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The troubled former Lions receiver's behavior has left everyone who knows him dumbfounded. Is it mental illness, head trauma, drugs—or just a young man lost in his own world?
From now until the opening of training camps, The MMQB will run a series of our Greatest Hits from the site's first year. From August 13, 2013, Robert Klemko on troubled former Lions receiver Titus Young. Since this piece ran, Young has missed multiple court dates while he is hospitalized for an undisclosed mental condition...
NEWPORT BEACH, Calif. — Judge Andre Manssourian allows the defense to approach the bench to answer a question uttered often in certain Southern California circles recently: Where's Titus Young? The lawyers confer privately with the deputy district attorney, then veteran attorney Altus Hudson rushes from the courtroom to make a phone call. Forty-five minutes later, the same routine is repeated. Then, two hours after Young's lawyer had entered the courtroom at 9:30 a.m. in a dark suit and brown leather shoes, the iron-voiced Orange County judge says he'll again suspend a warrant for Young's arrest.
"This is the last time," Manssourian says. "I am satisfied that Mr. Young is not trying to take advantage of not being in custody or defy the court's rulings, but I am going to have to get him here in the courtroom."
Outside the courtroom, Hudson says Young is in treatment—then pauses and corrects himself. "Undergoing treatment."
The subject of off-the-record whispers at Manssourian's bench for three consecutive missed appearances now, Young is required to show up in the courtroom on Aug. 27 or be subject to arrest. He's meant to answer for the latest blow in a self-destructive barrage that ruined a promising NFL career: his arrest for an alleged break-in at a home in San Clemente, Calif., the weekend of May 11 and the assault of the officers who came to arrest him. Young spent 27 days in jail before being released on bail on June 10. The incident came on the heels of two arrests in a single day earlier in May, the first for suspicion of DUI (for which Young was booked and released) and the second for suspicion of burglary, after he allegedly scaled a wall and attempted to retrieve his impounded car. Young was released on $5,000 bail on those charges.
Will Titus Young show up in two weeks? It's anyone's guess. Will Titus Young ever play football again? The jury's out. What set him on this precipitous decline? That's hard to say. But the clues lie along the road he took from Los Angeles to Newport Beach, with stops in Idaho, Michigan, St. Louis and Texas.
* * *
"We did all the things kids that grow up in Los Angeles do," says Mike Agustin, a teammate of Young's on the University High football team in the mid-2000s. "We partied, we smoked; nothing serious."
Titus, like much of his crew, needed discipline; they got it from coaches E.C. Robinson and Lee Lowe. Robinson, a former probation officer, built a winning program at Uni with the aid, Agustin says, of a long wooden stick, striking the ankles and calves of players who were late, players who misbehaved, players who were high. "Coach Rob didn't play [around]," he says. (Asked about his big-stick approach, Robinson laughed and called it "more of a myth than truth.")
Robinson's teams hit hard, sometimes with their heads. After a summer of sneaking into football camps with coach Lowe, Young wanted to make a statement in 2006, his senior year. He'd built buzz among recruiters as a fearless safety and a speed receiver. Young was particularly amped for the season opener against rival San Pedro. "I remember the game like it was yesterday," Lowe says. "[Titus] said, I don't need no picks, I got to let 'em know. He was sitting them on their ass, but it was all helmet to helmet. He was hitting guys so hard, like a scholarship was on the line. He was like a torpedo. Knockout shots."
Says Robinson: "Titus loved to hit with his head."
Young was a scud missile on defense and a showboat on offense. He would line up at wide receiver and tell an approaching cornerback with a grin, Get up here son. I'm about to dog you. In one game he returned a kick for a touchdown with just a few seconds remaining, finishing with a front-flip into the end zone that earned him a one-game suspension. Reckless, outspoken, sociable and supremely talented, Young signed to attend Boise State, which was in the midst of its rise to national prominence. Better yet, Jason Robinson—two years his elder, his former quarterback at Uni and coach Robinson's son—was on the Broncos' football team and would be his roommate.
In 2007, before Young set off to Idaho, a fellow Uni student interviewed him on camera in a three-minute video later uploaded to YouTube. Young was asked about his early discipline problems in high school, his eventual suspension, and how he had turned his young life around and earned a college scholarship. "I was tired of being the bad person in the dean's office," Young says in the video, wearing a white T-shirt and sagging jeans. "Every time I'd go to the dean's office, I'd always wish I was somebody else. I'm trying to be like myself."
At Boise, Young excelled as a freshman, catching 44 passes for 639 yards and five touchdowns, but he began missing workouts and disagreeing with instructions. Assistant coaches phoned Robinson and Lowe to ask, "How do you deal with this kid?" In October 2008, Broncos coach Chris Petersen suspended Young for the remainder of his sophomore season. That appeared to be a wake-up call: Young straightened up, was reinstated for 2009, and had 150 receptions over his final two seasons. He finished as Boise's alltime leader in receiving yards, with 3,063. Entering the 2011 NFL draft, Young was a promising prospect with a character flag.
Mike Ornstein sought him out that winter. A one-time Raiders exec, Ornstein had represented Reggie Bush and other prominent NFL players as a marketing agent (and would later in 2011 run afoul of the law in a case involving the sale of memorabilia and Super Bowl tickets). Young committed to his marketing services, and Ornstein remembers the 21-year-old as smart and personable, visiting Ornstein's house on several occasions, playing video games with Ornstein's high-school aged son and introducing Ornstein to his girlfriend. Occasionally, Ornstein says, Young was rude or dismissive, but nothing worth noting. "He grew up in a nice family," Ornstein says. "He grew up in South Central, but he's not a thug. He was an all-around sweet kid."
In April 2011, Young was drafted 44th overall by the Lions, who were looking for a speed receiver to take some heat off their star, Calvin Johnson. For a season, that's what they got. Acrobatic and a fearless route-runner at 5-11 and 175 pounds, Young caught 48 passes for 607 yards and six touchdowns as a rookie. But during that season his personality morphed. He grew quieter around teammates and less disciplined on the field. In Week 13 he was benched after committing a costly unsportsmanlike conduct penalty in a 31-17 loss to the Saints. Privately, Young demanded that he get the ball more often from quarterback Matt Stafford. "He would say things, and we would argue behind closed doors, and then when we came out it was all good," says veteran wideout Nate Burleson, who joined the Lions in 2010. "He wanted to be the No. 1 receiver. I told him he had to wait his turn."
That fall the league, through its office of player engagement, reached out to Young to offer counseling, at the request of a person in Young's inner circle, but Young declined that and subsequent offers. Then on May 21, 2012, during a Lions' offseason workout, Young and defensive back Louis Delmas got into a disagreement; Young took a swing at Delmas while he wasn't looking and was banned from the team's facility. He returned to Los Angeles after that and pled his case to his peers. At a July 4 barbeque he contended to Lowe that he was a better player than Johnson. "We had an argument," Lowe says. "I'm like, Dude, what are you talking about? And he was like, They can't guard me. I'm open all the time. My routes are better, I'm faster, my swag is better. Part of it was funny, but the other thing is, he really believed that."
During the summer of 2012, Young spent much of his time at Uni, working out with the high schoolers whom he supplied with cleats and gloves through his Adidas partnership. He would race players for the cleats off his feet; once, when the fastest one, Justin White, almost beat him, Young demanded a rematch to set the record straight. "He was happy, he was a jokester," White remembers. "He was cool with me. Everyone liked being around him."
Upon returning to Lions HQ in Allen Park, Mich., Young was even more the outsider. In November 2012, amid a season of growing discontent between Young and the coaches, he intentionally lined up in the wrong spot and ran the wrong routes in a game against the Packers. Detroit, struggling through a stretch in which it would lose its final eight games and finish 4-12, benched him for the rest of the season. "It's hard to say when he started to change," says Burleson. "There wasn't one moment. You don't want to make assumptions when somebody is dealing with something that is, in a sense, invisible."
Two weeks before the Super Bowl, an incensed Young tweeted, "I never been selfish but if I'm not going to get the football i don't want to play anymore." Two weeks later, and with two years left on his four-year, $4.6 million contract, the Lions severed ties with Young.
* * *
Still, his potential was beguiling, especially to a team in need of help at receiver. On Feb. 5 the Rams claimed him off waivers, coach Jeff Fisher and GM Les Snead taking a shot with a player they hoped could be a replacement for Danny Amendola, who was expected to leave in free agency. But over the course of several meetings with Rams personnel, Young was off-kilter and unfocused: He told Fisher, for instance, that he wanted to move to defensive back. On Feb. 14, Young left the Rams facility for the airport with a team escort, but when he arrived he couldn't find his driver's license. Told he couldn't board a plane without identification, Young threw a fit, according to Ornstein. "It was a big scene there at the airport," Ornstein says. "They [the Rams] could see there was something wrong then. If he had gone down there and been his normal self, he'd still be there."
The Rams helped settle Young's lost ID problem and got him back to Los Angeles. On Feb. 15 they announced that they had released him.
Ornstein says that in the ensuing days he reached out to representatives of Brandon Marshall, the Bears receiver who sought treatment at McLean Hospital in Massachusetts for a personality disorder. Marshall was able to reach Young but unable to persuade him to check into McLean. Some two weeks after Young was released by the Rams, Ornstein asked Young, his father, Richard, and a cousin to meet him at his modest office in a high rise on the Avenue of the Stars. There, Ornstein laid out his plan to send Young to McLean, but Young grew angry and stormed out.
Soon after, Ornstein says, the family admitted Young to UCLA's Neuropsychiatric Hospital in Los Angeles. Ornstein visited him in early March, several days into his stay. As Ornstein describes the scene, Young was in a bed, surrounded by his parents and sisters, dripping with sweat. He wore sunglasses because his eyes were sensitive to the light, and Ornstein was told he had been sedated. "Something happened that changed him," Ornstein says, "and it changed him overnight. I went in the hospital and it wasn't him." Ornstein says the family sought treatment for Young in Texas, where Young's father has family. (Richard and the rest of Young's family declined an interview request for this story through Young's attorney.) That was the last of Ornstein's involvement with Titus.
He said, 'I'm gonna help the Rams out this year. I'm gonna get going,' " Robinson says. "I said, 'Titus, the Rams cut you.' And he just stared off into space.
* * *
Later in March, in Los Angeles, Young appeared unannounced at the house of his old Uni coach, Robinson, who was not home. "When my daughter pulled up to the house," says Robinson, "Titus was sitting on the brick wall by my garage. He said, 'Where's Coach?' "
Robinson's daughter was phoning her dad when she saw Young wander off the wall and into the busy street, apparently unaware or uncaring. Frightened, she waved him into her car and brought Young to the restaurant where her dad was eating. They ordered carry-out chicken from El Pollo Loco for Young and brought it back to Robinson's house, where the coach got a glimpse of what his former star player had become. "He said, 'I'm gonna help the Rams out this year. I'm gonna get going,' " Robinson says. "I said, 'Titus, the Rams cut you.' And he just stared off into space."
Robinson took to testing Young's memory. He could no longer remember winning the team MVP award as a senior, or the speech he gave upon receiving it. Young didn't remember who Jason Robinson was, much less their days in Boise as roommates. He said he had been to a treatment facility in Texas, and somewhere along the road had been told there was a "spot" on his brain.
"When he left I just cried," Robinson says. "So I called his [player] agent, Kevin Poston, and told him this kid needs some help. He said 'Coach, I had him in a facility in Detroit, and he just walked out.' "
Robinson has not seen Young since that day in March.
During the second week of May, Young showed up at his alma mater looking for Lowe, his mentor and Robinson's successor as head coach. Lowe remembered Young as a cocky kid—Terrell Owens was his favorite player—with a mouth to match his game. But on this day in May, Young lacked the edge that once defined him. He was jobless and desperate for a third chance in the NFL. "He just got done working out, and he had a faraway look, like he was looking past you," Lowe says. "For a minute we thought he got a hold of some bad drugs. He was in Detroit. I know how Detroit gets down. I'm like, 'I hope you're not doing any of these new drugs.' And he was telling me, 'No, coach, I'm not.' "
"Then he said, 'Man if I can get back in the league, s--, I'll hop the gate if I have to.' "
That's dedication, Lowe thought, although the metaphor seemed odd. Young asked if he could coach the high school defensive backs who were on hand for offseason workouts, but Lowe was wary and knew about the behavior that had gotten Young shoved out of the NFL. "Yeah," Lowe said. "Maybe next time."
That evening, when Lowe returned home, he read the news about Young's recent DUI arrest and the attempt to break into the impound lot. Lowe phoned Robinson, and they tried to come up with explanations for Young's behavior. They remembered the San Pedro game, back when they knew less about the risks of leading with the head. Lowe began phoning former players to see if they still had copies of the video of that game. Robinson and Lowe also recalled Young's confessions of "seeing stars" on multiple occasions at Boise. Though Young was never officially diagnosed with a concussion in high school and they knew of no instances in college, they decided that head trauma was, at the very least, a possible factor in Young's behavior. (Asked if Young had ever suffered a concussion at Boise State, an athletic department spokesman said it was school policy not to release such information.)
With Young's world spiraling out of control, his family did its best to help. Robinson says Richard Young told him they attempted to check Titus back into UCLA but there were no available beds. Shortly thereafter, Young was at home when he told his father he had left his cell phone in the car. He went outside to retrieve it but never returned. On May 12, Robinson and his wife were having lunch with their daughter when their son, Jason, rushed through the door in tears. "I said, 'What's wrong with you?' " Robinson recalls. "He said, 'Daddy, you haven't seen the news? They say [Titus] got arrested again, in San Clemente.' "
Robinson was puzzled: Why on earth was Young in San Clemente, an hour from his home? Young's girlfriend and their child live an hour northeast of L.A., in Moreno Valley. San Clemente is an hour south, in Orange County. "If you're black, you don't go to Orange County," Robinson says. "Especially not San Clemente."
In the days after Young's third arrest in a week, Titus's father told the Detroit News that his son suffers from a brain disorder stemming from compression in the front of his skull due to concussions. He wasn't taking medication prescribed to him, so for his own health and safety the family let him spend 27 days in jail rather than bail him out. Richard pointed specifically to a concussion suffered during Young's rookie season, though Young was never on an injury list for a concussion during his pro career.
Facing up to 10 years in jail, Young appeared in Judge Mansourrian's court for a pretrial hearing on May 24, inside a tan-painted cage for prisoners. He stood silent as Mansourrian questioned him and as his father called out to him in anguish.
The Lions and general manager Martin Mayhew, through a spokesman, declined a request to speak about Young, calling it a "confidential matter." Jason Robinson, Young's childhood friend and college roommate, did not return phone requests for comment. Marjani Maldonado, the mother of Young's child, was granted a restraining order against Young after feeling threatened by him. She declined an interview request. Young's agent, Poston, did not return phone and email requests for comment. Young's trainer and former coach, Jerron Tatum, also did not return a phone call.
Those who would speak about Young shared varying concerns, explanations, measures of disbelief and hope for him. Burleson remembers a young player who simply couldn't find his place in the NFL: "It's almost a detriment when your competitive nature supersedes your ability to be a good teammate."
Ornstein questions the league's protocol for head-trauma sufferers and hopes Young's case eventually sheds new light on the problem. The league says it offers a number of services to suffering players, including "confidential and independent counseling services."
Lowe and Robinson are trying to reconcile the boy they knew five years ago with the man they've encountered in recent months. They echo the sentiment Richard expressed to media outlets— "That's not my son"—after the San Clemente arrest. Yes, Young was arrogant, occasionally a troublemaker, always pushing boundaries, they recall, but as long as they've known him he was never cruel, never criminal, never so seemingly aimless. "I'm not saying this because I love the kid: He's never been like that," Lowe says. "He's a smart dude, a little bit wild. But that stuff . . . not him.
"I'm happy he finally got some help. I'm just hoping its not too late. I get asked every day, 'What's wrong with him.' I say, 'I don't know, but it's bigger than what you think it is.' "
Lowe says he spoke to Young on the phone recently and that Young is out of in-patient treatment and safe with his family, but he describes the conversation as "one-sided." Young's lawyer, Hudson, wouldn't say where Titus is, but his distinction between being "in" treatment and "undergoing" treatment is a telling one. He also says he doesn't know if Young will report to the Newport Beach courthouse on Aug. 27.


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The Frolic plugin adds the ability to integrate various social media features into your site. With support for Twitter, Facebook, and Google+, you integrate useful social media feature such as `Like` buttons, sharing, feeds, and more via shortcodes and widgets. Each social object may be customized and you can have multiple customized instances of each object. Frolic is available as a stand-alone plugin.
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Is Hycamtin Viable Treatment for Endometrial Cancer?
Dear OncoLink "Ask the Experts,"
I have read the article on Hycamtin as a treatment of ovarian cancer. Can you tell me whether or not it would also be a viable treatment for Endometrial Carcinoma?
John Han-Chih Chang, MD, Editorial Assistant for OncoLink responds:
Dear BM,
Thank you for your question.
Topotecan (Hycamtin), a semisynthetic water-soluble analog of camptothecin. Its cytotoxic role is as a potent inhibitor of DNA topoisomerase I, which relieves torsional strain during DNA replication. It binds the DNA-topoisomerase complex and causes single strand DNA breaks and lethal damage to the cell.
It has demonstrated encouraging anticancer activity in various malignancies such as leukemia, ovarian cancer and small cell lung cancer. Theoretically, it would seem likely that it could have benefit in endometrial cancer patients, but without a clinical study, it would not be used as treatment since it is still considered experimental. There is little to no current literature on topotecan and endometrial cancer. There are various chemotherapy and hormone therapy agents that are used in conjunction with surgery and or radiation therapy to address this disease. As always please consult with your gynecologic oncologist for specific details of treatments, efficacy and complications.


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Abbott Laboratories AbbVie Spinoff to Join S&P Indexes
AbbVie Inc. (NYSE:ABBVwi) will replace Dell Inc. (NASD:DELL) in the S&P 100, and Federated Investors Inc. (NYSE:FII) in the S&P 500. Federated will replace ITT Educational Services Inc. (NYSE:ESI) in the S&P MidCap 400, and ITT Educational Services will replace NCI Inc. (NASD:NCIT) in the S&P SmallCap 600. S&P 100 and 500 constituent Abbott Laboratories (NYSE:ABT) is spinning off AbbVie in a transaction expected to be completed after the close of trading on December 31. The Abbott Laboratories stub will remain in the S&P 100 and 500. Dell has a market capitalization below $18.5 billion and is no longer representative of the mega-cap market space. Federated Investors' market capitalization is below $2.2 billion, making it more representative of the mid-cap market space, and ITT Educational Services' market capitalization is below $450 million making it more representative of the small-cap market space. NCI Corp.is ranked #600 in the S&P SmallCap 600.
Procera Networks, Inc. (NASD:PKT) will replace Presidential Life Corp. (NASD:PLFE) in the S&P SmallCap 600. Athene Holding Ltd. is acquiring Presidential Life in a deal expected to be completed soon pending final approvals.
AbbVie engages in the discovery, development, manufacture, and sale of pharmaceuticals and biologics. Headquartered in North Chicago, IL, the company will be added to the S&P 500 GICS (Global Industry Classification Standard) Pharmaceuticals Sub-Industry index.
Federated Investors is an asset management company. Headquartered in Pittsburgh, PA, the company will be added to the S&P MidCap 400 GICS Asset Management & Custody Banks Sub-Industry index.
ITT Educational Services provides postsecondary degree programs. Headquartered in Carmel, IN, the company will be added to the S&P SmallCap 600 GICS Education Services Sub-Industry index.
Procera Networks provides intelligent policy enforcement solutions that enable mobile and broadband network operators and entities to manage private networks. Headquartered in Fremont, CA, the company will be added to the S&P SmallCap 600 GICS Communications Equipment Sub-Industry index.
Additions to and deletions from S&P Dow Jones Indices do not in any way reflect an opinion on the investment merits of the companies involved.
About S&P Dow Jones Indices
S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC, a subsidiary of The McGraw-Hill Companies is the world's largest, global resource for index-based concepts, data and research. Home to iconic financial market indicators, such as the S&P 500® and the Dow Jones Industrial AverageSM, S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC has over 115 years of experience constructing innovative and transparent solutions that fulfill the needs of institutional and retail investors. More assets are invested in products based upon our indices than any other provider in the world. With over 830,000 indices covering a wide range of assets classes across the globe, S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC defines the way investors measure and trade the markets. To learn more about our company, please visit www.spdji.com.
It is not possible to invest directly in an index. S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC, Dow Jones, and their respective affiliates, parents, subsidiaries, directors, officers, shareholders, employees and agents (collectively "S&P Dow Jones Indices") does not sponsor, endorse, sell, or promote any investment fund or other vehicle that is offered by third parties and that seeks to provide an investment return based on the returns of any S&P Dow Jones Indices index. This document does not constitute an offer of services in jurisdictions where S&P Dow Jones Indices or its affiliates do not have the necessary licenses. S&P Dow Jones Indices receives compensation in connection with licensing its indices to third parties.
STANDARD & POOR'S and S&P are registered trademarks of Standard & Poor's Financial Services LLC. "Dow Jones" is a registered trademark of Dow Jones Trademark Holdings LLC ("Dow Jones")
For more information: Dave Guarino Communications S&P Dow Jones Indices email@example.com (201) 755-5334
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SOURCE S&P Dow Jones Indices
Read more here: http://www.sacbee.com/2012/12/20/5068620/abbvie-set-to-join-sp-100-500.html#storylink=cpy


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My name is Jenn, I am new to Think Atheist. I'm looking forward to reading more and interacting with y'all, since I don't have many like-minded people in my life right now.
So, here's some about me-- I'm 31, 6 weeks away from getting my BA in Community Development, like to read a lot, write sometimes, make music, live on the shores of a Great Lake. I was raised super conservative Christian but I threw all that out a long time ago.
I'm not exactly sure how to jump in to some of these conversations but I will try!
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Welcome! I am relatively new as well. I would suggest finding something that tickles your fancy and research it, write a post on it and see what people have to say. It seems like you are a smart person, so I doubt this will be difficult for you :)
Welcome Jenn, also new and I already feel at home
With both feet and alot of humor. welcome Jenn.


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text: When you hear the Nicki Minaj hit 'Super Bass,' what's the first thing you think? Needs more Jesus and chastity references, right? Well, some plucky Christian college students took it upon themselves to give you exactly what you prayed for. Presenting "Super Grace," brought to you by PTL (Praise the Lord!) Productions.


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In the scheme of things, the $111,400 that the National Endowment for the Arts delivered to Colorado arts organizations this week is a drop in the bucket — especially when you consider gargantuan gifts like the $2 million that CU-Boulder alum Roe Green donated this week to create a theater chair at the school.
But, as you've probably heard by now, every little bit helps in the financially-beleaguered nonprofit arts world. First, the Garfield County Public Library Foundation received $11,400 from the NEA's Big Read — a $1 million program similar to our own One Book One Denver.
The Foundation, located in Rifle, is one of 78 organizations nationwide to receive grants ranging from $2,500 to $20,000. The cash will go toward providing copies of John Steinbeck's Pulitzer Prize-winning novel "The Grapes of Wrath" to Garfield County library system users. Check out the full list of Big Read winners (and their books) here.
The bigger prizes went to a trio of Front Range and plains communities as part of the NEA's Our Town grant program.


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My Favorite Entries in the Beadwork Magazine 15th Anniversary Beaded Bead Contest
I was expecting to see great things in the Beadwork magazine 15th Anniversary Beaded Bead contest, but, wow, the creativity of the entries really blew me away! I've always been fascinated with beaded beads, and I was really eager to see how folks would put together their beaded bead jewelry using these designs from some of my favorite bead artists.
I really wish that I could have done a feature on every single entry, but that would have made for one long blog post. Instead, I picked my three favorites to share with you. Enjoy!
Abundance by Mary Yaeger
|Abundance by Mary Yaeger
Reminding me of everything for which beads make me thankful was Mary Yaeger's beautiful necklace, Abundance. The beaded beads in her horn-of-plenty focal piece blend in so well, you have to look twice to see what they are! Mary's sculptural bead-weaving techniques were positively flawless in this beaded bead necklace, and the color palette was exquisite.
Mary created this piece to reflect the abundance of creativity and enthusiasm of the Beadwork community. She created the beautiful leaves in her beaded bead cornucopia using matte hex-cut seed beads in two sizes. Assembling this intricate beaded bead necklace was also made easier by her use of a cloth-covered styrofoam mannequin that she rescued before it found its way into a dumpster!
You can read more about Mary Yaeger's beadwork on her blog, animary.
Nine Pickles by Tanya Goodwin
|Nine Pickles byy Tanya Goodwin
The colors in Tanya Goodwin's beaded bead necklace, Nine Pickles, are what caught my eye. Assembled with handmade lampwork glass beads by Donna Millard, the color palette Tanya chose is both subtle and elegant. This is a beaded necklace with versatility — I think it would look just as good with jeans and a t-shirt as it would at a special occasion or for date night.
Tanya designed and named this piece with some help from her five-year-old daughter. Together, they decided to use the five beaded beads to re-create our solar system, including the red spot on Jupiter and the Earth's north pole. The sun on the toggle clasp pulls it all together beautifully.
You can read more about Tanya and her work on her blog, A Work In Progress.
Beads Make Me Happy by Katie Dean
|Beads Make Me Happy by Katie Dean
Beads are supposed to make us smile, right? And that's why I loved Katie Dean's beaded bead necklace, Beads Make Me Happy. There were so many things about this necklace that made me smile: the bright colors, the asymmetrical design, the beaded strawberry and peppermint candy beads, and of course, the pendant.
Katie started working on the beaded beads as a little creative break from creating her own beading projects, which include beaded bead patterns, and she decided that she wanted her finished beaded bead necklace to reflect her personality. That fun pendant? She created that when she realized that after ten years of struggling with a serious chronic illness, it was her beads that gave her a form of therapy and helped her find peace after her diagnosis.
You can find out more about Katie, her beadwork, and her inspirations on her website, Bead Flowers.
What's In Store for Beadwork Magazine in 2013?
If you loved the 15th Anniversary Beaded Bead Contest, you'll want to make sure you subscribe to Beadwork magazine in 2013. You'll get more innovative beading projects from the Designers of the Year, but also fascinating bead artist profiles, the latest news and reviews of beads, tools, and beading books, and helpful instructions for basic beading techniques that you can use to create amazing beaded jewelry.
Subscribe to Beadwork magazine today, and see why I think it's the best beading magazine around!
And make sure you get the February/March issue of Beadwork magazine to see the winners of the contest!
Bead Happy,


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Wikileaks Leaker Peeved His Book LeakedJulian Assange loves leaking information. He loves finding other people's secrets and sharing it with the entire world. He even likes to say "information wants to be free."
The founder of Wikileaks.com made international news by accepting 250,000 leaked confidential cables and memos from US Army private Bradley Manning, and then sharing it with several newspapers in the US and Europe, revealing confidential information several governments would rather have kept secret.
Information wants to be free, Assange has shouted from the mountaintops. He thinks it should be shared openly, freely, and lavishly.
Unless it's his information. That's private.
Assange is accusing Scottish publisher, Canongate, of leaking his autobiography, about the founding of Wikileaks, without his approval.
He is currently in England, challenging a British court's decision to extradite him to Sweden to face trial on the charges of raping two women.
But this isn't the only time his information has been leaked. Assange was upset last year when Swedish police leaked over 100 pages of interview transcripts, photos, and other evidence. He said the police files were private, and not something that should have been leaked, because it would harm his defense if and when he goes to trial.
Information wants to be free. Unless it's Julian Assange's police files. Because releasing that information might damage his intended defense and endanger his freedom for a few years.
Of course, he had no problem releasing documents that would damage relationships between the U.S. and foreign governments, even though that damage could cost billions of dollars in trade, and may even ruin shaky diplomatic relationships.
Assange was also annoyed when the judge in his extradition hearing insisted on reading his "house arrest address" in England out loud in court.
Information wants to be free, unless it's Julian Assange's house. Because his location — which is Ellingham Hall; Ellingham, Northumberland NE67 5EY — is supposed to be secret so he can maintain his privacy.
Of course, he had no problem releasing documents that could threaten American counterterrorism efforts, and let the Taliban and al-Qaeda know how to defeat certain US military tactics, risking the injury and death of countless soldiers.
But let's get back to his unapproved autobiography, which was released without his permission.
According to the BBC, Assange says this book is "an unchecked work in progress," because he was not allowed to fact check everything that was written by the ghostwriter hired to produce the work. He says the publisher is making money from an erroneous draft.
Canongate said that Assange tried to cancel his contract, even though he had been paid a six-figure advance, and had not repaid it. He used it to pay his legal fees, which means he cannot pay it back, and now he wants to stop Canongate from publishing the manuscript they paid him for.
Publishers are very picky about authors canceling contracts or being told not to publish what they've written. They usually want their money back. If you don't have it, they'll just work with what you gave them.
That's what Canongate is doing now. They even said they would pay him his royalties.
But Assange believes Canongate has violated his contract and his personal assurance that his draft would not be released without his permission.
Information wants to be free, unless it's Julian Assange's autobiography. Because releasing his autobiography without his permission, even though he is unwilling to fix the manuscript. It's "opportunism and duplicity — screwing people over to make a buck," he said in a statement.
Of course, the US State Department told Assange that releasing 250,000 cables was illegal — i.e. he did not have their permission — and rejected his offer of "scrubbing the cables" of sensitive information — i.e. fixing them. Assange published the cables anyway, in a wave of opportunism and duplicity — screwing over entire countries and their citizens to make a name for himself.
Actually, I support the idea of government transparency. Yes, I worry that some of this information could cost lives (although to date, it has not resulted in even one death). And I worry that his leaks could damage important diplomatic relationships.
But I also believe that we have learned important information from Wikileaks, like how our government has lied about intelligence gathering and the war. Like how the Chinese government launched a cyberattack on Google. Or that Turkey helped al-Qaeda in Iraq. Or that President Bill Clinton ordered American diplomats to spy on UN officials.
I believe governments should not hide the way they do things, because it allows them to operate in secret, sometimes against their own citizens' interests.
But I also believe that the chief information-freer should not get his panties in a twist when it's his own information that's been freed.
My book, Branding Yourself: How to Use Social Media to Invent or Reinvent Yourself (affiliate link), is available on Amazon.com, as well as at Barnes & Noble and Borders bookstores. I wrote it with my good friend, Kyle Lacy.
My NEW book, No Bullshit Social Media: The All-Business, No-Hype Guide to Social Media Marketing has also been released. You can get it from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Books-A-Million, as well as the Kindle or Nook now.
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The Dallas Cowboys received good news on Sean Lee.
An MRI revealed that the star middle linebacker suffered no structural damage in his injured neck Monday night, league sources told ESPN's Ed Werder.
Lee is feeling numbness and soreness in the area, but the team expects a week of treatment will allow Lee to play on Sunday against the Green Bay Packers.
Lee suffered the neck injury in the third quarter of Monday's blowout loss to the Chicago Bears. He attempted to return to action but was forced out of the game a second time. Lee missed the previous two games while recovering from a hamstring injury. The linebacker has yet to play a full 16-game season since coming into the league in 2010.
The Cowboys' defense wasn't getting the job done even with Lee involved Monday night; the unit is a total lost cause with Lee off the field.
That perhaps explains the team's instantly optimistic viewpoint on his latest physical setback.
The latest "Around The League Podcast" recapped all the Week 14 games.


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SOLDIERofficer81 wrote:Can you elaborate on that last part, Reeve? Thanks.R. Kasahara wrote:I actually think this is a good idea, at least from a business perspective. It does throw the question of the world map and exploratory parts of FFVII up in the air, though.
If it's episodic, then exploration might be harder to reasonably pull off and whole chunks of the World Map (if there even is one) might be restricted when they otherwise wouldn't be. For example, would Gongaga still be optional? Would it still be possible to go to the Midgar Swamp before entering Kalm for the first time? That sort of thing.
Granted, I haven't played an episodic game in a long time, but the ones I'm most familiar with only allow very limited freedom at best.
Bossanova wrote:http://www.novacrystallis.com/2015/12/cyberconnect-2-developing-the-final-fantasy-vii-remake/
Thanks. Clidus pointed me to another piece there; I'll check them out once I've woken up a bit.


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Last Friday I was to participate in a Blog Hop for my BLF Michelle's Blogaversary... But due to a slip and a fall (anyone who knows me will tell ya that I'm a little unbalanced anyway!!), I was unable to finish my project in time for the hop... I didn't want to miss out on the fun, and I sure didn't want to miss out on sharing some REALLY creative talent with ya, so I decided to post today with a plea for you to hop through and see what everyone else created too... To make it EXTRA easy for you to do this, I've included DIRECT LINKS to each participants post below... You won't need to search for their blog hop post if you use the links I've included. I'd love for you to see what they've each created!! So... Without further ado... Here's my Blog Hop post for Michelle...
We're so happy you could join us!! If you hopped along from Kimberly then you are in the right place! If you just happened to pop in today, or are reading this via email, then please start back at Michelle's blog, Scrappin' For Kenzie to make sure you see everyone's projects and don't miss any super creative ideas!
For this hop we were asked to choose one project that Michelle from Scrappin for Kenzie has made from her gallery or facebook and make our own project using hers as inspiration...
Here's a peek at my inspired project:
I searched high and low for a square glass container I could use for this project... I finally found one while I was out with my BFF, Christi... It's a heavy glass "bowl" that measures about 7"x7" and 4" high... I added a string of lights and several bags of glass gems and then set to work adding my sea creatures....
Dustin Pike... I printed these digi stamps no larger than 2"x3" so they would all fit in the bowl.
current challenge over at Dustin Pike's blog requires that you add some BLING, so it seemed EXTRA appropriate since I wanted to enter this project there!!)
I like turtles... ;)
HERE... Remember, you can enter your project with a Pirate or Fishy theme in the Getting Cricky Simply Sunday Challenge too!!
Crafty Catz... It's Challenge #121 I SPY .....SOMETHING BEGINNING WITH B... I spy a Blowfish, some Beads (or glass gems), a Bow, some Bling, and a Bright way to light the night!! :) See???
Until next time,


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Boulder's newest craft brewery opened its doors Monday night.
In marking its official grand opening, FATE Brewing Co. filled a 7,000-square-foot restaurant space once home to Jose Muldoon's and Playa Azul and also came a step closer to becoming Boulder's 19th craft brewery.
FATE's new restaurant and brewery at 1600 38th St. includes a 3,000-square-foot brew house, seating for 200 people and a 30-tap bar, officials said.
Equipment for the in-house brewing facility is expected to arrive in three weeks, said Mike Lawinski, FATE's founder. In the meantime, the restaurant is pouring several beers brewed in collaboration with locals such as Asher Brewing Co. and Crystal Springs Brewing Co.
Another loose end — how Boulder's FATE shares its name with the Fate Brewing Co. in Scottsdale, Ariz. — is expected to come to a resolution soon, Lawinski said Monday.
"We're friendly toward each other and we haven't come to anything final," he said. "A long time ago we decided to spend time and resources building each other up (as opposed to) bringing each other down. … I think you'll see something soon from that."
Lawinski, a Big Red F Restaurant Group veteran who most recently served as operations manager for The West End Tavern and Centro Latin Kitchen, founded FATE last year and signed on Jeff Griffith, formerly of Golden City Brewery, as its head brewer.
Lawinski told the Camera last month, when FATE completed raising an equity capital round of $900,000, that he hoped his brewery would bolster other east Boulder craft breweries.
"I really think the diversity we have in this (business) plan will attract a lot of people," he said at the time.
FATE's arrival and the recent opening of J Wells Brewery, 2516 49th St., bring the number of craft breweries in the city to 19. An additional 10 Boulder breweries — including Sanitas Brewing and Upslope Brewing's second location — are in the planning stages, according to city planning documents and listings from the Brewers Association.
Jamie Wells, who opened J Wells Brewery on Jan. 10, said he thinks the increased competition could be beneficial to a new operation such as his brewery and taphouse.
"I think it's good all around," Wells said. "I think a lot of people are coming over to craft beer, and that's why everyone is expanding. I don't think it's really going to hurt us at all."
Contact Camera Business Writer Alicia Wallace at 303-473-1332 or email@example.com.


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Alabama Halls of Fame
|This section contains information on individuals who have been inducted into Official Halls of Fame established by the Alabama Legislature. Each hall of fame is governed by its own board and has its own selection criteria. For information on other famous Alabamians see Alabama Live's Famous People.


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Fee Disputes
Helping clients and lawyers resolve differences concerning legal fees.
The Philadelphia Bar Association's Fee Disputes Committee has two programs designed to resolve disagreements over legal fees. One program handles disagreements between clients and lawyers over fees charged for legal representation. The Committee's new Lawyer Fee Dispute Resolution Program handles disagreements between lawyers over legal fees. For more information about the Fee Disputes program, contact Amy J Seefeld, Managing Attorney, Fee Disputes Committee, Philadelphia Bar Association, at 215-238-6369 or email@example.com.


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By Lynn A. Marks and Suzanne Almeida
Although most Pennsylvania judges hold themselves and their staff to the highest professional and ethical standards, those judges reached the bench despite our judicial selection system, not because of it.
One need not look further than the case of Supreme Court Justice Joan Orie Melvin to understand that the system is fundamentally flawed. Justice Orie Melvin ran for the Supreme Court twice, once in 2003 and once in 2009. Both campaigns were conducted while she was sitting on the Superior Court. She was convicted of using her court staff and court resources for her Supreme Court races.
The unavoidable fact is that without judicial elections, a sitting Supreme Court justice would have gone to trial for alleged campaign misconduct and Pennsylvania's judicial system would not be under this dark cloud.
Pennsylvanians deserve a judicial system where they can come to their courts with confidence that they will be heard by qualified, fair and impartial judges and their cases decided on the facts and the law, not based on political considerations.
Unfortunately, there is no silver bullet. Policymakers, judges, community leaders and everyday Pennsylvanians must do the hard work to achieve real, lasting reform.
An important step is changing the way we select statewide judges. Currently, Pennsylvania is one of the few states that elects all judges in contested, expensive partisan elections. This forces appellate judges – those 31 jurists who sit on the Supreme, Superior and Commonwealth Courts -- to campaign statewide, raise huge amounts of money and seek political endorsements from lawyers and potential litigants who may appear before them.
This year, 2013, is a judicial election year; candidates in the last state Supreme Court election in 2009 raised record amounts and there is every reason to believe that this trend will continue.
Last year, judicial elections across the country broke spending records. In addition to raising money from lawyers and litigants who may appear before them, judicial candidates were the recipients of hundreds of thousands of dollars from interest groups, sometimes from out of state.
Surveys in Pennsylvania show that the vast majority of people believe that campaign contributions influence judges' decision-making. Nearly three-fourths of Pennsylvanians believe that judicial elections don't select the most qualified candidates.
But it doesn't have to be this way. Pennsylvanians have the power to change how we select our statewide judges and in doing so, restore confidence in our courts. We can amend the state constitution.
A bill in the state Senate proposes to replace judicial elections for the three statewide appellate courts with a merit selection system.
Merit selection is a hybrid appointive-elective system. When a vacancy occurs on the Supreme, Superior or Commonwealth Courts, a bipartisan citizen nominating commission made up of both lawyers and non-lawyers will screen would-be judges and give the Governor a short list of the most highly qualified applicants. The Governor must nominate someone from the list.. After Senate confirmation, a judge sits for a shortened term before standing for nonpartisan uncontested retention for a full ten-year term, and then every ten years thereafter.
Pennsylvanians would still be able to vote for people they know would be good judges for seats on the local courts.
Becoming a judge through a statewide election is a purely political process for a job that is supposed to be non-political. Local judges are different because they are more likely to be known in their communities. Local elections are significantly less expensive and attract fewer special interest dollars than statewide campaigns.
Merit selection won't fix all the problems in our judicial system. It won't remove all traces of politics or insulate the judiciary from possible future scandal. But it will go a long way toward ensuring that Pennsylvanians have a court system they can have confidence in by making qualifications, not politics, the cornerstone of Pennsylvania's judicial selection system.
It's time to get judges out of the campaign and fundraising business. Legislators should pass the merit selection legislation and give Pennsylvanians the opportunity to vote in a referendum on whether there is a better way to select judges.
Enough is enough. Pennsylvanians deserve better.
Lynn A. Marks is the executive director and Suzanna Almeida is program director of Pennsylvanians for Modern Courts, a statewide nonpartisan court reform organization. www.pmconline.org


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Rotronic HF8 All-In-One Industrial Transmitter
HF8 humidity and temperature transmitters have measurement accuracy of 0.8% RH and 0.1 ˚C, and can measure humidity ranges from 0 to 100% RH and overall temperature ranges of -100 ˚C to +200 ˚C. They have 4 analog outputs and 4 alarm relays programmable to any probe input and any probe parameter. Optional digital outputs enable Ethernet and Power over Ethernet (POE) connections.


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Kerry James Marshall is known for his work that explores the experiences of African Americans and the narratives of American history that have often excluded black people. The National Gallery of Art presents In the Tower: Kerry James Marshall, the sixth in a series of Tower installations focusing on developments in art since midcentury through December 7, 2013.
The dominant theme of the exhibit is described by the National Gallery as a look at 'the transport of African slaves to America in the Middle Passage—the second or "middle" leg of the triangular trade of manufactured goods, slaves, and crops that transpired between Europe, Africa, and the American colonies from the colonial period until the middle of the 19th century. Marshall's works explore the economic, sociological, and psychological aftermath of this foundational episode of US history. In his art, the past is never truly past: history exerts a constant, often unconscious pressure on the living.'


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Water SA
On-line version ISSN 1816-7950
Print version ISSN 0378-4738
Water SA vol.34 n.6 Pretoria Jan. 2008
Synthesis: IWRM lessons for implementation
Aileen AndersonI, *; Eiman KararII; Stefano FarolfiIII
IIndependent Researcher, London School of Economics and Political Science, Department of Management, LSE, Houghton Street, WC2A 2AE, UK
IIWater Research Commission, Private Bag X03, Gezina 0031, South Africa
IIICIRAD UMR G-EAU and CEEPA, University of Pretoria, South Africa
This paper provides a synthesis of the main issues discussed at a conference (International Conference on Integrated Water Resource Management (IWRM) entitled: Lessons from Implementation in Developing Countries which took place from 10 to 12 March 2008 in Cape Town, South Africa, at the Cape Town International Convention Centre) which was coordinated to share experiences and lessons learned on the implementation of IWRM in developing countries. This paper discusses six themes that emerged from the conference. These themes provide a perspective on the current status of IWRM and assist in formulating the agenda for further research and implementation approaches based on lessons learned. Firstly, although there is considerable history and international acceptance of IWRM, there is still ongoing debate on how IWRM is defined. However, aside from these debates there is general agreement on the principles underlying IWRM and the potential it holds for managing complex systems that cannot be adequately achieved through the single-sector management approach of the past. To overcome past management paradigms, new capacity building approaches are required. Secondly, implementation of IWRM requires a balance between policy and institutional support and community level projects that have small-scale tangible results for the poor. Thirdly, IWRM involves integration across many spheres, specifically the integration of groundwater management into long-term water resource planning. Fourthly, although there is general endorsement of the importance of public engagement in supporting IWRM approaches, effective public engagement requires considerable strategic planning to ensure that efforts are both applicable and relevant to those involved. Fifthly, the conference highlighted the importance of developing appropriate economic methods and instruments to address the economic trade-offs and decisions that are apparent in water management. Finally, appropriate data, information systems and indicators are required to adequately monitor progress with IWRM implementation.
Keywords: integrated water resource management, implementation, managing complex systems, poverty alleviation
To celebrate the 10-year anniversary of implementing the South African Water Act, a 3-day conference was held to share experiences and lessons learned on the implementation of IWRM in developing countries. The workshop was attended by 200 international delegates from across the water sector. The conference themes included water for growth and development, IWRM and environment, IWRM and the economy, IWRM and society. The conference provided an opportunity for extensive debate and analysis of IWRM approaches and implementation lessons. Although the collection of papers presented in this edition covers a range of the issues presented and discussed at the conference, they do not include the full dearth of issues. This paper provides a summary of the main issues outlined in the 10 papers as well as touching on additional themes and findings that were discussed during the conference; provides a perspective on the current status of IWRM; and assists in formulating new agendas and approaches for further research and implementation based on lessons learned.
Defining IWRM
The concept of IWRM is widely endorsed over the alternative and it has emerged as the dominant paradigm for water management in rich and poor countries. The IWRM approach has been endorsed by many international agencies as a holistic approach to water resource management and is being increasingly accepted and integrated in the planning and decision-making processes of water managers and policy-makers. Although some argue that IWRM has been practised in different forms for many decades, its origins are usually traced to the 1992 Dublin Principles. The concept was also promoted by several international organisations prior to Dublin, at forums such as the UN Water Conference in Mar del Plata in 1977 (Biswas, 2004). Regardless of its exact origins, IWRM emerged in response to the much-criticised, sector-by-sector approach to water management. The UN World Water Development Report (2006) states that 'IWRM represents a holistic, ecosystem-based approach which, at both strategic and local levels, is the best management approach to address growing water management challenges and is seen as the best approach for meeting the Millennium Development Goals' (UNESCO-WWP 2006, p. 526).
Aside from its considerable history and international acceptance, the conference highlighted the ongoing debate on the difficulties in developing a clear and common definition of IWRM. Biswas (2008) argues that even after more than half a century of existence, there is still no acceptable operational definition as to what IWRM is and which issues should be integrated. Several authors have provided valuable comparisons and analyses of the range of IWRM definitions (Cardwell et al., 2006; Davis, 2007; Hooper, 2006). Davis (2007) provides a comprehensive review of IWRM definitions and presents IWRM as an approach which results in better water use, supporting economic and social objectives, while maintaining environmental ecosystems. This is achieved through integrated, collaborative, and multiple objectives and strategic and operational planning and implementation processes that involve stakeholders, rather than using fragmented, single focuses planning and implementation with limited participation. Molle (2008) provides a valuable analysis of IWRM as a 'nirvana concept' which embodies an ideal image of what the world should tend to and which represents a 'vision of a "horizon" that individuals and societies should strive to reach. Although, just as with nirvana, the likelihood that we may reach them is admittedly low, the mere possibility of achieving them and the sense of "progress" attached to any shift in their direction suffice to make them an attractive and useful focal point' (p. 132).
IWRM and the management of complex systems
Dialogues on how to define IWRM have value as they assist in ensuring that IWRM does not simply become popular because its amorphous nature makes it easier for people to continue to do whatever they were doing before and to simply rename it to follow the latest paradigm (Biswas, 2004). Such an eventuality will weaken the value that IWRM thinking and approaches offer to the management of complex water resources. The conference provided an opportunity to move beyond definitions and consider how IWRM can be implemented to achieve better results than the the single-sector approaches of the past.
Pollard and Du Toit (2008) provide a valuable reflection of why IWRM is most suited for managing complex systems as it requires an understanding of linkages, multiple drivers and unpredictable outcomes. An iterative, 'learning-by-doing' approach that is reflexive in nature and builds learning into the next management cycle is seen as essential. They consider past single sector management approaches which were unable to deal adequately with the challenges of complex and rapidly changing systems. They argue that South Africa's National Water Act and associated policy documents, such as the National Water Resources Strategy, are examples of policy documents that reflect this integrated thinking. The paper focuses on the newly developed catchment management strategy (CMS) guidelines which present a framework for an integrated, systems approach to IWRM. Pollard and Du Toit (2008) provide an overview of the CMS guidelines and the strategic path it offers in achieving equity and sustainability in water resource management. Although specific to South Africa, the CMS's present an example that could be adapted and applied elsewhere for how strategic plans if collaboratively, judiciously and thoughtfully developed can be designed to support IWRM implementation.
Renewed effort on implementation
A key emphasis of the conference was that although there are still different definitions of IWRM, there is a common understanding of its fundamental principles and approaches. The complex combination of government agencies and processes that need to be coordinated to ensure IWRM is successful means that implementation is significantly more challenging than in traditional single-sector responses. The result should be a more sustainable and effective management response but more needs to be learnt and shared on how to achieve this integrated 'nirvana'. The conference highlighted the need for a concerted shift away from the debates on definitions and towards identifying implementation mechanisms and approaches.
Colvin et al. (2008) outline many of the significant water resource management implementation challenges that face IWRM. Much of South African water policy is considered to be some of the most progressive policy thinking in the world and is based on an IWRM approach. However, as is often the case, progressive policy is not always supported by progressive implementation. They discuss many of the significant delays in numerous areas of implementation, including the establishment of water management institutions. They argue that effective capacity building is required to support implementation. Recent approaches by DWAF have not been successful and are characterised by one-way, expert-driven approaches. They recommend a more progressive approach that is based on an iterative, learn-by-doing approach to capacity building. The capacity-building approach, called Watercourse, was launched based on IWRM implementation experiences in the UK. The Watercourse approach sees IWRM not as a management strategy, but as a set of principles and practices which facilitate learning and adaptive approaches. The results demonstrate early successes in enabling different stakeholder groups to engage in dialogue around issues of shared interest based on a common resource. The authors contend that in South Africa, the focus on institutions and structures has drawn attention away from the much harder, and perhaps more important task of building capacity for implementation. Moving away from the traditional top-down approaches, the paper offers some useful mechanisms to achieve interactive learning, opening up spaces for 'making sense' of IWRM policies and offering a means of creating change in complex situations against a background of highly uneven development.
Balancing IWRM implementation approaches
The conference highlighted the importance of balancing the establishment of enabling environments, which includes legislation, policies and institutional structures, with smaller-scale projects that have more tangible, immediate benefits for the poor. Over-emphasis on the policy and legislation component leaves little benefit to those on the ground and does little to effect real change or promote poverty reduction. However, ignoring the enabling environment may hamper longer-term formalisation of IWRM approaches which could, in a particular context, limit the sustainability of IWRM.
Leendertse et al. (2008) discuss these approaches from an ecosystem perspective. The authors pose two central questions to the current IWRM implementation discourse, 'What is an acceptable lag time between initiating an IWRM approach and obtaining tangible impacts and benefits?' and 'What measures can be put in place to shorten this lag time?' If the process continues for too long with no apparent progress, people will become disillusioned and will revert to the management methods they used previously. The paper argues that where the process is top-down, with little stakeholder engagement, institutional and legal changes will have little effect on the way water is used and managed, with few tangible improvements in water quality and ecosystem protection.
They further argue that the environment is often least considered when water management policies and plans are being developed and is often even more neglected when it comes to implementation. Of all the sectors, the environment has the most to gain from the implementation of IWRM principles. Based on case analyses from Malaysia and South Africa, several different water management instruments are discussed that address environmental concerns in managing ecosystems. In Malaysia, the focus is on basin management and implementable action, whereas in South Africa the emphasis has been on setting up regulatory and organisational structures first before implementing integrated management. A series of additional case studies are briefly examined to assess how the environment has benefited from different water policies. The case studies cover a spectrum of approaches from bottom-up ones that show positive and more immediate results and benefits, to more top-down approaches dealing with many organisations and people to whom the process may not be central to their interests and where strong institutional support is required to ensure success.
Although not included in this edition, other presentations at the conference emphasised the importance of linking IWRM implementation to tangible poverty-alleviation projects. Several case studies where presented which reflected this grassroots approach, such as in the Olifants/Doorn WMA in South Africa, and in the implementation of the National IWRM framework in the Philippines. They showed that IWRM is most effective when initiatives actively empower disadvantaged groups through their involvement in projects that serve to improve the livelihoods and well-being of communities. Through practical projects, communities developed an understanding of a broad spectrum of water management issues and are thus able to be more effectively engaged in water issues within local water management institutions. Community members need to first understand how water benefits them before they become involved in decisions regarding its management. Many of these grassroots projects are also able to overcome the challenges of integrating government agencies because the tangible nature of projects makes it easier to obtain government agency buy-in. This creates ongoing coordination and relationships between key actors, which can facilitate future policy level integration. Several case studies at the conference highlighted the importance of supporting tangible projects that can be implemented even when the enabling environment of policy and legislation is not consistently aligned with all IWRM principles.
Integration across the hydrological cycle
IWRM discourse often focuses on the integration of the three E's: economic, environment and equity. However, this only considers one of the many integration dimensions of the approach. IWRM also includes integration of several elements such as land and water issues, freshwater and coastal zones, green vs. blue water (this is defined as the water consumed in the direct production of biomass as opposed to that flowing in rivers and aquifers) water quantity and quality, differing upstream and downstream interests and interactions between surface-water and groundwater resources (GWP, 2000). Braune and Xu (2008) contend that groundwater, largely because of its hidden and generally poorly understood nature, is seldom properly incorporated into IWRM and national development frameworks. While there are problems of widespread pollution of groundwater as well as more localised, over-abstraction, the much bigger issue is a general under-valuation and concomitant under-utilisation of groundwater resources. In Africa, there is now a growing perception that local groundwater resources will have to play an increasingly strategic role, in particular, for the most vulnerable and most neglected rural communities.
To assess the Southern African status of groundwater resource management, the authors undertook a scoping level study. The approach involved assessing the groundwater resource management status in SADC countries based on available documents and scientific literature from the area and comparing them against generally accepted 'best practice' from international groundwater management literature. The outcomes show that, while SADC is leading the other regional economic communities in Africa, implementation performance in individual countries is rated as 'below expectation.' The reasons for this include a general lack of appropriate planning, financing and systematic resource development approaches to support local participation and investment in numerous small, local schemes. In addition, groundwater information, including monitoring and assessment, and the capacity for it, is generally inadequate in most countries. The authors argue that there is a need to move away from traditional supply-driven groundwater development towards seeing groundwater as part of an integrated and holistic plan for water management at all planning levels. This should lead to a strategic management framework, resulting in the formulation and implementation of national development and IWRM policies and programmes.
Public participation in IWRM
Although there is general endorsement of the importance of public engagement in supporting the successful implementation of IWRM approaches, effective public engagement requires considerable strategic planning to ensure that efforts are both applicable and relevant to those involved. Based on South African experience in the complexities of public engagement in establishing catchment management agencies in South Africa, Du Toit and Pollard (2008) outline a framework for public engagement in the IWRM process. Drawing from capacity development programmes in the Kat and Sand catchments, a checklist of issues and consequences to consider in structuring public participation in the IWRM process is presented. Although drawn from South African experience, many of the principles can be universally applied. The paper goes on to specifically address the process of developing CMSs in South Africa. The paper outlines the importance of determining the requisite level of public engagement that is required to reflect each task within the IWRM process. The levels of participation vary according to the specific stages of a water management task. For example, it may not be necessary to engage the public in highly technical decision-making processes which rely on specialised information. The objective is to ensure that the correct stakeholders are meaningfully and appropriately engaged in the CMS development process. The paper presents a clear and practical guide to engaging the public in the various tasks associated with IWRM in South Africa.
Economic instruments
'Economy and IWRM' was one of the themes of the conference and the outcomes of the workgroup emphasised the importance of developing appropriate economic methods and instruments to address many of the trade-offs that are apparent in water management. The conference highlighted the need for capacity building on the economic aspects of water management processes and for effective and carefully considered and informed policy-making. Kanyoka et al. (2008) provide an example of how economic analysis can support better decision making to achieve IWRM. The paper outlines how investments in water services should be based on a thorough understanding of effective consumers' demand for multiple use (both domestic and productive) water services. Comprehensive studies looking at multiple use water services are not common in South African rural areas, where most of the economic analyses focus on either domestic or irrigation water demand. The study fills this gap by assessing the household demand for multiple use water services in the Sekororo-Letsoalo area in the Limpopo Province. Results showed that households in rural areas are willing to pay for water service delivery improvements. Due to the current poor level of water services in the study area, users are primarily concerned with basic domestic uses and, consequently, demand for productive uses is low. An interest in multiple uses was only observed in households that already had enough water to satisfy basic domestic needs. Very poor conditions in terms of water availability not only drastically reduce the current livelihood of rural households, but also their ambitions and willingness to improve their economic status.
The authors go on to question block-tariffs as a recommended approach to cost recovery. A constant price per cubic meter associated with a subsidy, specifically targeted at poorer households is more suitable than block-tariffs. Pricing water on the basis of consumption implies metering water use, which is more costly than non-metered systems. Technical solutions, which control the quantity of water delivered at low management cost, such as pre-paid card systems used in electricity provision, may be better suited to low-income households. The authors elucidate the importance of carefully studying the level and structure of tariffs as well as the technological options used to obtain cost-recovery of water provision in poor rural communities.
Information management and monitoring progress
Throughout the conference, the importance of monitoring progress in IWRM was highlighted as an area requiring specific attention. The following papers touch on this aspect and outline the need for further analysis of appropriate approaches to manage, integrate and present data and information within a cross-disciplinary and multi-sectoral IWRM environment.
Complexity among numerous data formats, models and strategies in Thailand presented difficulties in hydrological planning and decision-making. To overcome these challenges, Thailand introduced an interactive data assimilation system, called the Thailand Hydroinformatic System (THS). Vathananukij and Malaikrisanachalee (2008) summarise the approach and the outcome of implementing THS. THS is a web-based GIS application that was designed and developed, based on open-source technology to publish hydro-meteorological data through the Internet. The outcome scenarios of the system have proved to be important decision-support tools. Precipitation and discharge data from 1995 are used in the system. In addition, essential data such as administrative boundaries, population, surface water resources, faults, and geology data are included to increase the potential uses of the system. The THS system has become increasingly essential to integrate information, and to transfer knowledge and technology. The virtual mechanisms have assisted in supporting public participation and in attaining and utilising information. The authors argue that similar developments in other countries could aid governments in understanding their water environment and thereby supporting better management decisions.
Anderson et al. (2008) further discuss the importance and challenges of information gathering to support IWRM. The authors emphasise the importance of developing effective means of assessing how IWRM actions meet the outcomes of efficiently managed, equitably allocated and environmentally sustainable water resource systems. Appropriate indicators, supported by well-managed information monitoring systems should be an integral component of all IWRM initiatives. In order to achieve this, IWRM faces the challenge of supporting and advancing the traditional hydrological monitoring requirements, while at the same time placing greater emphasis on a more holistic, cross-disciplinary approach to the integrated and complex dimensions of the hydrological cycle in particular. The paper outlines an integrated monitoring framework for measuring impacts of the South African water allocation reform process. The framework presents an innovative, GIS-based approach to integrated monitoring of water management interventions by combining economic, social and environmental data. As with all monitoring frameworks, success relies on an ability to integrate data and thinking across professional disciplines. This requires additional resources and involves a high degree of cooperation between different government agencies and spheres of government.
On the basis of its ability to address the integrated nature of managing complex water resource systems, few can argue against the value of an IWRM approach. Implementation of IWRM approaches should result in better water sharing between users, supporting economic and social objectives, while maintaining environmental ecosystems. Many cases, particularly those discussed from Africa, illustrate that IWRM is effective in achieving these outcomes. However, the conference clearly emphasised that more needs to be done to speed up implementation so that benefits and successes can be more easily identified.
A GWP survey in 2006 showed that two thirds of countries are at some stage of introducing IWRM as guiding principle for water management; however, much of this is related to establishing an enabling environment (including policy reform and institutional restructures) (GWP, 2006). Progress in widespread implementation is harder to gauge and will likely show fewer success stories. More effort is now required to demonstrate and monitor how implementation of IWRM is improving water management, specifically in relation to how the poor are benefiting. The United Nations World Water Development Report aptly argues that 'more analysis of the practical means of moving from a fragmented, sector-by sector approach to IWRM needs to be carried out for lower income countries, and these experiences need to be shared widely' (UNESCO-WWP, 2006, p 527). The conference emphasised that we cannot use imperfect legislation and institutional structures as an excuse for slow implementation. IWRM provides a promising approach but it also represents an unattainable ideal, or as Molle (2008) argues a 'nirvana concept'. Perfect integration between all sectors, across the hydrological cycle and between all users is unlikely. One cannot wait to achieve this integration before tangible benefits are achieved on the ground. Benefits must include increased access to water services, socio-economic empowerment, protection of ecosystems, improvement in water quality and overall poverty reduction. Unless we can effectively show that IWRM approaches assist in achieving some of these benefits, the concept of IWRM will lose much of its promise in providing a more holistic and sustainable approach to managing scarce water resources.
ANDERSON AJ and MAHLANGU MS, CULLIS J and SWARTZ S (2008) Integrated monitoring of water allocation reform. Water SA 34 (6) 731-737. [ Links ]
BISWAS AK (2004) Integrated water resources management: A reassessment. A water forum contribution. Water Int. 29 (2) 248-256. [ Links ]
BISWAS AK (2008) Integrated water resources management: Is it working? Int. J. Water Resour. 24 (1) 5-22. [ Links ]
BRAUNE E and YONGXIN XU (2008) Groundwater management issues in Southern Africa An IWRM perspective. Water SA 34 (6) 699-706. [ Links ]
CARDWELL HE, COLE RA, CARTWRIGHT LA and MARTIN LA (2006) Integrated Water Resource Management: Definition and conceptual musings. J. Contemp. Water Res. Educ. 135 8-18. [ Links ]
COLVIN J, BALLIM F, CHIMBUYA S, EVERARD M, GOSS J, KLARENBERG G, NDLOVU S, NCALA D and WESTON D (2008) Building capacity for co-operative governance as a basis for integrated water resources managing in the Inkomati and Mvoti catchments, South Africa. Water SA 34 (6) 681-690. [ Links ]
DAVIS MD (2007) Integrated water resource management and water sharing. J. Water Resour. Plann. Manage. September/October 2007. 427-444. [ Links ]
DU TOIT D and POLLARD S (2008) Updating public participation in IWRM: a proposal for a focused and structured engagement with catchment management strategies. Water SA 34 (6) 707-714. [ Links ]
GWP (Global Water Partnership) (2000) Integrated Water Resource Management. Global Water Partnership, Technical Advisory Committee Background Paper No. 4. Stockholm. www.gwpforum.org/gwp/library/TACNO4.pdf. [ Links ]
GWP (2006) Setting the Stage for Change: Second Informal Survey by the GWP Network Giving the Status of the 2005 WSSD Target on National Integrated Water Resources Management and Water Efficiency Plans. Global Water Partnership, February 2006. [ Links ]
HOOPER B (2006) Integrated Water Resource Management: Governance, best practice, and research challenges. J. Contemp. Water Res.Educ. 135 1-7. [ Links ]
KANYOKA P, FAROLFI S and MORARDET S (2008) Households' preferences and willingness to pay for multiple use water services in rural areas of South Africa: An analysis based on choice modelling. Water SA 34 (6) 715-724. [ Links ]
LEENDERTSE K, MITCHELL SAM and HARLIN J (2008) IWRM and the environment: A view on their interaction and examples where IWRM led to better environmental management in developing countries. Water SA 34 (6) 691-698. [ Links ]
MOLLE F (2008) Nirvana concepts, narratives and policy models: Insight from the water sector. Water Alternatives 1 (1) 131-156. www.water-alternatives.org [ Links ]
POLLARD S and DU TOIT D (2008) Integrated water resource management in complex systems: How the catchment management strategies seek to achieve sustainability and equity in water resources in South Africa. Water SA 34 (6) 671-680. [ Links ]
UNESCO-WWP (2006) Water a shared responsibility: The United Nations World Water Development Report 2. United National Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation and Cultural Organisation, Paris, France. [ Links ]
VATHANANUKIJ H and MALAIKRISANACHALEE S (2008) Hydroinformatic system (implementation in Thailand). Water SA 34 (6) 725-730. [ Links ]
* To whom all correspondence should be addressed.
+44 (0) 20 7837 8888; fax: +44 (0) 20 7713 5158;
e-mail: firstname.lastname@example.com


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If the office was empty Wednesday, it might have been because of International Surfing Day.
The surfing conditions were meager — waves were only about a foot high at some spots in Newport Beach — but the dedicated took time out of their day.
Celebrations were simple: "We're just surfing at River Jetties," said Frog House surf shop clerk Joe Huebner.
The Newport Beach and Huntington Beach chapters of the Surfrider Foundation are planning a beach cleanup and other events Saturday morning at Huntington City Beach, in front of Huntington Street. Parking is free before 10 a.m. if visitors mention the Surfrider event.
Surfrider Chief Executive Jim Moriarty penned a form letter online giving people an excuse to call in sick.
But Duke Edukas, owner of Surfside Sports in Costa Mesa, said nobody had submitted the letter by late Wednesday morning.
"It would be cool if they did, though," he said.
—Mike Reicher
Twitter: @mreicher


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Seven spending benchmarks are used to help university campuses evaluate IT services. By benchmarking against institutions with similar missions, IT leaders can gain insights into how to best optimize these investments.
Benchmark #1 – Budget Profile [shows how IT dollars are allocated across institutional budget classifications]
Benchmark #2 – Budget Support Level [IT dollars are normalized for institutional size]
Benchmark #3 – Budget Impact [ratio of IT budget to total institution budget]
Benchmark #4 – People Supported per IT Staff
Benchmark #5 – Computers Supported per IT Staff
Benchmark #6 – Staffing Profile Per Service Area
Benchmark #7 – Computer Availability
This article shows actual benchmark results in these areas. Compiled by David Smallen and Karen Leach at Hamilton College. Published in Educause Quarterly in November 2002. The article can be found:
This report was followed up by a 32 page paper entitled "INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY BENCHMARKS: A PRACTICAL GUIDE FOR COLLEGE AND UNIVERSITY PRESIDENTS" (written by Smallen and Leach) which was published by the Council of Independent Colleges in June 2004. This report contains more data and a more complete explanation of the benchmarks. The paper can be found:


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I do not recommend and give advice to people reading this forum to engage and be part of this project. My role on this forum is to give my personal opinion on most of the topics against Onecoin based on my perception. I did go to Sofia to meet management as a user just to make sure there is someone there and to ask questions, so I kinda trust them. I can be wrong, of course, so please do not take my opinion here as advice.
Just make it an ingredient for your own opinion and decision.
In this topic, I will address certain fake news about OneCoin company and arrests in China that took place.
I know about this China arrests case from when it happened in March 2016.
This forum made me links to legit and strict Onelife IMAs all around the globe so now I also have a link to Chinese chat and voice groups and I can finally write some solid info about China.
I can confirm that Onelife IMAs in China work regularly, they are actually more focused on promoting dealshaker cause it is the pillar of Onecoin success on public trading, current users number is not so important cause those are only people who will want to sell the coins, they realized.
Real users will come after Onecoin hits public trading.
So those legit Onelife people are aware that there is some independent group involved in several scams, and they used "one coin" name and fake website with their own misleading and high return promising promotional material to scam people (similar to Italy except in Italy it was done by the actual IMAs). Those Chinese scammers did not even sell real oneacademy gift codes. The amount of money collected by those fraudsters was $45.7 Million, it is a bit too small amount for 1+ million users in China? Correct. OneCoin company might even sue those persons I heard from Chinese IMAs.
Real Onelife IMAs actually collected Billions or at least hundreds of Millions and all those were for paying Education packages, not tokens nor Onecoins so recent temporary ban for ICOs in China has nothing to do with Onecoin since they did not make "typical" crypto fund raising ICO.
Here is a list of ICOs that need to return funds to investors: finance.caixin.com and I was confirmed that OneCoin is NOT on that list so this BS article from behindMLM was just yet another abuse of OneCoin name to make a click bait.
Turned out it was forward thinking from dr Ruja to sell Education, and not Coins or Tokens and even smarter recent decision to implement an option upon activating education code to select whether Education buyer wants to receive tokens or not.
So, now, let's cover the actual material about arresting those scammers.
We could see some info in this May 26 2016, article $45.7 million recovered from Chinese OneCoin scammers from one and only behindMLM. I will never quote his text cause even birds know how tricky and twisting they are. What I do like and respect for him is that he is always sourcing his texts and I like to analyze source links. So, concerning this particular article, back in May, I read the source article that links here but that article seems to be removed.
I remember both google translating it and confirming it from a friend who knows Chinese and that article explained how those arrested people collected money from some pension fundraising pyramid investment scheme and that money was recovered. But those scammers were only mentioned to be also promoting certain "one coin".
So those $45.7Million recovered was not from one coin, it was from all their scam schemes. We will see below how many they collected on their one coin scam scheme.
I was able to find this July 23. 2016 article in www.zsbtv.com.cn that seems to write about "one coin":
No need to comment deeply, scammers using OneCoin name were detected, reported, investigated and arrested cause they were scamming people. Those are not legit Onelife IMAs, I was confirmed that from official Onelife source from China.Zhongshan City Public Security Bureau of the Eastern Branch of the "hurricane 2016" special action, increase the drug-related, involving steal robbery, involving telecommunications network fraud, financial fraud in the field of efforts.
Recently, the Zhongshan District, the police successfully cracked with the "one coins" MLM case, destroyed a suspected organization and leadership network pyramid schemes, fraud gangs, according to criminal detention Liao Mou, Cao and other three major suspects, the entire network involving multiple provinces City, involving the amount of more than 600 million yuan ($92 Million).
In March this year, the Zhongshan District police in the work was informed that there are lawless elements through false propaganda can get high returns way to attract the masses to invest in the network virtual currency "one coin", suspected network pyramid schemes, fraud.
March 16, the Eastern District police after a day investigation, in the eastern part of Zhongshan City, a district captured Liao (female, 40 years old, Zhongshan), Lin (female, 39 years old, Zhongshan), Cao (male, 45 years old, Hong Kong people) three suspects, seized the crime tools computer, mobile phone, bank card and a number of.
So recent news from news.sina.com.cn where 35 scammers were sentenced to jail and money fine is no surprise. They also say that 13.6 Million Juan was collected by them (around $2.1 Million).
Please, those are not legit Onelife IMAs, those are some copycat scammers who were able to scam people for $2.1 Million that were recovered.
This was just a fraction of the original $45.7Million funds recovered.
I would like to quote something interesting from this article:
Zhuzhou County Court found that the "peacekeeping card" pyramid selling organization outside the territory of China to promote the virtual currency organization, MLM website and marketing model by the Bulgarian Luya organization established, the server set up in Denmark, Copenhagen
Since when does official Onecoin company has any servers set up in Denmark? Well, those scammers might, let them do the sentence but leave the company out of it.
This all looks just like Onecoin has the same fate as Bitcoin with scammers using its name.
This China action looks just like Bolivian action where Bolivian Authorities Arrested 60 Bitcoiners, Reiterate Virtual Currencies as Illegal Pyramid Schemes
So is Bitcoin to blame for this? Of course not, some even defend it:
Bolivia's Government Arrests 60 People Over a Pyramid Scheme – Not Bitcoin
But Onecoin is centralized company and it gets attached all those scammers blame. It will be challenging to carry out and survive all these negative events spiced with much twists and slander.


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[Book Review] Visual Studio 2013 Cookbook
[Book Review] Visual Studio 2013 Cookbook
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The team at Packt have given me another opportunity to review one of their just released titles, Visual Studio 2013 Cookbook. As I usually do, I'm not going to give you a chapter-by-chapter review or rundown. Instead I'm going to give you my overall feelings and impressions about the book, what I liked and didn't and why you might want to check it out yourself.
Visual Studio 2013 Cookbook
- Provides you with coverage of all the new Visual Studio 2013 features regardless of your programming language preference
- Recipes describe how to apply Visual Studio to all areas of development: writing, debugging, and application lifecycle maintenance
- Straightforward examples of building apps for Windows 8.1
Chapter 1: Discovering Visual Studio 2013
Chapter 2: Getting Started with Windows Store Applications
Chapter 3: Web Development – ASP.NET, HTML5, CSS, and JavaScript
Chapter 4: .NET Framework 4.5.1 Development
Chapter 5: Debugging Your .NET Application
Chapter 6: Asynchrony in .NET
Chapter 7: Unwrapping C++ Development
Chapter 8: Working with Team Foundation Server 2013
Chapter 9: Languages
Appendix: Visual Studio Medley
Let's start with the bad...
I usually don't write "bad" reviews ("If you can say something nice..." and all that) and I'm not this time either. BUT you have to understand the intent of the book before you get it. Based on the title and chapter headers, I got something different than I expected and that colored my initial feelings.
Frist off, I think the book is good and has a great information, but the description and information on its page might led to confusion about its actual content.
I thought I was going to be reading a book about Visual Studio 2013, the IDE. Recipes on using it, tips and tricks for getting the most out of VS itself.
It's not that.
It's more a book about learning to cook with the new technologies available in VS 2013 than about VS 2013 itself. Does that make sense? It's more about what you can make with a stove, not really about the stove itself.
For example, here's a snip from the book's description page;
What you will learn from this book
- Customize the editor's new abilities to fit your development style
- Create apps for Windows 8.1
- Use Visual Studio to debug parallel and concurrent programs
- Integrate .NET Framework 4.5.1 effectively
- Learn about both the Express and premium editions of Visual Studio
- Maximize Visual Studio's C++ tools to make development easier
- Put TypeScript to work in your web applications
- Protect and manage your source code with Team Foundation Server
- Learn about Visual Studio Online
This might lead you to believe that the book is indeed about VS itself. I know I thought so. But then see the lines, "Create apps for Windows 8.1 " and "Put TypeScript to work in your web applications." THAT is what I talking about as being what you can make with VS 2013, not being about VS 2013 itself. And a many of the chapters are like this. Using VS 2013 to build WinStore App's from a template, creating a WCF Service, Adding a Ribbon to a WPF App, etc, etc.
Don't get me wrong, there are many parts that help you learn to use VS 2013, but my impression is it's 50/50, VS verses Cooking with VS...
My suggestion to you is too really read the FULL chapter descriptions and check out the preview before purchase, so you understand what you are jumping into. DON'T be like me and stop at the chapter headers, but continue on down the page and look at the chapter contents.
Enough whining, now the Good...
If taken as a "What can I Cook with VS 2013," this book provides a great survey of many of the new capabilities and features now available. The cookbook format is used well and provides nice bite sized chunks of digestible information.
The book is also very current and up to date. For example, the name change of SkyDrive to OneDrive is noted in the book. Also VS 2013 Update 2 Beta is mentioned (not VS 2013 Update RC of course, as that was just announced last week)
The breadth of covered technology is also nice. WPF, WCF, WinStore, TFS, etc is all covered. It's a great survey of what you can do with VS 2013.
Should you get it?
If you have VS 2012 and are wondering what you can do once you VS 2013, looking for reasons why to upgrade, this looks like a great book. Again, make sure you look at the chapter details, but if you are using VS 2012 and are trying to convince someone, yourself, co-workers, boss, etc on why you might want to upgrade, what you'll be able to build and do once you get it, yeah, you should look a long close look at picking this book up.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe my readers will enjoy. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.
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