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Private US firms take major role vs. cyberattacks
Published 12:00 am Thursday, February 21, 2013
WASHINGTON (AP) When Kevin Mandia, a retired military cybercrime investigator, decided to expose China as a primary threat to U.S. computer networks, he didn't have to consult with American diplomats in Beijing or declassify tactics to safely reveal government secrets.
He pulled together a 76-page report based on seven years of his company's work and produced the most detailed public account yet of how, he says, the Chinese government has been rummaging through the networks of major U.S. companies.
It wasn't news to Mandia's commercial competitors, or the federal government, that systematic attacks could be traced back to a nondescript office building outside Shanghai that he believes was run by the Chinese army. What was remarkable was that the extraordinary details code names of hackers, one's affection for Harry Potter and how they stole sensitive trade secrets and passwords came from a private security company without the official backing of the U.S. military or intelligence agencies that are responsible for protecting the nation from a cyberattack.
The report, embraced by stakeholders in both government and industry, represented a notable alignment of interests in Washington: The Obama administration has pressed for new evidence of Chinese hacking that it can leverage in diplomatic talks without revealing secrets about its own hacking investigations and Mandiant makes headlines with its sensational revelations.
The report also shows the balance of power in America's cyberwar has shifted into the hands of the $30 billion-a-year computer security industry.
"We probably kicked the hornet's nest," Mandia, 42, said in an interview at the Alexandria, Va., headquarters of Mandiant. But "tolerance is just dwindling. People are tired of the status quo of being hacked with impunity, where there's no risk or repercussion."
China has disputed Mandiant's allegations.
Mandiant, which took in some $100 million in business last year up 60 percent from the year before is part of a lucrative and exploding market that goes beyond antivirus software and firewalls. These "digital forensics" outfits can tell a business whether its systems have been breached and if the company pays extra who attacked it.
Mandiant's staff is stocked with retired intelligence and law enforcement agents who specialize in computer forensics and promise their clients confidentiality and control over the investigation. In turn, they get unfettered access to the crime scene and resources to fix the problem (Mandiant won't say exactly how much it charges, but it's estimated to average around $400 an hour).
The growing reliance on contractors like Mandiant has been compared to that enjoyed by the military and State Department contractor formerly known as Blackwater, which provided physical security to diplomats and other VIPs during the Iraq war. Officials inside and outside government say that's not a bad thing; contractors can often act more quickly than the government and without as much red tape. There are also serious privacy concerns: Most U.S. citizens don't want the government to access their bank accounts, for example, even if China is attacking their bank.
"The government doesn't have the capacity," said Shawn Henry, a former FBI executive assistant director who works for a Mandiant competitor, CrowdStrike. "There are a lot of people working hard. But the structures aren't there."
Michael DuBose, another former senior Justice Department official who works at a different Mandiant competitor, Kroll Advisory Solutions, added: "I think there's a recognition that the government can't stand at the entry point of the Internet to the United States and shield it from all bad things coming in."
Since Mandiant released its report this week, government officials and lawmakers have publicly embraced its findings. Sen. Dianne Feinstein, the Democratic chairwoman of the Senate Intelligence Committee, hailed Mandiant for exposing China as a problem. She called its report "sobering" and said she hoped it would spur an international agreement to protect companies from cyber-espionage.
"It's a forcing function in the private sector, and frankly … it's a forcing function with the government," said retired Air Force Gen. Michael Hayden, the former director of the CIA and the National Security Agency who now works for the Chertoff Group, a security consulting firm.
Mandiant's report raises questions, too, about the extent to which private companies are in control of defending the nation's most crucial networks, like power companies and water treatment plants. Another question is what rules of engagement private companies might rely on. When does a company strike back?
Mandia and his competitors said they are beholden to U.S. and international laws, which prohibit the type of intrusive acts they accuse China of taking. Mandia also says his clients aren't interested in starting a cyberwar with foreign hackers, in part because they are so vulnerable.
"The only time (hacking back) would really work is if we got all the bad guys out of our networks in the first place," he said. "Then you can start playing that game."
Still, publishing the hacking report was itself an offensive shot across China's bow.
Mandia said he started his company in 2004 after years in the private sector because there was no company focused on investigating intrusions. With a master's degree in forensic science from George Washington University, he became Mandiant's sole employee and, two years later, got a cash infusion from a college friend. Now, he oversees some 330 employees and the field is growing rapidly. He says he used to see maybe three major incidents a month when he started his business; now he estimates there can be anywhere from 30 to 100 incidents a month.
Mandia is hardly alone. A former co-worker, Stuart McClure, recently started his own company, called Cylance. He received $15 billion in venture capital funds for his business, which he says is distinctive because of its focus on prevention. McClure said in general he sees the future of cyberdefense residing in the private sector, with its deeper pockets and less red tape.
"With a commercial entity, you can get more creative," McClure said.
As for any problems they might cause in diplomatic or security circles for the federal government, Mandia and his competitors say that's not really on their radar, although he's hiring attorneys to help him monitor changing U.S. policies and regulations. But as a tech guy, he says he's focused on stopping intrusions.
"We're security guys," Mandia said. "We're not diplomats."


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Published inGeek Culture·PinnedMember-onlyThe Code that took Astronauts to the Moon is full of Comedy and HeroismMIT's brightest engineers didn't lose their sense of humor when taking us to the moon — No astronaut launches for space with their fingers crossed. Chris Hadfield. I'm pretty sure Chris Hadfield didn't read the code in the space computers before saying that. This is part of the code that controlled the Apollo Guidance Computer: The…Programming6 min readProgramming6 min read
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Published inVenture·Feb 20, 2024Member-onlyThe Single Most Important Writing Advice You NeedThe Parable Principle — During the summer of 2022, I witnessed something strange while I was leading a code technical interview: the candidate was moving her eyes in an uncommon pattern. I continued listening to her answers but I was mostly focused on her eyes. …Storytelling5 min readStorytelling5 min read
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Jan 10, 2024Member-onlyLoneliness Is Killing DevelopersHere's the cure for it — My mom never let me out when I was young, so I missed most (if not all) of the parties I was invited to, even during my studies at university. I realized when I was young that I was an extrovert and not having many friends while growing up, no…Software Development7 min readSoftware Development7 min read
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Nov 14, 2023Member-onlyAn Engineer's Search For MeaningThis is what happens after accomplishing what you wanted — June 23, 2023. My flight is canceled and I have to travel to Rome to take another one. I am alone, and this is my first time in Rome. I rush to see the Colosseum, it's 10 pm. While I'm there, contemplating the glory of the structure, I sit down…Software Engineering6 min readSoftware Engineering6 min read
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subset: commoncrawl


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What makes a company great, makes it stand out head and shoulders above the rest; has not only loyal but repeat customers who go back time and time again?
Is it the size of the company – bigger is always better?
Is it the amount of profits they make – well they must be good if they are making all that money – right?
Is it maybe they are the only business which has a particular item – hardly.
Or is their marketing excelling, taking full advantage of ALL media including online, social, TV and broadsheets as well as radio and tabloids.
What is their secret?
The truth is there is no secret, it all boils down to one thing – no matter size, profits, products, services or marketing plan, if you don't have this one thing you may as well shut up shop and go home – and that one thing is Customer Service.
Don't get me wrong the other things do help in some small way but Customer Service is King.
It should be natural and not forced. How annoying did "Have a nice day" become? It was novel at first but…
So how do you achieve great Customer Service?
Try following these dos and don'ts as guidelines:-
Do smile when talking – seems strange I know but it works, try it and see the difference.
Do listen and hear what your Customer is saying but don't sit in silence use audible nods and empathise then repeat to show you have been listening using expressions like "If I have heard you correctly… ," or "If I may repeat to make sure I have understood you… " Goes a long way and also informs customer that you have been listening.
Never use the expressions "You need to… ," or "You have to… " They neither have to nor need to do anything.
Do ask permission "Is it OK if I take some details?" "May I have your name?" "Can I take a message?" "Are you happy to give me…?"
Don't swear, be rude or argue back, tempting as it maybe, wait till your are of the call/ customer has gone/can't see you, if you must vent/rant.
Don't take it home, and never carry it over to the next customer.
Do treat each customer individually and although you may think that they are Bat Crap Crazy/stupid or what they are contacting you about is trivial, always remember to them it is important.
Don't take it personally, they are just wanting to rant at somebody and don't know you, all they want is for someone to take responsibility, not pass them from pillar to post and to listen.
And finally always end on a positive note, even if it's a simple thanks for your call.
Follow these guidelines and you will notice a difference, not just in your customers but also in your staff who will be happier in their work and less stressed and if they are less stressed then they are willing to go that extra mile.


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Chad Billingsley (2-3, 3.88) vs. Zack Greinke (5-2, 3.66).
There is some dignity in salvaging the final game of a three-game series. But the final game of a four-game series? A little like kissing your sister who happens to be queen and your incestuous bastard becomes king. Anyhoo, it's obviously not just the Dodgers' first three-game skid of the year weighing on their psyche, but the imminent departure of heretofore hardy Matt Kemp to Disabledlististan.
But sometimes the crows bring good news. Reinforcements are on the way in the person of Triple-A stud Alex Castellanos, and Brewers starter Greinke was lit up by the Diamondbacks in his last start. Plus, I stayed at a Holiday Inn Express last night. Booyah! Cutting-edge humor!
The Dodgers are still MLB-best at 32-18 (16-7 in April and 16-11 so far in May), but it feels like we've already dodged a season's worth of arrows in going 9-5 during Kemp's first sojourn. Can the Boys in Blue bear down for another assault on their record? Gird your loins.


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How Google uses pattern recognition
How Google uses pattern recognition to make sense of images
Computers don't "see" photos and videos in the same way that people do. When you look at a photo, you might see your best friend standing in front of her house. From a computer's perspective, that same image is simply a bunch of data that it may interpret as shapes and information about color values. While a computer won't react like you do when you see that photo, a computer can be trained to recognize certain patterns of color and shapes. For example, a computer might be trained to recognize the common patterns of shapes and colors that make up a digital image of a landscape such as a beach or an object like a car. This technology helps Google Photos organize your photos and lets users find any photo with a simple search.
A computer might also be trained to recognize the common patterns of shapes and colors that make up a digital image of a face. This process is known as face detection, and it's the technology that helps Google to protect your privacy on services like Street View, where computers try to detect and then blur the faces of any people that may have been standing on the street as the Street View car drove by.
If you get a little more advanced, the same pattern recognition technology that powers face detection can help a computer to understand characteristics of the face it has detected. For example, there might be certain patterns that suggest a face is smiling or has its eyes closed. Information like this can be used to help with features like Google Photos' suggestions of movies and other effects created from your photos and videos.
Similar technology also powers the face grouping feature available in Google Photos in certain countries, which helps computers detect similar faces and group them together, making it easier for users to search and manage their photos. Read more about face grouping in the Google Photos Help Center.
How Voice Search works
Voice Search allows you to provide a voice query to a Google search client application on a device instead of typing that query. It uses pattern recognition to transcribe spoken words to written text. We send the utterances to Google servers in order to recognize what was said by you.
For each voice query made to Voice Search, we store the language, the country and our system's guess of what was said. We keep utterances to improve our services, including to train the system to better recognize the correct search query if you have given your consent to such data use. We do not send any utterances to Google unless you have indicated an intent to use the Voice Search function (for example, pressing the microphone icon in the quick search bar or in the virtual keyboard or saying "Google" when the quick search bar indicates that the Voice Search function is available).


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Immigrant Second Generation in Metropolitan New York (ICPSR 30302)
Version Date: Apr 1, 2011 View help for published
Principal Investigator(s): View help for Principal Investigator(s)
John Mollenkopf, City University of New York. Graduate Center;
Philip Kasinitz, City University of New York. Graduate Center;
Mary Waters, Harvard University
Version V1
Summary View help for Summary
The study analyzes the forces leading to or impeding the assimilation of 18- to 32-year-olds from immigrant backgrounds that vary in terms of race, language, and the mix of skills and liabilities their parents brought to the United States. To make sure that what we find derives specifically from growing up in an immigrant family, rather than simply being a young person in New York, a comparison group of people from native born White, Black, and Puerto Rican backgrounds was also studied. The sample was drawn from New York City (except for Staten Island) and the surrounding counties in the inner part of the New York-New Jersey metropolitan region where the vast majority of immigrants and native born minority group members live and grow up. The study groups make possible a number of interesting comparisons. Unlike many other immigrant groups, the West Indian first generation speaks English, but the dominant society racially classifies them as Black. The study explored how their experiences resemble or differ from native born African Americans. Dominicans and the Colombian-Peruvian-Ecuadoran population both speak Spanish, but live in different parts of New York, have different class backgrounds prior to immigration, and, quite often, different skin tones. The study compared them to Puerto Rican young people, who, along with their parents, have the benefit of citizenship. Chinese immigrants from the mainland tend to have little education, while young people with overseas Chinese parents come from families with higher incomes, more education, and more English fluency. Respondents were divided into eight groups depending on their parents' origin. Those of immigrant ancestry include: Jewish immigrants from the former Soviet Union; Chinese immigrants from the mainland, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and the Chinese Diaspora; immigrants from the Dominican Republic; immigrants from the English-speaking countries of the West Indies (including Guyana but excluding Haiti and those of Indian origin); and immigrants from Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru. These groups composed 44 percent of the 2000 second-generation population in the defined sample area. For comparative purposes, Whites, Blacks, and Puerto Ricans who were born in the United States and whose parents were born in the United States or Puerto Rico were also interviewed. To be eligible, a respondent had to have a parent from one of these groups. If the respondent was eligible for two groups, he or she was asked which designation he or she preferred. The ability to compare these groups with native born Whites, Blacks, and Puerto Ricans permits researchers to investigate the effects of nativity while controlling for race and language background. About two-thirds of second-generation respondents were born in the United States, mostly in New York City, while one-third were born abroad but arrived in the United States by age 12 and had lived in the country for at least 10 years, except for those from the former Soviet Union, some of whom arrived past the age of 12. The project began with a pilot study in July 1996. Survey data collection took place between November 1999 and December 1999. The study includes demographic variables such as race, ethnicity, language, age, education, income, family size, country of origin, and citizenship status.
Citation View help for Citation
Export Citation:
Funding View help for Funding
Subject Terms View help for Subject Terms
Geographic Coverage View help for Geographic Coverage
Smallest Geographic Unit View help for Smallest Geographic Unit
Restrictions View help for Restrictions
This data collection may not be used for any purpose other than statistical reporting and analysis. Use of these data to learn the identity of any person or establishment is prohibited. To obtain this file, researchers must agree to the terms and conditions of a Restricted Data Use Agreement in accordance with existing ICPSR servicing policies. There was IRB approval for this data.
Distributor(s) View help for Distributor(s)
Time Period(s) View help for Time Period(s)
Date of Collection View help for Date of Collection
Data Collection Notes View help for Data Collection Notes
Special collaborator(s):
United Jewish Appeal/Federation (for Russian Jewish sample)
Organizational name of data producer:
Center for Urban Research, The Graduate Center, City University of New York
Sample View help for Sample
Telephone interviews were conducted with random samples of 3,415 men and women aged 18 to 32 living in New York City (except Staten Island) or the inner suburban areas of Nassau and Westchester Counties, New York, and northeastern New Jersey. A first wave of screening involved random-digit dialing (RDD) contact of 91,331 households with telephones in the sampling area. A second wave of screening involved RDD contact of 196,093 households with telephones within telephone exchanges that yielded at least one valid response in the first wave.
Universe View help for Universe
Young adults aged 18-32 who were born in the United States to parents who immigrated after 1965 (the second generation) or who were born abroad but arrived the United States by age 12 and grew up in the United States (the "1.5 generation") from five different immigrant origins, or who were born in the United States to parents born in the United States or Puerto Rico, who identify themselves as White, Black, or Puerto Rican.
Unit(s) of Observation View help for Unit(s) of Observation
Data Type(s) View help for Data Type(s)
Mode of Data Collection View help for Mode of Data Collection
Response Rates View help for Response Rates
Total Phase 1 Screening Calls: 91,331
Not Residential/No Answer/No Response after Call Backs: 54,789
Household Did Not Speak English, Spanish, Chinese, or Russian: 4,141
Eligible to be Screened: 32,401
Refused to be Screened: 4,862
Began Phase 1 Screening: 27,089
Failed to Complete Screening: 4,585
Completed Screening: 22,504
Percent Eligible Successfully Screened: 69.5 percent
Found Eligible in Phase 1 Screening: 4,405
Total Phase 2 Screening Calls: 196,063
Not Residential/No Answer/No Response after Call backs: 109,283
Household Did Not Speak English, Spanish, Chinese, or Russian: 6,330
Eligible to be Screened: 80,450
Refused to be Screened: 10,066
Started Screening: 70,384
Completed Screening: 64,290
Percent Eligible Successfully Screened: 79.9 percent
Found Eligible in Phase 2 Screening: 2,399
Total Eligible in Phase 1 and Phase 2: 6,804
Total Over Quota: 363
Total Final Respondents: 3,415
Percent of Eligible Completed Interviews: 53.2 percent
Original Release Date View help for Original Release Date
Version History View help for Version History
- Mollenkopf, John, Philip Kasinitz, and Mary Waters. Immigrant Second Generation in Metropolitan New York. ICPSR30302-v1. Ann Arbor, MI: Inter-university Consortium for Political and Social Research [distributor], 2011-04-01. http://doi.org/10.3886/ICPSR30302.v1
Weight View help for Weight
weight: weight respondents to reflect their proportion in the total population in sampling area as of 2000 Census (for use in multivariate analysis).
ingrpwt: weight age distribution of Phase 2 respondents to match Phase 1 (for use in cross tabulation by group).
samewt: reweight ingrpwt to make each analytic group the same size.
These data are freely available to data users at ICPSR member institutions. The curation and dissemination of this study are provided by the institutional members of ICPSR. How do I access ICPSR data if I am not at a member institution?
This study is provided by Resource Center for Minority Data (RCMD).


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Table of Contents
Certain cleanup companies will offer to wax and buff away the scratches and scuffs for a charge. When new windows are installed in the property, stickers, fingerprints, and residues spoil their shine. Construction Cleanup Danville, CA. A post-construction cleaning crew will clean up the windows and charge the homeowner separately. Each window may be cleaned for a price of $7 on average.
A remodel of just one or two rooms takes only a day to complete; cleaning larger renovations might extend to two or three days. It is important that homeowners schedule the clean-up immediately after construction ends. Hiring a professional post-construction cleanup company is one way to ensure a deep clean of the newly remodeled or constructed property.
A DIY cleanup might be appropriate for general home improvement projects. This is because post-construction cleanup companies may focus on working solely on new construction or additions. Homeowners can still find companies willing to work on smaller projects by calling around. Whether a home or business owner chooses to go the DIY route or hire an expert, the post-construction cleanup is critical.
You can rent most construction cleaning equipment from your local hardware store, but when you've factored in the cost and your labor, it might be more cost and time effective to call in an expert cleaning company. Many homeowners and property managers overlook the cost of hiring a professional cleaning crew when they undertake construction work, underestimating the amount of time and work that goes into a post-renovation cleaning.
Professional post-construction cleaners understand the hazards that come with cleaning after contractors have been in a property. From stray nails and glass shards that have been overlooked, to the amount of dust that accumulates and can cause breathing difficulties, Pros know what to look for, and what PPE to wear to avoid injury.
Cleaning Pros bring the right tools with them, and also use commercial cleaning solutions where appropriate, which deliver faster and more effective results. You might think you're saving money by doing a post-construction clean yourself, but are you really? The cost of cleaning materials and tools, equipment rental, and trash disposal can quickly mount up — not to mention the value of your time! And if something goes wrong and an expensive piece of equipment breaks, your cost-saving exercise could end up costing thousands of dollars.
If your contractors used a dumpster, ask if you can use that, or consider hiring a dumpster bag or speaking with your waste management company about collecting a large amount of trash. Before getting started with a post-construction clean, it makes sense to get organized and take a logical approach to cleaning - Construction Cleaning Service Danville, CA.
Once you've gathered your equipment and removed as much of the fine dust as possible, it's time to really get to work. Major cleaning is usually done in several steps or passes, beginning with a rough clean and finishing with a touch-up clean as much as a week later. This is the first stage of a post-construction clean, and involves removing any debris and the major sources of dirt.
Although it might seem to be creating more work to do a post-construction clean in two passes, it's actually more effective. Even with the most careful cleaning, dust will still get moved around and end up settling after the first pass, so it makes more sense to clean all the major dirt and then start over to ensure everything is truly clean.
Switch out the water and vinegar solution once it becomes cloudy to prevent recontamination. New Construction Cleaning Services Danville, CA. Pro Tip: To save your water and vinegar solution, use a bucket of clean water to rinse out the plaster dust from your mop or sponge. Also change out the towel you're using once it becomes too damp to dry effectively.
Instead, leave the paste to dry completely and start cleaning by breaking off and vacuuming as much of the spackling as possible. Then spray the spackling with carpet cleaner and blot with paper towels. House renovations can be exciting but also testing times. You want to reclaim your home and enjoy the changes, but post-construction cleanups can take a long time and become a real headache.
Leave the stress of construction behind by calling in our team of friendly cleaning professionals. Our transparent pricing means no hidden surprises and we're even available for same day appointments to have your home cleaned in no time at all. Give Pro Housekeepers a call and let us take care of all your post-construction cleaning needs today.
Construction sites are notoriously messy places. They are covered in dust, outside dirt, material debris, and bits of hardware that got left behind. This is where you come in, a post construction cleaning contractor. Your job is to make sure all the nooks and crannies of the construction site are detailed to perfection.
This is a niche commercial job in the janitorial cleaning industry, but it can be incredibly profitable, so make sure you are accounting for all your costs when calculating your estimate. This article will go over some of those costs in detail to help you write a better bid and increase your profit margins.
10-$0. 30 per square foot. Final interior cleanup is the process of detailing the structure after construction is complete. This is a laborious process that involves sweeping all the floors, cleaning all fixtures and appliances, cleaning the windows, dusting, and cleaning the HVAC system. This phase of post construction work is more expensive, with prices being around $0.
The average price for a touch-up clean is around $0. 20 per square foot. This job usually only needs done once after the initial post construction cleaning. Each post construction job you take will be different, and there are many things that can influence your price from job to job.
Residential cleanups are more expensive than commercial projects. Competition will also affect what you can charge. If there are several post construction cleaning services in your area, you'll need to use competitive pricing strategies. You can read more about this in our janitorial estimates article. The overall condition and accessibility of the property can potentially affect price.
Additionally, if you have to travel a long distance, you might consider charging a travel fee or billing your client for gas. Post construction cleaning is a job that requires many different supplies and equipment. This can be expensive upfront, but remember that you can bill your client for most of this.
Within this same window, you can also select whether this will be a one-time charge or a recurring charge. Since most post construction projects are limited to one or two visits, most of your charges will be one-time. A case where this might be different would be if you are contracted by a construction company to do multiple jobs on several different construction projects. Post Construction Clean Up Danville, CA.
You may also need supplies to clean tile and grout, hardwood cleaner or floor wax, and tools to remove excess caulk. For exterior cleanup, you will want something to wash the exterior of the structure with, dusting materials for outside lights and windows, and you'll need a plan for debris removal.
Post Construction Cleanup Danville, CATable of Contents
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University of Colorado police ticketed a Florida man who they allege ate a pot brownie and then passed out behind the wheel of his car near the CU police station last week, according to a police report.
Police said they found Gregg Nelson, 60, passed out behind the wheel of his rental car with the engine running in the 900 block of Regent Drive on Wednesday after witnesses called police.
Police saw a rolled-up marijuana cigarette and a lighter in between Nelson's knees and a container of what they believed to be crumbs from a pot brownie, according to the report. There also was damage to Nelson's car consistent with damage to a nearby bridge on Regent Drive.
When officers tried to wake Nelson up, he could only mumble, and police said when they asked him to turn off his car, he instead tried pushing buttons on his dashboard and kept trying to take off his seatbelt even though he had already taken it off.
Nelson also had difficulty standing on his own, according to the report. He was taken to Boulder Community Hospital for treatment.
According to the report, once at the hospital, Nelson said he had come to Colorado from Florida in order to obtain medical marijuana for his bad back. He said he ate a pot brownie he got from a dispensary in Denver and then planned on "going to the mountains," but did not remember how or why he ended up in Boulder, according to the report.
Nelson was issued a ticket on suspicion of DUI.
CU police spokesman Ryan Huff said that while police are not issuing tickets for marijuana possession due to Amendment 64 passing, police will still ticket or arrest those who drive under the influence of marijuana.
"Even as Amendment 64 becomes law, it does not mean you can drive under the influence of a drug," Huff said. "It is just as dangerous as driving under the influence of alcohol, and the penalties are the same."
Huff said police will be on the lookout for those driving after smoking marijuana, especially as Amendment 64 goes into effect in early 2013.
By Mitchell Byars, www.dailycamera.com


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With a little luck, the 2013 Atlantic hurricane season, which runs from June 1 through November 30, will hold no unpleasant surprises for Hudson County. But it is certain that another major weather event will hit this area sooner or later.
Some residents have been talking about whether severe storms are increasing, or if Hurricane Sandy was just a once-in-a-lifetime event. Others are just wondering if the county is better prepared than it was a year ago.
County AM station didn't help
In 2009, Hudson County installed an elaborate siren system in every municipality that was supposed to give residents important information in an emergency. While this system was successfully tested several times, it was flooded during Hurricane Sandy and did not work.
In addition, the sirens are primarily meant to direct people to the county AM station, 1710. But Hudson County Freeholder William O'Dea said the information he heard on 1710 AM during the hurricane was months out of date.
County spokesman Jim Kennelly said that the station is meant to be used to disseminate information regarding a countywide emergency (such as a terror attack). Since Sandy affected different parts of the county differently, county officials deferred to local municipalities, he said.
To improve communication in time for the next emergency, O'Dea said the county has beefed up its free "reverse 911" system, officially known as the Emergency Notification System (ENS).
Hudson Country residents can sign up for ENS online through the county website (https://hcnj.onthealert.com) and through ENS forms that are available in county office buildings. Some municipalities are also allowing ENS signup forms to be mailed with quarterly tax bills.
"The advantage with this system is we can do very targeted messages," said O'Dea. "For example, let's say there is a five-block area in downtown Jersey City where we want to evacuate people. We can send e-mails, text messages, and make pre-recorded calls to people in just that area."
Since the system is new and launched just this summer, O'Dea said many residents still are not aware that it exists and may not be signed up for it yet.
As for the radio station, O'Dea said he was able to get decent reception throughout the county during Hurricane Sandy, but other Hudson County residents said they had a harder time getting reception.
The county hopes to get approval to get more bandwidth for the station, which Kennelly said will improve reception. The county has retained an attorney to help negotiate a stronger signal for the station in the future.
As for keeping the countywide siren system powered, those improvements should come as upgrades are made to the energy infrastructure.
Will severe storms be rare?
Meanwhile, some are wondering whether severe storms will be the norm now.
Dr. Alan Blumberg, a storm scientist and director of Stevens Institute for Technology's Center for Maritime Systems in Hoboken, has been saying storms are getting more violent, more often, for years. He predicted Hurricane Sandy's intensity 72 hours before it hit landfall, thanks to the state-of-the-art sensor system he and his colleagues have deployed throughout the area, from the Hudson River to the Jersey Shore. The systems allow scientists to use data to project the damage of a storm a few days before it hits, and according to Blumberg, the data rarely lies.
In Sandy's aftermath, the term "100 year storm" became a popular phrase used by those who believe that a storm like Sandy – half hurricane, half nor'easter – could only occur once a century. That assertion isn't necessarily wrong, says Blumberg, but it is flawed and misleading.
"We really need to do away with the phrase '100 year storm,' because if we have a big Sandy-type event this fall, that doesn't mean at all that we won't have one for another 99 years," he said. "I think the people who talk about how this can happen just once in 100 years are totally wrong."
Instead, Blumberg likes to use the phrase "one percent storm," which admits that weather events on par with Sandy are rare without dispelling the possibility that they can happen at any time.
"Calling Sandy a 1 percent storm is similar to calling it a 100-year storm, because one year out of 100 is 1 percent," he said. "But the difference is that the 1 percent renews every year. Something like this can happen whenever, to the point where we can say there is a 1 percent chance that one will occur in any given year."
He asked, "Do you ignore 1 percent? I wouldn't ignore 1 percent. One percent is a lot. It's important to pay attention to, and we really do need to get ready."
Was global warming to blame for Sandy's intensity?
"People have different opinions on climate change," said Hoboken Mayor Dawn Zimmer. "But the reality is that the temperature is getting hotter and the storms are becoming more frequent. My position is that we need to make some changes."
Keeping the power on
While Superstorm Sandy garnered most of the attention and blame for devastating parts of Hudson County last year, it was, in fact, just one in a series of major storms that hit the area in recent years.
Hurricane Irene, which hit in August 2011 and has been eclipsed somewhat by Sandy, actually dropped more rain on the area and caused more flooding, particularly to inland properties. And residents may be surprised to hear that the early snowstorm that came in October 2011 also wreaked havoc on local infrastructure.
In an effort to strengthen the region's energy infrastructure, PSE&G – northern New Jersey's main provider of gas and electricity – earlier this year announced its Energy Strong initiative, a $3.9 billion 10-year plan to strengthen and protect its gas and electricity delivery systems from severe weather.
In February, PSE&G filed a funding request with the New Jersey Board of Utilities for $2.6 billion to cover the first five years of improvements and said it later will seek another $1.3 billion to cover the last five years of its improvement plan.
"It's clear that Sandy, Hurricane Irene, and the October ice storm in 2011 represent extreme weather patterns that have become commonplace," said PSE&G Chairman and CEO Ralph Izzo.
In short, PSE&G's Energy Strong plan will protect switching stations and substations from water damage, reinforce utility poles and overhead wires, replace gas lines in flood-prone communities, and use new technology to improve how the energy grid functions.
Twelve switching stations and substations that PSE&G plans to either raise or fortify are located in Hudson County, including six in Jersey City, three in Hoboken, one in North Bergen, and one in Bayonne. The twelfth station is located in Kearny.
The agency plans to allocate $1.7 billion to raise, relocate, or fortify/protect a total of 31 switching stations and substations statewide.
Another $454 million will be spent to implement so-called "smart grid" technology. About $200 million will go toward creating backups within the energy system so secondary sources of power can be accessed if primary sources fail. About 20 miles of overhead electrical lines will be relocated underground, an undertaking that will cost an estimated $60 million.
Construction changes and flood walls
Sandy has also forced discussions, both locally and nationally, regarding future development.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is currently in the process of revising flood maps and construction recommendations. Draft recommendations released earlier this year call for the lowest floor of a development to be built at least one foot above the base flood elevation.
The recommendations would apply only to new developments that have yet to be approved. But the guidelines could force architectural designs that city planners and retailers don't like. Earlier this year planners from Jersey City and Hoboken met with FEMA officials to discuss alternative solutions to the problem.
Sandy has also prompted interest in the construction of flood walls, a controversial idea to minimize the impact of another major storm.
"The water has to have someplace to go," Hackensack Riverkeeper Bill Sheehan told The Reporter in March. So, let's say a city like Hoboken has floodwalls. Well, maybe Hoboken is protected. But that flood water doesn't go away. It just goes next door to Jersey City or West New York. So, floodwalls have to be a region-wide option for them to be effective."
Sheehan added that floodwalls can also be breached if a storm surge is high enough.
At present, the flood wall concept is still being debated and is not being implemented by any Hudson County municipality.
E-mail E. Assata Wright at firstname.lastname@example.com.


text:
Before I tell you all about this bread, I would like to introduce Catherine, from the food blog Munchie Musings – she's my new blog buddy and we were introduced to each other by the lovely Kristen and her Adopt a Blogger campaign.
I invite you all to visit Catherine's blog and I would also like to thank Kristen for such a nice initiative!
I made this braided bread months ago but was not sure if I should post it or not – the bread was huge and I couldn't get good photos of it. Besides that, the bread was very tender and tasted great, but the flavor of sweetened condensed milk was nowhere near it.
When I read at Nora's blog that the lovely Eva was hosting Baking Day #06, I changed my mind: I love the shape of this bread and also the effect the poppy seeds give to it.
I got the recipe from Carlota's website – Carla Pernambuco's restaurant. I had dinner there on my birthday last year and absolutely loved it. I'm a great fan of her work and this is the second time I make one of her recipes – the first was the wonderful guava soufflé with catupiry sauce.
I prepared the bread a bit differently than it was on the website because I thought the instructions weren't clear enough; there are eggs on the ingredient list but no mention of them on the making. I used my Kitchen Aid to make the dough but it's not mandatory: you can blend the liquid ingredients+butter+salt and then add the flour using a wooden spoon (like the original recipe suggests).
Sweetened condensed milk braided bread with poppy seeds
1 can (395g) sweetened condensed milk
1 can warm water (use the condensed milk can to measure it)
100g unsalted butter, softened
5 eggs
50g fresh yeast
1 tablespoon salt
1kg all purpose flour
1 egg yolk, lightly beaten, to brush the bread
1 tablespoon poppy seeds
Place the yeast and the water in the bowl of a stand mixer; mix well to dissolve the yeast.
Add the sweetened condensed milk, salt and butter and, using the paddle attachment, beat well. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Switch to the hook attachment and, beating in slow speed, add the flour, gradually. Once you added all the flour, beat until you get a smooth dough. Cover with cling film or plastic wrap and set aside - let the dough rise until almost doubled in volume, about 1 hour.
Remove the dough from the bowl and place it on a lightly floured surface. Knead a few time and form a ball; divide dough in 4 equal parts and make 40cm (15in) ropes with each part. Place the ropes on a very large greased baking sheet (mine was 40x26cm) and braid them. Cover with a clean kitchen towel and let it rise for 1 hour.
Preheat the oven to 160ºC/320ºF; beat the egg yolk with 1 tablespoon water and brush the bread with it. Sprinkle the poppy seeds over the bread and bake for 30-40 minutes or until beautifully golden and cooked through – if it starts browning too fast, cover it loosely with foil.
Serves 10-12


text:
Navy: Random alcohol tests for sailors
Published 12:00 am Thursday, January 24, 2013
NORFOLK, Va. (AP) — The Navy said Wednesday it will conduct random blood-alcohol tests on its sailors in the United States starting next month, a sign of how concerned the service's leaders have become about the effects alcohol abuse is having on the force.
The tests are part of Navy Secretary Ray Mabus' 21st Century Sailor and Marine Initiative, an expansive program intended to improve the well-being of sailors and Marines after more than a decade at war.
The Marines announced it would carry out its own random alcohol tests last month. While alcohol has long played a part in the Navy's culture, Navy officials stressed they aren't trying to stop sailors from drinking altogether, but are concerned about their health and safety.
The Navy said it will use the blood-alcohol tests to determine whether someone is fit for duty or may need counseling. Any sailor whose blood-alcohol level is .04 or higher when reporting for duty won't be allowed to work. In all 50 states and the District of Columbia, a driver with a 0.08 percent blood-alcohol is considered drunk.
A positive test result for a sailor reporting to work — a reading of 0.02 percent or higher — won't be used to punish sailors. But the Navy said it could be used to refer him or her to a drug and alcohol program adviser.
Adm. Mark Ferguson, vice chief of naval operations, said the random tests could help spot sailors who need support before "an incident occurs due to the irresponsible use of alcohol." He also wrote in a message outlining the new details of the policy to the fleet that the tests will serve as a safety measure and raise awareness among commanding officers of a crew's "culture of alcohol use."
Alcohol is of particular concern because of the role it frequently plays in other destructive behaviors such as suicide and sexual assault. Alcohol also has played a factor in the dismissals of a number of commanding officers in recent years.
"Deterring irresponsible use of alcohol is essential to the readiness of our fleet and ensuring the health and safety of our service members and units," Adm. Bill Gortney, commander of U.S. Fleet Forces, said in a statement.
In a pilot program with 13 commands this past summer, nearly 7,500 sailors were subjected to random alcohol tests. Of those, 87 tested positive for alcohol.
"The test verified that the majority of our service members, who choose to drink alcohol, do so responsibly. It also verified that our commanding officers need a flexible program that serves to increase the Navy's awareness about the impacts of alcohol," Gortney said in a statement.
By May 24, the Navy expects to have hand-held alcohol detection devices available for nearly 2,000 commands.
The 21st Century Sailor and Marine Initiative was unveiled by Mabus in a rare 'all-hands' call aboard a ship in Norfolk last March that was broadcast to sailors around the world. Among other things, it also focuses on preventing suicides, sexual assaults and increasing physical fitness. The Navy has also begun conducting random urine tests for synthetic drug use under the initiative.
Unlike the alcohol tests, those who test positive for synthetic drug use are subject to punishment.


text:
DALLAS (AP) — Pat Summerall, the NFL player-turned-broadcaster whose deep, resonant voice called games for more than 40 years, has died at the age of 82.
Fox Sports spokesman Dan Bell said Tuesday that Summerall had died. He could not immediately provide further details.
Summerall was part of network television broadcasts for 16 Super Bowls. His last championship game was for Fox on Feb. 3, 2002, also his last game with longtime partner John Madden. The popular duo worked together for 21 years, moving to Fox in 1994 after years as the lead team for CBS.
Summerall played 10 NFL seasons (1952-61) with the Chicago Cardinals and New York Giants. He started doing NFL games for CBS in 1964. He also covered the PGA Tour and tennis.


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I know they're called Hello Dollies, but you know I can never leave well enough alone, and come on--who the heck is Dolly?
Dolly Parton? Eh, she has a theme park named after her, so she certainly doesn't need to have these luscious bars named after her.
Dolly the sheep clone? Totally artificial and undeserving. I'm hereby taking it upon myself to rename them Hello Jollies, since they inevitably make the consumer happy.
What's not to love? Eh, I suppose there are some folks out there who might not like a component or two of these tasty treats (like my little brother, who is inexplicably anti-coconut). The good news is that you can pretty much toss in or take out whatever you want! So here's my version, made the way I like 'em.
Hello Jollies
1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs
1/2 cup butter, melted
1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 cup butterscotch chips
1 cup of shredded coconut
1 14 oz. can sweetened condensed milk
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Combine the melted butter and graham cracker crumbs in an 8x8-inch pan. (I used my new silicone square pan, as these suckers have a tendency to permanently adhere to metal dishes. It worked quite nicely.) Mix well and pat down to form the crust. Evenly sprinkle the chocolate chips, butterscotch chips, and coconut on top of the crust. Drizzle the sweetened condensed milk over the whole mixture.
Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the top becomes light brown.
Let cool in the pan for at least half an hour, in the fridge if necessary, and cut into reasonably-sized (an adjective very much open to interpretation...) bars.
November 19, 2008
hello jollies
Yum59 comments:
- Anonymous said...
Yep, those look pretty tasty!!
I have an unexplainable weakness for anything involving butterscotch chips. - November 19, 2008 at 7:35 AM
- OhioMom said...
One word .. Yummy!
:) - November 19, 2008 at 8:18 AM
- Valerie Harrison (bellini) said...
I have a weakness for coconut:D
- November 19, 2008 at 8:23 AM
- Dee Light said...
I love these bars. I also love sweeteded condenced milk. I know the stuff comes from a can oooooo gross. But I just can't help my self. Thanks for reminding me of these yummy bars. I may make them today for lunch with my mother-in- law
- November 19, 2008 at 8:26 AM
- Robin said...
I love the new name and I love sweet con milk. It comes in a bottle now which makes midnight snacking so much easier and no evidence like a dirty spoon in the sink. Tilt head back and pour. Gross I know! My kids think I'm crazy!
- November 19, 2008 at 8:42 AM
- Deborah said...
I've never had these before, but I think that is going to change!
- November 19, 2008 at 8:54 AM
- Y said...
Hello Jollies is a great name! I've never heard of Hello Dollies before - can't see what they could possibly have to do with the movie Hello Dolly, so there must be another reason behind the name.
- November 19, 2008 at 9:22 AM
- Anonymous said...
Oh my GAWD. I could cry, really. These look so incredibly sinful and delicious!
- November 19, 2008 at 9:50 AM
- Anonymous said...
These look gooey and fantastic! Sweetened condensed milk makes for good stuff.
- November 19, 2008 at 10:21 AM
- Marjie said...
We knew someone who knew the Parton family, when we lived in that area, and word is that her younger sister was way prettier than Dolly. The bars look luscious!
- November 19, 2008 at 10:25 AM
- Maria said...
I prefer jollies!! These look super good! Maybe I can crush some of my homemade graham crackers up for this recipe! YUM!
- November 19, 2008 at 10:35 AM
- Jacque said...
Hello Dollies are one of my most favorite bars EVER!
I'm OK with renaming them, as long as they still taste the same, lol.
Yours look delish! - November 19, 2008 at 10:38 AM
- kat said...
They must be named after Hello Dolly from the movie & man do they sound sweet!
- November 19, 2008 at 10:40 AM
- Paula said...
Heeeeellloooo Jollies! Yum, Yum, Yum! These look so good, and I bet they don't last long at all. Um, I'd be happy to eat your brother's portion. :-)
- November 19, 2008 at 11:25 AM
- Heather said...
you know, you're right! dolly parton never did anything to deserve the honor of having these named for her ;) these look delicoius! i'm allergic to coconut... but i'm sure I could throw some other crap in there ;)
- November 19, 2008 at 11:26 AM
- Ingrid_3Bs said...
I may be with your brother on the coconut. While I like it I'm not sure how a feel about it mixed with so many other flavors. As you said I could just leave it out.
I have recently made quite a few desserts that called sweetened condensed milk, can you say YUM?! Who knew?!
~ingrid - November 19, 2008 at 11:50 AM
- Mary said...
We always made these with nuts and called them 7-layer bars.
Dolly Parton actually does a lot of good things and is supposed to be ridiculously nice. I think it's impressive that she grew up dirt poor and she pulled herself up so high.
And aren't butterscotch chips fake? :) - November 19, 2008 at 11:56 AM
- sunita said...
Whatever the name, those bars look really yummy :-)
- November 19, 2008 at 12:21 PM
- Thistlemoon said...
YUM! Those look so good!
- November 19, 2008 at 1:47 PM
- Ramya Vijaykumar said...
The name was never a prob all that matter was the texture and taste how about sending some my way???
- November 19, 2008 at 1:55 PM
- Cathy - wheresmydamnanswer said...
Those are so yummy - In college the cook for our Sorority house made a very similar bar that we called Tommy's Magic cookie bars - So incredible..
- November 19, 2008 at 2:09 PM
- Jessica@Foodmayhem said...
hello! haha
Lon isn't into coconut either. I'm so so on coconut, but these sure look yummy. - November 19, 2008 at 3:55 PM
- vanillasugarblog said...
well whoever friggin dolly is, she makes an awesome bar. I'm so ready for one of these bad boys.
- November 19, 2008 at 4:07 PM
- Pam said...
It is beyond me how anyone could dislike coconut. It is one of my very favorite foods. You can bet that I will be making these very soon. Beautiful Grace.
- November 19, 2008 at 4:09 PM
- Rosie said...
Hello Jollies or whatever the name they look YUMMY!!
Rosie x - November 19, 2008 at 5:14 PM
- Anonymous said...
i love these! and i love how easy they are to make!
- November 19, 2008 at 5:32 PM
- Farmgirl Susan said...
I haven't made these in years - what a fool I've been. Your scrumptious photos back memories of making (and devouring!) them when I was a kid. So good! : )
- November 19, 2008 at 5:57 PM
- Anonymous said...
LOL at Hello Jollies. I hope you brought these delicious looking babies into work and waved them under your unappreciative co-workers noses! ;)
- November 19, 2008 at 7:31 PM
- Theresa said...
I remember these. And so easy to make. I like hello jollies better too!
- November 19, 2008 at 7:55 PM
- The Blonde Duck said...
I don't care what you call them, just give me one! Yum!
- November 19, 2008 at 8:03 PM
- Sophie said...
I love the name, and these definitely don't look fake at all ;)...they're the sincerest desserts I've come across in a long while ha! (I know that's not the fake you meant! :D) I can't help but sing 'have a holly jolly Christmas' as I gaze at these yummy treats that Santa would definitely choose over cookies this year :).
- November 19, 2008 at 11:17 PM
- SMN said...
those bars look so tempting. first time here very interesting blog
- November 20, 2008 at 5:02 AM
- Ann said...
These are nothing but trouble, and I love that fact. They almost remind me of 7-layer bars (I think?). Anything w/ butterscotch chips, I'm in.
Oh, for real - when am I NOT in? I mean really, self. - November 20, 2008 at 9:50 AM
- Shari said...
I love coconut and I love your new name for these bars!
- November 20, 2008 at 10:06 AM
- Anonymous said...
I would like to subscribe to your posts can you pls add the subscribe via reader, so I can subscribe and get your posts first hand.
- November 20, 2008 at 10:10 AM
- Maris said...
I usually stick strictly to chocolate but for whatever reason this looks amazing!
- November 20, 2008 at 10:48 AM
- Sandie said...
I have way too much historical knowledge stuck in my head.
Many times, various "Dollys" refer to Dolley Payne Todd Madison, otherwise known as Mrs. James Madison, a.k.a. the wife of President James Madison, who became Chief Executive of the US in 1809.
As a famed, former first lady, whether Hello Dolly cookies refer to Dolley Madison, I have no idea. But I do know Dolly Madison snack cakes (their name anyway) were inspired by the founder's fascination with First Lady Dolley Madison, so you just never know! - November 20, 2008 at 11:31 AM
- Leslie said...
WHHHHAAAAATTTTT? Dolly Parton is fake?? I soooo thought her Boobs were real!!!! LOL LOL
- November 20, 2008 at 12:11 PM
- Lori said...
I simply would not add anything or take away anything! THey sound perfectly delicious. In fact they might just be added to my Christmas repertoire. YUM!
- November 20, 2008 at 12:28 PM
- Anonymous said...
Oh Grace, these look decadent and delish. Coconut, chocolate AND butterscotch? Stop it. But why girl did you have to go and knock Dolly P? Islands in the Steam, 9 to 5, classics! ;)
- November 20, 2008 at 12:31 PM
- Anonymous said...
Whoever Dolly is, these would make be religious they look so good! Wow, the ingredients are just amazing!
- November 20, 2008 at 12:41 PM
- Nazarina A said...
May I just do a David Copperfield on this delicious number!!!
- November 20, 2008 at 1:23 PM
- Sandy said...
Uhhh, what's your figure like, with all of these wonderful eats that you make ? ? ? ♥
- November 20, 2008 at 2:42 PM
- Bunny said...
Hellloooo Jollies!! Myn hubby is anit coconut too, but only if he sees it in any concotion I make heehee! I on the other hand would gobble these up in a New York minute.
- November 20, 2008 at 4:32 PM
- Anonymous said...
Alas, my husband doesn't like coconut. So he can go get himself something else while I make and devour these all on my own!
- November 20, 2008 at 6:28 PM
- MaryBeth said...
I will be right there with Mrs. L, my husband hates coconut also so my and Mrs. L will just have to enjoy them all ourselves. YUMMO!
- November 20, 2008 at 8:46 PM
- Anonymous said...
these look so yummy! it's actually been quite some time since i've had anything with butterscotch in it so i think i might have to whip up some of these for old time sake :)
- November 21, 2008 at 12:36 AM
- emily said...
I loooooove these. And, like you with pumpkin, I'm not apt to eat butterscotch without lots of chocolate and coconut and other goodies. But I adore these cookies. Yum!
- November 21, 2008 at 10:42 AM
- giz said...
Wha??? You don't know about a little old lady name Dolly in the north end of Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada who ran out of ingredients and just threw in what she had and the name stuck???? Hmmm...me either but it makes a good story. I actually think this recipe does come from Winnipeg. You can't go to a social function in mid west Canada without these on the pastry table. To die for.
- November 21, 2008 at 2:40 PM
- Anonymous said...
I luuuurve hello dolly bars. Your photos do the dessert complete justice!
- November 21, 2008 at 9:06 PM
- Pamela said...
Oh, God! I love these things. Danger!! They are a big red flag for me, that's for sure.
- November 21, 2008 at 10:28 PM
- Jessica said...
I have made these before, and they are positively sinful! So good...I had to give most of them away so they wouldn't migrate to my hips.
- November 23, 2008 at 7:36 AM
- Jaime said...
i've never heard of them referred to as that, but regardless they look delicious!
- November 23, 2008 at 3:23 PM
- Nic said...
Just that photo has me wanting to have a plateful of these, very yummy!
- November 24, 2008 at 6:05 AM
- Tina said...
- November 24, 2008 at 3:04 PM
- Anonymous said...
I always assumed that the cookie was named after the song and movie "Hello Dolly" staring Barbara Streisand.
- November 24, 2008 at 11:17 PM
- Jeanne said...
Wow.... I would say that's all the basic food groups right there in one bar ;-) These sound delectable and so easy!
- November 25, 2008 at 7:50 AM
- eatme_delicious said...
Ooo I just made these - exact same recipe too but with pecans instead of butterscotch chips. They were okay in a comfort food kind of way but I thought I would love them more than I did.
- November 26, 2008 at 10:20 AM
- test it comm said...
So many great things packed into that little bar.
- November 28, 2008 at 7:03 AM


text:
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text:
Dodgers start Brad Penny (0-0) vs. Noah Lowry (0-0).
Dodgers: 1-2 (T-last place NL West, 1.0 GB)
Giants: 1-2 (T-last place NL West, 1.0 GB)
From dodgers.com, the scouting report on the starters:
Dodgers: The staff enigma. Sixteen wins can't be ignored, but his bumpy second half last year and a stiff shoulder this spring are red flags. He's most effective when he doesn't try to overthrow, but sometimes it's hard for hard throwers not to try hard to throw hard. Perfecting any offspeed pitch would be huge.
Giants: Lowry strained his right oblique in the Giants' home opener last season and never fully recovered. He now admits that he might have overcompensated for the injury by falling into some bad habits with his pitching delivery. That's trouble for Lowry, who must be mechanically sound to reach full effectiveness with his finesse-based array of deliveries. When Lowry's "on," his changeup is one of the best in the National League. And he throws hard enough to keep hitters off-balance.
- Coming off of our big first win of the year, we will see if the Dodgers carried any momentum to Pac Bell / SBC / AT&T Park tonight. Brad Penny has a chance to start 2007 like his all-star form of the first half of 2006, or the AA-ball form of the second half of 2007. Let's see which Penny shows up tonight (in either case, it is apparently a lighter Penny).
- Meanwhile, the Giants eked out a win late last night that was almost blown by the headcase that is their closer, Armando Benitez. Inheriting two men on in the ninth with two outs and a 5-1 lead, Benitez proceeded to walk a batter on four pitches, give up a two-run-scoring hit, and then finally get Mike Cameron to pop up to Ray Durham for the third out. That's exactly the kind of stuff we want to see from the combustible Benitez.
Tonight's lineup, via Inside the Dodgers:
Pierre, CF
Martin, C
Garciaparra, 1B
Kent, 2B
Gonzalez, LF
Kemp, RF
Betemit, 3B
Martinez, SS
Penny, P


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Edgar Choueiri, a professor of mechanical and aerospace engineering at Princeton University, has developed a way to play true three-dimensional sound recordings over regular loudspeakers, such as those found in televisions and computer laptops.
The technique may be used one day to allow 3-D televisions to produce lifelike sound and to help people with certain types of hearing impairments locate noises. This video excerpt produced by the School of Engineering and Applied Science includes segments demonstrating how Choueiri's 3-D filter works. To learn more about Choueiri's research and the 3-D filter, watch the full-length video.
Note: The filter in this video is designed to work with loudspeakers -- not headphones -- and can be experienced through standard computer speakers. Make sure the right and left speakers are on the correct sides.
If you are using a recent Apple MacBook to view this video, you may not be able to hear the demonstrations in 3-D due to the location of the MacBook's internal "subwoofer," which creates a strong left-right imbalance in the audio.


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Growth and Your 6- to 12-Year-Old
As kids grow from grade-schoolers to preteens, there continues to be a wide range of "normal" regarding height, weight, and shape.
Kids tend to get taller at a pretty steady pace, growing about 2.5 inches (6 to 7 centimeters) each year. When it comes to weight, kids gain about 4–7 lbs. (2–3 kg) per year until puberty starts.
This is also a time when kids start to have feelings about how they look and how they're growing. Some girls may worry about being "too big," especially those who are developing early. Boys tend to be sensitive about being too short.
Try to help your child understand that the important thing is not to "look" a certain way, but rather to be healthy. Kids can't change the genes that will determine how tall they will be or when puberty starts. But they can make the most of their potential by developing healthy eating habits and being physically active.
Your doctor will take measurements at regular checkups, then plot your child's results on a standard growth chart to follow over time and compare with other kids the same age and gender.
Helping Your Child Grow
Normal growth — supported by good nutrition, enough sleep, and regular exercise — is one of the best overall indicators of a child's good health.
Your child's growth pattern is largely determined by genetics. Pushing kids to eat extra food or get higher amounts of vitamins, minerals, or other nutrients will not increase their height and may lead to weight problems.
Accepting kids as they are helps them build self-acceptance.
Puberty — or sexual development — is a time of dramatic change for both boys and girls. The age at which the physical changes of puberty normally begin varies widely.
For both sexes, these hormone-driven changes are accompanied by growth spurts that transform children into physically mature teens as their bodies develop.
Breast development, usually the first noticeable sign of puberty in girls, may begin anytime between ages 8 and 13. Events in girls as they go through puberty:
- Breasts begin to develop and hips become rounded.
- The increase in the rate of growth in height begins.
- Pubic hair begins to appear, usually 6–12 months after the start of breast development. About 15% of girls will develop pubic hair before breast development starts.
- The uterus and vagina, as well as labia and clitoris, increase in size.
- Pubic hair is well established and breasts grow further.
- The rate of growth in height reaches its peak by about 2 years after puberty began (average age is 12 years).
- Menstruation begins, almost always after the peak growth rate in height has been reached (average age is 12.5 years).
Once girls get their periods, they usually grow about 1 or 2 more inches (2.5 to 5 centimeters), reaching their final adult height by about age 14 or 15 years (younger or older depending on when puberty began).
Most boys show the first physical changes of puberty between ages 10 and 16, and tend to grow most quickly between ages 12 and 15. The growth spurt of boys is, on average, about 2 years later than that of girls. By age 16, most boys have stopped growing, but their muscles will continue to develop.
Other features of puberty in boys include:
- The penis and testicles increase in size.
- Pubic hair appears, followed by underarm and facial hair.
- The voice deepens and may sometimes crack or break.
- The Adam's apple, or larynx cartilage, gets bigger.
- Testicles begin to produce sperm.
At the Doctor's Office
Despite data collected for growth charts, "normal" heights and weights are difficult to define. Shorter parents, for instance, tend to have shorter kids, whereas taller parents tend to have taller kids.
You may worry if your child isn't as tall as other kids that age. But the more important question is whether your child is continuing to grow at a normal rate. If your doctor finds a problem — such as a growth rate that had been normal but has recently slowed — he or she may track growth carefully over several months to see if the pattern suggests a possible health problem or is just a variation of normal.
If it's found that your child is growing or developing too slowly, the doctor may order tests to check for medical conditions such as hypothyroidism, growth hormone deficiency, or other things that can affect growth.
If you have any concerns about your child's growth or development, talk with your doctor.
- Understanding Puberty
- Talking to Your Child About Puberty
- Your Child's Checkup: 6 Years
- Your Child's Checkup: 7 Years
- Your Child's Checkup: 8 Years
- Your Child's Checkup: 9 Years
- Your Child's Checkup: 10 Years
- Your Child's Checkup: 11 Years
- Your Child's Checkup: 12 Years
- Your Child's Weight
- Your Child's Growth
- Male Reproductive System
- Precocious Puberty
- Female Reproductive System


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More Polish consumers have realised the importance of oral care, and they want to prevent health problems. Rising awareness was supported by continuing education from dentists and dental hygienists. Manufacturers supported consumption with sophisticated oral care products which promise extra benefits, such as whitening effects, 2-in-1 products (toothpaste with mouthwash) and vitamins for strengthening gums. More Polish consumers also sought oral care products with natural ingredients.
Euromonitor International's Oral Care in Poland report offers a comprehensive guide to the size and shape of the market at a national level. It provides the latest retail sales data 2011-2015, allowing you to identify the sectors driving growth. Forecasts to 2020 illustrate how the market is set to change.
Full Report Details at
- http://www.fastmr.com/prod/1185216_oral_care_poland.aspx?afid=301
Product coverage:Dental Floss, Denture Care, Mouth Fresheners, Mouthwashes/Dental Rinses, Tooth Whiteners, Toothbrushes, Toothpaste.
Data coverage:market sizes (historic and forecasts), company shares, brand shares and distribution data.
Reasons to Get this Report
* Get a detailed picture of the Oral Care market;
* Pinpoint growth sectors and identify factors driving change;
* Understand the competitive environment, the market's major players and leading brands;
* Use five-year forecasts to assess how the market is predicted to develop.
Euromonitor International has over 40 years' experience of publishing market research reports, business reference books and online information systems. With offices in London, Chicago, Singapore, Shanghai, Vilnius, Dubai, Cape Town, Santiago, Sydney, Tokyo and Bangalore and a network of over 800 analysts worldwide, Euromonitor International has a unique capability to develop reliable information resources to help drive informed strategic planning.
About Fast Market Research
Fast Market Research is a leading distributor of market research and business information. Representing the world's top research publishers and analysts, we provide quick and easy access to the best competitive intelligence available. Our unbiased, expert staff is always available to help you find the right research to fit your requirements and your budget.
For more information about these or related research reports, please visit our website at http://www.fastmr.com or call us at 1.800.844.8156 (1.413.485.7001 Int'l)
You may also be interested in these related reports:
- Oral Care in Indonesia
- Oral Care in Egypt
- Oral Care in Brazil
- Oral Care in Kazakhstan
- Oral Care in Japan
Report Published: "Oral Care in Poland"
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Air Max Outlet
DescriptionReviewsConfidence & Shipping
Nike Kobe Shoes is the tenth in the signature line of LeBron James shoes and the fourth designed by Jason Petrie. Since Petrie took the over of the design of the LeBron James signature shoes, he has used Air Max as the primary source of cushioning. The LeBron 9 had a mixture of a Zoom Air forefoot with Max Air in the heel, but the Nike LeBron X is the first LeBron shoe to sport a full length visible Zoom Air unit. LeBron is no stranger to Zoom seeing Zoom Air from the first, Nike Zoom Kobe 7 (VII) System Black Volt, all the way to the Nike Zoom LeBron VI. Full length visible Zoom will definitely make the LeBron X stand out from the rest of the LeBron and Nike Basketball lineup.Some controversy surrounded the Nike LeBron X shoes months before its release when a string of false reports were released that the Nike LeBron X shoes were going to cost $315. The truth is that only the Nike+ version of the Nike LeBron X will cost $290 and non-Nike+ versions will cost $190.The first Nike Kobe 7 release date is set for September 29th, for the USA version LeBron James wore in the 2012 Olympic Games. Helpful Hints: 1. Quality products and satisfying service are provided; 2. High safety and prompt delivery is guaranteed; 3. Item will be sent out within 24 hours after confirming your payment and arrive to your door within 7-10 business days; 4. You'll get full refund when the item is not available in stock.


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NFL Draft Mania! As fans debate who will go No. 1 overall to the Raiders (JaMarcus Russell? Calvin Johnson? Brady Quinn), consider that a year ago, everyone figured Reggie Bush an "anything-else-would-be-insane" lock to the Texans at No. 1... right up until they drafted DE Mario Williams.
*That's the first intrigue: Who's No. 1? What happens there will reverberate through the rest of the Top 10 (and perhaps the rest of the first round, if it triggers some much-desired trade activity).
*Then: What will Matt Millen do to screw up the No. 2 pick for the Lions? If Calvin Johnson is available, he'd be crazy to not pick him – but it would be ANOTHER first-round WR.
(Rumor has it that the Lions are entertaining a trade with the Falcons to swap the 2 and 8 picks. Good move for
*At No. 3, will the Browns go for a franchise QB (Quinn or Russell) or a franchise RB (Adrian Peterson)? Whoever doesn't get taken might slide down the Top 10. (Prediction: Browns pick Quinn.)
*Which players with spotty backgrounds will get caught in the league's new "character" filter? CB Eric Wright of UNLV will be the case to watch. (Prediction: He'll still go high.)
*What about my personally favorite player in the draft, Florida S Reggie Nelson, who I've heard is sliding? I think he'll be next year's Defensive Rookie of the Year. My prediction: The Pats trade up to get him.
*How many "analysts" and "experts" will use 19-year-old Amobi Okoye's high-first-round draft selection to point out that he effectively implodes the rationale behind the NFL's "age-limit" rules? (Prediction: Not nearly enough.)
So many more storylines, which you can feel free to add in the Comments section. (And, if you're live-blogging the Draft, send me the link to your blog. Happy to add it to the list I'll publish.)
I'll have a live-comment post set up tomorrow for the entire draft weekend.
Roger Goodell floated the idea of moving the Super Bowl overseas sometime in the next decade. I will be the first on the record to say it: That is the single worst idea in the history of sports.
On the flip side: NFL to add 17th regular-season game?! Even speculation of that is huge. What a layer of icing on top of a weekend already dominated by the NFL.
I like the logic: If they want to play more overseas games during the regular season (which they do), it ensures that fans don't lose a precious home game, which was my biggest problem with the international games.
Talk also swirls around eliminating a preseason game in order to find room on the schedule. That would be another move that would be met with universal approval. Everyone hates the preseason.
Some statistician is going to do the dirty work, but qualitatively, it feels like even a single extra regular-season game would make the playoff races vastly more intriguing. (OK: Fantasy playoff races.)
The biggest implication? How about in the record books: An extra game could be the difference between breaking records, topping 2,000 yards rushing and hitting performance bonuses.
(And don't even think about asterisks: Baseball went from 154 games to 162 games, and no one bothers to differentiate records set over the different season lengths.)
We'll see what the players' association has to say about it. An extra game means extra mileage on players, extra chances for injury, etc.
The fact that this is going to be big news speaks to just how precious and valued those 16 games are. To add another? What fan wouldn't want that?
Schilling's Bloody Sock: Gary Thorne backtracked that he must have misunderstood Doug Mirabelli's sarcasm about the sock's blood really being paint. So, apparently, Thorne was punk'd.
Here is Curt Schilling's response to the mini-scandal, via his blog 38Pitches. It's the best example yet of Schilling short-circuiting the traditional media filter through which players connect with fans. Say this: I enjoyed Schilling's entry a lot more than I would have enjoyed a column by a
Yankees-Red Sox hits the
Lakers beat Suns in
In another example, the Jazz (down 0-2) beat the Rockets in
And here you go: The Pistons thumped the Magic in
Is Jason Kidd's knee going to keep him out of Game 3 vs. the Raptors? If so, it's going to be a big
Sonics moving to...Vegas? I thought OK City was a lock, but it sounds like Vegas is going to make the new Sonics owners an offer they can't refuse. And shouldn't refuse. The NBA in Vegas -- the first major sports team in Vegas, actually -- will be huge. Sorry, Seattle: No sympathy when the alternative is Sin City.
MLB: What an exciting week for Torii Hunter. First he sends champagne to the Royals (for which he's punished by MLB). Then he gets hit in the mouth with a pitch by Royals SP Zach Greinke. For Torii: TGIF.
MLB Stud: Bud Selig, for endorsing baseball labor impresario Marvin Miller for inclusion into the Hall of Fame.
MLB Dud: Phil Hughes, with a caveat.Yankees stud pitching prospect gets yanked early after allowing 4 ER and 7H in 4.1 IP. (Not all bad, though: 5 Ks and only 1 BB.) He'll settle.
Michael Vick and Dog-Fighting: PETA has gotten involved calling for Vick's suspension pending further investigation into his involvement in an alleged dog-fighting ring at a house he owns. Catfight!
Meanwhile, ProFootballTalk nailed it: Forget an easy suspension like Pac-Man Jones or Chris Henry. What does the Commissioner do about a player who is as big of a superstar as Vick?
NCAA bans text messaging: I think we'll look back on the last few years of unencumbered texting as a Golden Age for recruiting. Memo to the NCAA: You can TRY to stop technological progress, but you can't. Luddites. Urban Meyer's thumbs will find other ways to be useful.
NBA Draft: PG Javaris Crittenton joins teammate Thaddeus Young in the NBA Draft. Crittenton instantly is one of the Top 3 PGs in the draft, along with Mike Conley and Acie Law. And he's 6-foot-5, which should have scouts panting. He's a first-round lock.
Jeffrey Jordan Watch: MJ's son will be walking on at Illinois, thus ending the dream all Northwestern fans had of JJ leading NU to the NCAA Tournament. Or the NIT. (Whatever. They'd be on TV more and maybe upgrade from adidas sneaks to Jordan Brand.)
If you missed it yesterday, I had two arguments along the same meme: That pro-league age-limits are ludicrous, with two fantastic examples staring us right in the face: Prep-to-pro Monta Ellis winning the NBA's Most Improved Award and 19-year-old NFL Top 15 Draftee Amobi Okoye.
Today's Must-Watch: Dan Majerle hitting some crazy trick shots. In a suit. In one sitting. No editing. (H/T We Are The Postmen)
Today's Must-Read: The Big Picture's interview with ubiquitous sports-blog presence Unsilent Majority, who is graciously hosting me on Saturday night at the Wizards playoff Game 3 versus the Cavs.


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The Maker Faire in San Mateo doesn't draw 90,000 people over a single weekend because it is dry, dreary or serious. JOY is the subtext of Maker Faire. People come in droves to the Maker Faire because it is fun!
You might dispute this, but I would wager that the most fun and joyful exhibit at Maker Faire is the two-punch combo of Paul's Rides and Cyclecide. That's why I'm particularly thrilled to announce that Paul's Rides and Cyclecide will be making their magic happen at the inaugural 2010 East Bay Mini Maker Faire!
Paul's Rides are pedal-powered carnival rides. Two- and three-person ferris wheels; tiny and big carousels, two- and six-seater dizzy toys. These are rides that make you scream out loud and make you dizzy with good old centrifugal force. You get off and can't walk straight. Paul's Rides are human-powered hilarity.
"Paul" is artist Paul Ceseskwi (AKA Paul the Plumber). He started his exploration of these circus rides in 2000 with the Dizzy Toy and building up to his 2004 masterpiece, the Star Wheel. The Star Wheel debuted at Burning Man (which sponsored its creation), went to the 2007 Austin Maker Faire, and has been a rare experience since because of its need for space to roll. You'll have to see this beautiful short film here to see why:
Cyclecide, though, is the band of kooks and tinkerers and performers who helped build the rides with Paul and who have incorporated the rides into a kinetic circus involving jousting, clowns, mash-up cycles, rodeo rituals, inner tubes, and tu-tus. The Heavy Pedal Cyclecide Bike Rodeo makes it all come together.
Inspired by discarded bikes, American rodeo culture, and punk rock, Cyclecide assembled itself way back in 1995. First it was building funny bikes (the Lawn Mower bike, crazy choppers, tall bikes, and the fire-breathing Chupacabra). Along the way it morphed into a full-blown bike rodeo, complete with a house band ("Los Banos") and stage show, and the fabulous ride midway. The show always includes musical interludes and comedic skits and stunts involving the whacked-out bikes and the Cyclecide staff rodeo clowns, stunt riders, and beauty queens.
Chances to experience this quality of interactive fun just come every so often in life. Circle your calendar now for October 24 and get your g-force giggles out with the Heavy Pedal Cyclecide Bike Rodeo at the 2010 East Bay Mini Maker Faire!


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For years, Abby has been telling me tales about a delicious fig salad she makes. Thanks to the hot and sunny weather we had through the month of October, our fig tree has been pumping out tons of juicy fruit. I get giddy when I can step out of my kitchen door to pick food for supper. Yippee!
This salad has that dreamy combination of sweet, salty, creamy, and peppery flavors.... a party in each bite. And there is a lot of room for playful substitutions here. You could try arugula or frisee instead of watercress. Blue cheese could stand in for the chevre, or you can skip the cheese all together. I also think roasted hazelnuts would be tasty. And Abs says that pomegranate seeds are a nice addition as well... yum!
- 4 fresh figs
- 4 slices of bacon or pancetta
- 1 bunch watercress
- 2 tablespoons chevre
- 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
- 8 tablespoons olive oil
- 1/4 teaspoon sea salt
- optional: toasted hazelnuts, pomegranate seeds
Wash and thoroughly dry watercress. Scatter leaves, with some stems left on, over 4 salad plates.
Slice figs and nestle them into the watercress.
Crumble chevre over each plate.
Cook bacon until crispy. (I suggest cooking the bacon at the last minute so that it's warm going into the salad. It really makes a difference.)
While bacon is cooking, take a jar (that has a lid), pour in balsamic and salt. Give them a stir to blend a bit. Add the olive oil. Put lid on jar, and shake it like crazy. My kids love to do this part. Take off lid and you've got emulsified dressing ready to go.
Crumble warm bacon onto the salad. Lightly dress each plate with a spoonful or two of dressing. (You will have dressing left over to stick in the fridge for your next salad....never a bad thing.)
Eat and enjoy!
serves 4


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MOHAMMED DARAGHMEH Thursday, 13 December 2012 01:04 PM EST
NABLUS, West Bank — The Islamic militant group Hamas staged has staged its first public demonstration in the West Bank since 2007, illustrating its improving ties with the rival Fatah movement after a five-year rift.
The show of force by Hamas reflected the group's popularity in Palestinian society following an eight-day battle against Israel last month and its rising influence as Islamists rise to power across the region.
Hamas said about 5,000 supporters of the Islamic militant group took to the streets in Nablus after prayers Thursday.
Marchers chanted, "Hamas — you are the guns; we are the bullets," and, "Hamas, fire more rockets on Tel Aviv." Some women held models of the rockets Gaza militants fired at Israeli cities in last month's fighting.
Hamas' influence was also on display in the city of Hebron, where thousands of supporters turned out for the funeral of a teenager killed by Israeli border police officers a day earlier. The police say he brandished a weapon, which later turned out to be fake.
Hamas members have been subjected to both Israeli and Palestinian crackdowns since the Islamic militant group seized power in the Gaza Strip five years ago, leaving the Palestinians' Western-backed president — Mahmoud Abbas — in control only of the West Bank.
But the two rival factions have made gestures toward each other following an eight-day Israeli offensive in the Gaza Strip last month and Abbas' successful bid at the United Nations to win international recognition of a de facto Palestinian state.
"Hamas steadfastness and victory in Gaza was a big victory for all Palestinian people," Amin Makboul, a Fatah leader, said in a speech at Thursday's rally in Nablus.
Lack of progress in peace talks with Israel and Hamas' perceived victory in recent fighting has made the Islamic militant group among Palestinians.
Thousands of Palestinians marched through the streets of Hebron on Thursday, chanting anti-Israel slogans and waving green Hamas flags during a funeral procession for a teenager killed a day earlier in this volatile West Bank city.
Dozens of youths clashed with Israeli soldiers throughout the day, throwing stones and bottles. Troops responded with volleys of tear gas and rubber bullets. No serious injuries were reported.
Wednesday's shooting of 17-year-old Mohammed Suleima has raised tensions in Hebron, where several hundred ultra-nationalist Jewish settlers live in heavily fortified enclaves in the midst of more than 180,000 Palestinians.
The shooting occurred near a holy site known to Jews as the Cave of the Patriarchs and to Muslims as the Ibrahimi Mosque. Tradition holds that it is the place where their shared patriarch, Abraham, or Ibrahim to Muslims, bought a burial plot.
Israel's paramilitary border police force said officers shot Suleima after he threatened them with a gun that only later turned out to be fake. But relatives of the Palestinian youth said he was unarmed.
The relatives initially said Suleima had been hard of hearing and did not hear soldiers' orders for him to halt. But family members later said the boy's hearing was fine.
Some 5,000 people joined Thursday's funeral procession, praising God and vowing revenge. "Our blood will redeem the martyr," the crowd chanted.
Suleima's body was wrapped in a green Hamas shroud as it was carried on a stretcher through the streets. Dozens of people held green Hamas flags aloft during the procession. Suleima's family is known to support Hamas, and his brother was released last year in a prisoner swap between Hamas and Israel that freed an Israeli soldier held for five years in Gaza.
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CHAPTER 4: From Workshop to Factory
The early Martin guitars were totally hand-crafted products, made on a one-by-one basis, and there was little standardization. However, there were a few features that commonly incorporated in most of C. F. Martin's instruments. Until the mid-1840s, Martin guitars were characterized by a headstock that had all the tuning keys on one side. Martin acquired this design from his teacher in Vienna, Johann Stauffer. The headstock design with all the tuning keys on one side was discontinued by Martin and went unused until Leo Fender resurrected the design in 1948 with his Telecaster guitar.
Another feature of the early Martin guitars was an adjustable neck. A screw mounted in the back of the heel of the neck was extended into the neck block. At the top of the dovetail (where the neck joins the body) there was a wooden fulcrum about which the neck could pivot up and down. With the strings attached, the neck could be adjusted via a clock key inserted into the heel. While the adjustable neck allowed the player to adjust the playing actions of the guitar, the device was complicated and prone to slipping under full string tension. So gradually, Martin phased out this unique neck adjustment.
The 1850s also witnessed one of C. F. Martin's major design innovations, the "X" bracing system for the guitar top. Still in use today on all steel-string Martin guitars, the bracing system is largely responsible for the distinctive Martin tone, characterized by brilliant treble and powerful bass response.
C. F. Martin, Sr., died on February 16, 1873, leaving to his family and the musical world a fine tradition of guitar making. Succeeding him at the helm of the young company was his son, 48-year-old Christian Frederick, Jr., who was born in Germany. Since relocating from New York City to Nazareth, the Martin Guitar Company had evolved from a one-man operation into a thriving entity employing over a dozen craftsmen. Originally located in the Martin family homestead, Martin guitar operations had expanded to the point where a factory was needed. In 1859, a plant was constructed on the corner of Main and North Streets in Nazareth. Having undergone numerous expansions, the North Street plant is still used today as a warehouse and shipping location for strings and accessories, as well as the site of Guitarmaker's Connection, a retail supply house for instrument making and repair.