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POSITION: Executive director of Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana.
For the past six years, Steven Peyronnin has served as executive director of the Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana, a nonprofitadvocacy organization with a 25-year history of bringing together coastal interest groups in an effort to protect and restore a sustainable coastal Louisiana. A native of Baton Rouge, Peyronnin credits his interest in the coast to a childhood spent hunting and fishing in the Atchafalaya Basin followed by working offshore in the oil and gas industry to support his degree in political science.
Where are we now in coastal restoration compared with five or 10 years ago?
There is real momentum here. With a unanimously approved coastal master plan and the potential for large sums of money from the Deepwater Horizon disaster, there are real opportunities and real movement that I haven't seen on this issue in the last 10 years.
What do you see as the major challenges for coastal restoration as the $50 billion, 50-year state master plan moves forward?
The biggest challenge we face is having the courage to do big things. The state's master plan gives us a scientifically based blueprint for how we can gain more land than we lose by the year 2060. That is an astounding possibility, but only if we have the courage to make the commitment and the investment.
Is there greater awareness nationwide about coastal land loss issues?
Hurricanes Katrina, Rita, Gustav, Ike and the Deepwater Horizon disaster have certainly increased awareness about coastal Louisiana, but our bid for national attention is competing against issues like Hurricane Sandy relief, a backlog of civil works projects, a growing deficit and a sluggish economy. That's why investing our own state dollars in coastal restoration has gone a long way to leveraging federal interest in our coast.
A long-standing complaint from some people is that there have been lots of smaller coastal restoration projects but nothing big enough to halt land loss. Do you see that changing now?
The fact that we are losing approximately 16 square miles of land every year has forced us to accept that any potential solution is going to require big projects. But instead of viewing projects as big or small, we should be focused on projects that build the most land for the least cost. With limited funding, limited resources and limited time, the true measure of a successful project should be efficiency and sustainability.
What do we still need to know scientifically to move forward with large coastal restoration projects?
First, we have enough science to get started, and beyond that, science can help point the path to success; but the question science can't answer is what we as a society are willing to give up to get there.
Advocate staff writer Amy Wold

subset: commoncrawl


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It Gave Me A Little Life In My Dead TimeI've had a really hard time these last few days, dying is hard but I am at the moment living in my Priest /cult house. I am a member of a satanic/vampiristic cult where blood plays a big part. Last night my Lord asked me to join him in a ritual, he told me it would hurt but I would enjoy it. I have problem with moving and am in extreme pain so they had to carry me to the living room I guess you'd call it. They placed me on the symbol that was prepared. My Priest stood above me with a knife, he let his blood fall on to me, my vision got a bit lighter and blurry as the drops fell on me. He bent down and putted the knife to my skin but as its sliced to my skin he looked in to my eyes and I was swallowed by them. I can't describe the feeling but my pain was gone, all gone for once in my life, everything was silent, the humming from the people around us were distant. I had a moment of peace... I woke up in my bed and I had a upside down cross cut down my chest and over my ribs... All worth it
NoatoNoaki 18-21, M 2 Responses 0 Jan 5, 2012
Does that mean the cross looks right-side up when you look down at it?
Noa...I am so very, very worried.
Something about you being butchered alive just doesn't make me feel very good.


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We are happy to work in English, Hebrew, or Arabic. And from SEO to social media, we use the whole range of tools, to make sure the people you want to see your video, do. We have unique working relations with strong PR teams in New York and Israel, if needed.
Simply put, in an increasingly connected globe, we reach markets and viewers around the world.


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Today's grand opening of a Publix in Columbia County is the latest in a recent boom of grocery store openings in the county.
The 45,400-square-foot store, the third Publix in the county, anchors Riverwood Town Center at Washington Road and William Few Parkway.
"The new store will serve the growing communities around Windmill Plantation and Riverwood as well as the outlying areas near Lake Thurmond," Publix media and community relations manager Brenda Reid said in a news release.
The ribbon-cutting ceremony for Publix was held at 6:45 a.m., and the first 1,500 customers at the store are to receive a free Publix reusable grocery bag, according to the release.
Upon entering the store, customers also were to receive flowers while supplies last, and the first 25 shoppers who purchase $25 or more in groceries will win a free bag of groceries worth $25, according to the release.
Other grand-opening activities will take place from 3-8 p.m.
"The new store format will be the first of its kind in Columbia County," Reid said.
The new store opened with about 77 employees. The store's hours are from 7 a.m. until 11 p.m. daily.
Several grocery stores have opened for business in the county in recent weeks. Two Food Lions -- one in Martinez and another near Grovetown -- opened on Oct. 21. A Grovetown Walmart opened on Wednesday and anchors The Gateway shopping center on Horizon South Parkway at Interstate 20.
Riverwood Town Center is a joint project by Meybohm Commercial Properties and Crosland LLC, based in Charlotte, N.C.
Other businesses locating in the Publix-anchored shopping center include Great Clips, Sky Nails, White House Cleaners, Woody's Spirits and Tao Restaurant, an Asian fusion eatery, said Gwen Glaeser, a Crosland leasing associate.
"We're (also) hoping for a deli and sub user, and then there'll be, hopefully, a national fast-foot chain on one of the out-parcels," she said.
The 15-acre commercial site includes five out-parcels fronting either Washington Road or William Few Parkway. Breaking ground on a CVS pharmacy at the shopping center should happen soon, Glaeser said.
"There's a couple of other things that we have going on, which will be nice additions to the center, but I just can't name them at this point," she said.


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A POPULAR Oswestry businessman died after becoming lodged under a sit-on lawnmower, an inquest has heard.
John Russell Cadwallader, known locally as Russell, was discovered by his wife Gwyneth after he failed to come home for his dinner on May 6, this year.
The 82-year-old haulage entrepreneur had been mowing the lawn at his son's home, The Hayes Barns on Racecourse Road on the day of the incident.
A statement from Mrs Cadwalladr read out at Thursday's inquest, said: "When he (Mr Cadwallader) failed to arrive home I drove out to The Hayes Barns and found him.
"I thought he had been knocked out."
She then went to her sister's house to raise the alarm.
The hearing was told how Mr Cadwallader's son David had rushed to the property and desperately tried to tow the lawnmower off his father but the makeshift tow rope snapped.
He eventually managed to move it with the help of his brother John just before paramedics arrived.
Mr Cadwallader had not responded to any of his family and was pronounced dead at the scene. The lawnmower was upside down close to a ditched embankment.
A post mortem revealed Mr Cadwallader had died of asphyxiation and North Shropshire coroner Mr John Ellery record a verdict of accidental death.
The chilled transport pioneer left school at the age of 14 and began work as a farm labourer.
But after developing an interest in machinery and becoming a livestock lorry driver, Mr Cadwallader bought a lorry and began delivering for the Heinz Corporation. He negotiated work with British Steel and with his brother George, G. and R. Cadwallader was formed, later becoming the biggest privately owned haulage firm in the UK and delivering across Europe.
Mr Cadwallader retired in 1996 and the old firm was closed and replaced by Cadwallader Limited run by his sons and based on Maesbury Road, Oswestry.
See full story in the Advertizer


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American National Broadband Plan good first step
The National Broadband Plan that the FCC will present on 17 March will set the USA on a completely different telecoms path. This plan will hopefully show Congress that it is worthwhile making the legislative changes that will deliver the social and economic benefits of a national broadband infrastructure.
Groundwork for a new direction in telecoms
Shortly before Barack Obama won the election in 2008 I started to work with what became the Obama Transition Team on some of the US telecoms policies. Obama and his small team of technological experts were aware of the developments in Australia – particularly in relation to the need for trans-sector policy on broadband infrastructure.
Together with a team of national (US) and international experts we prepared half a dozen 'BigThink' strategy reports for the Obama Team in the White House.
We also established a good relationship with the FCC (Blair Levin's team) and NTIA (Larry Strickling).
ALL parties publicly agreed to a trans-sector approach and many of our suggestions are clearly reflected in the stimulus package (open networks) of the FCC national purpose strategy. And our suggestions also appear in the upcoming National Broadband Plan – in the trans-sector approach to the public safety sector and the proposed mobile broadband infrastructure for this sector.
Visionary plan now needs legislative action
However, if we're talking about 'national purpose' a transformation of the telecoms industry is crucial, and the FCC has been specifically forbidden by Congress to address this topic.
The National Broadband Plan will most certainly highlight the benefits attached to a 'national purpose' policy but it is up to the Congress to make it happen. The plan will provide a new, visionary direction for telecoms in America but unfortunately in its current state it is a toothless tiger. It will be up to Congress to take action through legislation – without that it will be impossible to implement the plan in any timely fashion.
As matters stand at the moment the plan is the best the FCC can do. They should be applauded for the work they have done so far – they have laid the foundation for a totally new telecoms direction in the USA.
All of these trans-sector/national purpose policy proposals require very significant changes to the way the telecoms industry works and if – as has been stipulated by Congress – this can't and therefore will not be addressed in the Plan.
Affordable access to broadband infrastructure
Another key to telco transformation is the creation of a level of 'affordability' both for the end-users and for the sectors that could use the infrastructure, you won't get this without tough legislation.
To just get very fast broadband to American homes in isolation from this trans-sector approach is fairly useless. While you might get such a service to all homes the reality is that without a utilities-based trans-sector approach towards the underlying broadband infrastructure it will be impossible to make that an affordable service. We only have to look at the charges that currently apply to such (fiber-based) broadband services to realize that probably only about 25% of Americans can afford this.
While not defined as such in the USA, broadband is simply infrastructure. (Access to that infrastructure is now declared a national right in several European countries.) A problem in the US legislation is that the previous Administration gave broadband the unusual classification of 'an information service' and not an access service.
National purpose good for the nation and for lowering the consumer bill
If the trans-sector approach is applied other sectors (healthcare, education, energy, public safety) can be directed by the government to start using this network – thus paying their share towards the cost of the broadband infrastructure – for the delivery of their services, eg, the monitoring of aged people from their homes to reduce the need for hospitalization.
This has to be a government-driven approach as the social and economic trans-sector benefits fall outside the balance sheets of the telco providers. These benefits need to be carefully monetized and used as input by the government in developing government policies in these areas. The OECD has indicated that the savings made by using the broadband network for healthcare, education and transport alone could pay for the deployment of a national broadband network.
Unfortunately the economic benefits are very hard to calculate. But was it possible to predict the benefits of the electricity network when it was built? The naysayers in those days said that it was outrageous to pay for infrastructure that would simply replace candles.
Structural changes to the industry are needed
In order for those sectors to be able to deliver these services the broadband infrastructure needs to be made available to them on a utilities basis. This can't be done within the vertically-integrated structure of the telecoms industry. An open network policy is required, and that is clearly not on the table in the United States – at least not for 90% of the infrastructure that will be involved in its National Broadband Plan.
So, yes, even without legislative changes the new broadband plan might indeed deliver broadband to most people in the USA – but at what cost to the average American citizen? For the moment at least, the incumbents can't believe their luck at the honey pot the government is placing in front of them. They are in a prime position to deliver these networks and they will not be required to do this at an affordable price. The government will pay the going rack rate which will include a very fat premium to the carriers on top of costs.
This situation cries out for structural changes to the industry, but it doesn't look as though change will take place in the foreseeable future.
The end result is that access to broadband will remain significantly more expensive to Americans than to people in countries that opt for an open network and utility approach towards basic infrastructure.
Regional and Rural America will be second rated
Another result will be that regional and rural users will get a second-rate service (lower speed). There is no way that those premium prices charged by the incumbent telcos can be afforded to build an equivalent broadband network in regional America. This is a very dangerous development as it will undermine the delivery of the trans-sector services to those communities. Healthcare, energy and public safety services require Qos, security, reliability, privacy protection, etc. A second-rate network will certainly compromise some of that and might even render it unacceptable for the usage of such service.
As mentioned above, the incumbents are jumping up and down with joy and – in relation to voluntary cooperation to give some spectrum back – the broadcasters are arrogantly saying 'over my dead body'. But in reality, and based on decades of anti-competitive behavior, who among these players will voluntarily give up their monopolistic rents as requested by what is, in that respect, a rather powerless FCC.
The ball is now in the court of Congress
Congress should take a very hard look at itself and answer some these questions before propping up an outmoded telecommunications structure. This money can only be spent once and at present it appears that without structural changes to the industry the new National Broadband Plan will not provide the right foundation for those national interest investments. It would be impossible to successfully implement these policies without simultaneously addressing the structural issues in the industry.
We have top-class people involved in the development of the National Broadband Plan – the ones mentioned above, as well as the excellent team of extremely hardworking people that Blair Levin has built up.
So that's not the issue. The issue is the failure of the American political system.
For the first time in its history a different approach is being taken towards telecoms in America – we now accept such notions as open networks, network neutrality and trans-sector/national. Let us hope that Congress now takes the baton from the FCC and supplies the legislative follow-up that is required to implement this very important first step.
The plan, as it will be presented on 17 March, has gone as far as the FCC can take it. It is now up to the legislators to be visionary – to make sure that the National Broadband Plan is followed up with legislation that will enable the telecoms industry to deliver the enormous social and economic national benefits highlighted in the plan.
Paul Budde
See also:
- USA – Analysis of broadband policy developments in early 2010
- USA – Telco Transformation starts with Public Safety
- USA – Analysis of broadband developments – late 2009
- USA – Benchmarking broadband in the USA
- USA – Broadband Market – Fibre to the Home (FttH) Overview, Statistics & Forecasts
- USA – Telecommunications – Key Statistics
- Global Next Generation Telecoms – FttH and Trans-Sector Strategies
- Global Recovery will depend on Trans-Sector Vision
- Global – Infrastructure – National Broadband Networks (NBN)
- Global – Infrastructure – National Broadband Rollouts Design and Deployment Strategies
- Global – Infrastructure – Next Generation Telecoms
- Global – Internet – Net Neutrality Analysis
- Global – National Broadband & Trans-sector developments in Australia & New Zealand
We invite your comments: 1 Comment on American National Broadband Plan good first stepTagged in: National Broadband Network, United States of America


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The concert series, which is now in its 19th season, will also feature shows by Ed Sheeran, Sara Bareilles, Fifth Harmony, Aloe Blacc and Ariana Grande among others.
The line-up of performers for "Toyota Concert Series on Today" was announced on Tuesday, April 29. The annual concert series will start on Friday, May 16 with Mariah Carey hitting the stage at the Rockefeller Plaza.
It will be Carey's sixth time to join the summer concert series which is currently in its 19th season. Tim McGraw, Austin Mahone and Rascal Flatts will serve as the performers for the shows scheduled for the rest of the month.
The stellar line-up will also feature a show by Pharrell Williams. The Grammy Award-winning producer will make his first ever visit to the series on Thursday, June 5. Sara Bareilles, Train, Little Mix, Fall Out Boy and Phillip Phillips will make appearances later that month.
Other performers include Ed Sheeran, Fifth Harmony, OneRepublic, Aloe Blacc, Neon Trees, TBD, Ariana Grande, Maroon 5 and Usher. The concerts will air on NBC every Friday morning throughout the summer.
- May 16: Mariah Carey
- May 23: Tim McGraw
- May 26: Austin Mahone (Monday)
- May 30: Rascal Flatts
- June 5: Pharrell Williams (Thursday)
- June 6: Sara Bareilles
- June 13: Train
- June 17: Little Mix (Tuesday)
- June 20: Fall Out Boy
- June 27: Phillip Phillips
- July 4: Ed Sheeran
- July 11: Fifth Harmony
- July 18: Jason Mraz
- July 25: OneRepublic
- July 29: Jennifer Hudson (Tuesday)
- August 1: Aloe Blacc
- August 8: TBD
- August 15: Neon Trees
- August 22: TBD
- August 29: Ariana Grande
- September 1: Maroon 5
- September 5: Usher


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Get glowing skin and back-from-the-beach hair with the help of these standout (and eco-friendly) brands from Down Under.
Banish product buildup and add shine with one of these detoxifying (and color-safe!) clarifying shampoos.
Whether you're heading to the gym or a black tie wedding, there's braid for every occasion. We make learning our favorite plaits easy to do.
Meet the superstar detanglers and leave-in conditioners that leave every hair type smooth, moisturized, and protected.
Learn how to use coconut oil in your beauty, hair, and skincare routine.
Our cofounder and CEO Katia shares some of her favorite new beauty products in the Birchbox Shop this December.
Watch this video and learn how to get glamorous Hollywood waves with some hairspray, bobby pins, and little curling wand know-how.
Our cofounder and CEO Katia shares some of her favorite new beauty products in the Birchbox Shop this November
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Watch celebrity hairstylist Sarah Potempa create a gorgeous rolled updo—perfect for a wedding.


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Displays and logs basic mobile network properties.
Displays and logs basic mobile network properties.
"It is said some lives are linked across time..
Connected by an ancient calling that echoes through the ages…
Destiny. "
This is the passage that is shown at the beginning of the movie "Prince of Persia, Sands of Time". It is a great beginning for a fantastic film.
For the game, as it is said by the author, "… One of the most successful and enduring video game franchises of all time, with over 17 million games sold to date…" (http://jordanmechner.com/bio/).
My Prince of Persia adventure started with its 2D game on the DOS machines. The music was great then and is great now. Eastern breezes flew upon you when you listened it… And then, when you acquainted with the story, you liked it more. For me, it was the best entertainment ever.
Then came the 3D version from UBI Soft, The Sands of Times. Great experience and again great music. it was the only game I took pleasure playing it over and over. Others always bored me after some time. As a software engineer, it gave purpose to do on the coming years. I did a gaming software in the following years. But still the taste of it, I remember…
The story is interesting…
It first came out for an Apple II computer, that is also interesting.
The source code of the first game is now on github (https://github.com/jmechner/Prince-of-Persia-Apple-II). The original author made it open source. It is written in assembly language for Apple II computer. As it is written on the page, they have worked out to save it from years old floppy disks. Thank you!
From some YouTube videos (http://jordanmechner.com/ebook/), you can see the making of the first game. They were using actual videos for the movements.
Thank you guys for creating (or being a reason for creating) such a good journey…
M/R (Map/Reduce) model is the name of two distinct feature mostly found in the functional programming languages. Map is the process of applying a mass function to each member of a list. After that, resulting list contains the processed items which may or may not have the same number of elements. Reduce on the other hand takes this map input and combines them with recursive means.
The most interesting part of these methods is they are very much suitable for parallel operations. Let us dive into why they are….
The Best Way of Synchronization
Today most of the computation revolves around parallelization techniques. From the time when the processing power stopped increasing, the manufacturers started putting two of the same processing engine to the same box. After that, forcibly, streamlined parallel processing age has begun. Whether this parallel processing was in a single box or be distributed across the planet, what it brings is the change of mentality in programming. Previously, all a programmer had to do was to design the software with a single processing engine in mind. Why not? Even the compilers until that time were optimizing their code in this way. But when more power is needed you had to dive into the parallel processing paradigm and, man, it was hard. When doing parallel processing, you must be very careful synchronizing your code. Whether the problem at hand was the producer/consumer problem or it was the dining philosophers' problem, synchronizing was the most important part. Also grasping the structures was not an easy job for everyone.
Now, let us say, one knows everything about the synchronization and applies to the design, but this time, he realizes that, synchronization comes with a price: it is slow. The whole idea of parallelization is to make things fast, but when doing parallelization, synchronization puts burdens and makes your job harder. Hardware supported techniques also did not help too much. It was time to think the best way of doing it and it was clear: To get the most out of hardware, you should avoid using synchronization. And there it was, the best way of parallel computation was not using synchronization techniques at all.
So, is it possible? Yes, it is possible, but it will depend on your problem.
Let us think a producer/consumer problem. Let us have an object reading a file line by line and then another object processing those lines and outputting to another file. When doing this, we have two ways:
The first way: the consumer is greedy and is taking a line whenever it is ready. In this method, the consumer object can use a list-like structure the producer provides and checks its count property and whenever an item is ready, it will take it from there. The list itself must be synchronized for parallel processing.
The second way: The consumer waits until the number of lines reaches to a certain count and then start taking it without draining it. If the count is lower than this count than it will sleep. If the producer indicates that it has finished (this happens once in the object lifetime so no way to mess up), the consumer could drain the source and then finish.
In the first way, synchronizing makes things slow. To that, if the objects reside in different processes or in different machines it will make things worse. Because inter-process communication is slow, dangerous and more expensive.
In the second way, no synchronization is required and apart from the initial time, no waiting required; perfect for the long running operations.
M/R works in much the same manner of the second way. It does not use any synchronization techniques (of course, when you have many threads working at the same time, for other purposes you can use them, but for the main job, processing the data, this will be in a minimum level). First it divides the problem with mapping stages and then "reduce" stage takes these mapped values and process it whenever some input is ready. Initial waiting times put some burden on the operation but the overall time will always be better for long running operations.
Hadoop is an answer to distributed computing with massive data.
When Google started with its operations and got good results out of it [1] [2], others started to investigate same thing to be done. Because working with data as big as web required some radical methods and current methods stayed short for.
A web search engine was being developed by Doug Cutting and his colleagues, called Nutch [3], in their spare times, in 2002. They made it work with a couple computers but to scale it to web it should have worked with thousands of computers. They soon realized this was not a project to be done with so few resources.
In 2003, Google, successful in this kind of work, released a paper about their GFS (Google File System) [1]. Their system was working on commodity servers with thousands of nodes. They could also scale those easily. With this file system, managing massive data could be operated easily. Doug Cutting and his team, with in the next year, could be able to have a working file system like GFS. They have called it NDFS (Nutch Distributed File System).
In 2004, Google again published a paper on MapReduce [2], their implementation of distributed computing. In 2005, Doug Cutting and his team already had an implementation of MapReduce. Most of the routines of the Nutch converted to NDFS and MapReduce.
Later on, Doug Cutting Joined Yahoo! and the resources provided for the project provided the team the big leaps. In 2008, Yahoo! announced that it had 10.000-core Hadoop clusters [5].
After Some times around that, the big hype around Hadoop started.
Aside from the fact that, Java made massive progress, both in systems integration and in performance issues, some would not still believe the kind of massive data is processed with it. As it came out, the bottleneck in the massive data processing was the seek time, not the speed of the computers, not the amount of the RAM available. As it is put in [5], the seek time of the hard drives is improving more slowly than their transfer rate. In this case, Java makes perfect sense;
With these and with many other reasons, I think, it made it to be what it is now.
It is always misleading if we think about the Hadoop as a RDBMs like system. It is true that the Hadoop ecosystems are equipped with database like systems, but what Hadoop and its ecosystem really is a distributed computing processing engine. There are some similarities though, as you can query in both systems with SQL like languages, but I will talk about the differences in the coming words.
As previously mentioned, seek time is improving more slowly than transfer rate. That is to say, if you are making more seeks you will be slower. But if you are making less seeks and transferring more, you get more work done. This is the reason why Hadoop is more capable in big data than the RDBMs. In fact, that is the design philosophy of the B-Tree structures: Index the records in a tree and keep the disk pointers in RAM and when needed, just seek to the place in the hard drive to read the records. As it can be seen, seek time is very important in RDBMSs.
RDBMSs are more capable of updating a small sets set of data. In that they are very fast, if the set of the data increases, they become short in that. This is how it is done in RDBMS
As it can be seen, there can be one or many seek. Of course, that depends on the operation but the general idea is as it is defined.
RDBMS requires a rigid structure on the data to process it. Also, data duplication is strictly forbidden; from this normalization was born. But as the data size starts growing, normalization does not help the performance, it puts more seeks on the data to be traversed. So, the denormalization process is to be taken to make the process more performing. But this is thought to be the last resort in RDBMSs [6].
On the other hand, Hadoop is more relaxed on the structure of the data. It can take any format, any type of file to be processed. For example the big log files are good example of the data to be processed in Hadoop.
When more power is needed in RDBMSs, the answer to that is more powerful computers to do the job. But in Hadoop, it is only adding more commodity servers to the cluster that are sometimes one hundred times cheaper.
Also, all of this does not mean that, the two systems are not capable of integrating both ideas. As Tom White indicates [7], the gap between them will slowly disappear. Oracle and many other companies already started working on it [8].
Grid or volunteer computing is more about compute intensive jobs, rather than disk intensive jobs. In disk based jobs, Hadoop is the answer.
Hadoop simply runs on the locality principle. That is to say, the data and the processing part of the systems should be on the same nodes or near to each other. With that, the power of the local area networks could be exploited. This simple principle and the ideas on the disk seeking give its power to Hadoop.
Everybody (or at least anybody that took network based classes or read about network structures) must have already seen the cloud picture representing the internet. Cloud is the internet and Hadoop brings the ability processing huge amount of data on the cloud, meaning with servers on all over the world, keeping above mentioned principles, of course. Amazon S3 etc. systems are all cloud based systems.
Of course, Hadoop provides means of writing map and reduce functions in languages other than Java. Also, functional languages like OCaml or F# is best suited for the jobs at hand [10] [11] [12]. I will be mentioning them in the coming articles.
There exist many ETL processor engines and many more implemented by private companies for in house use. As a person who spent most of its professional life in ETL included projects, if I need to say something about the ETL, it would be "Hadoop is the future of ETL". With small data, others would prevail or at least continue to stay alive, but in processing gigantic data, they will slowly fade away.
Hadoop is an Apache top project. In that there are a dozen of other projects that collectively called Apache Hadoop project. In the next article, I will go over each one of them shortly.
1-GFS: Google File System.
3-Nutch: http://nutch.apache.org/
4-Hadoop The Definitive Guide 2nd Edition, Chapter 1 Meet Hadoop, page 5, Tom O'Reilly, White
5-Hadoop The Definitive Guide 2nd Edition, Chapter 1 Meet Hadoop, page 10, Tom O'Reilly, White
6-Date, C.J. Database in Depth: Relational Theory for Practitioners. O'Reilly (2005), p. 152.
7-Hadoop The Definitive Guide 2nd Edition, Chapter 1 Meet Hadoop, page 6, Tom O'Reilly, White
8-Oracle Big Data, http://www.oracle.com/us/technologies/big-data/index.html
9-Apache Hadoop, http://hadoop.apache.org/
10-Functinal languages and Hadoop, http://stackoverflow.com/questions/6087834/how-scalable-is-mapreduce-in-the-original-functional-languages
11-Making Hadoop more "functional" with Scala ,http://heuristic-fencepost.blogspot.com/2010/11/making-hadoop-more-functional-with.html
12-Parallel and Distributed Computational Intelligence, Francisco Fernández de Vega, pg.14, "Hadoop built upon map and reduce primitives present in functional languages".
What java brought to the programming languages was extraordinary. Not that it was the first to implement it, it was the first implementing it in a way that revolutionized the way for other programming languages.
If we say java is only a programming language, it would be wrong. In fact it is a platform does many things an operating system does. User interface, security, executable discovery, file system and many more libraries are defined in itself. In that platform memory management and different programming languages are supported.
One can say that java has a machine language for itself, it won't be wrong. But different from its predecessors, it started as an interpreting platform (anyways, what real hardware does is, in fact, interpreting the machine language, but in a much more faster way, nothing more), later advancements made it close to real machine execution (JIT itself is a miraculous invention).
From all these mumbo-jumbo, what java brings is better productivity and platform independency. Independency is copy paste independency not preprocessing helped recompilation. Take your code to another platform and voila! It will work.
This explanation may not come as an extraordinary invention to the contemporary engineers; it is a game changing establishment in the history of computer science.
From all of this, if original inventors of java have omitted some features in the mist of the revolution, this, i think, is not only forgivable, it is also a clear indication that humans are capable of doing such things, so also you can manage such implementation.
Now that we have said this, the original implementation of "volatile" in java is implemented in a way off [1] [2]. One would expect a volatile variable should behave as a memory barrier, but the first implementation did not provide this. What original implementation provided was only cache invalidation. Code reordering still was possible.
In fact, this was what java platform behaved like. Java was a bad boy when reordering for performance was needed. No matter what, it would have rearranged that [3] [4]. This is in fact is influenced from the optimizations for single threaded applications. Java first developed in a world of single threaded applications and in that time, it was mostly OK. But as the time passed, as the multithreaded applications surfaced, engineers started to find out oddities in the execution and later it become clear that even the famous double checking lock was not guaranteed in java in those days. Only synchronization that would definitely work was "synchronized" keyword. If you did that, it would work else do not even try. Whatever you would do, in some scenario it would fail.
But everything changed in the last months of 2004 when the new java version of 2 (J2SE 5.0) came out [5]. "volatile" started to behave as it should be; A memory barrier and a cache invalidator.
Java is very keen on the backward compatibility. For example, when implementing generics, because of these concerns, generics did not become runtime templates but c style compile time templates [6]. Some intricacies of generics come from this fact and the famous "sometype<?>" notation owes its existence to this fact. "volatile" on the other hand is an exception that brakes this. It has been changed from one version to the other.
This is the story of volatile in Java, in a nutshell.
Whenever a talk begins about the "volatile" constructs in programming languages, the chat goes all the way to "Memory Models". Unless one is familiar with the concept of the memory models, it will be hard to grasp the concept of "volatile" inner workings.
It is already known that "volatile" is about the threading operations. As the name implies, it is about volatile variables that may be subject to change between thread calls (in a nutshell this sentence describes the motivation behind it). But what it really is always behind the closed doors of compilers, CPUs, CPU caches, main memories etc. So what happens when a multithreaded code with shared variables runs or compiled?
Usually with higher level languages (especially that are first compiled to an intermediate byte code) developers need not to give much attention to these details. Because the platforms that will later compile this byte code to the native language of the machine in that the code runs (JIT Compilers, Native Image Generators [NGENs]) give assurance on the behavior of the underlying hardware and of the compiler that will compile the higher level language to byte code or to the machine code. This assurance is what we call the "Software Memory Model". So a developer could write one code, and by the magic of the byte code, it will run on many processor architectures without fine tuning. On the software side, it is a contract between the developer and the software platform provider. "Hardware Memory Model", on the other side, is an assurance from the hardware platform provider to the software platform provider for code execution in hardware.
As it can be seen, the concept of "memory model" is twofold. The first one is according to the developer point view. It is how a developer sees a memory model. The software platform provider is responsible to obey by it. On the hardware side, the second one, the manufacturers also define memory models for their processors. So it becomes a contract between the software platform provider and the hardware platform provider. Let us first go over hardware memory models and try to understand what they really are.
(This is something I have made up to draw the distinction between the memory models.) "Strong Memory model" name can be given to the memory models that were used before. The code that is given to the processor is executed as is. No reordering, no optimization, and no cache coherency (cache coherency: in multi-processed systems caches holding the copy of the same variable from the memory). What is written to the cache is directly will be available to other threads no matter in which processor they execute on (If a single processor system, which most of them were, then no worries on the cache coherency). What is read from the cache will be up-to-date one. So no optimization that will change the behavior of the code will occur.
Weak memory model is an attempt to improve the performance of software [1]. In this model, CPU is given the freedom to reorder [3] or optimize the program sequences (that reside in memory) whenever it sees fit. If a reorder is at hand and if it will not break the real execution order of the code, then a reorder could be implemented. So, what this means is the processor is not giving any assurance on the order of code but in the overall execution. This is what it is called the "as-if-sequential" execution. The overall effect of the software would be the same and the user or the developer will see the execution as if completed in the same order. Also some other optimization of code could occur and the CPU will honor the optimization if it will not break the overall execution effect.
Strong memory model are easy to be developed in and has less performance characteristics. It is this feature that lead to the weak memory models. CPU would reorder or optimize the code if it sees some optimization is ahead.
For the sake of simplicity, we first assume that we have a system of one processor having only one level of cache system. Then we will talk about what happens when the system is made up with two of those processors.
In this system, cache always is up-to-date (if no mapped I/O operation occurs). Because there is only one cache then we cannot talk about cache coherency problems. The only problem that will surface will be the reordering operation in multithreaded applications. If a thread is reading a variable, it is seeing this from the cache value and because there is no other cache (or CPU) that will change this variable in the main memory, then the operations will be safe according to the last value of the variable. Multithreaded applications, in this type of systems, must take cautions on memory reordering problems, though. What can be done to overcome the memory ordering in these systems? Memory Barriers can be used to overcome this reordering. In that, volatile can be expensive but for the sake of portability for other platforms, they can be suitable
If the system is made of two processors and two caches (each one for a CPU), then a variable will have the danger of being manipulated by more than one thread executing on different CPUs. If a thread is executing on the CPU1 and writing to Cache1, and another thread is executing on CPU2 and writing on Cache2, the same variable could have two different values on two different caches at the same time. Of course, the cache value will be written to the main memory but the timing of it could lead to race conditions. The value may be changed long before another thread is trying to access the variable which it read from the local CPU cache. In this situation, cache coherency protocols [2] take the action for the consistency of the caches in a shared memory model. This consistency model can be applied in many ways to many processor architectures. For example, Intel x86 processors, writes are always volatile, meaning if you are writing to a variable, the cache will be invalidated and the value will be written to the memory at once.
The first language to define a software memory model was Java (It will be the subject of another article). Because Java made a promise to the developers that if you have written one code then this code will work in every platform Java runs on. But hardware platforms are different when it comes to memory management. Every platform had its own memory model. What Java did this time was to implement its own memory model which Java would promise to the developers that if you write code according to this memory model, it would work everywhere [4]. Later on, other programming languages implemented their own memory models, including C # [5].
Now that we have learned what a memory model is, then we are ready to go on the java concept of volatile and its bitter history. See you on the next article…
1-Weak Ordering – A New Definition
2-The Performance and Scalability of Distributed Shared Memory Cache Coherence Protocols, Chapter 2: Cache Coherence Protocols, Mark Heinrich Ph.D. Dissertation Computer Systems Laboratory Stanford University October 1998
3-Chapter 8.2 Memory Ordering, Chapter 11 Cache Control, Intel® 64 and IA-32 Architectures Developer's Manual: Vol. 3A
4- Chapter 17.4 Memory Model, the Java Language Specification Third Edition, James Gosling, Bill Joy, Guy Steele, Gilad Bracha
5- Volatile keyword in C# – memory model explained
Tony Hoare (aka C.A.R. Hoare, age 78) is one the pioneer in the computer science field and the creator of the QuickSort algorithm. Also, he is the man behind the Z specification language, CSP (Communicating Sequential Processes) concurrent programming model (like dining philosophers problem) and Hoare logic (correctness of software).
He is also the creator of the Elliott ALGOL compiler (and implementation of ALGOL 60).
He currently works as a principle researcher (after decades of academic career) at Microsoft Research, Cambridge, England [1].
Here is a couple of quotes from him:
1-"I call it my billion-dollar mistake. It was the invention of the null reference in 1965. At that time, I was designing the first comprehensive type system for references in an object oriented language (ALGOL W). My goal was to ensure that all use of references should be absolutely safe, with checking performed automatically by the compiler. But I couldn't resist the temptation to put in a null reference, simply because it was so easy to implement. This has led to innumerable errors, vulnerabilities, and system crashes, which have probably caused a billion dollars of pain and damage in the last forty years. In recent years, a number of program analysers like PREfix and PREfast in Microsoft have been used to check references, and give warnings if there is a risk they may be non-null. More recent programming languages like Spec# have introduced declarations for non-null references. This is the solution, which I rejected in 1965" [2].
2-"There are two ways of constructing a software design: One way is to make it so simple that there are obviously no deficiencies, and the other way is to make it so complicated that there are no obvious deficiencies. The first method is far more difficult" [3].
3-"[About Algol 60] Here is a language so far ahead of its time, that it was not only an improvement on its predecessors, but also on nearly all its successors" [4].
5-Science vs. Engineering [5]
|best practise
6-"concurrent programs wait faster"[6].
3-The 1980 ACM Turing Award Lecture
Recently, in the History Channel there was a documentary named "How the Earth Was Made". This documentary was about the movement of the earth's crust and the explanations around the "Plate Tectonics" theory. It was a two season series that in each episode, looked at some mysterious or unexplained earth structures and tried to explain them with the "Plate Tectonics" theory.
It is an incredible subject. According to this theory, earth's crust is made up from distinct plates. These plates are in motion. Imagine that the plates are moving, bumping to each other and creating mountains and changing the world climate.
Just watch the documentary and you will learn a lot from it, at least some explanations for the geography that seem unbelievable to the naked eye.
We can give examples of the movement and the effects of it. Plate tectonics explains the Himalaya Mountain Ranges with the moving plates. According to it, the Indian Subcontinent once was together with the African Plate and after they separated, it crushed to the Asian Plate. Two plates are now pressing each other. From this the Himalaya Mountains are born. The pressure still continues and the Everest is still rising up a couple inches a year.
It also explains some of the earthquakes and the creation of the volcanoes in the Belt of Fire or elsewhere. The concept of a hot point is a curious thing which caused the creation of Hawaiian Islands.
According to the theory, what makes the plates move is the inner pressure of the molten rocks, the magma.
If you think that way, everything seem to fit perfectly.
But there is another theory. Instead of the moving plates, this theory tries to explain the changes in the earth's crust with the Expanding Earth theory. According to it, the process of the changes are the result of the expanding earth.
Check out
Expanding Earth and the Pangaea Theory
Plate Tectonics and the Expanding Earth
Many programming languages have integrated the notion of "static" into their nomenclature. Most of the "Object Oriented" languages have integrated it as "class variable" (as opposed to instance variable).
Now, if we want to describe the notions of class and instance variables we would say a class variable is instantiated when first a type is referenced via the static members or when first instance is created (.Net and Java is like that) or type is loaded into the memory (C\C++ is like that). An instance variable, on the other hand, is created when any of the class constructors is called.
There is also the notion of "static class constructor"s. In .Net you would create one as:
sealed class MyObj
static MyObj()
//Access static members and initiate
In Java, this is accomplished with "static block"s. It is the same as its .Net counterpart, only the syntax is different.
final class MyObj
//Access static members and initiate
In C\C++, it is a bit different tough. "static" is either a "storage class" definition or is the same as above. If it modifies a variable in the top level (out side of any function call and any "class" definition) then the variable it defines will be visible to the file only. There no similarity to the "static" word in the other languages for this use. For example, below is a header file, named "myinclude.h":
#ifndef _MYINCLUDE_H_
#define _MYINCLUDE_H_
static uint mynumber = 0;
In this file, "mynumber" will only be visible to this file and the files that include "myinclude.h".
On the other hand, in C++, if a "static" variable is defined inside of a "class" then it is the same usage with C# or Java.
struct Request {
static int count;


text:
Samsung's 3rd-quarter net profit rises 17 percent
by The Associated Press
Samsung Electronics says net profit rose 17 percent in the third quarter amid strength in its semiconductor and mobile phone businesses.
The company said Friday in a regulatory filing and statement that it earned 4.46 trillion won ($3.97 billion) in the three months ended Sept. 30. It had net profit of 3.81 trillion won the year before.
Samsung Electronics Co. said third-quarter sales rose 12 percent to 40.23 trillion won, also a record. That compares with sales of 35.89 trillion won last year.
Samsung is a major force in the global electronics industry and manufactures computer memory chips, flat screen televisions and liquid crystal displays and mobile phones.


text:
Dog Cooling Vest Beats a Bath Any Day
Beat the Heat: Cooling Vest Beats a Bath Any Day
If it's hard to lure a pooch into a pool or lake, and he still views a hose down as something too close to a bath, here's a great solution to keep your cool, while trying to keep him cool as well. The Dog Cooling Vest ($50 and up) not only offers a shield to save him from the sun, but it can also be soaked in water so he's wet without a sudden shock of a spray or splash. Even though the idea itself is pretty cool, I especially love that one of the sizes is mini Dachshund! It's often hard to entirely cover these odd-shaped pooches, and they deserve protection, too!


text:
Transcript of President Obama's victory speech in Chicago. Source: Federal News Service (via NPR)
(Cheers, applause.)
AUDIENCE MEMBERS: (Chanting.) Four more years! Four more years! Four more years! Four more years! Four more years! Four more years! Four more years! Four more years!
PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA: Thank you. Thank you. Thank you so much. (Sustained cheers, applause.)
Tonight, more than 200 years after a former colony won the right to determine its own destiny, the task of perfecting our union moves forward. (Cheers, applause.)
It moves forward because of you. It moves forward because you reaffirmed the spirit that has triumphed over war and depression, the spirit that has lifted this country from the depths of despair to the great heights of hope, the belief that while each of us will pursue our own individual dreams, we are an American family, and we rise or fall together as one nation and as one people. (Cheers, applause.)
Tonight, in this election, you, the American people, reminded us that while our road has been hard, while our journey has been long, we have picked ourselves up, we have fought our way back, and we know in our hearts that for the United States of America, the best is yet to come.
(Cheers, applause.) I want to thank every American who participated in this election. (Cheers, applause.) Whether you voted for the very first time — (cheers) — or waited in line for a very long time — (cheers) — by the way, we have to fix that. (Cheers, applause.) Whether you pounded the pavement or picked up the phone — (cheers, applause) — whether you held an Obama sign or a Romney sign, you made your voice heard and you made a difference. (Cheers, applause.)


text:
Opec issues warning on Bush oil pledge
Expand Messages
- http://news.ft.com/cms/s/8d5c9580-9368-11da-a978-0000779e2340.html
Opec issues warning on Bush oil pledge
By Carola Hoyos in Vienna and Christopher Swann in
Published: February 1 2006 22:04 | Last updated:
February 1 2006 22:04
opec logoThe Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting
Countries on Wednesday warned that President George W.
Bushs proposal to reduce US dependence on Middle
Eastern oil could badly jeopardise needed investment
in Gulf oil production and refining capacity.
Opec delegates and officials said the group planned to
make this point in its as yet unpublished commentary
in the cartels January bulletin next week.
Speaking after Mr Bushs Tuesday night State of the
Union address, Edmund Daukoru, Nigerias energy
minister and president of Opec, said: We do believe
that energy issues cannot be handled in a unilateral
way; we all have to work together towards global
energy security.
Privately, Opec officials were more direct in warnings
about Mr Bushs declared intention to reduce Americas
dependence on Middle East oil by 75 per cent by 2025.
But they emphasised Opec would avoid a confrontational
tone in its commentary.
An Opec delegate said: Comments like that are
unrealistic. Everyone knows the world will continue to
depend on Middle East imports. The organisation would
raise concerns about such statements damping
investment at meetings with the European Union and
other organisations more aligned with Opecs view.
Opecs concern was shared widely across the industry.
John Felmy, chief economist of the American Petroleum
Institute, which represents the US oil and gas
industry, said: If one of your big customers tells
you they do not want to buy from you in the future,
then of course this will impact how much you invest.
The International Energy Agency, the industrialised
countries energy watchdog, forecast the Middle East
will have to invest heavily to ensure the worlds
energy thirst is satisfied.
On Wednesday Martin Bartenstein, economics minister of
Austria, which holds the EU presidency, said the
Middle East, with two-thirds of the worlds oil
reserves, would become more rather than less
He told the FT: As the person responsible for EU
energy policies, I would not see myself in a position
of talking about such a significant decrease in demand
from a certain region. We know that the oil import
dependency of the EU will ever increase, not
He added: Everyone . . . will have to deal with oil
and gas, especially from the Middle East. Worries
over the stability of Iran on Wednesday drove the oil
price up 83 cents to $68.75 a barrel in midday trading
in New York.
Opec delegates and Mr Bartenstein place responsibility
for oil price volatility mainly on consuming countries
that have failed adequately to invest in refineries
and pipelines needed to get oil to their consumers.
Mr Felmy said shifting oil imports from the Middle
East could be costly for America. As long as America
has a diversified range of oil suppliers it has a lot
of security of supply. If you reduce this
diversification it could be costly. About 20 per cent
of oil sold to the US comes from the Middle East, with
Canada and Mexico supplying more than 30 per cent of
Any decrease in the US dependence on oil from the
Middle East could only really be achieved by a
decrease in its dependence on all foreign oil either
by conservation, alternative energy or domestically
produced oil and gas, analysts said.
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text:
To the House of Lords for a science seminar. The upper house of our Parliament may be unelected – and therefore a target for democratic reform – but it certainly boasts a strong array of scientific talent.
Helene Hayman, who chairs the house in her capacity as Lord Speaker, is holding a series of seminars for peers and journalists, to highlight the chamber's expertise in important policy areas. Economics came first, science is second and foreign policy will be next.
John Krebs, the zoologist and former head of the Natural Environment Research Council and the Food Standards Agency, started the seminar with a review of food science issues. Then Susan Greenfield, neuroscientist and director of the Royal Institution, explained her fears that children who grow up immersed in "screen culture" (from computers, television, mobile phones, etc) will undergo psychological changes including shorter attention span, reduced empathy and excessive risk-taking. And Bob May, population ecologist and former president, talked about climate change.
After this trio of formal opening contributions, we heard from an array of distinguished scientific peers, who contribute regularly to Lords debates, scrutinise and amend legislation (such as last year's Embryology Act) and write the excellent reports produced by the Lords Science and Technology Committee. (The committee's next report, due out next month, will be about gene testing and genomic medicine.) All but one are life peers; the exception is John, Earl of Selbourne, one of 90 hereditary peers who still serve in the House.
I asked a slightly unfortunately worded question about how all this scientific expertise could be preserved if and when the House of Lords is reformed to make it "more democratic" by introducing directly elected peers. Baroness Hayman ticked me off: "It is important not to start from the premise that an institution can only be democratic through direct elections," she said. Openness and accountability are equally important.
Jack Cunningham, who chaired two inquiries into reforming the House of Lords, made clear his opposition to a wholly elected upper chamber. "If they want some of the real strengths [of the Lords] to survive and develop, they can't take that route," he said. "People will have to choose whether they want a pale reflection of the lower chamber."
I had favoured a wholly elected House of Lords, without really thinking through the issues. By the end of today's seminar I agreed with Lord Cunningham – and most of his fellow peers – who feel that it would be a tragedy if all the house's expertise in specialist fields such as science were sacrificed to what he called the "democratic imperative".
I still think the Lords should be reformed but I now prefer a hybrid system, with about half the house elected on long mandates and half appointed from people who have exceptional expertise and experience to offer, rather like today's life peers but less political.


text:
Crime Stoppers seeking suspects for shooting
Crime Stoppers of Acadia Parish is asking for the public's help identifying and locating suspects believed to be involved in a shooting that took place in Crowley earlier this month.
According to a press release, Crowley Police Department is investigating a shooting that occurred on April 2 at approximately 10 p.m. in the 300 block of Westwood Drive in Crowley.
Short URL: https://www.jenningsdailynews.net/?p=18947
Posted by Graphic Designer 2 on Apr 16 2013. Filed under Uncategorized. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. Both comments and pings are currently closed.


text:
Ask Experts & Get Answers to Your Questions - ASAP
When American GIs returned from Asia at the close of World War II, besides Victory they brought home a new word to add to the lexicon -- "boondocks". It is derived from bundok the Philippine word for mountain and decribes a place that is remote and inaccessible.
Click on the underlined link to learn more.


text:
The operator of a Perth takeaway food outlet who kept a kitchen hand on unpaid probation for three-months has been forced to back-pay the worker.
The employer back-paid the kitchen hand almost $2600 after Fair Work inspectors told them that a three-month unpaid probationary period with no guarantee of ongoing employment was a breach of the Fair Work Act.
The employer was one of more than 120 randomly audited in Perth, Adelaide and Darwin as part of a campaign focusing on cafes, restaurants and take-away food shops.
The kitchen hand is one of 269 employees reimbursed a combined total of more than $200,000 after inspectors found they had been short-changed.
In its statement of findings released today, the Fair Work Ombudsman revealed that with 121 audits finalised, 71 employers were found to be compliant with workplace laws.
In WA 24 of the 43 employers audited were compliant.
Of the 19 businesses that were non-compliant, 12 had underpaid 66 staff a total of $62,128. Inspectors found most non-compliant employers were unfamiliar with the changes in pay rates effective from July, 2012.
A further three businesses, all in Perth, remain under investigation.
The Fair Work Ombudsman decided to conduct an education and compliance campaign focussing on cafes, restaurants and take-away food shops after noting that the sector employs large numbers of vulnerable workers, including juniors, casuals and foreign workers and was generating high numbers of complaints.
Acting Fair Work Ombudsman, Bill Loizides, said the results highlighted the importance of the campaign.
"Although we were disappointed to find both a high rate of contraventions and underpayments, we were pleased that all contraventions were voluntarily rectified," Mr Loizides said.


text:
Beth Kimmerle's Candymonium
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
Candy: The New Essential
While Americans are skeptical about our economic future, they are optimistic about candy. According to a
study by Leo Burnett
gas, smartphones, cable TV and even CANDY were items Americans deemed "essential" during a recession. Candy has long been called "recession proof". Now, it's in the pudding.
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Beth Kimmerle
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text:
John Williams III (born in New York City, circa 1970), better known to audiences as John-John, was one of the many small children who appeared on the early seasons of Sesame Street. He joined the show at the age of three, after his mother answered an open call for Sesame Street kids. "The thing that clicked, my mother told me, was that I was able to relate to the Muppets. I wasn't afraid of them," Williams said in a 1998 interview. "And I remembered every single character's name." In another interview Williams said, "I think what they liked was that I communicated with the Muppets with eye contact, like they were humans."[1] He also could count in English, French, and Spanish.[1]
Though he appeared on the street segments with Mr. Hooper, Susan, and the rest, John-John's shining hour was his honest, often unpredictable, interactions with Grover, Herry Monster, and others. John-John contributed to many of the best remembered Sesame Street Muppet & Kid Moments.
John-John sang "Still We Like Each Other" with Grover on the 1973 album Sesame Street LIVE!, and also sang in the children's chorus on that album. John-John once participated in a game of "One of These Things", in which he pretended to be Bob while Bob pretended to be John-John and answered the question.[2]
As a young man, Williams (nicknamed John John by his mother after John F. Kennedy Jr.)[1] joined the Air Force, and was stationed at Laughlin AFB in Texas.[3] He made a special appearance in the 1989 TV special Sesame Street: 20 and Still Counting, where he reunited with Herry Monster. Through a 2011 interview, published on ToughPigs, there is suggestion John John visited the set around this time.[4]
A 1998 interview in the San Antonio Express-News described a funny moment in Williams' relationship with his wife:
As of 1998, Williams and his wife resided in San Antonio with their two children, and was working on establishing himself as a Tejano singer,[3] following in his parents entertainment footsteps (his mother was a jazz singer, and his father was a bassist for Doc Severinsen's Tonight Show band).[1]
- Herry and John-John count to 20 (EKA: Episode 0762)
- John-John says a number and Herry repeats it. A portion of this skit was reprised in Sesame Street: 20 and Still Counting, with Herry and an adult John-John.
- Up and Down (EKA: Episode 0784)
- Herry Monster asks John-John if he knows the difference between up and down.
- Love and Counting (EKA: Episode 0797)
- When Grover tells John-John that he loves him, John-John asks Grover to count a penny.
- Q (EKA: Episode 0871)
- Herry and John-John discuss the letter Q (this sketch appears in Episode 0871, which also includes John-John in the plot).
- Soft and Loud (EKA: Episode 1016)
- Kermit the Frog and John-John illustrate soft and loud.
- Grover and John-John count backwards
- John-John wants to count backwards. Grover tells him to count backwards from 10, but John-John has a little trouble counting backwards.
- Lost Paper Clips
- Bert informs John-John he is sad because he lost his paper clips. Bert asks John-John to show his sad face. Bert is then angry and asks John-John to make his angry face. Finally Bert is happy because he remembers where he left the paper clips and John-John shows his happy face.
- Counting
- Bert and Sherlock Hemlock ask John-John if he wants to count, and John-John enthusiastically rises to the occasion.
John-John: A Case Study
In his 1974 book Children and Television: Lessons from Sesame Street, Gerald S. Lesser closely examines the interactions between children and Muppets, and the feelings experienced by children upon successfully learning or grasping a concept, what he terms "the power of the ordinary." Dr. Lesser uses the counting scene with John-John and Herry as a prime example.
Lesser's memory is slightly faulty, however. In the actual sketch, John-John proceeds blithely along until he reaches 16. After a few moments, Herry feeds the number to John-John, who proceeds to count confidently to nineteen, at which point he asks Herry what number comes next. Herry then gives John-John a moment to think, and he comes up with the answer all on his own.
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Martin, Brett. "Counting kid from 'Sesame Street' is 28," Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reprint from The New York Times, March 31, 1998
- ↑ Sesame Street Unpaved page 152
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Ramos, Cindy. "Grover San Antonian's 14 years on Sesame Street influenced his life", San Antonio Express-News. May 12, 1998.
- ↑ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8kui_Ke-rXo
- ↑ Lesser, Gerald. Children and Television: Lessons from Sesame Street. New York: Random House, 1974. p. 251.


text:
New York City -- New York City remains the world's most expensive retail destination as retailers focus on the major fashion capitals pushing global rents in prime locations even higher, according to the latest CB Richard Ellis (CBRE) Global Retail MarketView.
The average rent for space along Fifth Avenue from 49th Street up to 59th Street hit $1,900 per square foot in the first quarter. Hong Kong and Sydney came in second and third place in the rankings, with average per-square-foot rents of $1,697 and $1,301, respectively.
Nationwide the survey found that the price of retail space increased on the strength of increased consumer confidence and spending. The second-ranked U.S. retail market was Los Angeles, which placed twelfth worldwide with rents of $520 per square foot. Chicago slipped to fifteenth worldwide, with rents of $480 per square foot.
The fastest growing U.S. market was Dallas/Fort Worth. There, rents jumped by more than 30% in the last year to $150 per square foot -- less than one-tenth New York's level.


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I remember watching Bela Lugosi as Dracula and Boris Karloff as Frankenstein's monster on Chiller Theater in the afternoons after school on black and white television sets in the early 1960s. This was television on the cheap, showing reruns so worn out they seemed to be deteriorating before your eyes. Chiller Theater played early Godzilla films, variations of King Kong …Read More »
Home » Tag Archives: Bela Lugosi


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Kim Kardashian is putting on the spritz.
The E! reality star, 29, announced on her blog Wednesday, "I am so excited to tell you guys that my second fragrance will launch in February of 2011!!!!! I wanted to let you guys know here first so you can all share the excitement with me :)"
PHOTOS: The Kardashian family album
"I'm at the commercial shoot now and cannot wait to get all glammed up! Look at these amazing dresses I get to choose from!" she added, along with a photo of racks of clothes and shoes.
Kardashian launched her first eponymous fragrance last February 2010.
VIDEO: Kourtney and Khloe get in a catfight
"When I was little, my sister Kourtney and I tried to make our own perfume by picking flowers and putting them in the blender, because that's how we thought fragrances were made. Our parents thought we were crazy -- and it smelled totally gross!" she explained to Women's Wear Daily.


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(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20121029/LA02195LOGO)
The notes will be general senior unsecured obligations of Array. The notes will bear interest at a rate of 3.0% per year, payable semi-annually, and will mature on June 1, 2020. The notes will be convertible by the holders beginning March 1, 2020, or earlier upon specified events, and upon conversion, the holders will receive, at Array's option, shares of Array's common stock, cash or a combination of shares and cash. The notes will be convertible at an initial conversion rate of 141.8641 shares per $1,000 in principal amount of notes, equivalent to a conversion price of approximately $7.05 per share. Array may redeem some or all of the notes for cash under certain circumstances on or after June 4, 2017. Array anticipates that the offering will close on or about June 10, 2013, subject to customary closing conditions.
The convertible senior note offering is being conducted pursuant to an effective shelf registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") on June 3, 2013. Before you invest in the convertible senior notes, you should read the prospectus and accompanying final prospectus relating to the offering and other documents Array has filed with the SEC for more complete information about Array and the offering. A final prospectus supplement relating to this offering will be filed with the SEC and will be available at the SEC's web site at http://www.sec.gov/. Printed copies of the final prospectus supplement and accompanying prospectus, when available, may also be obtained from Goldman, Sachs & Co. (Attn: Prospectus Department), 200 West Street, New York, New York 10282, Phone: 1-866-471-2526, Fax: 212-902-9316, Email:email@example.com or from J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, c/o Broadridge Financial Solutions, 1155 Long Island Avenue, Edgewood, New York 11717, or by calling (866) 803-9204.
This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any state or jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state or jurisdiction.
About Array BioPharma
Array BioPharma Inc. is a biopharmaceutical company focused on the discovery, development and commercialization of targeted small molecule drugs to treat patients afflicted with cancer. Array is evolving into a late-stage development company and currently expects significant progress toward generating data to support our upcoming Phase 3 / pivotal trial decisions. Novartis expects to begin Phase 3 trials evaluating Array-invented MEK162 in NRAS-mutant melanoma and in BRAF-mutant melanoma under Array's License Agreement with Novartis in 2013. In addition, Array will begin a Phase 3 trial evaluating MEK162 in low-grade serous ovarian cancer under the license agreement with Novartis in 2013. AstraZeneca expects to begin Phase 3 trial with selumetinib (an Array-invented drug) in non-small cell lung cancer in October 2013 and recently initiated a registration trial in thyroid cancer. Three other Array-invented drugs are also approaching Phase 3 or pivotal trial decisions which are expected by the end of 2013. These include Array's wholly-owned drugs, ARRY-520 and ARRY-614, and one partnered program, danoprevir (with InterMune/Roche).
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements that are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements include statements concerning the completion, timing and size of the proposed offering and other statements that are other than statements of historical facts. These statements involve significant risks and uncertainties. Because these statements reflect our current expectations concerning future events, our actual events could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of many factors. These factors include, but are not limited to: the risk that the offering may be delayed or may not occur due to market or other conditions and the satisfaction of customary closing conditions related to the proposed public offering. Additional information concerning these and other factors that may cause actual events to differ materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking statements is contained in the "Risk Factors" section of Array's most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, in our other periodic reports and filings with the SEC and in the prospectus supplement related to the offering. We caution investors not to place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements contained in this press release. All forward-looking statements are based on information currently available to Array on the date hereof, and we undertake no obligation to revise or update these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this press release, except as required by law.
Tricia Haugeto
Array BioPharma Inc.
SOURCE Array BioPharma Inc.


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Boys soccer: Irish knock off Jaguars in final SSC meeting
Rosemount made its final South Suburban Conference game against ninth-ranked (Class 2A) Bloomington Jefferson a memorable one Monday night at Irish Stadium.
The Irish got a goal from Kohl Sparrman (assist from Andrew Weiler) and made it stand in their first win over Jefferson in at least five years. The Jaguars, coming off a 16-5 season and a second-place finish in the SSC, will depart for the new Metro West Conference beginning next fall.
"This was a huge win for us. We finally played like the team I know we have," Rosemount coach Mike Floersch said. "The players were unselfish and we played as a unit."
The 1-0 final doesn't do justice to just how well the Irish played, according to Floersch. The team had one goal called off and produced scoring chances throughout the game.
"I was sitting on the bench watching the game and kept finding myself saying 'that was a beautiful play' and 'this is really fun to watch' because they were making things happen and making the runs we have been trying to coach," he said. "That was one of the best games I have seen in a while and certainly the best they have played so far this year."
Goalkeeper Tanner Rons and the Irish defense combined for its fourth shutout in seven games.
Two days earlier, the Irish let an early 2-0 lead slip away in a 3-3 tie with Rochester Century at Irish Stadium.
The Panthers tied the game less than a minute after halftime, and just a few minutes later moved ahead 3-2. The Irish finally tied the score back up in the closing minutes before the teams played through a scoreless overtime.
"We stopped playing like a team and that allowed Rochester to get back in the game," Floersch said. "This was a team we could have beaten, but we didn't play like a team and it cost us a win."
Sparrman, Weiler and Michael Anderson each scored goals for the Irish.
Weiler also scored the game's lone goal on a pass from Erick Barrita in Rosemount's 1-0 shutout of Rochester Mayo last Thursday.
The Irish (3-2-2) play their fourth straight home game tonight against Eagan. The Wildcats have a record of 3-1-1.


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Chicken Marsala
Recipe by Kayne
I have used chicken breasts, and leg quarters, both come out delicious!
Top Review by Lainey39
I've never had a tomato-based chicken marsala before, but I'm glad I did. This was very tasty and everyone cleaned their plates! I used very thin chicken breasts and two cans of tomato sauce in place of the whole tomatoes (my son doesn't like chunks of tomato in his sauce) and that worked well. I added 3 cloves of garlic (note: the ingredients does not list the amount of garlic) but next time I may add 4 because we really like garlic. It was delish as Racheal Ray would say!
Ingredients Nutrition
- 5 chicken breasts
- 1⁄4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1⁄2 teaspoon salt
- 1⁄4 teaspoon pepper
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 2 cups sliced mushrooms
- 1 (14 1/2 ounce) can whole tomatoes
- 1 (8 ounce) can tomato sauce
- 1⁄3 cup marsala wine
- 1⁄2 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 lb cooked linguine
Directions See How It's Made
- In large plastic food bag combine chicken, flour, salt and pepper. Shake and coat chicken thoroughly.
- In large skillet brown chicken in oil, 5 mins per side, remove. Set aside, no need to keep warm.
- In same skillet, cook & stir mushrooms and garlic 2-3 minutes, or until garlic is cooked to preferred doneness.
- Stir in tomatoes (drained and chopped), tomatoe sauce, wine and basil.
- Simmer 1 - 2 minutes.
- Return chicken to skillet, Spoon sauce over it, so that it is fully 'sauced' over.
- Cover, simmer for at least 5 minutes Turn chicken once during cooking. More if preferred.
- Serve hot over linquine or other pasta of choice.


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Introducing Premium T-shirts. The wearable canvas art deserves.
A re-work of a previous upload – i think i can
Crawley Edge Boatshed on Matilda Bay (Swan River), Perth, Western Australia.
Nikon D800 (Zeiss 21mm)ISO 100 • f/8 • 0.6sec • 21mm • -2evND400 used
crawley edge boatshed shed perth swan river western australia water river mieke boynton stormy clouds sky landscape dawn sunrise matilda bay australia black white black and white monochrome panorama
Very moody..congrats.
Thanks heaps, Wazza!
Works a treat in mono Mieke,congratulation on your bronze award
Thanks, Hans :)
Stunning capture Mieke ..fav..
Thank you, Johanna!
Love it Mieke and congratulations on your award :)
Thank you, Beth!!
Well done – well deserved – great moody shot.
Thanks, Andy :) I know this little boatshed has been photographed to death… but I still love it!
what a great title…like it is saying "give me your best shot"….nicely done Mieke!
Thanks, Rick!
What a fantastic image Mieke. It looks so moody and mysterious…LOVE it!!!
Thanks heaps, Fern :)
That lighting is almost spooky the way it showcases the shed. Perfect setting for an Agatha Christie movie.
It actually looks quite cute in real life… it's blue! But yes, in this shot, the word "cute" simply doesn't fit :) Thanks, Gary!
great title :) Beautiful image Mieke
Thanks, Nicole!
Dramatic work, Mieke! Love the tones!
Thank you, Mel!! :) :) :)xoxoxox
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Faculty Resource & Administration Guide
Faculty mailboxes are located in Room 465. Please check your mailbox regularly.
Course Packet Materials
The Office of Faculty and Administrative Support Services will confirm copyright approval, photocopy and make available your course materials. Submit all course materials to the WCL Copy Center by email to firstname.lastname@example.com. The Copy Center will track your project and provide you updates via email. For questions concerning your course materials, please email the Copy Center at firstname.lastname@example.com, or visit them in Room 469.
Posting Initial Class Information at the Beginning of the Semester
Assistance with ordering textbooks or posting class materials, course descriptions, class syllabi, please email firstname.lastname@example.com.
Audio/Visual Requests
Requests should be emailed to the Media Control Center at firstname.lastname@example.com to request audio visual equipment, tape record a class or information on how to operate equipment that may be in your classroom. A minimum of 24 hours notice is needed for Monday-Friday; all weekend requests must be submitted by the preceding Wednesday.
Guest Speakers/Visitor Parking
If you plan on having a guest, please contact Monica Philips, Service Coordinator, Facilities Management Office at email@example.com and cc firstname.lastname@example.com with the guest name, date and estimated TIME of arrival. The parking attendant will be notified so that your guest may park in the garage and security will allow them entrance to the building.
Grading Issues
On occasion, some confusion arises over whether a students' grade has been posted. While the Externship Office will relay any information we have to you, you should contact the Office of the Registrar directly in order to resolve the issue, and then let the Externship Office know the resolution. The Office of the Registrar can be reached 202-274-4080.
Help Us Help You
Please let the Externship Office know about your special requests, guests, announcements, etc. We will assist with communication to the students and confirm that arrangements have been made internally. Please cc Kirti Suri, email@example.com on emails; do not hesitate to email or call if you have not received a response from the appropriate office regarding your request.


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See I&S' top 10 picks from this Messe Frankfurt accessories show.
Messe Frankfurt, one of the world's leading tradeshow organizers, presented Tendence just last week, from August 26-30 in Frankfurt, Germany.
This international accessory and gift show brought something to the table for everyone from holiday themes, to brand new material uses (at the preview to the Materials Revisited exhibition) and innovative furniture pieces in the students' Talents section.
A major trend Interiors & Sources identified at the show, was something we are dubbing "light bundling." Many exhibitors (not even just lighting-specific ones) were displaying groupings or "bundles" of chunky and bold shades and sculptures, such as the ones shown below:
One World Interiors
Romi Amsterdam
And for the first time this year, the show took on a partner country in Austria. Specially designed stands, showcases and events honored the country and its culture, design and even cuisine.
The following are our top 10 stand-outs from the show that could make a nice fit into our beloved world of commercial design.
1. florian schulz
The Go light from florian schulz licht & object can be either hung from the ceiling (again, in a grouping, seen here) or featured in the floor lamp version. Sleek and uniquely shaped, the dropped oval fixture is reminiscent of dangling pearl earrings.
2. Magno
The wooden radios and accessories from Magno bring the classic and modern together with a vintage design and the warmth of wood as a material. Each piece is handmade in just 16 hours, and there are five models: the wooden radio wr01a-2Bipod; wooden radio mini; wooden radio cube; klock 01; the desktop set. The wr01a-2Bipod and the cube offer connections for the iPod® or MP3 player, respectively.
3. Pulpo
The Drop L and XL coat hanger from Pulpo comes in a variety of bright candy colors and is made of powder-coated steel. Appearing like dripping paint on the wall, it adds character and playfulness to any early education project.
4. Philippi
This deconstructionist vase by Philippi re-thinks the traditional flower-holder and gives the impression of individual sprouts coming to life. The glass base has brass chrome-plated stalks for holders.
5. Henry Dean
This Belgian company actually got its start fabricating plastic flowers for funeral wreaths. You'd never know it though by the products they're putting out today, selling into markets as far as Hong Kong. Today, Henry Dean specializes in glass. These multi-colored sculptures can have a number of functions from seating, to display.
6. Via® cement tiles
These cement tiles by Via not only utilize a different material for the category but also feature retro patterns that are bright and sunny.
7. The Moody Couch
The Moody couch by Hanna Emelie Ernsting was a break out star in the student Talents section and the product is already on a viral streak. According to Ernsting's web site, users "liked," commented and reblogged the product more than 39,000 times in just two weeks. You'll never get bored with this piece as it comes to rest in a different position almost every time, thanks to its bulky and cozy cover piece that serves as upholstery and blanket.
8. Patrycja Domanska Edgy tiles
Another standout in the Talents section was Patrycja Domanska's "Edgy" three-dimensional tiles. These asymmetrical pieces can be positioned in a variety of formats to create unique experiences in any room.
9. Stephan Seyffert lights
These quirky lighting pieces from Stephen Seyffert are made from aluminum and were part of the Materials Revisited presentation. This section was a preview for the exhibition about new fabrication techniques, to be held at the Museum for Applied Art in Frankfurt am Main starting Oct. 5, 2011.
10. TotalStone® panel system
The TotalStone panel system can reproduce the exact texture and color of a variety of materials, such as brick, slate, stone and wood. From panels to vaults, to arches and angles, the company can create spaces with an industrial, textured look, minus the price of the real thing. With both exterior and interior applications it has insulation, fire retardant and water absorption properties.


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Valero reaches a milestone mark as it rolls out PriceAdvantage at its 100th store. Valero Corner Stores has met its first milestone by rolling out PriceAdvantage, a fuel price management program, to the 100th store in less than a month. The Corner Store brand is a network of more than 1,000 Valero company-owned fuel retail
Valero Uses PriceAdvantage In 100 Stores
Obama Administration Grants Final Approval For Sale Of E15
"The public has a right to choose between imported oil and home-grown energy and today's action by the EPA advances that goal," says Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. The Obama administration has given final approval for the sale of E15 ethanol blends under the waiver conditions set by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Southwest Farm Press reported.
BP Community Scholarship Program Celebrates 25th Anniversary
More than $2.5 million in scholarships have been awarded since the program's inception. Over the past 25 years, New York and New Jersey area BP station owners have provided over $2.5 million in scholarships to more than 1,700 promising students. This year, 185 local BP station owners will present a BP Fueling Communities grant donation
New Loyalty Platform At CITGO
CITGO integrates new loyalty system with the help of Pinnacle. CITGO announced that Loyalink, its loyalty platform, has been approved as a new offering with its Loyalty Bucks program. Loyalink allows retailers to create customized programs for their organizations and customer bases. CITGO partnered with a small group of loyalty solution and service providers in
NACSTech, PCATS To Team for 2013 Convention
NACSTech, an event that brings together c-store and fuel retailers and supplier IT professionals, kicked off May 21 in Nashville at the Gaylord Opryland Convention Center and concluded today, May 23. At the conclusion of the event, came an announcement that next year's technology convention is set to look quite different. NACS, the Association of
CITGO Helps "Clean The D"
More than 300 volunteers join together to improve a 27-mile portion of the Eight Mile Road. Volunteers from CITGO Petroleum Corp., local CITGO marketers and retailers, Eight Mile Boulevard Association (8MBA) and the Miss Michigan Organization came together on May 5 for the 16th annual "Clean the D" event to improve a 27-mile segment of
BP Wins Fraud Lawsuit Brought By Two Franchisees
Judge reprimands the oil giant for concealing profit margins from buyers. A Cook County judge has ruled in favor of BP Products North America Inc. in a lawsuit brought by two of its Chicago-area franchisees that accused the oil giant of fraud, the Chicago Tribune reported. Cook County Circuit Judge Sanjay Tailor ruled Wednesday that
Gulf Oil Expands In Texas
Agreement with Houston's Petroleum Wholesale LP seals 10 year partnership. Less that a year since announcing its return to its Texas roots, Gulf Oil announced today that it is boldly continuing its expansion in the Lone Star state through a partnership with Petroleum Wholesale LP. The agreement calls for an immediate re-branding of 50 service
ExxonMobil Partners With Shopkick
The shopkick app detects a shopkick signal from a device located in each participating store, which is picked up by a shopper's smartphone. ExxonMobil has partnered with shopkick, a location-based shopping app that rewards shoppers simply for walking into stores and interacting with products. As of today, shopkick is pumping out rewards at more than
TA Announces New Ways To Save
UltraONE Member Pricing and Buy Big & Save introduced at Mid-America Trucking Show. TravelCenters of America LLC (TA) has announced two major savings programs for professional drivers available at TA and Petro Stopping Centers branded travel stores. Professional drivers who are members of the UltraONE Driver Rewards program will receive special Member Pricing discounts on
Thorntons Renews Partnership With Churchill
"Not only do both companies share a Louisville heritage, Churchill Downs and Thorntons have an ongoing commitment to customers and fans, our loyal team members and associates, as well as to the community itself," says Thorntons CEO. Thorntons Inc. has announced an extension of its partnership with Louisville, Ky.-based Churchill Downs Inc. as the "Convenience
Spinx Chooses PriceAdvantage
"It is a superior tool in that it gives us the ability to pull historical data easily, manage multiple price changes per day," says The Spinx Co.'s CEO. The Spinx Co. is now using PriceAdvantage at its 65 Spinx stores across the Carolinas. PriceAdvantage, a fuel price management solution, has given Spinx the ability to
Coulson Oil Sets the Stage for Expansion
With a new real estate entity in place, the company is positioned to grow its chain of dealer-leased stores beyond Arkansas. By Erin Rigik, Associate Editor. Coulson Oil Co., one of the Southwest's largest independent distributors of motor fuels, took a big step toward continued growth in August with the formation of Coulson Real Estate
TA Announces New Subway Restaurant
New this year, the Porter South TA location now offers hungry guests a fresh sandwich option. TravelCenters of America LLC (TA) has opened a Subway restaurant in Porter, Ind., on the south side of I-94. The Porter South TA is a new location added to the TA system earlier this year. It is an ancillary
Wayne to Deploy inOvationTV Media Platform
Wayne's investment valued at more than $50 million. Wayne, a global innovator of fuel dispensers and technologies, has announced that it will deploy the new inOvationTV media platform at fuel retailer locations throughout the U.S. Developed in cooperation with Gas Station TV (GSTV), a national away-from-home television network at the pump, inOvationTV enables fuel retailers
No Repeal and No Deal for MotoMart
Despite MotoMart's recent efforts, the city of Neenah, Wis., refused to repeal its ban on alcohol sales in convenience stores. The Neenah, Wis. Common Council turned down MotoMart's request to repeal the city's ban on c-store alcohol sales on Wednesday, Aug. 3. The Post Crescent Online reported that the Common Council voted 8-1 to deny
MotoMart Challenges City Ban
One Wisconsin MotoMart store aims to change city regulations on alcohol sales. MotoMart is challenging alcohol laws in Neenah, Wis., that prohibit retailers that sell fuel from also offering customers alcohol, the PostCrescent Online reported. MotoMart argues that the current law is archaic, and that it puts the city's convenience stores at a competitive disadvantage
USDA To Help Fund E-15 Blender Pumps
On Oct. 21, Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack announced that the USDA plans to allocate existing funds to assist the installation of 10,000 blender pumps across the country within the next five years, Ethanol Producer magazine reported. The initiative was one of many put forth by the USDA to further support the development, production and
ExxonMobil Aids Communities In Developing Countries
Exxon Mobil Corp. pledged $1 million at the Clinton Global Initiative (CGI) to invest in the expansion of high impact, sustainable technologies that advance women economically in the developing world. The program is expected to directly benefit more than 13,500 people, with indirect benefits reaching more than 475,000 people in the next two years. The
Sunoco Shifts Focus To C-Stores
Lynn Elsenhans, Sunoco's CEO, told analysts she hopes to expand the company's profitable retail business by ramping up its convenience-store offerings, Philadelphia Inquirer reported. "An area of opportunity for us to unlock even more value out of our real estate is by changing our mind-set from a fuels retailer that also sells some convenience items,
Gasoline Pushes Higher
By Brian L. Milne, Refined Fuels Editor, Telvent DTN After inching off a one-month low last week to $272.2 gallon, the U.S. retail gasoline average is poised to post its second straight weekly increase, following wholesale costs higher. The US price benchmark for gasoline, the Reformulated Blendstock for Oxygenate Blending futures contract that trades on
DTN DTN introduces DTN Fuel Buyer, a real-time market information service designed to support profitable fuel buying and reselling decisions. DTN Fuel Buyer provides instant access to supplier price messaging from DTN DataConnect, rack and spot price discovery as well as analysis, industry news, weather and market information-all located on one convenient screen. DTN Fuel
Better Buying
Information and store management can be made simpler for c-store owners and petroleum retailers. DTN introduces DTN Fuel Buyer, a real-time market information service designed to support profitable fuel buying and reselling decisions. DTN Fuel Buyer provides instant access to supplier price messaging from DTN DataConnect, rack and spot price discovery as well as analysis,