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WhistlePig 10 year old Straight 100% Rye Whiskey
October 8, 2011
On June 14, 2010, someone named 'Thisiswaters' updated Raj Bhakta's wikipedia entry. At the same time, they also added WhistlePig to the list of American whiskies on the rye whiskey page. Reading these updates we learn that, among other things, at age 34, Bhakta is a former contestant on The Apprentice, is a notorious womanizer, is responsible for the resurgence of the bowtie, is a failed political candidate, is a former investment banker, sells Colombian aguardiente, and has a knack for publicity stunts, though not necessarily in that order. And believe it or not, he is also the founder of WhistlePig Whiskey. And that's where 'Thisiswaters' credibility comes to a screeching halt. WhistlePig is not an American rye; it is 100% Canadian rye whisky distilled in Canada from 100% Canadian rye grain.
So let's put Bhakta to one side for a moment and turn to someone whose whisky credentials are long standing. Dave Pickerell was the master distiller at Maker's Mark for 14 years. When he left in 2008, he embarked on a whole new project to find the world's best rye whisky. He spent 18 months running around the world talking to every reasonably large producer of rye whisky and tasting most of their products. After all this searching and tasting, he finally declared that the best rye whisky in the world is made right here in Canada. Dave Pickerell is a true icon of the American whisky industry so when he declares Canada as the source of the world's very best rye whisky, that's news to be shouted from the rooftops. "Hey world! We Canadians may be bland and accommodating but Dave Pickerell says we make the very best rye whisky anywhere, and he should know!"
So what's the secret to making great 100% rye whisky? They may not tell you this, but most whisky makers know it's all in the enzymes. Unmalted rye does have fairly good diastatic properties on its own. Still, most rye distillers add commercially produced enzymes to help quickly break the rye starches down into sugars that the yeast can turn into alcohol. Commercially produced enzymes are made by culturing Rhizopus or Aspergillus fungi which have been specifically selected to produce high levels of very effective alpha- and gluco-amylase. In fact, these fungi have been so skillfully bred that they produce enzymes that are virtually "programmed" to convert corn starches into sugars. After all, corn is less expensive than rye, which is why it is the primary grain used to make most North American whiskies. These corn-specific enzymes don't do such a great job on rye though, which is one of the reasons distilling 100% rye, is such a pain in the neck.
Most whisky makers just accept the inefficiencies and all the extra cleanings that go along with using corn-specific enzymes for rye. Most American distillers get around the problem by using the minimum rye grain allowed and adding malted barley to help convert the starch. But this, of course, is not 100% rye. In Canada, however, there are two distillers who have found a way to overcome the problems of sticky rye mashes and gummed-up equipment. Hiram Walker distillery in Windsor, Ontario, has solved the problem by using malted rye. The perfect rye-converting enzymes, of course, are made by the rye grain itself as it starts to germinate. The other, Alberta Distillers, which uses 100% unmalted rye, has developed its own proprietary strain of Aspergillus fungus that specifically converts rye starches into sugars. (Incidentally, for those who are thinking "yuck", yeast is also a fungus.)
Vendome Copper and Brass Works, manufacturers of stills, and leaders in supplying the burgeoning micro-distilling movement in the USA, thought that Bhakta, who is also an entrepreneur, skilled in arranging financing and marketing campaigns, and interested in whisky, should meet Pickerell, the veteran whisky maker who had just discovered the world's best rye whisky and was looking for help getting it to market. A meeting was arranged for April of this year, and though their resumés couldn't be more different, the two hit it off.
Bhakta, and Pickerell have launched WhistlePig Straight Rye Whiskey in just a few selected markets for 2010. 1,000 cases will be shared among New York, Chicago, San Francisco, and selected parts of Los Angeles. They apparently have bought enough whisky that double that number of cases will be available in 2011 and even more in subsequent years. With the profits they expect to make they intend to build a micro rye distillery on Bhatka's Vermont farm, where he also plans to grow organic rye. But if, as Pickerell insists, Canadian rye whisky is "the best in the world," it is because of those great big Canadian stills, and rye-specific enzymes. That's a pretty hard act to follow with a micro-distillery, even one that plans to use organic rye.
I can report that this first batch of WhistlePig is just excellent whisky, taking us back to the days before trade agreements brought an end to the production of Bourbon in Canada. Compared to big rye whiskies like Lot 40 or Wiser's Legacy, there is barely a hint of rye-specific flavour in WhistlePig Straight Rye Whiskey. But oh! Is there ever some Bourbon! After 10 years in new oak, the vanillins have subdued everything else.
Tasted head-to-head with the hugely rye-forward Lot 40, a succulent vanilla toffee and hot, hot chili peppers rule the WhistlePig palate. In all my tasting, I have never encountered such rich tantalizing chili pepper before, except maybe in chocolate-chili ice cream. It's no surprise, then, when next morning a hint of milk chocolate shows up in the air-dried glass. As a chaser to Wiser's Legacy, WhistlePig starts with sourish gooseberries and then becomes slightly astringent before a vanilla-laden perfume envelops the palate.
In Canada, the palate, not the rulebook calls the shots; that's why in order to be called rye whisky, Canadian whisky need only have the characteristics of Canadian rye whisky. In America, a whisky must be distilled from a mash of at least 51% rye grain in order for it to be called straight rye. WhistlePig is distilled from 100% rye grain. It is bottled in Vermont for the American market, where it is sold at 50% alc./vol. (100 proof) as straight rye whiskey. In order to meet the American Standards of Identity criteria for 'straight rye', WhistlePig must also have been distilled to an alcohol content of no higher than 80%, meaning that the spirit retained lots of rich congeners when it entered the charred, new oak barrels.
But unlike the robust rye flavours found in Lot 40 and Wiser's Legacy, which American nomenclature would call 'blended whiskies' (despite their having been distilled in a single distillery) WhistlePig is overwhelmingly Bourbon-like. So if that's the case, why not compare it to some other Bourbon-rich Canadians?
Crown Royal is known for its Bourbon-like qualities, a reputation earned in part because much of its whisky is made using a Bourbon sour-mash recipe. Crown Royal DeLuxe was a gold medal winner this year at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition and is the best selling deluxe Canadian whisky in the USA. It is also one of America's favourite spirit gifts. It's a light, sweet Canadian, though peppery and rich in the cloves-nutmeg end of the rye palate. It has just enough mashy notes and bitter lemon to balance an obvious, Bourbon-like vanilla. A high-end mixing whisky, Crown Royal De Luxe is equally good on ice, with cola or ginger ale, or in a cocktail.
I suppose you could make a pretty dandy cocktail with WhistlePig too, but why would you want to do that? If Crown Royal De Luxe whispers "sip me," WhistlePig fairly screams it. Nosed after WhistlePig, the Bourbon notes in De Luxe have disappeared entirely, leaving caramel, something citric, café au lait, and hints of cloves. Going back to the WhistlePig, the vanilla still rules, but new aromas of ripe oranges, and, for the first time, rye spices, begin to raise their heads, especially on the palate, revealing some of WhistlePig's subtlety which until now has been well-hidden. WhistlePig is hot, hot, hot over a caramel-like sweetness. There is a lot of depth there; if only the vanilla would let it through.
Let's try it again, this time head to head with another new release: Crown Royal Black, which is a very spicy, Bourbon-influenced whisky and somewhat peppery. There is rye in Crown Royal Black all right, but also caramel, dark fruits, and a certain mintiness, although vanilla and charcoal dominate. This is great mixing whisky and a pretty good sipper too. It has been flying off the shelves since it was introduced earlier this year. If Crown Royal Black is the whisky you buy to impress your poker buddies or a first date, then WhistlePig is what you bring out when you sit down with your oldest friends to set the world to right.
Rich as it is in vanilla, Crown Royal Black smells more like dark fruit when nosed right after WhistlePig. On the palate, Crown Black is weighty and robust with black fruit, caramel, burnt sugar and lots of pepper. Both are slightly salty. In reverse order, WhistlePig just keeps on with the vanilla though it is toned down considerably, and underneath there are lilacs, caramel, and the ever-present chili pepper. At 45% alc./vol., Crown Royal Black is more than just a beefed-up version of De Luxe, but tasted head to head, the Black can't break through the taste barrier created by the hugely expressive WhistlePig. It's kind of like comparing a Cadillac to an Aston Martin. Pickerell has done a masterful job selecting the barrels that make up this WhistlePig, and though there is an aura of simulacra to the carefully managed buzz around it, the only thing that really matters is the marvelous dance it does on your tongue.
WhistlePig is available for US$70.00 at a few selected retailers including Binny's in Chicago and Borisal Liquor & Wine in Brooklyn, New York. You can also order it online from Binny's or from DrinkUpNy.com.* With a whisky this good and only 1,000 cases available, you have to wonder if we may have another Bush Pilot's in the making. WhistlePig is only now working its way through the distribution chain, but I'd suggest grabbing a couple of bottles (a case even!) before someone else gets them.
57 Responses to "WhistlePig 10 year old Straight 100% Rye Whiskey"
Great article Davin.
Do you know where they got the whisky? Reading between the lines, I'm guessing Alberta Springs.
I'd love to try it, but I doubt I'll ever see it in Oregon.
Pretty thorough detective work.
My mouth waters… Why are all the good things never available at the CURSED LCBO!!! Even when they are, this will retail for 100-150 bucks…. *grumble*
Guess it'll be another business trip to NY.
Davin, another great article. I haven't seen WP at Binny's yet, but maybe it has already come and gone or was only at the South Loop store. I like the backgrouund in your picture above. I'm curious about the 100% unmalted rye statement for Alberta Springs. I had thought it not possible to make enough sugars in raw rye using the industrial enzymes alone, but I am sure you have done the research.
I would love to see your review in a future edition on the Canadian Club Founder's. I have only a few mls left of my last bottle, but it still remains one of my favorites from recent CW production history.
When you say "order from drinkupNY", what happens with customs and taxes ? Can we order from Canada ?
Davin, a bonus when I went to the drinkupny website. They have stocks of the 40 Creek Double Barrel Reserve for a very nice price. I very much enjoyed the WhistlePig and after tasting it, it has the hard brittle rye that I notice in the Alberta Springs. I know that the origin is not disclosed, but this seems more the product of a column still than a pot still to me. Well worth the expense from my perspective.
While the use of so-called 'commercially-produced enzymes' is permitted in American distilleries the practice is not universal. Most, in fact, convert their mash to a fermentable substrate using endogenous enzyme systems only, i.e., the enzymes produced by malting barley.
I managed to pick up a bottle of the WP, just on the other side of the border, in Buffalo. I look forward to opening it up someday soon.
Interesting Sku. This is exactly where I came out on a blind comporisan of Jefferson's and Mastersons. I found them to be even more similar in bottom line taste than you imply here. But Jeffersons is $30 here and Mastersons just recently was reduced to $52. Jeffersons on price alone is my choice.
Will this ever be available in Ontario? i'd love to try it.
Davin – I just discovered your site. As a bourbon enthusiast myself, I can appreciate the passion you have for Canadian whisky. While my experience with bourbon and American rye whiskey goes fairly deep, Canadian whisky is new to me. My first WOW moment with CW was WhistlePig and I was very impressed (bottle en-route as I comment). I look forward to reading through your site and beginning my education on whisky from the north.
What a great story! I'd love to sample it.
Whistlepig Whiskey Distillery in Shoreham, VT.
It is not canadian.
Please see article
great whisky though.
You should have all figured it out by the wording of WhiskEy alone. In Canada we write it like they do in Scotland without the e
Davin is correct. The whisky is produced in Canada but shipped down to Vermont, where it is then filled and sold.
I sit corrected. (too lazy to stand at the moment, sorry
Up until I tried Whistle Pig I was mostly drinking bourbon and blended whiskey. Last summer my girlfriend and I took a trip to NY and we ended up at a restaurant called the Dutch (highly recommended) where they had an extensive whiskey menu. It was there that I tried Whistle Pig at the urging of our waiter. Needless to say I LOVED it and couldn't stop talking about it. Then, last month we were in San Francisco and there was a high-end liquor store called CASK beside our hotel that had Whistle Pig on its shelf. Normally $80 is a lot of money for me to spend on a bottle, but for this stuff I knew it would be worth it. Reading your article I now realize how unlikely it is that I have stumbled upon this stuff on 2 occasions. I have less then half the bottle left… I'll keep savoring every drop.
Nick in Toronto
Ordered my bottle from DrinkupNY last year, had it shipped to my mother in laws then back up to Ontario. Very nice stuff.
I'm pretty sure that rye whiskey must be 80% rye.. Bourbon must be 51% corn.. just sayin'
You may be confusing it with the U.S. regulations for corn whiskey, which state that it must contain at least 80% corn. But the remaining regulations for bourbon and rye are 51%.
[...] For various reasons, including the fact that rye grain is considerably more expensive than corn, but also because a straight rye distillation is very tough on equipment, gumming it up with sticky residue, few distillers have bothered with pure rye whiskey. But the Canadians solved the sticky problem with two solutions, using malted rye and by developing a special strain of yeast-like fungus for distillation (for much more detail on this issue, check out this article from a great site devoted entirely to Canadian whiskies). [...]
Nice shout-out to Whistle Pig from the makers of Breaking Bad (Season 5 ep 2) as it is prominently displayed when the DEA boys pass it around during a bull session.
Wonder what tiny percentage of the viewers had a clue as to what it was or if it was even a real whisky….Nice to see the smaller guys getting the product placement for a change.
And I hear that a new (if somewhat gimmicky) expression is on the way as well.
[...] More information about WhistlePig here. [...]
I work at a small craft distillery and we produce a 100% rye whiskey. We deal with the gummy viscosity of rye Davin mentioned by using a combination of different enzymes, and we deal with the difficult clean-up through a liberal application of the two universal solvents – water, and hard-work.
[...] and doesn't mention that the spirit is actually from Canada. Davin De Kergommeaux even has a page about it on CanadianWhisky.org. It's bought from Alberta Distillers Limited, one of the few makers [...]
I've been anxiously awaiting an opportunity to purchase a bottle of this whisky since I read Davin's review. After listening to this: https://soundcloud.com/radiobdc/whistlepig-rye?utm_source=soundcloud&utm_campaign=share&utm_medium=twitter
B*LL SH*T from Dave Pickerell, Whistle Pig "Master Distiller", regardless of how good it is, I will NEVER buy a bottle, no matter what the price!!!!
Canadian Distillers should WAKE UP, stop selling mature whisky in bulk to these scum independents, and bottle the stuff themselves.
I have been reading this article with a lot of interest because I sit here in South Scatch and am in the process of opening a Craft Distillery. Within a very short drive I have available to me Organic Grown Rye which is the only Rye I will be using and the only grain I will be using. It is my plan however to be malting the rye and in the drying process, Peat Smoking it. As a result it will be a "Peated Single Malt Straight 100% Rye Whisky". There is no requirement on Craft Distilleries in Saskatchewan concerning Alcohol Content. As it will be aged at 160 proof I would appreciate some input on what sort of proof the discerning public would like to see when it hits the market four years from now. I will note that the initial production will only have 25% made available in four years. The rest will be held over for longer aging. This is sadly a financial expedient. Three year whisky is just that. Whisky that has met the required minimum but I do have to live.
Sounds interesting. I drink mostly single malts and usually I am usually looking for at least 46ABV, which would allow adding a few drops of water without diluting the drink too much. IT depends on the age of the whisky and how well it takes water, if at all, so there is a decision to be made when you have the finished product. Older whiskies (16+) usually don't benefit from adding water imho so 43% is OK for me.
[...] ever present Whistle Pig (while this whisky may be "bottled in Vermont", according to Davin de Kergommeaux of canadianwhisky.org, this 100% Rye whisky is actually made by Alberta Distillers), to name just a few. When the whisky [...]
[...] For various reasons, including the fact that rye grain is considerably more expensive than corn, but also because a straight rye distillation is very tough on equipment, gumming it up with sticky residue, few distillers have bothered with pure rye whiskey. But the Canadians solved the sticky problem with two solutions, using malted rye and by developing a special strain of yeast-like fungus for distillation (for much more detail on this issue, check out this article from a great site devoted entirely to Canadian whiskies). [...]
Whistlepig is now (since 2014) distilled and bottled in Vermont and only made from 100% Canadian rye.
Previously, it was sourced from both Western Canada and MGP (LDI) in Indiana.
Either way, since 2014, Whistlepig isn't a Canadian whiskey, it is distilled from Canadian rye is all. They even have a farm in Vermont to grow their own rye, but they still use the Canadian rye strains afaik.
I have a bottle of Whistlepig Rye 12 yo Old World. On the label I can see that it is distilled in Indiana and then matured and bottled at Whistlepig Farm, Vermont. I bit odd to me.


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Download Notepad++ 6.1.6
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Notepad++ Installer : Take this one if you have no idea which one you should take.
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Notepad++ v6.1.6 new features and fixed bugs:
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The mission of SCC Academic Advising is not only to promote academic advising, but also to encourage personal, social, and career development. Advising at SCC is an integral part of the educational process. The process begins by helping students to develop a realistic view of their strengths, challenges, knowledge, and skills. Based upon those initial steps in the process, SCC's professional advisors respect, encourage, and assist students in establishing their educational goals and objectives. SCC provides an environment and services that enable students to make informed personal, academic, and career decisions. SCC recognizes the potential for personal and academic growth in everyone.
In addition to academic advising, SCC provides career exploration. Advisors also maintain a Client Referral System, sponsor seminars, workshops, and serve as consultants to students, faculty, and staff.
Regardless of your status as a student or former student, an advisor at SCC can get you started on your career path today.
Center for Advising, Retention & Engagement
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The latest Superman movie takes the screen.
This weekend I went to see "Man of Steel," the latest in long list of Superman movies. Movies these days are getting more and more expensive, and there's even been talk lately of drastically increasing the price in the not so distant future. One talking head on one of the news shows asked if anyone would pay $150 to see a movie. I don't think they'd have much success with those kinds of prices,. My suggestion would be to make the movies on a smaller budget. Funny how I have not been contacted for my opinion.
This latest screen iteration of the Superman comic book character is undoubtedly an expensive venture. I would imagine that the costumes alone created a loud "ca-ching." Of course, showing the destruction of a major city is probably also costly. I'm not sure how much of the movies that make it to theatres these days depend on Computer Generated Imaging and I don't know if that costs more or less than making a movie the old way.
"Man of Steel" is certainly spectacular with all kinds of flying machines, some of which even resemble airplanes. I really like movies, but more and more I have learned that what I really like about them is the story they tell. This particular rendition of Superman was sorely lacking in terms of story. I took a look back at the history of this ongoing saga. Of course, I grew up on the made for television series, "The Adventures of Superman." There were 104 episodes over a seven year period. From 1952 – 54, they were featured in black and white. Then from '54 to '58 the episodes were in color. George Reeves played the title character and came across wonderfully well given the comparatively poor quality of television then. The characters of Lois Lane, Perry White and Jimmy Olsen were also beloved by television audiences. During the first two years of the series there were 26 episodes each season. That is presently unheard of for a television series. The magic number is now 13 a season, with reruns appearing early on, interspersed with the brand new titles.
In 1993 another television series appeared and was dubbed "Lois and Clark: the New Adventures of Superman," starring Teri Hatcher and Dean Cain. It was a popular series that lasted four seasons and hurled the two main character into fame. Lois became one of the "Desperate Housewives," while Cain ended up starring in a number of made for TV movies, often for the Lifetime Channel, which undoubtedly aimed at cashing in on his soap opera good looks.
There was another TV movie with Tim Daly, ("Wings"), as Superman and Dana Delany ("Body of Proof') cast as Lois. This 1996 made-for-TV movie made little impact on the list of treatments these characters enjoyed. Meanwhile, the television series "Smallville" ran for ten seasons and enjoyed an extended life in syndication with Lex Luther playing the recurring antagonist of a story that focused on Clark Kent's years in a small Kansas town before he learned his true destiny.
The most popular series of Superman movies hurled Christopher Reeves into the spotlight with Margot Kidder as Lois Lane. The first film was just called "Superman" and came to the silver screen in 1978. After that, three sequels followed with many of the same cast members, but also some powerful additions. Marlon Brando played Jor-El in the first film. After that Gene Hackman took the role of antagonist, Lex Luther. The series of films set the bar rather high for the Superman characterizations. Then in 2006, "Superman Returns" treated fans of the super hero to new discovery Brandon Routh. I cheered for him because he came from Norwalk, Iowa, and his mother was my dance partner in a college production of the opera, "Die Fledermaus." Sadly the film garnered no sequels. Christopher Reeves remained the "peoples' choice" for portraying the comic book hero.
Now the 2013 treatment of the same character comes to the fore. Thoughtful casting places Henry Cavill in the role as "Man of Steel" and the charming Amy Adams plays the part of Lois. Russell Crowe takes on the role of Superman's father, Jor-El, while Kevin Costner plays the early counterpart. Lawrence Fishburne heads "The Daily Planet" as editor in chief, Perry White.
Movies, for me, are about telling stories. I favor the old black and white films partly because they depend not on flashy technical gimmicks, but rely on good stories that hold one's attention. In the earlier movies with Christopher Reeves, even the music took on a memorable part in the drama with scores by John Williams. In this new movie, Hans Zimmer composed the score that is less dominant, but nevertheless, effective.
Excessive violence, frenetic action and sometimes confusing special effects did little to replace the less than stellar plot, but the path for a sequel is nicely constructed, provided the movie shows a good margin of profit. One can be sure that this set of characters will more than likely never be totally abandoned. The story has found success in comics, television and film. It will find more treatments in future years, and the main character, Clark Kent or Superman, will always capture the attention of those who look to artistic creations to stir hope for a better future.


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Makeup Monday: Cheap Thrills and Quick Changes
(Revlon lipsticks – all purchased at CVS)
When it comes to drugstore brands, I'm a bit of a Revlon fan girl. I'm particularly fond of their lipsticks, which come in a bajillion (give or take a few) shades and finishes. I'm a lipstick girl for more than one reason, but mostly, I love that it can change your look in just one step! Since becoming a CVS Beauty Board member, I've probably been spending a little too much time in their makeup aisle. I only recommend products I actually use and stand by, so naturally I have to try everything out. I've found a slew of new favorites (and a couple of misses, which I promptly returned) in the Revlon lipstick section alone, which I have showcased in the pictures above.
Isn't it crazy how just one swipe of lipstick can completely change your look? I'm wearing the same face and eye makeup in each (though the lighting is different in a few). What's your favorite lipstick of the moment?


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In this article, we will share with you some devices that use AA batteries to charge USB-powered small electronics. These devices provide a convenient way to stretch the time between wall outlet recharges.
Some are advertised to work with any type of AA battery, giving you lots of options if you are in a pinch as well as permitting you to use resource-saving rechargeables. Here are some we found:
- QuickerTek Apple Juicz Little Black Box
- Neewer Emergency Charger with Flashlight
- Zap RX-4 Recharge-It-All
- Energizer Energi To Go CEL2MUSB
- Voxred Turbo Charge
QuickerTek Apple Juicz Little Black Box
QuickerTek claims itsApple Juicz Little Black Box is the first charger of its kind that will accept any type of AA battery, including alkaline, nickel-metal hydride (NiMH), nickel-zinc (NiZn), and carbon. As long as each of the four batteries installed is of the same type and brand, this unit's internal circuitry will adjust voltage appropriately. QuickerTek advertises compatibility with most any USB-powered device, including iPod, iPhone, and iPad. The Apple Juicz Little Black Box measures 3.16" L x 2.46" W x 0.76" D and weighs 1.6 ounces without batteries. There is an on/off switch and a single female USB port. Batteries are not included, and the manufacturer recommends NiZn batteries for best performance.
The QuickerTek Apple Juicz Little Black Box sells for around $23 on Amazon.
Neewer Emergency Charger with Flashlight
The Neewer Emergency Charger with Flashlight draws a surprising number of reviews on Amazon; over 40 customers weigh in to give the black-colored model an average of 3½ out of 5 stars, and about 10 people give the white-colored version an average of 4 stars. This charger accepts two AA batteries; though the manufacturer does not specify which types are appropriate, customers seem to have success with both rechargeables and non-rechargeables. On the edge of this unit you'll find an on/off/flashlight switch, on its face there is an LED charge indicator, and on the end is the female USB port and LED flashlight. Most reviewers like this charger, citing its high value, slim profile, and wide charging compatibility. But this charger also draws negative feedback for running hot and inefficiently. Neewer claims compatibility with just about all USB-powered devices, including iPhones. Batteries are not included.
Amazon sells the Neewer Emergency Charger with Flashlight in black or white, both for around $5.
Zap RX-4 Recharge-It-All
The Zap RX-4 Recharge-It-All accepts (and includes) four AA batteries. Eight Amazon reviewers give it an average rating of 4 stars. Customers like the flexibility of this device—it accepts alkaline and rechargeable batteries, includes a USB cable with adapters for different mobile phones, and it can be plugged into a wall outlet to recharge the batteries it holds. It has a four-light LED battery-life indicator and comes with a carrying case. The biggest complaint is about the included rechargeable batteries; customers find they aren't nearly as good as most rechargeables on the market today. Though the manufacturer claims wide compatibility, some customers report the RX-4 Recharge-It-All will not charge their devices.
Purchase the Zap RX-4 Recharge-It-All for about $18 on Amazon.
Energizer Energi To Go CEL2MUSB
Energizer's Energi To Go CEL2MUSB charger operates on two AA batteries. This charger includes two Energizer Ultimate Lithium AAs, but customers say rechargeables also work. Customers also say the Energi To Go CEL2MUSB performs as advertised, working with a wide range of USB-powered devices and remaining reliable long after their purchase. There are some complaints about the battery door being difficult to work with and some reviewers found this charger was not compatible with their phones after they bought it, but overall the feedback is positive. The Energi To Go CEL2MUSB comes with adapter for mini- and micro-USB connections. The company states this charger is not compatible with iPhone or HTC Android.
You'll find the Energizer Energi To Go CEL2MUSB available for around $17 on Amazon.
Voxred Turbo Charge
The Voxred Turbo Charge comes in a variety of packages, all with different sets of charging cables. We recommend the TBB850 or TBM1050 packages; each comes with a mini-USB adapter and the TBB850 also includes a micro-USB adapter. You can order additional adapters through the manufacturer. The Turbo Charge accepts two AA batteries (rechargeable or non-rechargeable), and two AAs are included. It measures 3" L x 1.5" W x 0.75"D and weighs 2.5 ounces with batteries installed. There is a three-level LED battery-life indicator and an on/off/flashlight switch (the flashlight is two white LEDs on the end). CNET gave the Turbo Charge 4 out of 5 stars in 2007. Customers have been a little less enthusiastic; their chief complaint is that the batteries are depleted well before the advertised two to three full charges for portable electronic devices.
Both the Voxred Turbo Charge TBB850 and TBM1050 are for sale on Amazon for around $18.


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Amid low expectations of success, U.N. nuclear agency officials pushed anew on Friday for access to an Iranian site they suspect was used to work on nuclear arms and cooperation by Tehran on a wider probe of alleged experiments meant to develop such weapons.
Going into the meeting with officials of the International Atomic Energy Agency, Iranian envoy Ali Asghar Soltanieh told reporters both sides were trying to bridge disagreements, adding: "I hope for success." Senior IAEA official Herman Nackaerts was more circumspect, saying only "his team sought agreement on resolving "all the outstanding issues" — terminology the agency uses for suspected nuclear weapons research and development by Iran.
Teheran denies any interest
The Islamic Republic vehemently denies any interest in such weapons and says all its atomic activities are peaceful. But its long-standing refusal to cooperate with IAEA experts seeking to investigate the allegations fuel suspicions it may have something to hide. Tehran also refuses to give up uranium enrichment — which can make both reactor fuel and arm nuclear missile — despite offers of such fuel from abroad, adding to such suspicions.
With both the agency and international diplomatic efforts stalemated in attempts to engage the Islamic Republic on its nuclear program, fears are growing that tensions could spill over into armed conflict.
Israeli leaders have been loudly expressing impatience over Western diplomatic and economic moves to deter Iran and increasingly talk of attacking its nuclear facilities, though some analysts believe the saber-rattling is a bluff to increase pressure on Tehran. Iranian leaders have rejected Israel's warnings, threatening punishing retaliation.
While the IAEA insists it has to exploit every opportunity to seek Iran's cooperation, senior agency officials spoke of low expectations ahead of Friday's talks after years of failed efforts to persuade Iran to cooperate.
Access to a site at Parchin
"I cannot say that I am optimistic about the outcome of the coming meeting," IAEA chief Yuiya Amano told reporters in Helsinki, Finland, on Wednesday. "I cannot say when we can reach agreement."
Nackaerts said that a key agency focus Friday is hoped for access to a site at Parchin, a military installation southeast of Tehran that the IAEA suspects was used for tests on how to explode a nuclear warhead — and which agency officials fear is now being cleaned up to remove all traces of such work. They cite satellite photos and other intelligence that apparently show such a major sanitization effort.
Tehran says a visit is possible only after extensive planning and a detailed outline of procedures. IAEA officials in turn privately describe that caveat as a stalling tactic, allowing for removal of all traces of such suspected work.


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The Teacher Myth in Education Reform:
Teachers are the problem. - In an effort to believe the best in everyone, I believe that this negative statement actually comes from a positive belief: "Teachers are the solution." I do believe that. (Of course, they're not the only piece of the solution, it's a multi-part problem that many people/communities need to work together to solve.) Teachers are the main point-of-contact between students and schools. They're the public relations department and the product of a school. And a few remarkable teachers have the amazing ability to single-handedly save a bad situation. That may sound like I'm saying that teachers are the problem, but having the ability to solve a problem is not the same thing as having caused it.
- Unions are the problem. Teaching is a field dominated by women, so it has traditionally been paid as if it is a second income job. In other words, less. In fact, if I'm remembering the stat correctly, teachers make less money than any other field with the same education level. (For more accurate stats and general explanation about this point see Teachers Have It Easy.) Teachers also work longer hours under harsher, more critical conditions than most other professional fields. Even finding time to use the bathroom can be challenging in a teacher's non-stop day. This is precisely the type of job that needs a strong union. Unless you don't believe in unions? That's a different issue.
- Tenure is the problem. There's a bizarre idea that many people hold (and that many teachers perpetuate) that teaching is a calling - as if it were the priesthood. Teaching is a job. It's a job that requires a high level of education, doesn't pay very well, and has long stressful work hours. It does have one important perk - job stability. That perk "makes up" for some of the lack of pay. People operating under the teacher myth believe that we have a shortage of good, qualified teachers. Removing one of the main job benefits of teaching is not a good way to get more.
- Anyone can teach. Teach for America and other similar organizations have done a great job perpetuating this sub-myth. It's great that these organizations are convincing more people to go into teaching in the short term, but their goals aren't to create professional teachers - they expect recent college grads to teach for two years and maybe stick around for a year or two after that. It's something to do before going back to law school. But teaching is a profession and teachers, yes, need to learn how to be teachers. It takes time, skill, training, and effort. Just like all professional jobs.
- Paying good teachers more is a solution. Paying teachers more is great. Teachers should be paid more! But this also implies that bad teachers should be paid less. Who are "bad teachers?" Have they been branded as such permanently? I believe that no-one goes into teaching, or any profession for that matter, trying to be bad at their job. The "bad teachers" want to do a good job! Why not focus on training them to do that? I just started as a Software Engineer at Google. I got 2 weeks of intensive training at the beginning. I'm still in the middle of 10 weeks of at-my-own-pace online lessons. And I have an assigned mentor who sits near me. This is all despite the fact that I have a Ph.D. in Computer Science. Don't teachers, starting jobs after their own academic training programs, deserve at least as much before they're permanently labelled as failing?
- Bad teachers can be easily identified. Or, restated, bad teachers are like porn, you know them when you see them. One commonly encouraged way to identify "bad teachers" is to use standardized test scores - the bad teachers will be the ones with the low student test scores. But what are the students like in their classrooms? What are the students' home lives like? How long has the teacher been teaching (they do get time to learn themselves, right?)? And, the biggie, who says that standardized test scores actually measure anything relevant? If they don't, then do we trust principals to evaluate teachers? Will superintendents step in to evaluate the principals' evaluations, etc.? To use the "you know it when you see it" metric, someone besides the teacher will need to take the time to show up in the classroom regularly and give thoughtful, constructive feedback. This is all too rare. And obviously, bad teachers aren't like porn. It's much more complicated.
So please, before you jump on the bandwagon of some reform idea (or movie) or another, stop to think about it's underlying ideas. Is the teacher myth one of its axioms?


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Next Episode of Celebrity Big Brother is
not planed. TV Show was canceled.
Originally created as a one-off tie-in series by Channel 4 in association with the BBC's Comic Relief charity telethon, Celebrity Big Brother is now a full spin-off of Big Brother in the UK, airing on Channel 5. The series features a number of celebrity contestants living in the Big Brother House, trying to avoid eviction by the public. Emma Willis is the current presenter of the series, as she has become the face of Channel 5's Big Brother, she replaced Brian Dowling who presented the first four series on Channel 5 (2011-2013) and Davina McCall who hosted the first seven series for original broadcaster Channel 4 (2001-2010). Since the show moved to Channel 5 in 2011, the series traditionally airs two series a year, with one at the start of the year and one after the normal civilian run of Big Brother in August/September.
Emma Willis has all the action as the public decide who will emerge from the Big Brother House as this season's champion.
Daniel Baldwin(Daniel Baldwin)
Leslie Jordan(Leslie Jordan)
Lucien Laviscount(Lucien Laviscount)
Michael Madsen(Michael Madsen)
Mark Owen(Mark Owen)
Stephen Baldwin(Stephen Baldwin)
Vinnie Jones(Vinnie Jones)
Jermaine Jackson(Jermaine Jackson)
Jenna Jameson(Jenna Jameson)
Gillian Taylforth(Gillian Taylforth)
Stephanie Beacham(Stephanie Beacham)
Ken Morley(Ken Morley)
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- and it just happened to you.
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7.1-Channel 3-D Ready A/V Receiver
- Made for iPod/iPhone Certified - includes USB/Composite Video Cable, Free iControlAV iPhone App
- Bluetooth Ready with Optional Pioneer AS-BT100 Bluetooth Adapter
- HDMI® (V.1.4a with 3D) - 6 Inputs / 1 Output
- Anchor Bay® Video Processing
Pioneer VSX-1020-K Receiver: Internet Radio and Portable Connectivity, Multi-Zone Support, and the Latest High-Definition Audio and Video Standards
There's only one way to get closer to an artist's true intent--and that's to get as close as possible to exactly what the artist created. With this in mind, Pioneer ushers in an entirely new era of high definition stereophonic performance. From enjoying the very best 1080p high definition picture available to hearing every last nuance with award-winning audio capabilities, Pioneer's range of receivers offers nothing less than a miraculous performance at every level. And with an ever-increasing list of connectivity and integration options as well, these receivers will also guarantee to get you closer to the original experience than ever before.
The Pioneer VSX-1020-K delivers amazing home theater performance in an elegant package. With connectivity options for all your latest high-definition home theater components and digital 1080p upscaling from any source, the VSX-1020-K takes performance a step further with multi-zone support: choose either a 7.1-channel configuration, or create a second zone with 5.1 + 2 channels. And the VSX-1020-K brings extensive connectivity for your digital media via Ethernet and a front USB input, and compatibility with Bluetooth sources (using the optional AS-BT100 adapter, sold separately). Plus, it's "Works with iPhone"-certified, so you can incorporate your favorite Apple products into your home theater easily. iControlAVR, a free iPhone app (downloaded separately), turns your iPhone or iPod Touch into the ultimate control center.
The Ultimate iPhone Experience--Now In Your Home Theater
"Works with iPhone" Certification Provides iPhone Users the Ultimate Plug-and-Play Integration
Get a truly plug-and-play iPhone experience with your home theater. Thanks to the VSX-1020-K's "Works with iPhone" certification, you can enjoy music with iTunes® album art, movies, downloaded TV shows from iTunes, photos, web content such as YouTube® and more. An included USB/composite video cable makes connecting your iPhone to share your favorite media easy--and your iPhone charges automatically when connected. Unlike other receiver lines, there's no need to buy a separate dock to enjoy your iPhone with your home theater. This included cable also works with most generations of iPod Classic, Nano, and iPod Touch.
Share your videos, and enjoy music with full album information and album art on your TV. Your iPhone's wireless and network features remain fully functional and music and movies will mute when you receive an incoming call. And you've got lots of control options--use the iPhone directly, or push a single button on the VSX-1020-K's front panel to switch control to the included preset remote and an intuitive, full-color GUI.
Plus, your iPhone's music will always sound its best thanks to Pioneer's exclusive Advanced Sound Retriever technology, which restores lost data in compressed music files. So even in a big room, you'll get much closer to the artist's original intent from you iPhone, iPod or other MP3 player. And Auto Level Control means a smooth, consistent listening experience with no jarring volume changes between your favorite songs and albums.
Pioneer's Free iPhone App Turns Your iPhone or iPod Touch into a Powerful Control
Pioneer's iControlAV (downloaded separately via Apple's App Store) gives you total control over your home theater sound. With controls for master and per-zone volume, room calibration, and more, you've got a simple but powerful way to adjust your home theater sound any way you like.
The iPhone and iPod Touch's accelerometer controls are used to control balance and emphasis--no confusing sequence of remote buttons to remember, just tilt and maneuver your Apple portable device until the sound is right where you want it.
Connectivity That Puts You Closer To Your Movies, Music, and Photos
Access Your Portable Devices, Internet Radio, Satellite Radio and More
In addition to connections for all your home theater components, a front HDMI input lets you conveniently connect high-definition devices like an HD camcorder to view your videos in all their glory in your home theater. A front USB port lets you connect your digital camera or portable media player to display a slideshow of JPEG photos on your HDTV, or play MP3, WAV, or WMA music files with full ID3 tag and album art support. And your options don't stop with your portable devices. The Pioneer VSX-1020-K is your portal for SIRIUS® satellite radio (subscription required) and thousands of free Internet radio stations -- all just a few clicks of the remote away.
Full-Color On-Screen GUI
There are more ways to control your Pioneer VSX-1020-K than just your iPhone. There's a full-color on-screen GUI for use with the included preset remote, so you can make guided adjustments to your home theater sound.
Release Your Smartphone's Music with the AS-BT100 Bluetooth Adapter (sold separately)
For wireless connectivity, add a Pioneer AS-BT100 Bluetooth adapter (sold separately) to release your music from your iPhone, Blackberry®, or Android® smartphone as well as other Bluetooth-enabled sources like laptops. And the VSX-1020-K's Advanced Sound Retriever AIR technology makes sure that even your compressed MP3s are brought back to near cd-quality sound.
How Pioneer's Technology Delivers the Ultimate Home Theater Experience
The Latest HDMI Technology Gets You Ready for 3-D
All of Pioneer's latest receivers support the latest HDMI 1.4a specification, meaning that you're not just getting the most out of your existing movies and music, you're preparing for the next generation of 3-D video content with the VSX-1020-K. And with 6 HDMI inputs, including 1 on the front panel, you've got more than enough connectivity options for the growing number of high-definition sources available today.
1080p Upscaling from Any Source
Anchor Bay® and PureCinema video processing lets you upscale your picture to digital 1080p from virtually any source, including analog. PureCinema's extra processing of 3D noise reduction and Y/C color separation ensures you'll get the best picture possible from anything you've got.
True-to-Life, High-Definition Audio and New Dolby Pro Logic IIz
Of course all the latest Pioneer receivers support high-definition audio formats like Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Audio to give your Blu-ray Disc® movies a soundtrack that's true-to-life. But Pioneer adds an extra dimension with support for Dolby Pro Logic IIz across its entire 2010 line of receivers, which adds a "height" channel for an even more immersive experience.
Total Control with Custom Pioneer Technologies: Acoustic Calibration, Advanced Sound Retriever, and Auto Level Control
Pioneer's exclusive Multi-Channel Acoustic Calibration system (MCACC) provides a near studio-quality, multi-channel listening experience customized specifically to your listening environment. An included microphone measures every speaker's connection, and notes its size, distance from the listening point, sound levels and timbre to calibrate and maximize performance. The VSX-1020-K has an advanced version of MCACC that will calibrate with a 9-band equalizer, auto-crossover settings, and can even send charts of its measurements to your PC via USB.
Even compressed audio such as WMA, MP3 and AAC is enhanced with another Pioneer exclusive, Advanced Sound Retriever, by filling in areas where minute details were left out during the compression process. This technology also enhances the audio quality of SIRIUS Satellite Radio and can realize an upper limit frequency of 20kHz with compressed audio playback for surprising audio richness and clarity even from "lossy" digital audio sources. The VSX-1020-K's advanced ASR can restore even multi-channel audio.
Additionally, the Auto Level Control feature can equalize volume level differences between tracks playing from an iPhone or iPod or during television programming so the volume can be enjoyed at a consistent level--no more jarring "blare" when switching audio sources.
All of these technologies come together in the VSX-1020-K to deliver an advanced level of control and sophistication for the discerning home entertainment enthusiast.
iPod Compatibility: http://pioneer.jp/homeav/support/ios/na/
- Direct Energy
- 7.1
- 80
- 110
- 125
Handheld and Internet
- 5th gen./ nano and abover, iPhone, 3G, 3GS, 4
Decoders & Formats
- Freescale
- Multi-Channel
Soundfield Calibration
- Advanced
- 9-Band
- 6
- 1/2 feet
Listening Modes
- Yes (Direct, Pure Direct)
- 13+1 Mode DPS
- Yes (Focus, Wide)
Audio Features
- Multi-Channel
- 2-Channel
- Multi-Channel
- Multi-Channel
- 2 Channel
- Yes (10 Frame)
- Versatile Speaker Configuration
- Yes (Front Channel)
Video Processing
- Anchor Bay
- 1080p
- 1080p
- 1080p
- Standard Definition Sources Detail, Sharpness, Brightness, Contrast, Hue, Chroma
- 6 In / 1 Out
- Optional AS-BT200 or AS-BT100
- 2 In (Assignable)
- 5 In / 1 Out
- Yes (USB+V)
- Yes
- No
- 2 In / 1 Out
- 4 In
- 0.1 ch (SW)
- USB / AV Inputs
- 63 Preset AM / FM Tuner
- Included
- 2 Zone A/V
- 1 In / 1 Out
- Zone 2 Text
- Learning Remote
- 30, 60, 90 min.
- Surround Back/ Front Height/ Front Wide/ Front Bi-Amp/ Zone 2/ B-Speaker
- Glossy Black
- 7
- 16.55 x 6.23 x 13.71
- 22.25 lbs.
Specifications and design subject to modification without notice.
PIONEER is a registered trademarks of Pioneer Corporation.
iPhone, iPod and iPod Touch are trademarks of Apple, Inc., registered in the US and other countries.
DTS is a registered trademark & the DTS logos and Symbol are trademarks of DTS, Inc.
Dolby and the double-D symbol are registered trademarks of Dolby Laboratories.
Bluetooth is a registered trademark of Bluetooth SIG, Inc. Bluetooth functionality requires a compatible A2DP profile Bluetooth-enabled device. Certain Bluetooth features may not be supported by all compatible Bluetooth-enabled devices, and/or the functionality of such features may be limited in certain devices.
HDMI, the HDMI logo and High-Definition Multimedia Interface are trademarks or registered trademarks of HDMI Licensing, LLC. HDMI connection may not allow transmission of copyright protected material, depending on the capability of the signal source.
"SIRIUS" and the SIRIUS dog logo are registered trademarks of SIRIUS Satellite Radio, Inc.
Windows Media and the Windows logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or other countries.
Proprietary driver is required for WMA9 Pro playback on computer.
x.v.Color is a trademark of Sony Corporation.


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Yes, that's right, another one of those Customer Service rants.
In the UK we are having a Credit Crunch. Hey, maybe you guys are in yonder are too, but I just know I can't turn on the TV without hearing those two words, and the whole consumers are tightening their purse strings business.
Money is tight. Things are extraordinarily expensive, even the price of bread, and don't me started on the price of chicken. Even the battery farmed ones!
And there is more choice than ever, no? Where we eat, where we shop.
So I am tired of the extremely lame customer service we get in the UK (please do share if you also have lame experiences in your part of the world).
I can't remember the last time I left somewhere with a sense of quiet warm gratitude because someone was just polite and efficient.
What's worse that the high street retailers? The online retailers. I don't know why I bother sometimes, but I do.
ASOS is a prime contender for repeatedly lame customer service. They have a snazzy website you see – they have pretty models who make the clothes look amazing. When you receive the completely overpriced goods, that some
child person has made in the worst conditions in China in a snazzy plastic wrap, there's never a ahhhhhh that's wonderful! Just what I wanted! feeling. It just looks – lame. (come on, you get that ALL the time with catalogue clothes, no?).
I am lazy. Most people I know are too damn lazy to return stuff that is meh. (You have to wrap it, PAY FOR THE RETURN, queue at the Post Office where they'll be full of smelly people, then wait 5 days for it to get back, if it ever does.) If its horrid beyond belief its going back, or going to the sister in law at Christmas. If its Meh, maybe-I'll-wear-it-one-day, then you'll throw it on a heap and there is £30 in Mr ASOS bosses pocket.
Now if I bought it in Topshop, I'd just walk over and take it straight back. I can't do that with asos – everything costs money; delivery, returns etc. etc.
I can't stand the rigid customer service on their website. I used to shop on it when it was just a crappy little site called – As Seen On Screen, and people bothered to respond to your emails. Nowadays, when you do get a reply its always standard – computer-says-no, kinda stuff.
Example –
They actually once sent me a parcel with two things missing and charged me anyway – erm, yes I did notice. I emailed them. Yes I want a refund, RIGHT NOW. Oh yes, they said, the items were out of stock. You don't say?
And the what really got on my nerves today was that I requested an exchange for an item. Not hard to process is it? But they gave me a refund – I emailed the CS and they responded, snottily – apparently the item was out of stock at the time so they just refunded it. Really? Because in the few days it took to arrive back, how come two of my friends saw and bought the same item? So it was out of stock for a magic 5 hours or something? If the item was out of stock, can't the department exercise some common sense and say, we'll have some coming in tomorrow so lets sort that out then?
Methinks that Asos has to pay for the exchange postage, and they are so big for their boots that they can't be bothered. If I don't buy it, they still have hundreds and thousands of women that will, right?
They have a big selection of clothes I guess, but unless you are a genuine size whatever, which I don't think many women are, be prepared to send a lot of things back. (Do you KNOW how much jeans or shoes cost to send nowadays? a good £3-£4.).
The clothes are expensive for what they are and I have never noticed exceptionally good quality (unless it is a branded item) – its on par with Primark, with the look of Jane Norman (if you have never heard of Jane Norman clothes you really should google – they make clothes for women in their twenties who have spare money (£100 for a coat?!?! £60 for a lycra dress?!?!) and absolutely no taste. You know the ones that desperately don't want to turn 30 and still wear crochet mini skirts, think white pants are a good idea, and wear bustiers with little ti*ies? those girls.)
If you like leotards –
Or baggy pants –
Or wearing nightes as dresses –
Then Asos is great!
Back to quality – I've got holes in a bunch of Asos stuff I've worn once. What they have is an amazing styling crew, a great website and gorgeous models. But the products and service? – A big fat meh. For the amount of hassle I get for spending hundred of pounds with them, I expect more than a meh.
I'm going to completely remove them from my shopping radar from now on. Really! I will!


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Christmas Is Coming
Wrong size? Change your mind? No problem with our 30 day no hassle returns!
T Shirt design reads: Christmas Is Coming
Our crew neck, short sleeved men's t shirts are 100% cotton in a soft pre-shrunk jersey knit. Our women's t shirts are lighter weight 150g tees made with deluxe 30's soft style yarns for a soft feel.
Want this awesome design on another product? No problem! Simply search or browse your desired product.


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Jubilant Kashmiris lit bonfires and set off fireworks in the streets on Wednesday to celebrate a rare triumph in their struggle against Indian rule. For nine days, Muslim leaders have staged the biggest protests seen in Jammu and Kashmir since the early 1990s against a government plan to transfer land to a Hindu shrine in India's only Muslim-majority state. Hundreds of people were wounded and at least four killed while protesting. On Tuesday, the government bowed to the pressure and voted to scrap the plan. But while some parts of the state saw rejoicing, the government's decision stoked tensions elsewhere.
In Hindu-majority Jammu, the revocation prompted new rallies, with activists chanting that the government had pandered to Muslims. In the national capital, New Delhi, India's main opposition party, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), called for a nationwide strike on July 3. It warned that the government's decision would unleash a tide of Hindu nationalist anger – an indication that the party is likely to agitate over the issue ahead of general elections scheduled to be held in May.
Back in Srinagar, separatist leaders anxious to maintain the momentum of recent days said they were preparing for a new round of protests to demand independence – their ultimate goal.
"We will be happy when we are free from India," says Syed Ali Shah Geelani, a hard-line Muslim separatist leader. He indicated that the next cause independence activists would seize upon was the occupation of large swaths of land in Kashmir by the Indian Army.
Mr. Geelani's sentiments are shared by many. Public feeling in the state certainly runs high as 90 percent of the population in Srinagar believes that Kashmir should be independent of either India or Pakistan, according to a poll in an Indian newspaper.
For two decades, militant groups have been fighting for the state's independence, or its merger with neighboring Pakistan, which rules the other portion of the disputed Himalayan region. Some 50,000 people have been killed in the conflict, and the region has sparked three wars between India and Pakistan since the partition of the subcontinent in 1947.
In recent years, life has been relatively peaceful in the Kashmir Valley, an area once described by former President Bill Clinton as the most dangerous place on earth. This is largely due to renewed peace talks between India and Pakistan as well as the decline of the Hizbul Mujahideen, Kashmir's largest militant group.
But some observers believe that a resurgence in Kashmiri militancy is in the offing. In April, the United Jihad Council, an umbrella group of Kashmiri militants, held its first public rally since 2001 in Muzaffarabad, Pakistan.
Communal tensions
Kashmir's latest controversy came about when the state government – led by the Congress Party that rules at India's center – said that it would transfer 99 acres of land to the Shri Amarnath Shrine Board, which manages a shrine in a cave containing an icicle believed to be an incarnation of the god Shiva. The board was to build huts and toilets for the thousands of Hindu tourists that visit each year.
Independence leaders say the sanctity of the cave is overplayed by Indian politicians and that the plan to build accommodations for pilgrims was in fact a ploy to settle large numbers of Hindus in a Muslim-majority area, thereby altering the area's demographics. Indian officials have dismissed the allegations.
Agitating for independence
For their part, some independence activists have admitted that the land transfer offered an opportunity to agitate for the independence cause and was not a genuine grievance in itself.
"[The separatists] needed an issue to exploit and this has given them that handle," says Gen. Ashok Mehta, a defense analyst at the Center for Policy Research, a think tank in New Delhi.
The tactic seems to have worked. At a mass protest ostensibly organized to protest the land transfer at Srinagar's Jama Masjid – the main mosque – on Tuesday, people repeatedly chanted: "Freedom! Freedom!"
In an attempt to quash the protest, authorities had earlier detained five separatist leaders and imposed an unofficial curfew in the city. But several thousand people thronged the vast mosque and its surrounding lanes, traveling by small roads and byways to avoid the police who turned out in numbers.
Police fired tear gas in the streets adjoining the mosque in an attempt to dispel the gathering, but the protesters held their ground.
Observers say that more independence rallies are likely to be organized ahead of state elections, scheduled to take place in the fall.
Already, the protests have resulted in significant political fallout: a key government ally, the People's Democratic Party pulled out of the ruling coalition in the midst of the land-transfer furor.
Separatist leaders, who do not themselves contest elections, like to whip up pro-independence sentiments ahead of polling.
"I expect a lot more protests in Kashmir in the coming months," adds General Mehta.


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Sound Creation26"
No.3 - Earth
Sound: Unfathomable and dark, with swelling highs
Character: Mysterious, knowing, kind, unfathomable
Each Sound Creation Gong has its own extraordinary and particular sound character. Their impressive, charismatic sound embodies a wealth of exemplary emotional sensations and feelings. Due to their varied sound colors and voices, these instruments also offer a wide range of harmonics and frequencies.
Home > Products > Gongs > Sound Creation > No.3 - Earth | No.3A - Earth | No.3B - Earth | No.3C - Earth | No.8 - Head | No.9 - Chest | No.10 - Abdomen |


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2nd Edition of my Cacti & Succulents book is done!
Assembly in process
The 2nd edition has green cover stamps
Seafoam green sewn spines
I have some of the copies up for sale in my Etsy, they're $8, have a look!
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Grand Traverse - Ultimate Hikes
The Grand Traverse is for those with adventurous spirits; combining the peaceful Greenstone Valley with the Routeburn Track for one unforgettable journey.
1 / 7
Track Details
Days required: 6
75 Kms / 46.6 miles
Track difficulty: Moderate
The logistics and planning required for a 6 day walk on the Routeburn and Greenstone Tracks can be a little overwhelming. So we've planned out your whole itinerary to make sure that you are able to relax and simply enjoy your Grand Traverse Guided Walk.
From your Pre-Track Briefing to ensure that you are adequately prepared, to lunch stops throughout each day, ensuring that you don't miss any of the track highlights or side tracks. We've thought of everything to ensure your safety and comfort.
Day before departure: Pre Track Briefing
On the afternoon before your departure you are required to attend a Pre-Track Briefing at the Ultimate Hikes Centre, Ground Floor, The Station Building, Queenstown.
Here you will receive a complete outline of your walk, collect equipment, purchase last minute items, complete the required medical forms, and ask answer any questions that you may have. It is also a good opportunity to meet your fellow walkers.
Please advise our reservations department if you are unable to attend the Pre-Track Briefing (strongly advised to attend).
Day 1 : Glenorchy - Steele Creek
Your morning coach trip from Queenstown follows Lake Wakatipu to Glenorchy, and around the lake to the mouth of the fabled Greenstone River, where you will start the walk. You will follow the Greenstone track into the stately red beech forest, returning to the river with views of Mt Christina as you walk up the final river flats to Steele Creek Lodge.
Day 2: Steele Creek to Lake McKellar
After a hearty breakfast, walk through a sea of red tussock on the river flats. Ancient pines and cottonwoods cling to the sheer mountain sides, which come alive with water on rainy days. The track allows spectacular views of the Ailsa and Livingstone Ranges as you approach Lake McKellar and the lodge.
Day 3: Lake McKellar
This is your chance to explore the area on foot, row on the lake or just relax and read a novel. Take a stroll to the waterfall, or hike up to the lookout for a view down the river flats and your first glimpse of the Routeburn Track.
Day 4: Lake McKellar - Lake Mackenzie
Today you will cross the main divide via the Greenstone Saddle and glimpse mountains and lakes through lush forest. You meet the Routeburn Track at Lake Howden and have the option to make the ascent to Key Summit. Here you can sit among the alpine plants and gaze down three valleys from which water fl ows to three different coasts. You then descend back down to Lake Howden hut for a hot drink and picnic lunch, before gradually climbing through lush silver beech forest to the base of Earland Falls, quite a sight in wet weather! You will look over the Hollyford Valley to the ice capped Darran Mountains before descending to the splendid lodge at Lake Mackenzie where refreshments, a hot shower, three course meal and a comfortable bed are waiting.
Day 5: Lake Mackenzie to Routeburn Falls
You leave the ancient forest draped in moss and lichen and enter the world of daisies, buttercups, gentians and edelweiss. On a clear day you have a full vista of the Darran Mountains across the Hollyford Valley, which slices through Fiordland to the distant Tasman Sea at Martin's Bay. After lunch at the Harris Saddle, you can ascend Conical Hill for a panoramic view of the surrounding peaks. After walking around Lake Harris you descend into the upper basins of the Routeburn Valley, with the towering mountains above. Spend your final night of luxury at the beautifully located Routeburn Falls Lodge where you will be treated to a special celebratory dinner.
Day 6: Routeburn Falls to Road End
Take time to enjoy the dramatic landscape around the Falls, before descending to the alpine pastures of the Routeburn Flats. Your guides will take the scenic route through the meadows and find the deepest green pool for you to picnic beside. The track shadows the river as it roars through a magnificent gorge before plunging beneath the unyielding rocks at the Sump. From here it is a gentle walk through the beech forest to the Road End. A coach will take you back to Queenstown, stopping at the small town of Glenorchy on the way.
Facilities in our Greenstone Track wilderness lodges include:
Comfortable beds with duvets and pillows
Hot water showers
Shampoo and conditioner
Flushing toilets
Hand washing facilities and washing powder
Full kitchen and lodge staff
Selection of NZ wines, beers and soft drinks for purchase
Facilities in our Routeburn Track wilderness lodges include:
Comfortable beds with duvets and pillows
Hot water showers
Shampoo, conditioner and hair dryers
Flushing toilets
Generated electricity until 10pm each evening
Hand washing facilities and washing powder
Drying rooms
Full kitchen and lodge staff
Selection of NZ wines, beers and soft drinks for purchase
Enjoy excellent Kiwi cuisine
After an invigorating day on the Greenstone and Routeburn Tracks you will have worked up an appetite. Our lodges have full kitchens and our staff have been working to make sure your time inside on the Grand Traverse is as memorable as your time outside.
Enjoy a snack and cold drink when you arrive at the lodge. A three course dinner follows: hearty homemade soup; a traditional New Zealand main; fresh garden salad followed by dessert, tea and coffee. A selection of New Zealand wine, beer and soft drinks are available for purchase from our bars throughout your evening.
A hot cuppa will be ready and waiting for early risers and breakfast offers a selection of fruit and cereal or a full cooked breakfast of bacon and eggs. Your guides will lay everything out for you to make your own picnic lunch on the way out: a delicious sandwich and your choice of fruit and energy snacks to keep you going through the day. Lunch is on route, but a hot drinks will be waiting for you when you stop.
Accommodation options on the Grand Traverse include:
MULTISHARE: dormitory style rooms with shared bathroom facilities on the Greenstone Track. On the Routeburn Track multishare rooms sleep up to 4 people. Private rooms with ensuite bathrooms are available on the Routeburn Track only.
The Grand Traverse 6 day/ 5 night guided walk departs twice per week between the 1st of November and the 9th of April. There are no minimum numbers required for the trip to depart and we can cater for a maximum of 24 people per departure.
Your Grand Traverse Guied Walk includes transport to and from the track; track accommodation; breakfasts, lunches and dinners; snacks; backpacks and rain jackets. Accommodation is provided in our comfortable wilderness lodges and you will be led by our expert guides.
I chose the Grand Traverse because it covered the Greenstone and Routeburn Tracks. I certainly wasn't disappointed (not that I expected to be).
FLRosemary, USA
Trip Advisor
Artículo de
Grand Traverse Guided Walk - Ultimate Hikes
For those with adventurous spirits; combine the peaceful Greenstone Valley with the Routeburn for an unforgettable journey. Let Ultimate Hikes guide you on this 6 day/5 night adventure.


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Interview with the founder of an espresso tasting society
Posted by TheShot on 24 Feb 2007 | Tagged as: Café Society, Local Brew, Quality Issues
Today The Oregonian published an interview with David Rittenhouse, who over the past summer started the Portland Oregon Espresso Tasting Society (or P.O.E.T.S.): Opinions flow.
And you guessed it, his top tip for people ordering espresso…?:
If someone pours you a bad shot, don't be afraid to ask for another one. Everyone has a flat shot sometimes; it just works out that way. If they're starting a new bag of beans, for example, you may get what's called a "sink shot." It just doesn't taste right.
Yep, you hear that? Send it back. ("Send it back"? — can I get that as my beverage order on a custom Starbucks T-shirt?!) And for the home espresso brewer, he also recommends spending the money on a really good grinder and using beans as fresh as possible. All of which probably sounds familiar to readers here.
What's probably not so familiar to S.F. coffee lovers is the concept of the Coffee Meetup, which is how P.O.E.T.S. organizes themselves. Surprisingly, S.F. has not yet organized a Coffee Meetup. Yes, if you follow that link, that's me with the Robert Goulet avatar as #58 on the notification queue — should someone in town be ambitious enough to finally organize one. (Look, don't ask me — I'm just a dufus with a Web site!)
The closest Coffee Meetup to S.F. is The South Bay Coffee Meetup Group, based in Santa Clara. It will come as no surprise that it was founded by noneother than Andy Newbom of Barefoot Coffee Roasters. Their next meeting is March 5.
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One Response to "Interview with the founder of an espresso tasting society"
[…] It gets dicier, with the article emphasizing the the ever-popular-and-delusional cost savings benefits of these home espresso machines. And when it comes to the taste test, they treat espresso machines as if they were self-contained, standalone appliances that pump out uniform cups of espresso, regardless of the grinder and the beans used. […]


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This week's challenge for Tonia's 31 Weeks to a Better Genealogy Blog is to promote a blog post.
As this blog is already linked to Twitter and Facebook, this option is covered. I use internal links and comment on other blogs as appropriate, although I could leave comments more often. I do follow a lot of genealogy blogs with great interest. Some of the other suggestions just don't appeal to me.
But what about a newsletter? Maybe…
Let's see, where to begin. I Googled "genealogy newsletter" and looked at several examples to see what kind of format was used and what type of information to include. I also checked out a few sites where I could create a newsletter using templates.
I finally settled on WordPress.com, the home of this blog. I created a new WordPress.com site and picked out a snazzy, happy theme called Vertigo. I then added some content and my newsletter was born!
I hope this will be a fun and informative newsletter, so please visit and if you like what you see, I would be honored to have you subscribe to Ruth's Genealogy The Newsletter!


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July 10, 2006
MACON, Ga. - The Atlantic Sun Presidents Council recently convened, electing new members to the council and Executive Committee.
East Tennessee State University President Dr. Paul Stanton, Jr., was named Chair of the Presidents Council and President of the Conference while Jacksonville University President Dr. Kerry Romesburg was elected Vice Chair of the Presidents Council.
Executive Committee members include: Lipscomb Director of Athletics, Steve Potts (Vice President); Campbell Senior Associate Athletic Director Debbie Richardson (Secretary); Jacksonville's Dr. Kim Capriotti (Faculty Athletic Representative) and Belmont Athletic Director Mike Strickland (AD).
The Atlantic Sun Conference is a 10-member Division I league headquartered in Macon, Ga. Its membership includes Belmont, Campbell, East Tennessee State, Gardner-Webb, Jacksonville, Kennesaw State, Lipscomb, Mercer, North Florida and Stetson.