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'East Of The River' Or 'East End'? A Look At Rebranding Efforts In Our Region
'East of the River' or 'East End'? We explore efforts to rebrand areas in our region, and why there are both champions and skeptics when it comes to new names.
Last week, North Korea declared its 1953 armistice agreement with South Korea invalid. While the North has a long history of provocative and sometimes erratic behavior towards its Southern neighbor, Pyongyang's latest moves — coming on the heels of a third nuclear test last month — have alarmed long-time Korea-watchers. We get an update on the latest crisis on the Korean peninsula.
MR. KOJO NNAMDIFrom WAMU 88.5 at American University in Washington, welcome to "The Kojo Nnamdi Show," connecting your neighborhood with the world. Later in the broadcast, austerity measures in Europe and in the U.S. Who's zooming who?
MR. KOJO NNAMDIBut first North Korea has declared an armistice agreement that signaled a truce in the Korean War in 1953 null and void, a response to tougher U.N. Security Council sanctions that followed a nuclear test conducted by the North last month and joint U.S. and South Korea military drills now underway, all of which comes on the heels of several attention-grabbing visits to the country by high profile Americans, including a Google executive and Dennis Rodman.
MR. KOJO NNAMDIHere to help us make sense of it all is Victor Cha. He is a professor at Georgetown University and senior advisor for Asia at the Center for Strategic and International Studies. He's also an author whose latest book is "The Impossible State: North Korea Past and Future." He joins us by phone. Victor Cha, thank you for joining us.
MR. VICTOR CHAHi Kojo, good to be with you.
NNAMDINice talking to you, Victor. At the start of the New Year, North Korea made what were seen as friendly overtures to the South where a new president was readying to take office. Why have things taken such a turn so fast?
CHAWell, Kojo, I think the unpredictable is really the new normal in relations with North Korea. The previous leader of North Korea, though he was a bit eccentric, we kind of knew how he worked. And the one thing that has become clear with this new fellow, since he took office about a year ago, is that, you know, he's very wildly swinging in terms of his behavior.
CHAOn the one hand, he wants to reach out. On the other hand, he wants to do nuclear tests, you know, end the armistice a week after he met with Dennis Rodman. So he really is quite an unpredictable figure, and that's about the only way you can explain it.
NNAMDIWell, none of this is exactly happening in a vacuum. Where does this conflict fit in with the broader power shifts and dynamics we're seeing play out of Asia right now?
CHAWell, I think, on the one hand, a very important part of all this has to do with China in the sense that, for 25 years, the United States has been trying to deal with this problem of nuclear weapons in the small country of North Korea, whose main patron is China.
CHAAnd in the broader scheme of things, I think many countries are looking to China, as it grows and becomes a major power in the international system, to behave like a responsible stake holder and contribute to the public goods of the international system in East Asia by helping to deal with this problem, in particular, working harder to bring the North Koreans back into compliance with agreements that they had made in 2005 and 2007 and, if necessary, using some of its substantially economic leverage to get the North Koreans to be more serious about denuclearization.
NNAMDI800-433-8850 is the number to call. We're talking about North Korea with Victor Cha. He's a professor at Georgetown University and senior advisor for Asia at the Center for Strategic and International Studies. His latest book is called "The Impossible State: North Korea Past and Future." 800-433-8850 for your comments or questions, you can also send email to firstname.lastname@example.com or send us a tweet, @kojoshow.
NNAMDILast summer there was some speculation, Victor, that perhaps a kinder, gentler Kim was taking the reins in North Korea. You, for one, were not buying it. Have we underestimated Kim Jong-un?
CHAWell, I think everybody is hopeful that a new younger leader like Kim Jong-un who had spent some time being educated outside of the country would be looking to reform and try to integrate the society and the economy with, you know, the vibrant economic part of the world today. Everybody was hopeful of that and there was some initial signs, things that he did that other previous leaders did not do, very down-to-earth things like going to amusement parks and playing with children in public. And people were hopeful that this would mean we had an enlightened leader here.
NNAMDIWell, allow me to quote what you told "Foreign Policy" last August because, well, it's such a good quote. "The North Korea regime will not change because little Kim studied in Switzerland, likes Mickey Mouse and has a hot wife."
CHARight, that -- yes, very quotable Kojo.
NNAMDIYes, I had to quote it.
CHARight, I think that, you know, everybody was hopeful, but the problem is that the behavior that we've seen since then, I think, shows that he is interested in opening up and accepting some of these Western accouchements of life. But what he's not willing to do is give up his weapons program in exchange for that.
CHAAnd that has essentially been the West's negotiating position for the past 25 years which is, we welcome you, we want a peace treaty, we want to bring you into the international system, but the price for that is to give up your ballistic missiles and nuclear weapons, which you are building outside any sort of arms control regime in the world today. And it seems that this new leader wants both of these things at the same time.
NNAMDINorth Korea has hosted some high profile American guests lately. The administration has distanced itself from them. But is there something that we can learn from that, from those visits?
CHAI think there certainly is and I don't know if we have or not, but we should certainly use the opportunity of Rodman's trip, for example...
NNAMDIAmb. Rodman you mean?
CHAAmb. Rodman, to talk to him because he is the only American that we know of that has actually met Kim Jong-un. I mean, Kojo, just, you know, just like two years ago, we knew absolutely nothing about this fellow. I mean, we didn't have a picture. The only picture of him we had was when he was in third grade.
CHAAnd it was only after he became the leader that we started to learn more about him, but still very little compared to what we knew about Saddam Hussein or Osama Bin Laden or, you know, any other leader in the world today. So why not take advantage of this fact and meet with Dennis Rodman and learn what he has learned about the North Korea leadership. I think anything that he would, he could say could be helpful.
NNAMDIWell, there have also been a few literary accounts of life in North Korea in recent months, the nonfiction "Escape from Camp 14" and the novel "The Orphan Master's Son." Do you think those help in understanding our knowledge of North Korea or just in terms of increasing the spotlight on that country?
CHAI think it is helpful, I mean, I think in recent years we've seen a whole genre of literature now come out both, as you said, fiction and nonfiction on life in North Korea. And I think what it's done is it's opened the eyes of the general public with regard to, you know, the human rights problems and how difficult life is inside of this country.
CHAThe general story we hear about North Korea is about the missiles and the military and the nuclear programs, and yet there's a terrible, terrible human rights problem there. And these works, I think, have done a great service in terms of getting the general audience to understand the human story of North Korea.
NNAMDI800-433-8850 is the number if you have comments or questions about North Korea in general or the U.S. relationship with North Korea in particular. 800-433-8850. Here is Antoine in Leesburg, Va. You're on the air. Go ahead please.
ANTOINEYes. So the United States has recently changed its posture, strategic posture in Asia to be much more aggressive in its stance against China and, you know, with military arrangements there and expressing wars or approving of wars in maybe 50 countries. How does that affect the relations with North Korea?
NNAMDIVictor Cha?
CHAWell, I think North Korea, as a small isolated country, certainly does perceive security threats. I think that's undeniable especially after the Soviet Union collapsed and China normalized relations with South Korea in 1992. And this may in part explain their belligerent behavior.
CHABut at the same time I think that countries like the United States and China, the major powers in the region, have also made very clear to North Korea through the six party talks that nobody is seeking to undermine the regime and, if they would be willing to enter into serious denuclearization agreements, there'd be a lot that they'd get in return, including security assurances.
CHAPresident Obama, as well as President Bush, have all given very clear cut security assurances and statements of nonaggression, no intent to attack North Korea with nuclear or conventional weapons. So I think in terms of signaling, we've been pretty clear about where we stand on this, as have the Chinese.
NNAMDIAntoine, thank you very much for your call. You, too, can call us at 800-433-8850. Victor, threats from North Korea aimed at the South or at the U.S. are nothing new. The problem, it seems, is knowing whether or not they can make good on those threats. Should we take those threats with a grain of salt or is there cause for concern?
CHAKojo, you know, I think there's a natural tendency to take it with a little bit of a grain of salt because North Korea has a history of bluster, but the thing that concerns me about the current situation, as I mentioned before, one the leadership. We really don't know how the leadership operates, and it has been quite unpredictable. And, secondly, that the sorts of provocations that we've seen from North Korea, missile tests, nuclear tests over the last two years have really occurred in a much more concentrated grade of time. We've seen a lot more in a short period of time and that's quite worrying.
CHAThe other thing is that in South Korea they just inaugurated their new president Feb. 25, Madam Park, and she -- the history on the peninsula has been the North Koreans tend to do a provocation after the inauguration of a South Korean president. I don't know if they're trying to welcome the new South Korean president in their own way or they're trying to gain some bargaining leverage. But there's a clear pattern there, and so that also concerns me because if history's any indicator they're likely to do something along the lines of the military provocation.
NNAMDIWell, "The New York Times" is reporting today that two-thirds of South Koreans are in favor of rebuilding that country's nuclear capabilities. How seriously should we take that?
CHAWell, you know, I don't know. I mean, I think there's certainly a fringe political element in South Korea that has called for either the return of U.S. tactical nuclear weapons to the Korean peninsula or South Korea's own nuclear capabilities. It's -- I don't think it's a serious political option in Korea because if anything they want to try to maintain their place in the NPT the Nonproliferation Treaty regime, not lose their place in it. And, so I think it's an emotionally action but politically I don't think it's a real option.
NNAMDIHere is James in Falls Church, Va. James, you're on the air, go ahead please.
JAMESThank you, thank you for taking my call. I just had a quick question related to your point on we've offered security guarantees to North Korea. It's sort of the talk is cheap because we did after all have an arrangement with Libya who'd gotten rid of its chemical and weapons and, I guess, its nuclear infrastructure. And then we brought it down when the first opportunity came along. I was wondering if North Korea doesn't feel the, our offers of security as somewhat maybe not reliable and if that's not a factor in their calculations.
NNAMDIThinking that what we are in fact looking for is regime change, Victor Cha.
CHAWell, I think anytime you have two countries that have had the adversarial relationship that North Korea and the United States have had, you know, since the Korean War in 1950, there's going to be a huge element of distrust. But the security guarantees that were given to North Korea by the United States across administrations were given at the request -- in fact, at the demand of the North Koreans themselves.
CHAThey were the ones who wanted these things as a condition for denuclearization. So we gave them what they wanted. Now, of course, certainly they may not believe those things, but part of -- I think part of that may be their own paranoia being a small country. But part of it also, I think, inheres in the nature of this regime.
CHAI mean, when you have a small autocratic country, you know, with a leadership like you have in North Korea, there's naturally going to be a tendency to be paranoid. I mean, if you look at the way the country controls its population, they're in constant fear of some sort of subversive threat. So, you know, I won't disagree with you. I think some of it certainly comes from their concern about the outside...
NNAMDIWell, the New York Times reported, I guess, back in 2011, that North Korea's statement that Libya's dismantling of its nuclear weapons program had made it vulnerable to military intervention by the West. Well, analysts see that it was -- some analysts -- as an ominous reinforcement of the North's refusal to end its own nuclear program. Do you make that connection?
CHAI could certainly see why North Korean leadership would make that connection, absolutely.
NNAMDIMm hmm.
CHABut on the other hand, you have -- you know, that's one case. You have other cases like Burma where there's been a complete change in the U.S. relationship with that country in part because the generals there decided that they were going to make that strategic decision. And so I think, you know, you have a case, you know, like Libya, but you also have a case like Burma where the situation turned out quite differently.
NNAMDICould you talk a little bit, Victor Cha, about the history of the U.S. attempting to make, if you will, back channel communications with North Korea and the extent to which that has been successful or not?
CHAGenerally, the sort of back channel, or what we call track two sorts of contacts, occurs at times when the official dialogue is going nowhere or there is no official dialogue. And so you have folks like Gov. Bill Richardson who's been a big proponent of that.
CHAAnd now more recent cases, like Google's Eric Schmidt, Dennis Rodman and others, these sorts of things, I think, help to maintain some sort of dialogue, but -- and that's helpful when there's nothing going on or there's no discussion. But I don't think it really pushes forward the initial...
NNAMDIAnd all -- and of those three people you mentioned, only one of them, Dennis Rodman, seems to have spent any significant time with Kim Jong-un.
CHAThat's absolutely right. And we've had former presidents -- President Carter and President Clinton have both been to North Korea, Google's Eric Schmidt and others, the New York Philharmonic. All sorts of groups have gone in, but the only one who has spent any time with the new North Korean leader is the former Chicago Bulls star.
NNAMDIWell, Victor Cha, we'll have to see how or where this goes from here. Victor Cha, thank you for joining us.
CHAIt's always a pleasure, Kojo.
NNAMDIVictor Cha is a professor at Georgetown University and senior advisor for Asia, the Center for Strategic and International Studies. He's also an author whose latest book is called "The Impossible State: North Korea, Past and Future." We're going to take a short break. When we come back, austerity measures in Europe and the U.S. What's working, what's not? I'm Kojo Nnamdi.
'East of the River' or 'East End'? We explore efforts to rebrand areas in our region, and why there are both champions and skeptics when it comes to new names.
For over a year, the Alexandria government and business leaders have discussed the feasibility of a business improvement district in Old Town. But last week, the city announced they would no longer pursue the project.
A new Federal Aviation Administration program called NextGen has increased efficiency for airports around the nation. But more flights mean more noise, and the number of disgruntled local residents has only grown over the years.
Two proposals by elected leaders in D.C. would simplify the process of sealing or completely expunging criminal records.


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FOR MORE THAN 200 BIRD SPECIES that make a migratory pit stop or permanently reside at the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's Patuxent Wildlife Research Center in Maryland, the 12,750 acres of forest, meadow and wetland is a welcome oasis in a sea of East Coast concrete. Flitting and swooping from one tree to another, the birds delight biologists and visitors alike, filling the air with song. Then comes the thud.
Lured by the leafy reflections on the windows of a dozen buildings at the refuge, birds--unable to perceive glass as an obstacle--see a clear passage, and rushing forward they smash against the transparent barrier. Some die. Others drop to the ground, stunned. "Window strikes are a problem here for a whole range of species from hummingbirds to hawks," says Heidi Hanlon, a wildlife biologist at the refuge. The problem at Patuxent is not unique.
For more than a century, human-built structures have posed serious hazards to birds. More recently, a proliferation of radio and television towers have added to the migratory birds' plight. In foggy weather and for unknown reasons, aircraft warning lights confuse them, lure them in and cause them to circle until they either collide with the tower or one another or drop from the sky in exhaustion. Equally treacherous are the collisions that occur when birds mistake the reflection on the windows and glass walls of skyscrapers for real sky. In Chicago, for example, experts estimate that any single, tall building could be killing 2,000 birds a year during peak migration.
But as Hanlon knows, window strikes are not solely the problem of tall buildings and communication towers. For birds, windows on residential homes or similar squat buildings can be just as deadly. In fact, daytime window collisions with low-level structures account for anywhere from one hundred million to one billion bird fatalities--of both migrant and resident species--in the United States each year, according to Daniel Klem, a professor at Muhlenberg College in Pennsylvania. His research has also shown that these collisions occur during all seasons, all times of day and with windows facing any direction.
These numbers are astounding, yet often people don't even notice the birds dying beneath their picture windows. "Birds that are injured or dead will be scavenged a majority of the time," says Michael Mesure, program director for the Fatal Light Awareness Program (FLAP), a Toronto-based group formed in 1993 to document and raise awareness about the bird and window-strike phenomenon. "Birds that fly away can also later die of their injuries. Many times they have broken beaks, which makes foraging impossible, or they die from a brain hemorrhage."
The long-term solution is to design glass that is less reflective, says Mesure. But getting people to accept such a material will be hard: Corporate directors prize the powerful look mirrored glass brings to a skyscraper, and many home owners prefer their windows gleaming and spotless.
As one solution, Mesure and Hanlon are looking at an opaque window film designed by 3M that allows people to look out of but not into a window. Currently, it's not available to the public and only being used to place advertisements over bus and taxi windows. Mesure became convinced it could save birds' lives after he experimented with it on his own problem window at home. Not a single bird has hit it in the five years since. "The problem may be that people won't be able to get around how different it looks," says Mesure.
While waiting for a long-term market solution to appear, home owners can take some steps now to minimize the danger that windows pose to birds. One tactic is to ensure that the birds aren't flying at full speed when they hit. Many times window strikes occur after a scare from the neighbor's cat or a hawk scatters the birds at a feeder in all directions. House plants hanging on the inside or vegetation reflecting from the outside may mislead a hapless bird into thinking the area is a passage to safety. But if feeders, baths and other bird attractants are placed three feet or less from the window, no matter how fast the bird takes off, if it hits the window it will bounce to the ground, dazed but alive. (To help a bird while it recovers place a colander over the bird and weight it down so that it can't be tipped over by a predator.) A feeder placed more than twelve feet away will mean that 50 percent of the birds that hit will probably die, according to FLAP.
If it's not possible to remove or relocate bird perches, home owners can cover nearby windows with netting, especially during peak migration periods. But this can get tricky. "Soccer-grade netting is best but it must be stretched taut so that birds don't get caught," says Mesure. "If they collide it will act like a trampoline and bounce them to safety." An old storm-window screen hung outside the window will also work well.
Sometimes people place falcon, owl or spiderweb decals on their windows, but these tactics rarely work. "When effective the decals become impractical, as they'd have to cover 80 percent of the glass," says Mesure. When using silhouettes, he recommends hanging them by chain or rope from an overhang so that they will stand out more by blowing in the wind. "Birds aren't dumb," he says. "A resident bird will soon learn that the silhouettes are just objects that pose no threat. Unless you move them around they won't work."
An alternative is to use interior coverings such as blinds and curtains. If you live in a high rise, this works well to warn birds on nighttime flights. For residential home owners, this will only make a difference when the sun is shining directly on the window; if it's darker on the inside of a window than on the outside, the pane will reflect like a mirror. A few dead branches in front of a problem window may help. The branches will reflect, but they'll also slow the bird down a bit. Planting a shade tree or some shrubbery will serve the same purpose, as will an awning.
FLAP also recommends hanging streamers of shiny, reflective plastic ribbon or strips of black garbage bags in front of problem windows. "Anything that glitters and moves in the breeze will help prevent a bird from colliding with a window," says Mesure, who also advocates freeing up time for bird-watching by letting windows get grimy. "Don't clean them. The dirtier the window, the less reflection and the more birds will see it as a solid object."
Mesure admits that today's solutions are limited and not particularly aesthetically pleasing. It's an issue he'll continue to address. Right now his first priority is getting people to recognize windows as deadly obstacles that threaten declining bird populations. "People see one or two birds occasionally hit their window at home and it doesn't look like much," says Mesure. "But multiply that by every house on your street, in your neighborhood and then all across North America and you have millions of birds dying. We've got to do something."
Heidi Ridgley is an associate editor of this magazine.

subset: commoncrawl


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When is Enough, Enough?
I'm a 49-year-old male, married with two boys and 10 years of triathlon under my belt. I'm fortunate. I live a good life, run with one son, swim with the other, do tri relays together. Yet over the past year I just don't seem to recover like I used to. My sleep, mood and outlook have been really altered. I've taken months off (up to three at a time), work with a heart rate monitor, and log everything, yet I get the same results: really bad sleep and quality of life issues. Is it time for an extended break?
Better yet, define an extended break. I've contemplated a year or more off just to see what will happen, but I really do love doing what I do and so do my boys. To stop for that kind of time is a lot to give up without input from a knowledgeable source. What can you impart to me on this subject?
Mark, your question is a broad one, and certainly your symptoms of poor sleep, mood changes and quality of life issues are complex. Let's take a look at a few areas which will hopefully get you back on track.
- To Combat Poor Sleep Patterns
- Reduce your caloric intake at dinner and do not have a late night snack within 90 minutes of bedtime.
- Take a short nap (20 to 30 minutes) if necessary, but no longer.
- Try a short walk (15 to 30 minutes) after dinner.
- Don't drink caffeine and limit alcohol to one drink per night.
- Use blackout curtains in your bedroom.
- Consider using white noise as a means to limit outside noise.
- Write down a list of things to do for the next day one to two hours before going to bed.
- Don't mentally review work, events, kid stuff, etc. when you put your head on the pillow.
- Exercise
- Don't stop for three months! Exercise, even for 30 minutes a day, is vital for your immune system, overall health and a good night's sleep.
- Exercise elevates the morphine-like chemical endorphins, providing a huge daily jolt of positive energy.
- Change your exercise routine: one to two sessions per week. For example, join a Masters swim or running group, join a gym, try a different route for your bike and run sessions. Include three to eight efforts of 45 seconds to three minutes—building in length and frequency—where you are working moderately-hard to hard.
- Mental and Emotional Stability
- Write down your specific goals every two weeks. Specifically, what pace, heart rate, distance, watts, perceived exertion or simply how you felt during a session. When the goals are well defined without taking the fun out of the exercise sessions, the feelings of accomplishment are much more gratifying.
- Look at the goals on a daily basis and revise them every two weeks.
Lastly, we all go through flat spots. Continue with your exercise routine. Try to get in seven to eight hours of sleep and stay ahead of your boys!
Good luck,
Six-time Ironman World Champion Dave Scott lives in Boulder, Colo., and maintains a busy schedule running his own business as fitness and nutrition consultant, product marketing consultant and nationally recognized speaker. He also organizes or is the main keynote for fitness camps, clinics and races and is a regular columnist for many print and online sources. As an Active Expert, Dave utilizes his years of experience by offering unique and creative training plans for athletes of all abilities. Contact him at firstname.lastname@example.com.
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Rather than running commercials during the Super Bowl, General Motors is looking to try something more subversive – product placement within other brand's TV spots during the big game.
Automotive News reports that GM marketing man Joel Ewanick was investigating the possibility of paying other advertisers to insert GM vehicles into their ads. But various contractual elements related to Super Bowl advertising may kill the idea in its nascent stages.
Super Bowl ads are apparently restricted via a form of non-compete clause. Ford and Chevrolet could not run ads in the same "pod" (i.e. commercial break), and GM's plan would cause havoc with this arrangement. Having GM products inserted into another company's ad, as well as commercials for GM's own products would cause a logistical nightmare for the people who decide where and when ads are placed.
Furthermore, the plan would run afoul of a long-standing policy against buying a 30 second spot and then re-selling 5 or 10 second blocks of time. NBC, which broadcasts the game, would also have to approve any ads that feature the promotion of an unrelated brand. The article also mentions a "reward system" that would give small prizes to viewers who are able to spot product placements, though no details on this seemingly silly scheme were given.
As much as Super Bowl ads have become a part of pop culture, meriting their own examination, the undeniable fact remains that for many, the ads are a great way to grab another beer or, shall we say, recycle the liquids via the municipal sewage system.
Tagged as advertising, Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, general motors, GMC, Joel Ewanick, Super Bowl
20 Comments on "General Motors Trying Stealth Tactics For Super Bowl Ads..."
VanillaDudeJanuary 5th, 2012 at 2:56 pm
I can see an Orkin ad with those little red Cruzes running around a neighborhood infesting it with low resale values.
Or one of those 21st Century insurance ads where they show two LeCrosses getting demolished!
Or a Cool Ranch Dorito commercial filmed inside a Enclave.
Or the lingerie bowl…
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LectroByteJanuary 5th, 2012 at 3:09 pm
Could this have anything to do with the last 21st Century commercial I remember having 2 Pontiac Solstices (or their corporate twins) getting crushed?
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tparkitJanuary 5th, 2012 at 3:04 pm
This approach is a natural evolution toward a total marketing environment, and its time will come. Rules will be changed as required to make it possible.
Today, movies are crawling with paid product placements — to the point where selling stealth ads has become a significant part of the revenue calculation for filmmakers. When the character you are watching on screen is driving a Chrysler minivan, drinking a Pepsi, or taking her new Jimmy Choo's out of a box, it's no accident.
Here's a prediction (which has probably already happened somewhere): one day — probably soon — we will be able to go to a website to discover what all the product placements were in a given program. Viewers taken with an actress's look will be able to find out who makes her jacket, handbag, sunglasses, shoes, and all the rest, and where nearby retailers can be found.
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FromaBuick6January 5th, 2012 at 6:23 pm
This is really nothing new. Remember the Reese's Pieces in ET: The Extra Terrestrial? Ever wonder why everybody in Mayberry drove a Ford?
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Twitter: phauserJanuary 5th, 2012 at 3:11 pm
inb4 yo dawg / adception
"Spot the blatant product placement" is one of my favorite games to play when watching films. Apple and car manufacturers are among the worst. I believe EVERY car on the highway was GM in the famous Matrix 2 highway scene.
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photog02January 5th, 2012 at 3:51 pm
Regarding the Matrix 2 highway full of GM products: I have those kind of dystopian nightmares occasionally.
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brettcJanuary 5th, 2012 at 4:02 pm
Maybe a Sonic could be placed within an ad for NAPA or Pep Boys. Because brake pads are something you'd have to buy aftermarket if you were dull enough to buy a Sonic in the first place.
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indi500fanJanuary 5th, 2012 at 6:11 pm
I've always been an NFL fan, but never even come close to a live SuperBowl. It's here in Indianapolis this year, and I'm pretty amazed at the infinite hype that the SB generates in a locale.
Based on the local news, half the population here is trying to rent out their house for 40 grand for the week, LOL.
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FromaBuick6January 5th, 2012 at 6:17 pm
Remember when GM first stole Ewanick away from Hyundai, they acted as though it were a brilliant coup that would revolutionize their marketing?
Over a year later, Hyundai hasn't missed a beat and GM is still hopelessly stupid when it comes to marketing products.
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January 6th, 2012 at 9:11 am
good point, glad you noticed. the incentive structure at GM has gone from mind boggling to complete insanity. I can quote a price on a Nissan in under one minute. a GM vehicle can literally tie you up for hours during which you can alienate the client by asking questions to determine what they are eligible for. the sizzle fades and often they are offended after discovering what they don't get.
Ebonic came on the scene with flair but the marketing savvy just ain't there.
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TonyJZXJanuary 5th, 2012 at 6:23 pm
marketing can't fix a dud product
GM makes a few good cars but they dont have the breadth of the koreans
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LampredottoJanuary 5th, 2012 at 6:32 pm
The missus and I just watched the movie "Horrible Bosses", and I can only conclude that the filmmakers got a king's ransom for the VW Jetta product placements. One particularly gratuitous moment has two of the characters reclined in the Jetta's front seats, leading one to proclaim, "these seats are so COMFORTABLE!" That was the *entire* scene. I half expected to see a singalong dance sequence in a Volkswagen dealership, a la the infamous McDonald's scene in "Mac & Me".
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gearspuppyJanuary 5th, 2012 at 7:43 pm
Curious to see how they integrate Chevys into all the Budweiser ads. Budweiser and Chevy-a classic combo.
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January 5th, 2012 at 8:25 pm
When the show Leverage premiered, they had a product placement and joint promotion deal with Hyundai (Tesla also supplied product and got their logo splashed across the screen). In those episodes, the bad guys all drove Ford products and the big villain drove a Lincoln. In one scene there's a shot of him behind the wheel from the front of the car. Right in the middle of the frame was the Lincoln star hood ornament. So it's not just product placement, it's dissing that product's competition too. All this can mess with advertisers once the shows rerun in syndication.
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January 6th, 2012 at 9:18 am
a few years ago when Red Ink Rick was stripping the asset shelf, shuffling capital to his Board of Bystander buddies, and killing sales to achieve BK, two shows aired with significant detriment to Buick. one was the season finale of ER featuring an assailant shooting from his clearly identified Buick Riviera. the other was Desperate Housewives in which Eva Longoria took a mall job as a model working at a Buick display that no one would stop at. she was presented as beautiful and bored because of a bland and undesirable Buick.
see Rick, I have been paying attention. how you have avoided prison still makes me question the relationship between the banksters and our government. you stole from millions, lied to the public, and intentionally ruined GM, then walked into a board seat the the Wash Post, your reward as a GOB.
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JunebugJanuary 6th, 2012 at 9:23 am
What about the old Wayne's World movie where they poked fun at product placement? LOL – that pretty much did it for me!
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FJ60LandCruiserJanuary 6th, 2012 at 9:45 am
GM's styling and cars are the epitome of bland, with only Toyota and Honda competing for the most appliance-like styling.
With most of the public currently unaware of what GM even sells across its remaining 4 brands, and the constant reshuffling and resurrection of brand names–is a small car a Cavalier or a Cruze, do they still make the Impala and how is it different from the Malibu–is it a really good idea to hide GM's products?
You don't look twice when you pass a drab Enterprise rent-a-car champagne blandmobile on the road.
Hiding one in a commercial will just make it disappear.
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obbopJanuary 6th, 2012 at 11:12 am
Unable to recall the last Superbrawl spewed out of the TV this Disgruntled Old Coot observed.
Did notice the lack of road traffic and few attendees at local retail outlets where I went to stretch the legs and flirt with the female employees and otherwise be a general nuisance.
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damikcoJanuary 6th, 2012 at 1:04 pm
Cost effective, and brilliant!
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gator marcoJanuary 6th, 2012 at 1:29 pm
In the movie Twister (1996), everyone drove a new Dodge minivan, and the hero had the indestructible Dodge pickup. The bad guy drove a non-descript GM truck.
The hero even drove the Dodge through a house, and the truck came out without a scratch. Watching the whole scale demolition of entire towns, but the hero's truck never even got dirty, actually detracted from the movie.
The only product placement I can recall in an actual commercial was a recent Old Navy clothing commercial. The pizza delivery guy delivered a Domino's Pizza, not the typical generic white box that had "Pizza" printed on it.
Generally the vehicles in commercials are as generic as possible, so as not to detract from the product being advertised. Note the latest State Farm Insurance commercials with the dorky guy who is always wrecking his car. It's pretty obvious a late 90's Ford Taurus, but the identifying Ford emblem from the grill is removed.
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"It's messed up. There are problems," says Alonzo Astorga, a senior at La Academia de Esperanza on Old Coors SW. "But I'm going to graduate. I want to go to college. I'll find a way. I'm a fighter. I try for things."
After a visit to New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology with a group from school, Astorga dreams of being an engineer.
On the other side of town, Allison Harrison Ogawa, a senior at Albuquerque Academy, has different problems, but is stressed just the same: "It's a struggle between what you want to do and what will look good on your college application and what your parents want you to do. I calendar everything on my phone. It's tough to get it all in."
Ogawa wants to be an integrative medicine physician, inspired by her father's struggle with cancer and her yoga practice with children. She's on her academic journey after being accepted to Amherst College in Massachusetts.
It's easy to find proof of growing pains, from other kids, who act out their stress in risky behaviors.
Still, it's good to know that fewer teenagers across the state are binge drinking, smoking, and drinking and driving than were engaging in those behaviors 10 years ago. Fewer students succeed in killing themselves or think about it as a solution for their problems or fight it out with other teens than in past surveys, according to the New Mexico Youth Risk and Resiliency Survey, sponsored by the state departments of health and education, with assistance from the University of New Mexico.
Dan Green, a state survey epidemologist, says the take-away message from the survey that's conducted every other year is "what parents and teachers do really matters. Kids do notice what's going on around them. The time we spend with our children really pays off."
Green says time with parents, teachers and other supportive adults is a protective factor from risky behaviors. Community service, activity with clubs, other groups or their churches, were also factors that protected teens from harmful behavior, he says: "The survey is very clear about that."
Teenagers from all walks of life have stress in common, says psychologist Miquela Rivera, who specializes in children and families at Samaritan Counseling Center.
Much of it comes from the human developmental task of defining themselves as distinct individuals, separate from their parents: "At a certain point, teens need to exercise their own will and judgment."
Many things can make the task more difficult, such as divorced parents, trauma or illness, domestic violence, a lack of grandparents or other closely related supporting adults nearby, economics and even their inherent temperament.
"Every human being is born with a temperament," she says. "Some are highly adaptable and others are not. Those who are less adaptive need the same routine. It's stressful for those who need routine, but don't have it, because they are missing protective factors."
It's hard for even the best parents to navigate adolescence.
"Parents have to make the shift, so they are parenting developmentally appropriately," Rivera says. "It's hard for parents because one day teenagers seem so grown up and independent and the next day they aren't. It isn't a straight line. Often it's one step forward and one step back."
But some parents don't shift well, she says, doing the same things over and over, even though they aren't effective with their teenagers any longer.
Rivera says she's seen that community service groups, sports teams and clubs can help teenagers learn who they are in a safe environment, without taking unnecessary risks.
"One of the smartest things I've seen is schools that have a internship or something like that at the end of the senior year, depending on the school. That's a very good way for a child to transition from high school to the adult world," she says, adding the students need to be prepared and the placements for community service or work need to be appropriate: "It needs to be a good match."
Otherwise, "they start emancipating themselves and get into trouble just before they graduate. The wheels come off the wagon," she says.
"If you don't belong at home, you need to belong somewhere because that's the task of being a teen. We need good places for them to belong," she says. "That's why sports teams and clubs are important, because they are a protective factor. It's a family, away from family."
Rivera says if the placement is a good one, the benefits can exceed far beyond the time spent and help shape their choices as an adult: "It's a child's place that is all their own. It's a place for them to carve an identity."


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Medvedev says mistakes led to BP deal's collapse
President Dmitry Medvedev on Wednesday admitted his government had made mistakes that lead to this week's collapse of Russia's historic Arctic exploration agreement with the British energy firm BP.
"Those preparing this deal should have been paying more attention to the nuances of the shareholder agreements and the legal issues that always arise in the course of such major documents' preparation," Medvedev told reporters.
"We should have conducted more detailed inter-governmental due diligence. ... And this, I think, was not done, which in the long run led to complications and problems with the other shareholders," he said in his first comments since the deal's Monday collapse.
The tie-up's collapse left Russia's state-run Rosneft without a partner who could provide it with the equipment and technological know-how to tap the remote fields and then deliver their oil to market.


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Like to see what the majority thinks.
53 Comments - Linear Discussion: Classic Style
Nothing. I hope that the walkers have eaten enough of him to not reanimate. It'd be nice if we just see down that alley or building and all we see is a hat next to some remains.
He's my third favorite character under Lee and Clem, but I hope he never comes back, alive or dead. Who wants to see him as a walker? I felt his character arc was perfectly finished by episode 5.
One of my favorite things in the first season was the relationship with him and Lee. Now that Lee and his family is gone, I see no reason for him to return. It'd just be blatant fanservice, in my opinion.
I feel pretty much the same as Zeruis. He was right up there with my favourites, but if there's one character that felt like they had a perfectly completed arc i'd say its Kenny. That's why i don't really want him to be alive.
Also Kenny whilst having a wonderful stache, was never that great a fighter. Certainly not to Tyreese standards. It would feel a little unrealistic if he somehow apparently fought off about 20 walkers.
I feel like they're trying to get our hopes up but... I'm gonna jump on the alive bandwagon, I want the stache to return! It would be too sad if he was back only to be a walker.
Kenny said if he were bitten like Lee, he wouldn't tell anyone.
Chances are we are gonna find him, take him to the group and he will turn.
Or we just find him as a walker/corpse.
I think that depends. At least for the "saved Ben" route, you had a choice to have 5 bullets or only 1. I think if he has 5 bullets, he would be dead, other wise he would be a walker because Lee said he used his last bullet for Ben.
He is alive and he will come back at some point of the game, where some character will be facing near death, and Kenny will save him. I think this, because when we can't see characters death in movies/games, it means in most cases that he will come back.
I was not expecting the percent to be almost 70%, maybe that news about exploring his fate has increased the amount of Kenny is alive people.
Bioshock Infinite WD wrote: »I was not expecting the percent to be almost 70%, maybe that news about exploring his fate has increased the amount of Kenny is alive people.
Yeah definitely,i'd say if the poll had been taking before telltale made that statement it might have been more 50/50.


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A Valley of donation opportunities for a grassroots kind of philanthropy: the giving circle.
Maybe it's the sound of holiday tunes over the loudspeaker, or the ubiquitous bell-ringing that prompts the sliding of coins into red kettles, or volunteering in soup kitchens or in mall kiosks to wrap gifts.
The giving of time, talent and money, of course, is not confined to the merry holiday weeks. It's something we do year 'round. It's called philanthropy, and it's not merely writing out a check to a favorite charity, but the giving of our time and our talent for causes that appeal to our hearts.
Apparently, we love to give.
According to the National Philanthropic Trust, some 89 percent of households partake in some form of philanthropy. In 2006, the average annual contribution was $1,620. With more than 1 million charitable organizations in the United States to choose from, there are no shortages of causes to which you can direct your time, dollars, and passion.
Western Massachusetts is privileged to have a bevy of public and private foundations and individuals who support everything from women and children and the arts to education, political action and much more.
The Women's Fund of Western Massachusetts is among those foundations. Its executive director, Dr. Carla Oleska, is dedicated to the foundation's mission: improving the lives of women and girls in the area.
The fund, which celebrated its 10th anniversary in 2007, has raised more than $1 million to support programs that have a direct impact on the development and well-being of women and girls.
To its leader, philanthropy is the giving of three things: time, talent, and treasure.
"If you think of philanthropy . . . for people to open up their pocketbooks, it's pretty amazing - in terms of treasure," Oleska says. "We have received donations from $4 to $300,000. Each amount is just as important and meaningful."
She is convinced that we live in an area that always exhibits "an outstanding response [to the needs] in this community," she says. "People give from their hearts."
The Women's Fund was established 11 years ago by a group of women determined to address the needs of women and children in Western Massachusetts. Their enthusiasm and engagement with the community fueled so much goodwill that, since 1998, the foundation has given a total of $1 million in grants to 85 organizations to the benefit of more than 20,000 women and girls in Western Massachusetts.
Oleska has been head of the fund for just under 3 years. She was introduced to its philanthropy in a very personal way. She was a grantee herself while serving as head of the "Step Forward, Step Ahead" program at Elms College, Chicopee, where she also taught classes. That program mentored young girls, paving their way to college and beyond.
For more information about the fund, call 413-529-0087 or email firstname.lastname@example.com.
The Women's Fund of Western Massachusetts is among several philanthropies embedded in the region, all dedicated to improving the lives of others, each with its own distinct mission.
The Irene E. and George A. Davis Foundation is a private family foundation established in 1970 by the late James E. Davis and his mother, the late Irene E. Davis. Its particular mission is to support the development of Hampden County children. John H. Davis, former chairman of the board and chief executive officer of American Saw & Manufacturing Co., in East Longmeadow, is the senior trustee of the foundation.
The Foundation focuses predominantly on securing funds towards the development of early childhood and K-12 education resources, and contributes funding to other non-profits and organizations in the area. Among programs the foundation supports is Step Up Springfield - a campaign for proficiency and character development in the Springfield Public School system. It also launched the Cherish Every Child Initiative, which aims to improve the health and the lives of Springfield's children, from birth through the age of eight.
"The Davis family is committed to helping at-risk children and families in improving their quality of life, primarily through education," says Mary Walachy, executive director of the foundation.
"We believe in lifelong learning, that education is the gateway to personal and financial success," Walachy says.
For information, call 413-734-8336 or email@example.com.
The Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts administers a charitable foundation of approximately 514 separate funds totaling $97 million. The fund, founded in 1991, also plays a central role in charitable distribution for four large private foundations to the tune of $24.6 million. Some of those funds are unrestricted; others provide scholarships or college loans.
The foundation also helps professional advisers work with their clients to understand and to prioritize their charitable giving. In addition, the foundation provides free online technical resources at the Planned Giving Design Center - an extensive website of information on charitable gift planning. For information, call 413-732-2858 or visit firstname.lastname@example.com.
One of the most active foundations in Western Massachusetts is the Harold Grinspoon Foundation. According to its website, the Foundation's mission is to "enhance the vibrancy of Jewish life in the area and beyond through education and experiences that impart the knowledge and values of Jewish heritage." While the Foundation focuses much of its funding on programs in Western Massachusetts that promote greater teaching of Jewish culture, it is increasingly playing a national role and in Israel in promoting Jewish continuity.
The foundation has been in operation since 1993, and was founded by real estate entrepreneur Harold Grinspoon, who, also, was the founder and president of Aspen Square Management. He and his wife, Diane Troderman, are founding partners in the Partnership for Excellence in Jewish Education. They serve on national boards of many institutes related to Jewish causes.
One of the newest initiatives created by the Grinspoon Foundation is the PJ Library, which gives monthly high-quality Jewish children's books to families with young children.
For more information about Harold Grinspoon Foundaton, call 413-736-2552 or visit www.hgf.org.
A separate foundation - the Harold Grinspoon Charitable Foundation (as opposed to the Harold Grinspoon Foundation) - actively promotes energy conservation, education and entrepreneurship. Visit their website at www.hgcf.org
The Proteus Fund in Amherst is a publicly-supported foundation based in Amherst that supports organizations working to advance social justice and the common good. According to its website, since 1994, Proteus has awarded $44 million to organizations and advocates supporting a variety of causes, from alternative energy and openness in the media to human rights and honesty in government expenditures.
One of the fund's more recent initiatives is the Civil Marriage Collaborative, which funds the movement for marriage equality for same-sex couples. The Piper Fund, instituted in 1997, dedicates funds to creating transparent campaign finance reform in state elections. For information about Proteus, call 413-256-0349 or firstname.lastname@example.com.
There are also many opportunities for volunteering, which of course, is philanthropy up close and personal. Once a month, the Plus Papers of The Republican publish a list of the area's volunteer opportunities. The list appears on the first Wednesday of the month. Some of the volunteer opportunities are a one-time event; others ask for long-term commitment.
One such volunteer opportunity lies in The Food Bank of Western Massachusetts in Hatfield, which has one goal of the most basic kind: feeding the hungry. Through a bank of staff and volunteers, the Food Bank distributed 6.5 million pounds of food to more than 400 non-profit agencies such as food pantries, soup kitchen meal sites, shelters and other social service agencies. One of the Food Bank's newest programs, "Target: Hunger," works with community members in sections of Springfield and northern Berkshire County to reduce hunger.
For more information about The Food Bank or to volunteer, call 413-247-9738 or send an email to firstname.lastname@example.com.
You do not have to be wealthy to take part in a new philanthropic trend, giving circles, which the Giving Circles Network website defines as "a form of shared giving and social investment networking". The popularity of giving circles has increased since the concept was put into action, raising some $100 million to support charitable causes, according to the Forum of Regional Associations of Grantmakers.
Giving circles generally operate like this: Individuals come together and pool their dollars, learn about the needs in their community, and decide together where to give the money. The size of the group can range from five to hundreds. Donations range from less than $100 to more than $100,000 per year.
One-third of these giving circles were formed in 2005 and 2006, according to the Forum of Grantmakers. Although most members are women, participation among men is increasing rapidly. 47% of all circles were either co-ed or all-male.
For more details about giving circles and how to set one up, call the Forum at 202-467-1120 or go to firstname.lastname@example.com or firstname.lastname@example.com.
If you are bewildered about how and where to start donating, you can plan your charitable giving by visiting www.charitynavigator.com or www.guidestar.com for worthy causes.
Give, any time of year. It does the heart good.
Romola M. Rigali is a freelance writer. She can be reached at email@example.com.


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- Local students just back from Israel share their firsthand experience of the Gaza conflict.
- We all know climate change is blamed for more frequent storms and rising sea levels. But the impact of the changing temperatures goes beyond that and even takes a toll on city trees.
- College rankings: Babson's president discussed why Money Magazine named the college the best valued in America.
Email us at email@example.com.


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Guilderland Archives The Altamont Enterprise, October 16, 2008
Glass Works changes plans to answer concerns
By Saranac Hale Spencer
GUILDERLAND Two weeks before the public hearing for Glass Works Village's planned unit development designation, the developer has submitted amendments to the PUD legislation, after hearing some concern at the last town board meeting.
The development, which is billed as being New Urbanist, mixes homes with businesses and is planned for about 56 acres on Route 20 near the Guilderland Public Library
On Oct. 9, the developers wrote to the town, "In response to the input and feedback that we received on and after the recent Town Board meeting, I am happy to enclose for your consideration and review the proposed Planned Unit Development Legislation for Glass Works Village, to be considered on Tuesday, October 21, 2008."
At the board's Oct. 7 meeting, Supervisor Kenneth Runion told the developers that he was concerned about the ratio between residential and commercial development at the site should market conditions change.
"I'm not looking to handcuff you," he said, but asked for a commitment from them to build the two types of structures at a similar rate, so that Glass Works wouldn't end up as either solely residential or commercial.
According to the proposed law, the development is to include about 195,000 square feet of commercial space and up to 310 "residential living units."
To comply with Runion's request, the developers added to the proposed law: "The completion and issuance of the certificate of occupancy for the fifth commercial building must be completed before the issuance of the one hundred and fiftieth residential building permit."
The amendments also include the road to be built behind the library, connecting Mercycare Lane with Winding Brook Drive, at the town's request. The road, approved at the Sept. 10 planning board meeting, has been a point of contention for the Guilderland Public Library, which recently constructed a reading garden in the vicinity of the proposed road. (See www.alatmontenterprise.com under archives for Sept. 18, 2008, for coverage.)
The public hearing for the proposed law will be held at the next town board meeting, on Oct. 21.
Other business
In other business at its Oct. 7 meeting, the board:
Voted unanimously to set a public hearing for Oct. 21 at 7:30 p.m. for the sewer assessment roll regarding the expenses of improvement;
Voted unanimously to set a public hearing for Oct. 21 at 7:45 p.m. for the sewer assessment roll regarding the expenses of maintenance; and
Voted unanimously to approve a collector's warrant for the Guilderland Water District following a computer glitch in the last billing cycle that resulted in artificially low bills. The total to be collected is $141,034.08.


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Tribute groups bring Beatles vs. Stones rivalry to life at Corn Palace
Young Hutchison admits he has an unusual job description.
Hutchison portrays Keith Richards, one of the musicians and celebrated "bad boys of London" from legendary rock 'n' roll group Rolling Stones, in the tribute group Jumping Jack Flash — which he joked can be dicey going through airport security.
"You don't want to be the Keith Richards guy going through customs," he said. "It's a pretty wild ride. It's an interesting thing that we do."
Jumping Jack Flash, along with Beatles tribute band, Abbey Road, will perform their Beatles vs. Stones show at 7 p.m. Saturday at the Corn Palace. Tickets are $15, general admission, and are available at the Palace box office at 995-8430 or cornpalace.org.
Corn Palace Director Mark Schilling said this show's capacity could accommodate about 2,000 people, but he's hoping for about 750. He said there will be round tables set up on the floor of the Palace, with a dance area in front of the stage, as well as the stadium seats. As of Thursday afternoon, a little more than 300 tickets had been sold, but he expected the show to have strong walk-up sales, provided there is no severe winter weather.
"It's a great opportunity for people to get out and do something a little different," he said. "This is all about that great debate, who is the better of the classic rock bands."
For the last three years, Hutchison said the two tribute bands have been letting fans decide that debate, one show at a time — and so far, there's no clear winner.
"Different nights it goes different ways," Hutchison said. "Stones fans don't always clap as well, but it's hard to clap with drinks in both hands."
The show plays on the oft-noted rivalry of the clean-cut "lads from Liverpool" versus the hard-living, bad boy image the Rolling Stones retained through much of their 50-plus years of entertaining. Hutchison said during the show, the bands take turns on stage; Abbey Road will perform a short set of Beatles songs, followed by Jumping Jack Flash with a set of Stones songs. They go back and forth until the grand finale, when both bands share the stage and perform together.
"It's a little mini battle of the two most important bands, many people believe, in rock 'n' roll," Hutchison said. "But the show is not just two bands on a bill. It's theater, really."
In addition to the bands doing their best to look and sound like the original Beatles and Rolling Stones, Hutchison said the show includes some scripted dialogue, some improvisation and a lot of light-hearted banter between the two groups, playing up the rivalry between the bands and their fans.
"We play it up. The dialogue that's built in to the show, with good humor, we're poking fun at each other," Hutchison said. "Like brothers in family would. It's very funny."
But, more than that, Hutchison said it's a chance for people to re-live some of their favorite music, from one — or both — of their favorite bands.
"We didn't create this music, but the music has an effect on people and always did," Hutchison said. "We can see it on people's faces, that they just kind of go to a place, they're in the zone. It's this crazy passionate thing that happens."
Hutchison noted the Corn Palace show's proximity to the 50th anniversary of the Beatles' now-legendary "Ed Sullivan Show" appearance on Feb. 9, 1964, that made them a household name. The anniversary has been met with much fanfare, including a rare reunion performance between the last two living members of the original group, Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr at this year's Grammys. Similarly, the Rolling Stones celebrated their 50th anniversary in 1962 with a return performance at the venue where they landed their first gig.
Despite the decades that have passed since the groups' heydays to now, Hutchison said the music is just as fun, and the fans are just as passionate.
"We get them screaming like they did in 1964. It's a good time," Hutchison said.


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I'm the type that likes a good, natural caffeine kick to help stimulate the senses and push the creative side of my brain in motion. In the local mall, I stopped into Teavana and asked, no demanded, for something with a high caffeine content. My search was for a tea that would get me bouncing around the room with energy. I was presented with MateVana, an interestingly scented, soulless creature.
I will preface this by saying, I usually don't care for chocolate-flavored teas, but decided to give this one a shot. This 'tea' does not taste quite like tea. It's a thick and rich, coffee-like brew. The heavy nutty-chocolate flavor is overwhelming, almost too overwhelming at times. One sip tastes like a nutty hot chocolate and the next tastes like a mocha coffee with a dash of vanilla. Where is the tea I ask!?
This supposed 'tea' did nothing for me. It neither awoken my creative side nor stimulated my taste buds. MateVana lies in some wasteland between hot chocolate and mocha coffee without any real reason for being. If you're a chocolate lover, this tea may be acceptable to you. But, caffeine with no soul does not leave much to be energetic about.


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Boots No7 Radiant Glow Concealer - Light Reviews
Smells like fish... and feels grittywould not recomend. doesn't cover blue tones any more than what my foundation was doing. It's not crumbly -just overall kind of gritty mixed in with silky. It smells like fish but it goes away when you wear it. I think its gross, and I wish I wouldn't have tested it out so long so I could've returned it. I never use it. — 5 years, 4 months agoMrsBrunetteBeauty | 89 reviews
This review is: Helpful | Not helpful | Inappropriate | 0 of 1 people said helpful
No CoverageThis just doesn't work. It's streaky, cakey, and doesn't cover dark circles. And I don't even have terrible dark circles. But it still can't cover them. I bought this because I was at Target and wanted to try the Boots line. It was just a big waste of money. — 6 years agochill417 | 7 reviews
This review is: Helpful | Not helpful | Inappropriate | 2 of 3 people said helpful
Nicethis is a nice product,I am a light coverage gal and this suites me just fine, not to cakey or dark — 7 years, 8 months agoTgloATX | 1 reviews
Love it!This goes on smoothly and blends without tugging. It brightens the eye area and hides my dark circles. I'm on my 3rd tube, and it lasts a LONG time! Don't ever want to run out of this stuff! — 8 years, 1 month agomakeupmaven2 | 9 reviews
This review is: Helpful | Not helpful | Inappropriate | 1 of 1 people said helpful
Great HighlighterI love this product and it is my go to for not only concealing but highlighting my eye area. I have dry skin and dark circles and this product is perfect for covering my circles and reflecting the light to give my eyes a nice glow. This product lasts a long time and is cheaper than similar products and does the same if not better job. — 8 years, 5 months agojbolze | 1 reviews
Works greatI love this product as it really does brighten the areas I apply it to on my face. It instantly brightened my eye area. — 8 years, 8 months agodollyd | 8 reviews
This review is: Helpful | Not helpful | Inappropriate | 1 of 1 people said helpful
great brightener- not concealer.I like how this brightens your eyes when applied mainly to the inside corner. I do need my corrector/concealer ahead of time to cover circles, but this adds a nice brightness. Doesn't clump and goes on smoothly- doesn't cake or crease. — 9 years, 2 months agoRourou | 55 reviews
Not for me!!I used this all around my eye area, washed it off that night, woke up the next morning with red, swollen and itchy eyes!! It took several days before I looked normal again. I guess I'm allergic to something in it. It went in the trash! — 9 years, 3 months agowantitall | 5 reviews
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Organic farming seeks to produce food sustainably by building the soil. Soil is so much more than something to hold plants in place: it is a living, breathing, thriving ecosystem, full of complex biological processes that can provide growing plants with everything they require. With careful organic management these processes can be promoted, and plentiful, high quality organic vegetables and grains can be produced without the use of chemical pesticides and fertilizers.
Well managed crop rotations ensure that soil nutrition is maintained, erosion is minimized and disease and insect pressure are controlled. Compost and "green manure" (plants grown and then plowed into the soil while still green) feed the soil biology, improve soil quality, and increase the soil's fertility. We choose our varieties carefully to ensure that they fit well within our organic management systems while meeting our objective to grow delicious and nutritious produce.


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A couple of times in the past months, I've gotten some lame-looking celery in my CSA box. It was extremely stringy and some had lumps all over it. The hearts were also not crisp. The taste, however, was very good, if a little strong.
So I decided to use up the 3 bunches I had to make some celery soup. I could only find one recipe in all the cookbooks I searched and that was in one of Deborah Madison's Greens' books. It also contained lovage, which I didn't have and didn't have any ideas about its composition, appearance or taste.
So I sauteed some onions, chopped up the celery and a few leaves and sauteed them for a while. Added some home-made chicken stock and some chopped potatoes (also from CSA). Sprinkled a bit of dried thyme in along with some salt and lots of pepper. After it had cooked for a while, I blended some of it and then poured it back into the rest of the soup. I then sloshed in about 1/4-1/2 cup of half and half. It was wonderful. It had creaminess and chunkiness at the same time.
So if you ever find yourself with a couple of bunches of stringy organic celery, this is the way to go!


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NEWTOWN TOWNSHIP, Pa — Police in suburban Philadelphia are investigating an incident in which a man allegedly exposed himself to a woman at the Bucks County Association for the Blind, according to a report in the Bucks County Courier Times.
According to the report, the incident occurred Friday afternoon at the library of the association at 400 Freedom Dr., Newtown Township.
Reuters reported the woman who was flashed was not blind.
Police from Newtown Township and Newtown Borough responded to a complaint and searched for a suspect without success.
The woman, according to the newspaper, said the man who exposed himself was a thin, black male wearing a track suit. He was estimated to be between 35 and 45 years old, and about 5-foot-10.


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Archive for Thursday, January 10, 2013
Meeting to gauge interest for American Legion Ladies Auxiliary
January 10, 2013
A meeting to discuss bringing back an American Legion Ladies Auxiliary to Tonganoxie will take place from 2-4 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 20, at Mirth Cafe Too, 1212 E. U.S. Highway 24-40 in Tonganoxie.
Free coffee will be served during the informational meeting for anyone interested in becoming a member of the potential group.
The auxiliary is open to mothers, wives, daughters, sisters, grandaughters, great-granddaughters or grandmothers of American Legion members or deceased veterans who served in various U.S. Armed Forces war eras.
Junior membership is available to anyone younger than 18 who is an immediate family member of an American Legion member or deceased veteran.
Connie Kleinschmidt, who is working to organize the group, said Tonganoxie hasn't had an American Legion Women's Auxiliary group for several years.
For more information, contact Kleinschmidt at 979-308-5222.
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|August 25, 2010, 11:47 AM
Senior Member
Join Date: July 15, 2005
Posts: 2,383
what is the 1/4 cock position on a SA?
All these years and I never noticed this!
What is the 1/4 cock position on Single actions for?
Hammer down, then a small cocked postion, (this one)
and then the half cock position for loading and ejecting and full cock.
But why that 1/4 cock?
From the sweet grass to the slaughter house; From birth until death; We travel between these two eternities........from 'Broken Trail"
|August 25, 2010, 11:58 AM
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Join Date: September 19, 2008
Posts: 4,678
It holds the hammer back far enough, so that the tip of the firing pin no longer protrudes through the frame, into the area normally occupied by a cartridge case's primer - in case of a ramdom/accidental blow to the hammer.
Although referred to by some as the safety notch, it's not safe - as a hard blow to the hammer has been known to shear off the notch, transferring the blow to a primer, causing an AD - the reason why seasoned SA fans leave the chamber under the hammer empty on guns w/o transfer bars.
|August 25, 2010, 01:33 PM
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I've always just left my hammer in the down position over an empty chamber.
Come to think of it, that safety notch would also protect an AD in case your thumb slipped off before hitting the half cock position.
From the sweet grass to the slaughter house; From birth until death; We travel between these two eternities........from 'Broken Trail"
|August 25, 2010, 09:10 PM
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Location: Texas
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I think that the latter is the reason for the 1/4 cock position.
|August 25, 2010, 11:45 PM
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Pretty much tradition at this point in time, as well as to appease lawyers a bit....maybe.
|August 27, 2010, 08:15 AM
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Posts: 1,536
the single action lockwork is almost exactly the same as the pre-cartridge colts. The pre cartridge colts had little pegs between the cylinders and a notch on the hammer that allowed carrying the gun fully loaded but with the hammer out of alignment with a percussion cap.
The cartridge revolvers had no room between the chambers for the pegs so, they came up with the safety notch on the hammer. Single Action ritual and dogma notwithstanding, the original intent and prevalent historic practice has been to regard the safety position as a safety position (even though it is not completely "safe.")
The owners manuals put out by ruger in the early 1960s clearly said that the hammer should be placed on the safety notch and that " In most cases, this makes the gun safe to carry fully loaded (sic)" Subsequently, a number of accidents happended related to having a loaded chamber under the hammer. Whether the hammer was in the notch or fully down on a cartridge is not known but the events did prompt ruger to abandon the traditional single action.
|August 28, 2010, 08:29 PM
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Join Date: September 26, 2008
Posts: 533
1st click is the safety, I've been shooting for more than 50 years,and have yet to drop any gun, much less any of my SAA clones.I think it would take a bit of work to get an accidental discharge.My firing pin is on the hammer ,like they originally designed it.You have to hit it with a great deal of force to shear off the safety notch.Especially the later clones as the steel is much stronger than what Sam Colt used in his original pistols.
I've made a lot of money in my life, most was spent on booze, babes, guns, and poker,the rest I wasted!
|August 28, 2010, 08:40 PM
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Ruger's shift to a transfer bar action was prompted by numerous lawsuits with decisions or settlements costing the company a lot of money.
The safety notch does not meet present standards of safety, it has been proven in court. What they did in 1880 or 1960 no longer matters.
|August 28, 2010, 08:53 PM
Join Date: March 17, 1999
Posts: 24,139
If the Colt SA is stuck on the hammer while the trigger is in the safety notch, the result is not usually shearing the safety notch but breaking or bending the thin top of the trigger. Same result, though - bang!
One way the old timers avoided that problem while loading six rounds was to drop the hammer between rounds. Not perfect and it won't work with .45 Colt because there is no space between rounds, but it works with .44 and smaller calibers. NOTE that this is merely a statement of "how it was done", NOT a recommendation for doing it that way, nor is it suggested that the method should be used instead of leaving one chamber empty.
Jim K
|August 28, 2010, 09:14 PM
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Location: Greenacres, FL
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No question that the transfer bar system is safer but there is nothing like the sound of the old single action being brought through to fully cocked. I just love that sound.
|August 28, 2010, 10:21 PM
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FWIW thw second click allowsthe cylinder to rotate and is the loading position. The third click could also be considered a safety as it semi locks the cylinder, but disconnects the trigger. you can pull the trigger till the cows come home and nothing will happen. The 4th click is fully cocked,cylinder is locked in place and it's ready to fire.
I've made a lot of money in my life, most was spent on booze, babes, guns, and poker,the rest I wasted!
|August 28, 2010, 10:48 PM
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Mine doesn't rotate
No, my SA does not rotate in the first click. It only rotates at the half cock.
(lash, I misread your post. I see that you meant the half cock-second position)
First position, hammer is off and cylinder is locked.
Second is half cock with the loading and ejection: cylinder rotates freely.
Third click is hammer back, but not locked. It only clicks here and the hammer goes forward. What is that? The hammer goes back to the second loading position again, but now the cylinder is locked in place
Is it true that you should always bring the hammer back to full cock from the half cock positions to lower the hammer, instead of lowering from the half cock positions. I have heard this and assumed it might have something to do with protecting the hammer sear???
Forth click is the hammer locking back.
This is not a Colt, but a 1960's Hawes Western Marshall, but has pretty similar action to the original Colt, from what I understand. The four clicks?
It has no transfer bar, but has an inertial firing pin.
Weird, the firing pin is lower than the hammer tip, which comes to rest against the frame, and the inertia firing pin is hit by the hammer about 1/4 way down.
I've shot tons of .38 and .357 through this, and never noticed any of this!
I guess I was having too much fun playing cowboy!
The finish is all worn off the grey.
Is this safe for loading six?
From the sweet grass to the slaughter house; From birth until death; We travel between these two eternities........from 'Broken Trail"
Last edited by HighValleyRanch; August 28, 2010 at 10:57 PM.
|August 29, 2010, 12:25 AM
Join Date: March 11, 2006
Location: Upper US
Posts: 17,168
The first notch is there in case you slip the hammer when pulling it back to half cock. Or so some say. Many years ago, Colt used to call it the safety notch, and recommend carrying the gun that way, but they stopped doing that about a century ago. They stopped after experience proved that a sharp blow would fire the gun. Carrying the Colt SA with the hammer down between cases is also not fully safe. The firing pin can ride up over the case rim and wind up over the primer.
Ruger designed the new model lockwork as part of a lawsuit settlement, which also included the conversion of all the old models returned to the factory.
All else being equal (and it almost never is) bigger bullets tend to work better.
|August 29, 2010, 02:15 PM
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Uberti still calls it a hammer safety block for the first click in their printed instructions and even after a call to them they brought one out, tested it while I was on the phone and confirmed it was the way to carry with 6 in my Uberti Schofield.
I made a short video about it also.
The way you see how I do it in the video is the way its printed in the instructions AND the way I was told by Stoeger (Uberti importer) themselves.
|August 29, 2010, 03:47 PM
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Location: Alabama
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Uberti has added a hammer block akin to a double action S&W to their Schofield repro. It does not mean you can safely quarter cock a Colt or close copy of same.
Uberti has built some SAAs with a little pushrod in the quarter cock notch tripping a block out in the breast of the hammer itself, but the new Cimarron I looked at on Thursday did not have that part.
|August 29, 2010, 04:20 PM
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So is a Ruger that is in original configuration (no conversion to transfer bar) more valuable or collectable than the newer cheese proof models?
|August 29, 2010, 04:25 PM
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Location: Alabama
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Generally, yes.
At one time, Ruger would return your standard parts when they converted an Old Model to transfer bar but I don't know if they still do that. Too many people were putting the old works back in to get back their old crisp trigger pull.
|August 29, 2010, 04:47 PM
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Location: Colorado Springs, Colorado
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I have an old model Super Bearcat and went as far as call for my box but then did not go through with it sending it in. It does have a nice trigger.
So what are we talking about? It adds 100 bucks to the value? I give it a 75-80% condition, steel frame, brass triggerguard.
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