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One uncharitable, and I assume probably incorrect view, would be that Helix gets a lot of good stories about the same subject, or pushing the same point of view. Certainly we readers were spared a number of video-games-are-real stories over the years, by editors who could see a cliche coming. Doubtless there are other themes that were old before they ever left their infancy.
But there are broader, more general themes in SF, that get new flesh, new paint, new liposuction and presto, another story that looks new, hell, it may even be new, but the shock and awe dissipates long before one gets to its core. That's part of the "genre" business, of course, and probably not even a sin, much less a tragic flaw. Nevertheless, it offers a handle for real criticism as opposed to mere review.
So there's this thing, just a little hiccup, really, or an itch that one cannot localize. Try to scratch it, and I find myself wondering about the life and times and such. Once having made a tentative identification, I need to maybe check some earlier Helix stories to see how many of them also carry the virus, one that looks to be a purer strain in Helix #6.
First, though, let's put a label on it and thereby change its nature, because naming does that. I'll try to keep it broad, so there's plenty of room for argument. Then too, there's the joking callback to The Graduate:
The stories in Helix #6 are playing games with plasticity, of body especially, of society somewhat, of mind, well, there's the rub.
I hope none of these are spoilers, and I always recommend people read a story before reading my comment on it (and really, what are the relative number of readers, anyway, between me-by-my-lonesome and Helix?).
- "The Button Bin," by Mike Allen: Putting on a monster like a suit of clothes.
- "The Makeover Men" by Jayme Lynn Blaschke: Genetic therapy as the equivalent of cosmetic surgery.
- "The Mechanical Mechanic, His Apprentice, and the Judge" by Sarah K. Castle:War veteran with numerous prosthetics.
- "Kill Me," by Vylar Kaftan: Mutilation, death and resurrection via implantedcybernetic storage device.
- "The Golden Whip" by Jay Lake: Technobureaucratic apotheosis via nanotech implants.
- "The Snake's Wife" by Ann Leckle: Primitive sex change surgery.
- "The Last Stand of the Elephant Man" by Jennifer Pelland: Futuristic resurrection and soul swapping in a jaded society.
In contrast to the fairly extreme changes of physical appearance and life circumstances that appear in these stories, the people themselves, their characters, their personalities, those change little, and what change does occur, it is well within the ordinary limits of human beings.
Now granted, this last part is a feature, not a bug. Audiences are not going to tune into characters that are something other than human. In fact, as I think I�ve noted before, modern audiences will seldom connect to characters of other than modern sensibility, so that writing about a real historical character always has the tug-of-war between being faithful to the real historical personage and not losing the audience.
That segues to the biggest problem with "The Last Stand of the Elephant Man," an account of Joseph Merrick's awakening in a future where his soul (we'll call it that) has been placed in an undeformed body, while his body is inhabited by a futuristic thrill/fame seeker. Whatever the merits of the story as a commentary on the decadence of a celebrity worshiping society (who, us?), having Merrick as the point-of-view character, and worse, being authorially privy to his thoughts, kept dropping me out of the narrative. The story makes much of how people's knowledge of Merrick comes primarily from the motion picture (if the theatrical production was mentioned I missed it), but does not really supply us with much to fill in the blanks, other than possibly some Victorian prudery, and some intellect.
Both "The Button Bin" and "Kill Me" are psycho-sexual creepshows, and stand or fall on the creepiness factor, which is pretty high, so good on them. There is a little bit of the "oh, not that again," in character's revelation in "The Button Bin," but that's probably just me. On the plus side, the words-in-a-row writing is good.
"The Makeover Men" manages to turn an end-of-the-world scenario into a tale of dueling narcissists, with the future of the world going to Quagmire from Family Guy, more or less. Then the post-theocratic tale "The Mechanical Mechanic, His Apprentice, and the Judge," barely manages to hit the broad side of a barn in warning us about religious authoritarianism and patriotic hypocrisy. Still, the barn does have a broad side, so de gustibus.
I think "The Golden Whip" is the shortest and most economical of the stories here. It mines the cyberpunk style and world-view, and, assuming I interpreted it correctly (always a risk with writing that slings stream-of-consciousness plus the occasional verb-less sentence), it's a reminder of how easy it is for elephants to trample mice, or, for that matter, mice to trample mice, given the nature of giant organizations and slick technology.
"The Snake's Wife" could probably have been written any time in the last hundred years (maybe more), and I mean that in a good way. That is one of the advantages of classic land-far-away fantasy: it has no real sell-by date. It's also nice to see that the "prophecy is literally true but watch out for the loopholes" thing can apply to the gods who make the prophecies come true as well. The tale might have benefited from a little more cutting (no pun intended) and names that were easier to keep track of, but those are some more things whose effectiveness has varied within the past century, not to mention from reader to reader. The story gives the impression of being a part of a larger work, which I hope is not the case, because I like the feel of things whose edges lead into the mist.


text:
Panda Bear (Product Blue) Full Hood
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subset: commoncrawl


text:
Reports › Fantastic 50
MTC Transformers invests in technology for electric cars
MTC branches into power technology for electric cars
- April 30, 2010
- |
MTC Transformers has amped up its profits by finding new uses for old technology. Transformers have been around since the 1800s, but now they're being used in emerging wind, solar and other environmentally sound technologies.
Because of the increasing attention given to global warming, MTC is betting on a hot market for reliable, easy-to-use electric cars. That's why the company has started a subsidiary, Evatran, focusing on plugless power technology for electric cars. That kind of innovation has made MTC the manufacturing leader in the Fantastic 50 for two years in a row.
"I truly believe, 10, 20 years from now, most of our cars will be electrically fueled. Almost all of the major car companies have announced products that use grid electricity as fuel. There's a lot of serious money being dumped into electric cars," says Bob Atkins, the co-founder of Evatran.
The problem is that an ordinary household electrical outlet isn't sufficient to charge an electric car. Electric car owners will have to install special equipment to plug into the grid. Evatran is developing a new technology that allows car owners to simply pull up to a charging station — no plug is needed.
Charging stations, to be located at homes, stores, restaurants and parking garages, will contain half of what is essentially a transformer, while the other half will be mounted as an adapter on the front of the electric vehicle. When the car is parked near the charging station, the two halves work together to induce the electro-magnetic force that produces the electric current needed to charge the battery.
"We're not talking a small business here. We're talking a whole new industry," predicts Tom Hough, MTC's president.
Evatran plans to start production on its first hands-free chargers this fall. The subsidiary may take MTC to a new level, but the company was already making great leaps on its own.
"We've sustained around a 30 percent growth for the last three years," says Matthew Clarke, MTC's general manager. "We understand transformers, especially specialty transformers. We continue to focus on the niche markets where the competition isn't as heavy. [Highly engineered, very labor intensive] … that's our bread and butter."


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Young Hollywood: Evan Rachel Wood on the benefits of Twitter
On Twitter, plenty of celebrities are bombarded with hateful messages about their films or wardrobe choices. But Evan Rachel Wood has had a different experience on the social networking site: She's been sent an overwhelming number of adoring messages from fans.
"I can be really critical, and you hear the bad stuff more than the good and then all of a sudden, there's all of these people every day who are like, 'I love you, and you're so inspirational,'" the 24-year-old said at the Los Angeles Times' Young Hollywood round table earlier this month, where she sat alongside Anton Yelchin, Armie Hammer and Kirsten Dunst. "It's nice to actually hear some of the good things sometimes."
None of the other young stars at the event has a Twitter account, although Hammer admitted he once attempted to send out a message on his wife's feed.
"In the middle of writing this thing, the letters on the keyboard just stopped working," he explained. "I was like, 'Why is this not typing anymore? 140 characters? That's it? Are you joking me?' It's hard to get a good joke out in 140 characters."
For more on the actors' feelings about tweeting, check out the clip below.
Young Hollywood: Mel Gibson 'intense human being,' Yelchin says
Young Hollywood: Armie Hammer on working with Clint Eastwood
Young Hollywood: Kirsten Dunst, Armie Hammer talk role preparation
-- Amy Kaufman
Photo: Evan Rachel Wood poses on the red carpet after the second annual Los Angeles Times Young Hollywood roundtable. Credit: Matt Sayles / Associated Press


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Computer Science ColloquiumIm Rahmen des Informatik-Kolloquiums, das von den Instituten des Fachbereichs Informatik, der Österreichischen Gesellschaft für Informatik (ÖGI), der Arbeitsgemeinschaft für Datenverarbeitung (ADV) sowie der Österreichischen Computergesellschaft (OCG) abgehalten wird, spricht
Dr. Erich Gamma
IBM OTI Lab, Zürichüber das Thema:
Eclipse Evolving towards a General Component PlatformZeit: Mon 22.11.2004, 14:00, 60 Minuten
Ort: Universität Linz, Repräsentationsraum G
ZusammenfassungBy now Eclipse (www.eclipse.org) is well known as an open source project dedicated to provide a robust platform for developing highly integrated tools. Eclipse has expanded its scope to become a general platform upon which anybody can add software components to build end user applications. This is enabled by a scalable plug-in architecture which supports controlled extensibility. To support dynamic plug-ins and to provide more configurability Eclipse 3.0 has migrated to an OSGi-based run time. This talk provides an overview of the Eclipse plug-in architecture and its most recent evolution.
VortragenderDr. Erich Gamma is an IBM Distinguished Engineer. He leads the Eclipse Java development tools project and is a member of the Eclipse project management committee. He is also a member of the Gang of Four, which is known for their book:
Einladender: o. Univ.-Prof. Dr. Hanspeter Mössenböck
Liste aller Vorträge


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October 2005
Pepper plant with immature peppercorns. Example of seeds with perisperm are pepper (Piper nigrum) and beet (Beta vulgaris). Source: Koehler's Medicinal-Plants, 1887.
Plant misconceptions are common in textbooks, science project books, dictionaries, encyclopedias, science education journals, and educational websites. Published misconceptions may misinform large numbers of students and teachers, but when they are known, misconceptions can be useful indicators of concepts that are potentially confusing to students. In an earlier article, I identified 50 published misconceptions that were classified into five categories: oversimplifications, overgeneralizations, obsolete concepts and terms, misidentifications, and flawed research.1 In this article I will present an additional category, undergeneralizations, and 50 more misconceptions about plants.
Undergeneralizations are concepts that are applied too narrowly, such as concepts that are restricted to angiosperms when they also apply to gymnosperms or seedless plants.
Dioecious species are often defined as having staminate ("male" or pollen producing) and carpellate ("female" or ovule bearing) flowers on separate plants. About 40 percent of gymnosperm species are dioecious, with pollen and seeds produced on separate plants.
Monoecious species are often defined as having staminate and carpellate flowers on the same plant. This excludes monoecious gymnosperms that have pollen cones and seed cones on the same plant.
"Perennial" is often used to describe plants that live more than two years and usually flower every year, and yet most nonflowering plants are also perennial.
Texts often imply that only woody plants have secondary growth. Many nonwoody plants have secondary growth; for example, carrot storage roots are mainly secondary tissues.
Obsolete concepts
Texts usually say photorespiration lowers the efficiency of photosynthesis in C3 plants and has no purpose. Recent research reveals that normal nitrate metabolism requires photorespiration.2
The plant hormone, abscisic acid, was misnamed. Ethylene is now considered to be the hormone that triggers abscission.3
Nickel is often omitted as an essential element for plants, yet research published in 1987 showed nickel is essential for plants.4
Florigen was long considered to be merely a hypothetical flowering hormone, but it now appears to be a messenger RNA, according to recent research.5
Phloem is sometimes said to carry organic "wastes," when the roles of these organic compounds are unknown in plants. Secondary organic compounds are assumed to function in defense if they have no other obvious role.3 Direct evidence for this is often lacking, although it may be forthcoming in future studies. For example, when tobacco was genetically engineered not to produce nicotine, insects attacked plants without nicotine more severely than plants with normal nicotine levels.6
The oldest living seeds were thought to be those from a 1300-year-old lotus (Nelumbo nucifera).7 Recently, carbon-dating of a germinated seed of date palm (Phoenix dactylifera) showed it was 2000 years old.8
A dictionary definition of intelligence can be applied to plants, even though they lack nervous systems, because of their adaptively variable behavior.9-11
A science project book claimed chlorophyll and hemoglobin each contain 137 atoms and replacing one atom changes hemoglobin into chlorophyll. That is not possible because chlorophyll a has a molecular weight of under 900 daltons, whereas one subunit of human hemoglobin has a molecular weight of 16,000 daltons. The grain of truth is that chlorophyll and hemoglobin both contain a similar ring structure with a different central ion: magnesium in chlorophyll and iron in hemoglobin.
Stating that gymnosperm means "naked seed" can mislead students because the degree of "nakedness" varies among the four phyla of gymnosperms. Ginkgo seeds are naked from an early stage in their development, but yew seeds are partly surrounded by a fleshy aril, or covering, that is often mistaken for a fruit. Pine seeds are usually hidden by cone scales until maturity, but cones of five Pinus species (Pinus albicaulis and four others) are indehiscent; that is, they remain closed until they decay or are opened by animals. Emphasize that gymnosperms lack flowers and fruits rather than emphasizing their naked seeds.
Cycads are extinct according to one biology dictionary. It's true that many are endangered, but there are about 100 living species of cycads, including sago palm (Cycas revoluta), a common houseplant.12
Texts often say that seeds require oxygen to germinate. Most do, but there are some seeds, such as Echinochloa oryzicola, that germinate using anaerobic respiration.13
Light is often omitted as a requirement for seed germination, yet some types of seed do require light to germinate, such as the princess tree (Paulownia tomentosa).14
Texts often emphasize the cuticle as an important adaptation for plant survival on land, but that is not true for all plants. Bryophytes that lack a cuticle have adapted to withstand dehydration by rapidly equilibrating with their environment, a mechanism termed poikilohydry.15
Red beets are sometimes said to be colored by anthocyanins. Beets (Beta vulgaris) are among over 11,000 species that have pigments called betalains instead of anthocyanins.16
Perennials are often said to sexually reproduce every year, but many perennials do not. Some sexually reproduce only once, such as bamboo; some may not sexually reproduce at all if they just reproduce asexually.
The first misconception listed here is an example of a wider problem of botanical terms that have different popular or gardening definitions. Such problem terms include berry, bulb, fertilization, flower, fruit, herb, nut, petal, root, thorn, and variety. A glossary is provided at the end of the article to help illustrate the differences between botanical and popular definitions for these terms (see Author Glossary).
Petunia, tomato, geranium (Pelargonium spp.), wax begonia, coleus, impatiens, snapdragon, and many other nonwoody plants are often called annuals. They are all perennials, but gardeners call them annuals when they are grown for one season before they die from winter cold. Examples of true annuals are corn and zinnia.
One science project book lists celery as a monocot. Celery is a dicot or eudicot. The author probably misidentified the edible celery petiole as a leaf blade and believed it had parallel veins characteristic of monocots.
An educational website misstated that the Amazon water lily (Victoria spp.), with leaves more than 2 meters in diameter, has the largest leaves of any plant. The Guinness Book of World Records lists a tie between raffia palm (Raphia farinifera) and Amazonian bamboo palm (Raphia taedigera), both with leaves up to 20 meters long.
Other misconceptions
Plant reproduction
- Many websites say the plant equivalent of animal parthenogenesis, or reproduction without fertilization, is parthenocarpy, the production of seedless fruit. Parthenocarpy rarely functions in reproduction, however. (Seedless pineapple fruit is an exception because the leafy crown of the fruit can root and form a new plant.) The equivalent of parthenogenesis in plants is apomixis, the production of asexual seeds. Apomictic seeds rarely develop from unfertilized haploid eggs, as in parthenogenesis. Most apomictic seeds develop from diploid eggs that don't undergo meiosis, or from diploid cells in the surrounding nucellus.17
Asexual reproduction and vegetative reproduction are not synonymous. Vegetative reproduction involves plant parts—stems, leaves, or roots—not involved in sexual reproduction. Apomixis is a method of asexual reproduction but not of vegetative reproduction.
Vegetative propagation does not always produce offspring that are identical to the parent plant. Plants with variegated leaves are chimeras, meaning they have more than one tissue type, green and nongreen. When a variegated snake plant is propagated from leaf cuttings, plants with nonvariegated leaves are produced. The adventitious shoot that develops from the leaf cutting originates from a single cell of one tissue type. To retain the leaf variegation, the snake plant must be propagated by dividing the parent into two or more plants.17
A plant clone is not always produced from a single cell, although it can be. Plant clones are usually grown from shoots, roots, or leaves.
Pollen is not the male gamete, as stated in a science project book. Pollen is the multicellular male gametophyte, which contains male gametes.
An educational website states that endosperm (embryonic food tissue) is located inside cotyledons (embryonic leaves). Cotyledons may digest and absorb the endosperm during development, but it is no longer endosperm after digestion. When present in a mature seed, endosperm always occurs outside the cotyledon(s).
Plant taxonomy
- In a binomial, such as Quercus alba, Quercus is the genus but alba is not the species. Quercus alba is the species, and alba is the specific epithet.
- Some publications italicize cultivar names. Cultivar names are not italicized. They are enclosed by single quotes, for example, 'Red Delicious' apple.
- It was once true that plant taxonomists used divisions, which are equivalent to phyla used by animal taxonomists. Plant taxonomists can now use phyla and often do; teachers may want to use phyla for both animals and plants.
Plant anatomy
The term "phloem vessels" appears on many educational websites. This is a misnomer because vessels are structures characteristic of xylem. The correct term is "phloem sieve tubes."
Drawings of root cross sections often do not show mycorrhizal fungi. This is atypical because about 90 percent of plant species have mycorrhizae, which means "fungus root."
The food storage tissue of angiosperm seeds is not always endosperm. Some angiosperm seeds have a diploid perisperm as their food storage tissue instead of endosperm. The perisperm develops from ovule cells. Example of seeds with perisperm are pepper (Piper nigrum) and beet (Beta vulgaris).
An educational website states that dead xylem cells, which transport water, are impermeable. Dead xylem cells, both vessel elements and tracheids, could not transport water if they were impermeable.
Plant morphology
- "Staminate cones" is a widely used term, but it is a misnomer because gymnosperm cones lack stamens. The correct term is "pollen cone."
An encyclopedia states that "suckers" are specialized roots of parasitic plants that steal nutrients from their host plant. The specialized roots of parasitic plants are called "haustoria."18 Suckers are adventitious shoots that arise from underground roots.
An encyclopedia relates that stems of a strangler fig "strangle" its tree host. Strangler fig (Ficus spp.) usually starts as an epiphyte high in the host tree, and its aerial roots encircle the host trunk and do the "strangling."19
An educational website claims that dandelion seeds have "parachutes" for wind dispersal, attributing what is often a fruit function to seeds. The dandelion fruit serves as the "parachute."
Plant physiology
"Tropism" may easily be the most misdefined term in plant biology. Defining tropism as a growth response to an environmental factor is far too vague. Tropism refers to the direction of plant growth being determined by the direction of an environmental factor, such as light, gravity, or touch.
The caption for a photo of a single-rooted philodendron cutting claimed that auxins were applied to promote rooting. Philodendrons have aerial roots, so no auxin application is needed to elongate those preformed roots. (Another generic error is illustrated here: The appropriate control treatment isn't pictured to make the treatment effect clear.)
A text claimed that a nastic movement, a plant response to certain stimuli, is not caused by an external stimulus. Some nastic movements are caused by an external stimulus, such as rapid closure of a Venus flytrap leaf, but the direction of movement does not depend on the direction of the stimulus, as in a tropism.20
A text stated that the circling of a twining stem before it contacts a support is a nastic movement. That phenomenon is termed circumnutation.21
"Photoperiodism" is often defined as the effect of day length on flowering. This understates the scope of photoperiodism, which also affects seed germination, tuber and bulb formation, leaf abscission, dormancy, adventitious plantlet formation on leaves, and sexual reproduction in some nonflowering plants.22
A text stated that houseplants have little phototropism, which is why they were selected as houseplants. Houseplants do exhibit phototropism and are not selected for their response to light (or lack thereof) but for their ease of production and ability to survive and remain attractive in a home environment.
Plant mineral nutrition
- Squanto is often credited with showing Pilgrims how Native Americans used fish as fertilizer. Squanto did show them this, but it was not a Native American practice where he lived.23 Squanto had been to Europe and learned of fish fertilizer from European farmers. Native Americans practiced shifting agriculture and had no need for fertilizer. They moved on to new land when the soil fertility of a place was depleted.
Texts often say soil pH determines hydrangea flower color. Actually, the aluminum concentration in the flower tissue determines its color.24 Hydrangeas in acidic organic soil form pink flowers because there is often little aluminum in organic soils. Commercial growers who want blue hydrangeas add aluminum sulfate to the soil. This provides sufficient aluminum as well as a low enough pH for the aluminum to be available for plant uptake.
The available form of boron for plants is not H2BO3-. Plants absorb boron mainly as uncharged boric acid, B(OH)23. [It is structurally more accurate to write B(OH)3 than H3BO3.] As a Lewis acid B(OH)3 combines with H2O to produce B(OH)4- and H+.
Sulfates do not lower soil pH. The cation part of the molecule does. Calcium sulfate and potassium sulfate are not used to acidify soil. Aluminum sulfate [Al2(SO4)3] and iron sulfate (FeSO4) are used to acidify soil. Both Al and Fe combine with hydroxyl ions (OH-) to form insoluble hydroxides, Fe(OH)3 and Al(OH)3. Elemental sulfur can acidify soil when Thiobacillus bacteria convert it to sulfuric acid.
The calcium in liming materials does not raise soil pH. The anion part of the liming molecule, such as carbonate or hydroxyl, neutralizes hydrogen ions. Other hydroxides or carbonates, such as magnesium and potassium, also function as liming materials.
Given the frequency of published plant misconceptions, teachers must inform students about the problem. Students and teachers need to maintain a healthy skepticism about plant facts. The bionet.plants.education newsgroup is a good place for teachers to pose questions on suspected plant misconceptions.
© 2005, American Institute of Biological Sciences. Educators have permission to reprint articles for classroom use; other users, please contact firstname.lastname@example.com for reprint permission. See reprint policy.


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Next week is National Small Business Week. We've got a few surprises planned – so check back here on Monday!
One event we have planned is not a surprise – please join Yahoo! Small Business as we celebrate National Small Business Week with an hour long Twitter chat -- The Online Generation: Turning Browsers into Buyers -- focused on providing small business owners with tips and insights on how to drive real sales in a world that increasingly starts online.
We will discuss how the online generation is driving new customer expectations, experiences, and choices and how that affects all small businesses as they look for increased sales and new customers while competing in a tough market. We'll take a look at mobile, social media, how savvy online shoppers have changed how they choose businesses and everything else to do with the new online commerce experience.
We are VERY happy to have Scott Gerber, serial entrepreneur, author and founder of the Young Entrepreneur Council and Phyllis Weber, advertising director for the San Jose Mercury News and an expert in both traditional and online promotions as guest and I'll be adding to the numbers as well.
The Twitter chat starts at 3 p.m. EST (Noon on the West Coast) on Thursday June 20. Please join the chat on @YSmallBusiness and #GoSMB and bring your questions!


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So HAH! San Diego has never beaten the Rams. Ever.
Oh and those of you scratching your head on how the Chargers could lose to a team that was 1-15 last year, and lost 44-6 to Detroit last week? Here's why. The Chargers cannot win on the road, and aren't as good as their rankings. They aren't losing to inferior teams anymore - they are losing to teams as good as they are.
Harsh? Yep. But consider:
- Lose once to a bad team (KC) it's a fluke.
- Twice (SEA) it's coincidence.
- Thrice (OAK) it's a trend.
- Four times (STL) you are what you are.


text: Loading... Bridgeland - 70' Homesites (Please Select) Community Information Driving Directions Photos Local Interests Home Features Finance Your Dream Sales Center: 16215 Lost Midden Court Cypress, TX 77433 Driving Directions Print Page Sales Contact: 281-207-6681 281-780-4652 Make an Appointment Request Information Marseille From $507,990 | 4,057 Sq. Ft. | 5 Bedrooms | 4 Baths | 1 Half Baths | 3 Garage | 2 Stories Simply stunning is the best way to describe this home! The grand foyer showcases a spiral staircase and opens into the oversized dining room which is flanked by columns and complete with a butler's pantry. Pass the dining room and you will enter the impressive family room with two-story ceilings and corner fireplace that will surely take your breath away! The family room spills into the fabulous open kitchen that features a unique baby grand piano shaped island that offers tons of counter space. Any chef would be happy to call this kitchen home! The master bedroom sits on the other side of the family room and has options to fit every one's needs. You can choose from two bay window options and a master bedroom fireplace to make your retreat the perfect place to unwind. Pass through the bathroom doors and you will be transported to your own spa. The unique master bath design spotlights the tub and features dual sinks angled on opposite walls, a separate shower and huge walk in closet. Don't forget about study and single bay garage that are tucked behind the entry upfront. This area is perfect for anyone who works from home. Once you venture upstairs, you will find three bedrooms, two baths and an oversized gameroom with optional deck. And for you movie buffs, this plan comes complete with a media room option as well. This home is a one of a kind masterpiece! FLOOR PLAN PHOTOS LOCATIONS OPTIONS VIRTUAL TOUR Personalize This Home


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echo $language_vars["windkanal_text"]; ?>
Alto recorder Elody Silver Sparkle
'Premiere' of a new type of recorder: An instrument based on the Modern Harmonic Alto with innovative cool design, powerful tone and provision for connection for use as an electric recorder.
Function: The Elody can be played in two ways.
- Its purely acoustic sound is impressive and allows the instrument to be used as a Modern Harmonic Alto that is suitable for any musical style and context.
- Every Elody has been fitted with a hidden pickup. The combination package includes a special cable for easy connection to any common effects unit or amplifier.
Colour and motif design
The designs of Elody are prepared by hand using an airbrush technique. There may, therefore, be slight variations in motif detail.
Wood type: Pearwood Airbrush-Design, gloss varnish
Fingering: Baroque in the first and second oktave, the notes in the third octave require different fingerings
Fingering chart: download
Keys: with E-foot and triple key for E/F/F sharp
Range: e1–es4
Pitch: a1 = 442 Hz at least
Thumb rest: an innovative thumb support made from soft synthetic rubber is an integral part of every Elody. The skin-friendly material provides the right hand thumb with a surprisingly stable grip without disturbing agility.
Block from Synpor-wood composite: This special block provides the instrument with a new musical 'durability': the core of the block consists of an artificial imitation wood product – synpor, that absorbs the moisture of breath condensation without swelling. The synpor core is embedded into a solid, naturally grown, cedar wood shell.
- Instrument including built-in pickup
- Cable for connection to electronic equipment
- CD Vintgar – Kaleidoscope
- Aluminium case
- Cleaning rod wood
- Joint grease
- Maintenance instructions


text:
Electronic Arts is in a state of flux. The company that Markus "Notch" Persson, creator of Minecraft, called a "bunch of cynical bastards" that are "methodically destroying" video games is trying to find its place in a medium that is changing. EA is turning further away from massive productions that cost upward of $200 million to produce and on to smaller titles in the mobile and social spaces.
What EA game cost $200 million to produce? Star Wars: The Old Republic. The MMO took six years to develop, with a staff of 800 people working on four continents to see the game to completion. Was it worth the gamble? Back in February, 1.7 million players were exploring the galaxy together. These were active subscribers too, the players EA is banking on for revenue each month. That population is in steep decline though. EA announced during its fiscal year earnings report on Monday that Star Wars' membership has fallen to 1.3 million.
By Electronic Arts' estimation, that's more than double the number of subscribers it needs to make The Old Republic profitable. The publisher claimed just after the game's release in December that it needed to retain 500,000 subscribers to make Star Wars: The Old Republic profitable. EA has already lost 400,000 subscribers over the course of just two months though. Right now, profitability on the game means staunching the flow of blood.
When Star Wars: The Old Republic went into development, the business and art of MMOs was very different. World of Warcraft was still just ramping up in 2006, making Blizzard the face of online gaming success (not to mention an attractive acquisition target for Activision, who merged with Blizzard a year later.) There was no question of how to retain players willing to spend $15 per month to play the game, because there was no alternative at that point. Few online RPGs were free to play, and those that were partially free, like Sony Online Entertainment's ailing Everquest II, were only open out of desperation.
World of Warcraft didn't even hit its subscriber peak until December 2010, but in the nearly eighteen months since, its population has been slowly shrinking. Star Wars: The Old Republic released in an environment where, even if its Bioware-crafted narrative ambitions were new amongst MMOs, it looked like WoW, played like WoW, and more significantly, cost what WoW did back in 2006.
EA knows the writing is on the wall. If its game is going to survive beyond 2012, it needs to fundamentally change its business model. It needs to also accept the fact that The Old Republic will never, under any circumstances, reach the over 12 million subscribers Warcraft did at its height. The company has learned how to adapt though. Rest assured that Star Wars: The Old Republic will be a different game by 2013.


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Guides to the collection – Fact sheet 116
The National Archives has two series of guides to assist researchers to find relevant records in our collection. Several of our books also offer advice on finding records.
Twenty–two guides in our Research Guide series cover a broad range of topics. These include guides on immigration (British, Chinese, Jewish, child), foreign relations (with Japan, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea), military history (HMAS Sydney, Boer War) and various other topics.
Six guides in the Archives of Australia's Prime Ministers series provide short biographies and extensive archival listings on 11 former prime ministers.
You can browse and purchase copies of our research guides from our online shop, or download them for free from the links below. Orders can be placed by phoning (02) 6212 3609 or contacting Publication Sales, PO Box 4924, KINGSTON ACT 2604.
Research guides
- Chinese Immigrants and Chinese-Australians in NSW, by Julie Stacker and Peri Stewart, revised 1997, 80pp.
- Aboriginal Deaths in Custody: The Royal Commission and its Records, 1987–91, by Peter Nagle and Richard Summerrell, revised 1997, 92pp.
- The Sinking of HMAS Sydney: A Guide to Commonwealth Government Records, by Richard Summerrell, revised 1999, 191pp.
- Papua New Guinea Records 1883–1942: Microfilm Collections, by Peter Nagle, 1998, 136pp.
- Royalty and Australian Society: Records relating to the British Monarchy held in Canberra, by Kate Cumming, 1998, 210pp.
- Parliament House Canberra, 1927: Records relating to the Design, Construction and Opening of the Provisional Parliament House, by Gay Hogan, revised 2003, 74pp.
- More People Imperative: Immigration to Australia, 1901–39, by Dr Michele Langfield, 1999, 236pp.
- Collections in Melbourne: A Guide to Commonwealth Records, by Celia Blake, revised 2003, 76pp.
- The Boer War: Australians and the War in South Africa, 1899–1902, by Craig Wilcox, 1999, 94pp.
- Citizenship in Australia: A Guide to Commonwealth Government Records, by David Dutton, 1999, 114pp.
- Good British Stock: Child and Youth Migration to Australia, by Barry Coldrey, 1999, 220pp.
- Safe Haven: Records of the Jewish Experience in Australia, by Malcolm Turnbull, 1999, 170pp.
- Cockatoo Island Dockyard: A Guide to the Records, by Margaret Chambers, 2000, 252pp.
- Collections in Perth: A Guide to Commonwealth Government Records, by Dan Midalia, 2000, 182pp.
- Working for the Dole: Commonwealth Relief during the Great Depression, by Don Fraser, 2001, 116pp.
- Near Neighbours: Records on Australia's Relations with Indonesia, by Karl Metcalf, 2001, 205pp.
- Sound Recordings in the National Archives, by Helen Cross and Margaret Chambers, 2001, 125pp.
- A Nation's Imagination: Australia's Copyright Records, 1854–1968, by Merilyn Minell, 2003, 147pp.
- Australia in Focus: Photographs in the National Archives, by Peter Nagle, 2003, 251pp.
- Allies, Enemies and Trading Partners: Records on Australia and the Japanese, by Pam Oliver, 2004, 288pp.
- Chinese–Australian Journeys: Records on Travel, Migration, and Settlement, 1860–1975, by Paul Jones, 2005, 286pp.
- Commonwealth government records about the Northern Territory, by Ted Ling, 2011, 291pp.
- Commonwealth Government Records about Tasmania, by Michael Piggott 2014, 230pp.
- Commonwealth Government Records about South Australia, by Sara King, 2013
- Government Records about the Australian Capital Territory, by Ted Ling, 2013, 261pp.
- Land of Opportunity: Australia's post-war reconstruction, by Graeme Powell with Stuart Macintyre, 2015.
- Japanese War Crimes in the Pacific: Australia's investigations and prosecutions, by Dr Narrelle Morris , 2019.
Guides to archives of Australia's prime ministers
Our First Six: Guide to Archives of Australia's Prime Ministers, by Susan Marsden and Roslyn Russell, 2002 (describes collections relating to prime ministers Barton, Deakin, Watson, Reid, Fisher and Cook)
Stanley Melbourne Bruce: Guide to Archives of Australia's Prime Ministers, by John Connor, 2003
Joseph Lyons: Guide to Archives of Australia's Prime Ministers, by Susan Marsden, 2002
John Curtin: Guide to Archives of Australia's Prime Ministers, by David Black and Lesley Wallace, 2004
Harold Holt: Guide to Archives of Australia's Prime Ministers, by Pennie Pemberton, 2003
Malcolm Fraser: Guide to Archives of Australia's Prime Ministers, by Elizabeth Masters and Katie Wood, 2012
Gough Whitlam: Guide to Archives of Australia's Prime Ministers, by Jenny Hocking with Clare Land, Natasha Campo and Sarah Taylor, 2016
Other useful references
Family Journeys: Stories in the National Archives of Australia, National Archives of Australia, 2008
In the Interest of National Security: Civilian Internment in Australia during World War II by Klaus Neumann, National Archives of Australia, 2006
Tracking Family: A Guide to Aboriginal Records Relating to the Northern Territory, National Archives of Australia, 2015
Finding Families: The Guide to the National Archives of Australia for Genealogists, compiled by Margaret Chambers, National Archives of Australia in association with Hale and Iremonger, 1998, 344pp.
walata tyamateetj: A guide to government records about Aboriginal people in Victoria, by Richard Broome, Public Record Office Victoria and National Archives of Australia, Melbourne, 2014, 87pp.


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X-Rite i1Photo Pro2
|Notable Features
New illuminant design allows for 3 standard measurement conditions (ISO 13655 M0: Tungsten; ISO 13655 M1: D50; ISO 13655 M2: UV Cut) plus Optical Brightener Compensation (OBC) without changing filters or needing a second instrument.
Enhanced Optical Brightener Compensation allows for the most accurate profiling for todays enhanced range of substrates. Now users can predict what colors printed on optically brightened paper will look like under different light conditions using a single hand-held device.
Positioning Detection Sensor provides a more robust scanning experience even on special substrates and low-resolution printers. It allows for the measurement of smaller patch sizes (as low as 7mm) in manual mode and enables dual measurement workflows for OBC, M1 and M2.
New Status LED guides users through the measurement process and provides feedback on device status, improving the user experience.
New Design Ergonomics throughout allows for greater usability, flexibility, cleaning, protection, and storage of the precision i1Pro 2 device.
Better temperature stability and higher brightness levels improves emissive measurement, resulting in the best possible calibration and profiling of monitors and projectors.
All new diagnostics and self-correction features built-in wavelength calibration technology allows for self-diagnosis of optical grating in relation to sensor during white calibration (with automatic correction and notifications).
Maintaining and protecting the device (and investment) is easier than ever Self-cleanable aperture protection glass and calibration white tile cover provides additional built-in protection from dust and dirt.
i1Pro 2 is equipped with the X-Rite Graphic Arts Standard (XRGA) to make it quicker and easier for companies and professionals involved in digital production printing to adhere to ISO standards and have confidence that data sent or received from all links in the supply chain is reliable and repeatable.
Systems Supported for i1Profiler v1.5x
MacOS X 10.6.x, 10.7.x, 10.8x and 10.9x (with latest updates installed) 512MB RAM (2GB recommended) Intel® Core 2 Duo Processor Up to 500 MB of available disk space Powered USB Port Monitor resolution of 1024x768 pixels or higher minimum Dual display support requires either 2 video cards or a dual head video card that supports dual video LUTs being loaded DVD drive or high-speed internet connection required for software install, download and automatic software update User must have administrator rights to install and uninstall application
Microsoft® Windows® XP® 32 bit Microsoft® Windows® Vista® 32 or 64 bit Microsoft® Windows® 7® 32 or 64 bit Microsoft® Windows® 8® 32 or 64 bit Microsoft® Windows® 8.1® 32 or 64 bit All operating systems require latest updates and Service Packs installed 512MB RAM (2GB recommended) Intel® Core 2 Duo or AMD® Athlon® XP or better CPU Up to 500MB of available disk space (depending on components installed) Powered USB Port Monitor resolution of 1024x768 pixels or higher Latest drivers for video card installed Dual display support requires either 2 video cards or a dual head video card that supports dual video LUTs being loaded Network adaptor installed and driver loaded DVD drive or high-speed internet connection required for software install, download and automatic software update User must have administrator rights to install and uninstall application
Installation and Authentication NOTE:
In i1Photo Pro1/2 (EOPHO), the spectro is utilized as the dongle. In the package you should receive the software, spectro, 2 color checkers and little white folded up pamphlet with an i1 logo on it. This pamphlet has a license key printed right on the front if it (14 characters). Once the software is installed, youll need to connect your i1 device to a USB hub and ensure the software recognizes the unit (software will display instrument serial number). Once this verification has been completed, you should see a button called upgrade license or something to that effect. Once you press that button, a pop up box will appear. You will enter the 14 digit license key and also fill in any other applicable information. Once thats submitted, you should see green check marks all across the individual module icons displayed on your software.
i1Pro 2 Hardware Specifications
SPECTRAL ENGINE i1® technology with built-in wavelengths check Spectral analyzer: Holographic diffraction grating with 128-pixel diode array Spectral Range: 380 - 730 nm Physical sampling interval: 3.5 nm Optical resolution: 10 nm Spectral reporting: 380 ... 730 nm in 10 nm steps Measurement Frequency in scanning mode: 200 measurements per second
OPTICS Measurement geometry: 45°/0° ring illumination optics, ISO 13655:2009 Measurement aperture: 4.5 mm (0.18) diameter (effective measurement aperture during scanning is depending on the patch size and measurement speed) Illumination Spot Size: 3.5 mm (0.14) Light source: Gas filled tungsten (illuminant type A) and UV LED
REFLECTANCE MEASUREMENT Data Format: Spectral Reflectance (dimensionless)
Measurement Conditions: UV included - ISO 13655:2009 measurement condition M0 D50 - ISO 13655:2009 measurement condition M1 UV excluded Filter - ISO 13655:2009 measurement condition M2 OBC: Optical Brightener Compensation (OBC) with i1Profiler software Calibration: Manual on external ceramic white reference Measurement Background: white, ISO 13655:2009; for measurements on backup board Maximum Media Thickness: 3 mm (0.12) on backup board Minimum Patch Size in Scanning Mode: 7 x 10 mm (0.28 x 0.39) (Width x Height) with sensor ruler 10 x 10 mm (0.39 x 0.39) (Width x Height) without sensor ruler Inter-instrument agreement: 0.4 E94* average, 1.0 E94* max. (deviation from X-Rite manufacturing standard at a temperature of 23ºC (73.4ºF) on 12 BCRA tiles (D50, 2º)) Short-term repeatability: 0.1 E94* on white (D50,2°, mean of 10 measurements every 3 seconds on white)
EMISSIVE MEASUREMENT Data format: Spectral radiance (mW/nm/m2 /sr); Luminance Y (cd/m2) Measurement range: 0.2 - 1200 cd/m2 on a typical LCD-Monitor Short-term repeatability: x,y: +/- 0.002 typical (5000°K, 80 cd/m2)
AMBIENT LIGHT MEASUREMENT Data Format: spectral irradiance (mW/nm/m2), illuminance (lux) Type: Cosine-corrected diffuse light measurement head
OPERATING CONDITIONS Temperature: 10°C (50°F) 35°C (95°F) Humidity: 0% 80% non-condensing
INTERFACE, DIMENSIONS AND WEIGHT Interface: USB 1.1 Power supply: Device powered by USB. No additional charger or battery required. USB 1.1 high power device.
Physical dimensions i1Pro 2 device: Length 155 mm, width 66 mm, height 67 mm (6.1 x 2.6 x 2.6) i1 Ruler: Length 337 mm , width 102 mm (13.3 x 4.0) i1 Backup Board: 355 mm x 265 mm (14.0 x 10.4) folded or 355 mm x 400 mm (14.0 x 15.7) unfolded Weight i1Pro device: 245 g (8.6 oz)


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Wednesday, November 30, 2011
Charlotte has armored vehicles, too
Turns out Tampa isn't the only 2012 convention host city whose police have big armored vehicles.
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police has two of them.
Neither the Dragoon nor the BEAR (see photo) looks as tank-like as Tampa's Rescue 2. And neither of the wheeled CMPD vehicles is amphibious -- Rescue 2 is that, too.
But make no mistake: The CMPD has a pair of mean-looking machines.
BEAR (short for Balistic Engineered Armored Response & Rescue) is an armored personnel carrier. It was was purchased back in 2006 for $305,000 through the Urban Area Security Initiative, said CMPD spokesman Rob Tufano.
CMPD has had the Dragoon since 2000 -- the force got it free through the Law Enforcement Services program. It was capable of being amphibious when it was new, but not now. It's mostly used these days for high threat situations, as a back-up to the more modern BEAR.
Tampa's Rescue 2 recently rumbled over to an Occupy Tampa protest, according to Yahoo News. That was seen by some as a possible dry run to next year's Republican National Convention, which is expected to draw a lot of protesters to Tampa.
Those planning the 2012 Democratic National Convention in Charlotte are expecting quite a few protesters to show up here, too.
Is it possible CMPD's two armored vehicles will be used during convention week next September?
Tufano sent the CMPD's standard statement, which doesn't answer our question.
The statement: "The goal of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department is to develop a seamless security plan that will create a secure environment for the community and event participants. There is a tremendous amount of advance planning and coordination in the areas of venue security, air space security, training, communications and credentialing. The means, methods and specific resources to carry out protective responsibilities will not be discussed publicly in advance, but the CMPD and our partners will work to ensure a safe environment."
Tim Funk
Monday, November 28, 2011
Tampa's tank won't roll in Charlotte
|Tampa's "Rescue 2" could be utilized during the 2012 Republican National Convention.
But the city's finest will have a tank - or what looks like one.
"Rescue 2" is its name, and it's officially an amphibious rescue vehicle. But, according to a report on Yahoo News, the city's Tactical Response Team rolled it over to the Occupy Tampa protest earlier this month.
According to the city's Web site, this armored personnel carrier is bullet-proof, weighs 12 tons, can hit 60 mph on dry pavement, can go through five feet of water and withstand winds of up to 130 miles per hour.
"It is virtually unstoppable," the Web site says, adding that it was purchased from the military with a federal security grant.
In case you were wondering, there is also a "Rescue 1," which looks more truck-like. Both vehicles were actually designed to transport people, and search and rescue during a natural disaster or terrorist attack.
Still, they look menacing enough that any protester might think twice before going up against either.
And what about Charlotte, host of the 2012 Democratic National Convention? Is it similarly equipped? That's the question we put to CMPD spokesman Rob Tufano.
His answer: "We have no such vehicle."
For more on Tampa's "Rescue 1" and "Rescue 2.
Tim Funk
Tuesday, November 22, 2011
Five ways to juice up the Democratic Convention
For decades, national political conventions have been mostly scripted pep rallies, with little in the way of real news. That's why the TV networks have stopped covering them live.
So what would it take next year to make Charlotte's show – the 2012 Democratic National Convention – that rare exception: a TV-worthy convention?
Here are 5 possibilities. We're not saying they will happen. But they could.
Clearly, President Barack Obama needs to do something to energize his re-election campaign. If his poll numbers keep sliding, the convention in Charlotte could be more wake than party.
One solution that some Democrats have fantasized about: Obama makes a switcheroo, announcing that Vice President Joe Biden will be his new Secretary of State and Hillary Clinton, now the country's chief diplomat, is his choice to be his 2012 running mate.
It's a win-win-win.
Biden, who used to chair the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and is on a first-name basis with many foreign heads of state, would get to end his career on a distinguished, globe-trotting note.
Clinton would get a head-start on her 2016 run for president.
And Obama would recapture some of the excitement that fueled his historic 2008 campaign.
"Barrack & Hillary" – it definitely has a TV show sound to it.
2. Preemptive GOP move: Burr for veep.
Meeting in Tampa the week before the Democrats gather in Charlotte, the Republicans up the ante in the battle to win North Carolina's 15 electoral votes.
They do it by nominating Richard Burr, the Tar Heel State's senior senator, for vice president.
Suddenly, all over Charlotte, there are banners proclaiming "Romney-Burr" or – take your pick – "Perry-Burr" or "Cain-Burr" or "Gingrich-Burr."
Not since the hanging chads of 2000 put Florida in the international spotlight has a purple state gotten so much attention, as even the TV networks turn their attention to North Carolina. Pre-empting their cheesy reality shows, the networks go live to this ultimate swing state, doing man- and woman-in-the-street interviews with every voter from Murphy to Manteo.
3. A bipartisan TV moment.
During most national political conventions, a parade of senators and House members go to the podium and give speeches that are forgotten before they leave the stage.
But in September 2012, the one member of Congress still considered a courageous public servant is given a prime-time spot.
U.S. Rep. Gabby Giffords, D-Ariz., who has made a remarkable recovery since the shooting that nearly ended her life, does not speak about politics.
Her message is bipartisan, as are the tears shed all over the country at her call for Americans to stop fighting among themselves and come together for the greater good.
4. A third party. And a fourth.
Just as they did during the Republican convention in Tampa, two other presidential candidates – and their dedicated followers – converge on Charlotte during the Democrats' meeting.
And once again, they steal away some of the major parties' monopoly on news coverage by staging their own debate, this time under the stars at Freedom Park – a venue named for a worthy idea, as opposed to Bank of America Stadium, where rumor has it President Obama will give his acceptance speech.
The two debaters: From the right, U.S. Rep. Ron Paul of Texas, 2012 nominee of the Libertarian Party. And from the left: A real Socialist, U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont.
5. Occupy Time Warner Cable Arena.
In hopes of keeping the TV cameras inside the convention instead of outside on Charlotte's streets, the Democrats invite a young, scruffy-looking Occupy Wall Street rep to address the delegates in prime time.
Some pundits suggest the Democrats are merely taking a page from the Republicans, who let an angry Tea Partier dressed in Revolutionary War garb address their delegates.
But both speeches make front page news – and get ratings worthy of "Dancing with the Stars" and "American Idol." Tim Funk
Monday, November 21, 2011
Is that Bono? Parties in the planning
Details are still sketchy, but a major celebrity bash looks to be in the works for Charlotte the night of Sept. 5.
That's when ONE, the global anti-poverty organization founded by rocker-activist Bono, will join with Politico, the favorite Web site for political junkies, to co-host a star-studded event.
ONE and Politico will also co-host in Tampa during the Republican National Convention.
According to a news release, the events will "feature performances by well-known musicians, bringing together some of the conventions' most high-profile attendees."
Alas, the release also says "the events are by invitation only." (Doesn't sound very democratic.) No word yet on who all those celebs will be and where they will mingle. Tim Funk
Thursday, November 17, 2011
Presidential rocker and other local HQ tidbits
Besides the Susan Burgess Conference Room, here are some other things reporters saw on a recent tour of the DNCC's headquarters:
A replica of the famous rocking chair favored by President John F. Kennedy. It's a gift from Troutman Chairs, maker of the original.
Among the items adorning the museum-like office of DNCC CEO Steve Kerrigan are jerseys from the Charlotte Knights and Charlotte Bobcats (each with "Kerrigan" on the back); memorabilia from Obama's 2009 inauguration (which Kerrigan planned), including a "Horse Manure Only" sign that had been planted on the inaugural grounds; and the reading copy of President-elect Kennedy's January 1961 speech, complete with handwritten notes, to the Massachusetts legislature - a gift from Kerrigan's former boss, U.S. Sen. Ted Kennedy.
To get to the DNCC offices, reporters showed up at the old Wachovia building on South Tryon Street, went through security, then took the elevator to the 13th floor.
When asked about the unlucky number, Kerrigan said he was not superstitious.
"I take what's first offered," he said, then added: "Do they still make buildings with 13th floors?"
Tim Funk
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
Susan Burgess honored at convention HQ
Years ago, when then-Mayor Pro Tem Susan Burgess first suggested hosting the Democratic convention in Charlotte, few thought it would happen. But she persisted, lobbying national party officials at every opportunity and making believers back at home.
Burgess died of cancer last year. Six months later, the party announced Charlotte as the site of its 2012 convention.
Today, in a corner of the Democratic National Convention Committee headquarters uptown, there is a conference room dedicated to Burgess' memory.
At one end is a framed portrait. Across the room are family photos, a few of her awards and her city council name plate.
Son Jason Burgess, who is finishing out her council term, saw the room on a tour of the convention offices.
"We're just very honored that she's being recognized for her efforts," he said.
Thursday, November 10, 2011
Colleges will offer course on DNC
National political conventions can be many things: Historical events, weeklong parties, even learning experiences.
In fact, Winthrop University in Rock Hill is planning a political-science course for fall 2012 called "The Democratic National Convention."
The course begins Aug. 6- not quite a month before Charlotte hosts the 2012 Democratic National Convention. According to the school, "the course will include traditional classroom, online and experiential instructional techniques."
Offered under the aegis of the John C. West Forum on Politics and Policy (named for a former S.C. governor), the course will be open not only to Winthrop University students, but also to undergraduates at all S.C. colleges and at all Charlotte-area colleges and universities that will be part of a consortium. From January to July 2012, this "Charlotte Consortium" of colleges and universities will organize host programs involving students related to the Democratic convention in Charlotte.
Details: 803-323-4584 or www.winthrop.edu/west forum Tim Funk
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
Getting DNC cost $300,000-plus
Convention officials are tight-lipped about how much money they've raised, or spent, since landing the event. But they raised a lot to get it.
Tax forms show the host committee raised $311,753 in pursuit of the convention. The 990 forms don't say where the money came from. So it's unclear how much came from Duke Energy, whose chairman, Jim Rogers, co-chaired the effort.
"We certainly participated in the effort," said spokesman Tom Williams, who declined to say how much the company provided.
Rogers has said, "The fact that we demonstrated we can raise money was one of the edges we had" in getting the convention.
The report also shows the host committee spent $293,000.
The biggest beneficiary? The Charlotte public relations firm Luquire, George Andrews, which got $132,500.
Consultant Tom McMahon's Washington firm was paid nearly $66,000. He was the former executive director of the Democratic National Committee.
Jim Morrill
Tuesday, November 1, 2011
Third Ward residents full of questions about convention
No, uptown residents won't have to move. Yes, there will be city garbage pickup during Democratic National Convention time in September.
How about CATS bus or free Gold Rush service uptown? That's still a big unknown.
Last week's Third Ward Neighborhood Association Meeting hosted representatives with city and law enforcement to answer what questions they can about the Democratic convention in Charlotte.
Carol Jennings, the city of Charlotte's liaison to the convention, said city services will operate "business as usual" - including Wednesday garbage pickups. Those may be scheduled later in the day.
Uptown residents won't have to move, although they might have to get credentials if they live in an area determined to be a "vehicle-free zone" during the convention.
And what about Charlotte putting its best foot forward?
The city isn't going to spend any extra money on paving, Jennings said, but will plan its typical annual street work before the event. "There are going to be some major pavings next spring," she said.
To the disappointment of residents, Romare Bearden Park, at the corner of Church and Third streets, won't be finished to show off by convention time. Celeste Smith
More state party reps get a look at Charlotte, hotels
Democratic convention officials hosted Democratic Party representatives from nine more states Monday, giving them a tour of Charlotte hotels and amenities.
It was the second group of party officials to take the tour.
Convention officials will make hotel assignments early next year.
–Jim Morrill
Third Ward residents full of questions about convention
No, uptown residents won't have to move. Yes, there will be city garbage pickup during Democratic National Convention time in September.
How about CATS bus or free Gold Rush service uptown? That's still a big unknown.
Last week's Third Ward Neighborhood Association Meeting hosted representatives with city and law enforcement to answer what questions they can about the Democratic convention in Charlotte.
Carol Jennings, the City of Charlotte's liaison to the convention, said city services will operate "business as usual" – including Wednesday garbage pickups. Those may be scheduled later in the day.
Uptown residents won't have to move, although they might have to get credentials if they live in an area determined to be a "vehicle-free zone" during the convention.
And what about Charlotte putting its best foot forward?
The city isn't going to spend any extra money on paving, Jennings said, but will plan its typical annual street work before the event. "There are going to be some major pavings next spring," she said.
To the disappointment of residents, Romare Bearden Park, at the corner of Church and Third streets, won't be finished to show off by convention time. Celeste Smith
Surveillance sticker shock: Tampa starts over
Tampa officials are starting over after bids came in too high for security cameras for next year's Republican National Convention.
According to the St. Petersburg (Fla.) Times, the city is trying to boost surveillance at an estimated 200 downtown sites. The cameras have to be up and running by June 1 for the August convention.
Charlotte city officials declined to comment about security arrangements.
Sticker shock, part 2: GOP wants Tampa hotel rates cut
Hotel managers in Tampa are reeling after being told to cut their rates during the GOP convention.
The St. Petersburg Times reported Saturday that hoteliers were told to throw out year-old room contracts with convention organizers and sign new agreements with lower room rates. The new rates were set by a company GOP convention organizers recently hired to manage hotel room blocks for conventions. One property owner said the rate cut would mean $150,000 in lost revenue.
In Charlotte, convention officials say there won't be any changes here - hotel contracts are firm, and no renegotiations are planned.
Officials invested a lot of time to work through hotel agreements, said Mike Butts, executive director of Visit Charlotte.
–Jim Morrill and Celeste Smith
Inspiring, clever, snide: Welcome, Democrats
The Observer recently invited readers to send in their suggested slogans for Charlotte as the city promotes its hosting of next year's convention.
Their nominees ranged from inspiring to clever to snide (but funny).
Even Republican City Councilman Edwin Peacock III sent in a suggestion: "Charlotte, NC: Southern Efficiency Meets Southern Charm!" Here's a sampling of the others:
"Charlotte: We put the NC in DNC" - from Mary Ann Maxson, Wesley Chapel.
"Grounded in Tradition - Focused on the Future" - Ann Baldwin Greene.
"Charlotte - Gateway to Global" - Mark Sitzer, Indian Trail.
"Charlotte: Gateway to Gastonia" - Dan Harris, Charlotte.
"Olde Grits and New Grit" and "Welcome to the Home of the New South" - Lawrence Raymer, Huntersville.
"Charlotte: Banking on the Future!" - Caroline Groux Sitzer, Indian Trail.
"Charlotte - We Love Socialists" - Kevin Kronk, Pineville.
"Welcome Democrats to Charlotte . . . Your Southern Home." - Steve Weiner, Harrisburg.
"Charlotte, North Carolina is Mint" - Jayne Mannino, Lincolnton.
"New Ideas, New Start, New South" - Jeffrey Klein, Charlotte.
"Charlotte: Beacon of the New South" - Jana Harston, Charlotte.
"Charlotte - Treats You Royally" - Terri Hatcher, Charlotte.
–Tim Funk
Valerie Jarret headlines Women's Conference in Charlotte
Presidential adviser and confidante Valerie Jarrett will give the keynote speech Wednesday at the N.C. Governor's Conference for Women at the Charlotte Convention Center.
She's the latest in a string of visits by administration officials that underscores the electoral importance of North Carolina to President Barack Obama in 2012.
Obama made a two-day bus tour of the state last week. Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner, Education Secretary Arne Duncan, and Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano also have visited recently.
Over 1,500 women are expected to attend the conference.
Jarrett is a longtime friend of the president and his wife, Michelle. A lawyer, she once served as deputy chief of staff to former Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley.
"Valerie Jarrett, who has long been a friend of North Carolina, is the perfect speaker to address emerging issues affecting women and girls around our state, and the power that knowledge brings," Gov. Bev Perdue said in a statement.
Top Obama adviser will speak at women's conference
She's the latest of several administration officials to visit the area, underscoring the electoral importance of North Carolina to President Barack Obama in 2012.
Obama made a two-day bus tour of the state last week. Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner, Education Secretary Arne Duncan, and Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano also have visited recently.
More than 1,500 women are expected to attend the conference.
Jarrett is a longtime friend of the president and his wife, Michelle. A lawyer, she once served as deputy chief of staff to former Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley.
"Valerie Jarrett, who has long been a friend of North Carolina, is the perfect speaker to address emerging issues affecting women and girls around our state, and the power that knowledge brings," Gov. Bev Perdue said in a statement.
-Jim Morrill


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Program outline
Out of the Box is an ingenious way to generate fresh ideas and get to grips with company issues. To start, delegates are invited into the conference room and discover that the space is empty apart from a number of large wooden crates.
The crate folds out into a large display stand and inside they find details on their issue together with supporting material and props. Each team's task is to create a display on the stand that addresses the issue and present their analysis, findings and recommendations.
Time is short so they have to use their initiative and be resourceful with the materials to hand. Once completed each display is brought to life with a live presentation.
Learning and development outcomes
Challenging and lots of fun, Out of the Box has proved to be incredibly effective at harnessing the thinking power, creativity and knowledge of delegates for a wide range of organisations.