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California Heartland Episode 916 Transcript
California Heartland is made possible by The James G. Boswell Foundation, committed to sharing the stories and successes of California growers. Bank of America, bank of opportunity. Funding provided in part by, The California Farm Bureau Federation, proud publishers of "California Country" magazine. More information is available at www.californiacountry.org . And, by the Almond Board of California; California Almonds, loved around the world, grown in California's Heartland.
Coming up on California Heartland…
Everybody's got a smile on their face this morning, that's good!
Women inmates are serving time – farming California almonds.
You get to know each tree believe it or not, it's an experience I'll never forget.
See how they're learning to grow, harvest and package their own rehabilitation in a central California field.
We grew 52 tomato plants this year.
They're seeing red in Carmel—where its time for the annual TomatoFest!
What's your favorite?
My favorite is the Kentucky beefsteak.
Pull out the salt shaker and feast your eyes on the best heirlooms the state has to offer!
What's a weed? A weed is just a plant in the wrong place!
How to whack the weeds in your yard—tips from master gardener Fred Hoffman.
Chris Burrous: From your backyard, to the back country, in a field, or on your family table, it's all about what keeps California moving and growing, this is California Heartland.
John Lobertini: Sunrise over the central valley: a symbol of long days, searing heat and hard labor.
John Lobertini: But on this morning the barbed wire and the guard tower set a very different tone.
Man: Let's go line up!
John Lobertini: This is the Valley State Prison for women in Chowchilla, a place where hard labor is a welcome diversion from hard time.
Priscilla Escobar: Yea, I've held jobs, but nothing like this. Like the first couple of weeks I worked, I had blisters on my feet from the walking.
John Lobertini: At the crack of dawn as many as 30-low risk inmates leave the prison and march down this long gravel road.
John Lobertini: It's the path to redemption and rehabilitation. And these women are repaying their debt to society by farming this 650-acre almond orchard right next door.
Priscilla Escobar: When I first came out here I was like, oh my God, I'm going to get lost! Where am I, which way is out?
John Lobertini: After just 4-months on the job, Priscilla Escobar is embracing farming in a way she couldn't have imagined. Escobar used to be a drug dealer.
Priscilla Escobar: You get to know each tree believe it or not. Sounds silly but you get to know each row, each tree, by the ground you walk on & the looks of the tree.
Priscilla Escobar: And just to see the leaves. In there, there are not trees. Even the simple fact you're around a tree makes a big difference.
John Lobertini: It makes a difference because this is business too.
John Lobertini: 50-percent of this almond crop is sold on the open market. The other half is then sold by the prison industry authority ending up in government properties like hospitals, schools or on the dinner trays of thousands of inmates. Almonds are a 2-billion dollar a year industry in California and the number one export crop.
Leo Lamb: See one like this? You're looking for any possible defects.
John Lobertini: Leo lamb outbid a herd of packing companies for the right to sell these almonds. For more than a decade now he's watched the evolution of this inmate labor camp.
John Lobertini: Can you look at this and tell me how good a job they're doing here?
Leo Lamb: They're doing a very nice job. They've done very very well the last 2-3 years.
John Lobertini: The inmates do more than water the plants. They learn how to run heavy equipment, prune trees, spread fertilizer and maintain what seems like a never ending irrigation system.
DeMarie Davidson: Either a Coyote or a Squirrel got really thirsty.
John Lobertini: DeMarie Davidson spent her previous life behind a desk.
John Lobertini: What about farming came as a surprise?
DeMarie Davidson: How much work it really is, truthfully! You don't realize it when you buy it in the store the whole history that product has. You know the almond starts with these tiny little green pods, and then the skin opens up and then you've even got another shell and then you actually have the almond in another shell.
Woman: If you guys have your rows and your fields, get going.
John Lobertini: Working with people who never farmed before requires patience, in much the same way as the crops do. Ray Mattesich sold his own fields years ago to run this prison agriculture business.
John Lobertini: What's it like working with these women?
Ray Mattesich: I do get satisfaction from seeing the interest there. But, it's got to be nurtured. They don't want to be in prison, if you give them the opportunity to do some learning and some skills that's where the internal satisfaction comes from.
John Lobertini: These inmates earn 30 to 95 cents an hour but a percentage of that goes to a victim restitution fund.
John Lobertini: Prison businesses up and down California generate 75-different commodities. And get this, in 2007 the profit, this is the profit, was a staggering 160-million dollars. Simply put, these businesses pay for themselves.
John Lobertini: Across the street from the orchard a small processing center sorts, packages & ships almonds.
John Lobertini: It too is run by inmates.
Ray Mattesich: There are many skills that they learn here they don't have to go directly into farming or agriculture. There's a back hoe over there; if we teach the how to run a back hoe they can learn that and go to any construction site.
John Lobertini: For some the challenge is learning how to work. Getting up and showing up was never part of the routine.
Theresa Hughes: I've learned a lot though; I've never had a real job. I was always in trouble. By doing this out here, I'm learning a lot of things. I've learned my lesson, I really have.
Pamela Davis: It's helped me open my eyes and realize that I can do things better for myself and for my kids. I have a family out there and I didn't realize how much I need them and they need me. I look forward to going home and being with them.
Ashley Freitas: Hi my name is Ashley Freitas my herd name is Candy Land Farm, Nigerian Dwarfs. I'm in 4-H, I'm 17 years old; I live in Burleson, California. My goats name is CLF Sweetie Pie. She's a Nigerian Dwarf; she's a miniature dairy goat. She's 11 months old, we milk our goats twice a day and they can produce up to 2 quarts a day of milk. They're more dairy, a Nigerian Dwarf is more finer boned, they're not as stalky as a Pygmy Goat. I really like the Nigerian Dwarfs because they're smaller, I really like their color and some of them have blue eyes. They're really friendly and I got grand champion at the California State Fair with my little doe. Thanks for watching my California Heartland.
Chris Burrous: Ahi Tuna, it's a California favorite. The fresh fish is loaded with protein and very low in calories. The yellow fin tuna is caught year round in the Pacific Ocean—and can range in size anywhere between 3 to 200 pounds. So grill it, BBQ it or sear the fresh fish. Food and lifestyle expert Laura Macintosh is bringing it home from the crops to your kitchen.
Laura McIntosh: Well thanks everyone for joining me, are you ready to cook? I am here- Do you recognize him? Rajko Marin, from Tadich Grill- hi Rajko!
Rajko Marin: Hi Laura!
Laura McIntosh: What are we doing today?
Rajko Marin: So today we're doing- we have nice, fresh, Pacific Ahi Tuna.
Laura McIntosh: Yeah, it's beautiful!
Rajko Marin: And, we're going to spice it up a little.
Laura McIntosh: Ok, what are these spices?
Rajko Marin: This is rose garlic, lemon pepper, sesame seeds and a little bit of salt…pepper.
Laura McIntosh: It's good! It's delicious!
Rajko Marin: Just coat it a little bit, on a plate very well coated.
Laura McIntosh: Yeah, and we're going to sear it?
Rajko Marin: Yes, and we're going to sear it in olive oil. We just got a little bit of olive oil. On the grill, make sure this is moist with oil.
Laura McIntosh: So would you rub it with a little oil first?
Rajko Marin: A little bit of olive oil…any oil.
Laura McIntosh: And then the spices…
Rajko Marin: And then you can sear it on your grill. I quick sear it on the pan on both sides and two prawns, just for the garnish. So, you can do it with the scallops, anything, crab legs all the things you want. So I need this…
Laura McIntosh: And we're going to turn it.
Rajko Marin: We're going to sear it, just slowly turn it around. This is going to be just for the garnish.
Laura McIntosh: I absolutely have to tell you, I love how the scallops turn this orange color.
Laura McIntosh: Oh, it's gorgeous.
Rajko Marin: Pretty much okay…
Laura McIntosh: Oh good!
Rajko Marin: This is pretty much done.
Laura McIntosh: You know what are nice guys, you put everything in one pan: the bread, the prawns, the tuna…all in one pan.
Rajko Marin: So we got a little salad of mixed greens.
Laura McIntosh: Ok, great.
Rajko Marin: A little micro-greens we have pea shoots, we got mixed greens, we got daikon- it's all a mix.
Laura McIntosh: Beautiful!
Rajko Marin: So to make dressing for the salad, we need a little bit of yellow mustard, Dijon mustard, honey, a little mayonnaise, garlic and I have orange champagne vinaigrette. Mix this together.
Laura McIntosh: Right! With a little bit of that!
Rajko Marin: With a little bit of that- a little mayonnaise, if you need more spice to it, the garlic yeah. This is the plate we're going to garnish.
Laura McIntosh: Okay, this is easy!
Rajko Marin: Easy, this is very very easy. This, I just toss with a little bit of dressing. So this salad is pretty much done.
Laura McIntosh: It's done and ready to go?
Rajko Marin: So this is what I use, a little bit of cucumber. It's an English cucumber and relish. I'm going to put it on a plate.
Laura McIntosh: Now, you slice those nice and thin.
Rajko Marin: Yes slice it- you can slice it on a machine, you can slice it by hand.
Laura McIntosh: Ok, what a great combination. I have an idea what you're going to do and it's going to be fabulous. Ok, now all my viewers all my friends out there know that I can just eat one of those. I love those!
Rajko Marin: And then I got a little bit of toasted bruschetta. Ok, so I'm going to split the tuna in half, I got two prawns.
Laura McIntosh: That is just beautiful. And you're going to cut that, how are you going to cut that?
Rajko Marin: I'm just going to cut sideways.
Laura McIntosh: Ok, look at how delicious that looks.
Rajko Marin: Yes, very very delicious. Then I just splash, drizzle sesame seed oil, a little bit of teriyaki and I got wasabi.
Laura McIntosh: Bring it on! Oh, look at that.
Rajko Marin: Just a little- this is a good dish.
Laura McIntosh: This is a beautiful dish. You know what I like? We did it here, you saw it, it was simple and easy.
Rajko Marin: It's very easy to make.
Collins Shields: You wouldn't find anybody like this guy because everybody wants to make money and this guy just likes to see things grow.
Jennifer Quinonez: This "guy" is Jimmy Williams and what he grows are organic plants and herbs in Hollywood.
Jennifer Quinonez: It's a big change of pace for this former New Yorker, who found new a way to turn a leisurely pastime into a new way of life.
Jimmy Williams: I used to design sports wear and this was a hobby, I didn't start this business until 8, 10 years ago.
Jimmy Williams: This is the Persian basil, that's the Thai basil…
Jennifer Quinonez: He's nicknamed the "plant guru" by many of his loyal customers because of his vast knowledge of seeds and soil.
Collins Shields: Well it takes me back to where I come from, my folks were farmers and I went through all this, potting plants, putting them in the ground, watching them grow, harvesting them and you know that type of thing.
Jennifer Quinonez: What Jimmy produces, along with the help of his son Logan, is hundreds of distinctive organically certified plants and herbs.
Logan Williams: Dad do you want me to take the fig tress and put them over here?
Jimmy Williams: That's might be a good idea. Ok, great.
Logan Williams: My dad's personality in a word would be charismatic, he's inviting, that's probably why people not only like our plants but like buying form us, we're naturally friendly. We really want you to make sure you have fun with it and really enjoy what you're doing.
Jimmy Williams: And that's a lettuce leaf, you ever try that one? Try it, just take a leaf. And that literally gets the size of lettuce.
Jennifer Quinonez: Jimmy grows more than 500 different varieties of fruits and veggies in the front, side, and backyard of his Hollywood home.
Jimmy Williams: We have an average size lot here in Hollywood we use every corner of this yard, to grow things, the way we use the space we can grow 2-3, 000 plants on a 3x2 space; you just have to do it in stages.
Jennifer Quinonez: The first stage of growing begins right on the top of his garage!
Jennifer Quinonez: How many different varieties are you growing here?
Jimmy Williams: There are 11 different lettuces, in this 3x2.
Jennifer Quinonez: So this is how it starts.
Jimmy Williams: We broadcast seed this tree, then we take them out carefully and put them in the 6 pack or 4-inch pot or a one-gallon container.
Jimmy Williams: I know people that are going to a certain foreign country on vacation or going to visit and the first thing I say is bring me back some seeds!
Jimmy Williams: These are baby papayas right here, this is how they start out.
Jennifer Quinonez: His interest in saving seeds has helped keep a family tradition alive. In fact, Jimmy is still planting the heirloom tomato seeds brought over from West Africa by his great-great grandmother in the early 1800's.
Jimmy Williams: The tomato tastes exactly the same, as it did 50 years ago.
Jennifer Quinonez: But growing and selling his plants are just a few of his daily duties. Another big part of his business, called Hayground Organic Gardening, is installing and maintaining edible gardens.
Jimmy Williams: Oh Susan, I'm here.
Susan McCann: Oh, I'm glad you are because look at this.
Jimmy Williams: Oh boy, trouble. Yes, that's aphids.
Jennifer Quinonez: But beyond maintaining the gardens, Jimmy takes pleasure in teaching his clients the best way to get more out of their plants.
Susan McCann: Ok look it's ready.
Jimmy Williams: Yep, yep.
Susan McCann: Oh wow.
Jimmy Williams: It is ready.
Jimmy Williams: More ready than you thought? Oh, the smell of this. You smell that? It's incredible. Yeah.
Susan McCann: That's the freshest ginger…oh my.
Jimmy Williams: I think we can leave some in.
Susan McCann: Oh, definitely leave some in. But, I'll use this.
Jimmy Williams: Ok, we'll put this back.
Susan McCann: It looks like it's all beautifully taken care of. Because it's not that hard to do, but in fact it is much harder to keep it nice looking. But with Jimmy, he comes in he helps me. I want to be like him (laughs) I'll never get there, but I want to get his knowledge. It's great.
Logan Williams: We always grew stuff at home and you know, over the years people said you know you can sell this right? And, we never believed it we never thought anything of it, but overtime it just sort of happened and it kind of chose us I like to think, we didn't choose it.
Jimmy Williams: I can do this forever! I just want forever to be a long time! (laughs)
Chris Burrous: Pack your bags and grab your boots. It's time to hit the road with the Ag Traveler.
Melanie Kim: Carmel…
Melanie Kim: This beautiful city by the sea conjures up images of rolling waves and wind blown trees...
Melanie Kim: The upscale shops on Ocean Avenue…
Melanie Kim: And for thousands of tomato lovers… a big celebration!
Four on the Floor: (Singing) California here I come…right back where I started from.
Melanie Kim: If you're planning a trip to Carmel why not time it to coincide with a huge harvest party it's called the TomatoFest and right here is the ticket to tomato heaven.
Melanie Kim: The chance to experience all things tomato has them flocking to the Quail Lodge Resort in Carmel Valley.
Tomato Lover: Wow!
Melanie Kim: Here it's all about the tomato. From a tomato car to Miss Hot Tomato, even a place to check your…no, not your coat, you guessed it…your tomatoes!
Garrett Gould: It's pretty heavy to carry a bushel of tomatoes around so instead of having to bring a cart or something like that we have them bring the bushel here.
Melanie Kim: At TomatoFest you can buy heirloom tomatoes…Get seeds to grow your own and taste the fruit as you never have before.
Melanie Kim: That looks amazing.
Tony Baker: Well we have a homemade cracker with fennel crusted ahi tuna and beautiful water tomato sorbet topped with a little bit of micro celery and some smoked salt.
Melanie Kim: Wait back that up a little Tony, did you say tomato sorbet?
Tony Baker: Yep.
Melanie Kim: It's a culinary competition the red food fanatics can't get enough of!
Mary Ann Hunter: I have four tomato plants at home and one's a new plant and I don't know what those tomatoes taste like so I hope to find that out today... but I can't tear myself away from all this gourmet.
Melanie Kim: Why do you like cooking with heirloom tomatoes?
Beverlie Terra: Why do I like cooking with heirloom tomatoes? Because they're local, I'm a localvore.
Melanie Kim: I like it!
Beverlie Terra: And you know there's not a whole lot of areas where you can go get such a variety of tomatoes.
Gary Ibsen: Heirloom tomatoes are meant to be a regional food... food to be enjoyed down the street, a food to be consumed within 2 or 3 days of harvest to get the maximum flavor.
Melanie Kim: This huge harvest celebration grew out of just six tomato seedlings….and this man's passion for heirlooms.
Gary Ibsen: It started with a Portuguese farmer friend years ago handing me six tomato seedlings
He said look these are heirloom tomatoes throw away your hybrids. And I brought these six tomatoes home and grew them and it was amazing the flavor that came out of these tomatoes right away my inclination was to share them.
Melanie Kim: First with a handful of chef friends and now all of these tomato lovers!
Melanie Kim: Gary Ibsen, the festival's founder, presides over the tomato tasting tent where 350 varieties of heirlooms are ripe for the tasting.
Gary Ibsen: All of these have distinctive different flavors. We get the flavors all the way from tropical fruit to the lemony lime citrus-y flavors and those big blustery tomato flavors that kinda make you go, wow!
Melanie Kim: It seems everyone has their favorite…
Tomato Lover: My favorite is the Early Girl.
Tomato Lover: Gregory's All Time…
Tomato Lover: The Kentucky Beefsteak…
Melanie Kim: And family is what this fest is all about.
Melanie Kim: Front and center are the heirloom or heritage varieties. Some passed down for generations.
Gary Ibsen: Each one of these tomatoes it's not only a different flavor a different characteristic and taste but it's comes with a family history it comes with a cultural history and so part of our mission is to save that as well.
Bill Anderson: We grew 52 tomato plants this year.
Melanie Kim: Good for you.
Christine Anderson: Yeah it's fun!
Melanie Kim: You came all the way up from LA for this?
Christine Anderson: Uh huh, absolutely!
Melanie Kim: And to make it a total tomato-trip why not stay at the renowned Quail Lodge?
Melanie Kim: Where the food fun continues…
Matt Bolton: The green zebras are kinda on the bitter side…firmer texture side and then you have your brandy wines.
Melanie Kim: Chef de cuisine Matt Bolton at the Covey Restaurant loves serving them up in unique dishes.
Matt Bolton: Today what we're doing is a Monterey bay abalone dish and it's accented with an oven dried heirloom tomato.
Melanie Kim: Wow and they're absolutely gorgeous too.
Matt Bolton: And there you have a beautiful heirloom tomato dish for this evening.
Melanie Kim: The Carmel TomatoFest, not your typical harvest gathering but a treat for all the taste buds.
Four on the Floor: (singing) California here I come…
Chris Burrous: Everyone's a farmer when it comes to their own backyard, try these tips for doin' it Home Grown.
Fred Hoffman: California is home to a wide variety of plants from all over the world, trees, shrubs, fruit, flowers…they all call California home. And so does California homeowner's biggest nemesis- weeds!
Fred Hoffman: And true to California's tradition of innovation, more and more gardeners are using smarter, more unique and greener alternatives when it comes to controlling these unwanted plants.
Fred Hoffman: What's a weed? It's just a plant in the wrong place. But the key to a weed eradication program is to know your enemy! For instance, this beautiful plant- it's a flowering Morning Glory but it's a weed and it's wrapped around my pop corn. If you don't know what your weeds are, there are a lot of great books and on-line references for you to check. Or, dig out a sample; take it to your local nursery or cooperative extension for a positive I.D.
Fred Hoffman: When it comes to controlling new weeds, the best offense is a good defense and that includes spraying your lawn and garden twice a year with a pre emergent to keep the weeds from popping up. Pre emergents include all sorts of active ingredients, there in granular form, liquid form and if you're looking to do it organically look for the active ingredient of corn gluten meal. It's best to apply pre emergents twice a year for year round control in late winter and late summer.
Fred Hoffman: Another way to start weeds before they start organically is to use landscape fabric or weed cloth. This allows air and water to permeate through, unlike black plastic. The key with weed cloth is make sure you put it the right side up that allows the water to flow through.
Fred Hoffman: The downside to weed cloth is you have to cover it up with mulch to keep it from decomposing in the sun. So a lot of gardeners are skipping the weed cloth and are just putting down 3 to 4 inches of organic mulch. And what that does is it stops the weeds and it feeds the soil.
Fred Hoffman: Weed killers kill weeds and unfortunately any desirable plants you might have like this beautiful rose. So, when I've got my backpack sprayer on and I'm killing a lot of weeds I use this piece of cardboard to separate the desirable plant from the undesirable plant like these weeds before I spray.
Fred Hoffman: For pinpoint weed control, you can use one of these devices. Just put the weed control product inside the tubes, and there's a sponge on the end. That way you can just dab on the weeds one by one without harming any of the nearby plants.
Fred Hoffman: The most organic way to control weeds is also the most old fashioned. Dig them up or pull them out. Also if you just cut off the weeds before they set flower you can control next year's population. Now if you'll excuse me, I've got some 21st century whacking the weeds to do on this pompous grass.
Chris Burrous: That's California Heartland, for more information on any of these stories go to Californiaheartland.org I'm Chris Burrous see you next time.
To order a copy of this show, visit us online or call 1-888-814-3923 the cost is $14.95 plus shipping
California Heartland is made possible by The James G. Boswell Foundation, committed to sharing the stories and successes of California growers. Bank of America, bank of opportunity. Funding provided in part by, The California Farm Bureau Federation, proud publishers of "California Country" magazine. More information is available at www.californiacountry.org . And, by the Almond Board of California; California Almonds, loved around the world, grown in California's Heartland.


text: Wayne's World: Casey Rules | August 31, 2011Wayne Gardner shares his thoughts with the readers of cyclennews.com…MORE OF THE SAMEWhat can we say about Casey Stoner that we haven't already said on many occasions throughout 2011? His dominant performance at the latest US MotoGP proved yet again that he is a cut above everyone else out there. While the race itself was a disappointing and lackluster affair from an entertainment perspective, from a sheer technical viewpoint, the Honda rider's calculated strategy was the stuff that world championships are made of. His teammate Dani Pedrosa tried hard but was never really in the hunt. I wonder how he and manager Alberto Puig must be feeling right about now.Despite having the best machinery Honda can offer at his disposal for something like six seasons, Casey has just come in and blown him away at the first attempt. Of course, Dani's not the only guy having problems keeping up. Over at Yamaha, I'd have to say that poor old Jorge also looks like a beaten man. Studying the performance of the World Champion's bike on Sunday, I really don't think there's too much difference between it and the Honda. Yes, it might be lacking in a tiny bit of top end, but I wouldn't say the deficit is huge. The truth is that Casey is simply riding rings around the opposition at the moment, and that so far, he seems to have an answer for pretty much anything.From a home rider perspective, it was a shame Ben Spies got such a bad start after qualifying so strongly. He could have been much closer to the front had things worked out better, but I still don't think he would have been a match for Stoner. Still, the fact he managed to beat Lorenzo for I think the first time in his MotoGP career (Assen notwithstanding) will give him something to smile about. The only other result that did impress me was Alvaro Bautista on the lone Suzuki. Sixth place is a pretty massive effort for such an under-funded and under-resourced team. He beat all the Ducatis, two Yamahas, and Marco Simoncelli's Honda – definitely not a bad job at all. I just hope it gives the factory the adrenalin shot it so desperately needs.BORED WITH THE BRICKYARDSunday's race was actually the first time I'd had a chance to watch a full MotoGP event at Indy, and I have to say I thought the whole thing was a bit ordinary. Put simply, the track they've constructed in the infield is simply not a proper MotoGP track. It's way too tight, twisty and short, and doesn't go close to allowing a MotoGP machine to display its amazing potential. That's one of the reasons why the race was so boring, with the nature of the layout quickly seeing the field broken up into a drawn-out procession. Making things even worse were the poor grip levels that caused everyone to be extremely tentative. Did you see all those slippery rubber marbles on the edge of the racing line? I've never seen that at any European MotoGP track.If MotoGP really wants to tap the massive U.S. market and draw in new fans, then races like this are definitely not the way to go. Add in a small race day crowd of only 60,000, and the whole spectacle just didn't have anything to offer, either as a live or a TV spectacle. To me it felt like a show race, or an overblown club day, and not an actual MotoGP event. I know that Indianapolis is the definitive and undisputed icon of U.S. motorsport, but I fail to see its relevance to MotoGP. I just don't think it works. I'm just hoping the new venue being planned for Texas provides the perfect stage for demonstrating to American fans just what MotoGP is really all about.Wayne Gardner Comments

subset: commoncrawl


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As the 2016 election campaign attests, the Grand Old Party—once moderate and even magnanimous—has fallen into a prison of its own making when it comes to presidential politics. After the debacle of the George W. Bush presidency and the rout of the Romney candidacy, Republicans said they must broaden their base, become more inclusive, and return to... more...
Jigsaw Puzzle Politics in the Sunshine StateUniversity Press of Florida 2015; US$ 84.95
Redrawing district lines is arguably the most polarizing of political activities in the United States today. As technological developments permit more and more sophisticated statistical analyses, those in charge of the process are more tempted to gerrymander districts for their own future benefit. At the same time, as this data is made available to... more...


text:
Pork molecules
Additional credits: Production House: Technicolor
Print advertisment created by Bleublancrouge, Canada for Opinel, within the category: House, Garden.
Creative Director: Gaetan Namouric
Art Directors: Julien Conter, Cyril Drouot
Copywriter: Melanie Delisle
Illustrator: Odrey Veillette
i second that. i thought it was about piggy banks screaming in the matrix... what a trip would that be... but seriously, molecules?!?!?!?!!
i kinda like the piglets and the artwork, so to speak, little piggy faces. got a basket of little lemon molecules i didn't know what to do with
they look more like piggy banks rather than atoms but still funny. 8/10
i like this
24/7 Instant Human Translation:
http://www.translia.com/affiliate/mahmoud --- http://www.onehourtranslation.com/affiliate/mahmoud84
=== Looking for concept/art creative to form a team to work in independent advertising projects. ===
Alexandre Brito
Personal Page | Blog | Vlog:Video | Plog:Print | Twitter | Facebook
awsome execution! awsome idea, but had to read the explanation to get it. ergo, fail
Piggy banks scared of the knife, absolutely. 5/10 for the art work.
Si tienen que poner el brief para que se entienda el anuncio, entonces no sirve.
Nice thought if your target market consists solely of molecular biologists.
this one seems funny
~ Quite obviously, I have gathered no moss ! ~
GREAT IDEA but execution isn't clear enough...
(miguelandréscortés / Graphic Creative / Y&R)
its super funny, for people with engineering or science background. i love the "pig molecule" : ] very very fresh.
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text:
PDC: Churches can't be intermediary for campaign donations
OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) - Washington state's campaign finance watchdog said Tuesday that the state's Catholic churches can't collect donations from their parishioners for the campaign seeking to overturn the state's gay marriage law.
Last week, Yakima Bishop Joseph Tyson sent a letter to pastors in 41 parishes asking that they announce a special collection at upcoming services that would go to Preserve Marriage Washington, which is opposed to same-sex marriage. The group forced a vote with Referendum 74, which asks voters to either approve or reject the law passed earlier this year that allows same-sex marriage in the state. That law is on hold pending a November vote.
The diocese's chief of staff, Monsignor Robert Siler, said Tuesday that the expected collection date was set for Sept. 8-9.
But Lori Anderson, a spokeswoman for the state's Public Disclosure Commission, said no organization can be an intermediary for a contribution. The church can hand out envelopes at Mass, but a member of Preserve Washington has to be on hand to collect them, or parishioners must send them in individually, she said.
Anderson said the restrictions stem from Initiative 134, which voters passed in 1992 to regulate political contributions and campaign spending.
Siler said the diocese coordinated its efforts with the Washington state Catholic Conference.
"As far as I know, the procedures we sent to the parishes meet the requirement of state law," he said, noting that the envelopes are preaddressed to the campaign.
"We're not collecting and counting money," he said. "We're just collecting envelopes and forwarding them."
Anderson said that even so, what the church is proposing to do is what federal laws refer to as "bundling," and that isn't allowed under state law. Anderson said PDC officials would be reaching out to church officials in the coming days.
"We just want to make sure they understand what they can and can't do," she said.
"Under state law, no one can be an intermediary for a contribution," Anderson said. "It doesn't matter if it's a loose pile of money or if each is in a little envelope."
Sister Sharon Park, executive director of the Washington state Catholic Conference, said she couldn't comment until she had talked with the PDC.
"It's hard to say anything without knowing what they are talking about," she said.
Siler said, "if we need to amend our procedures, we will."
Preserve Marriage Washington has lagged in fundraising so far, raising just $471,000 compared with the nearly $6.1 million raised by Washington United for Marriage, which supports the gay marriage law.
Washington United for Marriage announced Monday that the group has reserved $5 million for television advertising starting sometime after Labor Day.
Follow Rachel La Corte at http://www.twitter.com/RachelAPOly or http://www.facebook.com/news.rachel .
Copyright 2012 The Associated Press.


text:
Las Vegas, Nevada – Best In The Desert, the largest off-road desert racing organization in the world, is excited to announce that a record setting 306 entries have already signed up for the longest point-to-point race in the United States. With two weeks remaining before the drop of the green flag, that number is expected to grow to well over 315, as additional racer registrations will still be accepted up to the day before the race. This is the 16th year that Best In The Desert has promoted an off-road desert race over 500-miles long from Southern Nevada to Northern Nevada. Starting north of Las Vegas, in Beatty and finishing in Dayton, just south of Reno, the race course traverses 534-miles of the most challenging terrain the great state of Nevada has to offer. From rocky trails dating back to the original "Pony Express" days, to vast silt beds, and climbing to elevations well in excess of 7200 feet, the General Tire "Vegas to Reno" off-road race tests endurance of the two wheeled and four wheeled racers and their machines; and treats them to the most incredible adventure of their lives.
24 of the premier 800-plus horsepower Trick Trucks will take their shot at the overall win when the race gets underway. The strong field includes the likes of 2011 Trick Truck champion BJ Baldwin, Steve Sourapas, Rob MacCachren, Steve Olliges, John Swift, Adam Householder, Tim & Troy Herbst, Jason & Rich Voss, Kevin McGillivray, Chad Ragland, Rick D Johnson, Mark Weyhrich, Scott Whipple, Mastercraft's Robbie Pierce and Jarit Johnson, little brother of NASCAR's Jimmie Johnson. Many of these same drivers will also be going for a piece of the $19,000 in bonus money paid out as part of the 2012 $120,000 Trick Truck Challenge.
29 of the fast and nimble Class 1500 unlimited buggies will also be shooting for the overall finish. Entries include current overall and class points leader Robby Gordon, Chuck Hovey, Sam Berri, Ray Griffith, Mike Childress, Shelby Reid, Harley Letner, Garrick Freitas, Damen Jefferies, Pat Dean, TJ Flores, Justin Lofton, Todd Tuls and the list goes on.
Other large classes for the race include 24 Class 1000 cars, 18 Class 7200 Mini-Trick Trucks and 24 Class 1900 UTVs. The 2012 General Tire "Vegas to Reno" race features 19 Car and Truck classes, 3 UTV classes, 4 Quad classes and 10 Motorcycle classes. This is just another indication on how much interest this historic race draws and why it is on so many racers' personal "bucket list."
Activities leading up to the 2012 General Tire "Vegas to Reno" race will officially get underway Wednesday, August 15th, when 53 Trick Trucks and open Class 1500 buggies get set to go head to head at the Time Trials for a shot at the coveted "Team Ford" Pole Award and the $1000 in bonus cash from Steve Olliges of Team Ford Lincoln that goes along with it. Best In The Desert is the only off-road desert racing organization that holds this type of qualifying format for every race on the schedule. The special format really allows the fastest race vehicles, regardless of car or truck, to compete on equal ground for the "dust-free" first starting position and a great shot at the overall four wheeled race victory.
Contingency and tech inspection kicks off Thursday, August 16th, from 8:00 AM until 5:00 PM at the Aliante Station Casino and Hotel in North Las Vegas. Race fans will have the chance to get up close to the race vehicles and drivers as well as check out all of the awesome race related products on display as they weave their way through the parking.
The 2012 edition of the General Tire "Vegas to Reno" race gets started early Friday morning, August 17th, in Beatty, NV, with the Motorcycles, Quads and UTVs starting at 5:45 AM. For safety purposes, after a roughly three-hour delay from the last UTV leaving the start line, the Car and Truck classes start at 9:30 AM. This is sure to go down in the books as another epic race in the storied history of "Vegas to Reno", "The Longest Off-Road Race in the United States."
2011 "Vegas to Reno" – Defending Class Winners
Car and Truck Class Winners by Overall Time
Class 1400 Steve Strobel/Dale Ebberts Ford 9:52:39
Class 1500 Garrick Freitas/Danny Freitas Jimco 9:57:41
Class 1200 Troy Vest/Geno Licitra Chevrolet 11:26:18
Class 1100 Bryan Folks/Rick Graf Ford 11:40:38
Class 7200 David Caspino/Neal Mason Ford 11:43:18
Class 8000 Don German/Chris German Chevrolet 11:50:20
Class 1000 Chad Giguiere/Cody Bullock Custom 11:59:37
Class 2000 Bryan Meyers/Kyle Hearold Custom 12:35:43
Class 3000 Mike Belk/Wendy Belk Seagroves 12:55:53
Class 6100 Jim Riley/Rick L Johnson TrophyLite 13:19:12
Class 8100 Randy Merritt/Chris Golding Ford 14:05:03
Class 1800 Jim Goff/Shane Baich Lothringer 14:48:10
Class 1700 Michael Vernak/Matt Vogler Jeep 16:33:17
Class 7100 Blake Henn/Freddy Paris Ford 17:44:52
Class 4400 JT Stephens/Dave Cole Custom 20:28:27
Motorcycle, Quad & UTV Class Winners by Overall Time
Open Pro Shane Esposito/Chris Brown Kawasaki 9:39:27
Open Exp Justin Morrow/CarlMaassberg Honda 10:13:53
O-30 Pro David Fry/Jason Trubey Honda 10:36:02
250 Exp Ryan McManus/John Harbauer KTM 10:57:43
Quad Pro Greg Stuart/Nicholas Granlund Laeger 11:06:39
O-30 Exp Marc Jenkins/Greg Willitts Honda 11:14:51
O-40 Pro Scott Glimp/Tim Morton Honda 11:20:41
O-40 Exp Steven Fuller/Todd Abratowski Honda 11:30:49
IM Exp Jake Oswald Honda 11:48:54
Open Am Greg Parker/William Williford Honda 12:00:40
O-50 Exp Mike Mieras/Brad Kohler Husaberg 12:14:38
Quad Exp Juan Dominguez/
Alonzo Dominguez Honda 12:46:18
QIM Exp Gerald Nunes Honda 13:02:19
Quad Am Richard Goforth/James Ortiz Can-Am 13:11:41
250 Pro Jesse Canepa/Matt Canepa Yamaha 13:20:43
IM Am Dennis Buckmeyer Kawasaki 13:32:00
QIM Am Norm Graham Suzuki 19:42:30
UTV Pro Brandon Schueler/Chad Riccio Polaris 13:27:42
2012 General Tire "Vegas to Reno" Schedule of Events
Wednesday – August 15, 2012
11:00 AM to 1:30 PM
Registration for Time Trials for Class 1400 & 1500 Only
Aliante Station, Scottsdale Ballroom
1:30 PM – Staging for Practice Lap
Time Trials for Class 1400 & Class 1500
Time Trials will start immediately after the practice run
7:00 PM to 9:00 PM – Welcome Party & Time Trials Results
Cabo's Bar, Casino Floor, Aliante Station
Thursday – August 16, 2012
8:00 AM to 4:30 PM
Drivers/Riders Registration – Scottsdale Ballroom, Aliante Station
8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Car – Truck – Motorcycle – Quad – UTV
Contingency Inspection and Technical Inspection
Aliante Station Casino Hotel – Parking Lot
MANDATORY Drivers/Riders/Pit Crew Meeting
Scottsdale Ballroom, Aliante Station Casino Hotel
Friday – August 17, 2012
Motorcycle/Quad/UTV Staging
1st Professional Motorcycle Leaves the Start Line
Car/Truck Staging
1st Professional Car/Truck Leaves the Start Line
Saturday – August 18, 2012
General Tire "Vegas to Reno" Awards Presentation
Grand Sierra Resort Convention Center
Best In The Desert official sponsors: Ford Motor Company – official truck, General Tire – official tire, Lucas – Official Oil, VP Racing Fuels – official fuel, KC HiLiTES – official light, John Deere – official UTV, American Beta – official motorcycle, Fabtech – Official Suspension, Fall Advertising, Prerunner Maniac, McKenzies, PCI Race Radios, Bullet Liner and Sportsman Cycle Sales.


text:
Cable television channel RFD-TV gave thought about purchasing all of the memorabilia from the Roy Rogers and Dale Evans museum when its contents were put on the auction block a few days ago.
Instead, it bought the next-best thing. RFD-TV president Patrick Gottsch purchased the movie cowboy's beloved horse, Trigger, for $266,500. After Trigger died at age 30, it was stuffed and put on display for many years at Rogers' museum just off Route 66 in Victorville, Calif., then more recently at Branson, Mo., until the museum closed in late 2009.
Gottsch also bought for $35,000 Rogers' dog, Bullet, which also was stuffed and displayed at the museum.
According to a story in the Omaha World-Herald, Gottsch plans to eventually display Trigger and Bullet at RFD-TV's main offices in Omaha, Neb. Gottsch also had good news for Rogers fans:
Gottsch has spoken with Omaha Mayor Jim Suttle about the new headquarters and is in talks with the City Planning Department. He said he envisions the company being a visiting spot for tourists, given the acquisitions of Trigger and Bullet and memorabilia he would like to add.
"Now we're going to have a museum wing," he said. […]
The mounted animals will be on an RFD-TV set weekly in November, when Rogers' son and grandson will introduce 53-minute-long Rogers films. Gottsch said he's seeking rights for the Rogers TV shows and has 35 of the Rogers movies.
In advertising spots on RFD-TV in recent days, the network has said it would eventually air Roy Rogers movies. RFD-TV is set to make more announcements about Roy Rogers-related programming at during its "RFD-TV Equine Live!" show at 9 p.m. Central on Thursday.
Gottsch said he considered buying all of the Rogers memorabilia when it went on the block at Christie's in New York City, but was unable to secure funds in time.
If you're unfamiliar with RFD-TV, it describes itself as "rural America's most important network." It airs a mix of shows about horses, agriculture, country and gospel music, and rural lifestyles. (Disclosure: I admit becoming quite fond of the network, especially "The Marty Stuart Show.")
The Roy Rogers Museum sat just off Route 66 in Victorville for many years. After Rogers' death in 1998, attendance at the museum plunged. The Rogers family moved the museum to Branson, but it closed barely six years later. Roy Rogers Jr. said at the announcement of the closing:
The decision to close the Museum has come after two years of steady decline in visitors to the Museum. A lot of factors have made our decision for us. The economy for one, people are just not traveling as much. Dad's fans are getting older, and concerned about their retirement funds. Everyone is concerned about their future in this present economy. Secondly, with our high fiscal obligations we cannot continue to accumulate debt to keep the doors open.This situation is one I have not wanted to happen. Dad always said- "If the museum starts costing you money, then liquidate everything and move on." Myself and my family have tried to hold together the Museum and collection for over 15 years, so it is very difficult to think that it will all be gone soon.
As for those who think Rogers' decision to stuff Trigger after his death was weird and macabre, I could relate. However, after seeing this amazing clip, I can understand Rogers' motive. Trigger appeared in more than 100 films and helped make Rogers a star. The Roy Rogers Museum enabled Roy to still share the spotlight with his loyal and talented steed.


text:
The second production A400M for the French air force (MSN8) was at the Paris Air Show, and President François Hollande flew into the show aboard one of the prototypes. However, Airbus Military has missed its target of making its first delivery of the new airlifter in the second quarter. According to operations director Bruno Sainjon from the DGA, which is the French defense agency responsible for approving the aircraft for service, "there are still some certification issues to take care of. We are still negotiating a bit."
He went on to explain that the main work lies in confirming that Airbus Military is providing what had been agreed to in the detailed specification for the aircraft. Inevitably there have been a few discrepancies and defects that require rectification, and the acceptance process will require more flights before the aircraft can be signed off. But, Sainjon told AIN at Paris, "Up to now there are no red flags. We don't see any showstoppers."
Three weeks ago, a French air force spokesman told AIN that the service expects to accept the aircraft in time to take part in the traditional Bastille Day fly-past over Paris on July 14. However, an Airbus Military spokesman denied this week that the company had received any formal notification to that effect.
The French air force hopes to be able to begin long-haul flights overseas early next year with its first two aircraft, which are being delivered in EIS (entry-into-service) configuration, which allows them to undertake non-tactical airlift missions. The second aircraft is due for handover in August. The third production machine is scheduled for delivery to the Turkish air force in September.


text:
My Real G.I. Joe
Reads: 15814 | Likes: 0 | Shelves: 0 | Comments: 181
Book by: FutureMarinesGirl
Chapter 14 (v.1) - Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Thirteen
I shoved my hands into my pocket as Finn pulled into the parking lot. I opened the door. "Where's your friend?" He asked as I buckled myself in.
"He had some work to do. Did you see your friend?" I looked over at him as he pulled out of the parking lot.
"He had something to do and anyway, I want to talk to you." He looked at me through the corner of his eyes.
"You want to go out for something to eat? Or we can just bring something back to mine." I looked out through the window of the truck.
"How about we go back to mine? I want to show you something." He nodded.
"Sure." The rest of the car ride was silent as we drove back to base. I didn't want to say anything and I don't think that Finn knew what to say. It was awkward. The first time it's been awkward between us. I didn't like it. He pulled up to the house looking at its darkness. "Where's your Mom?" He asked as I unbuckled myself.
"If she knows she could get in trouble she runs off. She'll be gone for a little longer." He turned off the car as I unlocked the front door.
"She always did this?" He asked shutting the door behind him as I turned on the lights.
"Yeah it's a normal thing. I used to use the time to calm myself down when I was younger." I opened the fridge and pulled out two water bottles. "Chinese good?" He nodded watching me as I put the bottles on the counter and pulled the menu out from a drawer. I picked up the phone.
"You alright?" He asked me as I dialed and waited. I nodded.
"Yeah," I looked down at the menu as the lady on the other end started to talk. I gave our order before hanging up. I put the water on the table before sitting down. "Where do you want to start?" Finn sat across from me.
"Where ever you want to." I fiddled with the label on my water bottle.
"I guess it all started when my mom got married again when I 10. This was number three at the time. We were in Texas when everything started. I don't even remember how it started just that it was happening. My mom always wants the upper-hand; she'll do anything to get it. Anything." I shook my head. Finn was looking at me.
"Stuff started to happen and I couldn't take it. I don't remember how it happened. It's a blurry mess." I chuckled to myself. "I ended up with a guy that didn't care how old I was. He gave me whatever I wanted." I closed my eyes.
"What did he give you, Ana?" I opened my eyes to look at him as the tears started to form in my eyes.
"Ecstasy." I pulled off a piece of the label on my bottle. "I didn't know better. My mom didn't teach me squat. So I just went with it. Then when I took it, it made everything go away. I felt normal. I don't remember when I went from X to heroin. I just did. I would do anything to make what my mom made me do to go away. I was a stupid child." I ripped the paper in my hands. "It was crazy. This was something grown adults do, I was a kid and I messed in drugs." I looked over at Finn as he sat just staring at me. "Things started to get really bad a couple years later. I went around for year and a half years just going through the motions of life but then things went bad. I needed more and the guy realized what he did." I shook my head. "That's when I met him. I was a fucked 12 year old and he was the bad ass that controlled everything. There is one rule that Zander follows, don't give drugs to a kid. He punished the guy that gave me them and took me."
"That's how you met him?" Finn asked quietly. I nodded.
"I was high out of my mind. I needed things to change. I was so scared. There were all these men around me talking to each other, but I had no idea what they were saying. Z had a reputation of tying up loose ends. He should have just killed me. He was going to. To this day I have no idea what changed his mind. I was detoxing. I wasn't strong enough to go through it alone. Z took me over his shoulder and took me to his house. Nothing is scarier than a man you have no idea holding you as a doctor shoves you with needles." I laughed wiping a tear off my cheek. "He helped me through it all. Through everything he stayed in that little room with me as I was wrapped in a blanket shaking. He didn't leave; no one has ever been there for me as much as he was in that first week. He just rocked me as I cried." I ran a hand through my hair.
"I was scared and he was my hero. Every thinks he's this terrible, terrible person but he isn't. He's the guy that saved my life. He listened when no one would. He protected me when no one would. Ever since I was young Z has been there for me. Sometimes I wish he didn't save me. Then my life wouldn't be what it is." I put my face in my hands as I started to cry. I listened to Finn's chair squeak before I felt his arms wrap around me.
"Is that why you would tell me you were trouble? Because of what happened?" I nodded as he pressed his face into my hair.
"I do nothing but bad things. The only person I trust is an arms dealer. That's not even half of my secrets. How could you like me?" I cried silently. Finn lifted me off of the chair turning me over in his arms so I was looking at him. He took my face in his hands gently stroking the skin with his rough fingers.
"I trust you. Everyone has secrets. Everyone has felt pain. I don't think of you any less because of something you did in your past. The past is behind you, you are your present. That is the girl I've been falling in love with. Ana, you're the girl that makes me weak in the knees. You're the girl that makes my stomach turn when I see you. You're the girl that is in my every thought. It kills me when I hear you tell me that you don't trust me to love you. Because I do. I love you. I've fallen in love with you. You make me have faith. Please, Ana. Let me in. I'm begging you." I watched as the tears rolled down his face. No one has ever spoken to me like this. I brought my hands to his face pulling his to mine. I pressed my bottom lip in between his forcing his lips to open. I ran my hands to the back of his head over the stubble that was his military haircut. His lips were softer than I expected. He was so rugged, so hard yet his lips were so soft. I ran my tongue over his bottom lip as he pulled back. "Ana." He whispered breathless.
"Don't give up on me." I whispered laying my head on his shoulder. He wrapped his arms around me holding me close to him. "Please."
"I won't." I moved my arm down holding him tightly stroking my fingers over his hair.
"I'm sorry I waited this long." He started to laugh making me pull back. "What?" I smiled at him.
"I just didn't expect you to say that." He smiled kissing my head. The doorbell rang. "Foods here. Let me go get it." I nodded.
"I have more to tell you." Maybe everything he said he would take it back. It isn't something you take lightly.
"Food, food, food I'm starving." He smiled putting the food down on the table. "If you don't mind, I want to ask some questions." I nodded pulling out chop sticks out of the bag. I put the food down on the table.
"Ask away, you deserve answers." He sat down and opened his food container.
"Did you and Z ever you know…?" I shook my head.
"I never thought of him in that way. He is like my big brother. I never thought of him in a sexual way." I took a bite of my chicken looking at him. He cleared his throat.
"Do you have any of those diseases you get when you take drugs?" I shook my head again.
"I was afraid of needles so I never had to worry about that. Then when Z had me he used sterile needles. But he took me to get tested and I'm all clean, I promise." I nodded to myself.
"I was just asking." Finn asked blushing.
"I know. It's a logical question." I put my food down not being able to stomach it anymore. "Especially after what I'm going to show you." His eyebrows frowned as I stood up. "I'll be right back, I promise." I walked to my room and sat down on the bed. The emotions that are racing through my head are making me sick. I ran a hand through my hair pressing it to my skull. I'm not good with all these feelings that were rushing through my stomach.
"You okay?" Finn asked leaning on the door frame.
"I think I'm getting a headache." Finn sat on the bed and pressed his hand gently to my temple.
"Do you get headaches a lot?" I nodded pressing gently into his soothing touch. "Have you seen a doctor? Something could be wrong." I opened my eyes to look at him as he looked at me with his eyes clouded in concern.
"I did. He gave me pills to take when I get them. They mostly put me to sleep." I leaned my head onto his shoulder.
"Take one, Sweetheart. Whatever you have to tell me can wait." He rubbed my back. I shook my head.
"I need to get this out now. Can you get me a bag of ice?" He nodded as I pulled the only box that was under my bed. I took a deep breath and opened the lid gently. This box held the happiest memories of my life. The papers that lay lifeless next to the stuffed toys and little shirts. I could feel the tears forming in my eyes threatening to fall. I picked up the stuffed pooh bear and rubbed it against my cheek.
"I got the ice." Finn whispered to me. I looked up at him as he sat down slowly on the bed. "I, uh, I hope this helps." I nodded handing the little stuffed toy to Finn. I pulled out the couple of little shirts that I kept laying the black batman one in my lap. I pulled the security blanket out of the box running my fingers over the worn fabric. "Ana." I put the blanket down and pulled a picture out of the box.
"It all started when we moved to Tennessee. My Mom convinced my Step-Dad that it would be good for me if he," I took a deep long breath, "If he slept with me." The bed squeaked as Finn moved. "I went along with it. I thought it was what I was supposed to do. I thought it would make my mom like me. But it didn't, she hated me more after them. The only attention I got was from Benjamin." I shook my head. "That's when I started to take the drugs and stay farther away from home. But when I was 13 I found out something that changed my life." I handed him the picture taking another out. "I was pregnant. I was pregnant and I was going to have a baby."
© Copyright 2017 FutureMarinesGirl. All rights reserved.
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I want to read more! This was a great chapter :) kmu
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At 13? Wow...I can't wait to read more. KMU please? Thanks!!
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text:
Each examination begins at 9 a. m., and by the regulations must not extend beyond three hours.
SATURDAY, JUNE 18.Classical Philology 22, Sever 35.
German 8, Sever 35.
Italian 1, Sever 35.
Politicol Economy 5, Sever 35.
History 8, Upper Mass.
Mathematics E, Upper Mass.
[Engineering 2]
[Engineering 3]
Zoology 10, Upper Mass.
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Read more in NewsOfficial Notice.


text:
TRIESTE, Italy, Feb. 17 (UPI) -- Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri has cut steel for the bow section of a new logistics support ship for the Italian Navy.
The steel cutting took place Tuesday with a ceremony at a company facility in Castellammare di Stabia.
The bow section of the vessel will be about 308 feet long, 78.7 feet wide and 53.4 feet high. Following its construction, it will be transported by sea to another Fincantieri shipyard for assembly to other parts of the ship.
Construction of the stern section of the ship took place earlier this month at a shipyard near Genoa, the company said.
The LSS features a medical facility, the capability to transport and transfer fuel and water and other supplies to other ships, and to provide at sea repairs and maintenance work for other vessels.
The vessel is also capable of embarking more complex defense systems and becoming an intelligence and electronic warfare platform, Fincantieri said.
The ship is expected to be completed and delivered to the Italian Navy in 2019.


text:
The City of Tacoma's Small Works Roster Program (SWR) allows pre-registered contractors the opportunity to bid on small public works and improvement projects with a budget of $200,000 or less. For smaller qualifying companies, the Small Works Roster may allow for expedited payment and waiver of the bid bond. This program utilizes categories under the North American Industry Classification System.
Please note that except for the Small Works Roster, the City of Tacoma does not maintain an on-going vendor or bidders list for any categories of work. Small Works Roster bids are sent to approved and pre-registered contractors.
Only contractors notified directly by the City of Tacoma regarding a specific SWR solicitation may respond to that solicitation. If you did not receive notice directly from the City regarding a particular solicitation, you are not eligible to participate. Additionally, only contractors that have received notice from the City confirming they are on the City's Small Works Roster are eligible to participate in the City's Small Works Roster program. You can also view the City's current contracting opportunities not associated with the Small Works Roster.
If you have any questions about the Small Works Roster program, please contact Destiny Logan at (253) 441-4684.
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The meeting, held in Port Vila, Vanuatu, reviewed progress in implementing the Pacific Adaptation to Climate Change (PACC) Project, which supports 13 Pacific island countries in three main areas: food security and production; coastal management; and water resources management.
11 August 2011: A meeting to review the Pacific Adaptation to Climate Change (PACC) project, organized by the Global Environment Facility (GEF), discussed policy, technical, and operational issues and issued recommendations to enhance the impact of PACC and include lessons learned into other regional legal frameworks.
The meeting took place in Port Vila, Vanuatu, from 8-12 August 2011, and brought together over 50 participants, including national coordinators, representatives from the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) and the UN Development Programme (UNDP) as the implementing agencies, and other key partners. The US$57 million dollar project is partly funded by the Special Climate Change Fund (SCCF) through a grant of US$13 million dollars and supports adaptation activities in three main areas: food security and production; coastal management; and water resources management in 13 Pacific island countries.
Countries that are part of the PACC include Nauru, Niue, Marshall Islands, Tonga and Tuvalu, which are focusing on addressing water resources management; Fiji, Palau, Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands, which have national projects to help increase food security and food production; and Cook Islands, Vanuatu, Samoa and the Federated States of Micronesia, which focus on addressing coastal erosion management. [GEF Press Release] [SPREP Press Release, 9 August 2011] [SPREP Press Release, 12 August 2011]


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Northern Lights on the Kennedy Center
Have you ever wanted to see the Northern Lights?{ } Well, if you live in D.C., there's a chance you'll get to see them over the next few weeks.{ } OK, it's not the real aurora borealis in the sky, but you can get a glimpse of the lights on the Kennedy Center!WeatherBug camera
That's right.{ } The Kennedy Center will feature the "Nordic Cool" festival through March 17th.{ } Every night between 5:30pm and 11:00pm the four sides of the Kennedy Center will display the Northern Lights.
Denmark's most innovative lighting designer, Jesper Kongshaug, will bring the effects of the aurora borealis to Washington D.C. on the white marble walls of the Kennedy Center.{ } The "Nordic Cool" festival also showcases Northern European culture featuring music, theater and dance, as well as exhibitions, literature, film, and cuisine.
Here's a neat timelapse.
{ }


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DEERFIELD, Ill. — Walgreens ranked No. 60 on the 2014 InformationWeek Elite 100, a list of the top business technology innovators in the United States, the retailer announced Friday. Walgreens received the recognition for the development and launch of its Balance Rewards loyalty program, which has grown to nearly 80 million active members.
"This is great recognition for the work Walgreens has done to develop an omnichannel solution that ties customers' online and mobile experiences to our stores in communities across America," stated Tim Theriault, Walgreens chief information, innovation and improvement officer. "As technology continues to evolve and influence consumer behavior, Walgreens will continue to innovate and offer solutions to help people get, stay and live well."
Balance Rewards is the nation's largest loyalty program, Walgreens reported. Launched in the fall of 2012, the innovative program offers easy enrollment, instant points and endless rewards on a variety of items, prescriptions and immunizations. In addition, Walgreens rewards members for healthy activities such as weight management and physical exercise such as walking or running.


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Off topic chat. Pull up a chair.
The last post wins!
Attack on Titan 3rd Season is officially confirmed to premiere in 2018!
Most liked tweet of all time.
Hockey in China?
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Photos Of Noel Fielding And Amy Winehouse At Fundraiser For Camden Pub The Hawley Arms
Noel And Amy Show For Camden Cause
You might remember that Camden pub and occasional celeb hangout The Hawley Arms was gutted by fire earlier this year? Well, last night Noel Fielding hosted a fundraiser for the beloved venue and some other celebs showed up to show their support. Amy Winehouse also spent a little time at Dingwalls, where the event was held, wearing a string vest and showing off the bra collection she seems oh-so-proud of. Music was provided by Johnny Borrell, Helsinki and a DJ, along with Lois Winstone's band This Year's Model. Noel waxed lyrical with memories of the pub, saying:
"We used to have a garden up the top and I used to run across the ledge in my Chelsea boots. The Ledge of Doom, I called it. They fenced it off because they said: 'You will die and that won't be good publicity.' ... I've had loads of good times there... I had a gun with sticker darts and we were trying to shoot guavas and mangoes off people's heads. It started off as a bit of fun. Before we knew what was happening, there were 40 people involved, there was a league system going, it was amazing."
Ah, Noel – if only the reality was as fun as what goes on inside your entertaining mind!


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Chinch Bugs
Chinch bug damage can be quite common in Texas lawns during hot, dry conditions. Often damage will start sunny locations or near driveways and sidewalk areas. Damage shows up as irregular dead patches in the lawn surrounded by yellowing or dying grass. Chinch bug damage can also be mistaken for other lawn problems such as white grubs or fungal diseases, so confirmation of chinch bug activity is needed before progressing to proper treatment.
To determine if turf damage is from chinch bugs, visually inspect the turf. Look at the border between the dead and dying grass. Part the grass with your hands and look for chinch bugs crawling around. Another method to check for chinch bugs uses a coffee can. Cut both ends out of the coffee can and push the can into the turf where the grass is yellowing. Fill the can with water for about 10 minutes and check for chinch bugs floating to the surface. If more than 5 chinch bugs float up in a 4-6 inch diameter can, control methods should be taken.
Chinch bugs are small (about 1/5 inch). Adults are black with white wings that have triangular black marks on them. Nymphs, or immatures, that have recently hatched are pinkish with a white band across their back. With each molt, nymphs grow more similar in appearance to the adults, even-tually becoming black to brownish -black.
To avoid chinch bug problems, resistant varieties of turf may be used. If turf cannot be re-placed, try to keep thatch to a minimum to re-duce living areas for the chinch bugs. Tech-niques for reducing thatch include: proper mowing, using a mulching mower when possi-ble, aerating the lawn, top dressing the lawn, fertilize properly and water properly.
Treatment is usually a liquid or granular for-mulation. Granular formulations are put out with push spreaders and need to be watered in after treatment. Treatment can be per-formed in the area where damage is occurring along with a few feet out from the damage area; the entire yard does not have to be treated. All label instructions should be read and followed before and during the treatment.
House Flies
When temperatures heat up, house flies breed and develop quickly causing them to become a problem in and around homes and retail establishments. House flies can be more than just a nuisance when spreading diseases such as dysentery or food poisoning. House flies can spread disease when they move to different are as they may feed and lay eggs on garbage, manure or carrion, and then go into homes and land on food, countertops or other surfaces. House flies regurgitate onto food to liquefy it before eating and can further contaminate items by defecating upon surfaces.
The common house fly has two wings, is dull gray with black stripes on the thorax (the section where the wings are attached). Eggs are usually laid on animal fecal material or garbage. Maggots, the immature stage of a fly, are small, white, carrot-shaped and legless.
- You should encourage customers to help with fly management by doing the following:
- Pick up animal waste at least once a week
- Empty garbage cans & recycle bins regularly
- Clean garbage cans & recycle bins monthly with soapy water
- Keep garbage cans/ dumpsters away from doors that lead into the structure
- Keep tight fitting lids on garbage cans/ dumpsters
- Keep window screens in good repair
You may need to make the above suggestions along with treating dumpster or garbage/ recycle bins with pesticide. Fly lights are also an option for some locations.
Mode of Action: Pyrethroids
Pyrethroids include active ingredients such as allethrin, permethrin, bifenthrin, cyfluthrin, del-tamethrin, lambda-cyhalothrin, esfenvalerate, among others.
Pyrethrins are a naturally occurring compound that is derived from plants in the chrysanthemum family. Pyrethroids mimic pyrethrins, but are modified to be more stable in the environment, so they have a longer residual effect.
Pyrethrins (naturally derived) and pyrethroids (synthetic or man-made) products work in a simi-lar manner. These compounds prevent sodium channels within the nervous system from clos-ing, causing continual nerve stimulation which leads to tremors, paralysis and death.
Sodium channels are on nerve cells. To work, the sodium ions flow into the neuron when the channel opens, to help neutralize the charge on the membrane. When more sodium builds up inside a cell than potassium, balance is lost, and the neuron is "charged" causing it to fire the nerve impulse synapse (the space between two nerve cells). So, pyrethroids block the sodium channel to stay open and the nerves keep firing and won't turn off.
Information provided by Wizzie Brown, Program Specialist, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service


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Three Generations of SEO (Part II)
This is part II in a series of posts on SEO-driven businesses. Part I is here. I see three generations of SEO optimization in the wild that build upon each other. Below are their distinguishing characteristics. SEO 1.0: human-driven SEO. … Continue reading
Posted in Digital Media, startups, Web 2.0 Tagged Automattic, Digital Media, Internet marketing, Scribd, Search engine optimization, SEO 1.0, SEO 2.0, SEO 3.0, startups, TechTarget, THCN, Web 2.0, WordPress, Wordpress.com, Zemanta 7 Comments


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10 Things You Didn't Know About Batman
Some fans and pop culture junkies might like to think that Superman is the most timeless and iconic of all comic book super heroes, but even the man from Krypton who can bend steel with his bare hands doesn't have the generational reach of Batman.
10 Things You Didn't Know About the Fourth of July
The legend of America's birth is only 236 years old. However, in that short amount of time, a number of legends that would normally take centuries to grow and multiply in any other civilization have sprung up.
5 Things You Didn't Know About '60 Minutes' Correspondent Mike Wallace
Legendary '60 Minutes' journalist Mike Wallace died over the weekend at the age of 93. While he will best be remembered for his work on the longtime CBS newsmagazine, there are plenty of other fascinating facts about Wallace that you may not know:
10 Things You Didn't Know About Easter
As far as holidays go, Easter might not be as popular as Christmas or Halloween, but it still has traditions and treats that can raise anyone's spirit, mood or blood sugar level.
The most interesting part of this annual celebration of Spring and rebirth is the supposed difference in the ways they are celebrated.
10 Things You Didn't Know About 'Mister Rogers'
It would be very hard to find someone who had a television in their house growing up and didn't spend a big chunk of their childhood basking in the warm glow of Mr. Rogers' beatific smile. Today we celebrate the great man's birthday (he would've been 84) with a few things you might not know about his historic children's TV show.
Whiskey Soothes Sore Throats and Freshens Breath While Getting You Drunk
You don't usually need a good excuse to have a nice glass of heavenly whiskey, but now you have one.
Whiskey can do so many things: calm your nerves after a long day, make a three look like an eight-and-a-half, turn a misdemeanor into a felony. Now,
'Top Gear Korea' Features Insane Helicopter Crash
South Korea is getting their own version of 'Top Gear.' Their first episode is bound to be way cooler than even the first episode of the original show, even if this massive helicopter crash wasn't by intention.
Ashton Kutcher and Demi Moore Round Out the Top 10 Biggest Celebrity Breakups of 2011
Donald Bowers / Mark Thompson / Jason Kempin / Larry Busacca, Getty Images
Doesn't it seem like most celebrity marriages don't stand a chance? The Center


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Quick Fuel
Innovators in fuel systems... Quick Fuel Technology introduced their Q Series carburetors in the year 2000. Since then these carburetors have become synonymous with performance and value. These carburetors now represent the standard by which all other performance carburetors are measured. Since the Q Series introduction, Quick Fuel has expanded their line to include Professional Series carburetors for the hard core racer, both drag and circle track, to the awesome performance of their Dominator Series carburetors. Whether you're driving a street strip weekend warrior or a 6 sec rocketship, Quick Fuel has a carburetor for you.


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Jada Pinkett Smith took to the Free Angela and All Political Prisoners Premiere at the Pan African Film Festival in LA in the same $2,942 Alexander McQueen Structured Full Length Jumpsuit Naomi Campbell wore last month.
While Jada gave her all-black look a pop of color with red lips and wavy hair, Naomi kept it simple with minimal hair and makeup and a gold choker to play on the jumpsuit's gold zipper.
The black sleeveless jumpsuit features a gold-tone zip front, structured shoulders, and lightly flared legs.
I'm giving it to Jada this round. Queen Mother Naomi always slays, but Jada's voluminous hair and red lips give the look something extra.
What do you think? Who wore it better?


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Blessing Cross
and Hand-held Cross
Hand-held Blessing Cross
The Blessing Cross is a Hand-held Cross and tends to be used more by Orthodox, Anglican and Catholic priests than Protestant clergy. Therefore whilst any type of cross could be used, the most common is a crucifix, a Budded Cross or an Eastern Cross. The lower bud of the Budded Cross, or foot-support (see suppedaneum) of the Eastern Cross, gives a convenient separator between the cross part and the handle part.
The Blessing Cross is considerably smaller than another portable cross - the Processional Cross. The Blessing Cross may be used like a conductor's baton to make a Sign of the Cross over a supplicant, congregation, or some object being blessed. The cross may be kissed by the faithful, or the priest may just tap them on the head (lightly!) with it. (See also 'Priest Stick' in Buddhist fish symbol).
Christians often carry their own Hand-held Cross and kiss it at the start and end of prayer. This is sometimes referred to as a Palm Cross, since it fits in the palm of the hand. On this website, we describe the Palm Cross made from green palm leaves for Palm Sunday celebrations. (The dual use of the word 'palm' stems from the shape of the palm's leaves, growing like the fingers of an open hand.)
Alex Roman tells us of olive wood palm crosses made by Christians in Palestine for visitors to take back as souvenirs. (See also the Compostelan Cross.) Medieval pilgrims to the Holy Land wore small palm Crosses on their clothing as they returned home.
From this tradition came an alternative English name for a pilgrim: 'Palmer'. This later became used as a surname.


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A tour company based in northern Michigan has been ordered by federal transportation officials to cease operations and take its coaches out of service after six people were found traveling in the luggage compartment of bus in Ohio.
The operations out-of-service order named Roger Haines and Haines Tours of Gladwin.
Issued Friday by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, the order claims that on May 27 an Ohio State Highway Patrol officer found six of 62 passengers in a luggage area during an inspection of a bus traveling from Roscommon, Mich., to Clyde, Ohio.
The driver told the officer that the passengers were riding with the luggage because there was no more room on the bus, according to the order, which said the company's operations constitute an "imminent hazard."
Mattresses, pillows and unsecured luggage also were in the cargo area of the bus.
Clyde, Ohio, is about 235 southeast of Roscommon, Mich.
" ... Based upon your present state of unacceptable safety compliance regarding the unauthorized transportation of passengers in the cargo area of your motorcoaches, your motor carrier operations substantially increase the likelihood of serious injury or death if not discontinued immediately," the order continued.
A voicemail seeking comment from Haines Tours was left Saturday afternoon by The Associated Press.
Haines also was cited last year during a compliance review after Transportation officials learned a section of a bus luggage compartment was used as an unauthorized sleeping berth for drivers.
"Despite being warned in August, 2010 that it cannot transport people in the luggage compartment of its buses in violation of federal regulations, it continues to place people in the luggage compartment," Friday's order said.
The order said the company may resume operations of commercial vehicles after taking certain steps that include identifying the cause of its noncompliance and developing plans for dealing that noncompliance.


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We have these two daughters, you see … and they make our lives fun and interesting. And in the last two years (or so) they've made our lives remarkably easy. By that I mean easier than it was when they were toddlers and babies. There are several reasons for this.
- They've been out of diapers for a while now — being as they're 6 and 7 years old.
- They no longer need parental intervention to see their food into their mouths. (Though, more of it than you'd expect still ends up on the floor under the table. But, in that they know how to use a dustpan and brush and can clean up after themselves when called upon to do so, it still technically qualifies as way easier.)
- Dressing themselves and picking out the day's clothing is something they find quite entertaining, even if their choices occasionally make me shake my head and bite my tongue. (In the interest of honesty, I must admit I don't always bite my tongue. I have been known to utter something akin to "Uhhh … No." It's really the tone of finality in my voice that ends the discussion. At least that's how it's supposed to work.)
- They're wonderful at self-soothing and getting themselves to sleep, with a bedtime book, praying together, and a kiss (or five) on the forehead. Sometimes it does require butterfly kisses (which, granted, makes it necessary for me to remove my glasses, thus requiring a little more time) and eskimo kisses all around — but the rules of the house (in this case, the reality and finality of bedtime) are firmly established and it's all good.
- And, to top it all off, they can now pick up some of my jobs. Bonus! Setting and clearing the table, helping with laundry, making their beds, the aforementioned sweeping of the floor, and the list goes on …
I was not — ever! — the mom who couldn't wait for my babies or toddlers to get on to the next stage. I never wanted to wish away that favorite snuggly age when I felt so needed, even if I got very few consecutive hours of sleep. But I'm here to tell ya, I've been shocked at how much easier it is to parent them right now. I never expected to feel that, much less to say it. But I do. And I am. And I just did.
Please don't tell me to brace myself for the teen years. I know — really, as much as one who hasn't gotten there yet can know. I get it. And yes, it has been more of a mental challenge already when they ask about things I have to really think about how to answer. Or when discipline issues become way more complicated. Or when I have to explain how babies get inside a mommy and how, exactly, they get out, or the meaning to words of a song they've heard on the bus. And I realize that, without doubt, it's only going to escalate. I get it.
I'm not trying to rest on my laurels, imaginary or otherwise. I'm just allowing myself to enjoy this albeit brief respite in my parenting career. And, if you catch me on a different day — maybe even tomorrow — I may deny everything I've just said. But, for today anyway, I really enjoy my easy kiddos and I love being their mom.