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Gear Review: Ultralight Backpacking Kitchen
Here are our thoughts (and a demo video!) about the cooking gear we used while thru hiking the 2,660-mile Pacific Crest Trail.
Stove and windscreen/pot stand = Trail Designs Classic Caldera Ti-Tri cooking system 2.5 oz. This incredibly light stove is made from an aluminum can. It burns denatured alcohol, available at any hardware store, or HEET, a gas-line antifreeze commonly found at gas stations. We found these fuels at almost every town we visited on the PCT.
The thin titanium windscreen is custom-sized to hold our Evernew pot, forming a wide stable base. The windscreen also optimizes airflow, increasing the the stove's fuel efficiency.
While hiking, we packed the stove in the pot for protection. We stored the windscreen wrapped around the fuel bottle, secured with a rubber band. The stove got slightly crunched one day from packing too much food around it in the pot, but it still worked fine. Overall the Caldera system preformed flawlessly during the entire trip.
Pot = Evernew Titanium Non Stick Pot 1.9L 8.6 oz. We needed a pot that was large enough to match our huge thru hiking appetites, and this was perfect. Two boxes of mac and cheese fit with room to stir. Pots made from titanium are the lightest available, but they heat unevenly. This wasn't a problem for us, because we chose nutritious meals that only required boiling water and a bit of stirring. The built-in insulated handles were a plus — no pot holder required. The pot is still in great shape after our thru hike, which speaks to its durability.
Fuel bottle = Grocery store water bottle with squeeze top 1.0 oz. Before the hike, we searched through our fridge and were thrilled to find a Whole Foods Sriracha squeeze top which mated with a small water bottle. This combination was inexpensive, light, and worked well. The squeeze top allowed for precise control over the amount of fuel poured into the stove. Plus, the top's red color served as a reminder that the clear liquid in the bottle was not potable.
A meal for two required slightly less than 50 mL of fuel. Prior to our PCT thru hike, we marked the side of the fuel bottle with a permanent marker every 50 mL. The markings simplified refilling in town. We never ran out of fuel on the trail, nor did we carry much more than needed.
Lighter = Mini Bic Lighter 0.4 oz. The Mini Bic was straightforward and dependable. We used 2 mini lighters in 5.5 months. We were also carrying a few REI stormproof matches as a backup for the lighter (0.3 oz.), but plan to remove this redundancy on our AT and Te Araroa hikes.
Eating Utensil = MSR Collapsible Spoon 0.5 oz. This spoon has everything we desire in a utensil: extra length for stirring a pot or meal pouch, collapsibility for easy storage in a pot, and nonstick-friendly plastic construction. A spoon works for any backpacking meal, whether solid or soupy. This one is light, durable, and just plain awesome.
Pocket Knife = Gerber Paraframe Mini Folding Serrated Knife 1.3 oz. A small knife is handy at meal time to cut cheese and open packages. Occasionally it is helpful for cutting bandages or repairing gear. This knife served us well, but we didn't use it often. We will opt for a smaller, lighter knife on the Appalachian Trail.
Pot Scraper = GSI Outdoors Compact Pot Scraper 0.5 oz. This small spatula without a handle allowed Shutterbug to eat every last bit of food in the pot, more than making up for the scraper's tiny weight. Plus, when he was done, the pot was practically clean.
Food storage = Bearikade Weekender Bear Can 30.6 oz. After a surprise bear problem in the desert of Southern California, we opted to carry a bear can for the remainder of California, Oregon, and Washington. We feel strongly about keeping bears from becoming accustomed to human food, but didn't want the time and hassle of finding a suitable branch to hang our food every night. The Bearikade was an easy solution. Made of carbon fiber with an aluminum top, it is the lightest bear can approved for use in the Sierras. The only minor problem we experienced was that one of the o-rings on the lid lock was getting stiff and needed to be re-greased by the time we reached Canada.
We were so happy with all these lightweight, durable kitchen items that we will be using almost the same setup on the Appalachian Trail. Bon appetit!
Jen #
Hi Anna and Chris! I want to thank you for keeping up with your blog during your trip. I've been following your progress all summer as my husband and I prep for our own hike next year and I've really enjoyed the pace and style (not to mention the pictures) of your journal.
I'm especially glad for this post because I've been wanting to switch to an alcohol stove but haven't been able to find much favorable info on cooking for two with this type of system. It seems like the standalone cat/can stoves have trouble getting a double portion of water to a true boil. We currently use a canister stove and like it a lot for its reliability and fast boil times. However, on the trail I'm sure that we'd end up carrying two canisters to make sure we don't run out before the next resupply point (hoping to avoid the red tape associated with mailing them).
Would you mind giving me a ballpark estimate on how long it takes to boil water for two people for a meal? Did you boil and then add your food, or mix food and water and then boil? We do the latter and steep in a cozy but I'm sure trying to heat food+water increases the boil time.
Thanks for any info you can provide! I look forward to reading about your next adventures!November 27, 2012
email@example.com #
Thanks for carrying on your blog and for these gear reviews. They will certainly help we who follow in your footsteps. Will you be doing a tent review…I am looking at picking up the BA Fly Creek UL2 for 2013 PCT….
Thanks and best wishes as you plan your next adventure…will it be N.Z.?
Armstrong BCNovember 27, 2012
You guys ever think about Freezer Bag Cooking? You replace the boiling and simmering of things like pasta by putting near boiling water in with the pasta in a ziplock freezer bag, then put that in a pouch cozy. This method uses less water than cooking in a pot for the same amount of food, no water for clean up, and overall less fuel. I think it's a better Leave No Trace approach to cooking as well. No dirty kitchen water to leave behind (either dispersed 200 feet from camp and water sources or poured in a sumphole same distance away). The challenge, for me, has been converting typical freezer bag cooking meals into meals with the calories needed by thru hikers. But getting enough calories is always the challenge in our meals, eh?November 28, 2012
peabody3000 #
i think its extremely telling that these hardcore ultralighters, who even forego matches as a firemaking redundancy, prefer to also forego hanging food with nearly weightless equipment vs carrying 4 lbs (2 x 2 lb bearcans) of bear protection. on my trips this year i have intended to tree my food but never gotten around to it, talking myself out of the chore because the altitude or regions are supposedly not bear central. however in my more lucid moments im starting to think that the only realistic way to be truly prepared for bears is to bearcan… hmmmmmmDecember 2, 2012
Scott Bailey #
How long did it take the stove to bring a full pot of water to complete boil – with alcohol and with the ESBIT tablets? In windy conditions ? I have a folding ESBIT V stove w single wall steel cup but have not yet had to use it. O'night bivy use if needed. Thanks for the stove and other reviews.
ALternate bear hang food by using climbing cams from the top of a rock outcrop or boulder crack, an arms lenght down from the top using a locking caribiner with food in OP plastic bag inside an URSACK. I repalced the original URSACK drawstring (too short for tieing in overhand knot and for looping small tree trunks) with a longer one using kevlar cord from West Marine. Lighter than my small size bearicade, but may have to carry both in the future.
AK MikeDecember 9, 2012
I didn't know they were the only approved method for the Sierras! good to know since I have a trip planned out there in a month. Love your blog :)August 22, 2013


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|"The Living Legend"
Larry Zbyszko
Height: 5'11"
Weight: 248 lbs
Hometown: Pittsburgh, PA
|"The Living Legend" Larry Zbyszko has journeyed over 30 years as one of the most controversial and sometimes hated figures in professional wrestling. From his feud with mentor Bruno Sammartino through his numerous title reigns, Zbyszko has always been in the wrestling spotlight. Ironically, one of the greatest rule-breakers of all-time is now regarded as one of the most well-respected competitors to ever step into a ring. Zbyszko's legacy is that of a cunning grappler whose scientific style and arrogant honesty earned him a place in the Hall of Fame as a true legend in the sport of Professional Wrestling.

subset: commoncrawl


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Women walk on the streets while carefully placing their feet in the areas not yet soiled by the stray dogs who rummage through plastic garbage bags that line the streets. Unable to afford niceties of street sweepers, clean engines, or even trash cans, the city instead relies on bright colors, flowers, bustling markets, and the inevitable afternoon downpour to shine through. Even through the thick soup of exhaust belching out from passing buses, the flowing colors of women's clothing can be seen. Like many others, Guatemala is a land of contrasts: beauty enveloped by pollution, tranquil people inhabiting cities filled with chaos, and a culture of stamina that belies the chronic disease and pain suffered by many.
42 hospitals cover the 18,000,000 people that live in Guatemala, a country, it is said, whose economic sector is dominated by money sent by US family members back home. 22 official native languages are recognized that have all descended from the Mayan empire. Family members are accustomed to systems that are slow, inefficient, and racist. The free clinic created at Pop-wuj by Guatemalans with the support from the US is, for some, the only healthcare they receive. Following a circuitous route, the clinic first started as an outreach center that focused on building clean stoves and providing day care for women living in the impoverished countryside. Though established by Guatemalans, the organization (like much of the country) is dependent on US donations and volunteers. In the last decades, US/European volunteers interest in international development waned as interest in medical volunteering rose. Reading the writing on the walls, the organization teamed with local doctors and organized a volunteer clinic that eventually grew to what it is today.
Pop-wuj' clinic is not entirely dissimilar to clinics in the States. Spanish-speaking patients, diabetes, hypertension, poverty and, of course, "one last question" as you are leaving the room. As is the trend in the states, medical records are stored electronically on old Linux machines. Teams of volunteers with varying Spanish skills work with local doctors, one of whom is even the daughter of the founders of the school. Getting things done, in some ways, is even easier than in the states: very little regulation exists for medications and labs can be ordered just by paying for them (no doctors Rx is needed). Not having to worry about insurance companies or copay, billing is non- existent, and deciding which medication to give is as simple as determining which medication is in the stockpile that month. Parasites and worn out joints dominate chief complaints, but with joint replacements being the equivalent of 15 years wage, most walk away with Tylenol. A 3% administrative overhead from all donations keeps things slim on the organization front, but, as it does in every country in the world, perseverance and flexibility are the "recipe for success."
My experience was not limited to clinic. Building stoves with chimneys for women living in one room, one bed, tin-metal walled, multi-children, smoke-filled homes was especially rewarding. As was being a first responder to the inevitable motorcycle accidents that happen in the anarchic streets... twice. Even my teachers sought assistance with us for their skin infections and wives with hypertension.
On the eve of graduation from residency, it is nice to reflect on my training and the blood, sweat and tears I have put into the last three years. Being able to slip from a busy, Spanish-speaking clinic and ER in the states into a busy Spanish- speaking clinic in Guatemala makes me appreciate what the long nights and countless charts have yielded. I look forward to the next adventure and am grateful to those organizations, Family Medicine Education Fund and Pop-wuj, who helped make it happen.


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Memory of My Teacher
8 years ago
Gorgeous! Would love to hear more history (also of what looks like the antique bronze incense burner) if you get a chance... lucky man! Kudos to you and Mr. Marshal, and they look really lovely with your cups in the photo.
Hmmmm, looks really nice ^-^
Thank you Author, that's a Qing replica Bronze incense burner from the forbidden city.
And Welcome Ms. Lin, from the White Rabbit : ) ~T
Very nice, I've been looking for a set recently and haven't found one as nice as yours.
Hope you find them useful. I can't drink tea without these nowadays.


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A real-life tractor beam that can invisibly ensnare and levitate objects has been developed by British scientists.
It uses a 3D "hologram" of high intensity sound rather than space-warping rays and is not quite up to the job of capturing a star ship.
But at the level of targets less than a millimetre across the device created by Bristol and Sussex university researchers performs just like its classic sci-fi counterpart.
Tiny objects can be lifted into the air, moved up-and-down or from side-to-side, and rotated simply by adjusting output of 64 miniature loudspeakers.
Possible applications include moving and assembling delicate electronic components or transporting drug capsules or micro-sized surgical instruments through living tissue.
Professor Sriram Subramanian, from the University of Sussex, co-founder of the sonic technology company Ultrahaptics, said: "In our device we manipulate objects in mid-air and seemingly defy gravity.
"Here we individually control dozens of loudspeakers to tell us an optimal solution to generate an acoustic hologram that can manipulate multiple objects in real-time without contact."
The tractor beam works by surrounding an object with high-pitched, high-intensity sound waves to trap it within an acoustic force field.
Different shaped force fields made of sound were found to function as tractor beams, the scientists reported in the journal Nature Communications.
One resembled a pair of fingers or tweezers, another took the form of a swirling "vortex", and a third enclosed the object in a "cage".
Phd student and lead author Asier Marzo, from the University of Bristol, said: "It was an incredible experience the first time we saw the object held in place by the tractor beam. All my hard work has paid off, it's brilliant."
Colleague Bruce Drinkwater, professor of ultrasonics at Bristol, added: "We all know that sound waves can have a physical effect. But here we have managed to control the sound to a degree never previously achieved."


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Fire Risk Consultancy
Enterprise Fire and Security provides a breadth of building code consultation for a variety of industries. Our goal, of these services, is to help our customers in meeting the operational and architectural requirements for existing and new buildings. Our services are rendered with the intent of all applicable codes and design criteria.
We work closely with the AHJ (Authority having jurisdiction) and develop relationships that are based on professionalism and mutual trust. Managing these relationships strengthens our ability to identify and correct potential code issues long before they can become possible barriers to successful and timely completion of a project design.


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PLEASANTVILLE, N.Y. -- St. John's Episcopal Church in Pleasantville has been recommended by Gov. Andrew Cuomo to be included in the National Registers of Historic Places, according to The Examiner.
Built in 1912, the church expresses "early twentieth century Gothic Revival-style ecclesiastical architecture" wrote William Krattinger, a Historic Preservation program analyst for New York State in an April letter, said the report.
The 8 Sunnyside Ave. church and rectory apparently meet the qualifications to be included on the registers, said The Examiner.
Architect Charles Hoag designed the church whose Gothic Revival design is central to its status in history, said the report.
Among historic events there, was the 1928 marriage of the King of Sweden's nephew, said The Examiner.
"St. John's Episcopal Church has been a treasured landmark in Pleasantville since the turn of the 20th century," Pleasantville Mayor Peter Scherer said in a press release, according to The Examiner.
To read The Examiner article, click here.
Click here to sign up for Daily Voice's free daily emails and news alerts.


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Valentine's Day Style Shoot with puppies!
To celebrate Valentine's Day, we partnered with the local Nashville Cavaliers group to give them an epic "Caventine's Day Pawty." It was only fitting that this luxury wedding planner would host some luxury dogs to a luxury party complete with homemade desserts, selfie station, water bar and a kissing booth.
The dessert bar for humans included old-school valentine candy, tea sandwiches, and hand-painted pink Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and red sparkly lips sugar cookies. Pink lemonade, lemon water, rosé wine, and mini champagne cans were part of the beverage station.
There were two mini farm tables with mini cross-back chairs provided by Southern Events; each tablescape decked out with garlands, pink and red flowers, and floral centerpieces with valentine's dog bones, bacon treats, dog toys, red and white bones and old school conversation hearts as décor around the tulips and roses.
Place settings included pink and white heart-shaped plates, pre-set with mini bone and bacon appetizers, coordinating red and pink mini mason jars with patterned red and pink paper straws served as a universal glass. Enchanted Florist even decorated each little chair with mini garlands, pink and red ribbons & flowers.
The water station was set up around a huge old tree with ten red heart-shaped bowls filled with organic water. ;) All the pups wanted a chance to sit behind the handmade kissing booth and there was lots of kissing going on! The selfie station had fun heart-shaped headbands, heart-shaped rhinestone sunglasses and gorgeous collars with fresh spray roses and pink and red ribbons.
Enchanted Florist - florals | Mandy Whitley Photography - photos | KLassey Productions - video | Southern Events - rentals | Triple Crown Bakery – human desserts | Three Dog Bakery – dog desserts


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This page describes Pixel Grouping, an algorithm for Bayer color-filter array (CFA) demosaicing that I developed and implemented on April 3rd, 2003. I rewrote this article in June 2010, but the algorithm and the discussion still reflect my understanding of the subject in 2003. I am sure others have come up with better algorithms in the many years since the inception of Pixel Grouping, and you should keep in mind that this article in no way represents the current state of the art.
Digital cameras see things differently than we do. To capture color images, many digital cameras use a color-filter array, which allows different photo sensors to capture light of different colors. Unfortunately, every sensor can capture only light of one specific color, so the image that the camera sees is incomplete (illustrated below, click to see at 300% magnification).
The goal of a demosaic algorithm is to reconstruct a full-colored image from these partial results.
Algorithm Description
I designed Pixel Grouping by combining the designs of previous demosaic algorithms. If you already know Variable Number of Gradients and Linear Color Correction I, then Pixel Grouping should be pretty easy to understand. Even if you have never seen a demosaic algorithm before, the description should (hopefully) be clear enough so that you can follow it without much difficulty.
Algorithm Input
The input below illustrates the data produced from a Bayer color filter array, which I will use to specify the behavior of the Pixel Grouping algorithm. The input provides one color value at each pixel. For example, at pixel #8, only the Green value is known, and the Red and Blue values are unknown. At pixel #13, only the Red value is known, and the Green and Blue values are unknown. The goal of Pixel Grouping is to compute those unknown values, which are missing from the input data.
Computing Green Values
Pixel Grouping works in two phases. First, it computes all the unknown Green values. Then, it uses the input data, along with the Green values computed in the first phase, to compute all the missing Red and Blue values. I now use the (unknown) G13 value as an example to illustrate how Pixel Grouping computes an unknown Green value.
To compute the Green value G13, Pixel Grouping first estimates the luminance gradients (ΔN, ΔE, ΔW, ΔS) in the four directions (North, East, West, South) from pixel #13.
The vertical bars denote the operator for computing an absolute value. For example, | −3 | = | 3 | = 3. Compare the four gradient estimates; the formula for G13 depends on which gradient is the smallest.
The algorithm for computing the Green value at a Blue pixel is analogous.
Computing Red and Blue Values at Green Pixels
I now use the (unknown) B8 and R8 values (both at pixel #8) to illustrate how Pixel Grouping computes unknown Red and Blue values at a Green pixel. The computation uses an auxiliary function called hue_transit, which I define as follows:
The hue_transit function returns different values depending on if the l1, l2, and l3 values indicate a slope (then branch), a ridge (else branch), or a valley (else branch). Pixel Grouping uses hue_transit to compute B8 and R8 as follows:
Computing Blue Values at Red Pixels
I now use the (unknown) B13 value at pixel #13 to illustrate how Pixel Grouping computes an unknown Blue value at a Red pixel. First, estimate the luminance gradients in the NE−SW direction and in the NW−SE direction as follows:
Compare the two gradient estimates; the formula for B13 depends on which gradient is the smaller.
Computing Red Values at Blue Pixels
Pixel Grouping computes a Red value at a Blue pixel with the same algorithm that it computes a Blue value at a Red pixel, so I will not repeat the description here.
I performed a very rough evaluation, which applies Pixel Grouping to a test image and compares the results with the output from two other demosaic algorithms.
Click on the image to see the image crops at 300% magnification.
I designed Pixel Grouping specifically to process artificial scenes with large areas of uniform colors that are separated by clear boundaries, such as the first four scenes in the evaluation. As a result, Pixel Grouping works best with images of printed matter or manufactured objects that does not have too much fine-grained texture. Below, I discuss three types of artifacts that are present in the evaluation images.
The zipper artifact (shown above) affects Variable Number of Gradients and Linear Color Correction I. This artifact does not affect Pixel Grouping. The zipper artifact is caused by inconsistencies between different parts of a demosaic algorithm. If an algorithm computes unknown values at Green pixels in a way that is inconsistent with how it computes unknown values at Red and Blue pixels, the output image will contain residual structures from the Bayer color-filter array pattern.
The isolated-dots artifact (shown above) affects Variable Number of Gradients and Linear Color Correction I. This artifact does not affect Pixel Grouping. The isolated-dots artifact is caused by misguided efforts of an algorithm to produce sharp edges, which can overcompensate and produce bright (or dark) dots at the other side of a sharp edge.
Note that this list of three artifacts is by no means exhaustive, and it is probably unavoidable that every demosaic algorithm will produce some artifact in some specific circumstances. Hopefully, with more research, new demosaic algorithms will produce fewer artifacts in common images, or change the nature of the artifacts so that they are less visible to the human eye.
Wikipedia has excellent articles on color-filter arrays and demosaicing.
ImageCooker is a RAW image processing program for Konica Minolta digital cameras.
The reference implementation of Pixel Grouping is a patch to ImageCooker v0.3.
I released the reference implementation under the GNU General Public License Version 2.
I want to thank Ting Chen for his survey of demosaicing algorithms, which introduced me to the field. The survey, unfortunately, seems to have disappeared from the web (as of June 2010). I would like to thank Jeremy Rosenberger for developing ImageCooker and releasing it under an open source license. His clean and well-organized style of programming allowed me to develop the reference implementation of Pixel Grouping in a very short amount of time. Dalibor Jelínek provided lots of technical assistance, and his analysis of Pixel Grouping helped me understand how it behaves in many different situations. Finally, I must thank my parents for buying me a DiMAGE 7i digital camera. Without that camera, none of this would have happened in the first place.


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Jake Knapp presents "Gmail Priority Inbox: Behind the scenes"
The user interface for Priority Inbox isn't complicated, but user experience designers and researchers played a major - and sometimes unusual - role in its development.
Google designer Jake Knapp will tell the behind the scenes story from the beginnings as one engineer's 20% project through public launch. He'll show videos used to pitch the concept inside Google, talk about Thanksgiving in Switzerland, and describe how he put 200 Googlers through a month of hell.
Come early (6:30-7) to grab a bite to eat (free food!) and visit with your colleagues.
Here are the details:
6:30 - 7 pm Social and light refreshments
7 - 7:15 pm Announcements and updates
7:15 - 8:15 pm Presentation
Jake Knapp has been at Google for 3+ years as an interaction designer and more recently UX manager. He's worked in the Seattle, Kirkland, and Zurich, Switzerland offices on projects such as Gmail, Google Talk and Google Voice. Before coming to Google, Jake grew up on Orcas Island, Washington, went to the UW, and worked at Oakley and Microsoft. He is currently among the world's tallest interaction designers.
Location Info:
You can park in the C1-C5 garage. The entrance is through Gate 1, at 15th and 41st.


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Mac Miller & Pharrell – GlowAugust 7th, 2012 by @E_Wish1 | Hip-Hop/Rap |
Mac Miller & Pharrell get together to release a new track called "Glow" which is off their upcoming EP they are collaborating on called Pink Slime. In all honesty, Mac Miller is getting lazier by the minute. He just does not seem to care anymore and though Pharrell did an awesome job with the instrumentals, it wasn't enough for it to be a good track.


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If you currently have an iPhone or Android with 3G connectivity you most likely have considered an upgrade to a 4G device at some point recently. As broadband data consumers we are always seeking and sucking up additional bandwidth with new apps and video downloads. Unfortunately as we consume more data resource we will pay more. How much more? Well many 4G users today are already bumping up against those 1 or 2-gigabyte data caps your carrier (Verizon) has imposed on your data plan.
According to the latest annual Visual Networking Index recently released by Cisco, the average American will use 6.2 GB of data on their mobile devices each month in 2017. Compare that number to the average of 752 MB used by Americans last year. That represents a 724% increase in monthly bandwidth in roughly a four year span of time. How does this increase in bandwidth usage effect monthly data plan pricing? In five years the average user's smartphone bill could grow by $40 a month.
We recently reported on how the global growth of mobile device usage may cripple the wireless airwaves as available bandwidth from the wireless network carriers will eventually reach saturation unless the FCC takes drastic steps to increase supply.
Another report in 2012 by Cisco expands upon these findings. They project mobile cloud traffic to account for 71%, or 7.6 Exabytes per Month, of total mobile data traffic by 2016. Compare this to the current number of 45%, or 269 Petabytes per month in 2011 and you can easily visualize the eventual wireless saturation scenario.
According to the 2012 Cisco Visual Networking Index report, the global worldwide mobile data traffic will increase 18-fold over the next five years, reaching 10.8 exabytes per month or an annual rate of 130 exabytes by 2016.
The expected sharp increase in mobile traffic is due largely to a projected increase in the number of mobile Internet - connected devices, which will exceed the number of people on earth (2016 world population estimate of 7.3 billion according to the UN). During 2011−2016 Cisco anticipates that global mobile data traffic will outgrow global fixed data traffic by three times.
The deployment of 4G technology allows for very fast wireless networks from all four of the major carriers. These new networks are projected to provide for the bulk of the primary data bandwidth usage by consumers.
4G networks are capable of speeds comparable to your home broadband service, and it's roughly 10 times faster than 3G. By 2017, Cisco predicts that the average smartphone connection speed will grow more than three-fold.
The concept of latent demand teaches us that the faster the wireless connection, the more bandwidth users will consume on their mobile devices. Assets such as large video files will be the primary driver behind the download explosion, according to Cisco. Additionally, streaming video services such as Netflix, Hulu and YouTube are expected make up approximately 66% of downloads in five years.
The number of 4G devices in use today is relatively small. Only about 1% of devices were connected to 4G networks in 2012 last year. Interestingly those smartphones and tablets accounted for 14% of global mobile traffic.
By 2017, Cisco estimates that 10% of the world's devices will have 4G connections, and they will make up almost half of all traffic.
Who will pay?
You can bet it will not be the network providers. They will pass the costs along to their subscribers. After all the more consumers use the more they pay and this leads to more revenue for companies like Verizon.
Today's mobile-data-per-user average is beneath the entry-level 1 GB data tier that Verizon has put in place and well under the 3 GB tier that AT&T offers. If the Cisco projections are accurate then we all will be consuming 6.2 GB-per-month on average in five years. At current rates Verizon and AT&T customers would have to pay $40 a month more for their data plans. Currently, Sprint and T-Mobile continue to offer unlimited data service for mobile customers.
American mobile customers offloaded half of their traffic to Wi-Fi networks last year. The prospect of paying more has forced customers to think twice about when they need to use a 3G or 4G network.
By 2017, Cisco forecasts that 66% of smartphone and tablet traffic will be over Wi-Fi. So that may be a way for consumers to keep watching Netflix on their phone or tablet without paying steep fees to their carrier.
This significant level of traffic growth and service penetration is driven by a number of factors according to Cisco's 2012 report, including:
An increasing number of devices: The proliferation of tablets, mobile phones, and other smart devices as well as machine-to-machine (M2M) connections are driving up the demand for connectivity. By 2016, the forecast projects there will be nearly 18.9 billion network connections―almost 2.5 connections for each person on earth, ― compared with 10.3 billion in 2011
More Internet users: By 2016, there are expected to be 3.4 billion Internet users ― about 45 percent of the world's projected population according to United Nations estimates.
Faster broadband speeds: The average fixed broadband speed is expected to increase nearly fourfold, from 9 megabits per second (Mbps) in 2011 to 34 Mbps in 2016.
More video: By 2016, 1.2 million video minutes―the equivalent of 833 days (or over two years) ―would travel the Internet every second.
Wi-Fi growth: By 2016, over half of the world's Internet traffic is expected to come from Wi-Fi connections.
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I woke up too early this morning. The sound of bottles crashing into bins mingling with the chattering, laughing, yelling and taxi horns from the street below. Nasty cramps in the abdomen. A stray spousal knee in the back.
So I got up. Made tea. Turned on the computer. Surfed the the knitting news in my feed reader. Jeremy woke up soon after and has been keeping me company, giving me updates on his progress in Minecraft, showing me the creatures he comes across and the structures he is creating.
I read posts by RoseRed, Bells and 2Paw, and various blogs I have listed together as 'Global Knitblogs'. I saw socks, flowers, poached eggs, beachy fun, amazing muffins, and a crochet pattern to make me dream of making a rug.
And this! So fun!!
I haven't gotten any knitting done, but I've had a nicer start to the morning than I thought it was going to be when I got up before 6am.
Now I'm going to freshen the teapot, make toast with some of Craig's fabulous fresh bread, and maybe catch up on some knitting podcasts while tackling the next stripe on my Tempest.
Oh, and I should find some purple yarn (that'll be difficult in my house, won't it???) to make a fish for Irene at work – a Piscean who loves all things violaceous as much as I do 🙂
I have a busy Sunday ahead of me….


text: "The first and utmost step that needs to be taken, demonstrating our support for professional drivers, is guaranteeing their SAFETY while on the road." The North American Trucker Alert App has been meticulously designed to take every possible facet of driver safety into consideration and will be made available as a FREE download to everyone. We will be offering individuals who download the app a free 1 year membership to the North American Trucking Alerts Organization ( optional). In addition, as part of the membership to the North American Trucking Alerts, vital updates will be sent to each member via email. Companies and Organizations who wish to be a part of the North American Trucking Alerts organization and would like to take the pledge to further support drivers, are encouraged to do so. The Vital Need In order for a truck driver to make a living over the road, the efficient use of their time is imperative to be able to safely and effectively secure the delivery of their loads. Considering the distance that drivers cover, it is essential that they use their time on the road efficiently, increasing their ability to get their load delivered safely as well as meet their scheduled appointments. This is vital to both the driver and the carrier since both depend and benefit financially when planning runs smoothly. While there are a majority of drivers who prepare in proper planning as they leave to make their next run, the ever-changing conditions of the road can become an unknown factor. Situations created by inclement weather, road construction, accidents, detours from road closures, etc., can all add up to a major delay for the drivers ability to meet their on-time delivery schedule. To be able to receive notifications concerning potential delays along the route they are traveling, is invaluable as it enables the driver to make crucial changes in his or her trip planning. Even during the times when conditions on the road are favorable, there are also considerations for stops which are needed to be made, whether it be for fuel, food, or the need to rest. Being able to find the availability or needs such as these, all from the convenience of the truck cab, can also be a time saver from out on the road. The truck driver is key to moving all freight and eventually responsible for getting the goods to market. It is well known that there are times when a driver falls into distress, whether it be medical, personal, or whatever the case may be. Since the trucking community is known to rise to the occasion when an emergency situation occurs, affecting one of its own, notices can now be easily and effectively sent out to notify other drivers that there is a driver crisis and that assistance is needed. Another aspect that becomes a major consideration is that the truck driver is not only hauling freight for a company, but there is also the personal side of a driver, where family and friends are concerned. Direct communication can be lost for any number of reasons, so the ability to track and locate, not just the driver, but the equipment and goods as well, also meets a very large need within the industry. With the ability of modern technology to be able to track and locate all involved, will provide peace of mind for those that depend on the driver arriving safely. This is the goal that our trucker alerts app is looking to fulfill. This will be achieved by incorporating a massive network of unity through Social Media and an extensive list of features on the much needed Trucker Alert App. Just a few of the features included in the Trucker Alerts App will be: 1 – Distressed Trucker Alerts – Aiding law enforcement to locate drivers who are in distress. Many time these drivers are found ill, broke down, or sadly enough, deceased in their trucks 2 – Missing Trailer Alerts- Aiding law enforcement to locate trailers that have been reported missing. 3 – Accident Alerts- Warn drivers of possible detours or dangerous roads ahead. 4 – Low Bridge locations 5 – Weather Alerts- Warn drivers of severe weather warning such as storms and tornadoes which have taken the lives of many. 6 – Truck Stop Locations – Safe parking at truck stops and rest areas 7 – Motels with SEMI truck parking 8 – Emergency #'s and links to OSHA, Dept of Labor and other related organizations 9 – Truck Breakdown Assistance 10 – Resources for Trucking Services North American Trucker Alerts


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Friday, 25 January 2013
Snow bows!
These gorgeous silver glitter and white tipped bows are from Rebel Nails and feature in their new range of 3D textured nail wraps, £7.99. The bows stand out and catch the light and last at least a week for me (which is good considering the amount of hand washing you have to do with a baby!). These don't require any heat either, so just apply to clean nails and file off the excess at the tip.
What do you think of nail wraps, have you tried them? If you'd like to try them, leave a comment and I'll pick someone to send some of my personal stash to try for themselves - whether you've tried them or not!
Posted by OxfordJasmine at 12:35 10 comments:
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LG G2 First In Android Developers' Device Loaner Program
LG is launching a new device loaner program that will directly benefit developers around the world.
LG announced today that the LG G2 will be the first phone to be loaned out to developers via the program, with attendees of last week's LG Android Developers' event in San Francisco got a peek at LG's newly released SDK and learn about LG's Android Developers's Program.
Developers interested in signing up for the LG G2 loaner program must complete a simple three-step process which includes registering on the LG Device Loaner Program website, complete an order form and then return the device after the 30-day loan period is exhausted. The program is free of charge, with developers only footing the bill for return shipping of the device.
Press release follows below.
LG Electronics Launches Android Developers' Device Loaner Program, Beginning With LG G2
New LG Program Gives Android Developers What They Want: New SDKs, the Latest and Greatest Devices for Loan, and Easy Access to LG Tools and Support
SAN FRANCISCO, Nov. 4, 2013 /PRNewswire/ — LG Electronics, the maker of LG G2 and Nexus 5 smartphones, is expanding its LG Android Developers' Program with a new device loaner program that officially launches today.
(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20131104/LA10133-a)
(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20131104/LA10133-b)
The loaner program was previewed at last week's LG Android Developers' VIP event in San Francisco, where a new software development kit (SDK), the LG QRemote SDK, was officially introduced.
The hundreds of developers who attended the LG Android Developers' Workshop had the opportunity to experience the award-winning new LG G2 superphone, check out the LG QRemote SDK and learn more about the overall LG Android Developers' Program.
"When multiple developers followed up after the event, thanking LG for 'doing it right,' we know we're giving them what they want," said Cecilia Son, LG's head of mobile developer relations in North America. "By providing the Android developer community with a new SDK and the latest LG devices to test their apps on, we're living up to our brand promise, 'with LG, it's all possible.' We're giving them the tools to help inspire some great new apps — ones we expect to see on the LG App Store very soon."
The new LG Device Loaner Program for Android developers consists of a simple three-step process: registration on the LG Device Loaner Program website (http://goo.gl/Xa7A3L), completion of a brief order form designating the desired LG device, and return shipping at the conclusion of the 30-day loan period. The LG device loaner program is provided free of charge to the developer community, with the exception of return shipping costs that are covered by the developer.
Supporting the hot new flagship LG G2 superphone and other LG Android devices, the new LG QRemote SDK (http://developer.lge.com) contains the library, documentation and sample codes that enable developers to create their QuickRemote apps to control multiple electronic devices such as TVs, cable set-top-boxes and audio systems, and even air conditioners. This SDK provides developers with open apps necessary to develop IR (infrared) remote sensor-enabled applications.
Developers can create the customized IR remote control apps for certain groups of people such as children or seniors and also add a macro button that enables both TV and cable set-top-box to power on with just one click.
The LG G2 — available on all major U.S. carrier networks — offers a perfect blend of intuitive design, intelligent features and powerful software that empowers consumers to make the most out of their desired smartphone experience. With user-friendly LG features like QuickRemote, owners can easily use G2 as a remote control for TVs, appliances and other devices.
The LG G2 is a stylish and pocket-friendly device with a super-slim body for comfortable one-hand gripping and an expansive 5.2-inch Full HD IPS display delivering near edge-to-edge viewing. For the personal photo enthusiast, LG G2 is equipped with a unique rear-key that makes snapping selfies easier than ever and an impressive 13 megapixel Full HD camera with Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) for ensuring every close up is blur-free without having to pause when in motion.
For more ideas about how LG G2 can make your smartphone experience a little more interesting and for pricing and availability information, visit www.lg.com/us/mobile-phones/g2.
About LG Electronics USA
LG Electronics USA, Inc., based in Englewood Cliffs, N.J., is the North American subsidiary of LG Electronics, Inc., a $45 billion global force and technology leader in consumer electronics, home appliances and mobile communications. In the United States, LG Electronics sells a range of stylish and innovative mobile phones, home entertainment products, home appliances, and air conditioning systems and energy solutions, all under LG's "Life's Good" marketing theme. LG Electronics is a 2013 ENERGY STAR® Partner of the Year. For more information, please visit www.lg.com.
The post LG G2 First In Android Developers' Device Loaner Program appeared first on IntoMobile.
LG G2 First In Android Developers' Device Loaner Program originally appeared on IntoMobile.com on 2013-11-04T22:32:25Z. FV1gMYsz9b5j


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About Atomizers
The atomizer is one of the most crucial parts of your device. It is the part of your e-cig or vape mod that heats up the eliquid and turns it into the vapor you love. It does this by heating a small coil that is touching the filler material containing the eliquid. Atomizers can get quite hot when in use. Please use caution when handling them immediately after vaping.
There are many types of vape atomizers in the industry today. Most people decide to go with a cartomizer, which is a cartridge with a built-in atomizer. Even with cartomizers, there can be top-coil, bottom-coil, dual-coil, horizontal, and vertical coil atomizers depending on your preference. Even with all these options available, the atomizer, no matter if it is built into a cartomizer or in a stand-alone design, most still function basically the same way by using a heating element to vaporize the eliquid.
What is "primer fluid"?
That weird taste you may have received when first puffing on your e-cig is caused by a clear, unflavored coat of propylene glycol, vegetable glycerin or a combination of the two. This is due to atomizer manufacturers soaking their wicks during the production process. This coat prevents an atomizer from being puffed on dry, which can scorch the wick and lead to it developing a permanent harsh after taste. The more you use your atomizer, the fast the primer is replaced by your own eliquid.
Do I have to maintain or clean the atomizer?
Maintenance and cleaning of your atomizer is important. Although some people clean their devices on a daily basis, we recommend doing so on a weekly to bi-weekly basis. Cleaning the device can usually be done with a few cotton swabs and some water or grain alcohol, gently removing and excess eliquid that has spilled about.
What is the longevity of the atomizer?
There are many different types of atomizers for vapes in the industry today, but atomizers are not meant to last forever and will burn up. The time atomizers last can vary greatly, from 3 months to just a couple of weeks. Proper care and maintenance of your atomizer will increase its lifespan greatly.
A method of vaping that has grown in popularity over the last year is something called dripping. Dripping is a pretty self-explanatory method of vaping where you can drip the eliquid directly into the atomizer. This method bypasses the cartridge or the tank completely. There are some benefits as well as drawbacks to this method.
The most decisive reason for using this method is the better taste and flavor of the eliquid. If your atomizer is new or properly cleaned, the flavor of the eliquid is much more vibrant when dripping. The eliquid is not allowed to sit in a tank for long periods of time and doesn't have the ability to mix with older eliquids still stuck in your device. The entire amount of eliquid that drips into the atomizer this way is burned up completely. .
The biggest drawback to the dripping method is the inconvenience. With the dripping method you do not have the ability to just pull your device out and start vaping. The dripping method requires time to setup each time you want to vape, not to mention it can be very messy. Please use caution when drip vaping as eliquids can contain nicotine that may soak through your skin if you are not wearing safety gloves.
Present Day Uses
Today, the dripping method is becoming more popular even with the inconveniences it causes. For the vapers who are extremely concerned with getting the best taste possible, dripping is the only way to go. Typically vapers who prefer the dripping method will also create their own unique flavors of e-juice and will normally rebuild their atomizers instead of buying new ones. The vaping market has taken noticed and have created devices specifically for dripping.


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Normani Kordei Of Fifth Harmony Announces New Diversity Role With The Cybersmile Foundation
Normani will be integral to Cybersmile's diversity and inclusion initiatives, ensuring that everybody gets the chance to enjoy the benefits of our new connected world without fear of threats and abuse.
Normani Kordei of all girl super-group Fifth Harmony, announced today her new role as Diversity Ambassador with international non-profit organization The Cybersmile Foundation. The new role of Diversity Ambassador will see Normani impact on various aspects of serious online hate including racist, religion and gender based abuse among many others.
"Everybody at Cybersmile is delighted to welcome Normani as our official Diversity Ambassador, to have somebody with real life experience of the damage online abuse can do combined with a determination to make a real difference makes her involvement a dream come true for us. We're all very excited to start working together."
Scott Freeman, CEO, The Cybersmile Foundation
Normani's decision to commit to the role follows a period of appalling racial abuse she received on various social media platforms, prompting her to take a break from Twitter and to stop and block all comments and IM's on her Instagram. Determined to use her personal experiences to help and inspire others, Normani will be integral to the further development of Cybersmile's global diversity and inclusion initiative which was announced at the beginning of 2015 in partnership with the Intel Corporation.
"Unfortunately there is a lot of abuse and negativity online, by working with Cybersmile I want to raise awareness of the support that is available to people affected while playing my part in contributing to a kinder and more positive internet for everybody. I am making this announcement on my Twitter as a statement to never let anyone run you away! No one has the right to make where you go or what you do uncomfortable. It's important to stand up to all forms of bullying and it's even more important for those who are around you to be just as courageous and stand with you! Together, we can put an end to the hate and promote only positivity and love #POSITIVITY."
Normani Kordei, Diversity Ambassador, The Cybersmile Foundation
As you can probably imagine we are absolutely buzzing at Cybersmile HQ and are already putting the wheels in motion for some amazing plans – we will obviously keep you posted on any developments! If you are affected by any online negativity WE CAN HELP! Check out our cyberbullying and online abuse help center or alternatively you can explore the different ways we can help you in our total access support section. For further information about Cybersmile and the work we do, please explore the following suggestions.
- Who Are Cybersmile?
- Official Online Store
- Cybersmile To Form Part Of New Twitter Trust And Safety Council
- Community Forum
- Official Cybersmile Ambassadors
- Teenagers Guide To Cyberbullying
- Get Involved With Cybersmile
- People We've Helped!
- Corporate Partnership Program
- Become A Cybersmile Sustainer
If you are as excited as we are, tell us now by tweeting us @CybersmileHQ!


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The leading organisations trust us in training their top performers because we understand that in order to run a successful and profitable business, staff must be motivated, innovative and inspired.
The experience we have you will be looking for a rewarding, fun day out or a tailored, facilitated team building day with tangible results.
We can help you:
- Build high performance teams
- Implement continual improvement processes
- Reduce interpersonal conflict
- Improve customer satisfaction
- Team building is a critical step in the continual improvement process and we can help you make that critical step simply, and effectively.


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Compiled by Joe Southern
The Sugar Land Skeeters won a dramatic 10-inning game 8-6 Friday night to give them a sweep of the York Revolution in the Atlantic League Freedom Division Series and advancing them to the championship series for the second time in three years.
"I'd like to say that I'm extremely proud of my team and how they have fought really hard to get to this place and they are totally deserving of this accomplishment," Manager Gary Gaetti said. "We have had many ups and downs but have stayed positive and pulled together through it all. They have exhibited an excellent team spirit and real professionalism in their trade and have represented the Atlantic League and the City of Sugar Land in an outstanding manner.
"Although we have accomplished much, we know that we still have more work to do, and a very tough opponent to face in the Long Island Ducks for the title of champions of the Atlantic League. I believe that we are healthy and ready for the task and if we play good fundamental baseball and play it to our potential, then we will bring the trophy to Sugar Land for our first of many championship titles," Gaetti said.
The Skeeters will host Liberty Division champion Long Island Ducks Tuesday and Wednesday before travelling to Long Island for the remainder of the series. The games start at 7:05 p.m. at Constellation Field. Tickets can be purchased by calling the TDECU Ticket Office at 281-240-4487, visiting the ticket office at Constellation Field or online at ticketreturn.com.
In the team's five-year history the Skeeters have made the playoffs three times. The Somerset Patriots swept them in the 2013 divisional series. In 2014, the Skeeters beat York for the division but were swept in the championship series by the Lancaster Barnstormers.
Game 3 – The Skeeters struck first in the top of the second with a solo shot from Lance Zawadzki., York responded in the bottom of the fourth with a two-run shot from Bryan Pounds, bringing Andres Perez across the plate and giving York a 2-1 lead over the Skeeters going into the fifth. Following walks from Juan Martinez and Josh Prince in the top of the fifth, an error by catcher Isaias Tejeda allowed Martinez to advance to third. Rene Tosoni then reached first on a fielder's choice, bringing Martinez across the plate to tie the game up 2-2.
The Skeeters surged ahead in the top of the sixth following a two-out grand slam from Prince, giving the Skeeters a 6-2 lead over York. York promptly cut the Skeeters' lead to two runs with a two-run shot from Kevin Rivers in the bottom of the sixth.
The Skeeters maintained a 6-4 lead until the bottom of the ninth, with Joel Guzman's bases-loaded single to left field scored Michael Rockett and Josh Wilson, tying the game 6-6 and forcing extra innings.
The top of the tenth brought in two more runs for the Skeeters, with a bases-loaded walk to Prince scoring Wilfredo Rodriguez and a wild pitch to Tosoni bringing Jeff Dominguez across the plate, giving the Skeeters an 8-6 lead that would ultimately lead to a third consecutive win over York and advancement to the Atlantic League Championship Series. Ryan Mattheus earned his third win and Mike DeMark his first loss.
Game 2 – The Sugar Land Skeeters defeated York Revolution 10-9 in Game 2 on Wednesday night to take a 2-0 lead in the Atlantic League Freedom Division Series. The Skeeters will hit the road to face York in an elimination game on Friday.
The Revolution offense showed out early as they quickly got out to a 7-0 lead that began with Kevin Rivers' two-run single in the 1st. Andres Perez pushed five more runs across with a grand slam in the 2nd and an RBI single in the 4th.
The Skeeters charged back with a huge eight run 5th inning that began with Josh Prince' two-run single. Rene Tosoni added a run with a sac-fly RBI that cut the deficit to 7-3 with two outs. The Skeeter continued to rally as Travis Scott followed Tosoni up with a double down the first base line that plated two more runs. Scott would later score on an error by Revolution third baseman Bryan Pounds that made it 7-6. Wilfredo Rodriguez tied it back up with an RBI single and the Skeeters then took an 8-7 lead on an RBI single from Jeff Dominguez.
Bryan Pounds made up for his error with a two-run homer in the 7th that put the Revolution back up 9-8. The Skeeters wouldn't go away though as Rene Tosoni's two-run dinger in the 8th gave Sugar Land a 10-9 lead. Derrick Loop picked up his 2nd save of the series after a short umpire review on Brandon Chaves' slide that helped break up a double play. Chaves' slide was ruled legal and both teams resumed play. Loop got Bryan Pounds to fly out to right for the final out of the game.
Game 1 – The Sugar Land Skeeters defeated York Revolution 7-5 in Game 1 of the Atlantic League Freedom Division Series on Tuesday night.
With the victory, the Skeeters are now 4-0 against York in postseason play, having swept them in the 2014 divisional series.
The Revolution took a 1-0 lead in the 2nd on Travis Witherspoon's RBI single. Rene Tosoni tied it back up in the bottom of the 3rd with a sacrifice fly that scored Juan Martinez. Wilfredo Rodriguez put the Skeeters on top in the 4th with a two-run homer that made it 3-1.
Kevin Rivers cut the deficit to 3-2 with his solo homer in the 5th. Delwyn Young responded in the bottom half of the inning with an RBI single that scored Jeremy Barfield to make it a 4-2 ballgame.
The Revolution went back up 5-4 with Travis Witherspoon's RBI single and Kevin Rivers' two-run single. With two outs in the 7th, the Skeeters took a 6-5 lead after a throwing error by Revolution third baseman Bryan Pounds allowed two runs to score. Juan Martinez tacked on an insurance run with a solo shot in the 8th. Derrick Loop ran into some trouble but managed to get Michael Rockett to ground into a double play to record his 1st save of the postseason.


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The biggest U.S. drought in half a century is devastating farms across the Midwest. Crops are wilting. Food prices are set to rise. Under the circumstances, does it still make sense for the government to divert a hefty portion of the nation's corn output into making fuel?
Some groups are starting to ask exactly that question. This week, a coalition of U.S. meat and poultry producers called on the Environmental Protection Agency to relax its corn-ethanol program for one year. The producers argued that the heavy use of corn for fuel is driving crop prices even higher at the worst possible moment. (The EPA denied a similar request from Texas Gov. Rick Perry in 2008.)
"America's pork producers are extremely worried, given the drought affecting much of the corn-growing regions, about having feed for their animals," said Randy Spronk, president of the National Pork Producers' Council, in a statement.
It's not hard to see why they're worried: Under the EPA's Renewable Fuel Standard, U.S. refineries are required to blend their gasoline with a certain percentage of biofuel each year. The rule has helped the United States reduce its dependence on oil. But it also requires a lot of corn. In 2012, the standard will require 13.2 billion gallons of ethanol, which could consume as much as 40 percent of this year's already shrunken corn crop.
Meat and poultry producers get hit especially hard when the price of corn and animal feed rises. Many livestock producers have to respond by culling their herds to stem losses. In the short term, that leads to a drop in meat prices, which squeezes the industry's profits further. Only after a delay do meat and poultry prices start to leap upward.
Yet corn growers and ethanol producers say it's too soon to panic. "With the crop still in the field, it is too early to determine this year's final corn supply," said Garry Niemeyer, president of the National Corn Grower's Association, replying to the petition. What's more, Niemeyer noted, the ethanol industry has a surplus of fuel right now, which can help offset the impact of the drought. Under the EPA's program, ethanol producers can carry over credits from year to year, giving them some flexibility to deal with shortages.
By and large, corn farmers benefit from the ethanol mandate during shortages, says Michael Roberts, an agricultural economist at North Carolina State University. Because the demand for corn stays so elevated, the price tends to rise high enough that it offsets the losses farmers suffer from reduced crop harvests. "It's ironic, but corn farmers could actually benefit from the drought," Roberts says.
The real pain, by contrast, could be borne by the rest of the world. The United States is one of the world's biggest suppliers of corn, accounting for some 60 percent of global exports. A recent modeling study by the New England Complex Systems Institute (NECSI) found that the ethanol mandate, coupled with the drought and market speculation, could soon push global food prices up to levels last seen in 2008, when food riots erupted in countries from Egypt to Haiti. "Reducing the amount of corn that is being converted to ethanol may address the immediate crisis," concluded NECSI.
Other experts, however, aren't convinced that the effects of relaxing the mandate would be quite so dramatic. A recent study by Bruce Babcock of Iowa State University found that completely waiving the renewable fuel standard for one year would reduce corn prices just 4.6 percent. That could provide a small boon to the U.S. livestock industry—providing a benefit of about $1 billion, by one estimate—but it's unclear whether it would be enough stem a possible food crisis overseas.
Regardless of the numbers, biofuels mandates are coming under increasing scrutiny. Last year, the World Trade Organization called on governments to pare back their ethanol laws, saying that they had increased food volatility around the world. Some scientists have argued that corn-based ethanol can actually be worse for the environment than gasoline if producing it indirectly leads to deforestation. (Advanced biofuels made from non-foodstuffs, such as algae, are still not yet viable, though they're the focus of a great deal of research.)
And some members of Congress have criticized government support for ethanol as an outdated form of corporate welfare. Last year, for the first time in three decades, Congress allowed a tax credit for ethanol production to expire. The credit was worth $6 billion in 2011. At the time, the ethanol industry didn't put up much of a fight to preserve the credit—after all, the renewable fuel standard would ensure a continued market for their products.
But now even that standard is starting to come under attack. Last fall in the House, Reps. Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.) and Jim Costa (D-Calif.) introduced a bill, supported by the livestock industry, that would relax the ethanol mandate by up to 50 percent when supplies are low.


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Hughes back on OWN board after 20 years
Dave Hughes, who helped found the Organization of Westside Neighbors (OWN) about a quarter of a century ago, has
rejoined the group.
"As a homeowner on 24th Street for 27 years, a 1980 founding member of the Old Colorado City Historical Society [OCCHS] and as the owner of a small technical communications business, I have been involved and interested in the planning, progress and changes which have occurred on the Westside," Hughes writes in his letter asking to be a member again. "With the general growth of Colorado Springs, it is clear there are both problems and opportunities for Westsiders to influence changes affecting their homes, lives and neighborhoods… I have a special interest in balanced undertakings which act to preserve the history which gives the Westside its unique architectural, social and economic character."
OWN, the Westside's main advocacy group, retains the geographical boundaries Hughes drew up for it in the late '70s. The idea, he said, was to match up geographically with an area of the old Westside which was (and is) a federal Housing and Urban Development Department Neighborhood Strategy Area (NSA). As an NSA, the Westside is eligible for public funds, and OWN provides input into that process.
Hughes noted that OWN was formed as a residential element of the revitalization of Old Colorado City and the Westside as a whole.
Westside Pioneer article


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October 13, 2016 Town Meeting Minutes
Printer-Friendly Version
Town of Cheverly
Meeting Minutes
October 13, 2016
Call to Order
Meeting called to order at 8:00 pm in the Cheverly Community Center.
In attendance: CMs, Riazi, Eldridge, Stewart, Rodgers and Daly
Pledge of Allegiance
Minutes – Town Meeting 9/8/16
Minutes – Worksession 9/24/16
CM Rodgers
motion excuse CM Coolen.
CM Daly
seconded. Approved 5-0.
Chief's Report
Chief Robshaw
I have three items tonight. First, thanks to everybody that came to the Public Safety Day. We estimate there were over 500 citizens in attendance. Thanks to the American Legion for the food and Pepsi for the donation of all the water. I want to thank all the other police agencies that were involved like Prince George's County. Halloween in Monday the 31
from 6pm to 8pm and we urge parents to keep their children close. The third item is traffic control at the Cheverly Metro entrance. We will be out in enforcement and we want you to know that we need people to obey the left merge into the Metro and actually turn and not merge over at the last moment.
Town Administrator's Report
Mr. Warrington
noted that the leaf collection schedule is in the Newsletter. Please cut it out and post it on your refrigerator so you know when to get your leaves to the curb.
discussed the potential for curbside composting and the need to get 100 participants before the program can begin. We anticipate having the 100 people around the beginning of the year. Collection will be made on Mondays during yard waste. There is a slight fee of $25 for materials to be used for collection.
Recreation Council
Ms. Barbara Pejokovich
our next meeting will be October 25
at 7pm in the conference room. We will be discussing the Halloween Party and how the summer playground went this past year. The Halloween Party is going to be on Saturday, October 29
at Tot Park with a parade at 11am. The party will be at the Community Center and there will be a parade and crafts and there will be some goodies to eat and drink.
Green Infrastructure Committee
I attended the meeting and it was exciting.
Cheverly Day Committee
CM Daly
Cheverly Day Committee will meet on October 17
at the Community Center at 7:30 and we are looking for anyone who would like to participate. It is a parade year.
Planning Board Report
CM Eldridge
the Planning Board met last Tuesday and the only item on the agenda was an update on the update of the Prince George's County Zoning Code. There are proposed changes to the review and approval process. You can go to the MNCPPC website and you can read the summaries and specifics. Comments will be received from the community until November 1
Citizen Input
WSSC Presentation
Ms. Karen Riley
is the Director of Inter-governmental Relations for WSSC and I have Monica Johnson, Crystal Knight-Lee, Damian Lamply, Dr. Gen Shin, and Mathew Campbell. We have a number of projects in Town for water and sewer main replacements. We also have provided the projects we have slated for next summer. We now have a dedicated project manager and she coordinates notices to what work we are planning. We make every effort to let our customers know what is going on and when. You will hear from us in March when we hold a community meeting for the upcoming summer projects. We have done a number of laterals in town and the sidewalk and paving should be completed by the end of the year. Currently, we have completed a planned water replacement project. We replaced a 16 inch water main and covered one mile and was last replaced in the 1920's. We are working with Mr. Torres to coordinate the paving of Cheverly Avenue. We believe the sediment in the pipes has been disturbed due to the replacement of this pipe causing discolored water. We got complaints and started flushing to move out the de-chlorinated water into the stormdrain system. That did not correct the problem even though we did it 10 to 12 times. We found 2 valves closed on October 11
we opened those valves to see if that was the cause of the discolored water.
Mr. Lamply
valves are usually at intersections and we want the water to flow in both directions and where we found closed valves, by opening them you get water moving continuously throughout the system, thus reducing sediment build-up.
Ms. Karen Riley
we have tested discolored water and found no bacteria and it is safe, but the discolored aspect is not harmful. We continue to monitor and if we find the problem to persist we will install an automatic flushing system, which should reduce the incidents of discolored water. Another concern was the response to address the problem. 301-206-4002 if you have discolored water and David Wilkins is the customer advocate that will meet with residents to resolve the matter. We are also working on the call back to the customer and we are trying to be more proactive in this area.
how does all the flushing water that goes into the stormdrain affect a customer's bill and do you have a measure of how much water is treated versus how much is billed.
Ms. Riley
the flushing of water does not affect a customer's bill.
Mr. Lamply
We have about a 17% water lose due to leaks, fire suppression and flushing. We do monitor our water lose and are taking proactive measures to address water lose.
do you have an internal alert system for a bill that is way out of normal. As customers are told to pay their bill and then nothing gets resolved.
Ms. Crystal Knightly
we do not have a system alert for a bill. We do have a system to see a bill that is 500% more may alert us because we are on a 40 year old mainframe computer system. We may have 1 to 2% that might have an error or need an adjustment. We have a number of old policies and dispute resolving board will look at a bill that is 3 times higher, then they will look at it. We have a number of requests that are outstanding. Adjusting bills will be on a case by case basis and we have 40 different types of adjustments.
CM Daly
one of the other utility companies have sent emails that notes my use is up x% and they offer suggestions as to how to reduce your amount of usage. Can your system do something like what the electric company is doing?
CM Eldridge
when we water our lawn we are paying for the sewer charge and how do we get away from paying that fee when it is not going in the sewer.
Ms. Knightly
we are not there yet, but that is where we want to be in the 4 year range. We would like to go to remote billing, which would allow for monthly versus quarterly billing. The only way to avoid paying the sewer fee is to have a sub-meter that will allow for different registration of water to not be charged the sewer amount. People with pools often do this.
CM Riazi
with the new water mains, does it add water pressure and do you support water saving actions. There is concern regarding the cost of WSSC checking for a leak.
Mr. Lamply
a new line does not affect pressure.
Ms. Knightly
there is no cost for WSSC to inspect, but if you need a plumber or work to be done then you will have to pay for that service.
and he is your customer advocate. If there is an emergency we will dispatch an inspector. If it is just a leak, then you will be charged $80 to come in and check for a leak in your house.
our projects are managed by David and Juan so perhaps we can get feedback on projects here tonight. Cheverly Avenue has been 18 months. Our community has been amazingly patient and now everyone is asking when is Cheverly Avenue going to get paved?
Ms. Riley
the work is substantially complete.
Mr. Campbell
the contactor has until October 25
to complete his punch list. There are a couple of issues that the contractor is still working on to complete. One example is the pavers for the brick crosswalk. The American Legion stormdrain system was holding things. If Juan is okay, then he can contact us and tell us its time to pave.
CM Eldridge
when can we expect to see the paving of Laurel Avenue from the previous WSSC work there?
Mr. Campbell
the issue there is we are in a battle with the contractor and we are negotiating with the contractor as some of the work needs to be replaced. Repairs need to get done and then we can get the paving completed. We don't want to pave and then tear it back-up.
CM Stewart
I am looking at the project list and I see the beginning construction date, but I don't see an end construction date.
Ms. Riley
we will get a better timeline when we get the engineering completed. We will then be out and discuss this with the Town.
Mayor and Council Announcements
CM Riazi
if you are in a home that received a Washington Gas door hanger, please contact them as this is a line replacement program. You need to contact them or your gas will be turned off after three attempts.
CM Stewart
I want to remind everyone to lock your cars and not leave valuables in your car.
CM Eldridge
the trail connecting Bladensburg to the Anacostia Trail will now connect to the Anacostia Waterfront Park, so you can ride to the Nat's Park in the future. Before our next council meeting there will be an election and I hope everyone will get out and vote.
The agenda for the Worksession coming up will include: Discussion of Grant request for FLBD, Discussion Grant for Boyd Park, raised crosswalk at Tremont and Lockwood, mats for our gym, warming sites and in closed session Department Head Evaluations.
Town of Cheverly
Summary of Action
October 13, 2016
CM Rodgers
motion excuse CM Coolen.
CM Daly
seconded. Approved 5-0.
Cheverly Executive Offices:
6401 Forest Road, Cheverly, MD 20785
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