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Committee Membership Information
Study Title:
Spatial Data Enabling USGS Strategic Science in the 21st Century
Primary Board:
Study Director:
Mr. Robert P. Denaro
- (Chair)
NAVTEQ Corporation
ROBERT P. DENARO is Vice President of NAVTEQ, a company that specializes in digital roadmap data and services for navigation, and leads NAVTEQ's Advanced Driver Assistance Systems business. Mr. Denaro joined NAVTEQ from Rand McNally & Company, where he was Senior Vice President and General Manager of Global Business Solutions, responsible for business-to-business applications and consumer technology products and services in mapping and routing. Prior to joining Rand McNally, Mr. Denaro was Vice President and Director of Motorola's Consumer Telematics Products, a division he launched after heading the company's Global Positioning System (GPS) business for five years. Earlier in his career, Mr. Denaro launched Trimble Navigation's Fleet Management and Vehicle Tracking Division and was co-founder of TAU Corporation, producer of the first commercial differential GPS systems. He started his career in the U.S. Air Force, where he served for nine years, initially working on research, development, and flight testing of the first cockpit digital map displays, and ultimately carrying out research, development and field test as a USAF Captain at the Navstar GPS Joint Program Office. Mr. Denaro is a member of the NRC Mapping Science Committee, Vice Chair of the DOT ITS Program Advisory Committee, a former member of the Board of Directors of the Intelligent Transportation Society of America (ITS America), and served as a Policy Board Director of the 511 National Traveler Information Number Deployment Coalition. He is a past Vice President of the Institute of Navigation, past Vice Chairman of the U.S. GPS Industry Council, and was a lecturer for the NATO Advisory Group for Aerospace Research and Development. He is nominated for his expertise in private industry mapping programs, and for his knowledge of prior NRC studies conducted in this area. He holds an M.S. in Electrical Engineering from the U.S. Air Force Institute of Technology, an M.S. in Systems Management from the University of Southern California, and a B.S. in Engineering Sciences (Astronautics) from the U.S. Air Force Academy.
Dr. George H. Brimhall
University of California, Berkeley
GEORGE H. BRIMHALL (NAE) is a professor of geology in the Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences at the University of California, Berkeley, where he has taught and conducted research for nearly 33 years. Previously he taught in the Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences at Johns Hopkins University and worked as a project and underground mine geologist for the Anaconda Company. Dr. Brimhall?s research interests include digital field mapping, exploration and mining geology, ore deposit genesis and geochemistry, surface process geochemistry, and mineral resources issues. In addition, he has been active with both the Society of Economic Geologists and the Geological Society of America; he was associate editor of the Geological Society of America Bulletin from 1992 to 1995. Dr. Brimhall was elected to the National Academy of Engineering in 2001 and received the University of California, Berkeley Noyce Distinguished Teaching Award in 1999. He holds a Ph.D. in geology from the University of California, Berkeley.
Dr. Andrea Donnellan
Jet Propulsion Laboratory
ANDREA DONNELLAN is a geophysicist at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory and a research professor at the University of Southern California. Dr. Donnellan integrates satellite technology with high-performance computer models to study earthquakes, plate tectonics, and the corresponding movements of the earth's crust. She is currently NASA's Applied Sciences Program Area Lead for Natural Disasters, and Principal Investigator of NASA's QuakeSim and other projects. Dr. Donnellan has also been the Project Scientist of a mission to study natural hazards, ice sheets, and ecosystems, and Deputy Manager of the Laboratory's Science Division. She has conducted field studies in California in the region of the Northridge earthquake, the Ventura basin, and on the San Andreas fault. She has also carried out field work on the West Antarctic Ice Streams, in the Dry Valleys, and in Marie Byrd Land of Antarctica, on the Altiplano of Bolivia, in Mongolia, and on Variegated Glacier in Alaska. Dr. Donnellan received the Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers in 1996, the Women in Aerospace Award for Outstanding Achievement in 2003, the Women At Work Medal of Excellence in 2004, and was the MUSES of the California Science Center Foundation Woman of the Year in 2006. She has held an NRC Postdoctoral Fellowship at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center and has been a Visiting Associate at the Seismological Laboratory at Caltech. Dr. Donnellan has a B.S. in geology from the Ohio State University, an M.S. in Computer Science from the University of Southern California, and M.S. and Ph.D. in geophysics from the California Institute of Technology.
Dr. John A. Kelmelis
Pennsylvania State University
JOHN A. KELMELIS is a professor in the School of International Affairs at The Pennsylvania State University and an affiliate professor in the Department of Geography. Previously, Dr. Kelmelis served as Senior Counselor for Earth Science in the Office of the Science and Technology Advisor to the Secretary of State, where he provided policy advice to the White House, Department of State, and other high-level government entities on geology, hydrology, biology, geography, and related sciences and technologies in establishing and executing U.S. foreign policy. He concurrently served as Senior Science Advisor for International Policy in the Office of the Director of the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), where he served as principal staff advisor on incorporating science into international policy. Dr. Kelmelis has coordinated the USGS Global Change Research Program, directed the White House Scientific Assessment and Strategy Team, managed the U.S. Antarctic Mapping Program, and conducted research on many geographic scientific topics. From 1997 through 1999, he served as the Chief Scientist for Geographic Research at the USGS, where he provided research and guidance on infrastructure resources in the United States (such as drinking water, abandoned mine lands, urban hazards, and ecosystem restoration in South Florida, the Chesapeake Bay, and San Francisco) as well as international issues and research. From 1999 to 2004 he served as Chief Scientist for Geography, providing scientific leadership for the National Map, Land Remote Sensing, and Geographic Analysis and Monitoring programs. He is active in professional societies including the American Geographical Society and the Association of American Geographers. Dr. Kelmelis has provided scientific and technical leadership to various national and international committees, including the Planning Committee of the Global Dialogue on Emerging Science and Technology 2008 (in Africa), the U.S. African Command Transition Team, and the U.S. Department of State Working Group on Populations at Risk. He has led official U.S. delegations to several countries and has worked on and participated in many United Nations events. His current research addresses linking scientific findings to the policy process. Dr. Kelmelis received a B.A. (magna cum laude) from Central Connecticut State College, an M.S. from the University of Missouri at Rolla, and a Ph.D. from The Pennsylvania State University.
Dr. Dennis Ojima
Colorado State University
DENNIS OJIMA is Senior Research Scientist at the Natural Resource Ecology Laboratory at Colorado State University (CSU), where he was Interim Director from 2005 to 2006. He is also a Senior Scholar and co-Director of Mitigation Programs at the H. John Heinz III Center for Science, Economics, and the Environment, and assistant professor in the CSU Rangeland Ecosystem Science Department. His current U.S. research contributes to the North American Carbon Project. His research areas include global change effects on ecosystem dynamics and regional climate change assessment for the Central Great Plains, as well as international efforts in Central Asia, Mongolia, and China. His research with the Chinese Academy of Sciences includes development of Regional Carbon Management. Dr. Ojima is also member of the U.S. National Committee for the Scientific Committee on Problems of the Environment and member-at-large of the Governing Board of the Ecological Society of America (2005-2007). He received a B.A. in botany from Pomona College, an M.S. in botany from the University of Florida, and a Ph.D. from the Rangeland Ecosystem Science Department at Colorado State University.
Mr. Ian Jackson
British Geologic Survey
IAN JACKSON is the Chief of Operations at the British Geological Survey (BGS). Between 2000-2007, Mr. Jackson was the Director of Information at BGS. He is currently a member of a European Commission team drafting regulations for the new EC spatial data infrastructure Directive, INSPIRE and also serves on the council of an IUGS Commission. Between 1997 and 1999 he was the Project Manager of a major European Union-funded project to create a European geoscience metadata service. Mr. Jackson has worked for BGS for over 35 years, initially on mineral assessment programmes in the United Kingdom and overseas and subsequently as a field geologist, undertaking applied geological mapping in the North-East England coalfield. Use of relational database and CAD systems to handle the large borehole and mineplan datasets associated with these projects led to his appointment as the manager of the BGS Digital Map Implementation project in 1990. This was followed by responsibility for BGS Information Systems. During his career in BGS he also undertaken geoscience information systems consultancy in Canada, Australia, South America and Europe. He was responsible for the development of the UK digital geological map database and closely involved in designing the BGS programme for 3D modelling. Mr. Jackson is a graduate of the University of Newcastle, UK.
Dr. Michael Emch
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
MICHAEL EMCH is Associate Professor of Geography, Fellow at the Carolina Population Center, and Adjunct Associate Professor of Epidemiology at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. His expertise is in infectious disease ecology, neighborhood determinants of health, and geographic information science applications of public health. He leads the Spatial Health Research Group which conducts research that explores spatio-temporal patterns of disease, primarily infectious diseases of the developing world (www.unc.edu/depts/geog/ spatialhealthgroup/). Disease patterns are studied using a holistic approach by investigating the role of natural, social, and built environments in disease occurrence in different places and populations. Diverse statistical and spatial analytical methods are informed by theory from the fields of medical geography, epidemiology, and ecology. These theories and methods are used to examine diverse topics such as the role of population-environment drivers in viral evolution, how social and spatial connectivity simultaneously contribute to disease incidence, and using environmental indicators to predict disease outbreaks. Dr. Emch holds a PhD in medical geography from Michigan State University, an MA in geography from Miami University, and a BA in biology from Alfred University.
Dr. Robert Chen
Center for International Earth Sciences Information Network
ROBERT S. CHEN is director and senior research scientist at the Center for International Earth Science Information Network (CIESIN) of Columbia University. He served as CIESIN's deputy director from 1998 to 2006 and as CIESIN's interim director from 2006 to 2007. Dr. Chen is also the manager and co-principal investigator of the Socioeconomic Data and Applications Center, a data center in the NASA Earth Observing System Data and Information System. He is currently secretary-general of the Committee on Data for Science and Technology of the International Council for Science and an ex officio member of the Board on Research Data and Information of the NRC. He has contributed to activities of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) for more than a decade and currently serves as an ex officio member of the IPCC Task Group on Data and Scenario Support for Impacts and Climate Analysis and co-manager of the IPCC Data Distribution Center. Dr. Chen received his Ph.D. in Geography from the University of North Carolina from Chapel Hill and holds Masters degrees in Technology and Policy and in Meteorology and Physical Oceanography from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). His undergraduate degree was in Earth and Planetary Sciences from MIT. Dr. Chen received his Ph.D. in Geography from the University of North Carolina from Chapel Hill and holds Masters degrees in Technology and Policy and in Meteorology and Physical Oceanography from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). His undergraduate degree was in Earth and Planetary Sciences from MIT.
Dr. Xavier R. Lopez
Oracle Corporation
XAVIER R. LOPEZ is Director of Oracle's Spatial Technologies group. He is responsible for incorporating location and semantic technologies across Oracle?s database, application server, and business applications. He has eighteen years of experience in the area of geospatial technologies. He has been active in numerous academic and government research initiatives on geographic information, has served on the National Academy of Sciences Transportation Research Board, the Board of Directors of the Geographic Information Technology Association and the International Geographic Information Foundation, and was editor of the Journal of Urban and Regional Information Systems. He is author of a book on spatial information policy and has authored over 100 scientific and industry publications pertaining to spatial information technology. He is the recipient of Fulbright, Ford, and University of California, Berkeley Postdoctoral Fellowships. He holds a Ph.D. in Spatial Information Engineering from the University of Maine, an M.A. in Urban and Regional Planning from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and an independent major in Geography from the University of California, Davis.
Dr. Bridget R. Scanlon
The University of Texas at Austin
BRIDGET R. SCANLON is a Senior Research Scientist at the Bureau of Economic Geology in the Jackson School of Geosciences of the University of Texas at Austin. The primary objective of her research group is to assess sustainability issues with respect to water resources, within the context of climate variability and land-use change in semiarid regions. Her group is working in the southwestern US, India, and China and they are collaborating with groups in West Africa and Australia. Her research focuses on evaluation of land-use change impacts on groundwater resources; quantification of groundwater recharge using soil physics, environmental tracers, and numerical simulations; assessment of paleoclimate impacts on groundwater recharge in semiarid and arid regions; and evaluation of groundwater contamination related to geogenic and anthropogenic sources. Dr. Scanlon has participated in focus groups on global recharge issues within the International Atomic Energy Agency and has served on NRC committees on radioactive waste disposal and integrated observations in the hydrologic sciences. Dr. Scanlon received a B.S. in Geology at Trinity College, Dublin (Ireland), an M.S. at the University of Alabama, and a Ph.D. from the University of Kentucky.


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We first learned of Breezer's interesting full suspension design called MLink at Eurobike last year when they showed the all mountain, 27.5 full suspension bike called the Repack. Today Breezer shows us their latest MLink equipped bike, this time in 29er form with a model called Supercell and 120mm of rear travel (the Repack has 160mm of rear travel).
The eye catching MLink design places the pivots in the middle of the chainstays in an effort to smooth out the suspension action while maintaining efficient pedaling. The design is the result of a collaboration between Joe Breeze and the Sotto Group, a team of full suspension kinematic engineers well known in the industry as the developer's of Yeti's Switch technology.
Joe Breeze talks about the design, "With MLink, Sotto has precision-engineered a full-suspension system that doesn't require a pedal platform or lockout to make it climb well. Bikes climb best when the suspension is active and engaged. When locked out, you're essentially riding a hardtail – your suspension no longer responding to the trail. Being able to leave your rear shock open is a big advantage." One of the terms the Breezer likes to focus on is that the design is a balanced mix of "anti-squat and anti-rise".
Check out this slick introductory video with JT Burke, Breezer Product and Brand Manager explaining some of the features of this new bike:
Designing for a 29er means more than just taking existing geometry and designs and making them bigger. In regards to this, Joe Breeze says, "The characteristics of a good 26er were refined over three decades, and in the move to big wheels, it's important to take advantage of all the great benefits they offer. Beyond increased rollover and stability, bigger wheels mean your axles are higher up and further out relative to the bottom bracket. This makes it harder to go over the bars on gnarly downhills or pitch backwards on steep climbs. I call this 'riding in a valley of confidence'."
Of course, this is why chainstay length is of great importance and keeping the stays short is key. Breeze continues, "Optimizing trail for the higher axle height allows the rider to lean their bike less for a given radius turn. Slack head tube angles on big wheel bikes mean the rider must lean the bike more for the same turn, increasing the likelihood of lost traction or sliding out. Optimal trail and shorter wheelbase is faster and more efficient."
The Supercell comes in three models: The top of the line Supercell Team ($4099), the Supercell Pro ($3299) and the Supercell Expert ($2599). Each model will come in four sizes: S (17″), M (18.5″), L (19.5″), XL (21″). Supercell will be available in early April in the US and May globally.
For more info: supercell.breezerbikes.com

subset: commoncrawl


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The Farm Bill Expires This Week. Does It Matter?
Not much -- for now. But lawmakers, especially those from agriculture-producing states, have warned Congress about the troubles that could ensue.
The farm bill, one of the most complicated and wide-ranging pieces of legislation that Congress deals with every few years, will expire next week. But does it really matter?
Not much -- at least for now.
In recent weeks, Washington wonks have been scratching their heads to determine what, exactly, the impact of the bill's expiration will be. Congress left for its pre-election recess without doing anything to address the coming expiration, and members won't return until November -- well after the Sept. 30 expiration date for existing law.
Some federal lawmakers, especially those from farm states, have been loudly calling on House leadership to push a bill through, issuing warnings about economic trouble that could ensue if the legislation expires. That rhetoric has been fueled by the fact that it's an election year, and the farm bill is always a hot-button issue in agriculture-producing states. For the most part, however, it appears that major disruptions won't occur immediately when the bill lapses.
"The fact that we don't have a farm bill is a serious and significant problem, but as far as things going off a cliff, it doesn't look like on Monday the implications are immediately felt," says Matt Russell of the Agricultural Law Center at Drake University Law School in Des Moines. "Apparently, lawmakers think there's still time to undo the mess before it gets completely messy."
Federal Funds Information for States, the research shop that examines how federal budget policy affects states, released a report earlier this month explaining the impact of a farm bill expiration.
With the fiscal year set to expire at the end of the month, Congress passed a continuing resolution (CR) last week that essentially keeps federal funding on autopilot through March 27, 2013, or until it can finalize its appropriations laws. That CR will help mitigate most of the problems that might have occurred with the farm bill's expiration.
The CR didn't extend the farm bill itself, it keeps funds flowing for any program in the farm bill that received money through the previous FY 2012 appropriations law. Additionally, it extends funding for programs in the nutrition section of the farm bill.
That means business as usual for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, also known as SNAP or food stamps, which is probably the most important piece of the legislation to states. The federal government recently reported that there were 46.67 million people enrolled in the food stamps program in June -- a new record.
What may be more of a challenge are programs in the farm bill that receive what's known as mandatory funding and aren't covered by annual appropriations that the CR extends.
According to FFIS, a slew of programs will expire Sept. 30 and won't get money without a new or extended farm bill. Those include programs that deal with conservation, trade, rural development, research and energy, among other areas. But some conservation programs have already been extended through FY 2014.
The Congressional Research Service also provides light on the situation. This summer, CRS examined the impact of a possible farm bill expiration. The report downplayed some of the concerns.
The bill's farm commodity programs fall under the category of mandatory spending, so it too would need re-authorization to continue beyond September. But those commodity price and income support programs don't really have a Sept. 30 deadline.
Those programs, which offer payments to farmers when market prices fall below targets, would likely be fine for some time after expiration. CRS writes the last year of support under the existing bill's commodity programs in the 2012 crop year, or crops harvested during calendar year 2012 and marketed the year after that. "Thus, the effective deadline for enacting a new farm bill is when the first supported commodity is harvested in the subsequent (2013) crop year, not the end of the fiscal year," CRS writes. In other words, Congress still has time to deal with the issue.
It goes on to note that history suggests the real deadline for a farm bill is late spring 2013.
Crop insurance is permanently authorized, so it's safe. So too is the Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program, which provides funding for crops ineligible for insurance.
How did Congress get to the point that this conversation is even taking place? The Senate passed a five-year farm bill back in June, and the House Committee on Agriculture passed its version in July. But the House's leadership hasn't allowed a vote on the bill produced by that committee amid policy differences and a fear that it may not actually get the votes in needs to pass in the full chamber.
The House proposal would have saved $35 billion over 10 years, according to the Des Moines Register, with $16 billion of that come from cuts to nutrition programs, and some House Republicans have called for even deeper cuts. The Senate has proposed less dramatic savings.
The National Governors Association is urging Congress to move forward with the legislation, arguing that it is necessary to stabilize the economy.
The biggest concern, many observers say, is the implementation of something called "permanent law" that could be implemented in January unless Congress intervenes. Permanent law is a series of policies and price supports developed in the 1930s and 1940s that are out-of-sync with today's practices and market. Many believe a reversion to permanent law would be so disruptive that it would be unlikely that Congress would let it take effect.
The farm bill overrides permanent law, and Congress has left permanent law in place to provide a disincentive against inaction. If Congress waits too long without taking action the old standard would be revived.
Despite the headlines and rhetoric blasting a Congress that let the bill expire, the situation isn't all that uncommon.
According to CRS, in the last 40 years, Congress has only twice passed farm bills before Sept. 30, and the three most recent farm bills were passed in April 1996, May 2002, and June 2008 -- well after expiration of their predecessors, but before the first crop covered by the next farm bill was harvested.
"For now," the Des Moines Register notes, "the agriculture sector should see little if any major impact if the 2008 farm law expires at the end of this month."


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Analyze the lyrics of two 1960s era songs about respect, by Otis Redding and The Staple Singers.
Analyze the lyrics of two 1960s era songs about respect, by Otis Redding and The Staple Singers.
Read the speech Susan B. Anthony delivered after being arrested for voting in a presidential election before women had gained the right to vote.
Consider quotes from South Africans about the nature of democracy and what makes it work.
Provide students with a biographical sketch that helps them understand Schindler's evolution from a Nazi war profiteer to a rescuer.
Explore the lyrics of this song by the The Staple Singers and its message about obstacles to racial justice.
Read about eighteenth-century Imperialism, the Congress of Berlin, and W. E. B. Du Bois' analysis of the profound consequences of Europe's colonization of Africa.
British-Somali poet Warsan Shire gives voice to the experiences of refugees in this poem about "home."
Poet Warsan Shire tells the story of a young Somali-born refugee in this poem from the film Brave Girl Rising.
Three testimonies from survivors of the Nanjing Atrocities are included here. They are only three of many and each has been translated from Mandarin Chinese. All include memories of extreme acts of violence and trauma. Gender violence is prominent in each testimony and great care and sensitivity should be considered in any use with students.
Read about the meeting of student activists from committed to ending gun violence from Parkland and Chicago.
Read a German woman's account of her decision to murder several Jews under Nazi orders while living in occupied Poland.
Read a letter exchange between Adolf Hitler and President Paul von Hindenburg regarding a law that suspended Jews from positions of civil service in Nazi Germany (Spanish available).


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Late Night Eating: East Village
Late-night dining is what New York City is all about. What makes it "the city that never sleeps" is the fact that there's always someplace open to eat at any hour. On the weekends, in the wee hours of the morning, most night-owls are just looking for a pre-emptive strike against a hangover (I'd recommend two Gray's Papaya dogs and a Nalgene full of water). What you realize the next morning when you wake up from that gluttonous bender is that you have a food-hangovernot hungry until 2 p.m. and wondering how eating that many hot dogs seemed like such a great idea. Whether you're starving after seeing a late show or you've got the midnight munchies, we've got the eats for you.
This week we're checking out the classic nocturnal nosh spots in New York City's East Village, a neighborhood that is the epitome of cheap delicious late-night dining.
We've made a grease trail from Second Avenue to East Houston, so check out the digs after the jump.
This is what being in New York City means to me. Some of my best memories of living in the city involve sitting on the steps of Union Square at night in the summertime, eating falafel from Maoz while trying to avoid eye contact with the Guy With the Sign, all before getting on the L train back to Brooklyn. There were some nights when food was more than just an end-of-the-night destination, but actually a reliable fallback for lackluster eveningstransforming the busted night-outs into busting stomachs. These East Village spots have become classics in the neighborhood, but if you haven't tried them yet, make sure to plan for a post-pub crawl this weekend.
Pommes Frites
The line will be out the door, but I can never say no to fries and mayo. Pomme Frites is the place to get Belgian fries served up in paper cones with your favorite mayo sauce. They're not the best Belgian fries you've ever had, but they're the perfect snack for the subway ride home or the wooden chairs out front if you're lucky enough to snag one. As the most indecisive menu-reader, the list of more than 20 different sauces can be pretty intimidating, but they'll give you free samples of whatever you please (my favorites are garlic mayo, sweet mango chutney, and smoked eggplant). It's a late-night haven, but beware, if you go too late, they'll have already run out of the chopped onions for the War Sauce combo (European mayo, peanut satay sauce, and onion). One desperate night, I went right after they closed and begged until they sold me a small poutine (fries swimming in chicken gravy and cheddar cheese)bad call, the fries were sad and cold. Hey, even drunk folk need to stay punctual.
Address: 123 Second Avenue, New York NY 10003 (b/n 7th and 8th streets); open until 3:30 a.m. on weekends
Crif Dogs
If you're at Pommes Frites, leave room for hot dogs…wrapped in bacon…deep-fried. Just a block and a half away is Crif Dogs and after a night out in the East Village, it's the best place to stumble in and waddle out. The problem with the first time I went here was that I wasn't quite done with the night yet, but after I wolfed down the Chihuahua—deep-fried and bacon wrapped, topped with fresh avocado, and sour cream—that was the end of me. Okay, so I know that it sounds like way too much (or even gross) for some, but trust me on this one. Admittedly, when you first get that thing in your hands, it doesn't look too appetizing—the deep fryer does a number on the bit of exposed frank, nuking the skin to zombie-like proportions. But once you stop thinking of how much time you'll have to spend on the elliptical tomorrow and just put it your mouth, you'll become a believer. The bacon forms a thin crust around the outside of the frank and when paired with the fresh creamy avocado and sour cream, makes you mumble "oh my god" while simultaneously stuffing more into your mouth. With cheesy waffle fries and a couple cans of PBR, you're good to go…home and pass out. In the morning, if you're still hungry, then remember next time to pick up the Good Morning to go—a bacon-wrapped frank with melted cheese and a fried egg.
Address: 113 Saint Marks Place, New York NY 10009 (b/n First and A); open until 4 a.m. on the weekends
There's nothing like eating an amazing doner kebab and then walking into a room where someone tells you exactly what you just ate from only smelling it on you. This is the magic of doner kebab. Embrace it—especially if the night's romantic prospects are a bust. Shawarma and doner kebabs are a late night must-eat and Bereket is the place to go, night or day. I used to be a Mamoun's girl back when you could still get a falafel for $2 and I was convinced the tahini sauce must have been laced with some highly addictive substance because it was just that tasty. Nowadays, my loyalty lies with Bereket, where you can't go wrong with any of their kebab sandwiches, but don't forget to try the smoky, garlicky babaghannush with warm pita. If their hot sauce doesn't jolt your bleary-eyed self awake, the super-bright overhead lighting definitely will.
Address: 187 East Houston Street, New York NY 10002 (at Orchard Street); open 24 hours
Compared to the other cheap grub in the area, Veselka is a splurge, but it's certainly worth it if you're looking to satisfy your carb-stuffed-in-carb cravings. If you've been saving some bucks by drinking happy hour well drinks all night, then this is definitely the spot for you. They've got your classic diner nosh like pancakes, eggs, and bacon cheeseburgers (served on beautiful challah bread and up to snuff by the standards of our burger expert, Adam Kuban)—but you've got to try the Eastern European goods like pierogi, blintzes, and potato pancakes. It may not be as good as the dishes your Ukrainian grandma whips up, but when it's 4 a.m. and you're slathering sour cream onto your cheese-stuffed fried pierogie, you'll be glad that Veselka's there to welcome you into her bosom.
Address: 144 Second Avenue, New York NY 10003 (at 9th Street); open 24 hours
All products linked here have been independently selected by our editors. We may earn a commission on purchases, as described in our affiliate policy.


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Tag Archives: green cleaning
Crunchy Mammas Avoid Phthalates
Phthalates are found in hundreds of products including plastic baby toys, personal care products, air fresheners, dryer sheets, scented plug-ins, dish soaps, bathroom cleaners and window cleaners.They are pretty much everywhere including that blue box of Mac & cheese your kids love so much. Continue reading


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Terry Bozzio on His Art Debut [RHYTHM] + [SKETCH]
In this short video, drum legend Terry Bozzio discusses his art debut collection [RHYTHM] + [SKETCH] and how he views Abstract art and the interpretations of the work. Unveiled on 04.18.14, you can sign up for more information and the opportunity to see the work before the release at www.terrybozzioart.com.
Terry Bozzio Discusses His Art Debut: What You'll See
In this short video Terry Bozzio discusses his upcoming art collection [RHYTHM + SKETCH]. A fusion of artwork created from rhythm and sketch, the collection will be released on April 18, 2014 at www.terrybozzioart.com.
Terry Bozzio Talks Art Debut Collection – Unveiled 04.18.14 (Official)
In this short video, Terry Bozzio discusses the process of creating visual artwork through capturing rhythm. On April 18, 2014, Terry Bozzio will unveil an art collection of rhythmic artwork fused with sketches created over the last 3 decades. Learn more and see it before the release by joining the interest list at www.terrybozzioart.com.
Terry Bozzio set to unveil art collection built from rhythm
Get on the interest list to learn more before the release.
On April 18, 2014, drummer Terry Bozzio will unveil a career first, a collection of artwork built from rhythm. Through an extensive process involving the manipulation of light, time, and geographic space, the collection unearths a new visual dimension normally missed by the human eye. Sign up to get exclusive information about the release, as well as the opportunity to see the collection early through an online pre-release viewing.


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Iran could probably make a nuclear bomb if it wanted to and trigger a nuclear blast from a container, cargo ship or the back of a truck, experts at the United Nation's nuclear monitoring agency believe.
Findings from a secret U.N. document titled "Possible Military Dimension of Iran's Nuclear Program," are much scarier than what IAEA experts have published for the public but in line with what the U.S. and some allies already believe, The Associated Press reported.
In the document, described as a long-running update of Iran's nuclear program, experts cite "information from a variety of sources" to infer certain nuclear design and technical breakthroughs. "The agency ... assesses that Iran has sufficient information to be able to design and produce a workable implosion nuclear device (an atomic bomb) based on HEU (highly enriched uranium) as the fission fuel," according to an excerpt.
U.S. & World
The day's top national and international news.
The document also refers to a 1984 meeting where Iran's Ayatollah Ali Khamenei talked about how having nukes would deter the country's then-adversary, Iraq. Still, U.N. experts admit they have "no concrete proof that there is or has been a nuclear weapon program in Iran."
Iran is set to join the U.S. and other members of the U.N. Security Council at the negotiation table for the first time in a year on Oct. 1. The Obama administration hopes the talks will lead to progress on ending Iranian support for militants that fight Israel, help with Afghanistan and on getting the regime in Tehran to stop enriching uranium, according to reports.
Get more: AP


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As Facebook stock rose to its initial public offering price last week, the social network's chief operating officer Sheryl Sandberg sold off 2.4 million shares totaling $91 million, according to a report.
Sandberg, a Facebook executive and author of the book "Lean In", sold the almost 2.4 million shares last week according to a regulatory filing, CNN reported. Although the shares were sold in a "pre-arranged trading plan" -- meaning she had no control over the time of sale -- it seems as if Sandberg managed to benefit from its timing. Facebook stock rose to its initial public offering price last week, something that hadn't happened since the IPO in May 2012.
It isn't the first time Sandberg has sold stock. She sold about $50 million just after the IPO, and another $7.4 million last November, but still has 95 percent of her holdings.
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News from around the country and around the globe
The arranged trading plans keep executives from insider trading, but Sandberg's fortunes seemed to have been improved by the timing. That wasn't the case last November when her roughly 350,000 shares were sold for around $20 each, a 48 percent drop in value from the company's IPO.


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Jessica Tata found guilty in fatal day-care fire
Day care owner Jessica Tata charged with 4 counts of murder
HOUSTON – A day-care owner was found guilty of murder Tuesday after a fatal fire that left four children dead.
Jessica Tata, 24, was charged with felony murder. Prosecutors said she left children home alone with a pan of grease heating on a stove while she went shopping. When she got home, the house was on fire.
Her murder conviction carries a possible maximum sentence of life in prison. The punishment phase will begin Tuesday afternoon and could last up to two weeks.
Each juror was polled and each said they found that Tata used a deadly weapon, fire, in the crime.
Tata did not take the stand in her defense. Jurors were given the option of convicting her of a lesser charge.
Shomari Dickerson, 3, Elizabeth Kojah, 20 months, Kendyll Stradford, 20 months, and Elias Castillo, 16 months, died in the fire at Jackie's Child Care on Crest Park at Waypark Drive shortly before 1:30 p.m. on Feb. 24, 2011. Three other children were injured. Tata stood trial for felony murder first for the youngest of the victims -- Elias Castillo. Elias' family cried during closing arguments.
Tata faces three additional counts of murder, three counts of abandoning a child and two counts of reckless injury to a child. Trials on those charges have not yet been scheduled.
Prosecutors said Tata put the children in harm's way by leaving them alone and going shopping at a Target store. Tata's attorneys said she didn't intend to hurt the children. Defense attorneys said murder charges were excessive and that when the fire broke out, she tried to save the children.
The defense claimed that the fire did not start because of the grease on the stove.
Each side had one hour for their closing arguments on Monday.
"If they did not prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the switch was on when Ms. Tata left to go to Target, then they don't have murder," defense attorney Mike DeGeurin said during.
DeGeurin focused on the origin of the fire. He told the jury that the fire may have been caused by an electrical malfunction in the refrigerator or stove. He claimed it was an accident and not murder.
"Jessica Tata should have never left those children alone," DeGeurin said. "She should never have left. She never intended to harm those children. What it's not is murder."
Prosecutors called the claim about the refrigerator "crazy."
Prosecutors said it doesn't matter what caused the fire -- what matters is that Tata left the children home alone. Prosecutors showed surveillance video of Tata inside the Target store when the fire ignited.
Prosecutor Steve Baldassano said Tata failed in her duty to protect the children and is now trying to avoid responsibility for what she did. As Baldassano told jurors Tata had broken her promises to keep the children safe, he pointed to the parents of the dead or injured children who were in the courtroom.
"They are trying to blame the stove, the refrigerator. She's the only person to blame. It's 100 percent her fault," he said.
Under Texas law, a person can be convicted of felony murder if he or she committed an underlying felony that led to the death.
During the two-week trial, prosecutors presented about 30 witnesses, including neighbors who testified about hearing the children crying during their unsuccessful attempts to rescue them during the blaze. Parents of the children who died or were injured testified that they had trusted Tata, believing she was qualified.
On Friday, the judge and attorneys met for four hours to draft the jury instructions. The final instructions to the jury were complicated and about 30 pages long. They allowed jurors to consider finding Tata guilty on lesser charges, including second-degree felony child abandonment, state jail felony child abandonment, injury to a child and child endangerment. All of those charges would carry a lighter sentence than felony murder.
After the fire, Tata fled to Nigeria but was captured after about a month and returned to the U.S. in March 2011. She has remained jailed since then. Tata was born in the U.S. but has Nigerian citizenship. She was not charged with a crime at the time she left the country.
Copyright 2012 by KSAT.com All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.


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How the ACA will affect People Living With HIV/AIDS: Advocacy to ensure full implementation of the ACA
The last in a series that examines the Affordable Care Act's impact on people living with HIV/AIDS.
With so many critical decisions now in the hands of the states, state-level advocacy is vital to maximize the Affordable Care Act's (ACA) benefits for PLWHA. And given that Black people living with HIV are currently most likely to fall through the cracks of our health-care system, Black advocates need to play a pivotal role in state-level advocacy.
Robert Greenwald, director of the Center for Health Law and Policy Innovation at Harvard Law School, and his team at the law school are already working with advocates in key states. "I spend most of my time at the state level working in the South to highlight the importance of expanding Medicaid to low-income individuals and families," he says.
The Black AIDS Institute is working to link Black community leaders in key states to on-going advocacy efforts on ACA implementation. In 2013 the Institute will collaborate with the Center for Health Law and Policy Innovation, AIDS United, the Latino Commission on AIDS and state and local health departments to convene a two-day "ACA Boot Camp" for AIDS advocates.
The boot camp will focus on preparing Black Treatment Advocates Networks (BTAN) to link with other health-reform advocates in their local areas and will support BTAN advocates' efforts to persuade decision-makers in their states to fully implement the ACA. By the end of the two-day boot camp, participants will be able to explain the effect of the ACA on their local health-care landscape, develop locally tailored advocacy and education tools, and implement an action plan to improve the responsiveness and effectiveness of local AIDS programming.
The resistance in some states to certain ACA provisions is hardly unprecedented. After the Medicaid program was established in the 1960s, it took 18 years before all states agreed to implement it. Experts anticipate that all states, including those where resistance is currently greatest, will eventually embrace Medicaid expansion because both the economic benefits for states and the public rationale for expansion are simply too compelling to ignore.
However, neither the many thousands of HIV-positive, low-income individuals who urgently need lifesaving care nor the AIDS movement as a whole can afford to wait 18 years to fully implement the ACA. With research breakthroughs offering the real chance to lay a foundation for the eventual end of the epidemic, states need to take action now to seize the potential of the ACA.
Excerpted from the Black AIDS Institute's 2013 State of AIDS Report, "Light at the End of the Tunnel: Ending AIDS in Black America."


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|Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Lu Kang's Regular Press Conference on April 17, 2017
Q: First, the DPRK failed in its missile launch yesterday in Sinpo, South Hamgyong Province. It is a provocative action taken by the DPRK side when the situation on the Korean Peninsula is very sensitive. What is your comment? Second, the US White House official said that the THAAD deployment issue shall be decided by the new ROK president, and later the US and ROK governments said that there was no change to their position on the THAAD deployment. What is your comment?
A: On your first question, we saw relevant reports as well. We have said many times that the current situation on the Korean Peninsula is highly complicated and sensitive, or rather in face of a high level of risk. We keep reiterating that all relevant parties should avoid taking provocative actions that further fuel tensions and make efforts to ease the tense situation on the Korean Peninsula so as to create necessary conditions for all parties to get back to the negotiating table and properly resolve the Peninsula issue through peaceful means.
On your second question, the Chinese government holds a consistent and clear position on opposing the US deployment of the THAAD system in the ROK. This position is subject to no change. We hope that all relevant parties can bear in mind the long-term interests of the region and various countries, truly preserve long-lasting peace, stability and strategic balance of the region, and stop the deployment process.
Q: The Chinese Foreign Ministry announced that the 7th China-EU High-level Strategic Dialogue would soon be held in Beijing. With the Brexit looming in the background, this round of dialogue has attracted great attention. Could you provide more details on this dialogue? What is China's expectation for it?
A: We announced last week that as agreed by the two sides, on April 19, State Councilor Yang Jiechi and Federica Mogherini, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission, will co-host the seventh China-EU High-level Strategic Dialogue in Beijing.
China and the EU, as two major forces in the world, are each other's comprehensive strategic partner. The steady development of China-EU relations is of significance importance. Upholding a consistent policy towards Europe, China always supports the European integration and holds an optimistic view on the future of Europe and the EU. We also hope that Europe could continue enjoying prosperity, stability and openness.
At present, the China-EU relationship is growing soundly, with steady progress made in moving forward the four partnerships for peace, growth, reform and civilization. The two sides are attaching greater importance to enhancing strategic communication and coordination on major international affairs.
Considering the complex and profound changes the international situation is undergoing, China and the EU will engage in the Dialogue to chart the course for the next-stage development of China-EU relations and have an in-depth exchange of views on international and regional issue of mutual interest so as to consolidate mutual trust, promote cooperation and preserve the momentum of steady development for China-EU relations. I would like to add that the regular holding of such high-level strategic dialogue itself speaks for the fact that the China-EU comprehensive strategic partnership is operating at a high level.
Q: Which official did China send to participate in the military parade held in the DPRK?
A: We have said from this podium that China and the DPRK are friendly neighbors. The two sides maintain the tradition of friendly exchanges.
Follow-up: Special Representative Wu Dawei of the Chinese government on the Korean Peninsula affairs reportedly visited the DPRK on April 15. Can you confirm it?
A: I wonder where you got that information. As I said, China and the DPRK maintain the tradition of friendly exchanges. We remain in close contact with relevant parties, including the DPRK.
Q: In an interview with US media on April 16, US National Security Adviser Herbert McMaster said that the bottom line is to stop the DPRK's weapons development and make the Korean Peninsula nuclear-free, and that this is a situation that just can't continue, and it's time for us to undertake all actions we can, short of a military option, to try to resolve this peacefully. What is your comment?
A: We have seen relevant reports as well. Leaving no peaceful options unused in pursuit of denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula represents a right direction forward and complies with the interests of all relevant parties.
In fact, to realize denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula and preserve peace and stability there is also the goal the Chinese government has been consistently advocating, which we believe shows the only way out of the Korean Peninsula issue.
You might all know that China raised a dual-track approach to resolve the Korean Peninsula issue and a suspension-for-suspension proposal as a first step to kickstart dialogues. We hope that such approach and proposal, born out of the highly complicated, sensitive and risky situation on the Peninsula at the moment, can work effectively to ease tension on the Peninsula and create favorable conditions to bring all relevant parties back to the negotiating table which then leads to the final settlement of the issue through peaceful talks. As Foreign Minister Wang Yi said last week, we are open to all proposals made by other relevant parties as long as they are viable, feasible, and conducive to resolving the Korean Peninsula issue through peaceful negotiations.
We welcome the positive role played by the US, one of the most important parties in this issue. We would like to remain in close communication with all relevant parties including the US to jointly contribute to realizing denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula, maintaining peace and stability of the Korean Peninsula, and resolving the Korean Peninsula issue through peaceful negotiations.
Q: US Vice President Pence said in Seoul today that China has extraordinary levers that can be used to put pressure on the nuclear and missile program of the DPRK. Do you agree that China can do more to stop the nuclear program?
A: Since the first day of the Peninsula nuclear issue, China has made great efforts in achieving denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula, upholding regional peace and stability, and promoting a solution of the Peninsula nuclear issue through dialogue and coordination. These efforts are recognized by all. However, as we said before, China is not the culprit of the issue, nor does it hold the crux and the key to resolving it. Resolving this issue needs all relevant parties, especially these that are key players with major responsibilities, to work towards the same direction and make concerted efforts.
Q: According to the press release of the Chinese Foreign Ministry, State Councilor Yang Jiechi yesterday had a phone call with US Secretary of State Tillerson when the two sides exchanged views on the current Korean Peninsula situation. Can you give more details? Did this phone call happen because of the missile launch of the DPRK?
A: I will take your second question first. China and the US maintain close high-level contacts and exchanges. We said from this podium last week that the two presidents agreed in Mar-a-lago to remain in frequent communication so as to implement consensus reached during the Mar-a-lago meeting, expand all-around practical cooperation, constructively manage disputes, and strive for better development of bilateral ties in the new era. Therefore, the phone call between State Councilor Yang Jiechi and Secretary of State Tillerson only came naturally. I personally didn't see any necessary connection between it and any particular event.
As for the details of the phone call, we put up a timely press release yesterday. China's position on resolving the Peninsula nuclear issue is very clear to the US and I believe to all of you as well
Q: According to Air China, flights to Pyongyang won't be available until sometime next year. Could you tell us if this is a decision by the Chinese government? What is the reason for the unavailability of the flights?
A: Air China has already released a statement. Commercial airlines make adjustments to their schedule in accordance with their business and market performance. This could happen to Air China, to other Chinese airliners, and to foreign airline companies as well. There is no need to overinterpret this.
Q: About US Vice President Pence's remarks in the ROK, he said that the US is fully confident of China correctly handling the DPRK issue. What is your comment?
A: China's policy on the Peninsula issue has been correct all along. Its correctness does not start from today. In the meantime, we hope that all relevant parties, especially these major players to the Peninsula nuclear issue, could also adopt correct policy as China does.
Q: US Vice President Pence said in the ROK that the US is concerned about China's retaliation against the ROK. What is your comment?
A: China and the ROK had been enjoying very friendly relations until the ROK government decided to go along with the US and deploy the THAAD system in the ROK. In fact, before such a decision, China-ROK relations had reached a climax. It is not China that have reduced the bilateral relations to the current state. We truly hope that the relevant party could change course and undo its wrong decisions so as to create necessary conditions and atmosphere for the China-ROK relations to return to a sound track of development.
Q: After the Dalai Lama's visit to the disputed territories in the east section of the China-India border, the Indian government clarified that there's no change to the position of Tibet being part of China and will continue to seek a fair, reasonable and mutually acceptable solution to the boundary question. What's your comment on this?
A: I have noted relevant statements. For some time, due to reasons known to all, the political foundation for China-India relations has been damaged, casting a shadow over bilateral relations and the boundary negotiations. What is imperative now is for the Indian side to take concrete actions to honor its solemn promises on Tibet-related issues as well as the important consensus reached by the two sides on settling the boundary issue, in particular never again using the 14th Dalai Lama to undermine China's core interests, so as to create a good atmosphere for greater mutual trust between the two countries and proper settlement of the boundary question.
Q: US President Trump tweeted yesterday that as China and the US are cooperating to tackle the DPRK issue, he sees no reason to label China as a currency manipulator, and he suggested wait-and-see. What is your response to his remarks, especially him explicitly linking these two issues?
A: I already responded this question last week. On the currency issue, China's policy is very clear. China has never been and is not a currency manipulator. It is an objective fact. On the Peninsula issue, China has been doing its utmost for so many years to promote dialogue and consultation and peacefully resolving the Peninsula nuclear issue. We also hope that all relevant parties could make joint efforts towards this grand goal.
Q: For the first time, the Chinese military is conducting a joint military exercise with Nepal. What's the significance of it? How China looks at this specific development?
A: China and Nepal are two friendly neighbors. I believe it is a good thing for the two countries to expand practical cooperation in various fields and promote common development, including making joint efforts to maintain regional security and stability, through friendly consultations. Many neighboring countries around the world engage in such cooperation endeavors.
The joint military exercise you mentioned is agreed upon after friendly consultation between the two militaries. Dubbed as "Mount Everest Friendship" and held in Kathmandu, Nepal from April 16 to 26, it centers on counter-terrorism. It is part of the annual exchange program between the two militaries. We believe that it will strengthen the two militaries' ability to coordinate with each other in fighting terrorism and help maintain regional peace, stability and security.
Q: Vice President Pence said in the ROK that the US wants to achieve resolution through peaceful means while all other options are also on the table. What's China's comment on this?
A: Just like what I just said, doing all we can to peacefully realize the grand goal of denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula is the right way forward and is what China has been consistently stressing. We always believe that the only viable path out of the Peninsula issue is to realize denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula and preserve regional peace and stability through dialogue and consultation.


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With the country mired in its current recession, the growing sense is that the economy is not going to get back on track overnight. Companies are going to need to invest time, patience and a little ingenuity to stay afloat or surge ahead.
The club industry is no exception to the challenges of the recession. Last month, Bally Total Fitness, Chicago, filed for bankruptcy for the second time in 17 months. Its filing may not have been due specifically to the recession (considering the company's history of financial issues), but the recession could not have helped. After the bankruptcy announcement, Bally closed several clubs around the country (see related story). Other club companies both large and small closed clubs, made cuts in staff or experienced a decrease in memberships over the course of last year.
January traditionally is the biggest month of the year for health clubs. As the month winds down, there still is optimism that the industry will survive the economic troubles of the country. As outlined in Financial Week magazine, research firm Ibis World lists health and fitness clubs No. 5 among the most likely industries to experience growth in 2009.
"With more people focusing on achieving healthier lifestyles, this industry is expected to increase 2.2 percent in 2009," writes Ibis World. "As Baby Boomers pass through their 40s and 50s, health care costs are forecast to rise dramatically, creating an incentive for insurers to promote preventive practices, like hitting the gym. Corporate fitness programs are also expected to become more popular, further driving growth in the sector."
Steven Schwartz, president and CEO of Chicago-based TCA Holdings, which operates Midtown Athletic Clubs, agrees that all is not hopeless for the industry.
"The health and fitness business will continue to grow," Schwartz says. "It has nothing to do with the recession because taking care of yourself is a good thing."
So there is hope for the industry yet, but for that hope to become reality, club owners must be proactive in their approach to the economy and take it one step at a time.
Making the Cuts
When a country is in the midst of a tough economy, most business owners look first to cut costs. Almost every club owner has had to make cuts over the last few months, and more are likely to come. The important thing for club operators and owners is to make the necessary cuts that will help them turn a profit. Most industry experts say that every dollar saved is a dollar to the bottom line.
"Most general managers and department heads do not love expense management and cost cutting," says Rick Caro, president of New York-based Management Vision Inc. "It's not as much fun. It requires great diligence, great detail, great work over 12 months, not just one or two weeks. If we can find ways to save some dollars, all of it goes straight to the bottom line, without any offsets. We can't say that about increased revenue because often with increased revenue comes some related expenses."
Caro suggests that operators look at every aspect of a club's operations for possible cost cutting — big issues, such as rent, energy costs and staff salaries, and little issues, such as magazine subscriptions. Club owners should weed out magazines that they don't need to offer in their clubs and examine other hidden costs, such as office supplies and copier paper, Caro says.
Towel service may be another area for cuts. For some clubs, this service is a luxury they can't afford to lose, but for others, it appears to be expendable. In November, Elevations Health Club, which has two clubs in northeastern Pennsylvania, discontinued its towel service. Last month, Bally did the same.
Though, when making cuts, club operators must ensure they aren't making too many cuts that affect the value of their club, says Ed Tock, president of Eddie Tock Health Club Sales and Marketing Consulting, Garrison, NY.
"Part of the challenge is not to eliminate things that members have been comfortable with," Tock says. "Some clubs are probably cutting back too much."
However, Tock urges club owners to overestimate the amount of their cost-cutting measures. If club owners plan to cut back 10 to 15 percent, they should really increase that to 20 percent so that when the economy rebounds, the club will have an extra 5 percent in the bank, Tock says.
In terms of staff, operators need to examine which staff members can multi-task, thus providing a reason to let go other staff members, Tock says. Educating staff is a way to cut costs as well. The better educated the staff is, the better chance they will know how to retain members in their club.
Club owners should not scale back their marketing dollars at this time, Tock says, even though the temptation is to spend less on marketing in the peak month of January. Operators need to think just the opposite, Tock says, and expand their marketing efforts during this month.
"January sets the tone for the first quarter of [this] year. The first quarter sets the tone for the whole year," Tock says. "Short-term thinking should not drive your long-term decisions."
Royce Pulliam, CEO of Urban Active, Lexington, KY, agrees that marketing is critical at this time.
"Do not make huge cuts with your advertising and marketing because new membership sales will be as tough as we have seen in years, so get really creative with those dollars you do spend," Pulliam says.
Caro adds: "There's more pressure on marketing and on the sales staff and the sales functions to succeed. If direct mail and newspaper ads aren't working so well, then I want to shift that to some Web site and online marketing, or I want to shift it to some more targeted promotions in the community, or I'm going to shift it to member referrals. But I'm going to work on the referrers in the club who have referred before, not just go after the entire membership. We're going to get smarter in marketing because we have to."
Joe Cirulli, owner of Gainesville (FL) Health and Fitness Centers (GHFC), was lauded for his work at GHFC in an Inc. magazine cover story last year. Cirulli says he's always looking for ways to improve his business, even in the current economic state.
"This is where you separate the good companies from the companies that just survive," Cirulli says. "It gives us a great opportunity, if we do all the right things, to completely outshine our competitors, who may be pulling back in ways that aren't the best places for them to pull back. A lot of people, if they don't really, really plan, they start operating out of fear.
"It will only be a matter of time before [the stock market] comes back," Cirulli adds. "It always has. I don't think it's the end of capitalism. I don't think it's the end of America. I'm still very optimistic."
By the Numbers
Despite optimism by some leaders in the industry, a comparison of the last two State of the Industry reports conducted by Club Industry's Fitness Business Pro reveals that club operators expect fewer new members and have lower revenue expectations for 2009 than they did for 2008.
In the 2009 State of the Industry report, 58 percent of respondents expect memberships to increase this year, while 30 percent expect memberships to remain the same. Compare that to the 2008 State of the Industry report, in which 67 percent of respondents expected memberships to increase in 2008, while 30 percent expected memberships to remain the same.
Revenue expectations also differ this year from last year. Although 70 percent of the 2008 respondents expected 2008 revenue to increase over 2007, this year's survey shows that only 53 percent of the 2009 survey respondents expect 2009 revenue to increase over 2008.
Respondents in the 2009 report projected their revenue to be an average of almost $950,000, while respondents for last year's survey projected their 2008 revenue would be $1.1 million. Club owners with one club estimated revenue in 2009 would be $638,352, while last year's one-club operators estimated 2008 revenue at $818,611. Club owners with two or more locations expect $1.8 million in revenue by the end of this year. Last year's multi-club operators expected their 2008 revenue to be $2 million.
One constant in the 2008 and 2009 reports is related to non-dues revenue and ancillary revenue. In the 2009 report, non-dues revenue and payroll represented about one-third of gross revenue while EFT-generated funds were an average of 48 percent of revenue. The non-dues revenue came most often from personal training (71 percent), group training (44 percent) and class fees (40 percent).
In 2008, non-dues revenue and payroll also represented about one-third of gross revenue while EFT-generated funds were an average of 43 percent of revenue. The non-dues revenue also came most often from personal training (69 percent) class fees (44 percent) and group training (40 percent).
Expansion expectations dropped slightly from 2008 to 2009. In the 2009 report, 33 percent of respondents indicated that their facilities will be physically expanded in the next 12 months. Of those who planned to expand, 45 percent will expand the existing building, 42 percent will open a new location and 13 percent will acquire another club.
In 2008, 38 percent of respondents said they would physically expand their facilities. Most respondents (61 percent) said they would expand the existing building, 38 percent said they would open a new location and 9 percent said they would acquire another club.
Legal Matters
While revenue and membership expectations are down from the year before, optimism still exists regarding health-related legislation that has been pushed by industry lobbyists for several years. Once again, many groups in the industry will lobby for the passage of the Personal Health Investment Today (PHIT) Act and the Workforce Health Improvement Program (WHIP) Act. Last summer, as part of the International Health, Racquet and Sportsclub Association's (IHRSA) Sixth Annual Legislative Summit, fitness advocates met with their members of Congress to urge them to support these bills.
The PHIT Act would allow people to pay for exercise and physical fitness programs, certain exercise equipment and children's sports league fees with pre-tax dollars through their flexible spending account, medical savings account or health savings account.
The WHIP Act promotes wellness in the workforce by balancing current law and allowing off-site fitness center memberships to be a tax-free benefit for employees. Current law allows employees to use on-site fitness facilities free of any tax implications, but when a business needs to outsource this health benefit, employees who receive off-site fitness center subsidies are required to pay income tax on the benefits.
Despite the show of support on Capitol Hill, neither the PHIT Act nor the WHIP Act moved out of committee last year, and it might be a while before those bills become law, Caro says.
"I don't think we'll see any federal government legislation that will be favorable to the industry in the near future," Caro says. "I don't think we'll see [the WHIP and PHIT bills] moving very quickly after the first of the year. I think there are too many other priorities."
An IHRSA spokesperson, Kara Thompson, says the organization for for-profit health clubs is optimistic that with the new administration, both bills will be reintroduced this year.
"IHRSA is doing its best to include WHIP and PHIT in its health care reform efforts and as part of its larger strategy toward exercise as prevention," she says.
On the state level, governments are going to pose more challenges to the industry in 2009 through sales taxes or other aspects of a club's business, Caro says.
"[State governments] are going to want to impose either higher sales taxes because the states are having financial difficulty, or we're going to see more interference in our basic operation because they're going to want to impose certain kinds of restrictions on either how we renew memberships or the definition of what is a properly certified instructor, let's say a personal trainer," Caro says.
Mandating automated external defibrillators (AEDs) in health clubs will be another issue on the state government level. Currently, 11 states have laws mandating AEDs in health clubs: Arkansas, California, Illinois, Indiana, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, Oregon and Rhode Island. Other states are working to pass AED legislation.
Twenty-four-hour key-card clubs, such as Minnesota-based Snap Fitness and Anytime Fitness, may run up against some opposition regarding the AED issue. These clubs have models in which the clubs are not staffed all the time. Many AED states require a CPR-trained staff member at the club during all hours of operation.
Clubs and nonprofits that have pools will have to deal with a complicated issue involving compliance with the Virginia Graeme Baker Pool & Spa Safety Act, which went into effect last month (see related story). As of Dec. 19, 2008, operators of public pools and spas, including health clubs, YMCAs, community parks, hotels, universities, schools, apartments and condominiums, are required to have their pools equipped with drain covers to prevent drain entrapments and eviscerations in pools and spas.
Group Training on the Rise
The new year isn't all about cost cutting, spending, dwindling revenue and memberships, or even legislative issues. Fitness facility operators also are looking at ways to increase revenue through ancillary services, such as group and personal training. Several recent surveys indicate that group and personal training are among the programming trends that will continue to grow in 2009.
Sixty-one percent of respondents to the 2009 State of the Industry survey plan to increase their programming, with group training or personal training among the most popular programs to expand. Weight-loss programs and senior programs are not far behind, according to the survey.
In the 2008 IDEA personal training programs and equipment survey, conducted by the IDEA Health and Fitness Association, 84 percent of those surveyed said they offer partner training, in which two clients share a session.
The program with the most growth potential, according to both the IDEA survey and a survey conducted by the American Council on Exercise (ACE), is boot camp-style workouts. Boot camp sessions balance cardiovascular and high- and low-intensity strength exercises, often attracting members and nonmembers.
Senior programming, like Silver Sneakers, and kids programming are continuing to grow, too. Senior programming is a great way for a club to remain active during down times of the day, says Geoff Dyer, vice chairman and founder of Lifestyle Family Fitness, St. Petersburg, FL.
"Anything that makes your clubs active during off-peak times is a smart use of time," Dyer says. "It costs you nothing. You've got staff already there, teenagers end up buying personal training, seniors end up buying personal training. Anytime you can add members, whether they're free trial members as teenagers or Silver Sneakers members paid for by insurance companies, it's tremendous."
These types of programs can help clubs make money, and they can help clubs think outside the box. More clubs need to reach out to potential members by going out and selling their services, says Carol Kennedy-Armbruster, a lecturer in the department of kinesiology in the school of health, physical education and recreation at Indiana University.
"We can't assume anymore that people are already active," Kennedy-Armbruster says. "The clubs need to go out and get people active."
In a similar vein, Tock says that club owners need to "own the neighborhood" and get creative with packages for prospects that live or work near the club. Maybe it's a package for Baby Boomers who are concerned about rising health care costs. Maybe it's a six-, eight- or 12-week package for prospective members. Maybe it's a program patterned after "The Biggest Loser" TV show. Whatever it is, Tock says, club owners need to stress the importance that these programs will have on their members. "If you position yourself as part of a lifestyle instead of just selling a membership," Tock says, "then I think you'll do fine."
Approaches for Doing Business in 2009
Bill McBride, the chief operating officer of Club One, San Francisco, offers some tips on ways for clubs to do business in 2009:
Promote value and necessity vs. luxury.
Reduce barriers to entry and spending, making it easy for members to join, spend and stay. Create special retention programs for members with financial hardship.
Be extremely communicative with staff and members.
Take care of your "A" players.
Take a fresh look at your payroll model/structure. If you were opening today in this environment, how would you staff the club?
Review and discuss your vendor pricing. Renegotiate with suppliers where appropriate.
Do small gestures to show your members (and staff) that you care.
Focus on your core: sales, retention, ancillary revenue and payroll/expense control.
Keep your club pristine (clean and fresh).
Be proactive, not reactive.
Boot Camp, Budget-Friendly and Back to Basics Workouts Will Be Popular in 2009
Boot camp-style workouts will remain the top fitness trend in 2009, according to a survey from the American Council on Exercise (ACE). Boot camp-style workouts were also the most popular fitness trend in 2008. The annual survey of ACE's worldwide network of personal trainers, group fitness experts, advanced health and fitness specialists, and lifestyle and weight management consultants noted several other fitness trends for 2009.
- Boot Camp-Style Workouts
Boot camp workouts remain extremely popular because they provide a total-body workout that's varied, fun and challenging. Up to 600 calories can be burned during a boot camp session, which is going to facilitate weight loss. But in addition to a great cardiovascular workout, muscles are strengthened through high- and low-intensity exercises, such as push-ups, squats and lunges. You don't typically experience significant muscle fitness benefits in other aerobic exercises. (For more on boot camps, see related story.)
- Budget-Friendly Workouts
With today's economy showing no signs of strengthening, more people will cut costs to stay in shape. Of the ACE-certified professionals surveyed, 48 percent said that gym memberships will decrease in 2009, and 52 percent said fewer people will hire personal trainers. Look for more people to use the resources around their homes as their gym and equipment.
- Specialty Classes
While yoga and Pilates will remain strong, dance-based classes are all the rage this year. Zumba, a fitness program inspired by Latin dance, combines South American rhythms with cardiovascular exercise. Bollywood, ballroom, Afro-Cuban and other exotic dance styles are growing in popularity, thanks to shows such as "Dancing with the Stars" and "So You Think You Can Dance."
- Getting Back to Basics
Despite the fact that many exercises and equipment are becoming more advanced and trendy, trainers will continue to focus on basic movements and techniques with their clients again.
- Circuit Training
Studies have shown that interval training combining strength training and cardiovascular activity at different intensities provides a more time-efficient workout than participating in traditional aerobic and weight-training sessions. With an increase in popularity of circuit training, many gyms are setting up their own circuits to allow their members an easy path to fitness.
- Kettlebells
The reason for the surge in kettlebell training is that it gets back to basic training that requires functional, whole body fitness. Kettlebells require an individual to focus on whole-body conditioning because lifting and controlling a kettlebell forces the entire body, particularly the core, to contract as a group, simultaneously developing strength and stability. Kettlebell workouts engage multiple muscle groups, making it a great way to get a whole body workout in a relatively short period of time.
- Boomer Fitness
Individuals 50 and over have the means, motivation and desire to enhance their quality of life through physical activity — and the number of seniors is only increasing. The 50-and-over audience continues to redefine our expectations about age, vitality and life, which has highlighted the importance of physical activity as we age. Since September 2007, the American Association of Retired Persons' (AARP) fitness initiative for Boomers — aimed at providing a wide range of affordable fitness services to its 39 million members — has been going strong.
- Technology-Based Fitness
From iPods to Cardio Cinema to exergaming, the latest in technology will continue to infuse itself in all aspects of fitness. Look for 2009 to provide more interactive video games that provide fitness benefits, as well as new inventions to make exercising a more engaging experience.
- Event or Sport-Specific Exercises
Despite the emergence of new and trendy workouts, sports or recreational activities will remain a popular way to stay in shape. Participating in a friendly game of basketball or volleyball, training for a marathon, or taking a day-long bike ride are just a few ways that people are staying in shape and having fun doing so.
- Mixing It Up
Traditional programming is changing from what we called linear progression to undulating, as research shows similar if not better results. For example, mixing low-intensity cardio with intervals on some days, and mixing high-volume, low-intensity weight training with low-volume, high-intensity training on alternate days.


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It's cute when Knoxville pretends they didn't want Kiffikins anyway, but the newest proposal is fitting: bestow his name on the place they get rid of their shit.
A local attorney has filed the paperwork with the city council to rename a waste treatment facility the "Lane Kiffin Sewage Center," because apparently renaming public buildings is just that easy in Tennessee.
It dawned on me—Lane Kiffin told us that he hoped the fans would understand. I thought 'Well, naming the wastewater plant for him would let him know, I think very clearly, we do understand,'" [Drew] McElroy, an off-and-on season ticket holder said. "We want to memorialize his stay here, and I think this would be doing it appropriately."
Look, UT fans, it's been more than a week now. This is starting to get like the overbearing girlfriend who wonders why she drives men away, except her obsessing makes it clear to everyone else. And besides, it's not like they'd actually change the name of the plant. But McElroy's cool with that:
We don't have to rename the entire facility after him, just a part of it," he said.
McElroy conceded just a cesspool at the facility would be enough to satisfy him.
Knoxville man files paperwork for "Lane Kiffin Sewage Center" [WBIR]


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Get your rolling pins out. It's pie time! While shopping this week, some delicious rhubarb caught my eye. I couldn't resist. So here goes… a scrumptious, rhubarb loaded pie.
The Dough
125g/ 4.4 oz butter
250g/ 9.0 oz flour
100g/ 3.5 oz sugar
a pinch of salt
1/2 tsp lemon zest
1 egg
The Filling
700g/ 24.5 oz rhubarb
80g/ 2.8 oz sugar
1 tsp vanilla paste
(or vanilla flavouring you prefer)
1 tsp cinnamon
80g/ 2.8 oz ground almonds
1 egg yolk (to braise the pie with)
icing sugar (decoration)


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Although it's has taken awhile, there are now some Canadian Webinars which are coming to the Internet.
I came across Lisa Alzo's Webinar Canadian Genealogy for Americans to be given Tuesday, June 5, 2012 at 8 p.m. Eastern (7 p.m. Central, 6 p.m. Mountain, 5 p.m. Pacific).
You can register at http://blog.familytreemagazine.com/insider/2012/05/23/CanadianGenealogyForAmericans.aspx.
It is sponsored by Family Tree Magazine, and there is a fee.
And there are a series of Canadian Webinars given by Canadian genealogist Kathryn Lake Hogan about Mapping Your Ancestors' Footsteps to be given in June, and Canadian Ports of Entry: Ship Passenger Lists, Immigration Records and Border Crossing Records to be given in October.
The Webinars given by Kathryn will be free.
To register, you can go to http://www.looking4ancestors.com/p/appearances.html