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Tuesday, May 13, 2008
Despain Wanders Through The NASCAR Landscape
Tuesday night during this All-Star race week of TV programming, Dave Despain hosted a special Wind Tunnel from the SPEED Studios.
Scheduled as guests on the show were Dale and Ned Jarrett from Hickory, NC. Also on the program was Jimmie Johnson, who actually stopped by the SPEED Studios for his interview. Finally, Mark Martin joined the show for several questions by phone.
Although Despain has a long and distinguished history with NASCAR, his current relationship with the sport is prickly at best. He seems to continually be on the verge of exasperation where every NASCAR topic is concerned.
After several years of hosting Inside NEXTEL Cup with mixed results, Despain normally tolerates NASCAR on his Sunday night Wind Tunnel. What he loves is anything else. Formula 1, motorcycles, Sports Cars and the misery of open-wheel racing puts Despain in his glory.
This hour was clearly intended to be a build-up for the All-Star race, but started off with Despain asking both of the Jarretts a series of off-the-wall questions. As usual, both Ned and Dale provided the best answers that they could, but Despain's negativity about everything NASCAR was the theme of this interview.
Dale provided some great content for the show as he talked about the new chemistry with his ESPN broadcast team. It was very clear that the final seventeen Sprint Cup races of this season will be very different with Jarrett in the ESPN/ABC booth.
Dale's strongest statements came about the COT. For a network TV analyst to say that things need to be changed and changed soon to get better racing is amazing. To have Despain decline to follow-up on that point is even more amazing. Viewers have come to expect Despain to drive his "TV ship" in a very different direction.
Jimmie Johnson got a nice welcome from Despain, as Johnson is a veteran motorcycle and off-road competitor. To Despain, Johnson is not one of those "NASCAR guys." Johnson has been working very hard on his TV skills, and handled everything Despain could offer.
The best part of the Johnson interview was how he transitioned into NASCAR rather than IndyCar. The explanation of the Chevrolet connection and how that brand helped to keep Johnson in NASCAR during some rough times was fascinating. If that has been told in such plain language in the past, I certainly did not see the program.
Johnson was going to take viewer calls, which is a rarity these days for NASCAR drivers on TV. While many drivers are regularly on the radio, TV still has no interactive audience shows except for Wind Tunnel. Unfortunately, in this show Despain delivered exactly one call for Johnson from the fans.
Mark Martin wrapped-up the program with several off-base questions from Despain that wasted valuable time. Martin was forced to talk about old Dale Earnhardt Jr. fan tattoos and comparisons to other drivers. On my cable TV system, the show actually ended with Despain still talking. Somehow, that made a lot of sense.
A while back, Despain did a special program for SPEED on the history of the Daytona International Speedway. It was one of the best programs ever seen on SPEED in the history of the network. His in-depth discussions of things like AMA Pro Series politics and the demise of the Champ Car Series have been fascinating.
Perhaps, with TV professionals on the SPEED staff like Krista Voda and Wendy Venturini who spend almost all their time involved with NASCAR, a program like this would have been better-served allowing someone more informed about the specifics of the sport to interview the guests.
The Daly Planet welcomes comments from readers. Simply click on the COMMENTS button below and follow the directions. The rules for posting are on the right side of the main page. Thank you for taking the time to stop by.
22 comments:
- Kyle said...
I enjoy Wind Tunnel Monday's for its different perspective of NASCAR, in addition to opening up the wider world of motor sports.
If you did not view tonights show as a special nascar edition, then it was fantastic. I had to go back and watch the JJ interview over twice just to get it all in. If it was to be NASCAR only night, then it failed.
Typical SPEED show, disjointed, too much product placement, and lots of gimmicks that fall flat. But for the 20 or 30 minutes of actual talk its worth sitting through an hour.
Wind Tunnel needs to be made into a nightly hour program, it would let Dave relax a bit. Hes always in a hurry to get it all in (when you have to waste 2 minutes plugging pizza guess that happens) Think of the regional racing of all forms we would get to see on that show. Probably alot of European and Asian racing classes as well.
What other program on TV could get away with letting Robbin Miller on?
- May 14, 2008 at 12:33 AM
- Daly Planet Editor said...
I think that is the ultimate irony. SPEED was never better than when Despain was on five or six nights a week with all kinds of guests.
It is a shame that this overall view of motorsports as something that has to be protected and treasured is not shared by the current SPEED administration.
- May 14, 2008 at 12:39 AM
- Sophia said...
Thanks for the heads up on this special. I meant to catch it earlier and got a long phone call and FORGOT!!
I agree, SPEED needs to put this show on several nights a week. I was digusted enough on Sun nights with all the wasted intro graphics..and then they added the pizza promo. Dave NEVER has time for all the different guests.
I will catch the late night repeat shortly but am rather glad to read the review first since it seems to be such a disjointed show.
SPEED really needs to go back and let it's 'talk shows be about talk'.
btw, I LOVE Robin Miller...he makes me laugh...but then, I love a curmudgeon type sometimes. :-)
P.S. I have watched the Despain Daytona special a few times. It was FANTASTIC!
- May 14, 2008 at 12:51 AM
- Dmo said...
Fundamentally, Despain needs a format that will allow him to do his own thing: which I believe is to cover all racing-based sports with equal time. My read on Dave is that he doesn't resent NASCAR - rather he resents the priority it takes in his limited TV time. As others have said, Dave was at his best in the nightly, talk show format. His old show was an excellent platform in that it provided him with abundant TV time to discuss racing at many tiers as well as coverage of topical news. If I was making the big decisions at SPEED, I'd probably give Dave a content-producer role, charged with creating programming about racing in general that would be on-par with that incredible Daytona piece; but I'd also insist on him hosting a nightly talk show. Dave is tremendous asset to SPEED - but they need to capitalize on his strengths instead of pigeon-holing him as a NASCAR guru.
- May 14, 2008 at 9:32 AM
- Tom said...
JD, your bias against Dave is showing again. I must of watched an entirely different show than you did. Asking Ned about retirment decisions at a young age when currently many drivers reach their peak at that age was totally relevant. I did not see or hear any "off the wall" questions, especially when you consider that Ned is such a family man and gentleman. These questions were very appropriate. Dales response to the COT question was something you wouldn't hear everywhere. I too would have liked some follow-up, but clearly (as is too often the case) the complexities of television sponsorship prevented it.
The Johnson segment was great, and I don't even like him. As for him not being a "NASCAR Guy"? I guess the story about wanting to see Cale Yarboroughs car at Hardees kinda killed your assumption. Just because somebody hasn't done Late Models their whole career doesn't make them less a driver.
It seems you always couch your appraisal of Dave in code terms like "Dave is great at 2 wheels or F1 or anything else"- I am sure you have some secret background info that allows you to spek this way, but in the end it boils down to "NASCAR Outsider". Whatever Dave's personal tastes are, they in no way diminish what he does best-asking questions and rightly expecting true answers. The funny part is I didn't sense any negativism from him at all this night. It all just sounded like a nice conversation with champions past and present-with nary a word of Kyle Busch!
Inverness, FL
- May 14, 2008 at 9:53 AM
- Lou said...
Good morning JD,
I did enjoy the time spent with Ned and Dale. And I enjoyed it very much. As a matter of fact, if I did not read your blog telling us that Ned and Dale would be on I would have missed it. Thank you again.
- May 14, 2008 at 9:55 AM
- Daly Planet Editor said...
That is a very good point and I agree. I think he is just upset that this "has to be done" because SPEED is an official NASCAR TV partner.
- May 14, 2008 at 10:09 AM
- Daly Planet Editor said...
I certainly appreciate your opinion, but I wish it was not flavored with shots at me and mine.
As I said in the second comment listed below, SPEED was never better than when Dave was in the Larry King role of having a program on almost every night.
You are taking the easy way out by saying I do not like Dave. I simply thought his limited knowledge of current NASCAR happenings made the show scattered at best.
This is not a Sunday Wind Tunnel show. It was a special for NASCAR to lead into the All-Star race. You have to judge it differently.
Voda or Venturini or Byrnes would have known what to ask, and not just "discovered" tidbits along the way. That is my point.
If this show was on Sunday and had other forms of motorsports and one guest (like Carl Edwards last week) from NASCAR, no problem.
The point is Tom, it was a NASCAR show and my opinion is the sport did not get served. Especially, poor Mark Martin. That was just flat-out embarrassing.
- May 14, 2008 at 10:17 AM
- Anonymous said...
When you consider the number of drivers who say that the COT is fine and the racing is exciting, Despain really needed to follow up on Dale's comments pertaining to the changes Nascar needs to make to the COT. Old Dave really missed it there.
As for the other Speed shows during this All Star Weekend, I find them, so far, to be bland, boring and not worth the time. They've been nothing more than old tape of previous shows. How about something new and different to showcase the All Star Weekend?
- May 14, 2008 at 11:49 AM
- Tom said...
I in no way wanted to besmirch you personally JD, and I apologize if it sounded that way. I am a regular reader and I usually agree with you about 95% of the time. However, it seems like anytime Dave does something aside from Sunday WT, we get the old chestnut of him being of "limited knowledge" I like him just for the simple fact he is not a shill! How many other TV personalities can you (Honestly) say that about?
I also just want to add that this show WAS Wind Tunnel- not Raceday, Trackside etc. If SPEED wanted those shows, they could have had them. The show was not at all controversial and quite frankly I thought that both the Jarretts and JJ came off well- I just don't see the whole "off the Wall" comment.
Inverness, FL
- May 14, 2008 at 12:19 PM
- Daly Planet Editor said...
I just wish SPEED could find a place to use him other than one night on a week on a show that always seems to be too short.
- May 14, 2008 at 12:37 PM
- Ritchie said...
I just watched the recording of this show, and I tend to agree with Mr. Daly with regards to Mr. Despain.
Mr. Despain did seem to have some control issues regarding the guests on the show. It is a shame really, because when the guest line up includes the Jarretts, Jimmie Johnson, and Mark Martin the show should have been pretty impressive. With that kind of line up, the host should just let the stories flow wherever the guest takes them.
- May 14, 2008 at 1:37 PM
- Anonymous said...
What do TV ratings do when NASCAR transitions away from FOX to the other networks halfway through the season? I'm just such a huge fan of FOX's coverage that it ticks me off to see FOX cut out before The Chase. In my opinion no one can cover NASCAR from all the angles like FOX does, I just wondered if the ratings show that.
- May 14, 2008 at 3:35 PM
- Sophia said...
I wonder how much of DD alleged control issues are due to SO MUCH STUFF crammed into a one hour show, with too many commercials, graphics and now the pizza promo nonsense.
I like it when dave is off the wall and his dry humor is often lost on most. But chopping his show to one hour is painful to watch even if you like him due to choppy segments and interviews. AT LEAST give the guy two hours on Sunday night..and multiple nights if possible.
With the wide variety of motorsports, it's too bad SPEED does not see the need to cover all the racing we see on the SPEED Report. Duh. And Dave is the perfect guy to do it.
I enjoyed the JJ interview though I am not a fan...but in lieu or recent race events, I am becoming a bigger fan. But when the graphics peeps did not have the pizza moment video up when dave tried to get it going..that was embarrassing for Dave.
We need more talk on that show and less "cartoons/animations" but I am repeating myself now. :)
- May 14, 2008 at 4:23 PM
- Daly Planet Editor said...
bob c.,
Ratings tend to hang-in there with NASCAR for one simple reason. Other than a home satellite dish or online streaming video, there is really nowhere else to go.
Because TNT was so awful last season, one reader suggested we get those weird brothers from Antique Roadshow on PBS to host a race and see if it affects the ratings.
If the 2007 TNT coverage from Sonoma will not drive viewers away, nothing will. Many of the current Daly Planet readers use "time-shifting" technology to watch races.
They record the race on a DVR or TiVo and then come in with about an hour left in the live telecast. They scan through the race, watch the parts that look exciting, and then catch the last thirty laps live.
This is the problem with the TV networks right now. As I wrote in my column about Talladega, there was over five hours of pre-race programming to get to a three hour race.
If TNT comes out of the box and again fails to keep the NASCAR fans happy, this year there will be a big backlash. This six race package in 2007 was tough to watch.
We will keep an eye on ratings for you, and report what happens as the networks change.
One good thing to report is that RaceDay ratings are up in double digits. SPEED and NMG have to be smiling.
- May 14, 2008 at 4:24 PM
- Anonymous said...
It's too bad that the NFL/MLB prevents FOX from going deep into the season. In a perfect world I'd like to see the FOX team stay but the broadcasting network change. That's what they do up here for Raptors NBA basketball. It switches all around from four different cable networks but it's still the same production team. The play-by-play guys and the sideline reporters just use whatever mic flashes they have to use for that particular night. It works out well and you get Chuck Swirsky calling every game. Or at least we did.
Who will do race call for ESPN/ABC? Rusty Wallace or Dale Jarrett involved?
- May 14, 2008 at 5:42 PM
- Anonymous said...
JD- I enjoyed what I got to see of WindTunnel and did not find Dave D. as negative as you did. What disappointed me the most was that I thought Ned & Dale were going to be on for the full hour. It seemed to me that Dave had too many things he wanted to ask Ned or Dale and then had too little time to follow up. I too would like to see WindTunnel on more than once a week, but I've become convinced that the powers that be at SPEED are determined to limit racing related programming to Friday thru Sunday only.
- May 14, 2008 at 6:17 PM
- Daly Planet Editor said...
Once the Sprint Cup comes down to the final seventeen races, Jerry Punch, Dale Jarrett and Andy Petree will be up-front for ABC and ESPN.
That is the reason they are all taking the time off right now, once the end of July hits they will be very busy boys.
This season that team will also be an integral part of NASCAR Now, SportsCenter and ESPNEWS. They will be spread across the ESPN networks and .com sites like the other high-profile ESPN announce teams.
It has the potential to be one of the best and biggest TV presentations of "The Chase" that we have ever seen.
- May 14, 2008 at 6:19 PM
- Anonymous said...
JD, who will be working the booth for TNT? Is it the same group who didn't do a good job last season? BTW, who is TNT owned by? Are the affiliate of CBS or NBC?
- May 14, 2008 at 7:37 PM
- Daly Planet Editor said...
TNT stands for Turner Network Television. This network is basically a big hard drive that plays back pre-recorded shows and movies over cable TV.
There has always been a sports presence, most notably the NBA on TNT which has been a great success.
In each part of the three TV network portions of the Sprint Cup schedule, each network has a "hook." That means a jewel or a stand-out selling point.
TNT paid a whole lot of money to feature the July night race from the Daytona International Speedway. The other five races in their package just kind of came along for the ride.
Fox gets the Daytona 500 and gets to kick-off the season and ESPN gets the entire Chase for the Championship.
Last checked, the TNT line-up was still Bill Weber on PXP, Kyle Petty and Wally Dallenbach Jr. in the booth as analysts. Larry McReynolds will be back as well, probably on the infield stage thingy.
Who will be the pre-race anchor, who will host the infield during the race, and who are the pit reporters has not been forwarded to me yet.
I will keep you posted. BTW, the Producer is the same one from Fox but the Director is different. He is the Director from the old ESPN package. The entire "new group" comes together for six races and then is gone again.
- May 14, 2008 at 7:53 PM
- Glenn said...
I enjoyed the show. Dave just has to cram 10 pounds into a 5 pound bag. I think he's kinda humorous.
- May 15, 2008 at 1:09 AM
- Unknown said...
Question: Why is Wind Tunnel confined to a single solitary hour every week? The content and stuff that is covered on that show deserves expansion, not contraction. If I recall, Wind Tunnel used to be a nightly Monday through Thursday show when it first aired.
- May 15, 2008 at 8:55 PM


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Thursday, August 12, 2010
Yo ho yo ho, a pirate bento for Ben!
On What's for Lunch Wednesday, Kids Dream Work shared an awesome pirate bento with a pirate sandwich with nori decorations. Now we didn't have sandwiches and Ben isn't a nori fan, but I had to try out her general idea to see if I could make a cute pirate too!
taco muffin, topped with his very own pirate face! The face is the last bit of white cheddar, with an orange cheddar bandana. He has one sugar eye (it's a pirate, of course) and an eye patch made from a bit of cucumber. His mustache & chin are cucumber also.
To go with our not-so-scary pirate, Ben has carrots & celery, grapes, strawberries, blackberries and a couple of kebabs of blueberries. We're almost out of fruit, so thank goodness for freezer berries!
24 comments:
Oh my gosh, that is the cutest thing ever! Where do you get your sugar eyes?ReplyDelete
I got them at a candy store near my mom's, but Amazon sells them!ReplyDelete
Hi, I check in here often and admire your little creations! I work hard to pack meals with that generate little waste, although I am yet to attempt a bento box for my husband. Something I've been wondering is how much "scrap" do you generate when creating these beautiful presentations? And what do you do with the scraps?ReplyDelete
I LOVE the pirate. Great job!ReplyDelete
@Erin - Not too much really! With this guy, the cucumber peel gets tossed anyhow so it at least had a purpose for a bit. I put all the scraps of cheese & meat back in the fridge in a container. I'll either use it later on or we just toss it in a chef style salad for the grown ups. Same with little bits of carrots & other veggies. This of course assumes my little vulture children aren't standing at the counter eating the scrap bits. ;o)ReplyDelete
That's so awesome! Arrrrguably one of your cuter bento creations. (Sorry, had to do it.) I bet Ben was THRILLED.ReplyDelete
I love this! You are so inspiring and the taco muffins are definitely going on our "must try" list. Sounds like my son is a bit ahead of yours..he's into dinos and then it was pirates (and still dinos...but now we've addes Star Wars...maybe you'd better get thinking on that one! :-) )ReplyDelete
this is a cute and adorable pirate... Ben must be so excited by opening his box :-DReplyDelete
Will definitely be laughing if I ever see such cute real life pirate instead of being very afraid! Haha cool bento!ReplyDelete
Way too cute!!ReplyDelete
this is fabulous... I'm going to make this for my 34 year old husband... is that wrong?!ReplyDelete
Thanks everyone! He is quite possibly my favorite bento I've made lately!ReplyDelete
I love your version of Pirate! He is way more friendly than mine! :DReplyDelete
Thanks for the link back too! :)
Oh my! You are so talented!ReplyDelete
So incredible.ReplyDelete
Yum! I can't wait to pick up a few bento containers.ReplyDelete
Wow, super inspiring!ReplyDelete
So cute ... my daughter is famous for making her "snacky plates". She would love this!ReplyDelete
Enjoy your SITS Day! :)
Your pirate bento has been featured on *BEST OF THE WEB PIRATE PARTIES AND CAKES*ReplyDelete
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Hi-this is fab. What kid of skewers have you got the blueberries on? They are the cutest!ReplyDelete
Loved this! I tried my own today -- thanks for the inspiration.ReplyDelete
Where did you get the little skewers from? I love them!ReplyDelete
The Pirate Bento Box Lunch is so cool. Featured you on Creative Bento Box Lunch Ideas For KidsReplyDelete


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Study warns of rise in anti-government groups
Obama's election, pro-gun control stance have fueled increase, report says
(CNN) —The number of American "patriot" extremist groups has reached a record level, according to a new study, and experts are warning of a wave of anti-government violence.
A report released Tuesday by the Southern Poverty Law Center counted 1,360 "patriot" extremist groups in 2012 -- up by 7% from 2011. The study defines patriot groups as anti-government militias driven by their fear that authorities will strip them of their guns and liberties.
"They believe the Constitution is being raped. With hate groups, things are going to get worse because they feel like they're in battle," said David Gletty a former FBI informant who spent time undercover with various militia and extremist groups. "It's not surprising with their hatred of President (Barack) Obama that there are even more hate groups out there."
The study said California has the most patriot extremist groups, with 81.
The SPLC report also offers a bit of good news: The number of "immigrant-bashing" extremist groups -- so-called nativism organizations -- is way down from 2011, falling by 88%.
The new statistics come after a string of crimes linked to extremist groups. A year ago, a Michigan militia leader and his son pleaded guilty to federal gun charges. Last August, a 40-year-old ex-soldier-turned singer for a white supremacist rock band shot up a Sikh temple in Oak Creek, Wisconsin, killing six people, before taking his own life. A few weeks later, a group of Georgia men was linked to an anti-government militia plot to assassinate Obama.
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Gletty said most of the fringe elements characterized in the report hate the government more than they do specific races. They hate everyone, Gletty said.
Now a private investigator, Gletty spent years undercover as an FBI informant watching the internal workings of white supremacist groups.
The groups named in the SPLC study came from information compiled from "field reports, Patriot publications, the Internet, law enforcement sources and news reports."
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-- The state with the most neo-Nazi groups: California, with 9.
-- The state with the most Ku Klux Klan groups: Texas, with 26.
-- The report breaks out a group it calls "Christian Identity," which the SLPC defines as "a religion that is fundamentally racist and anti-Semitic." Texas has the most, with five.
-- Another category in the report, called "General Hate," is defined as groups that are anti-gay, Holocaust deniers, racist musicians or radical traditionalist Catholics. California has the most such groups, with 37.
"The country needs to do better," Potok wrote in an editorial. The Department of Homeland Security, he said, needs to act to avoid a repeat of the kind of hate-based violence the nation saw in the 1990s.


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I will appreciate your expert comments on the following issue.
I am looking into adobe flash content rendering using OVG accelerators on embedded platforms. OVG APIs are floating point and so is flash (.swf) content (as far as i understand). These combined, it seems to me there is a problem in embedded space where CPUs are not strong and FPU is often missing. Suppose we only manipulate bitmaps and glyphs. Unless there is a way to calculate all transformation matrices (let's assume the bitmaps are always rendered in predefined locations and orientations, such as is the case of cover flow UI) "offline", I doubt we can get fair framerate.


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If you've got a Tolltag, you know where Tupy's is. Along with Horchow Finale--the discount store of catalogue leftovers--Tupinamba (called Tupy's by regulars) anchors a shopping center whose feature attractions are a pet-grooming shop, a nail salon, and the Tolltag store. It's on Inwood Road just off Forest Lane--Dallas' ancient, honorable unofficial drag strip where I spent much of my youth in somebody's Mustang.
Looking around, you figure that rent may not be the challenge here that it is in some locations. And you'd assume that whatever pernicious influence the neighbors thought Tinseltown would have had on the neighborhood, the local landlords could only have been happy to see the proposed multiplex in place--the way the city council promised.
It's really hard to see why the neighborhood objected to a cinema multiplex in the dead location right next to this center, which is barely breathing. Surely anything would be better than a boarded-up Kmart and a parking lot the size of a soccer field. But I can see the bumper stickers now: Better Tupy's than Tinseltown.
If anyone should ever write a history (proposed title: Dining Tex-Mex in the Metroplex) the name "Tupinamba" would thread through it like a trail of dripping queso. The restaurant's been around in one location or another for 50 years, moving from Oak Lawn to Lovers Lane to Northwest Highway to Midway, somehow keeping its taco recipe intact at every new location.
Tupinamba has had so many deaths and reincarnations you figure it must be near nirvana now, yet somehow it's not surprising to find it doesn't seem to have evolved at all. My own family has celebrated birthdays, impending births, and other occasions at Tupy's.
Now the kitchen's in the hands of family scion Eddie Dominguez, who inherited the recipes and, one presumes, the penchant for roomy and gloomy decor that, along with the tacos, has generally characterized Tupinamba.
The latest incarnation is big, with a high, blue ceiling over all the spacious dining areas; and there's a bar at one end, complete with a fake view, and a service area at the back that extends the width of the room. The light is dim, with a glare from the western windows if you're eating early--which we were on a recent weeknight, when the place was filled mostly with blue-hairs and families with very new children. The restaurant had the faint air of an institution, maybe the dining room of an assisted-living facility on visiting day.
Even later, and on a weekend, there's nothing hip about Tupinamba. Not that we didn't have to wait for a table--the line was out the door--but compare this crowd to the one waiting outside Mi Cocina in the Highland Park Village or Chuy's, and you'll see what I mean. Tupy's customers are here for the food, not the scene. Don't even ask how you can tell by looking.
Once seated, Tupy's feeds you with that hustling efficiency I associate with old-style Mexican food emporia. Thin, crisp chips and a bowl of salsa (with little bowls for personal dipping), as well as glasses of ice water and a stack of hot corn tortillas arrived before anyone even spoke to us. Drinks arrived in the time it took a waiter to hike from one end of the restaurant and back. And if you do order a margarita, watch out: These are the most potent drinks I've been served in a Mexican restaurant in 20 years.
The menu is mammoth--at least 50 dinners are listed in various combinations. Think hard: Are you in the mood for two cheese enchiladas with chili con carne and a "Tupy taco" or two cheese enchiladas with chili con carne, a "Tupy taco" and a guacamole chalupa? Or maybe just one cheese enchilada with chili con carne and two tamales? If I'm choosing a combo, I like to keep it simple--a tostada with guacamole, looking like a tostada with chile con queso (yes, it's the gluey yellow stuff that stiffens as it cools, and I love it) and a "Tupy taco."
The "Mexico City" tacos--flour tortillas folded around stewed chicken and grated cheese with pico de gallo over the top--are good, too, but then you have to order your "Tupy taco" on the side, and that's too much to eat. And you can't go to Tupinamba without eating a taco. They have always been a specialty, and they are as they always have been, in kitchen after kitchen throughout the years, not a fried corn shell with filling but a soft corn tortilla closed over a mixture of meat and beans, mostly beans, then deep fried.
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They come on a separate plate, sided mysteriously with shredded iceberg lettuce and more grated cheese, tossed in a mild vinaigrette. Why does this taste good? There's no reason this combination should work, but it does in a strange nostalgic way--like potato chips and apple sauce. These tacos couldn't be richer, the refried beans smoothing out the texture of the meat and giving the mixture the richness of confit, emphasized by the deep oil bath that leaves the corn shell with a dewy glisten.
The Mexico City tacos are less aggressive, seeming almost light by comparison, but the embueltos return to the rich and famous theme. A perfectly square flour tortilla is folded in a kind of culinary Mexican origami around the same kind of chicken stew that fills the Mexico City tacos, then deep fried and slicked over with that yellow chili con queso that coats the mouth and sticks to the ribs and the rest of your body. I'm sure you'd need a calculator for the fat grams, but who's counting?
Eddie Dominguez' Tupinamba, 12270 Inwood Road, 243-2355. Open Monday-Thursday, 11 a.m.-9 p.m.; Friday-Saturday, 11 a.m.-10 p.m.; and Sunday, noon-9 p.m.
Mini Flautas $6.75
Combination No. 15 (Cheese Enchiladas and Tupy Taco) $7.50
Trino's Mexico City Tacos $6.95
Guiso $8.25


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This birthday card is amazing not just for its stunning car picture on the front, but for a great pun that's bound to make anyone chuckle. It's perfect for car lovers-especially those who like antique cars-but can be a great pick for anyone who appreciates a good joke. The background has a pattern that fits right into the classic theme, and it really ties the birthday card together.
Raise a glass to your good friend on their "beerthday!" The funny design and humorous birthday message on this Happy Birthday card will help make this a birthday they will never forget! As you celebrate your friend and make the most of their special day, make a toast to show how much you love them and how excited you are for another year in their life!
This birthday card is what birthdays are all about-letting loose, having fun, and enjoying some birthday cake! As if the picture on the birthday card isn't adorable and humorous enough, the joke about acting the proper age is the perfect addition. This birthday card is a can't-miss, and everyone's sure to love it!
Fireworks are the best way to celebrate! Use this exciting birthday card to wish a "Happy Birthday" to your friends, coworkers, and family on their special day. The light-filled purple background and sparkling blue fireworks will spark happiness and excitement in the hearts of birthday boys of all ages! Send your birthday wishes in style with this fun-filled birthday card!
If he's celebrating a birthday, this card is a great way to let him know you're thinking of him and wishing him well. A delicious-looking chocolate cake is topped with blue candles, all lit up and ready for him to blow out. It's a chance to remind him that this day is all about him, as he looks ahead to another year of making unforgettable memories, starting with this moment.
If you know someone who's celebrating a birthday and also happens to be a car fan or collector, this is the perfect birthday card for them! The antique cars in the background give this a rustic element, while the well wishes add for a sweet touch. This birthday card is one of a kind and sure to bring a smile to your loved one on their big day.
Two beer mugs come together, ready to toast an awesome guy on this birthday! With colorful lights in the background, this festive card will have him ready for a party as he celebrates turning another year older. What a great way to remind him that he deserves all the wishes coming his way on this special day.
A bundle of birthday balloons floating through the sky are festive enough for a party. They bring a message of birthday greetings for him as you wish him all the best for the coming year. Your message in this birthday card wishes him a birthday as nice as he is and every new day to bring something exciting and new.
Sleek gold, white and black balloons are joined by hanging stars, ready to make him feel special on his birthday. This stylish card sets a festive tone to let a great guy know that he's the star of the show today. So whether you're partying together with him, or sending wishes from miles away, he'll appreciate knowing you remembered him and that you're celebrating him in a big way.
What better way to tell him "happy birthday" than with this glamorous birthday card. It's all of the glitz and glamour of gold on black. He will be in awe of the statement this stunning birthday card makes. This birthday card has a celebration written all over it, and he will be thrilled when he receives it in his email inbox.
This birthday card is a great choice for the artist in your life, or for anyone who appreciates funky, abstract art. After all, take a look at those colors! The paint splatter adds an element of fun, while the graffiti-looking font plays right into that theme. Whether you're celebrating a significant other, child, friend, or relative, this birthday card is the perfect choice.
If you know a classy man who is celebrating one more trip around the sun, use this beautiful, sophisticated birthday card to send your birthday wishes! The bold blue paint strokes, blue background, and gold accents make this card perfect for any birthday celebration. Say "Happy Birthday" and show your favorite man that you care about him on his special day!
The beach is the setting for this cool card, with colorful rocks spelling out "Happy Birthday" on the sand. It's a fun, festive way to celebrate a guy who totally rocks as he turns another year older. No matter where he's partying this year, he'll appreciate your wishes for the best birthday under the sun. Nobody deserves it more!
Birthdays are a time to look ahead toward another year filled with with adventure. And for a guy who's celebrating, this card will let him know that the most amazing journeys are still to come. Featuring a sailboat in the open water, with the sun setting behind, it's a wonderful reminder of all the exciting things he has to look forward to.
A sleek red sports car will help one cool dude speed into a brand-new year of fun on his birthday! This card is a reminder that no matter how many years he's turning, adventure is waiting for him around every turn. And you'll be wishing him all the best at every point along the road!
This festive pooch is ready to help the ultimate party animal celebrate his birthday in style! Wearing a colorful hat, he'll have the birthday boy laughing, no matter what age he's turning. What a great card for having a little fun and reminding him, jokingly of course, that he may not be the young pup he used to be, but he still knows how to have a good time!
This funny card is perfect for any guy who will never admit it, but loves being the center of attention on his birthday! A huge bunch of silver, white and blue balloons are completely covering the dude on this greeting's face, which is a reminder that it's ok to get a little carried away, no matter how many candles are on the cake this year. It's the perfect greeting for someone who doesn't take himself too seriously.
For a sophisticated gentleman's birthday, you will need an equally sophisticated card won't you old chap? Send the New Year, Old Chap Happy Birthday Card to the fanciest man you know. This guy is one-of-a-kind, an inspiration, and you can't wait to see what he does with this next year of his life! Bright text and colorful balloons really send the cheerful message home.
Some guys have the best fashion sense. Does anyone in particular come to mind when you think of fashionable men? Then send that trendsetter the One Very Hip Dude Happy Birthday Card! With typewriter text, suspenders, and heart-shaped sunnies– this card screams "COOL!" This card would pair exceptionally well with a gift certificate to their favorite craft brewery as well!
Make this birthday their best one yet! 50 is a grand old time. Money to spend and a healthy body to enjoy it. Friends and family on all sides. Adventures behind you to remember and new ones being planned. 50 is a great time to be alive. Ensure they have a fabulous day and an amazing year with this birthday card!
Cue the fireworks! Turning 70 years old is definitely worthy of some celebration! Everything about this birthday card is simply amazing. The different shades of blue keep the design from being boring, while the solid-colored background ensures that it's not too busy. This birthday card has a perfect balance of fun, simplicity, and elegance, sure to make anyone smile on their big day.
The only thing better than a humorous birthday card is a humorous birthday card with a dog on it! Isn't that the cutest mugshot ever?! Wish someone dear to you a happy birthday with this fun and exciting card. It's sure to make them grin from ear to ear.
Have you ever seen this birthday card before? Maybe not as a birthday card but in movie theater? The background is busy and exciting without being over the top, and the distinct coloration really helps set this birthday card apart from all the others.
One glimpse of this gorgeous b-day card and anyone is bound to swoon. The balloon bouquet reinforces the excitement of an upcoming birthday, while the gold, glitter letters add a fun element to this b-day card. Whether you're searching for the perfect b-day card for your best friend or hoping to find something to send a colleague, this b-day card is a classic, great for any birthday celebration!
Whatever age he's turning this year, here's a birthday card that will get him in the mood to celebrate! Brightly colored confetti and festive presents, all wrapped up and waiting to be opened, create the perfect backdrop for the thoughtful message that sits front and center: "Knowing you is the best gift of all." What a wonderful way to make him feel special on his big day!
When a great guy is celebrating a birthday, this is the best way to celebrate him! A festive background, featuring a bottle of champagne ready to be popped, sets a party atmosphere on this card, which will let him know that it's time to go all out and have an unforgettable time. What's even more memorable is that it came from you.
This silly card for a guy who's celebrating a birthday will have him laughing out loud! Armed with a present in his hand and an "OMG" look on his face, the dude on this greeting will let him know know that he's just old enough to get excited about his big day without feeling totally embarrassed. Whether you're partying together this year, or sending this hysterical card from far away, he's sure to be smiling and looking forward to having some fun.
What do you give a man who seems to have it all? How about a super rad birthday card and some encouragement to make good use of his birthday wish! Send the One More Wish Happy Birthday Card to let that guy know you think his life is pretty awesome– but you still think he deserves a little bit more!
Perfect for your favorite goofball, we've got the Lovable Goof Happy Birthday Card! A silly (but handsome!) bearded guy in a pointed party hat gestures excitedly at a wrapped birthday present in the photo. Meanwhile colorful confetti falls all around him and his goofy grin. This bright, lighthearted card is certain to boost a guy's mood on his special day!
Well hello, sailor! Know a seafaring man? An ocean-loving guy? A surfer dude? A yachtsman well worth his salt? Who doesn't love the romantic aesthetic of a sailboat though, honestly? Send the Smooth Sailing Happy Birthday Card to wish fair winds and following seas to the saltiest man in your life. May this new year of life bring him smooth sailing and minimal bouts of the doldrums.
Whether your buddy is into sports/running or not, we think he'll appreciate this card and its message. The Starting Line Happy Birthday Card celebrates the man who faces life head on. The guy who works hard at everything he does, but makes it look easy somehow. He's an inspiration to you and others and he deserves to hear about it on his birthday.
Don't think of it as getting another year older. Instead think of it as getting another year better. Or wiser as our Older and Wiser Happy Birthday Card suggests! Send this tasteful birthday cake candle card to a super special guy to make him feel valued and appreciated on his big day. Flatter him by saying you bet he has a really good wish planned for all these candles!
For the wild mountain man. The dude you can always count on when you need to borrow a tent or a sleeping bag. The one who is always up for camping, hiking, rock climbing, bouldering, etc. We've designed the Camping in the Mountains Happy Birthday Card to celebrate that adventurous fellow! Send this stunning photo card to the guy who lives life on the edge of extreme to wish him all new, fresh adventures this year!
While it's not nice to poke fun at a person's age, it's okay to lightly tease your friends about getting older, right? We think so, as long as it's all in good, clean fun! Send the How Many Beers Old Funny Birthday Card to the guy who is rarely found without a beer in hand. Events, parties, cook-outs– he's always got a cold one. In beer years he's probably pretty up there, but in human years he's looking fantastic!
Brace yourself. The puns are coming. We can hardly bear how cute this birthday card is. Or should we say Bear-thday card! Send this hilarious card to a guy with a good sense of humor. Wish him a fun day of partying it up, no need to bear down– just cut loose and have fun! What's this guy's favorite flavor of birthday cake anyway? We bet it's rasp-bear-y! Or maybe even straw-bear-y.
This 60th birthday card sets the scene for a memorable celebration! A birthday cake is topped with a big "60" candle, all lit up, to herald this milestone year in spectacular fashion. Blue and purple lights in the background add to the fun. And your brightest wishes are conveyed in a very special way. What a wonderful greeting to let them know you're thinking of them while reminding them that the best is yet to come!
It's not every day they turn 60, so make it memorable with this birthday card for somebody special! A foil wrapped cupcake is loaded with mounds of chocolate frosting, then topped with a candle, stars and a glittery decoration displaying their milestone age. A brilliant sparkler and lit up Champagne bottle add to the celebratory feel, creating the ultimate expression of your wishes as they reach this special time in their life.
This birthday card is perfect for that special friend or family member in your life who's turning 60! At the top, a sparkling silver background sends your best wishes in style, while reminding them to have a blast. And below is a "6-0" candle burning bright to mark this milestone age. Bursting from a gift box, along with glittering confetti, bows and stars, it's a brilliant way to wish them a happy 60th.
Send colorful and exciting fireworks to someone who is turning 50 this year with a birthday card that has it all! This greeting card was specifically designed for someone who has reached their 50th milestone. It was created with extra excitement and flair so that it perfectly represents the grand occasion that is taking place. This special birthday card will allow you to wish them a dazzling day and an incredible year!
Let someone special to you celebrate in style with this 50th birthday card! It showcases exciting golden balloons that represent their big milestone! They will appreciate that you took the time to send them a happy birthday card and that you are thinking of them on their big day! This awesome greeting card will wish them joy and excitement as they are turning 50. Get these balloons and golden ribbons off to them today to make sure they have a great day!


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A virtual unknown is ready to kick off his Sunday shoes as the lead in the forthcoming remake of the 80s classic teen movie, "Footloose."
According to reports from Entertainment Weekly, newcomer Kenny Wormald is set to don the white t-shirt and tight jeans as dancing renegade Ren McCormack in the role that made Kevin Bacon a household name back in 1984. He won the prized slot by rising to the top of worldwide audtion pool after both Zac Efron and Chace Crawford of "Gossip Girl" backed out.
U.S. & World
The 25-year-old Boston native is no stranger to the world of dance. As a teenager, he won numerous dance competitions in New England. More recently, he's appeared on MTV's "Dancelife", toured with Justin Timberlake, and shown up in videos for megastars like Prince, Christina Aguilera, and Madonna.
Expectations for the remake are already high.
"When we discovered Kevin Bacon in 1984, we were both excited and gratified — and also knew the chances of ever duplicating that effort was a million to one shot. Decades later Kenny Wormald proved history could repeat itself," said producer Craig Zadan in a released statement. Zadan, a veteran of the original film, will return to work on the new version as well.
Wormald joins a cast that features Dennis Quaid as Reverend Moore and Julianne Hough of "Dancing With the Stars" fame as Ariel. The film will be directed by "Hustle and Flow" director Craig Brewer and is set for an April 1, 2011 release.


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By Ruben V. Nepales -
LOS ANGELES- "It's a secret," said Robert Pattinson, breaking into laughter. He was just asked to talk some more about the script he is supposedly writing, based on a novel by Lillian Hellmann, as disclosed in a Vanity Fair cover story on the actor by Nancy Jo Sales.
Robert claimed that it was "one of those times when you say in an interview that this is off the record, when you are just really excited about something. She'll say, 'Yeah, of course.'"
The "secret" was disclosed in the cover piece but Robert clarified that his screenplay project is not based on one of Lillian's novels. "It's just something Lillian Hellman wrote." Laughing again, he said, "I can't really say what it is."The "Twilight" series star balked at giving more details.
But other than that, he was his usual, easygoing self, quick to be the first one to laugh at himself. In our latest encounter at a meeting room in the Fairmont Miramar Hotel in Santa Monica, he played with a water bottle as he fielded questions.
"I used to write a lot more when I wasn't getting acting jobs," he revealed. Chuckling, he said, "You dream about writing parts for yourself."
He added: "The more scripts you read and the more movies you see get made ... you think, what's the point in just producing something when you feel you can write something? I used to write all the time when I was younger … I will probably write under a pseudonym, because otherwise everyone will just tear me apart immediately."
Robert revealed details on another matter that has been drawing a lot of speculation—that he is playing Jeff Buckley in a biopic about the singer-songwriter who drowned in 1997. "I met his mom who's really great," he said of Mary Guibert, executive producer of the film reportedly going to be directed by "Welcome to the Rileys" director Jake Scott. That Robert talked to Mary indicate that both are at least exploring the idea. "I don't know," he said, then hinted, "It's really not up to me. I love Jeff's music. He was amazing."
He is modest about his own musical abilities. "I don't really think I can sing like Jeff," Robert said. "He was unique. Also, I can't play guitar like him either. It would involve quite a lot of work. If someone just imitates Jeff's voice, it wouldn't be right. It's always about the script. You have no idea how it's going to represent someone."
Circus act
In "Water for Elephants," he plays a veterinary medicine student who drops out and joins a traveling circus that's trying to survive during the Depression. Asked for his memories of watching a circus, he reminisced: "I've been to a circus once in my life. My sister told me that a clown died when they did a stunt. I was only about 7 years old. I freaked out, but my sister told me when I was about 19 that she made it up. I still haven't been to a circus since I've done the movie. I really want to go again."
Robert, 24, who pretends to be a fully licensed vet in the film, was asked if he has bluffed in real life. "Definitely," came his quick answer. Flashing his mischievous grin, he narrated: "I was unemployed in London for ages. When I came to LA to audition, everyone and all the casting directors would be like, 'So what have you been doing all these years?' I was like, 'I've been studying. I went to Oxford and then I went to RADA (Royal Academy of Dramatic Art).' If you have an English accent, you can get away with it. I did it for years. A little bit after that, I realized that didn't really work anymore when loads of English people started moving to LA.
"So then I pretended to be an American for a bit and then when 'Twilight' came out, I still tried to pretend to be American. People thought I was insane at the auditions, so I stopped."
Solemnity and rage
Pressed for some details on "Breaking Dawn" Parts 1 and 2, Robert, who of course plays Edward Cullen, said: "The first film out of the last two is definitely less solemn just because of the subject matter. There's a kind of finality to it. Edward is always so fraught about everything … But in the second one, there is a kind of rage to finish off all his problems once and for all. It's definitely a lot looser. Bill Condon is a very different director compared to the other ones we've had. So yeah, hopefully, it will be really different."
On whether he still finds time to go back to England and if his fans there are not as fervent as in other parts of the world, Robert answered: "It used to be like that but it has become a bit more intense in the last two years or so. I hardly ever get time to get back though, which is annoying. Generally, the people who come up to me in England are Italians and Americans.
"The English people are a little bit embarrassed to come up, but it's funny. I was in an HMV (music/video store) when I was last there. I was buying some ridiculous movie and there were 'Twilight' posters all over the store. These two guys just literally refused to look up when they were ringing up the register."
Same boat
He acknowledged how being away is a challenge to keeping in touch with family and friends. "It's quite difficult to stay close to your family because of the time difference," he admitted. "My family is in London. If you're working 16-hour days, you can't really call, especially because whenever you have a break, you just want to go to sleep. But luckily, my friends do jobs which also involve tearing around all the time so they're in the same boat. We all very much rely on our friendship staying strong even if we don't see each other for months."


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I know I've been calling for this now for years (actually I wanted the Pack to move up in the draft to draft the guy). But Steve Slaton has now been released from the Texans, I believe because Gary Kubiak simply hates him. (He's been in the doghouse for a couple years.)
Anyway, all indications were that after his neck injury a few years ago, he was back to the same athletically gifted Steve Slaton he'd been before the injury. And remember how dominant he was that rookie year? I could be totally wrong about Slaton, maybe he sucks now. But it seems there is very little harm in bringing in such a versatile athlete like this for a tryout at the very least. I know we're loaded on offense at the moment and working him in may not happen right away (and that we may need roster spots for more O-Line and D-Line depth) – but Slaton can play RB, WR, 3rd down back and return punts/kicks. He is a special player who sees the field differently than not-so-special players. (Don't remember how good he is – watch here. The second highlight run is ridiculous.) Give him a try TT. And if he sucks at the tryout – I'll shut up about Steve Slaton going forward.


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Media, school and adult conversations. What do these items have in common? All of these sources are opportunities for your child to hear and/or learn about disasters. The stories your child hears may prompt worry and questions. Are you prepared to handle these concerns and questions? Here are some tips on how you can help your children cope with such emotions.
Maintain your routine. Routines are very important to children. Keeping a regular schedule, especially when the world seems unpredictable, gives your child a sense of reassurance. Comfort lets him know he is safe. Make sure your child gets appropriate sleep, exercise and nutrition.
Avoid too much news media coverage. When a tragic event happens, we can count on the news media picking up the story. Keep in mind, media images can be graphic. If your child is watching television, she may have mixed reactions about the things she is seeing. Depending on the age of your child, she may not have the understanding of time and space yet. As a result, she may assume that what she is seeing on the television is close to home. This may cause the fear that a disaster will hit in your neighborhood.
Answer questions. Children are most afraid when they do not understand what is happening around them. Make sure when you are answering your child's questions, you are calm and respond at their developmental level. Your preschooler's thinking is literal and self-centered. Keep your answers simple and on a "need to know" basis. Too much or too many details may only cause him to be more afraid or concerned. Your school-age child can be given a more detailed response. You may sit down with him to explain what happens during an earthquake or a flood.
Get children involved in the effort. If you child feels like she wants to help those in need, let her. Find a local, or even national, organization or charity that is working to help those affected by the tragedy. This will show your child how people around the world are working together to help those in need. Ask your child what she would like to do. There are many things your child can do to be part of the relief efforts.


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Hollywood is the place where people flock to make their dreams come true. It is a place where star-lined streets are just as literal as the fizzled out dreams that lay on them. The realization that magic isn't what makes the lights so bright and the people so beautiful seems to be the one golden rule to making it in Hollywood. The other golden rule? Knowing where to go and who to have on your team. It is often times the people that stand behind and on side of you that can help to turn you into star! One place where your star status can reign supreme because of having the right players on your team is one of my newly crowned must-visit venues, Cinespace. Every Monday night at Cinespace, you have the opportunity to become a star with Live Band Karaoke. Yes, Live Band! This is not your mom and pops karaoke venue. Au Contraire, this is Hollywood's Karaoke…lights, camera, action! It is a team effort that works together on any given Monday to help bring your stardom to life. With the phenomenal band Steel Rod and host Cedric Yarbrough from the hit comedic show Reno 911, anyone can stand on that stage in front of the entire venue and sound like a star…almost. Even if you don't sound like a star, you are sure to look like one! Trust me, I am talking from first-hand experience and have the pictures to prove it!
But, the night I fell in love with Cinespace didn't happen by chance, just as the venue itself didn't happen by chance. A plan to offer something new and different seems to be the basis for my discovery of Monday Nights at Cinespace and the basis for the management's creation of the venue and its offerings. Since the time that two MTV staffers envisioned creating an atmosphere that celebrated nightlife and the full multi-media experience, Cinespace has been the go-to spot for movie premiere parties, celebrity social events, and everything in between. Understanding the nature of Hollywood and the crave to live and party like a star, even if it is for just one night, Monday night Karaoke was born and it has been rapidly growing since. My good friend and GOE fashion line creator Ashton L. Wilson came to town to celebrate his birthday and I knew that the ordinary social outing would not be suitable. Another friend told me about Cinespace and I immediately contacted Brand Manager, Jason Sereno to find out more about the venue and the opportunity to host my group of friends for a birthday celebration.
Booking an event at the location is as simple as making reservations at your favorite restaurant. The staff is more than willing to accommodate you and your guests according to your specifications. Monday nights are different in that the central element is the Live Band Karaoke. However, in the room adjacent to where the band plays, there is a deejay playing top 100 tunes. The venue also boasts a large outdoor patio area, two large bars, and a VIP area. But the only VIP area that you have to contend with on Monday nights is the stage! It is on the stage where you become important. It is on the stage where people stand and listen. It is on the stage where your voice is heard, where your presence is seen.
In ode to Mr. Wilson's birthday, I decided to place all apprehension behind me and take to the stage. I belted out a horrible rendition of Prince's Kiss, but I have to tell you that once I was finished I didn't want to leave. Another one of my friends sang Chaka Khan and the whole night was filled with dancing, singing, laughing, and comraderie. Did I tell you we formed a "Soul Train" line in front of the stage? Yeah, that's what Monday nights at Cinespace brings out. And, to no surprise, people that can really sing seem to be regulars. I was amazed by the talent and am sure that scouts are sitting in the shadows waiting to pick up their next undiscovered talent. Unfortunately, I wasn't one of them. But, that doesn't matter! I had a blast.
Boy o Boy, I can't begin to explain the amount of fun that we all had that night in honor of Mr. Ashton L. Wilson's birthday, in honor of friendship, and in honor of loving life. There aren't too many places in Hollywood where you can go and just feel like you are having fun with family. The love extended by Mr. Jason Sereno and the staff made my party and I feel just this way. Additionally, great drink specials are given throughout the night to help with the budget-concious patrons! Last but not least, I have to give a huge shout out to band manager and co-host of the night Greg Chard. He loosened us up on the stage via laughter and dance.
I was a little shaken at the by the doorman who seemed to not know that I was on the list or who Jason was, but once we got past all that, everything was "gravy" as they say. I will be sure to make it out to Cinespace at least twice per month and will proclaim it as a one of THE Hollywood hotspots for visitors and natives alike. Thank you Cinespace, thank you friends!
For additional information on Cinespace, please log onto: www.cinepace.com.
Cinespace is located at 6356 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood, CA 90028. Phone Number is 323.817.3456.


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Transformers are REAL People — Begin Freak Out!
Looks like Optimus Prime may have a new ally with this real life Transformer who goes by the name of Brave Robot.
Brave Robot is the creation of Japanese designer Kenji Ishida. Kenji, who is working with a company named JS Robotics, looks to be on the verge of something really cool. The robot is remote controlled and can change into a car and back again into a robot with just the touch of a button.
This "toy" is no joke. It changes all by itself and does not need any help from us earthlings. This is the eighth version of the robot and it looks as though JS Robotics is now working on version nine.
Check out the videos below and prepare to relive your childhood dream of owning a real Transformer.
Thankfully Michael Bay was not asked to shoot footage for these videos.


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Jennifer Nettles' 'Duets' Partners Shut Everyone Else Out of the Top Spots On the Show
It was another good week for both of Jennifer Nettles' duets partners on 'Duets.' J. Rome and John Glosson ended up in the first and second spots on the charts after two very strong performances. Nettles' partners have dominated throughout the show and continued to do so tonight.
It's been clear from the beginning of the show that Nettles knows how to pick 'em. Her contestants have stayed high in the show's chart every week and have continued to impress the judges with their performances. But, soon it will be America's turn to vote and they'll have a new set of judges to please.
Nettles and Glosson opened the show with a safe choice of Celine Dion's 'My Heart Will Go On' from 'Titanic.' They wanted to go back to the basics and focus on letting Glosson use his voice after he received negative comments about his movements on stage. The choice was a good one, because the performance had Robin Thicke, who had bad things to say about Glosson last week, on his feet at the end.
Kelly Clarkson liked that Glosson chose to sing a female song with his male voice. She liked how his sound made the song his own. Thicke said he couldn't help but stand up at the end. He also complimented the pair saying, "You looked like you've been singing together for 10 years. I wish I could think of anything negative to say." John Legend felt the performance was "really beautiful."
He ended up in the top spot until J. Rome performed and knocked it out of the park with Whitney Houston's 'I Will Always Love You' from 'The Bodyguard.' Both Nettles and Rome had concerns about the song. Rome said of his past success, "My place in the chart means nothing because if I screw up, I could be in the bottom." Nettles said, "There are huge shoes to fill. It's go big or go home. That's what this show is about. It's performing at the top of your ability."
That's exactly what Rome did. He sang Houston's iconic song like no male should be able to sing it. After his performance he said with relief and pride, "I hit the note!" He hit the note right over the left field wall. Kelly Clarkson was so excited to tell Rome what she thought of the performance that she raised her hand so she could speak first.
She had the urge to throw clothing on stage, she enjoyed the performance so much. She said, "You are so good, J. Rome. You are so good." She then confirmed that Rome definitely had nothing to worry about with the high note. Thicke said there was a reason Rome has been No. 1 throughout the show. "You've got the voice. You've got the look. I think you're an amazing performer. Your career is unstoppable right now." Legend said simply, "That performance was beautiful. It was really awesome. Well done."
J. Rome blasted into first place to continue his streak on the top. And with Glosson in second place, Nettles continued her streak at the top. She hasn't had to watch her partners sing for their lives, but the game changes next week with only five contestants left and America's votes, so she may have to start worrying.
Watch John Glosson Perform 'My Heart Will Go On' on 'Duets'
Watch J. Rome Perform 'I Will Always Love You' on 'Duets'


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merias wrote:Yes I'm thinking we can have up to six PCs, so you're in, welcome!
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... or wind that has passed over nearby land making it excessively erratic. Land induced turbulence or mechanical rotor can have major gusts, extended lulls making flying a full sized traction kite a lot of work to downright dangerous.
Try to use launches with no upwind land mass, trees, buildings, etc. to disturb the wind. If the wind is close to sideshore and is uneven as a result, be extra careful. If it is too uneven, move to a better launch or go some other day when the wind improves. How close is too close? Can be many miles in some cases, depends on the height and nature of the land mass upwind.
The pink stuff (rolling or rotoring wind), can mess kiters up, powered aircraft too in some cases. The velocity of the wind and direction can change too much for safe, stable flight. Try not to let wind shadow, "Shadow Blast" you.
From: http://www.paragliding.gr/
More discussion in the main forum at


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Previous Lecture
Complete and continue
iOS Apps Powered by Azure Cloud Services
Intro to course. How it works.
Welcome! (1:40)
Share your screenshots (1:41)
Share your thoughts, questions, and OneDrive folder with code! (2:13)
Intro to iOS development
Getting the Tools (2:17)
Creating our First Project (2:37)
Exploring Xcode (the IDE) (7:28)
Learning the Basics about Swift
Constants and Variables (6:29)
Conditionals (4:50)
Loops (8:10)
Functions (5:27)
Classes and Objects (6:00)
The Storyboard - Designing the UI
Getting Started with Storyboards (8:24)
Defining the UI for an Application (5:42)
Connecting the UI with the Code (13:32)
First App - Days Until
Defining the UI (6:43)
Coding the Functionality (11:16)
Share YOUR Screenshots! (1:51)
App Challenge 1 - Temperature Converter
The Problem (2:53)
Defining the UI (8:35)
Coding the Functionality (10:01)
Bonus. Using a Picker. Warning, weird code inside. (12:49)
Share Screenshots! (1:12)
Second App - Contact list. Using a TableView
Intro to TableViewController (6:07)
Defining the UI (10:43)
Coding the Functionality - Part 1 (8:37)
Coding the Functionality - Part 2 (TableViewController) (5:19)
Coding the Functionality - Part 3 (TableViewCell) (13:33)
Third App - Customers list. Using CoreData for local DataBase
Intro to Core Data (12:52)
Creating the Model of the Data (9:16)
Reading from the Data Base (9:37)
Writing to the DB (10:45)
Filtering - Part 1 (10:54)
Filtering - Part 2 (7:46)
App Challenge 2 - My Places. Working with location and CoreData
The Problem (2:42)
Defining the UI (7:52)
Coding the Functionality - Part 1 (16:59)
Coding the Functionality - Part 2 (15:00)
Integrating Cloud Services. Intro to Cloud Computing
Intro to Cloud Computing (10:57)
Intro to Mobile Services with Azure (6:18)
Getting an Azure Subscription and creating a Mobile Service (12:00)
Connecting to a Mobile Service (15:22)
Inserting into a cloud-hosted DB (15:12)
Reading from a cloud-hosted DB (13:55)
Cloud Storage for media.
Creating a Storage Service (5:42)
Taking a Picture on iOS (15:06)
Backend Configuration (18:42)
Uploading the Picture to the Cloud - PART 1 (6:58)
Uploading the Picture to the Cloud - PART 2 (16:11)
Share your Screenshots! (2:35)
Adding Authentication through Facebook, Twitter, Google or Microsoft Account.
Link a Facebook app to your Mobile Service (11:11)
Change the Table Permissions (4:09)
Add Login logic (9:51)
Changing the Backend Logic for a better app
Filter by User right from the Backend (9:02)
Scale your Services to your needs (13:23)
Intro to Adaptive UI
Intro to Adaptive UI (12:04)
Adding Constraints Manualy (1:58)
Add Login logic
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Mosaix is nesting software, a Rhinoceros plug-in, that makes it possible to automate the arrangement of a series of profiles inside closed areas. Nesting is an irreplaceable application in various machining operation fields, and is used to automatically arrange the pieces to be created on metal sheets, sheets of glass and marble, pieces of leather and fabric, and in all those applications that require the ordered or fitted arrangement of a countless series of figures. The profiles, both external containment profiles and the pieces to be nested, can be of any shape. Mosaix provides the user with a series of tools that makes it possible to execute the placement of profiles by simply selecting the area. The fields of application are lasers, wire EDM, water-jet, flame cutting, plasma, 2D milling, and engraving. Given the versatility of the software, it is possible to run a swarfs recovery simply by designing the piece to be recovered and assigning it as an external area.
Luigi Fanin,
CIMsystem S.r.l.


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St. Andrew is one of two sites for the Winter Hospitality Overflow program, which provides homeless women, children and families a safe, warm place to sleep during the coldest part of the year.
The WHO program is a major component of Clark County's emergency shelter system. This season it runs from Nov. 1 through March 31. Last year approximately 675 individuals were served, nearly 500 at St. Andrew.
Additional information can be found at http://www.whoprogram.org
WHO needs:
We are unable to take any other clothing donations. Donations will be collected in the narthex on Sundays. Because of storage constraints, ask a task force member before donating toys or household items.
WHO program DON'Ts:


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Grease escape holes
Bearing arrangements in housings that have contact seals, e.g. double-lip or four-lip seals, can be equipped with a grease escape hole to allow used, excess grease to be purged from the housing. The escape hole should be positioned on the side opposite the grease inlet and if applicable, on the same side as the lock nut. For long relubrication intervals, it is often sufficient to remove the housing cap or cover and remove the old grease.
CAUTION: Relubrication via the outer ring
Care should be taken when relubricating spherical roller bearings in the nonlocating position via their lubrication feature in the outer ring. There is a risk that the lubrication groove of the bearing will not be aligned with the hole in the centre of the housing cap and the lubricant will not reach the bearing. This can be the case when narrow bearings are mounted in housings with a wide housing seat, e.g. spherical roller bearings in the 222 series mounted in SNL 5(00) series housings, and the application is subjected to large axial movements. Under these circumstances, the bearings should be relubricated from the side.


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The Legacy of Craigslist Foundation
Earlier this year we announced that, after a decade of innovation in support of stronger nonprofits and communities in the Bay Area and nationwide, Craigslist Foundation was winding down operations, celebrating its successes, and transitioning its programs to new homes. This process is now complete, and I'm writing to share the results.
Our signature Boot Camp program, held annually for eight years, is now in the capable hands of Social Media for Nonprofits (SM4NP) and its fiscal sponsor NTEN, the Nonprofit Technology Network. Ritu Sharma, Executive Director, and Darian Rodriguez Heyman, Boot Camp Co-Founder and Craigslist Foundation Executive Director from 2003 to 2008, lead SM4NP, and are currently planning the return of Nonprofit Boot Camp in 2013. They will be in touch with updates, or you can contact Darian at email@example.com with inquiries, or if you are interested in program sponsorship.
The Foundation's remaining two programs, LikeMinded and Alliance Building, have been combined to form LikeMinded, Inc., a 501c3 nonprofit organization established to carry on the work of strengthening local communities and neighborhoods. Led by me, a national collaborative is being formed with a number of the Foundation's Alliance.
Building partners, each of which has thousands of local constituents in cities, towns, and neighborhoods across the U.S. These national organizations and the local leaders and residents they're connected to are being engaged in designing and iterating the LikeMinded 2.0 platform to ensure its use and impact at the local level. The ultimate goal is to build or point to existing common civic infrastructure tools that make it simple and easy for likeminded people to discover one another, initiate, collaborate on, and fund projects, and take action for the public good in their local communities. If you've been on the Foundation's mailing lists, you will be receiving updates from me, or you can write me at: email@example.com.
As we complete this transition, I want to express once again our gratitude to craigslist for ten years of generous financial support and partnership, which allowed us to work with so many of you to generate new ideas and explore alternate solutions to nonprofit and community challenges. Through its Charitable Fund, craigslist continues this tradition of investing in numerous worthy charities and causes nationwide.
On behalf of Craigslist Foundation's staff and board members, past and present, a heartfelt thanks to YOU as well for your engagement over the years as we strived to augment the effectiveness of existing and emerging nonprofits and strengthen the fabric of local communities and neighborhoods. Because of you – pro bono presenters, program participants, sponsors, exhibitors, funders, fans, allies, volunteers – we can look back on the past decade with pride and acknowledge that, together, we made a difference. We invite you now to continue your participation through Social Media for Nonprofits, NTEN, and LikeMinded!
Warm regards,
Lynn Luckow
President & CEO, Craigslist Foundation, 2009 – 2012
Founder & CEO, LikeMinded, 2012


text: Last night's episode of Intervention revolved around a 23-year-old man named Skyler who, for the past seven months, has been addicted to bath salts—the legal, over-the-counter substance laced with the amphetamine mephedrone that gives a high similar to coke or meth. However, bath salts, which is a relatively new phenomenon in the drug world, causes hallucinations and paranoia that's seemingly unparalleled. The thing is, I can understand when people do drugs that make them laugh or dance or even knocks them out so they can avoid thinking about their problems, but bath salts just seems like it creates complete and utter misery. In the clip above, you can see Skyler dealing with hallucinations of "shadow people." He believes they talk to him and that he has to kill them with his own inventions, like the bag inside of a wine box taped to a flashlight. And when he isn't seeing shadow people he is seeing "piles" of dead bodies all over the place. It seems terrifying, and this episode might serve as the ultimate "don't do drugs" message.


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All 14 Lavera Trend Sensitiv Lipstick shades rated "very good" by OEKO-TEST
In August 2009, ÖEKO-TEST gave many lipstick manufacturers the "red card". OEKO-TEST purchased one cream lipstick of each shade from 21 different brands in order to cover all shades sold in department and drugstores. (p.73 OEKO-TEST magazine). A total of 306 shades were analyzed in a laboratory to find out whether they contained either problematic or possibly hazardous ingredients. The range tested also included products from organic food stores.
The result:
The winners were certified natural cosmetic brands. Among them 14 shades from Lavera Trend Sensitiv, which all received "very good" and do not contain any of the ingredients listed below:
- anilin
- halogen-organic color pigments
- tartrazin
- aromatic substances, which might cause allergies
- other aromatic substances
- polycyclic musk compounds
- possibly hazardous UV filters
- PE/PEG derivatives
- paraffins, petroleum products, silicones
For the Oeko-Test review itself, click here for the original german article and here for the english translation.
Since June 1992, Lavera Natural Cosmetics has been awarded top marks over 520 times.
Our Lavera lipsticks contain natural aromas – which are listed in the test under perfume "yes". (The INCI "perfume" category includes synthetic as well as natural fragrances and synthetic and natural aromas). In its evaluation OEKO-TEST criticized the packaging - the additional box they felt was not necessary - and was therefore only rated "good". Our packaging meets the legal requirements with regard to declaration of information and, therefore, we will continue to use the same packaging in the future. It provides the customers with the INCI ingredient information, the batch number, the best-before date and further manufacturer information, irrespective of any leaflets, which may be available. This would not be possible to provide just on the lipstick tube itself. Furthermore, Lavera Natural Cosmetics supplied OEKO-TEST with all necessary information with regard to color pigments used.
Press Clipping:
Lipsticks can cause rashes, translated report from news.de; geomix.at, upclive.atpress, July 31, 2009
Certain lipsticks can cause itching, rashes and possibly even cancer, the German OEKO-TEST magazine stated in its August issue. 121 of 306 lipsticks were only rated "adequate", 44 even "poor".
The lipsticks, which were poorly rated by OEKO-TEST included some of the expensive French luxury brands. "Buying expensive cosmetics often does not pay off." The lipsticks of eleven well-established brands, including Maybelline, Nivea and Max Factor, and luxury brands, including Christian Dior and Chanel, were only rated "unsatisfactory". Even some of the Börlind lipsticks, a brand sold in health food shops, were only rated "satisfactory" or "adequate". Natural cosmetics including Laverana (Lavera Trend Sensitiv Lipstick) received good marks.
Many of the products analyzed contained harmful substances. Some lipsticks contained e.g. tartrazin, an artificial yellow coloring, which may cause itching and rashes. The laboratory commissioned with the analysis of the lipsticks also found the toxic substance anilin in some of the products tested, a substance, which is believed to possibly cause cancer, said OEKO-TEST. Some lipsticks contained paraffins, petroleum products and other synthetic substances such as silicone. These substances are health hazards. Paraffins, for example, may accumulate in the lymph nodes. The consumer test magazine pointed out that according to the Cosmetics Directive manufacturers are legally bound to provide information on the color pigments used. Chanel, Dior and Procter & Gamble, however, refused to provide OEKO-TEST with this information!


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WASHINGTON — Congressman Tim Griffin, who represents the 2nd District of Central Arkansas, said Monday he will not seek re-election to a third term in office.
WASHINGTON — Congressman Tim Griffin, who represents the 2nd District of Central Arkansas, said Monday he will not seek re-election to a third term in office.
In a telephone interview, Griffin said the decision to leave Congress after two terms comes down to family.
"It's really about my time and my kids time," said Griffin, R-Little Rock. "My kids are in their formative years."
After several months of deliberation, Griffin said he and his wife, Elizabeth, decided they could not commit to an additional two more years in Congress where Griffin's time would be taken away from their son, John, and daughter, Mary Katherine.
"The long term thought process for Elizabeth and I was a decision of one year or three years. We just couldn't commit as a family to three years," he said.
Griffin said the timing of the decision was not driven by the recent shutdown and battles over the Affordable Care Act that have the public fuming and have seen plummeting approval ratings for politicians inside the Beltway. Instead, it was to give enough time for a Republican to step into the campaign.
"I want to make sure whomever wants to fill this seat has a level playing field," he said.
Leading up to his announcement, Griffin showed no sign that he wasn't preparing for a re-election campaign, raising more cash between July and September than either Crawford or Womack. Griffin's campaign took in $211,179 during the third quarter and ended September with $540,176 cash on hand, according to reports filed with the Federal Election Commission.
Griffin said he has not made any decision about his future career path but insisted it will be in Arkansas.
"This is our home," he said.
In a press release from his campaign, Griffin said that beyond Congress he intends to continue in public service, including as a Lieutenant Colonel in the Army Reserve.
David Wasserman, a political analyst for Cook Political Report, said Griffin's departure could signal an interest in running for state office at some point.
"The odds of eventually becoming a governor or senator is not necessarily enhanced by serving any longer in the House which is a deeply unpopular institution," Wasserman said.
National Republican Congressional Committee Chairman Greg Walden, R-Oregon, issued a statement praising Griffin for his time in Congress and his efforts in behalf of the Republican Party. Griffin serves as vice chairman for communications and strategy for the NRCC.
"Tim has helped strengthen our majority and improve our party's message," Walden said.
Reps. Steve Womack, R-Rogers, and Rick Crawford, R-Jonesboro, who were first elected to Congress with Griffin in 2010, issued statements praising Griffin for his service to Arkansas.
"Tim Griffin is a trusted and valued member of the House, a principled conservative, and a dedicated servant to the people of Arkansas. I will certainly miss having him as part of the Arkansas delegation," Womack said. "At the same time, I know the impact this job can have on a family, understand the desire to be closer to one's young children, and respect his decision."
Sen. John Boozman, R-Ark., U.S. Rep. Tom Cotton, R-Dardanelle, and Arkansas GOP Chairman Doyle Webb also issued statements wishing Griffin well and thanking him for his service to the state.
Vincent Insalaco, chairman of the Democratic Party of Arkansas, said in a statement that Griffin's departure was not surprising given voter outrage over the recent government shutdown.
"It is no surprise that Tim Griffin saw the writing on the wall and figured out that Arkansans were going to hold him accountable for the dysfunction in Washington," Insalaco said
State Democratic Party spokesman Patrick Burgwinkle went further, saying the timing of Griffin's announcement could foretell difficult times ahead for 4th District Congressman Tom Cotton's Senate challenge against incumbent U.S. Sen. Mark Pryor.
"It is evident the shutdown and near default has damaged Republicans in Arkansas," Burgwinkle said in a telephone interview Monday. "And, the implications are there for Tom Cotton, a cheerleader for shutting down the government in the House, as a lot of polling is coming back saying the GOP is bearing the brunt of this shutdown."
Added Kyle Kondik, managing editor of Sabato's Crystal Ball at the University of Virginia Center for Politics, "Before the shutdown Griffin was running for re-election and now he is not. This is a tangible thing after the shutdown that is a benefit to Democrats."
Several national polls have shown that more voters blamed Republicans than Democrats for the shutdown.
Burgwinkle said he anticipated that Griffin would have faced a competitive race and his departure gives Democrats "an even better chance" of taking the seat in 2014. Several Democrats have expressed some level of interest in running but no one had publicly announced by Monday.
Rob Moritz of the Arkansas News Bureau contributed to this report.