more games in franchise history.


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Skip to comments.Bombs in Turkish border town kill dozens, intensify Turkish-Syrian tensions
Posted on 05/11/2013 1:19:01 PM PDT by Ernest_at_the_BeachEdited on 05/11/2013 1:20:10 PM PDT by Admin Moderator. [history]
REYHANLI, Turkey -- A pair of car bombs killed at least 40 people and raised tensions between Turks and Syrians in this city on the Syrian-Turkish border that is a hub for refugees fleeing the fighting and rebels who use the area to resupply fighters inside Syria.
(Excerpt) Read more at miamiherald.com ...
Getting nasty.
Good find
I wondered about that ....system said nothing about requiring excerpting.
I was hoping for a map...not sure just where this is.
Bad move. I don't think any Syrian will be happy with the Turkish response.
Huge BTTT
Church Lady voice, "Isn't that special?"
Interesting. The pillars did not collapse. Looks like the fireball did most of the damage. What goes around comes around. And if history is to be a predictor, Obama may soon learn that lesson.
Yes, I agree with your points.
In an underreported news item, a Turkish officer was killed fighting with unidentified militants at the Syrian/Turkish border, a few weeks ago. This is probably because they are trying to prevent some elements of the FSA from crossing freely into Turkey.
Ergodan has been sheltering wild dogs, and ought to expect to get bit.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.


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iSTOCK/GETTY IMAGES
SAS--Hurry up and wait
Serial Attached SCSI (SAS) announcements are coming fast and furious, as vendors race to lay claim to being first...
Continue Reading This Article
Enjoy this article as well as all of our content, including E-Guides, news, tips and more.
to market with servers and disk arrays based on the successor to parallel SCSI disk drive technology.
In the last few months, we've seen SAS announcements from LSI Logic (host bus adapter) and Broadcom (RAID on Chip, or ROC), as well as a SAS hard disk drive demonstration from Maxtor.
In fact, some vendors claim they'll be shipping a full-fledged SAS server as early as next month. A case in point is IBM, which announced with Adaptec last month that it would ship a SAS-based server, the x366, by mid-May. The server will use an Adaptec SAS I/O and RAID controller. Hewlett-Packard has also committed to ship SAS-based ProLiant servers and MSA arrays in May.
But realistically, "SAS isn't ready for prime time," says Luca Bert, director of product and program management at LSI Logic's RAID Storage Adapter Division. "I wouldn't hold my breath ... not because the technology isn't good, but because developing technology takes a long time." He expects SAS-based systems to ship in volume starting next year.
In the meantime, SATA, the other serial disk drive spec, has been bumped up from SATA-I, rated at 1.5Gb/sec, to SATA-II at 3Gb/sec. SATA-II peripherals like RAID controllers are starting to ship; for example, LSI's 8-port MegaRAID 300-8X. Features of the SATA-II spec are native command queuing, support for backplanes and port multipliers, and improved enclosure management. Without these features, many large OEMs have been reluctant to build storage enclosures out of SATA disk drives, says Bert.
But in some ways, SATA-II is just a stepping stone or stopgap measure until SAS becomes widely available. Over time, SATA peripherals will probably morph into SAS, which can physically accept SATA drives. That's because from a disk-drive perspective, "there's still a reason to differentiate" between the two drive types, Bert says, but "from a controller point of view," there isn't.
Related Resources
- Cloud Storage for Primary or Nearline Data –SearchStorage.com
- A Single Platform for Primary and Secondary Storage at-a-glance –StorageCraft Technology Corporation
- Scale-out Storage Single Platform for Primary and Secondary Storage –StorageCraft Technology Corporation
- Converging Primary and Secondary Storage –Datrium


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BY Eloisee Provost On Dec 01, 2017 Animal
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MSI E350IA-E45 AMD Brazos Fusion APU Platform Review
The AMD Fusion Processors Arrive
The MSI E350IA-E45 mini-ITX motherboard is the first system to hit our test bench that integrates the AMD E-350 Fusion APU into a desktop-ready configuration. By combining great performance per watt with features like SATA 6.0 Gb/s and USB 3.0, the MSI motherboard would make a great contender for a new low cost home theater build. Does it stand out at all from the reference platform we saw last year though?Introduction
I have been looking forward to retail availability of the AMD Fusion APU based platforms since I first got hands on time with them back at GDC in 2010. Since then I have gone to AMD's offices once or twice to sit down with marketing, engineers, designers and the hardware itself to really put it to the test and to get AMD's take on the platform, it's stance in the market and the company's goals against Intel.
Last November I was able to actually benchmark and test a reference system at AMD's Austin campus to get a preview of how the performance of Fusion-enabled notebooks and desktops panned out and the initial results were intriguing.
Also, we did have a short preview of a Toshiba C655D 15.6-in notebook last month with a full review pending using a single-core iteration of the platform. Check that out if you are interested before continuing on with this review below.
The Brazos Platform and its many forms
What we keep referring to as the "Fusion APU platform" is a bit more complex than that. Fusion is the term that AMD once used to refer to the idea of combining CPU and GPU components into a single product and die but they seemed to have moved away from that name in favor of individual product names and brands. The issue is though, the Brazos platform that makes up the motherboards, SFF systems and notebooks we are going to be testing in the near term don't have a fancy name like Athlon or Opteron. Instead, this is what we have:
- Zacate (18w)
- AMD E-350 with AMD Radeon HD 6310 Graphics
- 1.6 GHz dual-core
- 80 stream processors
- AMD E-240 with HD 6310 Graphics
- 1.5 GHz single-core
- 80 stream processors
- AMD E-350 with AMD Radeon HD 6310 Graphics
- Ontario (9w)
- AMD C-50 with HD 6250 Graphics
- 1.0 GHz dual-core
- 80 stream processors
- AMD C-30 with HD 6250 Graphics
- 1.2 GHz single-core
- 80 stream processors
- AMD C-50 with HD 6250 Graphics
The official branding of these APUs is the AMD E-series and C-series of processors; not very exciting. The previous code names were Zacate and Ontario, the former referring to the 18-watt derivatives of the core while Ontario is the 9-watt version for the smallest form factors. Both power steps of this chip have a dual-core and single-core option with clock speeds ranging from 1.0 GHz to 1.6 GHz. All of them include 80 stream processors though they obviously run a bit slower on the Ontario option.
The Brazos platform consists of one of the above processors and the AMD Hudson M1 chipset. Connecting to the processors via UMI, the M1 controller hub includes support for four SATA 6G connections, 8 USB 2.0 ports, 8-channel audio, networking and more. Most of the implementations we have seen thus far integrate USB 3.0 (but through an external chip) and Gigabit Ethernet through Realtek.
All of that translates into a low power computing option that is aimed squarely at the wildly successful Intel Atom line seen in netbooks, small notebooks and SFF systems. Our first official retail review will be of the MSI mini-ITX E350IA-E45 for users that want to build their own home theater or SFF system. Let's see how the implementations of the Brazos platform actually look like.
can i use an itx case with 150watts psu on this one?
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Virginia Tech's Erick Green is finding it harder and harder to hide his frustration.
Green, the nation's leading scorer, had 22 points, C.J. Barksdale finished with a career-best 14 and Cadarian Raines added 10, but no one else scored more than five points in the Hokies' 88-56 loss to No. 6 Duke on Thursday night.
The problem, Green said after the Hokies' ninth straight loss, is simple.
"We didn't pay attention to the scouting reports," he said, speaking particularly of defending Duke's Seth Curry. "We're shooting through gaps instead of chasing Curry. It's crazy, man. We go over the same thing every single game, and it's just so frustrating. It boils down to paying attention."
Hokies coach James Johnson tries to avoid putting Green on the other team's top scoring threat, preferring to conserve his energy for offense. Eventually he had no choice as Curry hit three early 3-pointers.
"On the offensive end they are throwing two or three guys at him, they're pressing him, and then he has to guard the best player on the team," Johnson said of Green. "I'm sure he's feeling it a little bit."
Green is trying to stay positive, knowing his teammates look to him as the team leader.
"I'm going to say there's hope because I believe in this team. I'm sure a lot of people don't, but I do. We've just got to get some guys on board. We've got to stop making excuses," he said. "There's always an excuse some way, somehow, instead of just playing the game. We've got to have more guys step up."
The Blue Devils (23-2, 10-3 Atlantic Coast Conference) had no problem finding someone to do that.
Curry scored 19 of his 22 points in the first half as Duke opened a 20-point lead. Rasheed Sulaimon added 17 points and Mason Plumlee had 13 points, 12 rebounds, five assists and three blocks for the Blue Devils as they moved coach Mike Krzyzewski into sole possession of third place on the career list for victories at one school with 877.
He was tied with Adolph Rupp of Kentucky and is now two behind North Carolina's Dean Smith. Syracuse's Jim Boeheim leads with 910 victories.
The Hokies (11-15, 2-11) shot just 43 percent and made only 1 of 16 3-point attempts.
Duke, meantime, buried the Hokies quickly with a 3-point barrage.
Curry had three 3s and Quinn Cook and Sulaimon also connected in an early 19-6 run, and after the teams swapped baskets, Curry capped a 15-3 burst for Duke with his fourth 3-pointer of the half.
That made the score 37-17 after 16 minutes, and Curry added a fifth 3 before halftime. Duke was 8 for 9 from behind the arc in the first 20 minutes. The Hokies, meantime, had 10 field goals, none of them 3s.
Duke finished 12 for 17 on 3-pointers and shot 53.6 percent (30 of 56) overall.
Coming off a 2-point loss at Maryland, the Blue Devils started fast in the second half, too, getting an inside basket by Josh Hairston, a baseline jumper from Cook and a 3 from Sulaimon to make it 55-30.
The Hokies never threatened again and Virginia Tech coach James Johnson pulled Green with just over 6 minutes to play and trailing 73-49. Krzyzewski followed with wholesale changes shortly thereafter.
The victory kept Duke solidly in second place in the ACC, two games ahead of North Carolina, N.C. State and Virginia.
Follow Hank on twitter at: http://twitter.com/hankkurzjr


text:
Palestine and statehood
RE: Palestine and statehood
(02-12-2012 07:52 PM)shiranl Wrote:They fled from every part of the world? No, many left the places their families had been for generations for the express purpose of creating a country there.(02-12-2012 07:39 PM)Chas Wrote: The problems before 1948 had the same root cause - the creation of a Jewish state. Jews emigrated to Palestine believing the land had been promised to them by their understanding of the McMahon Agreement and/or the Balfour Declaration.Wrong use of words- Jews fled to Palestine.
Skepticism is not a position; it is an approach to claims.
Science is not a subject, but a method.
RE: Palestine and statehood
Shiranl must be a complete idiot.
Europeans didn't flee to Israel they were trying to settle and form a state for quite sometime and when Hitler came along the europeans that wanted to settle parts of the middle east actually worked with the Nazi regime to implement this, this was called the transfer agreement, then ww2 came along and the rich europeans that wanted to settle in palestine made a wrong choice in friends.
And yes Israelis are european, have you ever noticed that your physical features are exactly like european physical features and very different from the vast majority of physical features in surrounding countries? There is a reason for that sweety.
You also make the completely false idea that "your people" are a special race, even though you have no evidence of this. There is NO EVIDENCE, ZERO EVIDENCE that Israelis are genetically different from any other european or european ancestry. This talk of "your people" as if you are part of a different "race" or special group of people is pretty fucking stupid and it sounds like you believe that religious bullshit.
RE: Palestine and statehood
(02-12-2012 08:04 PM)I and I Wrote: Shiranl must be a complete idiot.Hey douche, still waiting on those answer eh.
Just a little reminder.
RE: Palestine and statehood
Firstly, I welcome the conversation so thank you; however, don't really like making the thread I started about I and I leaving the forum maybe you should start a thread if it's so important earmuffs.
The collect taxes and make power plants
Sorry I am trying to empathize with Palestinians but I would think if they could do it themselves they would.
You know when I started this thread I was very pro-Palestinian state.
I thought that Israel would be fine taking rest and leaving the gaza strip and the west bank to the Palestinians.
If it would be possible, you know my solution to this was frankly lets give the Israelis Newfounland or something. Sure the newfies wouldn't want to leave but there's a big "exodus" from that province right now anyways ("get it"?)
As for genetics, well you couldn't say there's no evidence that Jews are a "people" but there is very little. If you take the ashkenazi jews, sephardic and oriental jews they do share some haplotypes and makers not shared in the outside population but between these jewish populations. But that's beyond a point, nations are not created now with predisposed "nationalism" any more, did we not give up on this idea in the modern age?
But that is beyond the point. what this conversation told me particularly in the instance of shiranl is that some parties involved have no interest in peace. It doesn't matter that there's a 1/6 ratio in deaths nor does it matter if Palestinians try peacefully. they are the enemy and all who oppose. this fight is an us vs. them. all who are not with us are anti-Semites. I refuse to put that label on me. to be "anti-Zionist" (thinking that cutting up the state of israel would be a good thing) is not being anti-Semitic.
Like I said Israelis have a wall.
Israelis have check points
Israelis have military power backed by the US
Israelis have one of the most formidable espionage and intelligence organizations
now Israelis have the iron dome
Lets see how long till the Palestinians know that's there's only peaceful action that will work.....3 maybe 4 generations?
Lets see if the Israelis will kill them?
RE: Palestine and statehood
Ufffff... Such stupidity here, so much trouble...
To be a "Jew" does not meant you have to follow Jewish religion. What it does mean, apart from the religious part, is the ETHNICITY and NATIONALITY of the people living in Israel, that have Jewish roots. Same way I call myself "a Croat", not European, Caucasian or whatever, a CROAT. It is not my religion, it is not my race, it is my ethnicity and my nationality. Jews are the same. Basic English language, fucktards. Fucking fuctards!!
Israelis=Jews (if we do not consider the religious side of the coin now)
Now, I will not be involved in this topic, I will keep my views to myself, but what I would like is to ask shiranl something. What is your view on the Palestinian state? To be more precise, would you like to see the state of Palestine, peace in the region and for the Palestine to pay their own bills with their own infrastructure...
Or would you prefer them to just get the fuck out of your country, so that you can finally have a normal, independent, full state, with all the borders in place and no word of Palestine anymore?
I have a theory that the truth is never told during the nine-to-five hours.
-Hunter S. Thompson
RE: Palestine and statehood
I only hope that region can find its way to peace. I find it increasingly difficult to take a side in this conflict.
But as if to knock me down, reality came around
And without so much as a mere touch, cut me into little pieces
03-12-2012, 11:07 AM (This post was last modified: 03-12-2012 11:16 AM by shiranl.)
RE: Palestine and statehood
I ramble? I only accuse someone of being something negative when I have evidence to accuse him. Like I&I, who said some very anti-Semite comment about how Jews love money, hence I accused him of being anti-Semite.
And I fail to understand how refugees steal land.
@ Chas:
Yes, they did. Or you think the Jews who lived in Iraq, Yemen, Morroco, Ethiopia, Egypt, Algeria, Lybia etc, etc were having the fun of their life? they weren't gassed like the Jews in Europe (I would say it was more due to lack of means then lack of will), but they suffered pogroms throughout history in Arab countries. Most of the Jews came to Israel after it was established, including my own grandparents (well....my maternal grandparents fled here before it, but the British caught their ship and lock them up in Cyprus until Israel was established).
@ I and I:
At least I'm not a racist idiot who ignores history circumstances completely.
So you don't think a conflict, any conflict and particulary this one, is "us VS them"? explain me this hypothesis, because as far as I know- the root of a confilct is the existence of 2 (or more) opposed sides.
When did Palestinian try peacefully? look up the PLO's charter, and the Hamas's charter. You know what, I'll be kind and bring it for you:
the PLO's charter- http://www.netaxs.com/~iris/plochart.htm
"Article 9: Armed struggle is the only way to liberate Palestine. Thus it is the overall strategy, not merely a tactical phase. The Palestinian Arab people assert their absolute determination and firm resolution to continue their armed struggle and to work for an armed popular revolution for the liberation of their country and their return to it"
Hamas's charter- http://www.thejerusalemfund.org/www.thej...arter.html
"Article Thirteen: Peaceful Solutions, [Peace] Initiatives and International Conferences
[Peace] initiatives, the so-called peaceful solutions, and the international conferences to resolve the Palestinian problem, are all contrary to the beliefs of the Islamic Resistance Movement....."
You can keep reading, you'll find more "diamonds" about how Palestine was given to Islam by Allah and no one, not even an Arab king, has the right to renounce it.
On the other hand, Israel's Independence Scroll (its on the bottom of the page):
"WE CALL - even during the bloody attacks which have been carried out against us for months - to the members of the Arab nation residents of the State of Israel to keep the peace and partake in their share in the building of the State upon the principle of full and equal citizenship and upon the principle of appropriate representation in all institutions, temporary and permanent"
"WE EXTEND a hand of peace and good neighborliness to all the neighboring nations and their peoples and call upon them to partake in cooperation and mutual assistance with the independent Hebrew nation in its land. The State of Israel is prepared to contribute her share in the joint effort to advance the Middle East entire"
Needless to say, in our Independence Scroll you will not find one sentence declaring the land is ours because god gave it to us.
I think it is clear who wants peace and who doesn't. look at the symbols as well:
While in the symbol of the PLO and Hamas you'll find guns and swords, In Israel you'll find olive leafs- the universal symbol of peace carried by a white pigeon.
And if this is not enough, check out Israel's peace treaties with Egypt and Jordan- we got the peace treaty itself, they got land (full of oil) and water (which we always have shortage of). So who really wants peace?
Like I said:
Israel didn't have to have a wall if the Pallies didn't came from the WB and executed suicide terror attacks. same goes with the check points. and Palestinians have terrorist organization backed by Iran, Syria and Lebanon.
I know, thank you.
Israelis didn't have to have Iron Dome if the Pallies wouldn't shoot rockets at our cities!!!!
I don't see the difference between the Palestinian having a state and the Palestinians getting the fuck off of my country and letting me have a normal and peacefull life. I'm not an idiot and I'm not delusional- The Pallies won't disappear one day. They should have a state- but not like the one they dreaming the UN will serve them on a plate of silver. First of all- it should be demilitarized, no argument about it. Israel will not accept having a "Gaza Strip" 15 km from Tel Aviv (neither USA and many other western countries, so do not ramble about how delusional I am to demand such thing). Second of all- Jerusalem is not a question. It will remain complete under Israeli rule. And why? since I don't see anyone insisting on devide London or Washington, I don't see any reason for why there will be demand to devide Jeruslam. Also- the only "holy" site (for the atheist among you who still believe in "live and let live" when it comes to religion) which is not Israeli controlled is the Al Aqsa mosque. Guess which holy site is the only holy site where not everyone, regardless of their religion, can enter? If I'll go there- I'll be lynched. The Muqata, the headquorters of the PA, is in Ramallah. Therefor- their capital will be Ramallah.
And I mentioned they need to get off of our infrastructure?
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Erxomai (03-12-2012)
RE: Palestine and statehood
(30-11-2012 09:05 AM)marieV Wrote: I want to start a discussion on the events that occurred yesterday at the general assembly of the united nation. Palestine was granted the status of non-member observer state.Czech Republic voted against because it has a corrupt government and one corrupt state will support another. If there would be a Palestinian nearby, I'd apologize to him on behalf of my country. Israeli leaders hold onto the power thanks to the conflict. When there is a chance of some peaceful solution, they turn up the violence and and poof, elections are done away with for a time.
Prominent Jews around the world protest against it and want to have nothing in common with this state of Israel. Specially the British ones were vocal about it.
(30-11-2012 09:05 AM)marieV Wrote: on the situation is that Palestine is finally going the non-violent route to reaching statehood. This is the same direction Israel attempted and won statehood with.Israel won its statehood through terrorism and mob practices, by units that formed from the former Jewish legion of the British empire. Most of the current territory is illegally conquered since then. I wouldn't call that non-violent.
(30-11-2012 09:05 AM)marieV Wrote: The question of who was there first is absurd in my opinion. The Jewish people were obviously there "first" since if we categorize "people" by their faith that is the answer since Islam was created in 600 CE (ish) and Judaism is older than that then of course then Jews have a older religion then Islam. But is is absurd because if Caucasians were told to go back to Europe from North America do you think there would be such an majority of the UN voting for that?It doesn't matter who was there first, nobody has the right to come after 2000 years and claim exclusive ownership of the land. Which was, according to Bible, won by countless massacres, just read about the conquest of Kanaan and Jericho. Not a good tradition to continue. Furthermore, the state of Israel is Sionist. Sionism is a form of racism, Jewish racial supremacy ideology. To have a state formed around such an ideology is outrageous, no less than apartheid in South Africa or worse examples from history.
The reason why we don't add up Israel right there with crazy militant states like North Korea is, that Israel's countless sins and UN-decreed punishments are being repressed by U.S. veto for decades. Only now there is hope that Palestine might gain some recognition and protection. I hope it will do Palestinians some good and maybe make them less vicious after so many years of cruel fight and Islamic extremization in face of danger. Everyone deserves an equal footing in a state, nobody has the right to create an ethnically exclusive state, except now there absolutely have to be two. You might think Jews got their lesson in WW2, but apparently they learned from the wrong side.
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Aika (04-12-2013)
RE: Palestine and statehood
Shiranl really is stupid.
She accuses me of being anti-semite when I am against a european grown and supported organization known as Zionism going into semite territory and ruling over them like douchebags.
Any evidence that this Shiranl racist bitch isn't just another european descendent white bitch that loves to spew the same bullshit that pro-colonialists did about 100 years ago.
This bitch isn't just a stupid european descendent white girl, this bitch is old school white girl. Shiranl is going to party like it's 1900
RE: Palestine and statehood
(03-12-2012 02:11 PM)I and I Wrote: Shiranl really is stupid.
Let's do this without the invective, shall we.
Skepticism is not a position; it is an approach to claims.
Science is not a subject, but a method.
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Erxomai (03-12-2012)
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KHARTOUM, Sudan (AP) — Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir says his country is seeking the capability to defend itself against Israeli strikes, and will never normalize relations with the Jewish state.
His remarks carried by the official Sudan news agency SUNA on Friday also repeated Khartoum's claim that an explosion at a military factory in the capital last month was from an Israeli attack.
In the transcript from an appearance on the semi-official Blue Nile TV this week, Bashir calls Israel the "Zionist enemy" that "will remain the enemy" and rejects the possibility of normalized relations between the two states.
Israel has not commented on the explosion, which killed four. A U.S.-based monitoring group has said satellite imagery suggests a strike.
In 2009, Sudan also blamed Israel for an attack on an arms convoy there.


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Baix Ebre - Montsia olive oil
Olive oil
Which area of Spain is it typical?
- Autonomous region: Catalonia
Olive oil coming from the oldest olive producing area in Catalonia, possibly planted by the Iberians.
This is Extra Virgin Olive Oil obtained from the Farga, Morrut and Sevillenca olive varieties. The oil is produced in the province of Tarragona, where a total of approximately 48,000 hectares are given over to olive growing. The harvesting system uses the beating method. Depending on the method of production - the traditional for Tortosa oils from areas near the river, and the modern applied to olives from the airier, drier areas - two types of high-quality oil are produced, but with very different qualities.
More information
Product information
- Type of product: Others
- Season: All year round.
- Origin: The Designation of Origin covers the production area dominated by the Coll Redó mountains, to the east of Tortosa, and by the Ulldecona plains, in the county of Baix Ebre, in the province of Tarragona.
- Varieties: Depending on its characteristics, it can be classified into two types:
- Traditional Tortosa oils: High acidity, tasty, strong and between golden and greenish yellow in colour
- Oils made with modern techniques: Low acidity and fruity flavour with yellow tones.
- Comments: Rich in lipids and vitamin E.


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There's an even bigger dilemma for the Bruins right now than where to place Chris Kelly in the lineup and which "puck-moving defensemen" to close a deal for in the trade market.
Without the benefit of a crystal ball, general manager Peter Chiarelli and his staff have to predict how valuable Toronto's first-round pick is going to be come June considering the Maple Leafs' sudden surge back into the playoff picture — which came partly at the Bruins' expense Tuesday and continued last night with a 2-1 regulation win over Buffalo.
The Leafs moved into 25th place in the overall NHL standings, which would place Toronto's pick at No. 6 overall if the season ended today and the lottery didn't cause a change in the draft order. They're also just six points out of eighth in the Eastern Conference.
The parity (or is it parody) of the NHL is such that getting a feel for how any team will perform over the entirety of the schedule is impossible. Just when it looked like the Bruins were going to battle it out with Philadelphia and Tampa Bay for the top seed in the East, they dropped three in a row and four out of five.
North of the border, Toronto looked like it had a one-way ticket to the lottery, especially once general manager Brian Burke became a seller by dishing off Francois Beauchemin and Kris Versteeg in trades over a five-day period. The only problem, as far as the Bruins are concerned, is it seems every time the Leafs make room for some of their farmhands to replace veterans in the lineup, they play better.
Sometimes when a team trades a couple vets and infuses a couple youngsters, it can have this type of positive effect. The notion that maybe the team's not going to try to make a playoff push takes the heat off and the team plays better — and suddenly finds itself back in the race. In addition to the pressure relief, the younger players feel that they're auditioning for a permanent place in the NHL, so they work a little harder than the shipped-out veterans, who were coasting on the strengths of their multi-year contract and filled-up bank account.
Burke has publicly stated he's not giving up. The Beauchemin deal kind of proved that, as he got back veteran high-priced forward Joffrey Lupul. The veteran has had a solid effect on linemate Phil Kessel, who scored a third goal in two nights against Buffalo, and could continue to regain his once-formidable scoring touch. Meanwhile, you look at the NHL standings and it's pretty clear Colorado is about ready to fold up, and you have to wonder how long Florida, St. Louis and Columbus can keep convinced they're in their respective races. Those teams can at least go into seller's mode and look toward making their first-round pick as high as possible.
The Leafs' goal is not only make a playoff run, but prevent the Bruins from again landing a draft jewel. Even if the Leafs did start to mail it in, it looks like they're going to be hard-pressed to out-lose some other franchises that already have the envelopes sealed and stamped.
In the week since Chiarelli told WEEI he would consider trading Toronto's pick, it has lost a heavy amount of value. For a guy who wants to see his team take the step from high-end status to elite level, the only move here is to get rid of that pick and get a player that will shake up the Bruins' dressing room and on-ice performance. Even a rental player — albeit one that Chiarelli believes he has a responsible chance to re-sign — has to be on the radar with this draft pick slipping down the draft chart by the day.
This last couple days could be a brief burst of excitement out of the Leafs, and they could drop right back down and put that pick in top five over the final 2 1/2 months of the season. But there are too many factors hinting at Toronto's play going the other way. The Leafs probably won't make the playoffs, but they'll win just enough to ruin the Bruins' plans of adding another franchise-caliber player.
Chiarelli might not have been actively shopping that first-round pick a week ago, but he should start pressing hard to get it off his hands before it's too late.


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From Emerging Leaders
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I finished my MLS degree from Florida State University in December 2006, and so I plan on using my newly gained free time to read, exercise, and explore parts of Florida I have not yet seen. And work on the Emerging Leaders project, of course!
Contact information
yahoo messenger: jamiemadlib


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Boot mat for Audi Q5 2016 onwards
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In an announcement made before today's Indianapolis GP, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway published that it will host MotoGP again next year, as Dorna has renewed The Brickyard with a one-year contract. This announcement puts an end to the immediate chatter that surrounded the MotoGP venue before this weekend, as it was speculated that IMS would not be returning to the MotoGP calendar for the 2011 season.
However the announcement also raises some more eyebrows, specifically because of the short renewal duration (Laguna Seca also renewed its contract with Dorna this year, but will host MotoGP through 2014), and also because of the growing pressure from riders regarding the track's surface and format.
Perhaps most vocal of his opinion about the track's condition is Casey Stoner. The Ducati rider missed last year's Indianapolis GP, and says that there has been a significant degradation between Indy's inaugural conditions and those from this weekend. One of the victim's of the bumps in Turn 6, Stoner succintly believes that there's, "a lot of the circuit they need to have a big think about."


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The house Joe Monfredo built in Davidsonville, Md., has seven bedrooms, 6 1/2 baths and four fireplaces. The home is almost five times the size of the average new American house.
And it's good for the planet, Monfredo claims.
The two concepts of "green" and "big" hardly seem compatible. After all, green is synonymous with conservation. Big is closely linked with waste. Yet some eco-friendly homes these days are not just big, they're huge, and the relationship between size and greenness is not as clear-cut as one might think.
All else being equal, a small home is more eco-friendly than a big one. It eats up less in raw materials, emits less greenhouse gas and is more energy-efficient simply because it's smaller.
'Economic judgment'
But who is to judge how much space a person needs, asked David Goldstein, energy program director at the Natural Resources Defense Council, an environmental group based in New York. If one 10,000-square-foot house owned by a family of four is "a bad thing," what about two 5,000-square-foot houses owned by the same family?
"It's really a matter of moral or economic judgment as to whether the home you're asking for makes environmental sense," Goldstein said. "Only the individual homeowner is in a position to know how much size satisfies basic needs, how much satisfies basic wants and how much is silly extravagance."
For decades, Americans have believed that bigger is better. The average size of a new home swelled by two-thirds from 1970 to 2007, from 1,500 to 2,500 square feet, according to the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB). The "supersize me" phenomenon unfolded even as the average family size shrank, suggesting that people are buying bigger for lifestyle reasons, not function.
The way builder Jerry Zayets sees it, the desire to go green has not diminished that craving for space.
That's why he built a 6,500-square-foot house in Washington, now on the market for $1.59 million. With seven bedrooms, six baths and a dramatic two-story entry, the house feels vast.
"I know people walk into this house and think it's the Ford Excursion of homes," said Zayets, owner of Nexxt Builders in Washington. "It's not. The energy costs of this home are less than my 1,200-square-foot rambler. ... Many small homes consume more energy than the one I've built."
Exterior insulation
The key is the envelope of the house, Zayets said. Each surface that touches the outside is insulated with a low-density foam that sprays on like a cream but expands to 100 times its size, seals air leaks and takes the shape of whatever space it's filling, he said. Traditional fiberglass insulation must be cut with a utility knife, making it tough to use for irregular angles and crevices.
The house qualifies as energy-efficient under the federally run Energy Star program.
Generally, Energy Star homes are at least 15 percent more efficient than homes built to 2004 building codes. Each has to meet baseline energy requirements that are then tested and inspected by an independent contractor.
The contractor who inspected Zayets' house concluded that the energy savings would total $2,150 a year compared with a house of a similar size built to 2004 code, which is similar to current building standards, Zayets said.
Monfredo also got the nod from Energy Star for the 12,000-square-foot house he has constructed in Davidsonville and put on the market for $2.99 million.
The home is so well-insulated that it's draft-free, said Monfredo, who co-owns High Tec Homes in Towson, Md. It is cooled and heated by a geothermal system that limits fossil-fuel use and reduces energy costs.
To better control energy use, the thermostat can be set to different temperatures in 11 zones of the house.
"There are lots of people with money who are going to buy a house of this size no matter what," Monfredo said. "So why not be responsible and buy green?"
Generally speaking, a house is called green if it uses energy, water and natural resources wisely and offers good indoor air quality. But there are several rating systems that attempt to measure just how green a house is.
The Energy Star program focuses solely on energy efficiency. But other features are taken into account, including water use and materials, under the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design program.
LEED, as it's known, was created by the nonprofit U.S. Green Building Council.
Under this system, the more green features a home includes -- such as solar panels or low-flush toilets -- the more points it earns.
The NAHB plans to unveil in March what it hopes will become widely accepted national standards for building and remodeling environmentally friendly homes.
None of these rating systems dictates size. But both LEED standards and the builders group's proposal require more points -- that is, more green features -- for larger houses.
"The point is to make green mainstream," said Emily English, green building program manager for the builders association. "The idea is: Make it as green as you can, even if you build a large house."


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Quietly — or not so quietly, if you're a Houston Dynamo fan — Brad Davis is putting together the type of season that has many talking about a national team call-up and a run at the league's Most Valuable Player award.
The left-footed winger has become the engine that makes the Dynamo run in 2011. With three goals and a league-best (and career-high) 13 assists, the 29-year-old is one of the best in the league at creating chances, despite defenses game-planning to eliminate the winger's signature service.
"He's risen to be the man and is the go-to guy," said Corey Ashe. "I think everybody knows he hits set pieces as one of the best in the league and is just a very good overall player. He's got that confidence and kind of has that swagger about him, and it helps us."
While the stats draw attention, to his teammates, Davis' contribution in the leadership department stands out. One of the last remaining players who came with the club from San Jose six years ago, Davis has come to embrace the role. One of the steps he took to step into that leadership position has been a commitment to improving his fitness. Davis has logged 2,000 minutes for the third season in a row, a feat he achieved just once in his first six years in the league.
"I felt like I was a young kid and I could get away with anything," Davis said of his early career. "I felt my talent was there, but I was injured way too much to really help my team do anything. So I took it into my own hands and have been really paying attention and working out hard, and now I'm starting to really reap the benefits of that. I didn't realize how important it was and what I needed to be doing."
Fit and providing an all-around presence on the field, Davis has played his way into serious consideration for the league's MVP award. His ability to create scoring chances — according to Opta, Davis leads the league in that category by a wide margin — has put Davis squarely in the conversation for the award and a possible national team call-up. With eight games left in the regular season and a playoff run looking more and more likely, Davis has a chance to push this season to new heights.
"If you're a player and you take pride in what you do, you want people to recognize what you do," Davis said. "Most importantly, though, you want to help your team win, and that's what you're out there to do."
Darrell Lovell covers the Houston Dynamo for MLSsoccer.com. Follow him on twitter at @Dynamoexaminer.


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Letter writer Ruth Fleishman's fear that quarterback Joe Flacco may not renew his contract with the Ravens reminded me of an old Irish folk tale ("Flacco holding out? Say it ain't so, Joe," Feb. 16).
In a small town in the west of Ireland along the Hills of Connemarra, there lived a precocious boy named Seasamh (pronounced "SHO-sav"). Seasamh was quiet, but inside him burned a desire to make his talents known to his fellow townspeople.
Each year, all of the towns in the west of Ireland would send a representative to compete in a brutal contest of physical ability. One year the town could not decide whom to send. An older villager named Osborne the Elder — who was revered by the villagers for his wisdom and knowledge — spoke up and said that he had seen great potential in young Seasamh.
But Seasamh was only 6 years old, and the townspeople questioned whether he could compete against battle-hardened warriors. Yet they also loved Seasamh and had learned to trust Osborne's judgment. So Seasamh was sent many miles away to compete for the town's honor.
Despite what seemed like overwhelming odds, Seasamh prevailed, and the town was elated. Upon his return, Seasamh was treated to a hero's welcome, and Seasamh's name became known throughout the whole of Ireland. The town was overcome with pride and hope.
Yet Seasamh was not satisfied. He set out to show the town that in addition to his strength and physical ability, he also possessed great wisdom, just like Osborne the Elder. He intended to prove his intelligence by outsmarting Osborne.
So Seasamh walked deep into the woods, where he found a raven's nest and inside it a newborn raven, which he picked up and carried back toward town.
With the raven cupped in his hands, he planned to tell Osborne that he held in his hands a young bird, and to ask: "Do you know, old man, whether the bird is alive or dead?"
If Osborne answered that the bird was dead, Seasamh would open his hands to reveal that it was in fact alive. If Osborne answered the bird was alive, he would crush the baby bird to prove Osborne wrong.
On his return from the woods, Seasamh approached Osborne in the town square. As the townspeople looked on, Seasamh told Osborne that he held in his powerful hands a baby raven and, as planned, asked whether the wise elder could say if it was alive or dead.
Osborne looked around the square at the worried townspeople, then said to Seasamh: "The young raven is neither dead nor alive; rather, its life is in your hands, Seasamh."
The townspeople looked on, transfixed, hoping with all of their hearts the young hero would make the right decision.
Conor O'Croinin, Sykesville


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Digital Drums 400 Compact Electronic Drum Kit + Amp Pack
Digital Drums 400 Compact Electronic Drum Kit + Amp PackDetails
Included with this kit is a set of headphones, a pair of drumsticks, a drum stool and an amp.
Product Ref: 50572View Full Description
Buy on finance from £8.46 per month Finance from £8.46 per month
Please note: This is only available where all items in the order are dispatched in a single delivery.
To make it as easy as possible for you to get the gear you want, we offer a range of instant finance options. If you spend £50 or more online, you can choose to pay over 48, 36, 24 or 12 months. The majority of decisions are given instantly, so you could get your new gear sooner than you thought!
Representative Example
To help you understand how our finance options work, the examples below are based on a total order value of £50:
|Deposit to Pay
|Total Payable
|48 months
|No Deposit
|48 months: £1.41Final Payment: £1.41No settlement fee
|36 months
|No Deposit
|36 months: £1.78Final Payment: £1.78No settlement fee
|24 months
|No Deposit
|24 months: £2.57Final Payment: £2.57No settlement fee
|12 months
|No Deposit
|12 months: £4.69Final Payment: £4.69No settlement fee
How to Apply
Applying for finance couldn't be easier - if your order totals £50 or more, simply proceed through the checkout as normal, then select Pay by Klarna Finance on the payment page, then click the orange PLACE ORDER USING FINANCE button. This will start your application with Klarna Retail Finance, our finance partner, and completing this form should take approximately 10 minutes.
You should get an instant answer on whether your application has been successful, though in some rare cases Klarna may need to look at the application in more detail.
Please note: This is only available on orders placed via the website consisting of a single delivery, and is not available in store or via phone currently.
Full DescriptionView Full Description
Comments from customers who bought this item:
Complete Kit
The DD400 consists of 3 toms and a snare drum plus a crash, ride and hi-hat cymbals. It also includes hi-hat and kick drum controller pedals, plus this bundle gives you stool, sticks, headphones and amp so you have everything you need to get going.
Compact and Convenient
The Gear4music DD400 is our most compact drum kit designed for use where space is at a premium. It's perfect for bedrooms, uni halls or flats as it won't take up too much room. The kit is also easily packed down when not in use and stored away. The frame is lightweight and easily moved to practice or lesson locations if needed.
Quiet and Responsive
The kick pedal controller is a lot quieter than a traditional drum pedal rebounding off a bass pad but gives a comparable action that allows the player to develop pedal skills. The headphone input means that it's no problem to pratice early in the morning or late at night - just plug in and away you go without disturbing the neighbours.
The soft rubber pads are quiet and responsive giving you the feeling of the drums with much less noise. The tough plastic casing around the heads means they are durable enough to withstand hours of practice.
Wide Range of Sounds
The Gear4music 400 kit has 10 pre-set kits programmed into the module so you can quickly find a sound you like from rock and pop through to jazz and house. Experiment with creating your own kits using the 108 individual drum and percussion sounds or play along with the 40 drum patterns of varying difficulty.
Connect and Expand
The DD400 has a full range of connectivity options which add a whole host of extra options for expanding and upgrading this kit. The stereo ouput allows you to connect the drum kit to a monitor or amplifier for extra volume when playing live, whilst the aux in means you can connect an MP3 player and drum along to your favourite tracks.
USB and MIDI connections can connect this kit to a computer for recording, composition or use as a MIDI controller. These connections can give you access to a whole host of tuition software and DAW functionality.
User Friendly Controls
The digital drum kit is easy to use with simple, user friendly controls. Whether you're just getting started or simply don't want to waste time with overly complex selection menus and functions, the 400 is accessible to everyone. Mode, page, start/stop and selection buttons sit on the front of the drum module along with a volume knob, and the LCD screen displays all your chosen sounds and settings. A click feature is perfect to help players with timing or practice drills.
SubZero DR-30 Drum Monitor by Gear4music
This full range monitor is suitable for a wide variety of applications. The balanced sound from the 10" and 3" speakers allow this amp to be used effectively on electronic drum kits that need the extra high and low frequencies, as well as an excellent choice for synths, stage pianos and even acoustic guitars. The 2 band EQ allows you to tailor your sound whilst the send and return features allow you to connect any outboard equipment such as reverb or other effects units.
400 Kit Pads
- 3 Tom Pads (single trigger)
- 1 Snare Pad (single trigger)
- 1 Crash Pad (single trigger)
- 1 Hi Hat Pad (single trigger)
- 1 Ride Pad (single trigger)
- Bass Drum Control Pedal
- Hi Hat Control Pedal
DD400 Control Unit
- 108 Different Individual Drum Sounds
- 10 Pre-programmed Kit Types
- 40 Patterns
- 1 Demo Song
- LED Display
- Pattern/Kit/Voice/Click Indicators
- Trigger Input
- 9V DC Power Jack
- Phones
- Aux in (stereo jack)
- USB Port
- MIDI Out Jack
- Line Output (L/mono & R)
- Power Switch
- Master Volume Knob
- Start/Stop
- Click/Demo
- Mode/Tempo Increase
- Page/Tempo Decrease
- +/- Buttons
Included Accessories
- HP-170 Stereo Headphones
- High Quality Drum Stool
- Pair of 5A Wood Tip Drumsticks
- Sub Zero DR-30 Drum Monitor
SubZero DR-30
- Power Output: 30W RMS 1.0 THD into 8 Ohms
- Speaker: 10" Woofer 3" Tweeter
- Inputs: E-Drums, Line
- Controls: 2 x Volume (one for each input), LOW, HIGH, Return level, Send Level, On/Off
- Input Sensitivity: Normal 80mV, F = 1Khz.
- Noise: -50dB (Gain Max)
- Weight: 15Kg
Gear4music - a revolution in competitively priced, high-quality musical instruments and equipment.
Gear4music has teamed up with some of the best manufacturers from around the world to develop our own line of music equipment. Our goal is to provide our customers with a wide choice of high quality, sensibly priced musical instruments.
Using our many years of collective experience we have developed a wide range of instruments and equipment including drum kits, acoustic and electric guitars, woodwind, brass, string instruments and speaker systems. We are proud to offer these to our customers alongside hundreds of other well-known brands. Working closely with our carefully chosen manufacturers, we endeavour to produce reliable, great sounding instruments at a price that is accessible to all. Our musical equipment is made to the same exacting standards that you expect from other highly regarded brands - this is backed up by our standard 30 Day Money Back Guarantee.
Gear4music products are produced ethically and responsibly to meet the expectations of a caring world.
The product price includes 5 years' warranty and 180 day money back guarantee.
However, the Gear4music extended warranty scheme provides an enhanced service, and is designed to offer a higher level of protection than many 'free' warranties offered by some retailers and manufacturers.
The highlights of this enhanced warranty service are:
- Warranty is extended to 5 years from the date of delivery.
- Our Money Back guarantee is extended from 30 days to 180 days (terms apply after 30 days)
- Collection and delivery costs are included for the first 2 years
- Claim 50% cash back on the cost of the policy after 5 years if it has not been used!
- Warranty is transferable if the item is re-sold
- Loan or replacement equipment will be provided if the product isn't repaired within 30 days
- If an item can not be repaired, a similar alternative product or cash discount (as defined in this policy) will be offered
- The policy can be cancelled within 30 days, and at any time after that for a pro-rata discount
Please note that this extended warranty is currently only available on products sold within the EU or EEA, and is subject to the terms and conditions as detailed on the extended warranty certificate provided.
For customers in outlying areas of the country, the price of the Extended Warranty may be marginally higher, due to the potential for higher collection and redelivery transport costs.
This enhanced warranty is in addition to the standard Gear4music and manufacturer warranty policies, and the Gear4music terms and conditions of trade. No statement or condition of sale contained within these terms affects or restricts your statutory rights as defined under the Consumer Contracts Regulation 2014.
Once the product is delivered, you have 180 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:
- Software
- CDs & DVDs
- In-ear Monitors
- Earplugs and Ear Protection
- Mouthpieces, Reeds etc… for Woodwind and Brass instruments
- Mouth / Lip Care Products
We are unable to accept returns of any custom made items designed to work together as a unique package, such as computer system built to a customer's personal specifications. Exceptions may only be possible with prior agreement of the vendor, and may be subject to a cancellation fee.
If you also purchase items that do not qualify for free delivery, some delivery charges may be applied to your order which will be shown in your shopping basket.


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The death of the only man convicted in the 1988 Lockerbie bombing has left some victims' relatives relieved and others raising questions about his guilt and whether others went unpunished.
The death of the only man convicted in the 1988 Lockerbie bombing has left some victims' relatives relieved and others raising questions about his guilt and whether others went unpunished.
Abdel Baset al-Megrahi, a former Libyan intelligence official died Sunday of cancer, his family said. His death renewed pleas from some victims' relatives for further investigation of the bombing.
"It closes a chapter but it doesn't close the book. We know he wasn't the only person involved," Frank Dugan, president of the group Victims of Pan Am Flight 103, said from Alexandria, Va.
Al-Megrahi was convicted of blowing up Pan Am Flight 103 over the Scottish town on Dec. 21, 1988. The bombing killed 270 people, many of them New York and New Jersey residents. Syracuse University in central New York was particularly hard hit: 35 students on the way home for Christmas break died in the bombing.
Libyan ruler Moammar Gadhafi handed over al-Megrahi and a second suspect to Scottish authorities after years of punishing U.N. sanctions. In 2003, Gadhafi acknowledged responsibility, though not guilt, for the bombing and paid compensation of about $2.7 billion to victims' families.
The families had banded together after the bombing, immersing themselves in terrorist policy, international relations and airline security and lobbying for compensation from the Libyan government.
Some relatives attended al-Megrahi's trial in the Netherlands. When he was released to Libya from a Scottish prison in 2009 on humanitarian grounds — he was supposedly close to death — they were outraged, especially after al-Megrahi lived far longer than the few months the doctors had predicted.
Susan Cohen of Cape May Court House, N.J., whose daughter was among the Syracuse University students on the flight, said al-Megrahi deserved no compassion.
"The fact that he was able to get out and live with his family these past few years is an appalling miscarriage of justice. There was no excuse for that," Cohen said Sunday. "He should have died in the Scottish prison. He should have been tried in the United States and faced capital punishment."
The views of other victims' families on al-Megrahi's role in the bombing vary widely.
"Megrahi is the 271st victim of Lockerbie," said David Ben-Ayreah, who represents some British families of victims. He attended the trial and still believes al-Megrahi was not responsible for the bombing.
But Eileen Walsh, a Glen Rock, N.J., resident whose father, brother and sister died in the explosion said she was "very happy" to hear about al-Megrahi's death. She had just attended Mass on Sunday when she received numerous text messages.
"I'm glad he's gone, but there's no real closure. There's nothing but a bad taste in my mouth," she said.
"My mother died of cancer in 2004, and because of him, three of the most important people in her life weren't there to help her in her time of need," Walsh said.
Al-Megrahi's co-defendant was acquitted of all charges. Al-Megrahi insisted he also had nothing to do with the bombing. Those who believe him got a boost in 2007 when a three-year investigation by a Scottish tribunal found that new evidence — and old evidence withheld from trial — suggested that al-Megrahi "may have suffered a miscarriage of justice." Its 800-page report prompted an appeal on al-Megrahi's behalf, but by then his fate was in the hands of politicians in London, Tripoli and Edinburgh, all of whom jockeyed for position as Libya rebuilt its ties with Britain and al-Megrahi's health deteriorated.
Still protesting his innocence, al-Megrahi dropped the appeal in a bid to clear the path for his release on compassionate grounds. He flew home to a hero's welcome in 2009.
Al-Megrahi's death should not be an excuse to stop trying to find out who was behind the bombing, Cohen said. She called on U.S. and British officials to "dig even deeper" into the case.
The Scottish government said Sunday that it will continue investigating the Lockerbie bombing.
Bert Ammerman of River Vale, N.J., lost his brother in the bombing. He blames the U.S. and Britain for failing to track all leads in the case and noted that Gadhafi's former spy chief was arrested in March in Mauritania.
"He holds the key to what actually took place in Pan Am 103," Ammerman said. "He knows what other individuals were involved and, more importantly, what other countries were involved."
After Gadhafi's fall, Britain asked Libya's new rulers to help fully investigate but they put off any probe.
"Ironically, 24 years later, I now have more confidence in the new Libyan government than the British or American governments to find the truth because I believe Libya would like the truth to come out to show that they were not the only country involved," Ammerman said.
Jim Swire, whose 19-year-old daughter, Flora, died in the bombing, is a leading voice for some of the British families who believe al-Megrahi was innocent. Swire, who attended the trial in the Netherlands, asked for further inquiry from the Scottish government.
He said he saw al-Megrahi in December. "We talked as two old friends who were saying goodbye," he said.
Selva reported from London. Associated Press writers Bruce Shipkowski in Trenton, N.J., Deepti Hajela in New York and Ben McConville in Scotland contributed to this report.


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Catch up on Dallas, Glee, Grey's Anatomy, Pretty Little Liars, Revenge, and The Vampire Diaries. Feel free to read our news, spoilers and weekly recaps!
Visit Prospect Park Migrating AMC and OLTL Online for all of the latest updates and casting news.
* Ron Raines ("Guiding Light's" ex-Alan) will play Carl Peterson, Jeffrey's mysterious benefactor. His first air date is August 20.
* There's casting call out for a 30/40 year old confident Caucasian businessman who enjoys spending time with younger women.
Visit Soaps.com's OLTL Cast List for more on the regular and recurring current cast.
Follow Soaps.com on Twitter @soapoperafan, "like" Soaps.com on Facebook to dish on "One Life To Live," all the other soap operas, "Dallas," "Glee," "Grey's Anatomy," "Pretty Little Liars," "Revenge," and "Vampire Diaries."
- Amy Mistretta


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By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
WASHINGTON — House Speaker John Boehner (BAY'-nuhr) says there's been no progress in negotiations on how to avoid the fiscal cliff of tax hikes and spending cuts and called on President Barack Obama to come up with a new offer.
Boehner told reporters outside his Capitol Hill office Friday that the president needs to get serious with the combination of tax hikes and cuts set to kick in after the first of the year. The Republican leader accused the president of, quote, "slow-walking" the economy toward the edge of the fiscal cliff.
The two men spoke privately by phone on Wednesday. Boehner described the conversation as pleasant, "but just more of the same."
"Since then, there's been no counteroffer from the White House," Boehner complained. "Instead, reports indicate that the president has adopted a deliberate strategy to slow-walk our economy right to the edge of the fiscal cliff."
Boehner singled out for criticism White House aides who have said that Obama was willing to allow Bush-era tax cuts to expire on all Americans on Jan. 1 and automatic, across-the-board spending cuts to kick in the next day. He called their comments "reckless talk."
Boehner repeated the long-standing Republican argument that raising tax rates would be detrimental to small businesses and "is not going to help our economy and it's not going to help those seeking work." Obama has insisted that any deal must include an increase in the tax rates for high earners.
But Boehner declined an opportunity to take a hard line on tax rates, skirting a direct question on whether he might be willing to accept some increase in the top tax rate, currently set at 35 percent.
"There are a lot of things that are possible to put the revenue that the president seeks on the table. But none of it's going to be possible if the president insists on his position – insists on `my way or the highway,' " Boehner said when asked whether he might be able to accept a compromise top rate of 37 percent. "That's not the way to get to an agreement."
The Republican leader pointed out that he had offered on Monday to raise tax revenues by $800 billion over the next decade by ending or reducing tax breaks, particularly on the wealthy. The Republican plan would cut spending by $1.4 trillion, including by trimming annual increases in Social Security payments and raising the eligibility age for Medicare from 65 to 67.
"When is he going to take a step toward us?" Boehner asked of Obama.
At the White House, officials used Friday's mixed jobs report, with its modest growth in hiring, as an argument to embrace Obama's plans to avoid the fiscal cliff with a package of rate hikes for the rich and public works spending and refinancing help for struggling homeowners.
"Most pressing, President Obama has proposed, and the Senate has passed, an extension of middle class income tax cuts that would prevent the typical middle class family from facing a $2,200 tax increase at the beginning of next year," said Alan Krueger, chairman of Obama's Council of Economic Advisers.
Tax cuts enacted during President George W. Bush's first term are scheduled to expire Dec. 31 when they would automatically return to rates in place during President Bill Clinton's administration. Obama wants those increases only to affect households with earnings of more than $250,000.
Obama is insisting that rates for upper income taxpayers rise and also wants permanent authority to prevent Congress from blocking increases in the nation's borrowing limit. The government is on track to hit its $16.4 trillion debt ceiling later this month, though the Treasury could extend the day of reckoning to February.
Separately, top House Democrat Nancy Pelosi of California, called on GOP leaders to schedule a vote on Senate-passed legislation to hike the top two tax rates for individual income exceeding $200,000 and family income over $250,000.
"Why are you not bringing this to the floor?" Pelosi said. "Is this a forever, forever protection of the wealthiest people in the country at the expense of the middle class?"


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'Natural' claims under fire
Ben & Jerry's plans to remove the words "all natural" from labels of ice cream and frozen yogurt products that contain alkalized cocoa, corn syrup or partially hydrogenated soybean oil, according to the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI).
Last month CSPI sent a letter to Ben & Jerry's parent company, Unilever, complaining that at least 48 products were improperly labeled.
Ben & Jerry's, which also promotes its use of rBGH-free milk, cage-free eggs and fair trade, told CSPI it was making the change so consumers wouldn't be confused.
Critics say the term "natural," the most common label claim on new food and beverage products launched last year, is one of the most misleading words on the market.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has no formal rules about the term; consequently, many products containing high fructose corn syrup (which the industry is lobbying to call "corn sugar") are labeled as "natural." Though glucose and fructose occur in nature, the chemical conversion of cornstarch (used to make high fructose corn syrup) should not be considered natural, CSPI wrote in a 158-page report titled "Food Labeling Chaos."
"Natural" also has a health halo, meaning consumers may think a "natural" product is healthier than it is.
The lemon-lime soda Sierra Mist, for example will now be marketed as "New Sierra Mist Natural" because it "has been stripped of everything unnatural" according to the company. It's free of preservatives, artificial colors and caffeine (though caffeine is naturally occurring), the company boasts. The new ad campaign calls it "the soda nature would drink if nature drank soda."
Yet Sierra Mist Natural is still a soft drink. It contains 100 calories and 25 grams of sugar per 8-ounce serving. A regular 8-ounce Pepsi contains 100 calories and 28 grams of sugar.


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First Look: Bad Axe 'American Kid' Backsaw
Among the things I like about Mark Harrell's Bad Axe saws is that there is a wide range of customization options on what are essentially production tools. That is, not only can you choose your filing and from among several plate thicknesses, you can also select from among back materials and colors, saw nuts and handle species, without adding lead time to your saw's delivery date.
But of most interest to me is that you can select from among handle sizes; I can get a handle that will fit my hands, which is key to a saw that's comfortable to use – and that translates to a more accurate and repeatable cut, because I don't have to compensate for my small hand slipping around an overly large handle.
Now, Mark has introduced a new saw that works for those with even smaller hands – children. But not only is the "American Kid" available with an extra, extra-small handle (to fit hands that are 2-1/2″-2-3/4″ across the palm), it's made to withstand the rigors of children. This saw (which comes standard with a 14 points-per-inch hybrid filing for both cross and ripcuts) has a slightly thicker sawplate (.02 steel, instead of the .018 standard on Harrell's dovetail saws) to resist buckling from a less-than-straight trajectory in the hands of a young (read: new) user. It's available in three back sizes: 8″ with 1-3/4″ depth of cut, 10″ with 2″ depth of cut and 12″ with 2-1/4″ depth of cut.
The most innovative, er, innovation, however, is the handle – it's a 3/4″-thick apple ply laminate (formaldehyde-free) that Mark says is shock-resistant, and able to withstand a 6′ drop onto concrete (watch his video here). I can't yet bring myself to confirm that…but I will, as soon as I've had a little more time with this saw. I don't want to risk damaging its out-of-the-box performance until I've had time to properly put it through its paces.
The apple-ply handle will be available on all Bad Axe saws, too – not just the kids' saw. For those who work on jobsites or in shops where things get banged around a lot, it might be a good choice.
Mark says he developed this saw with beefier specs so that parents wouldn't feel the need to hover as their kids wield a delicate and expensive tool, because this one can stand up to their usage without constant correction from an anxious adult. (While it's not delicate, it does seem to me a bit spendy for a tool intended for kids: $175. But it's made to the same standards as all Bad Axe saws, and tools that work well are more likely to translate into tools kids – or anyone – will enjoy using.)
I would like to see some kind of special anti-rust treatment that didn't affect performance…or some way to make it fun for a kid to oil the tool when done. While I don't have kids, I babysit a lot, and from that experience I know that at least some children aren't too good at maintaining their toys; when they're done playing with a thing, it's time to move on – getting them to clean up after themselves first is always a challenge.
I need to spend some more time with this saw, but for now, I can confirm that the "American Kid" cuts well and starts easily on both the rip and crosscut (with a wider kerf than my usual backsaws, natch) and that when I tried to torque the plate in the cut like a beginning sawyer might, I was unable to do any damage to it. Also, Mark sent a saw with an XXS handle – and for the first time in my eight years of serious saw handling, I've encountered a handle that is actually too small for me…by just a little bit. But the shaping and finish (oil and wax) is perfectly comfortable; there's no discernible difference in how it feels in the hand from my Bad Axe walnut-handled dovetail saw.
Update: In response to a question on Facebook, Mark reports that as your child grows and needs a larger handle, he'll replace it for $25.
If you have a child who's interested in woodworking and likes making things, check out Matt Cianci's new video, "Build a Custom Backsaw" – that would be a fun parent-child build in the shop, I'd think.