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Shark Week: Demon Fish Dissects Sharks' History, Future, and "The Greatest Scam of All Time" (Book Review)
Photo by Joi via Flickr CC
When swimming in the ocean, there's little that can get your heart pumping as fast as coming into contact with a shark, whether it's because you're afraid of it or because you're awed by it. We have an odd love-hate relationship with sharks, both frightened by their potential to kill (however hyped up that risk may be) and admiring of their perfect evolution as ocean predators. Knowing what we do of the importance of sharks to marine ecosystems, why do we pull them from the water at the rate of 73 million or more animals per year? Juliet Eilperin explores the history of shark and human interactions in her book Demon Fish: Travels Through The Hidden World of Sharks, and delves into why we have this conflicted and destructive relationship with one of the most ancient animals on the planet -- including the sources of our fear, the great scam that is shark fin soup, and how they're worth more to the economy alive than dead.
Demonizing Sharks For No Good Reason
Historically we have feared sharks as one of the most deadly creatures in the sea. After shark attacks, humans go on the rampage and kill sharks as if to rid the seas from this potential threat. But as Eilperin points out eloquently and thoroughly in her book, we are the real threat to sharks.
"Killing sharks conveys status to those who slay them (or, by inference, to those who can afford to buy the fruits of these battles) because they inherently pose a mortal threat to us. This shift has enormous implications, since humans have been able to harness technology to destroy sharks in unprecedented numbers. The way we deal with sharks pushes the boundaries of how comfortable we are with danger and taps into our tendency to view the wild as exotic. But it also underscores how globalization and scientific inquiry are transforming our understanding of the sea."
We are too good at killing sharks
Because of these technological advances, and the desire to "master" a large fish capable of killing us with a single bite, not only are commercial operations wiping out shark populations but recreational fishing of these big bad beasts of the deep outpaced even commercial efforts for 15 of the 21 years between 1981 and 2001. "These numbers appear to be on the rise," writes Eilperin, "the absolute number of sharks US anglers caught increased by roughly a third between 2006 and 2007, according to NOAA."
Right now, as many as 1/3 of all shark species are threatened with extinction, and the rates at which species are declining is alarming. For example, the oceanic whitetip shark population has declined by 99% during the second half of the twentieth century. Researchers have shown how such declines are impacting many of the large species like hammerheads. And a recent survey of great white sharks off California showed a shockingly low population.
One scientist who befriended a taxidermist in South Beach, Florida found that in one month, over 40 pregnant female hammerhead sharks had been brought in, representing not just 40 sharks, but 800 or more animals killed by recreational fishing.
Humans are the real threat
Our logic for vilifying sharks is flawed to the nth degree. As Eilperin writes, "Of all known shark species, only 6 percent are known to attack humans...On average, more than forty times as many Americans seek hospital treatment for accidents involving Christmas tree ornaments than incidents involving sharks.... By contrast, the growing demand for shark fins -- the most touted element in shark's fin soup -- has driven such intense shark hunting that even some of the people who have suffered from shark strikes are now lobbying for heightened shark conservation measures."
It is time we got over the weird and morbid fascination with sharks as a danger to our lives, and start looking at ourselves as a monstrous threat to the survival of marine ecosystems.
The Battle Against Shark Fin Soup
One of the primary reasons sharks are disappearing from the planet is not because we're trying to wipe out a killer, but because of the perceived value of a very small part of their bodies -- their fins.
China has turned shark fin soup into a delicacy. Over the centuries, the soup has been served at the most high-end events like royal gatherings. In modern times, it is practically a requirement to serve shark fin soup at celebrations such as weddings, and at high-end business meetings as a way to show off one's wealth to potential clients and business partners. But as the middle class grows in China and more people have the funds to buy shark fin soup, the demand is far exceeding the sustainable supply of fins.
China's insatiable appetite for shark fin soup
Eilperin writes, "In 2000, the five major markets for shark fins -- Hong Kong, mainland China, Taiwan, Japan, and Singapore -- reported importing 11,600 metric tons of fins, of which Hong Kong accounted for 47 percent. The numbers keep rising: in 2008, Hong Kong alone imported 10,002 metric tons of fins. But as China's role as an importer of raw shark fins has grown, it's become harder to track the overall trade because Chinese government figures are so unreliable."
Photo by cephalopodcast via Flickr CC
Yet as Eilperin reveals, shark fin is one of the most expensive and elaborate items a restaurant can prepare, and some restaurants would rather not have to put it on the menu but consumer demand requires it. Shark fin is nearly tasteless, has an odd stringy texture, and research in 2001 showed that the fins found in Bangkok's markets have mercury levels up to 42 times higher than the safe limit for human health.
Shark fin soup is the "greatest scam of all time"
After tasting a bowl of shark fin soup, Eilperin decides, "This is the moment that I come face-to-face with shark's fin soup's amazing secret: it is one of the greatest scams of all time, an emblem of status whose most essential ingredient adds nothing of material value to the end product."
So why the constant demand for shark fin soup? Prestige, and custom. Wedding planners in China state that it's simply a part of doing business -- you can't not offer it as part of the event. It's like leaving flowers out of a wedding in the US. Even when asking why the key ingredient -- a translucent, tasteless noodle-y bit of fin -- can't be substituted with something else just as crab meat is easily substituted in our ubiquitous California sushi rolls, "No one, not even the most ardent environmental activists, seemed willing to entertain this idea. It would be deceptive, they reasoned, to coax consumers into eating a shark's fin soup devoid of its central ingredient... Since the central premise behind shark's fin soup rests on the act of killing the shark itself, rather than the pleasure in eating it, there's no way to save the animal and still preserve the value of its namesake dish."
Photo by Stormy Dog via Flickr CC
A new generation of scientist-activists
Thankfully, as the demand rises, so too does the fight by activists to end the practice of shark finning and place tough restrictions on the fishing of sharks in general. In fact, Eilperin points out that there is a new generation of scientist-activists on the rise, who get findings of studies to media outlets as soon as the information is discovered so that we aren't waiting years to get data out to the public and shed light on shark population declines.
I started reading this book on the same day that the California assembly passed a ban on the sale of shark fins. Opponents call the bill unfair in that it targets a particular community. That argument underscores what this book has to say -- that humans put our preferences above the survival of ecosystems, before the health of an Earth worth living on.
At what point does nature trump culture?
Eilperin's book details not just our conflict with sharks, but also the many ways in which humans can coexist with these animals, and the creative ways conservationists are helping to save species.
Sharks Are Worth More Alive Than Dead... About $2 Million More
A key way we can slow the decline of sharks is to show how they're worth more alive than dead. A party might pay a couple thousand dollars to go hunt a shark on a weekend getaway, and that one shark is therefore only worth that couple grand. But a party may pay that same amount to swim with said shark, and that shark remains alive to have party after party after party swim with it, making it worth hundreds of thousands of dollars in marine tourism. Add to that the value it plays in keeping a reef system healthy by picking off sick or too-plentiful fish and researchers have found a single shark can be worth millions if it stays alive.
"As one of the most dominant forces underwater, sharks help maintain the balance of marine ecosystems by keeping midlevel predators in check. One of their most valuable qualities, from a strictly human perspective, is that they hint at how the ocean would look if we invested in its resilience instead of plundering its depths," Eilperin writes.
Diving with Great Whites
Photo by Tim Sheerman-Chase via Flickr CC
In this way, cage diving with great whites has become a popular tourist activity, as is swimming alongside the whale sharks in Mexico and Central America. However, even these activities are not without their downsides when done to an extreme.
For instance, Belize began whale shark tourism to find that the enthusiasm of swimmers were making the sharks shy away, at the risk of losing their chance to feed. Isla Holbox is working on building up whale shark tourism, but hopes that the restrictions placed on the tourism operations, such as each boat requiring a license, that each boat can only carry a certain number of individuals, and that only one boat at a time can be next to a whale shark.
Whale Shark Tourism
Photo by istolethetv via Flickr CC
Demon Fish explains sharks like no other book
With Demon Fish, Eilperin deftly takes us through the science of shark anatomy, shark-inspired biomimicry, and the latest high-tech tools we can use to study sharks from accelerometers in tagging devices to rapid DNA testing to find out the origins of a piece of shark fin, to the threats on the species survival humans pose around the world from macho recreational fishermen to long-line commercial fishing that snags sharks as bycatch to the mass hauls of sharks for their fins destined for Asia.
And finally, she walks us through the many conservation efforts and strategies underway. While the hope is slim for stemming the mass fishing of sharks, there is indeed hope. Demon Fish gives readers the education they need to take effective steps in fighting for sharks, and if a reader closes the book without feeling inspired then they weren't paying attention.
For anyone interested in sharks, Demon Fish is a must read for the history of our interactions with the species over centuries, the ways different cultures respect and revere the animal while others have a loathing and fearful fascination with sharks, and the science behind one of the most perfectly evolved creatures on the planet, from which even some of our own features stem.
Follow Jaymi on Twitter for more stories like this


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The Spanish lottery is the world's richest – paying out $3.3-billion in tax-free awards on Saturday.
Almost everyone in the country of 46-million people will be glued to live TV to watch school children sing out the winning numbers for the lottery that pays out maximum prizes of $529,840 and many more for smaller amounts.
The top prize is dubbed "El Gordo" ("The Fat One") and is likely to be won by hundreds if not thousands of players.
Unlike other big lotteries that generate just a few big winners, Spain's lottery – now in its 200th year – has always aimed for a share-the-wealth-system rather than a single jackpot, and thousands of numbers yield at least some kind of return.
The Christmas lottery is so popular that there are frequently three $26 tickets sold for every Spaniard, and the lottery itself is the unofficial kickoff of the holiday season. "A lot of people win," said Pablo Foncillas, a marketing professor at the IESE Business School in Madrid.
"It's really common even if you don't win to get a free ticket. So many people win that people just keep on playing.
Everyone knows someone who's won, even if it's only a little bit." Hundreds of players lined up daily to buy tickets this week outside the Dona Manuelita lottery store in Madrid, which has often sold winning tickets.
Before Spain's property-led economic boom collapsed in 2008, they had hoped to win so they could buy a small apartment or a car.
Now people said they need the money just to hang on to what they have and avoid being evicted or having cars repossessed.
Betting that tickets from Dona Manuelita stood a better chance of winning, unemployed construction company office manger Miguel Angel Ruiz drove 165 kilometers to buy for a pool of playersa including his wife and relatives.
"We're buying more hoping we'll hit it so we can emerge from poverty," said Ruiz, 39. "Before the crisis, lottery winnings were to buy an apartment or a car, and now it's to pay debts." Diego Sanbrano, let go from his waiter's job two months ago, said the Spanish lottery isn't about getting rich and never working again. "It's to pay off debts and straighten out your life," he said.
"You pay the mortgage and make the car payment, and then maybe you have a little left over to go somewhere on vacation."
Since so many people chip in to buy tickets in groups, the top prizes frequently end up being handed out in the same small town or in one city neighborhood.
Top winnings
Last year's top winning number hit for 1,800 tickets in the northern town of Granen, population 2 000. Townspeople shared about $925-million, and the rest of the $2.4-billion was doled out in smaller prizes around Spain.
The December 22 lottery began in 1812 and last year sold an estimated $3.6-billion in tickets with per-capita spending of about $92 just for the Christmas lottery.
Spain holds another big lottery January 6 to mark the Feast of the Epiphany. It is known as "El Nino" (The Child), in reference to the baby Jesus. But the crisis will hit El Nino and all lotteries going forward.
Until now, lottery winnings have been free from taxation. Waves of austerity measures imposed by the government this year to prevent Spain from asking for public finances bailout like those for Greece, Ireland and Portugal have translated into higher taxes. Lottery winnings above $2 640 will face a 20% tax in 2013. – Sapa-AP

subset: commoncrawl


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Heartbreaking Story Of The Week: NFL Football Player "Chris Draft" Loses His Wife To Cancer One Month After This Wedding!
Keasha & Christopher Draft were married on November 27, 2011 in Atlanta, GA
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Recipe File: Matzo (Matzah) Ball Soup
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Cooking For Engineers
Joined: 10 May 2005
Posts: 16776765
Posted: Sat Apr 01, 2006 9:57 pm
Post subject: Recipe File: Matzo (Matzah) Ball Soup
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Recipe File: Matzo (Matzah) Ball Soup
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Matzo ball soup (also affectionately known as "Jewish Penicillin") can be simply described as flour dumplings served in chicken soup, but when prepared properly becomes much more than the meager sum of its basic ingredients - it becomes comfort food. Depending on the recipe (or the family), the matzo balls can be solid and dense or light and almost pillowy, but the ingredients almost always remain the same: superbly prepared chicken stock, matzo (an unleavened bread) or matzo meal (ground up matzos), eggs, and a little chicken fat. This recipe can be altered to produce heavier matzo balls (with a bit more oil and a little less broth in the balls) or lighter matzo balls (by using egg whites whipped to soft peaks).
First, prepare a batch of
chicken stock
. The chicken soup used as a base for matzo ball soup varies from family to family, but most often I've heard the use of a light, clarified broth. In my recipe, I like to use a very hearty stock filled with gelatin - which can only be attained through hours of long simmering. This additional protein provides a wonderful mouth feel to the stock and any soups you make with it. If you don't have time to make your own stock, make sure you buy a chicken broth that you enjoy, because it is the dominant ingredient in this dish. Good chicken stock equals good matzo ball soup.
After the stock has been made, simply shock it down in ice water and refrigerate overnight. The fat in the stock rises to the top and solidifies. Prior to reheating, remove the fat (sweeping with a sieve works well). This chicken fat, known as schmaltz, can be used as one of the ingredients for the matzo balls.
The matzo balls will need 2 matzos, 2 tablespoons (30 mL) chicken stock, 2 tablespoons (30 mL) vegetable oil or melted schmaltz (schmaltz will produce better flavor but, for many homes, may not be readily available unless you have just made the chicken stock), and 2 large (100 g) eggs.
Matzos are unleavened bread made out of only two ingredients - Passover flour and water. Modern, machine-made matzos resemble large crackers or wafers. The matzos are unleavened (no rising agents such as yeast or even chemical leavens like baking powder) and are primarily associated with Passover, the commemoration of the Israelite exodus from captivity in Egypt. The word "Passover" refers to the passing over by the angel of death of the marked houses during the final plague visited upon the land of Egypt before Pharaoh authorized the release of the Israelites. The matzo is important as a symbol because the Israelites left Egypt in such haste that they did not have time to allow their bread to rise. In many countries, matzo is available all year, but in many places the commercial matzo found outside of the Passover season can often be non-kosher.
For this recipe, we need to grind up the matzos into a matzo meal (about 1/2 cup). This can be easily accomplished by sending the two matzos through a food processor fitted with the standard blade or using a blender. I did a quick experiment to see which worked better. The food processor broke down the matzos quickly, but even after a few minutes of pulsing, the matzo meal was a bit coarse.
Using the blender resulted in a much finer grind, but took a bit more work initially to break down the matzos. Using two second pulses at varying speeds did the trick and within two minutes, the matzo meal was ready. Both methods will yield matzo meal that will work fine with this recipe, so use whatever appliance you have on hand. The only difference is that the coarse ground meal from the food processor may need to rest a bit longer with the liquids.
In a mixing bowl, whisk the two eggs, two tablespoons chicken stock, and two tablespoons of fat (schmaltz or vegetable oil).
Add the 1/2 cup (60 g) matzo meal to the liquid ingredients. At this time, you should also decide how much pepper to add. I use about 1/4 teaspoon as a starting point and adjust up or down as my mood dictates. Many people say adding more pepper helps increase the supposed curative properties of matzo ball soup. I don't know if it actually helps healing, but I do know ground black pepper does help clear the sinuses and it tastes good. Stir until evenly combined.
Allow the matzo ball batter to sit while you bring two quarts (1.9 L) of chicken stock to a rolling boil. Once the stock is boiling, reduce the heat to allow a simmer and season with salt and pepper to taste. (I make my chicken stock without salt and freeze it for storage. Later, I can season with salt for the appropriate application.)
By this point, the matzo meal has absorbed a good deal of the liquid and the batter is workable. Give it a gentle mix to make sure it is evenly combined. This is also a good time to add any extra ingredients you may want in your matzo balls (such as finely chopped green onions).
Prepare a small bowl with some water in it to keep your hands wet as you work the matzo balls into shape. Place the water bowl and the matzo ball batter near the simmering stock and begin to form matzo balls and drop them gently into the stock.
Using a tablespoon measure, scoop up about 1-1/2 tablespoons (a heaping tablespoon) of the matzo ball batter. Using wet hands, roll them into balls.
As they are formed, drop each ball into the simmering stock.
Reapply water to your hands to keep them wet and continue scooping out batter, forming balls, and dropping them into the stock. This recipe yields approximately six matzo balls.
Depending on the density of the chicken stock, the matzo balls will either drop to the bottom or float. A watery, thin stock will allow the matzo balls to sink and enables the traditional method of telling when a matzo ball is done cooking - when it floats to the surface. Since I like my stock with a lot of gelatin, my matzo balls will always float.
I belive that even if the matzo balls are considered "done", you should allow them to simmer in the stock longer to take on more flavor. So, let them simmer for at least 15 minutes from the time you dropped in the last matzo ball. By this time the matzo balls will be plump and floating (or floating even higher if you use a thick stock like I do). I also like adding a peeled carrot cut into 1-in. segments to the matzo ball soup as is simmers.
Serve into six bowls with a matzo ball each, or the into two bowls with three matzo balls if you're trying to pamper someone.
Matzo Ball Soup
(serves six as appetizer)
2 large (100 g) eggs
let stand
using wet hands:
form into balls
drop into stock
simmer >15 min.
2 Tbs. (30 mL) schmaltz or vegetable oil
2 Tbs. (30 mL) chicken stock
2 matzos or 1/2 cup (60 g) matzo meal
grind to meal
1/4 tsp. (0.5 g) ground black pepper
2 qts. (1.9 L)
chicken stock
bring to boil
season to taste
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AnneE from Paris
Posted: Sun Apr 02, 2006 8:38 am
Post subject:
I use and abuse in winter, nothing better when you are sick
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Posted: Sun Apr 02, 2006 10:38 am
Post subject: Happy Passover
Happy Passover from Oded Sharon, in Israel !
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Joined: 29 Oct 2005
Posts: 3
Posted: Mon Apr 03, 2006 2:25 am
Post subject: almost ...
Don't neglect the root veggies and herbs, though:
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Posted: Mon Apr 03, 2006 2:57 pm
Post subject: Matzo balls
My Grandma Jean's secret for perfectly fluffy matzo balls was to use some seltzer in the mix. Always fluffy, every time.
She also made her own gefilte fish from whitefish and pike.
Thanks for the Passover recipe. The vegetarian version is in Vegan with a Vengeance, from the
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Posted: Tue Apr 04, 2006 2:41 am
Post subject:
I've a vegetarian, and an asthmatic, and when I had pneumonia this past winter my pulmonologist (lung disease specialist) insisted that I relax the vegetarianism a bit and eat some of my mother's matzo soup to help break up the nasty coughing. And it *works*. So yes, we can say that matzo soup really is doctor recommended!
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Posted: Thu Apr 06, 2006 7:03 pm
Post subject: For your engineering side...
I believe the first serious effort to show a physiologic basis for a benefit of chicken soup was Saketkhoo et al (PMID:
). Much, but not all, of the benefit was available from drinking hot water. That said, matzah ball soup is much tastier.
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Posted: Tue Apr 11, 2006 10:12 pm
Post subject: Award winning Matzo Balls...
I first saw this in the NY Times Passover Cookbook, but it seems to have spread well beyond that. The technique works... Best I can figure, putting the batter in the freezer keeps the core from seizing up before the rest of it can cook. The Vodka, in my estimation acts as an antifreeze agent.
Whatever it is, it works WELL!
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Posted: Sat Apr 15, 2006 12:36 am
Post subject: I just made this
I just made this recipe--and it is SO delicious! However, I only have a teeny tiny food processor, so the meal was too coarse. The texture turned out to still be fluffy, though.
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Posted: Mon May 29, 2006 3:29 pm
Post subject: No rolling for matzah balls!
I must insist on a different prep technique. In my family, we have a "no roll" rule. Matzah balls are at their best and fluffiest if you simply break of chunks and very lightly form them in your hands. It is okay to lightly pull off or barely press ragged edges back into the ball, but if you are tempted to start rolling it into a regular shape you will get a much harder matzah ball. In my opinion, the best matzah balls are extremely light and fluffy. Try it - I bet you'll like it!!
I also recommend adding large slices of carrots (slice at a >45 degree angle) that you let cook for a long time so they are as tender as the matzah balls. Sometimes I put in a little bit of greens that I chop coursely and wilt in the stock. I'm a vegetarian, so I have found starting with a good mushroom/veggie stock and adding in a little poultry seasoning (no chicken in it - just the tradditional spices used to season chicken) make this soup fantastic.
If you want to go for true delicious Jewish food, start with Charoset. That remains my favorite Passover food! Chopped apples, nuts, wine, dried fruit, sometimes a little raspberry jam - let is soak for a while and then eat it on Matzah. Delicious!! The trick for me is to keep the apples chopped very coursely (real chunks, maybe a couple mm by a couple mm), and to use a mix of granny smith (or other tart) and fuji (or other firm)
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Wandering Jew
Posted: Sun Sep 17, 2006 9:16 pm
Post subject: Am I the only one who /likes/ my matzo balls firm?..
In my opinion, the listed method of rolling the matzo balls is /perfect/ but then, I like them firm; the fluffy ones just don't have the heartiness for me.
The best Matzo balls, in my opinion, really do need to be made with the schmaltz, it's just not the same without it. Usually this means making the soup a day or two before, and chilling it to get the schmaltz (I also think soup is a lot better after the schmaltz has been collected; when time allows I like to refrigerate for 2 days to get as much of the fat out as possible; because the layer seems to slow the process once it forms, I remove the schmaltz twice, once after 24hours, and then again after 48, just before reheating).
As for the carrots, I'm not personally a fan; I tend to make my soup with onions, garlic, Chicken (ofcourse), and occasionally some other root veggies of choice based on availability, but I strain it out before serving. Occasionally, for a more interesting/thicker soup, I'll puree a small amount of the veggies (not all of them, I don't want a cream soup) and put them back in, sometimes with some Horseradish for an unexpected touch. This makes the soup a little thicker, but adds a great depth to the flavor; a bit of Pureed Garlic and Onion (and I'll sometimes use fresh garlic for a sharper kick, added at the last minute so it doesn't cook sweet, along with the horseradish if I use it) really livens up the soup.
Just my Two Zuzim.
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gentile matzo fan
Posted: Tue Oct 17, 2006 4:41 pm
Post subject: super cold-killer Mexican Matzo Soup!
Instead of using chicken soup I like to simmer the matzo balls in Sopa de Ajo -- a Mexican/Spanish garlic soup: saute 1 finely chopped onion and 1 minced head of garlic (1 HEAD, not clove) in a little olive oil until it starts to brown, then add 1 1/2 litres of stock and a few sprigs of chopped parsley. If you like you can add other veggies such as carrots at this point. Bring to a boil and drop in your matzo balls.
This combines the healing powers of garlic with the soothing comfort of matzo ball soup -- guaranteed to scare away any cold & flu bugs, as well as werewolves and vampires...and possibly other people as well. Remember to brush your teeth after having this soup.
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Posted: Tue Nov 14, 2006 10:46 pm
Post subject: Not my Granmum's soup...
I'm not so impressed with these matzo balls. I like them fluffy, but these turned out very heavy and a bit dry. After halving the recipe, I had to use a full three tablespoons of stock just to get the batter started. Next time, I may try adding even more stock as I suspect the dryness may be due to the fact that the matzo meal didn't absorb enough. It's a good base recipe, but could use some improvement. Regardless, I would encourage adding some veggies to the stock.
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Posted: Thu Jan 04, 2007 5:21 am
Post subject: fluffy matzo balls
Some suggestions for "floaters" (as opposed to "sinkers")
1. separate eggs and beat egg whites until past foamy stage but not yet stiff and mix in with other ingredients for lighter, fluffier matzo balls.
2. handle the balls as little as possible, the more you work them, the tougher they will be. Pat gently to shape and form.
3. Try using seltzer water in the mix. I think it helps keep them fluffier.
Blog Appetit (
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Ed Warren
Joined: 09 Jan 2007
Posts: 1
Posted: Thu Jan 11, 2007 4:19 am
Post subject: Matzo (Matzah) Ball Soup
In the early 60's I was in the March on Washington. I was so caught up in the demonstration that I failed to eat for a day or so and i found my way into DC where i had a bowl of Matzo Ball Soup. To this day that was the finest bowl of soup I ever had.
Thank you for this recipe.
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Lifeguard Recertification Registration - Session IV
Date: April 27, 2019
Time: 3:00pm - 6:00pm
Contact: Adam Butler
Location: 225 East Third Avenue Bowling Green, KY 42101
2019 American Red Cross-Lifeguard Review Course
Registration is online at https://playbgpr.bgky.org under Youth Activities/Sports/Camps
Pre-Requisites: The class is for individual who possess a current Lifeguard Certification or whose certification has expired within 30 days of the class. All participants are required to provide their current or expired certification card on the first day of class. Participants must swim 300 yards continuously using front crawl and breaststroke, tread water for two minutes using only the legs and swim 20 yards, retrieve a 10 pound object from between 7-10 feet deep and swim 20 yards back to the starting point with the object and exit the water within 1 minute, 40 seconds.
*Session I: CANCELLED
*Session II: March 24
*Session III: April 14
*Session IV: May 5
Times/Location: Sundays: 3:00 pm-6:00 pm at Bowling Green High School Pool, 1801 Rockingham Lane
Fee: $50 (includes required book and certification)
Calendar: BGPR - F.O. Moxley Community Center
Let us know if anything is wrong with this page. However, please don't include any personal or financial information.


text:
Is it just me or does the latest pic of Mara Jade look like Lita Ford with red hair?
PT does clutter things, a lot. Noticed the same thing... Clones alone are a shelf unto themselves.
Good call on going with an older Lita pic, not current... current, bit of a mess.
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Why? Podcasts and the internet.
Basically every show that I bother to watch is packaged, posted, stripped of commercials and automatically updated into the little happy phone that I carry around with me all the time anyway. Better still, I'm able to listen to each podcast in pieces, and with the audio versions I can listen while I'm in the car going to work or to lunch. Also, there are some things out there in podcast land that just don't exist on TV that are very worth checking out.
The couple of notable TV or radio show exceptions (including the Daily Show) are just posted to the websites that day anyway. The one thing that I don't have covered? Hockey on cable only broadcast. Most of the Stars broadcasts are on FSN this year, and that means that I'm either going to a bar to watch them or I'm missing them entirely. That's mostly negated by the fact that I'm attending all of the home games though.
All of the podcasts that I'm going to review are available at the iTunes store or at the website linked. Without further adieu, here's whats in my iPod:
iPhone and other technology related stuff
-If you have an iPhone and love it like I do, check these out-
Today in iPhone (audio)
Cool call in styled podcast that reviews iPhone and iPod touch applications, discusses technical issues, and showcases some tips and tricks for advanced users. For example, I learned how to crop a photo in the phone from this podcast. The host is also unafraid to call Apple out when they step out of line. He's on thier case for application censorhip at the moment. Each episode runs near an hour. Highly recommended.
Tekzilla daily tip (video)
Short and awesome video podcast that is packed full of actual useful computer tips and tricks. They cover both operating systems as well as all of the popular applications like firefox and excel. Worth checking out daily. Highly recommended.
CNETs Buzz report (video)
This is a good and quick video podcast hosted by Molly Wood. She's generally fun to watch, and they do cover a good list of cool new things in the technology world. I watch this one very consistently, mostly just as brain filler.
iPhone apps reviewed (video)
This is a video podcast where the author goes through the functionality of an individual application by opening up the app on his screen and going through all of the fucntions and features of the program on camera. He covers regular apps and jailbreak-only apps. The host has a pretty meat-and-potatoes style of presentation, and while his reviews never really have enticed me to pick up a certain app, they certainly have shown me a few to stay away from. His demos are usually very short - each podcast only tends to run a couple of minutes.
Wired's Gadget Lab (video)
Medium length podcast that mostly reviews the latest phones, cameras and other personal digial technology out there. Sokay.
Engadget HD (audio)
This is an audio podcast that runs about an hour in length. Topics usually include various consumer level technology products and standards, and while the hosts are usually very knowledgable I've found that they don't always do the greatest job with topic selection. Maybe I'm just less interested in the subtle differences between television brands and technologies, but when I subscribed to an engadget podcast I was hoping for something more computer related. Its a good show if you're always updating your home theater setup though.
Art, learning and other smart stuff
-There's a whole world of smart people out there who have each decided to share a buch of smart stuff with the rest of us. I like that, so I get these-
TED Talks (video)
This is one of the most bountiful podcasts I subscribe to. Every day I get a new 20 minute presentation by some form of genius or another about something either incredibly relevant to the world around us or otherwise just incredible. Learning, culture, arts and humanity are explored and explained by the titans of the field. The podcast also does a great job of mixing in both recent talks and older but still relevant ones, and they're unafraid to put unorthodox people up there - they just have to be icons or geniuses.
I can't recommend this one enough. Here's a little taste
Grammar Girl's quick and dirty tips (audio)
I really enjoy language, and this podcast just makes me happy every time I see a new one waiting for me. Grammar Girl is very easy to listen to, and she covers all sorts of situations that I run into on a daily basis both as a blogger and in my professional life as a person that records and edits scripts. She goes into things like whether to use "data" as a singular or plural noun, why we can be "disgruntled" but not ever really "gruntled" and how to decide whether to use "effect" or "affect." She also provide useful memory tricks for remembering the rules later on. Very highly recommended.
Ask the naked scientists (audio)
This is great call-in styled radio show based in the UK. They talk about a very wide range of subjects, and generally just answer questions about the world around us submitted both by email and on phone calls. I've learned about everything from the difference between nuclear fission and nuclear fusion to why bumblebees are critically important to our economy here in the US. Great stuff every episode and highly recommended.
Coffee Break Spanish (audio)
A very solid and listenable podcast produced by Radio Lingua. The hosts are actually Scottish (and sport the accents to prove it) and they teach Castillian Spanish as opposed to Latin American Spanish, but the differences are subtle and when they do speak the language they do it perfectly. They also do a great job of explaining why things work in Spanish the way that they do, and have interesting segments to practice with. Recommended.
Discovery Channel (video)
This is a series of podcasts that cover a wide range of shows broadcast on the discovery channel. They cover the shows Man vs Wild, Human Body, Dirty Jobs, and Deadliest Catch among others. The podcasts themselves are basically short excerpts of the shows themselves, but they carry enough content to be worth the watch. There is a series in here called "How to Survive" that's worth the subscription all by itself. Its a short 5 minute or so tutorial on how to survive various life threatening scenarios like being attacked by a bear, escaping a car that's submerging in water after an accident, even biochemical attacks. Fast cuts and very cool to watch.
Recommended, and if the How To Survive series was a podcast by itself it would be highly recommended.
Here's a recent "How to Survive" vid.
Stuff you should know (audio)
This one is produced by HowStuffWorks.com, and while it isn't exactly as high minded as the TED or Naked Scientist ones it does cover some interesting stuff. Topics are usually interesting, but the hosts are mostly guys who just seem to be have looked stuff up as opposed to being the definitive experts on the topics that they are discussing. Sometimes you need a grain of salt, but it can be a useful podcast. Only moderately recommended.
NPR Fresh Air, Marketplace and Talk of the Nation (audio)
NPR actually podcasts ALL of its shows from all of its markets. I have a couple more from NPR that I'll get to later, but these are the only real talk shows that I have from them right now. These two are flat out great interview shows though, and Terri Gross and Ira Flato are some of the best interviewers in the business. Marketplace is phenomenal. Each of these shows are recommended if you have the time to listen. I actually much prefer the podcasts to the actual broadcasts of these shows for what its worth. No breaks, and I can pause as needed.
Other stuff
-There's a whole world of random podcasts out there. Here are a few more that I keep handy-
Dilbert (video)
Yes, there is a daily Dilbert video podcast and yes it is the coolest thing ever. Each episode only lasts a few seconds, but what a great way to get started each morning. Dilbert is genius and you should watch it.
NPR 7am newscast (audio)
A five-minute NPR News summary you can take with you. Updates: Daily at 7:15 a.m. EST. Great quick newscap.
NPR All Songs Considered (audio)
Great indie and otherwise high-quality music podcast. Sometimes this podcast has artist interviews, often its just a rundown of some very cool stuff that you'll never hear on the radio and it makes for some really great listening while doing stuff around the house. These guys appreciate the fact that we have ears attached directly to our heads, and are great at digging up some candy to feed them. Highly recommended.
XM Weekly podcast (audio)
This is a weekly music show that actually ends up pretty short by music show standards, but can have some pretty cool stuff in it. Usually they only get to 2 or 3 songs, but they do get quality stuff in there. The link has a bunch of other good XM stuff in it.
Television shows (video)
I'm constantly amazed at how many cable news shows are available in thier entirety as commercial free (or at least drastically reduced) podcasts. Shows include Meet The Press, This Week with George Steph, Countdown with Olbermann, all of the Presidential Debates, and many others. Have a show you like? It's probably worth checking the itunes store or the website for podcasts. Better than tivo!
Well, that's about it. Yes, I do listen to all of these on a regular basis. Yes, it occupies hours of my life, and yes I love it. I'm pretty much on the edge how much media I can consume in this format though, and if I find other stuff that I end up wanting to add to the roll then I'm probably going to have to sacrifice something else.
For what its worth, I have an 8 Gb iPhone, I have iTunes set to only keep the latest episode on the phone, and I tend to have about 2.5 Gb used up on this stuff at any one time.
Hope you find something interesting in there!


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The print comeback of Stephen A. Smith has derailed again, as his brief return to the Philadelphia Inquirer as a columinzer is now finished. Mutually. Respectfully. Quite frankly. Statements and farewells from all parties involved after the jump.
Statement from Inquirer editor and executive vice president Bill Marimow:
"Stephen made a major contribution to The Inquirer during his 15-1/2 years at the newspaper, and we wish him well in his future work."
And here's Stephen A.'s slow jam on the way out:
"I'd sincerely like to take a moment to thank the Philadelphia Inquirer for 15 1/2 mostly wonderful years," Smith said. "I can honestly say I would not be where I am today, nor would I have been able to achieve the things I achieved, had it not been for the wonderful opportunity granted to me back in 1994.
"But all things must come to an end. At some point, it's necessary to move on and explore new, adventurous opportunities, which is precisely what I'm doing and I'm incredibly excited about.
"Still, I'd like to acknowledge the tremendous level of gratitude I feel for the opportunity afforded to me. I wish the paper well for the future, as I'm certain they will do for me."
And sock? Still retired.


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Have you thought of doing a go fund me account to help raise the funds?
Weight Loss Stories
Weight Loss Success Stories: I Lost 100 Pounds And Found My Skinny Girl
I have spent the last 18 months working hard to get my life back. I have successfully lost 100 pounds in 9 ½ months.
I was up to 135 pound loss at one year and now 18 months later I have lost 150 pounds. I actually lost 15 more pounds than my original goal!
When I lost my first husband in 1979 in a car accident, my weight slowly started to increase. Then when my 2nd husband lost his job in 2010, things spiraled out of control. He eventually found another, much lower paying job, however by then I had gained another 30 pounds and I weighed 280 pounds. By November 2012, I could no longer make my bed without getting winded and I knew something had to change.
On Thanksgiving Day '12, I saw Charles D'Angelo, a weight loss coach, on a local news show and I wrote him a letter. I told him that I was tired of being the heaviest person in the crowd and I've always known I was a skinny girl trapped in a big girl's body. He has helped me accomplish my weight loss by making wise food choices and incorporating walking in my daily routine.
At first I could only walk ten minutes at a time and I had to do 30 minutes per day. Each time I would walk, I would cry for an hour because my hips hurt so bad but I knew I couldn't give up. I happy to report I now almost 5 miles each day. For the first 16 months, I never ventured off the program. Whether it was a holiday, vacation or another special occasion, I planned ahead and made sure I always made good food choices.
With Charles help, he has been teaching me how to incorporate other foods into my maintenance program. I am proud to say that I have had surgery twice in the last 18 months, once on my knee and most recently repairing my shoulder, and I still managed to continue to lose weight and maintain my healthily life style.
I went from a size 26 pants to a 5/6 pants and I can now shop in stores I never even knew existed! My only current obstacle is that I have approximately 25 pounds of excess skin and the plastic surgeon estimates the total cost will be almost $36,000 to remove it.
My insurance company will not pay for the procedures. It's disappointing because I have lost so much weight and still feel like I need to hide my body. I am hoping to be able to dip into my 401K to pay for my arms to have the needed procedure to remove the excess skin sometime next year. Until then I am just going to keep a positive attitude and be proud of everything I have accomplished so far! Source: iReports
Republished by Blog Post Promoter
29 Comments
Well done – amazing dedication 🙂
You should start a gofundme account. That's amazing!!
Teri Boyd some of her words reminded me of you.
Great job!!
That is wonderful!!! Congrats!!!
Wonderful,,you look great!
Way to go! You look beautiful!
Well done!
U eve look younger
Woooohoooo u inspire me
Good luck. You look great.
Does she have a facebook page we could follow to find out what foods she ate??
I love your perseverance. You look great!!!
So inspiring! Congratulations!!
Good luck with insurance company. Somehow doctors are able to describe the need for it will convince them to pay. My daughter in law is scheduled and insurance is paying some
Way to go. I hope you get your surgery! !
You look amazing! I bet you feel great! So happy for you!!! I hope and pray that my skinny girl can escape!!
Pavel Sanchez
You Go Girl!!!!!!!! Phenomenal!
Think of the costs her insurance company would have to bear over the years if she stayed unhealthy and kept the weight on! Shame on them for not covering the operation to remove the excess skin. Smh
Congratulations to you!
You look fab. Wish I could!!!
Congratulations to you!!
You are doing great congrats


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This morning's line started off slow, but by the time we got our placeholders, the line had deepened. A few pre-game thoughts before I make myself presentable for the Courtroom:
- Great regional diversity in line: DC, NYC, Chicago, Indianapolis, San Francisco, London via Detroit, and Philadelphia all represented–and that was just the among the first 15 or so.
- Got some great interviews, including the founder of the African-American Firefighters League of Chicago
- Hearing how the justices consider how to mete out "Equal Justice Under Law" in Lewis will be fascinating, given the 500-pound gorilla and pink elephant in the Court.
I will try to get my oral argument report up here this afternoon, but I have class from 1pm-5:30pm. Regardless, the argument report and the vox populi column will be up before the night is over. Thanks for reading!
One Response
Pictures make your efforts all the more compelling. Video would totally change the game. Keep IT rolling, Mr. Sacks 🙂


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While Allen Crandell may have read Jim Skvorc's article on Bradley Manning with approval, I read Mr. Crandell's letter with dismay. During my years working in the aerospace business, I was privileged to be given a secret clearance from the U.S. government. Along with this privilege came responsibilities. One of those responsibilities was to not release to people without the need to know classified information that, if released, could have jeopardized the ability of the military to perform its duties efficiently and safely.
While Mr. Crandell is of the opinion that we should all be like Bradley Manning, he needs to fully understand the impact of Manning's actions on the safety of his military brothers and sisters and ask himself if he is ready to release classified information that will put the military in greater peril? I would hope not!


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"Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani" is a spirited cocktail of life about dreams, ambition, hope, disappointments, options, eagerness, fear, travel, the first day at work, sleepless nights, family, laughter, music, dance, friendship and love. It shows the journey of two different worlds Naina (Deepika Padukone) and Bunny (Ranbir Kapoor)and their crazy journey with an ultimate destination 'Love'.
Naina is a simple and hardworking girl while Bunny is a merry go round boy for whom life is all about being crazy. They meet each other to celebrate the weeding of ranbir's best friends Aditi (Kalki Kochin) and Avi (Aditya Roy kapoor).
It shows how two different worlds discover love and madness for each other.


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von Neumann and Morgenstern's "Theory of Games and Economic Behavior" is the famous basis for game theory. One of the central accomplishments is the rigorous proof that comparative "preference methods" over fairly complicated "event spaces" are no more expressive than numeric (real number valued) utilities. That is: for a very wide class of event spaces and comparison functions ">" there is a utility function u() such that:
a > b (">" representing the arbitrary comparison or preference for the event space) if and only if u(a) > u(b) (this time ">" representing the standard order on the reals).
However, an active reading of sections 1 through 3 and even the 2nd edition's axiomatic appendix shows that the concept of "events" (what preferences and utilities are defined over) is deliberately left undefined. There is math and objects and spaces, but not all of them are explicitly defined in term of known structures (are they points in R^n, sets, multi-sets, sums over sets or what?). The word "event" is used early in the book and not in the index. Axiomatic treatments often rely on intentionally leaving ground-concepts undefined, but we are going to work a concrete example through von Neumann and Morgenstern to try and illustrate a bit more of the required intuition and deep nature of their formal notions of events and utility. I also will illustrate how, at least in discussion, von Neuman and Morgenstern may have held on to a naive "single outcome" intuition of events and a naive "direct dollars" intuition of utility despite erecting a theory carefully designed to support much more structure. This is possible because they never have to calculate in the general event space: they prove access to the preference allows them to construct the utility funciton u() and then work over the real numbers. Sections 1 through 3 are designed to eliminate the need for a theory of preference or utility and allow von Neuman and Morgenstern to work with real numbers (while achieving full generality). They never need to make the translations explicit, because soon after showing the translations are possible they assume they have already been applied. Continue reading Working an example of von Neumann and Morgenstern utility


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E-commerce norms to hurt consumers, pricing: Amazon CFO Brian Olsavsky
Analysts in India tracking the space said companies like Amazon and Flipkart could see about 10% of their sales taking a hit in the short-term.
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Analysts in India tracking the space said companies like Amazon and Flipkart could see about 10% of their sales taking a hit in the short-term.
275000+ Industry Leaders read it everyday
The future of fashion will be around natural, durable and bio-degradable, basis the insights. The customer has had time to reflect during the lockdown and is now more inclined towards sustainability and eco-friendly fashion. Virtual fashion shows and department shows will comprise the new normal.
Companies including Arvind Fashions, Flipkart, Amazon, Madura Fashion & Lifestyle, Puma, Myntra, Bestseller India and Snapdeal have seen sales from the segment nearly treble, making them one of the top sellers since the last phase of relaxation in lockdown rules.


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For entry-level enthusiasts, now brings out the most cost-effective solution, the DJI Naza-M Lite Multi-Rotor Flight Controller system. As the simplified version of NAZA-M, it inherits the high reliability and stability of NAZA-M. The innovative All-in-one design simplifies installation and saves space and weight.
It contains inner damping, controllers, 3-axis gyroscope, 3-axis accelerometer and barometer in its light and small Main Controller. It can measure flying altitude, attitude and therefore can be used for autopilot/automatic control.
The advanced attitude stabilization algorithm not only inherits the outstanding flight stability of DJI products but also provides excellent maneuverability. It is more flexible and stable and gives the hobbyists a wonderful flight experience.
It offers three types of control modes: GPS Atti. Mode (with GPS module), Atti. Mode, Manual Mode. The pilot can switch between the three modes to achieve different flight characteristics. It also can adjust automatically to the flight environment and intelligently switch between GPS Atti. Mode and Atti. Mode to make sure the flight is safe and secure.
The plug and play GPS module will greatly enhance the performance of Aerial Photography with accurate Position Hold, Return-To-Home and Intelligent Orientation Control functionalities. With the GPS Module, the multi-rotor will have position and altitude locked accurately even in windy conditions. Hovering accuracy is approximately 2.5m horizontal and 0.8m vertical.
Usually, the forward direction of a flying multi-rotor is the same as the nose direction. By using Intelligent Orientation Control (IOC), wherever the nose points, the forward direction has nothing to do with nose direction:
In course lock flying, the forward direction is the same as a recorded nose direction. See the following figures (Mode1).
In-home lock flying, the forward direction is the same as the direction from home point to multi-rotor. See the following figures (Mode 2).
If your transmitter supports failsafe, then you can set failsafe through port-U. Naza controller has the built-in auto level failsafe function, which means when the communication between MC and the transmitter is disconnected, the outputs of all command sticks from the controller will go to the center position. If the GPS module is used, you can also set RTH on failsafe. If your transmitter has only 4 channels, then MC will work in Atti. The mode by default without the failsafe function.
In order to prevent your multi-rotor from crashing or other harmful consequences caused by low battery voltage, It is designed with two levels of low voltage protection. You can choose not to use this, however, we strongly recommend you to enable the protection. Both levels of protection have LED warning as default. The first level will blink the red light continuously.
The second level will blink red light continuously and the multi-rotor will descend and land. In manual mode when low voltage protection is triggered the LED warning will be active only
Naza-M Lite for multi-motors is an autopilot system designed for serious multi-rotor enthusiasts providing excellent self-leveling and altitude holding, which completely takes the stress out of flying RC multi-rotors for both professional and hobby applications. NAZA-M LITE can be installed in a variety of models from quad-rotor to hexa-rotor.
It is the most cost-effective entry-level flight controller for lightweight multi-rotor, designed for aero model hobbyists.
- All-in-One Design
- Accurate Position Hold for GPS
- Low Voltage Protection
- 6 Supported Multi-rotor Types
- Advanced Attitude Stabilize Algorithm
- Intelligent Orientation Control (IOC)
- Motor Arm and Motor Dis-arm
- Built-in Gimbal Stabilization Function
- Multiple Flight Control Mode/Intelligent Switching
- Failsafe Mode
- Support Futaba S-Bus and PPM Receiver
- Remote Adjustment
- Supported Multi-Rotor: Quad-rotor I4, X4, Hex-rotor I6, X6, IY6, Y6
- Supported ESC Output: 400Hz refresh frequency
- Recommended Transmitter: PCM or 2.4GHz with minimum of 4 channels
- Assistant Software System Requirement: Windows XP sp3/Windows 7/Windows 8
Flight Performance:
- Hovering Accuracy (GPS Mode): Vertical: +/-0.8m, Horizontal: +/-2.5m
- Max Yaw Angular Velocity: 200°/s
- Max Tilt Angle: 45°
- Ascent/Descent: +/-6m/s
Package Includes:
1 x DJI Naza Controller Unit.
1 x DJI Remote LED module for Coding and Interfacing with PC.
1 x DJI Power Module.
1 x DJI USB to MicroUSB Cable (18 inches).
8 x Servo Cables (5 Inches Each).
Note: Package does not include the GPS module, you have to purchase it separately. Get it with links given below.
FPV Ublox NEO-M8N GPS amp Compass


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Yankee Candle Store at Clintons
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Colourful and intriguing … there's a lure of adventure in the sweet aroma of this tropical fruit.
Experience the authentic, true-to-life fragrance, with pure, natural extracts, and renowned Yankee Candle quality. This 14.5oz Classic Housewarmer jar candle reflects a warm, relaxed sense of style that's always at home. Convenient and easy to use, these long-burning jars provide hours of true fragrance enjoyment. They're also the ideal gift for any occasion.
Burn Time 65 - 90 hours.
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Choosing to tie the knot in Massachusetts is an easy decision; the hard part is deciding when and where. Every season's unique in Massachusetts and there are wedding venues perfect for each one. You could say, "I do" with your feet in the sand on a beach fit for a magazine cover, beneath the warm summer sun. Or maybe ride off in a horse drawn carriage with a "just married" sign, amongst the vivid fall foliage. Maybe you want a true fairytale white wedding, in a castle set against a snowy, winter wonderland; or a rustic, romantic ceremony in an antique barn, surrounded by a field of freshly blooming flowers. Browse through Massachusetts's wedding sites where you'll find the perfect setting for your Big Day.
Sign up to receive emails about wedding venues.
Watch a video on Willowdale Estate in Topsfield.
Say I Do at One of These Outdoor Venues
Hotel Northampton
Berkshire Scenic Railway, Lenox
Pure Romance: It's All Here
Looking for fun things to do and see in Massachusetts?
Get some Pure Romance ideas
Joe's Beach Road Bar & Grill at the Barley Neck Inn
East Orleans
2010 Restaurant of the Year, awarded by the Mass Retailers Association. The freshest local seafood and shellfish, pastas, pizzas, steaks and... more+ 1 saves
Joe's Beach Road Bar & Grill at the Barley Neck Inn
5 Beach Road
Po Box 486
East Orleans
508-255-0212+ 1 saves
Pure Romance: It's All Here
Looking for fun things to do and see in Massachusetts?


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How Do You Compare to The American University's Other Incoming Students?
Use the admissions stats from The American University's recent freshman class to see how you compare.
Below You'll Find:
What Admissions Stats Mean to You
Selectivity and acceptance rates can be a big clue to how difficult it is to be admitted to The American University. Compare your test scores to prior applicants to get a good understanding of who you're competing against for entrance.
Low acceptance rates and high selectivity means it could be difficult to be accepted at that college.
Looking for American University application deadlines and requirements?
Selectivity (Fall 2018): How Many Students Get Accepted?
|More Selective
|Acceptance Rate
Acceptance and Enrollment Stats (Fall 2018)
|Applicant Total
Additional Questions to Ask
- A college's selectivity gives us an idea of how rigorous the studies are, and how competitive the students are. However, not all students thrive in a competitive atmosphere, even if their grades are good. Does this college have the best learning environment for you?
Who's Applying: Applicants by Gender
Looking for more information about American University's Diversity?
The American University Average SAT Scores: Are Yours in the Green or Better?
These ranges represent the 25th to 75th percentile of those accepted. 49.0% of accepted freshmen submitted SAT scores.
NEW (2016) The American University Average SAT Scores
The American University Average ACT Scores: Are You in the Green or Better?
These ranges represent the 25th to 75th percentile of those accepted. 39.0% of accepted freshmen submitted ACT scores.


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Dogs and cats now suffer from obesity, diabetes, heart disease, cancer and more, just like humans, and researchers are now investigating common risk factors for pets and owners
Due to the same environments and hazards, dogs are experiencing many of the same ailments as their human companions. We can learn a lot from those factors that cause both
animals and people to get diseases. If both are getting them, then we can logically assume it may be in the environment. For the full story.


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Wordless (nearly) Wednesday - 1934 - Mom with car
Here is a "not too good" photo of my Mom, between Sophomore and Junior Year in high School, in front of their neat "old car" - nice to see her, but, the car is the star, right! ;-)
Families are Forever! ;-)


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Gillian Sawyer, a biology major who competes in soccer at St. Mary's College of Maryland, has always had a profound interest in the rainforest and the creatures that live there – specifically, primates. The rising junior plans to eventually pursue a doctorate in tropical conservation, conservation ecology or primatology.
So this summer, when Sawyer spent a month interning at Alouatta Sanctuary in San Lorenzo, Panama, she was getting an up-close look at her future field. While she enjoyed many aspects of the trip, including learning about Panamanian culture and picking up some Spanish, she most enjoyed her interactions with the primates at the sanctuary, which reinforced her decision to pursue a career in primate conservation.
With other interns, she studied the mantled howler monkey and its environment; prepared several juvenile monkeys to re-enter the wild after being raised at the sanctuary; and even rehabilitated an orphaned baby monkey that was rescued from being sold by a poacher.
"Every day we would feed them; we would put food in the trees for them to try to forage," Sawyer said. "We would also go on troop identifications every day, and we would go into the rainforest on the property and find local howler monkey troops. Since we would go every day we would get to know them really well, and eventually we would be able to identify each individual in the group by name."
For Sawyer, the experience of being a student-athlete helped her during the trip. To reach the sanctuary, the interns hiked up a mountain for 45 minutes on steep, rocky terrain. The sanctuary itself was isolated and, according to Sawyer, almost primitive.
The dorms were rooms with bunk beds, and the students had limited electricity and no hot water. While many interns struggled with the lifestyle, Sawyer's soccer training and perseverant attitude helped her through the experience.
"I definitely benefited from being an athlete," Sawyer said. "I was okay with going on the huge hikes, because I was in relatively good shape from soccer, but also just from being ingrained with an attitude of perseverance."
This summer is not Sawyer's first experience studying abroad. Last spring she traveled with her tropical ecology class to Belize, where they split their time between studying the relationship between acacia trees and the ants that live in them, and on the reef studying surgeon fish. She will be making that trip again this academic year as a teaching assistant.
"This definitely made me realize how much I like traveling and going to the rainforest and being able to participate in conservation," Sawyer said. "I'm hoping next summer to do something similar."


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Southern Landscape with Figures
Jan Frans van Bloemen
- Art Funded
- 1992
- Dimensions
- Each canvas: 48 x 76 cm
- Vendor
- Sotheby's
John Patterson's collection was enlarged by the fortuitous inheritance, by marriage, of the core of the collection of the Suffolk antiquary Rev.Cox Macro DD, a major part of which was a group of paintings by Peter Tillemans (1684-1734) of Antwerp.
John Patteson; by descent to Philippa and charity Patteson; the executors of their estate.
Norwich Castle Museum & Art Gallery
Castle Hill, Norwich, Norfolk, NR1 3JU
01603 493625
Opening times
- Monday to Saturday 10am-4.30pm
- Sunday 1-4.30pm
(1 July – 23 September 2019 open until 5pm)
- Closed on 24, 25, 26 December and 1 January


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Stanford Week: Evaluating The Recent PastPosted by Connor Pelton on July 16th, 2012
Things were looking good for Stanford after the 2010-11 season came to a close. It wasn't a great year by any means, but the Cardinal finished the regular season with a winning percentage of .500, picking up wins against #18 Washington and at Washington State along the way, all without a senior on the roster. Things took a turn for the worse, though, when leading scorer Jeremy Green announced he would be forgoing his senior season in Palo Alto to enter the NBA Draft. But instead of going somewhere like Sacramento or Dallas, Green ended up playing three games for the D-League's Los Angeles D-Fenders before moving to glamorous Erie to finish the final 21 games of his inaugural pro season. Meanwhile, back on the Farm, the Cardinal was making some noise without him. Stanford won 15 of its first 18 games, led by sensational freshman Chasson Randle.
Taking Green's place in the starting lineup, Randle made an immediate impact for Stanford. At times early in non-conference action he struggled to score the ball consistently, which is expected for a freshman when facing opponents like Oklahoma State, Syracuse, NC State, and Butler. But he made up for his lapses on the defensive end, constantly bugging opponents with his ability to poke the ball away and get the occasional block.


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Syria crisis: Gulf Arab states expel Syrian ambassadors
Gulf Arab states say they are expelling Syrian ambassadors in their countries and recalling their envoys from Syria.
The Gulf Cooperation Council said Syria had rejected Arab attempts to solve the crisis and end 11 months of bloodshed.
The US closed its embassy in Syria on Monday, and several European countries have recalled their ambassadors.
The moves came as Syrian government forces continued their fierce assault on the restive city of Homs, and Russian officials visited Damascus.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov called for a solution to the crisis based on Arab League initiatives, days after Russia and China vetoed a UN resolution on Syria.
After meeting Mr Lavrov, Syrian media quoted President Bashar al-Assad as saying he was willing to co-operate with "any efforts towards stability".
Separately Russia's ambassador to the UN, Vitaly Churkin, denied reports that he had threatened Qatar's prime minister during talks at the UN last week. Someone was trying to drive a wedge between Russia and the Arab world, he said.
The GCC said it would urge all other Arab states to adopt "decisive measures" when the Arab League meets next week. The UK, France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Spain and Italy have also recalled their ambassadors
Ambassadors recalled from Syria
- United States (embassy closed)
- France
- Italy
- Spain
- Netherlands
- Belgium
- Saudi Arabia
- Qatar
- United Arab Emirates
- Bahrain
- Oman
- Kuwait
Gulf Arab states
via BBC
Prop. 8: Gay-marriage ban unconstitutional, court rules – latimes.com
A federal appeals court Tuesday struck down California's ban on same-sex marriage, clearing the way for the U.S. Supreme Court to rule on gay marriage as early as next year.
The 2-1 decision by a panel of the U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals found that Proposition 8, the 2008 ballot measure that limited marriage to one man and one woman, violated the U.S. Constitution. The architects of Prop. 8 have vowed to appeal.
The ruling was narrow and likely to be limited to California.
via latimes.com.
Another President Quits – Mohamed Nasheed Steps Down after Maldives Protests
Rather sad that the former human rights and environmental activist didn't last the course. He was replaced by his vice president after the police and army clashed in the streets of the island nation amid protests after Nasheed ordered the military to arrest Abdulla Mohamed, the chief judge of the Criminal Court. The judge had ordered the release of a government critic he said had been illegally detained.
The crisis came to a head today when hundreds of police demonstrated in the capital, Male, after officials ordered them to withdraw protection for government and opposition supporters protesting close to each other. The withdrawal resulted in a clash that injured at least three people.
Later, troops fired rubber bullets and clashed with the police. When Nasheed visited the police and urged them to end the protest, they refused and instead chanted for his resignation. Mohamed was released after Hassan took power.
Nasheed resigned on TV this morning, and Mohammed Waheed Hassan, who previously worked as a top UNICEF official, was sworn in as the new Maldivian president this afternoon. Soon after, the judge was released.
New Bruce Lee Film
'I Am Bruce Lee' tells the amazing story of one of the most iconic human beings ever to enter the public consciousness. Voted as one of the most important people of the 20th century in Time Magazine's Time 100, as well as one of the Greatest Pop Culture Icons by People Magazine, Bruce Lee continues to be honoured and remembered for his enduring legacy.
"Water can flow or it can crash. Be water, my friend"
~ Bruce Lee
Scotland Yard has recovered over 300,000,000 emails News of the World said were deleted
They doubled resources on the team and are analysing and are identifying hundreds, perhaps thousands, of possible victims going back over 30 years. Daily Record
Violence in northern Mali forces over 20,000 into exile
UNHCR report on Mali upheaval:
UNHCR has deployed emergency teams to countries surrounding Mali to help meet the needs of some 20,000 people who have been forced to flee fighting in northern Mali. Most of the displaced are in Niger, Burkina Faso and Mauritania.
Fighting between rebel Tuareg groups and governmental forces in the Azawad region of northern Mali began in mid-January.
In the past three weeks, at least 10,000 people are reported to have crossed to Niger, 9,000 have found refuge in Mauritania and 3,000 in Burkina Faso.
Local communities along the border, affected by the food crisis themselves in the Sahel, are sharing their resources with the new arrivals. The authorities have also distributed food. Four additional UNHCR staff are already in Niger and more are on their way. We plan to send aid for 10,000 people from our stockpiles in the region.
Our office in Ouagadougou, in Burkina Faso also reported the arrival of some 3,000 Malian Tuaregs following attacks on their homes and businesses in the Malian capital Bamako and in the nearby town of Kati last week. Many of the new arrivals are staying with host families in Ouagadougou and Bobo Dioulasso, 320 kilometres south-west of the capital. Other new arrivals have been reported in the north west of the country, especially near Djibo, in Soum province. An inter-agency mission, including UNHCR, is scheduled to go there by the end of the week to assess the needs of the people.
Meanwhile in Mauritania UNHCR has sent several missions to the village of Fassala, in the region of Hodh el Chargi 3km from the border with Mali, where over 9,000 people have arrived since 25th January. The mainly ethnic Tuareg Malian refugees come from the region of Léré on the other side of the border. They told UNHCR that they fled fighting between Government forces and rebel Tuareg fighters, fearing retaliation by army troops.
Human Rights Watch Warns of Lead Poisoning Crisis in Nigeria
Thousands of children in northern Nigeria need immediate medical treatment and dozens of villages remain contaminated two years into the worst lead poisoning epidemic in modern history, Human Rights Watch said today while releasing a video on the issue. Four hundred children have died, according to official estimates, yet environmental cleanup efforts have not even begun in numerous affected villages.
Artisanal gold mines are found throughout Zamfara State in northwestern Nigeria, and high levels of lead in the earth and the use of rudimentary mining methods have resulted in an epidemic of lead poisoning among children, Human Rights Watch said. Research by Human Rights Watch in Zamfara in late 2011 found that children are exposed to this lead dust when they process ore in the mines, when their mine worker relatives return home covered with lead dust, and when the lead-filled ore is manually or mechanically crushed at home. Children can also be exposed to toxic lead in contaminated water and food. Healthcare workers in Zamfara State told Human Rights Watch that there have also been high rates of infertility and miscarriage among affected adults.
Politics, Religion, Media – an Unholy Trinity
You might enjoy reading this exclusive article in the Daily Beast about the head of the Washington Times and his roles as unofficial envoy to North Korea for former US President and war criminal at large, George W. Bush. I think it's great when journalists research and publish this information. But I find myself asking constantly why no action ever ensues. It's as though 'publish and be damned' turned into 'print and be done'.
Behind The News: Yemen Times
Good, informative story from SourceFabric about the trials, tribulations and revival of Yemen Times, an essential and important source of news from this remarkable country, still dealing with the aftermath of former president' Saleh's barbaric regime.
Related articles
- Life lessons from Bruce Lee (holykaw.alltop.com)
- Police in Maldives take state TV (bbc.co.uk)
- Rebellion or Revolution? (lissnup)
- Aid groups: 15,000 flee Mali amid Tuareg rebellion (mysanantonio.com)
- Protests in Bamako and Southern Mali (sahelblog.wordpress.com)


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Kings hold off Magic
Orlando, FL (SportsNetwork.com) - Isaiah Thomas and Rudy Gay each scored 23 points to help the Sacramento Kings salvage the final test of their four-game road trip with a 105-100 win over the Orlando Magic.
Marcus Thornton netted 15 points off the bench on 3-of-6 shooting from beyond the arc and DeMarcus Cousins contributed a double-double with 14 points and 11 rebounds in the win, Sacramento's third straight against Orlando.
Arron Afflalo led all scorers with 26 points in his return to the lineup after missing Wednesday's loss to Utah with a stomach ailment.
Tobias Harris had 21 points, while Jameer Nelson and Victor Oladipo added 13 and 12, respectively, for Orlando, which has lost four straight games at Amway Center.
When speaking of Thomas, Magic head coach Jacque Vaughn said, "He's a nuisance. He can get in the lane, make shots, and I think he really enjoys competing."
Orlando led 58-56 at the half, but five players scored for Sacramento during a 10-2 spurt to open the third quarter.
Glen Davis then scored two straight buckets for Orlando which ignited an 11-2 run. A Nikola Vucevic layup with 4:53 to play in the frame capped the spurt and gave the Magic a slim 71-68 lead.
The Kings responded when Gay hooked up with Cousins for an alley-oop that was the first bucket of seven straight points for the Kings.
Oladipo helped Orlando return serve with five points during a 6-0 run to end the quarter to retain its two-point advantage into the fourth.
Sacramento gained control of the contest with an 18-4 run in the opening 2:49 of the fourth. Thornton had 11 points during the surge, including three straight 3-pointers to cap the run and help the visitors to a 93-81 lead.
Later, Vucevic fouled out with 2:37 to play after he hacked Cousins during a made layup. Cousins missed the free throw and Sacramento led 100-93.
Orlando pulled within four, 101-97, following four straight points from Harris with 1:30 to play.
Just under a minute later, Thomas dribbled in from the far wing and banked in a 15-foot jumper to increase the lead to six.
Orlando called a timeout but turned the ball over, essentially ending the game on a five second call when Davis couldn't get the ball in bounds.
"We made enough plays obviously to get that win," said Kings head coach Michael Malone. "(I'm) proud of our guys to finish up a disappointing road trip but we didn't hang our heads."
Game Notes
Thomas also had nine assists ... Each team's largest lead was 12 and both scored 34 points in the paint ... The Kings shot 12-for-23 (52.2 percent) from deep ... Vucevic finished with four points and nine rebounds ... Both teams are home on Monday as Orlando will host New York and Sacramento welcomes New Orleans.


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Twenty-five years ago, from Sept. 10-20, Blessed Pope John II visited the United States and Canada.
Among the cities on his itinerary was Los Angeles, and The Tidings, newspaper of the Los Angeles Archdiocese, has been done a number of interviews with Catholics reminiscing about that papal trip and what it still means to them all these years later.
Among those who spoke to Mike Nelson, Tidings editor, were Peter O'Malley and his sister, Terry O'Malley Seidler. The O'Malley family owned the Los Angeles Dodgers at the time, and Peter remembered being approached by Los Angeles archdiocesan officials shortly after it was anounced the pope would be visiting City of Angels.
Church leaders wanted to know about "the possibility of celebrating a papal Mass at Dodger Stadium," writes Nelson. Peter, whose family has had a long tradition of involvement with the Catholic Church, recalled the conversation: "I said, 'Well, it's not impossible, but it's about as close to imposssible as you can get.'"
Twenty-five years later, Peter and his sister "smile as they speak with warmth and pride about the papal Mass at Dodger Stadium, attended by 63,000 (still the largest single-event crowd in stadium history) and a highlight of the Holy Father's 10-day trip to the U.S. and Canada," according to Nelson.


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CORVALLIS, Ore. – A new guide on building sunken-bed rain gardens to collect and filter runoff water can help Northwest homeowners learn how to redesign home landscapes to help protect rivers and streams.
Rain gardens can help restore the natural water cycle, according to Rob Emanuel and Derek Godwin of Oregon State University Extension and Oregon Sea Grant Extension.
"As our landscapes became developed, rain falling on hard surfaces was directed to pipes, ditches and storm drains that route to streams or into stormwater sewer systems," Emanuel said. "The result is too much water arriving in a short amount of time and carrying pollutants."
Rain gardens work like a native forest, meadow or prairie.
"They capture and redirect stormwater from hard surfaces such as roof tops, driveways, parking lots and streets," Godwin said. "Rain gardens help keep watersheds healthy by filtering out toxins before they pollute streams and lakes, and they can actually recharge aquifers by encouraging water to soak into the ground."
The new 44-page illustrated guide, "Oregon Rain Garden Guide: Landscaping for Clean Water and Healthy Streams," was written by Emanuel, Godwin and Candace Stoughton, who works for the East Multnomah Soil and Water Conservation District. It can be found online or ordered by calling OSU Sea Grant Communications at 541-737-4849. Copies are $4.95 each, plus shipping & handling.
This how-to publication provides information specific to Oregon's conditions. No stormwater, garden or landscape expertise is necessary to use it. The step-by-step approach teaches how to determine where water flows across a homeowner's property and the best place to put a rain garden to manage water flow across impervious areas.
The guide points out what local regulations need to be followed and how to determine slope, drainage rates and texture of the soil. Size of the rain garden and volume of water it can hold also are discussed, as are how to excavate, grade and build berms. The guide also recommends native perennials that can withstand both frequent wet and dry cycles.
The guidebook is a joint project of the OSU Extension Service and Oregon Sea Grant, East Multnomah Soil and Water Conservation District, Jackson Soil and Water Conservation District, and the Oregon Environmental Council. Partial funding for the guide was provided by a grant from Oregon Department of Environmental Quality.


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The following is a guest column by, Richard B. Finger, a private investor with Ariadne Capital LLC, in Houston, Tex. The opinions expressed are his own.
My philosophies may be diametrically opposed to those of the simpletons in the Occupy Wall Street movement, but when it comes to the banks and the government, my anger makes me kindred with them.
I realized this on a recent cool, crisp October morning in Houston. With summer's gross heat and humidity gone, the weather is finally ripe for complaining. It's hard for me to remember the last time I attended a rally or demonstration either as observer or participant. "Occupy Houston" had arrived in Texas. Approaching the JP Morgan Chase building, the tallest in Houston, I heard the chants: "We want jobs, we want jobs." The chants morphed seamlessly into: "Corporate greed has got to go." The crowd really got lathered up on this one.
An amusing and (previous to me) noted irony is with all the railing and carping over corporate evils, it was hard to miss the Apple I-phones and I-pads. Certainly present were also phones powered by Google's android system. The Nike swoosh was prevalent. I can only guess the number of these corporation bashers who own Microsoft products. I even saw that elitist Ralph Lauren logo. Hard to know which nefarious corporation makes the cardboard for all those signs, but it is most certainly a big bad one that probably employs a whole lot of people. If they buy "green" electricity, (assuming they purchase any at all), which any demonstrator with an ounce of self-righteousness would, there's a real good chance they are supporting one of the biggest and "baddest" of them all, wind turbine manufacturer General Electric. Carefully ignored by these do-gooders is the confluence of grand creativity, greed, and billions in profits and millions of jobs these profits and cupidity have created.
Of course, signs with "we are the 99%" were ubiquitous. I have since understood this pithiness as something of a "corporate" logo. Pun intended. Judging from the recent employment reports, a more accurate mantra might drop one of those 9's.
One twenty something female with a large nose ring and indeterminate hair color told me she really didn't know what the exact platform was, though her unambiguous paperboard dispatch said, "take from the rich and give to the poor". Call me prejudice, but if the credibility of an organization is inversely proportional to tattoos and body piercings per square inch, this is a movement of dim prospects. One much older gentleman, (probably fortyish) claimed the Federal Reserve was a private company and should be handed to the government henceforth. I attempted a small dose of enlightenment but quickly met rabid intransigence. Another, a ponytailed stick like figure, explained the movement as one designed to give the country "back to the people". What? I queried a pregnant woman who had just rushed from yoga class to protest home foreclosures. Apparently, it was monumental injustice that the big bad bank was enforcing its contractual rights in light of over a year of non- payment. Comfort in being surrounded by the same species of fish. Engulfed in a haze of nescience was all I could feel. Amid this scene of "organized chaos" and disjointed dialogues there were some themes that personally resonated. "Bank CEO's Should Be in Jail" was one. Well, probably at least some of them. Another sign, "JP Morgan's $10 billion in bonuses belongs to us" might bear some debate.
Since attending the Houston rally, the movement has metastasized globally to include hundreds of thousands or even a several millions. Notwithstanding, the "Occupy Wall Street" movement, even egged on by our president, so far, in my opinion, has little more than nuisance value. Defacing parks, mini rioting and getting arrested analogizes them akin to the clutch of ragtag farmers with shovels and pitchforks marching on the local government demanding rain. These people don't even know what their hostility is about.
With no cohesive defined platform there can be no discernable end game. The only certitude is being very very angry. For sure, there is plenty to be aggravated about. So guess what, I'm really mad too. And polls consistently reveal that so are a vast majority of Americans no matter political stripe. Until late summer 2008 our economy, despite showing some signs of stress and trending down, was pretty much cruising along. And then along came the Lehman bankruptcy, the AIG bailout, TARP, revelation of the extent of the mortgage crisis and associated speculations, and failure of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. People were minding their own business and all of the sudden a cataclysm occurred. Unemployment soared, bank credit seized up, and our country was in recession. While there is some improvement from the 2009 bottom, the country continues mired in a malaise of slow growth and unacceptable unemployment. The result has been a zeitgeist, heartily promulgated in Washington, of "the banks are evil and it's all their fault so they are not entitled to profits ever again". Much more accurate is the top eight to ten banks employ well over one million people. They have paid all of their TARP money back, in full, with interest. These banks have helped and continue to assist millions of people obtain home mortgages and provided businesses, small and large, with working capital and other loans to expand, further increasing employment . When a bank makes a loan the very best outcome it can hope for is to get paid back with interest. What is also true is that there were (and still are) a few really bad apples at the banks, the investment banks (although they are now defined as banks), the ratings agencies, and the GSE's (Fannie and Freddie).
BUT, in many ways, our system has worked. Banks made loans equal to 90, 95 and even 100% of home values. When homeowners (speculators?) could not meet their mortgage payment obligations, banks enforced their contractual right to foreclose. Borrowers might have lost their down payment (5-10%), but banks were stuck with the rest of the risk and downside. The real loss has been borne by banks and their shareholders. A real transfer of wealth has gone from bank shareholders to defaulting homeowners. Exaggerated anger against the banks might be misdirected.
Though certain that "Occupy Wall Street" participants are in large part diametrically opposed to my economic philosophies, anger is the thread that makes us kindred. Much of the simplistic, often puerile, often non-sensible amorphous ranting ought to be "matured" to a more specific platform. Perhaps my partial list of ills might aid this unorganized mass to channel their indignations more productively:
--While banks accepted government loans and support, bankers felt entitled to billions in bonuses paid in 2008 and 2009. Bank boards were complicit in these awards. Egregious, unfair, and yes, immoral under the circumstances at the time, these should be "clawed back" (repaid back to the banks) and distributed to innocent shareholders who suffered.
--Many corporate executives continue to make deca-millions of dollars annually. This is entrepreneurial pay for managerial behavior. They show up to work with no risk whatsoever and get paid like they patented a cure for cancer. Campaign for shareholders rights via proxy votes to elect directors that represent owners NOT management, and set limits on executive compensation.
--Let's put some of these guys in jail. Ask for an SEC investigation on former Bank America CEO Ken Lewis for withholding information (lying) to shareholders regarding losses at Merrill Lynch prior to the proxy vote. Demand more investigation of the egregious AIG bailout. Why did creditors of this one company get paid 100 cents on the dollar? Specifically ask why Goldman Sachs CEO Lloyd Blankfein and then Treasury Secretary and former Goldman Sachs CEO Hank Paulson and now Treasury Secretary Timothy Geitner cut Goldman and other banks such a sweetheart deal. All that AIG money went pay huge bonuses to Goldman employees in 2008. Perhaps it was because Goldman Sachs was such a large AIG creditor and in danger of failure if not paid by AIG in full.
--Call for further investigation of the ratings agencies. How did S & P and Moody's justify issuing AAA ratings on hundreds or thousands of tranches of subprime mortgage backed securities when there are less than ten US corporations with this coveted [AAA] rating?
--Among the punitive, the vindictive, and pettiness of Dodd-Frank there stands one potentially seismic thought that sits so far not implemented. Title VII or the "Wall Street Transparency and Accountability Act" is intended to regulate the over the counter swaps markets. This includes, among other derivatives, the constantly abused Credit Default Swaps (CDS) markets. The promise was the creation of a central exchange or clearinghouse for CDS instruments that would ensure adequate collateral is posted by counterparties and the financial system is safe from failed counter-party risk. This would mean standardized ISDA contracts and create a transparency by allowing everyone to see who holds insurance exposure to what debt instruments, and how much. This one thing could go a long way to reducing the ability of any one financial institution to pose systemic risk to the US and/or world economy.
This should get them started. However, judging from what I confronted in Houston, they are going to need a long tutorial to comprehend the above. Who knows, perhaps their chief commissar can help.
The author, Richard B. Finger is a private investor with Ariadne Capital LLC, in Houston, Texas.
Tracking energy innovators from Houston, Texas. Forbes reporter since 1999.


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Excel Test Skills - General Ability Tests Year 3 is the first in a four-book series for Years 3–6 which help students with the skills they need to excel in general ability tests. General ability testing covers areas such as logic, general knowledge and reasoning, and forms part of many primary school tests used throughout Australia.
The book contains:
An amount of mystery surrounds general ability testing. This is probably because it is not an actual subject such as Science or Mathematics. General ability testing is based upon the student's ability to think and reason, but most of the questions are based on normal classroom subject matter. This practice book is intended to demystify GA tests, thereby giving the student the confidence to respond positively to the test and maximise his/her score.
Years 3 to 6, Test


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It's perhaps a step too far to say that just because Sony has applied for a US patent that covers a "universal game console controller" that it's actually developing one with a view to bringing such a product to market.
But applied for such a patent it has.
The patent application - number 2010041480, and spotted by website GoRumors - was filed in August 2008, but this month received a provisional thumbs-up from the US Patent Office.
The application details "a universal game console controller that has an LCD presenting, depending on what type of game console a user has input, a controller key layout for a first type of game console or a controller key layout for a second type of game console".
If you're in doubt that the word 'universal' applies to any games console, later in the application Sony adds:
"This document describes an adaptable or universal game controller which can be used to emulate the controllers of popular game consoles, such as, without limitation, the PlayStation made by Sony, a controller made by Nintendo, X-box game controllers made by Microsoft, Amiga CD-32 controllers, Atari Jaguar controllers, Gravis Gamepad controllers, Sega controllers, and Turbographics controllers, one or more of which terms may be subject to trademark protection. For ease of exposition trademark symbols will not be further used herein."
No, we didn't think there was a market for Amiga, Sega and Jaguar controllers, either, but that's just Sony being comprehensive.
Will Sony ever bring such a gadget to market? Tell us what you think. ®
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