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Swipe, Share, Sell: What Publishers Need To Know About Digital Editions
By: Nu Yang
Digital editions have emerged as a key strategy among newspapers seeking to distribute content across new platforms and sell more advertising. While some publishers opt for bundling the electronic product with print subscriptions, others are treating the two mediums as separate products — and reaping the advertising results. Market size, audience profile, content type, and overall digital strategy are all factors in play when building a digital edition.
"As newspapers add platforms, many are either changing their limited-access strategies or rethinking how their strategies apply to an app," said Newspaper Association of America vice president of audience development John Murray in the NAA/ABC subcommittee's 2011 guide to U.S. newspaper digital editions. "It's the topic of the day, especially coupled with revenue demands as newspapers acknowledge the fact that the business model is changing."
The business model will continue to evolve as the industry collectively navigates the challenges of a digital world, but what publishers can do now is establish a digital strategy, select the right digital edition provider as a partner, and move forward as innovative players.
Swipe: more platforms
When the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reduced its circulation area a few years ago, the newspaper sought an alternative method to deliver its product to longtime print customers who would be affected by the loss. The answer was a digital edition.
"The push didn't come from the digital side," said AJC senior director of digital products Nunzio Michael Lupo. "It was coming from the circulation people. They led the interest in it."
AJC selected Olive Software in early 2008 as its digital edition provider. Olive was founded in 2000 and is based in Aurora, Colo. The company currently works with more than 250 publishers worldwide.
According to Olive sales director John Mahoney, the company helps publishers distribute content on a number of platforms, including a native iPad app, an Android viewer, and e-readers such as Barnes & Noble's Nook and Amazon's Kindle.
The circulation staff were not the only ones pleased with the new platform. "Many print readers were looking for a way to graduate and move on," Lupo said.
AJC offers a digital/print bundle: Daily subscribers can receive the AJC iPad app and access to the electronic edition included as part of their home-delivery subscription. The iPad app allows readers to touch, swipe, and search news, as well as tap into photo and video galleries. The app also includes a replica of the daily printed newspaper.
The stand-alone e-edition is a digital replica of the daily paper and lets readers turn each page, similar to the printed product. It also houses a 21-day archive. According to Lupo, a digital-only section filled with classic AJC articles and photos has been popular among readers. The replica offers breaking news by providing live links on the left column that direct readers to the paper's website, ajc.com.
"The e-edition is like the little digital product that could," Lupo said. "It only became a sale product last December, and it's performing very well."
Founded in 2008, Toronto-based Uberflip (formerly known as Mygazines) rebranded earlier this year to expand from magazines to other publications. The combined company now works with 100 magazine and newspaper clients, primarily in the U.S., including Thomson Reuters. (Disclosure: E&P is an Uberflip client.)
Uberflip starts with basic PDFs and uses them to create customizable Web apps that can be viewed on tablets and other devices. Each page is built with Flash and HTML5. Videos and animations are easily embedded, and internal and external links create an interactive experience.
Uberflip's mobile features are delivered through a Web page built on HTML5, and readers can use onscreen controls to swipe pages and navigate page links similar to many native apps.
"Publishers are usually trying to decide between going with native or Web apps," said Neil Bhapkar, Uberflip's director of marketing. "A pro with a Web app is the cost savings. With native apps, they need to be maintained, and we remind (our clients) that there's marketing and advertising costs needed to make them stand out. With a Web app, there's much more control."
Bhapkar added that Uberflip also builds native apps for clients who decide to take this approach.
Texterity is another provider that works with both digital editions and native apps. In March, Texterity was acquired by CMS provider Godengo. Texterity was founded in 1991 and is based in Southborough, Mass. Combined with Godengo, the new company serves 500 publishers and 1,200 titles.
Godengo+Texterity president Carl Scholz said the merger was a way to expand digital services. The company started building a mobile presence about four years ago by exploring early native apps on Android and Apple devices, allowing publications to "adapt to different screen sizes and to jump on any platform and browser."
Share: interactive experiences
Digital editions allow stories to come to life, from a video embedded in an article to a hot link that takes a reader from a page directly to an advertiser's website.
Investors Business Daily launched e-IBD in 2003 with Olive Software. The publication is based in Los Angeles with a combined Monday to Friday distribution of 130,578.
"We have a huge branded value, and we wanted to maintain our professional presence and integrate with (our website)," said Harlan Ratzky, vice president and director of investors. com.
With e-IBD, stock information is integrated into each story. "There is a ticker symbol, where with one click, a quote or chart pops out," Ratzky said. "You can check stock ratings, tap into a website, and not leave the digital edition. It makes the data more actionable."
Ratzky said he has seen a growth in customer engagement with the digital edition. "They like how it's integrated with the website and how it's not just a static article or stock table."
That paper is also working to define the various kinds of reading experiences. "There are two different markets: those who think the replica is important and those who want the Web experience," Ratzky said. "We need to provide for both markets, because there is an audience for both."
Ratzky said consumers are viewing IBD's iPad edition for an average of 23 minutes, indicating a high level of engagement.
Issuu is another digital-edition provider that was created in 2007, with offices in New York and Copenhagen. According to Mik Strøyberg, director of consumer engagement and U.S. sales, the company works with more than 4 million publishers, including The New York Times, and averages around 20,000 new uploads per day from around the world.
Strøyberg said Issuu's goal is to create a "content platform" for publishers. "We have 60 million users a month," he said. "If a publisher wants to widen their reach, they can target a certain group with the same subject or geographical location."
Issuu has also made it easy for publishers to integrate social media in their digital editions. For example, when an issue or story has embedded Facebook content, a reader can tap it to full screen, and then minimize it, so the reader never leaves the site.
Vice magazine started working with Issuu in May. The New York-based free publication covering international arts and culture can be found in 22 major U.S. markets. It has a U.S. circulation of 160,000.
"We're heavily focused on our digital edition, and we wanted to increase our reach," said Vice head of social media Ashish Patel. "In our short run (with Issuu), we've already had 15,000 reads, and we anticipate it to grow."
Patel said the digital edition creates a better user experience than a straight PDF. "You can use the mouse as your eyes. Visually, it's a better experience, and there is added value with the hyperlinks."
In his role, Patel said he sees a great opportunity with providing content and interacting with consumers on social media. "Our content demographic targets the younger side, ages 18 to 34," he said. "We're a little ahead of the curve, so it's not a difficult application … it's a natural progression."
Engagement also rose with PowerBlock magazine, another Uberflip client. Bhapkar said the auto magazine already had an online presence, but the publication added an interactive experience with video and social media.
"The subscription base grew, because the videos went viral," he said. "They were able to gain a new audience and raise awareness of the brand."
He added, "Social media can create a dialogue. The feedback is really quick and after looking at their analytics, it allows publishers to quickly adapt a strategy."
Sell: creating revenue
When it comes to generating revenue with a digital edition, Strøyberg said, "It depends on what the publisher is looking for. Are they going for advertising or subscription revenue? Newspapers can put a preview to a certain page and then have (readers) hit a subscription service, or catalogs are selling products, or magazines can attract advertisers with a package."
Issuu launched an advertising tool called Adpages last year. According to Issuu, Adpages does not redirect users to other pages but rather opens a full-spread digital publication reader with the customer's published print promotion displayed in an easy-to-read format. The Adpages tool also allows users to find and target their core audience exclusively.
"Those who read digital magazines are twice as likely to use more time and buy twice as much," Strøyberg said. "With advertising display ads, they only click for 30 seconds and leave, but if they come to a magazine or a catalog, they will spend 14 to 15 minutes there."
At Olive, Mahoney said when publishers go digital, they create "branches of trees … they can move to supplements, inserts, things that sit outside the paper."
With such a broad package available to advertisers, Mahoney said the digital edition creates a "nice marriage" between products.
Olive offers several advertising options with its digital editions. Print ads can be hot linked to the advertiser website. The e-edition has sponsorship opportunities within and around the landing page. The ad positions can be rotated and changed according to the advertiser's needs. App sponsorship is another method.
"Visitors and subscribers are spending 25 to 30 minutes looking at our publications. That's a lot of time in the Web world," Mahoney said.
Lupo said the AJC's digital edition has been "revenue positive."
"We're receiving revenue from subscriptions, and we're able to sell ads for the e-edition," he said. "Something we're looking at is selling two or three full double-truck ads that are not in print, but on the e-edition."
Ratzky said IBD realized that repurposing print ads was not the way to maximize advertising opportunities. The paper now rolls out more features and full-page ads with the digital edition. He also said IBD "got out there early" and charged for its content right away.
"We recognized the value of our digital edition," he said. "We found that readers wanted both print and digital. (For them), it's not a disposal publication."
Scholz said he encouraged publishers to sell the website differently and to get sponsorships for digital editions. He said when a couple of Texterity customers learned about the merger, they came on board because they wanted to improve their website. "They found new advertising opportunities on the Web. For example, our regional magazines created a local calendar with events that had active links to advertisers."
Looking ahead
As print expands into digital, those who provide the services and those who use them each predict different trends and informative ways publishers can adapt.
"Focus on tablets," Bhapkar said. "Make sure content is available on all operating devices."
Strøyberg said, "Apps are getting old when it comes to publishing. Don't rely on apps; instead use HTML5."
He advised publishers to make advertisers pay for their digital experience. "Look away from the subscription model. There is no more brand loyalty, because there are so many brands now. Instead focus on the advertiser, and bring them on board so they can connect to the right audience."
HTML5 has another believer in Texterity's Scholz. "It means the very smart version of your browser. It's tied into a responsive design element, no matter what the device is … publishers love it. It takes something that used to look boring and brings it to life."
Scholz said publishers mistakenly tend to focus merely on getting their content to digital, rather than increasing the value of, and demand for, digital advertising. "There's no great solution out there yet. That's the next big thing to conquer — how to get print money into digital with the same value."
"Publishers need to ask themselves, 'what is the best way to distribute and on what platform?'" Mahoney said. "Replicas have a good shelf life, but the next thing is something more tangible that can provide a customized template with customized content."
Lupo said a trend he sees is the paying customer vs. the free customer. "It makes sense to serve those two groups of customers separately … they are two different lines of business."
Ratzky encouraged other publishers to think beyond replicating the print product with the digital edition. "IBD is not morphing print. We're building on top of it," he said. "We're making our information accessible anytime, anywhere, on demand."
He also advised publishers to not look at their digital edition as a "defensive mechanism, where it's just thrown up (on the Web).
"They need to look at it as an opportunity," he said, "as a long-term sustainable profitable business model that can benefit subscribers and advertisers."
Dos and Don'ts of Developing Your Digital Platform
The ABC has come a long way in counting digital products in audited circulation figures, but publishers must know the rules before they start playing the game.
- Research your options if you're considering an outside vendor to help track digital subscriptions and usage.
- Be creative and take advantage of new technologies when developing your digital program.
- Include additional content — hyperlinks, video, audio, and updated news stories — in your replica or non-replica digital editions.
- Keep appropriate documentation to verify that the subscriber paid an incremental price or registered, activated, and accessed the digital edition.
- Imply that any part of your digital package is free with phrases such as "no additional cost" or "no extra charge."
- Serve back copies with the intent to count them as paid or verified circulation.
- Charge a one-time fee for an app and expect it to qualify as paid circulation.
- Offer other goods or services to encourage subscribers to access your digital edition that's part of a flat-price bundled subscription.
- Try to count a free public-access website as a digital edition.
- Limit your newspaper. The rules for digital editions allow some flexibility when creating an innovative new product.


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Elegantly entertain guests with this sliding top bar cabinet constructed of solid hardwood and wood veneers. The beautiful beveled/ tempered glass doors and raised panel drawer front are classically styled to enhance any home decor. The sliding top expands to greatly increase the size of your serving area. Behind the two doors, you will find adjustable shelves and plentiful storage space for spirits, appliances and other items that require additional space. The center storage area is great for up to 15 bottles of wine, or if you prefer, remove the wine storage cubes to reveal an adjustable shelf. Style, function, and quality make this sliding top bar cabinet a wise addition to your home.
Based in Louisville, Kentucky, Crosley Furniture is an all-American brand with international class. Whether you are searching for a perfect centerpiece or designing a room from scratch, Crosley's range of graceful designs will add style and warmth to any kitchen, living room or gaming room. Choose from Crosley's collection of classic finishes, rich with mahoganies and cherries, and your furniture will never go out of fashion.
The living room can be a place of quiet relaxation, or a space to entertain, which sets the tone of any home social event. Add a bold accent to a living room with Crosley's (buffet tables or sideboards), in … and …, which could also sit tastefully in the hall or dining area. For a more casual elegance bound to spice up any family space, consider the (TV cabinet) or one of Crosley's (media storage).

subset: commoncrawl


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Lavender Flower Extract
What: Lavender Flower Extract is the fluid made from the flowers of the Lavender plant, and is usually a combination of Lavender oil, water and alcohol. Lavender flower extract is less potent than Lavender oil, and is often used in cooking. Lavender flower extract carries the same properties as Lavender oil: antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, cleansing, balancing, and soothing. Like the oil, it also aids in the healing of wounds, burns, sunburns, and is a popular ingredient in the treatment of acne.
Origin: Lavender Flower Extract is made from the dried flowers and oils of the Lavender plant.
Products Found In: Products found in: Makeup, skincare, hair care, body care, anti-aging products, soap, acne treatments, sunscreen, baby care.
Alternative Names: Lavender Flower Extract; Lavandula Angustifolia Flower Extract
Toxicity:Lavender Flower Extract (Lavandula angustifolia) is generally classified as being nontoxic.


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As our industry and the medical industry continue to expand on the most beneficial frequency, intensity and duration of exercise, it has become clear that the key to success lies in the social connection involving fitness. I call it the people connection.
A well-educated and personable leader is always key to the success of a well-rounded fitness agenda. He or she will be the social catalyst to provide fun, camaraderie and recognition for achievement during an hour of exercise. It all comes down to enthusiastic, dedicated, knowledgeable leaders who create environments that make people want to participate and keep coming back.
I've been preaching this message for years, and I personally experienced the success and the joy of being a leader to the aging market. I focused my attention on creating a social, fun, upbeat, happy experience for my participants. I found that my leadership and social skills actually got everyone to work harder, enjoy it all and come back for more. My objective was to help all participants grow in their own six dimensions of wellness — physiological, emotional, sociological, vocational, spiritual and intellectual — and it worked. I'm proud to say that many great leaders have experienced the same joy in bringing a life of fitness and wellness to the aging market.
I thought I knew it all, but I recently had an epiphany as I rehabilitated from a total knee replacement. I knew that at age 66, the most important part of the procedure was being fit beforehand and keeping with a good rehab routine afterwards. After regular workouts at the club, I was physically prepared to undergo the surgery and begin an aggressive rehab schedule that I hoped would get me close to normal in a short amount of time. After the surgery, I was home from the hospital in just three days. Then I began a home therapy program with a visiting physical therapist for an additional two weeks.
During my therapy, I knew what to do, how to do it and how often to do it. As someone who works in the fitness industry, I thought I was motivated enough to exercise that leg by myself. I really didn't need any other direction. As driven as I thought I was, I found the daily routine of exercising by myself through pain to be depressing.
The home visits by the therapist were not only beneficial, but they also gave me a real lift in spirit as well. I actually looked forward to his visits. Although every repetition and set was a strain, the therapist kept telling me how well I was doing and how impressed he was with my progress. Each time, he had a little anecdote to share regarding other patients and other surgeries. He made the exercises seem easier, almost fun. His smile was contagious, and I couldn't wait to show him my improvement with each visit. His recognition and praise of my performance was exhilarating.
At my first post-op visit, I was delighted when the doctor told me I was way ahead of schedule and ready for more aggressive outside therapy. My new therapist was extremely responsive to my goals. He introduced me to other patients with similar situations and goals and created a happy atmosphere in a clinical environment. The experience was actually exciting, as I continued to regain the use of my leg without pain.
What I learned is that what we do as leaders makes a difference in the quality of life of our older adult patrons, both now and in the remaining one-third of their lives.
I told the doctor I would like to get back on the tennis court, the golf course, my bike and be able to wear stilettos. Oh, well, I'll settle for three out of four.
Sandy Coffman is president of Programming For Profit in Bradenton, FL, and author of "Successful Programs for Fitness and Health Clubs: 101 Profitable Ideas." She can be reached at 941-756-6921 or at [email protected].


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costas brauchte ein neues Logo Design und hat einen Wettbewerb auf 99designs gestartet.
2 Gewinner wurden aus 64 Designs von 18 Designern ausgewählt.
The project is for the Greek Sail Training Association, a member of Sail Training International. We require a simple, modern look for both the logo and web page designs, one that will appeal to young people.
STA Hellas
Desired Color Scheme:
Main colour blue, to compliment with colours of the Greek flag
Desired Style:
Simple, clean, uncluttered
Accepted File Formats:
Vector Formats (.eps, .pdf or .ai); Layered Formats (.psd or .tiff)
The site is for the Greek Sail Training Association, a non profit organisation. It is targeted at young people who want to gain sailing experience aboard the old tall ships. To get a better idea, please visit the International Sail Training Association at http://www.sailtraininginternational.org/.
The logo should be simple, modern and appeal to young people. It should therefore convey the concept of sailing in tallships (like the old pirate ships) and young people. The logo should include the Greek flag. We were thinking of perhaps a boy and girl pulling on a sail with the Greek flag on it. The figures would be almost stick figures, abstract, but without becoming unrecognisable. Other ideas are also welcome.
The web site should also be simple and clean. The site will use Joomla CMS so we would also require the template design/layout. The content will be very similar to the International Sail Training site referred to above, so please use that as a reference point.
It should combine well with and compliment the logo, possibly using but not limited to, the colours of the Greek flag (light blue and white). Keep in mind, that this has to do with the sea, sun and young people.
The logo and web design should be delivered in one of the Adobe programs formats (i.e. Illustrator or Photoshop). The logo should be in a lossless format, CMYK, suitable for use in making business cards and letterheads.
This contest was originally listed in multiple categories:
- Logo Design
- Web Page Design (Coded)
Finden Sie heraus, wie ein Designwettbewerb funktioniert, oder lernen Sie mehr über unsere Logo-Design-Angebote.


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Things to do in Fairfield this weekend
OK, it's going to be cold this weekend, and there may be more snow thrown in for good measure, but that doesn't mean you have to sit home and do nothing. Here are some suggestions to fill up this weekend in Fairfield:
Who doesn't like a birthday celebration, especially one for Dr. Seuss? The Fairfield University Bookstore, 1499 Post Road, will host a celebration Saturday starting at 4 p.m. There will be readings by student athletes and a raffle. Free and open to the public. To reserve a spot, call 203-255-7756, ext. 501, or email firstname.lastname@example.com.
Mardi Gras has already started down in the Big Easy, and you can join in the fun at Assumption School's Mardi Gras auction at 7 p.m. Saturday. There will be both live and silent auctions, appetizers, desserts, wine, beer, soda and music. Tickets are $25 each or $175 for a table of eight. Proceeds go to the school, located at 605 Stratfield Road.
The Pilobolus Dance Theatre makes an appearance this weekend at Fairfield University's Quick Center, 1073 North Benson Road. Shows are at 8 p.m. Saturday and 3 p.m. Sunday. Tickets are $50,$5,$35. Call 203-254-4010 or visit www.quickcenter.com.
No need for reality TV when Fairfield Ludlowe High School stages its annual "Project Runway:Falcon Edition 2014" at 1 p.m. Sunday in the school's auditorium, 748 Unquowa Road. Members of the senior class and some faculty will hit the runway in outfits from local businesses, and music will be provided by the school's Deckhardt Quartet Jazz Band and Close Harmony. Tickets are $20 for adults and $10 for students. Visit http://bit.ly/OHFwei
Learn more about powerful women at "The Personal is Political -- Women's Activism in the 1960s," a program planned Sunday in conjunction with the museum's current exhibit, "Wonder Women of Fairfield. The program starts at 2:30 p.m. at the Fairfield Museum and History Center, 370 Beach Road. Admission is free for members and $5 for non-members. Visit www.fairfieldhistory.org or call 203-259-1598.


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Manitou Mennonite Church (Manitou, Manitoba, Canada)
Manitou, MB. Minister G.G. Neufeld served as the last congregational leader. In 1965 there were 14 members. The congregation dissolved in 1967. It had been affiliated with the Conference of Mennonites in Canada. The language of worship was German.
The congregation began services in 1925, and formally organized in 1927. The first building was occupied in 1948. Franz F. Enns is considered the founding leader of the group. The congregation originated through immigration from the Soviet Union.
Manitou was part of Whitewater group of congregations. After dissolution the remaining members joined Crystal City Mennonite Church or Morden Mennonite Church.
Mennonite Encyclopedia, "Whitewater."
Neufeld, G. G. Die Geschichte der Whitewater Mennoniten Gemeinde in Manitoba, Canada, 1925-1965. Altona, MB: D.W. Friesen, 1967, 242 pp.
History of the Whitewater Mennonite Church, 1927-1987. 1987, 99 pp.
Church records at Mennonite Heritage Centre.
|Marlene Epp
|Date Published
|January 1989
Cite This Article
MLA style
Epp, Marlene. "Manitou Mennonite Church (Manitou, Manitoba, Canada)." Global Anabaptist Mennonite Encyclopedia Online. January 1989. Web. 25 May 2020. https://gameo.org/index.php?title=Manitou_Mennonite_Church_(Manitou,_Manitoba,_Canada)&oldid=92560.
APA style
Epp, Marlene. (January 1989). Manitou Mennonite Church (Manitou, Manitoba, Canada). Global Anabaptist Mennonite Encyclopedia Online. Retrieved 25 May 2020, from https://gameo.org/index.php?title=Manitou_Mennonite_Church_(Manitou,_Manitoba,_Canada)&oldid=92560.
©1996-2020 by the Global Anabaptist Mennonite Encyclopedia Online. All rights reserved.


text: News Beach volleyball 27/05/2013 Latvia grabs FIVB Corrientes Grand Slam men's gold medal Corrientes, Argentina, May 26, 2013—Striking fast and hitting hard, Latvia's Aleksandrs Samoilovs/Janis Smedins powered past the stiff challenge from USA's Jake Gibb/Casey Patterson to capture the men's gold medal under the lights in front of a raucous overflow stadium crowd of more than 7,500 new-found beach volleyball fans Saturday to conclude the $440,000 FIVB Corrientes Grand Slam double-gender tournament. The FIVB international event was held for the first time in Corrientes and was being played at the purpose-built site with a temporary center court stadium located on the sands of Arazati Beach – Costanera Sur on the banks of the Rio Parana.In the gold medal match, made more stirring by the excited boisterous crowd, Latvia's Samoilovs/Smedins charged ahead and held off the challenges that USA's Gibb/Patterson mounted, winning in two sets, 21-16, 21-19 in 39 minutes.In the bronze medal match played before the finale, Italian Olympians Paolo Nicolai/Daniele Lupo played near flawlessly to stop Brazil's Bruno Schmidt/Pedro Salgado in two sets, 21-13, 22-20 in 38 minutes as Argentinean fans arrived early and in large numbers to fill the stadium as they had they night before for the women's medal matches.With Netherland's Madelein Meppelink/Sophie van Gestel earning their first FIVB title Saturday night to end the women's tournament, the gold medal teams in each gender in the FIVB Corrientes Grand Slam will each split $33,000, the silver $22,000, the bronze $16,500 and fourth place $12,900. In the gold medal finale, Latvia's Samoilovs/J. Smedins came out of the box on fire in the first set and held off all challenges from USA's Ribb/Patterson, building up a five-point cushion after the USA pulled within one point at 12-13. With the kills by both Samoilovs and Smedins, Latvia pulled out to a five-point lead at 18-13 and the USA got no closer at the end of the set.In the deciding second set of the gold medal match, USA's Gibb/Patterson took a lead at 9-8 but Latvia's Samoilovs kills and blocks and Smedins kills took the lead back quickly. As in the first set, Latvia led 12-9 at the technical time out and after the USA closed to 13-12, Samoilovs had another cross court kill, Smedins killed to the back line eventually taking a 20-18 lead and after Gibb blocked a Samoilovs kill close the gap to one point, Samoilovs closed out the match and clinched the gold medal with a cross-court kill that bounced off the hands of a diving Patterson.Both veterans, Latvia's Samoilovs/J. Smedins were playing just their third FIVB event as a team and overall Samoilovs was playing in his 97th FIVB event and J. Smedins was participating in his 65th. While Samoilovs picked up his third career FIVB gold medal it was his first with J. Smedins as the Latvians finished their amazing run to the title with an unblemished 7-0 record in Corrientes. As a new team, this was just the third FIVB international tournament for USA's Gibb/Patterson, who won the FIVB Shanghai Grand Slam three weeks ago in just their second event together. Separately, Gibb was playing his 73rd FIVB tournament and Patterson his 12th. They leave Argentina with a 6-3 record and two podium finishes in their three events as a team.After his team's performance, the crowd-pleasing Samoilovs, who frequently encouraged the fans to cheer after another great play and actually danced on the court with the entertainers following the victory, commented, "We feel incredible. It's the first season we played together so we feel really good about our level. The final match was very tough, but we were up to it. And the people here in Corrientes made us feel great, with a lot of support cheering for us. Definitely, we want to come back here."The bronze medal match wasn't near as close as the two semifinals and the gold medal match as the Italy's Nicolai/Lupo led early and kept it throughout the first set to win by a large margin. In the second set, Brazil's Schmidt/Salgado rallied with several ties but were unable to close out against the Italian's because of Nicolai's blocks and Lupo's finesse shots that kept the talented Brazilian duo off-guard throughout. Italy's Nicolai/Lupo finished the tournament with a 5-2 record while as a team this was their second bronze medal and fifth final four finish in 19 tournaments together. Both veterans, Brazil's Schmidt/Salgado have been a team for just the three tournaments this year and this was the second final four following a second at the season-opening FIVB World Tour event in Shanghai. Individually this was the 47th FIVB international tournament overall for Nicolai and 27th for Lupo. For Salgado it was his 100th FIVB overall event while it was the 66th for Schmidt.Following his team's bronze medal victory, Nicolai, who led the 2012 London Olympics in blocked shots, said, "We are very happy with this medal, but we are a little disappointed because we lost the semifinals and we think we can do something better so it is very good, but not perfect."In the semifinals played earlier Saturday, earning the opportunity for a golden moment in the Argentinean sand, Latvia's Samoilovs/J. Smedins advanced by coming from way down to earn a hard-fought three-set semifinal victory over Brazil's Bruno Schmidt/Pedro Salgado, losing the first set 14-21 before roaring back to win the second, 21-17 and then break a dead heat in the third to win the set and the match, 15-11 in 51 minutes.Winning their semifinal match to advance to meet Latvia's Samoilovs/J. Smedins will be USA's Gibb/ Patterson who also lost the first set 19-21, hung in and squeezed out the second to get into the third set tie-breaker that was beach volleyball at its best with USA winning a tight match in overtime over the Italians, 17-15 in 55 minutes.The FIVB World Tour will be off next week as 10 regular FIVB men's and women's teams compete in the FIVB World Cup Final special event in Campinas, Brazil. The FIVB World Tour resumes June 11-16 with Round 3 at the $440,000 FIVB Hague Grand Slam. Print this Page News {{item.LocalShortDate}} {{item.Title}} All the News


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So, when it seems like everyone else is hitting the level cap or close to it in Guild Wars 2, last night I hit the half-way mark, level 40. The odd part: I haven't even ventured outside of a level 15-25 zone! Slow? Well… that's just how I roll. I really do stop to smell the roses. I'll delve into that unknown cave, I'll try to beat that random mob that says "group" but I know I can do it solo if I just keep trying. I'll fiddle with my build over and over until I get it just the way I want it. So, this takes time.
But level 40, without even touching a zone above 15-25. This made me look at how my gaming choice of checking out and completing the starter areas, and maybe the next higher ups, are affecting my character growth. Well, from completing 4 full zones, I have a decent amount of skill points, so my skill choices are fairly nice for my level. However, my gear? All the basic stuff. Since my main upgrades are coming from drops (as drops appear to be tuned to your character's level, not the level of the area), they just aren't coming fast enough to beat out what the vendors sell at each 5 level increment. So, my gear is to my level, but it's bland.
So then, am I hurting myself by being slow? I very well could be, since my gear is so basic for my level. This then begs the question: Why are there even levels in the first place? I've mentioned previously how I think that levels in GW2 are a very useless stat. With the majority of zones and dungeons just down-leveling you, and levels coming at such a fast and furious pace that most people don't even notice them, the fact that the game puts a number to your development seems counter-productive. Guild Wars 1 had levels, true, but you hit "max level" before you were even out of the introductory area. This feels the same, but at the same time, it's not.
So what do levels prevent us from doing? From what I can see, all the levels are doing is holding us back from getting into the high level areas. That's it. Maybe, since higher level crafting materials are located in those higher areas, also forcing a level component to crafting, too, but there are plenty of ways around that.
So why even have them in the first place? They're a time-block, and that's all. Guild Wars 1, for example, is supposed to be played at max level, with power coming from different skills attained, builds, and player skill. Difficulty is decided by the area that you're in, which is mostly determined by how far you are along in the story. Guild Wars 2 seems to be following the same pattern, with down-leveling of content to make the areas themselves far from trivial. But now, if I were to attack, say, Ascalon Catacombs, I'd be at a disadvantage because my gear sucks compared to my level. I'd be down-leveled, and all the white gear I have is down-leveled, too.
If those levels weren't there, it wouldn't be so much the gear that I have, but what attachments I put onto said gear, and how I use it. The gear would be an extension of my playstyle, not just something to replace every screamingly-quick 5 levels. I'm hoping once I finally hit max level, I'll be able to really start replacing my gear with something nice that won't be outdated by leveling. But until then, I guess I'll just be underpowered.
Even if you stop to smell the roses, sometimes you're left behind in the dust.
\\ Ocho


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A US drone attack Saturday killed at least six militants in a remote Pakistani tribal town near the Afghan border as local people celebrated the Muslim festival of Eid al-Fitr, security officials said.
The attack was the first since Pakistan's spymaster, Lieutenant General Zaheer ul-Islam, held talks with his CIA counterpart in Washington earlier this month in which drone strikes were said to have been discussed.
The drone fired two missiles on a compound in Shuwedar village in Shawal district of the troubled North Waziristan region, considered a stronghold of Taliban and Al-Qaeda linked militants.
"US drones fired two missiles into a militant compound. Six bodies have been recovered from the compound so far," a security official told AFP.
Residents and local intelligence officials confirmed the attack and the casualties. The missiles also destroyed a car parked at the compound, they said.
The attack came as people in the deeply religious region were celebrating the Muslim festival of Eid al-Fitr, they said. It was the third drone attack since the start of the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan.
It was not immediately clear if the missiles targeted any senior militant leader.
Attacks by unmanned American aircraft are deeply unpopular in Pakistan, which says they violate its sovereignty and fan anti-US sentiment, but US officials are said to believe the attacks are too important to give up.
The Al-Qaeda-linked Haqqani network in North Waziristan, blamed for some of the deadliest attacks in Afghanistan, is one of the thorniest issues between Islamabad and Washington.
Washington has long demanded that Pakistan take action against the Haqqanis, whom the United States accused of attacking the US embassy in Kabul last September and acting like the "veritable arm" of Pakistani intelligence.
Pakistan has in turn demanded that Afghan and US forces do more to stop Pakistani Taliban crossing the Afghan border to relaunch attacks on its forces.
Many in Pakistan accuse the Americans of demanding a Pakistani offensive to mask their own failings in the 10-year war in Afghanistan.
Washington regards Pakistan's semi-autonomous northwestern tribal belt as the main hub of Taliban and Al-Qaeda militants plotting attacks on the West and in Afghanistan.
The latest attack, which came after a lull of about three weeks, was in the same region where a drone strike on June 4 killed 15 militants, including senior Al-Qaeda figure Abu Yahya al-Libi.
There has been a dramatic increase in US drone strikes in Pakistan since May, when a NATO summit in Chicago could not strike a deal to end a six-month blockade on convoys transporting supplies to coalition forces in Afghanistan.
On July 3 however, Islamabad agreed to end the blockade after the United States apologised for the deaths of 24 Pakistani soldiers in botched air strikes last November.
Islam's trip to Washington this month signalled a thaw in relations beset by crisis since US troops killed Osama bin Laden near Islamabad in May 2011.
In protest at US drone attacks, local Taliban and Pakistani warlord Hafiz Gul Bahadur have banned vaccinations in North and South Waziristan, putting 240,000 children in the region at risk.
They have condemned the immunisation campaign as a cover for espionage. In May, a Pakistani doctor was jailed for 33 years after helping the CIA find bin Laden using a hepatitis vaccination programme as a cover.


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If you were hanging out outside in Utah on Wednesday night, chances are good that you witnessed a pretty rare astronomic event: a friggin' huge meteor that lit up the entire sky.
Clark Planetarium Director Seth Jarvis said the stony meteorite was probably travelling 80,000 miles [129,000km]an hour when it hit our atmosphere. He said it happened 100 miles [160km]up in the air; so despite the brightness, Utah was never in any danger. "These collisions can do damage, but they are extremely rare; and literally once in a century do you observe something that's actually doing damage," he said. Witness Andy Bailey said, "Oh, it lit up the whole sky, like almost brighter than the day. It was bright." Don White was in Wyoming and told KSL Newsradio for a moment he suspected a nuclear strike. "With something that brilliant and that fast, it was like, whoa, did we just get hit or something? It would have been some bigger noise I guess if a nuclear device had gone off," he said.
[KSL via Boing Boing]


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You are here
SBA Announces 2013 Small Business Person of the Year
SBA Announces 2013 Small Business Person of the Year
LUBBOCK, TX. - - The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is proud to announce Casey & Brandi Cowan of Watonga Cheese Factory of Perryton, Texas are the recipients of the 2013 Small Business Person of the Year for the West Texas District.
Casey and Brandi Cowan, owners of Watonga Cheese Factory, were nominated by the West Texas A&M Small Business Development Center in Amarillo, Texas.
Watonga Cheese Factory manufactures, distributes, and sells their products through their local storefront, online, and in local grocery stores. They are now offering their products at over 30 locations throughout Texas, Oklahoma, and Kansas.
"We are proud of Mr. and Mrs. Cowan for their outstanding contribution to the Perryton small business community. This award is a tribute to their dedication and hard work," said West Texas District Director, Calvin Davis. "We are excited to have this opportunity to recognize them."
A special awards celebration and program will be held in the Cowan's honor in Perryton, Texas on June 19th, 2013 at the Frank Phillips College from 12:00 P.M. – 1:00 P.M. For more information, please call Kim Hobgood at 1-806-472-7462 Ext. 108. All local media are encouraged and invited to provide coverage of this significant accomplishment.
For more information on SBA programs and services, please visit our website at www.sba.gov.
# # #


text: Lincoln Heights one of the main neighborhoods of LA's Eastside. Across the LA River it's neighbored by Downtown's Chinatown, North Industrial District (Dog Town), Civic Support, and the Mideast Side's Elysian Park and Elysian Valley to the west and northwest, respectively. It's neighbored the NELA's Cypress Park and Montecito Heights to the north; and fellow Eastside neighborhoods Boyle Heights, El Sereno, and Happy Valley, to the south, east, and north, respectively.


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Flickr Faves on Fridays
Posted by
Becky |
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1 Comment » | Published in Landscape Design | 1 Comment
Hey All! I'm out of town, and thus today's Flickr Faves on Fridays are all cruddy quality pictures taken from my phone, because I don't really have a fast enough connection to browse flickr today. These are all charming container gardens I've snapped after lunches this week, the first in Atlanta and the rest in Maine.
After lunch at Adkin's Park the other day, I felt compelled to take a picture of the awesome Clawfoot Container garden in front of The Key Lime Pie Salon in my neighborhood:
I don't know what it is about where I choose to eat lunch, but after lunch at Red's Eats in Wiscasset Maine two days ago, I came upon glorious windowbox after glorious windowbox. These container gardens have a lot to do with why Wiscasset is "the prettiest little town in Maine"! The one below is at a beautiful home store called smitten (same talented owner as rock paper scissors shown above). I was so impressed with the owner's taste and merchandising skills; I highly recommend a visit if you are on Coastal Route 1!
Hi, I'm Becky. I live in Atlanta. Besides acting as the Editorial Director here on Hatch, you can find me talking design over at Houzz. Make me happy — leave a comment!


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Meg Frens, who is an assistant professor of kinesiology and athletic trainer at Hope College, has been appointed chairperson of the Professional Education Committee for the Michigan Athletic Trainers' Society (MATS).
Meg Frens, who is an assistant professor of kinesiology and athletic trainer at Hope College, has been appointed chairperson of the Professional Education Committee for the Michigan Athletic Trainers' Society (MATS).
The committee is responsible for providing continuing education opportunities for the athletic trainers in the state of Michigan.
It is the second consecutive appointment of a member of the Hope faculty to the position. Kirk Brumels, who is an associate professor of kinesiology and director of athletic training at Hope, had served in the role since 2006 prior to beginning a two-year term earlier this year as president-elect of the MATS.
Frens, who is a certified member of the National Athletic Trainers' Association (NATA), has been a member of the Hope faculty since 2002, following a previous two-year appointment as a visiting instructor from 1998 to 2000.
Her publications have included articles in "Athletic Training Today" and the "Journal of Athletic Training," and she has also made numerous invited addresses at professional meetings. Her professional activities also include serving on the NATA Board of Certification Exam Development Committee and on the Great Lakes Athletic Trainers' Association (GLATA) Education Committee, and previous service as an examiner for the NATA Board of Certification and as advisor to the GLATA Student Senate.
Frens graduated from Hope in 1996 with a major in kinesiology, and completed a Master of Science degree in kinesiology/athletic training at Indiana University in 1997. During the 1997-98 school year she as an assistant athletic trainer and co-director of summer camps at Slippery Rock University in Pennsylvania, and from 2000 to 2002 she was an assistant professor of athletic training at the University of New England in Biddeford, Maine.
MATS is a not-for-profit organization formed to assist its members and to educate the public on the role of a certified athletic trainer (ATC) within the health care profession. The society consists of certified athletic trainers, non-certified athletic training students and other health care professionals.
Athletic trainers are allied health care professionals who prevent, manage and rehabilitate injuries in physically active populations. Hope offers a major in athletic training as one of three majors within the department of kinesiology. Hope was the first liberal arts college in Michigan, and is one of only a few institutions in the state, to have its athletic training program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education.


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A settlement between Facebook and the U.S. government would force the company to get users' consent before making "material retroactive changes" to its policies, the Wall Street Journal reports.
The platform, with 800 million worldwide users, changed its user policy in late 2009, leading to an online outcry as well as a federal investigation.
The agreement could ripple much farther than a wall posting, however. Many companies -- pre-existing and those serving this purpose specifically -- are investing in user-behavior studies, quantifying what information users provide and then serving up relevant ads and promotions to them.
U.S. & World
News from around the country and around the globe
The original complaint was filed with the Federal Trade Commission, who has to approve the pending settlement, as well.
Users will not have to approve every change in the terms of service, but it will maintain the sharing of information only with the intended audience and not a wider, after-the-posting audience. (Sounds like a preemptive spam filter, really.)
It seems Facebook is getting its house in order -- with the feds as well as users -- as they near an April 2012 deadline to publicly file their financial statements. Read: a pending IPO.


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Long time no see, friends. No, Where's not coming back, but I did start a new blog. This one is heavier on the images and lighter on the text...in fact, there really isn't any text. Just images. It's a photoblog called Eighths of a Mile. RSS-ize it! I promise that it won't suck.
Also, if you're looking for more Where-esque fixes, I'll be popping up twice monthly henceforth with more characteristically verbose fare over at Next American City. Post #2 just went up on Friday.
And finally, Where alums Peter Sigrist and Katia Savchuk's blog Polis continues to churn out awesome urbanist content (saw the recent Archinect nod - way to go, guys!) Amidst their team's top-notch writings, Where's long-dormant Urbanffffinds feature recently popped up again.
Pictures, words, and more pictures. If you still miss Where after this, you should probably talk to your therapist about it, because you may need professional help. Wink wink.
Posted by Brendan Crain at 9:00 AM
4 comments:
- gih said...
I love skyscrapers like this. I've never gone this place yet.
- April 17, 2010 at 9:47 AM
- imobiliarias alegrete said...
very good
- January 11, 2011 at 6:17 PM
- ttv said...
wow! whatta skyscrapers. This is amazing.
- February 5, 2011 at 8:23 AM
- EWA private network said...
woohh .. BIG SKYSCRAPPERS!
- May 14, 2011 at 11:33 PM
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Poor Tony Todd, he's been needing work lately what with all his TV appearances and movies and such. Thankfully, he's going to be adding another film to his resume when he returns to the "Final Destination" franchise for the fifth installment.
Paramount has decided they need some original horror projects in their stable as they prepare the new property "School of Horrors". With the writer/director team of George Kay and Jim Field Smith already tapped, the movie is described as "Home Alone" in Hogwarts with it's plot of a young boy left in a haunted school by his parents.
Namco's busy preparing for the release of the old school re-do "Splatterhouse" and this trailer and game play clip promises that the game is going to be a bloody good time.
There's a new still from "Paranormal Activity 2" floating around out there that gives us a taste of... not much.
I woke up this morning thinking, "I sure would love to see a movie about a bunch of Nazi's in a giant take fighting a giant demon". Good thing there's movie in the works called "Panzer 88" about nazi unit in a King Tiger (Read: Big Ass Tank) running into a demonic force on the frozen Russian border!


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TSUTigers: Talk about your overall TSU experience.
A: My overall experience at TSU has been a GREAT one..I really learn why we call ourselves the best HBCU in the land
TSUTigers: What do you love most about TSU?
A: I love all the new people and friends that I got to meet. I love the memories that I will have for the rest of my life.
TSUTigers: What will you miss most about TSU?
A: I will miss the faces that I have been used to seeing everyday, for the past 4 years
TSUTigers: What is your most memorable basketball moment at TSU?
A: The attendance of the White Out game during my Junior year that was broadcasted on TV
TSUTigers: What is your most memorable non-basketball moment at TSU?
A: Graduating from the BEST HBCU in the nation!!!
TSUTigers: How do you feel social networking played a role in this season?
A: I love how they promoted different events that we were having
TSUTigers: Do you have a favorite TSU fan/supporter? If so, who?
A: I would have to say it would be between Coach Patrick and Ms. Pinkerton. "Shoot it like you want, cause I want it."
TSUTigers: What advice would you give to incoming freshman?
A: Freshmen year I would say is the hardest year because it's all whole different world. You have to be able to manage your time, and be a student first.
TSUTigers: What was your most challenging class at TSU?
A: I would say that it would have to be all my science classes that I took.
TSUTigers: Who was your favorite professor?
A: My favorite professor would be Dr. Harliston
TSUTigers: Who have been the most influential people to you at TSU?
A: I would have to say the athletic trainers at TSU (Ms. Patrice, Monroe, Cody).
TSUTigers: What's next for you?
A: Getting out in the real world and start making money for what I came to school for.
TSUTigers: Once you are an alumnus, how will you stay connected with TSU?
TSUTigers: What do you know now that you didn't know coming in as a freshman?
A: That College is going to introduce you to a lot of things that you have not seen before and you have to decide on what is good for you and what is bad.
TSUTigers: What have you learned at TSU that you will keep with you for the rest of your life?
A: How to manage money.


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text:
Dragon Age Writer Claims Inquisition Going into Alpha, Content Cuts Possible
Six months away from Dragon Age: Inquisition's release, its writer reflects upon the creative process and the potential cuts that happen as a game reaches the alpha stage of development.
David Gaider, who has helped pen BioWare classics such as Baldur's Gate 2, Dragon Age: Origins, Dragon Age II and Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic, has posted on his Tumblr page that Dragon Age: Inquisition is entering the alpha stage of development. Gaider mentions that while most new content that gets made will be to assist the parts that have already been developed, there's still a chance that large parts can be removed entirely.
Gaider mentions that, during the alpha, broad cuts can happen. These cuts can be arbitrarily done by the studio without him in the loop of things and do not always make room to maintain the logic or flow of a game's story. Furthermore, the writing team is excluded from the sound department when it comes to voiced dialogue so the script can get edited, recorded and sent to the graphics department to animate the sequences. By this point, Gaider's writing team is working on "non-VO text", which includes item/talent descriptions, GUI text, codex entries and other forms of secondary narrative content.
Dragon Age: Inquisition will be launching on Oct. 7 for Xbox 360, Xbox One, PC, PlayStation 3 and PlayStation 4.


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dwell (up)on (someone or something)(redirected from dwells upon me)
dwell (up)on (someone or something)
1. To obsessively think or worry about something. Try not to dwell on this rejection, honey. There are plenty of other nice boys you can ask to the dance.
2. To inhabit a particular place or surface. I want to become a scientist and study the creatures that dwell upon other planets. That type of animal dwells exclusively on land.
See also: dwell
dwell (up)on someone or something
to remain on the [important] subject of someone or something for a long time. (Upon is formal and less commonly used than on.) I can't dwell upon this subject anymore. There is no need to dwell on Sarah further.
dwell (up)on something
to live on something, such as the planet Earth. (Upon is more formal than on.) This is the largest turtle that dwells upon the earth. Many creatures dwell on this earth.
dwell on
Also, dwell upon. Linger over; ponder, speak or write at length. For example, Let's not dwell on this topic too long; we have a lot to cover today. [c. 1500]
dwell on
To think or talk about something to an excessive degree: The teacher dwelled on the subject of tardiness for several minutes.


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Rays 2010 Fan Fest Photo Blog 2 of 2
One of the biggest reasons so many fans came out to the Tampa Bay Rays 2010 Fan Fest on Saturday was a chance to chat and get autographs from their favorite Rays players in advance of the 2010 season. Also on hand were a few of the Rays minor league prospects invited to the Major League camp that started on Friday. The number of fans seen entering the building on Saturday definitely showed that the enthusiasm and the excitement is very much still alive within the Tampa Bay area for their team.
And there were a few big name players like Carl Crawford, Ben Zobrist, new comer Sean Rodriguez sent to the Rays in the Scott Kazmir trade in 2009 and Rays 2009 scapegoat Designated Hitter Pat Burrell. The autograph day went pretty uneventful accept for some late arrivals from players, and some people grumbling about the absence of Rays shortstop Jason Bartlett and leftie Jake McGee. I still have not heard a word on Bartlett, but McGee missed the event due to his wife Morgan going to a local hospital, but she has since been released and McGee is back with the team at the Port Charlotte complex.
But there were more than whispers from a few of the Rays Season Ticket holder I spoke to on friends not renewing their seats or even people downgrading from multiple seats to singles for the 2010 season. But the reality is also there that a small bulk of that inflated number in 2009 was for people who wanted to secure 2008 Playoff tickets and bought seats in the inexpensive sections of Tropicana Field to get guaranteed seating for the Rays playoff run. But there is a anticipated hope of people getting into the flow after Fan Fest and purchasing one of the many ticket packages or options for the upcoming season.
And there were members of the Rays Sales Department all over Tropicana Field ready and willing to discuss or show seating options to people all during Fan Fest. There are options starting as low as $ 273 (Friday or Sunday plan) and rising depending on the seat location. And beginning this Friday, February 26,2010 at 9 am, individual game tickets will go on sale to the general public for the first time in 2010. Another popular option is the Saturday game package that will include every game for the Hess Express /Rays Concert Series that start at $ 331 for T.B.T. Party Deck or Upper Deck Reserved seating.
And again in 2010, the Home Plate Club prices seems to have gone down a tab, so if you should win the Florida Lotto in time for the Rays season, you could purchase a seat in the All-Inclusive area starting at $ 13,256. And even as the Rays season Ticket numbers have dropped, it had to be anticipated by the local economic struggles and also the 2009 Playoff package ticket holders not renewing their seats for 2010. You can be sure within now and the beginning of the season, the Rays will announce some additional ticket options and also attractive promotions and events to get the Tampa Bay residents to come out to the Trop. for more games in 2010.
And as usual, the autograph lines seemed to begin to get congested almost immediately as people bought their silver wristbands then stood in line almost two hours before Evan Longoria first stepped onto the first table location just after 12 pm. By the time he had stepped into his seat, the line formed around the white plastic chain links and circled out into the Rightfield Street hallway down past the Dipping Dots booth and almost to the Rays Carnival Games for the kids.
And there were all sorts of interesting items brought up to the players to sign this year. One fan, Christin Manfredo actually had new Rays catcher Kelly Shoppach sign her 1,000th autographed baseball during Fan Fest, with Rays prospect catcher Nevin Ashley becoming the 1001st autographed baseball in Manfredo's collection. And there was the usual oversize baseball bats and small scale batting helmets for players to sign, but the one item that caught my eyes was the oversize World Series ticket that were given to several players during the day.
Everyone always asks who is sitting right there with me in my section. Well, here we see Michael, who sits in Section 138, Row C Seat 1 giving Evan Longoria one of the State Farm Home Run Derby balls from 2008 to sign. Longoria took some time looking at the ball and remarked that it looked like it was actually hit, possibly by him during the event. It is a great collectible ball for Michael's collection. Another item that came up just after Michael to Longo was an actual gold-colored fielding glove that looked a lot like the Golden Glove model glove on the trophy that Longoria will be presented at a Rays game in 2010. One of the great things about this event is seeing some of the fantastic collectible items fans have obtained during the past season from auctions, sales and even events like Fan Fest for the guys to sign.
People were complaining all day long about players getting to the Trop. late for their signings and not staying past their times to appease fans. I know that certain players had transportation delays on their travels up from Port Charlotte, while others had logistical situation going on with their belongings and equipment getting to Port Charlotte ahead of them on Saturday. For some reason, B J Upton took a huge blunt of this backlash, but he was not the only player who was delayed and did not stay any additional time to sign for fans.
And some Rays fans were quick to notice he was texting between signatures and also checking his phone a bit not aware of his transportation logistic situation. But then again,
when you are sitting at a table above the general public, they can see you every move and action and can develop negative opinions and reaction quickly based on your overall mood and attitude to the fans. Upton is excited to begin a new chapter in 2010 and is healthy for the first time in a few years. He has reached out to new Hitting Coach Derek Shelton for advice and has seen the errors of his ways in the past with his nonchalant base running and quiet demeanor. I think he is going to have a breakout year in 2010.
Gabe Kapler to me has become one of the greatest " at ease" fashion sense guys on this team. And I mean that as a compliment. Here we see him in a great black hat and a pair of Chuck Taylor sneakers that seems to show his laid-back attitude and approach to this team. But he is also one of the guys who get into a "zone" during game day and is a constant figure helping other players both on and off the field. Kapler is one of those guys on the edges of the Rays roster in 2010 who could be beneficial to the Rays return to the playoffs in 2010.
Most people know these two guys as one of the best First Basemen offensively and defensively in the Major Leagues, and the other is the Senior Director of Promotions for the Rays. But Carlos Pena and Brian Killingsworth also have another "Kevin Bacon 6 degrees of Separation" moment". Both were also members of the Wartham Gatesman who won the 1997 Cape Cod Baseball League Championship. Funny story, Killingsworth actually called me on my cellphone the day we got Pena and told me about the signing. I still marvel at that moment I knew the Rays were bound for the playoffs with a guy like Pena behind the scenes.
One of the great thing I love about Rays Fan Fest is the way Rays Radio Network guru Rich Herrera gets time with the players to talk about the upcoming season, or even put an exclamation point on some issue. It was great how he started chatting about the limited edition Carlos Pena T-shirt being sold by the American Red Cross and the Save The Children Foundation.
Herrera told the crowd how the back of the T-shirt lists all the accomplishments Pena has accumulated since his arrival here in 2007. About Pena's 2007 Comeback Player of the Year Award and Silver Slugger Award, his 2008 Gold Glove, and his 2009 selection to the All Star game. But Herrera was quick to mention the one award Pena is most proud of is his selection as the Tampa Bay recipient for the 2008 Roberto Clemente Award.
Most people know that this award is given annually to the player who combines outstanding skills on the baseball diamond with their devoted work within their team's community. Pena was actually honored to be presented his nomination by Roberto Clemente Junior during a ceremony at Tropicana Field on September 3,2008. As part of the Roberto Clemente nomination, Major League Baseball made a donation in Pena's name of $ 7,500 to Fundacion Lumen 2000, a Christian Foundation which provides foster care for children. Pena and his wife, Pamela, also donate school supplies, medicine and equipment to this foundation annually.
I have notice a weird pattern lately in the family units of players within the Rays roster. It is fascinating to me the number of "twos" associated with Rays players and their children. There seems to be a wild Rays parallel, especially in the Rays Bullpen where 4 players have two children. Included in that list is Dan Wheeler (2 boys),Randy Choate (2 girls), Jeff Bennett (2 girls) and Dale Thayer (see above photo).
But the duo's do not end there as First Baseman Carlos Pena (1 boy,1 girl), Outfielder Gabe Kapler (2 boys), Starting Pitcher Matt Garza (1 boy,1 girl) and Catcher Dioner Navarro( 2 boys) all celebrate the "2's". But it can go one step further as First Base Coach George Hendricks, Senior Advisor Don Zimmer and Vice President of Communications Rick Vaughn also have two children in their broods.
There was also a another wild moment behind-the-scenes as several members of the Rays showed up wearing some unconventional head gear for the autograph signings. From Rays starter James Shields, who should get the nod for the 2010 Home Opener against the Baltimore Orioles rocking a white cap, to new closer Rafael Soriano coming down the aisle dressed in black and gold and listening intently to his I-pod on the way to the signing table. Some websites around the Internet did not see his ensemble in its entirety. So the above photo is what he wore into Tropicana Field before he took the stage wearing the Rays new "Sky Blue"-themed alternative jersey.
And most of the Rays were in a really giving mood during Fan Fest. At one point, before Grant Balfour went over to the Season Ticket holder Photo area, he came down from the table and signed for a few minutes with a few more fans before heading over by the Leftfield foul pole to participate in the photo op for the Season Ticket holders only. But even as they were coming and going, several Rays players,including Upton posed with fans for pictures as
they were ascending the aisle to go back into the Clubhouse area following their autograph signing times.
Fernando Perez even took a moment out to come by my seat and tell me he read a bit of my posts during the off season, which really caught me by surprise. I had forgotten I told him about my blog following his poetry article back in 2009, and he advised me he likes my "personalized" view of the game and the actions. Got to admit, when you have a graduate of Columbia University in Creative Writing tell you he likes your stuff… I was on cloud nine the rest of the day. Fernando, in advance, got to tell you, I am also a huge fan of your articles and I am still going to push you to join MLBlogs.com and submit some stuff….You can count on that!
But this was also a time for some "old Friends" to reunite as former Rangers teammates Jaoquin Benoit and Carlos Pena chatted for a bit before Benoit and Rays Bullpen Coach Bobby Ramos made their way to the stage for their 4 pm autograph times. There were a lot of chuckles and writing down of information between the three of them before Ramos and Benoit descended for their time at the autograph tables. And as was custom for every Rays game since he got here, Ramos gave me a salute as he entered the blue-screened area for the signing. I am a lifetime fan of Ramos, and it is not just for the sideline Salsa displays either.
And the Rays organization has to be proud of its fan base that still had the roped off areas full and awaiting autographs at 4 pm. This is a great sign of the energy and the commitment this region has towards Major League Baseball. And it is also fitting that Maddon did not leave the signing table until everyone in the "Table 1" line had their chance to come up and get their signatures. Even as the overhead lights began to dim within Tropicana Field, Maddon and his two Coaches stood their ground until the last fan got their items signed. Maddon did the same thing in 2009, and I suspect he will do it every season he is here with the Rays. And that is another reason to love him as this team's manager.
As you can see by this last photo, the time is quickly upon us to begin our nightly patronage of all things Rays related. And those 45 days will seem to simply fly by as the Rays begin game within the next week or so. Once the team begins their Grapefruit schedule the days will pick up steam until that last Florida Home game at Tropicana Field against the New York Mets. And then with one more trip up to Durham, North Carolina to play the Triple-A Champion Durham Bulls, it will be only a matter of hours before we again assemble for another Major League Baseball campaign, and a drive towards playoff glory again.
Even with all of the outside distractions and riff-raff going on within this Tampa Bay area, the one constant is that the Rays play a brand of baseball other teams are now adapting for their own squads. They always say that imitation is the ultimate form of flattery. If that is true, then the "Rays Sky Blue" jerseys might be a great addition as expectations rise and the sky is the limit in 2010.
8 Comments
Gabe Kapler will always be memorable to me since he almost fell into my lap while catching a flyball which should have been a Russell Martin homerun ball!!! Talk about a close encounter.
Nice post with I could go to the BoSox's fan fast. And the "2's" is kinda weird maybe that means second as in second world series but that isn't going to happen. :)
That is such a cool story.
The great thing about baseball is everyone has their own stories either about their players or with their players.
It is one of the things that makes baseball the "social animal" that it is.
It gives us something to instantly talk about with friends, co-workers, and even someone sitting next to us for the first time at a game.
I have a friend who calls it the "great equalizer" when it comes to meeting new people because the game introduces itself to us, so it makes it easier to talk about it.
You should write a blog about your Kapler experience…
Rays Renegade
I have learned to "never say never".
I actually thought the 2008 Rays were a year ahead of schedule and should have peaked in 2009, but we had a bit of a distraction in the DH spot.
I could see a second run at the playoffs, but as we saw in the Yankees 2009 World Series, every game can turn on a single play, so every team has that working for them when you get to that level of play.
Alot will be determined by the 34 games New York, Boston and Tampa play between themselves.
Rays Renegade
The coolest part of all this for me is that Perez said he read some of your blog posts! Woohoo! I'd die if a Yankee read mine. I wish Upton hadn't irritated people with his texting between signings and that sort of thing. If you're going to give your time to events like this, you really have to look like you mean it.
Last season I always tired to chat a bit with Fernando about his writing or tell him what I thought of the latest passage I found either in an online poetry website, or in a magazine.
He has a great style about him and I think he will write a great baseball book sometime in the future.
B J Upton was in a "no-win" situation, and you got to feel a bit for the guy, but also you are totally correct. The airline/transportation service should have honored his commitment too and left it be for an hour.
But we all know sometimes business will not wait, even for a professional athlete.
Rays Renegade
Caught a giggle reading the middle of your blog
Noticed you said you say a few "Over sized bats" haha
I was certainly one of the 2 *that i noticed during the day, including me* to bring a bat
It was definately a memoriable fan fest.
Glad you had fun !
Yeah, there were a few of them.
I think I have been the only one to ever bring an oversized baseball for them to sign back in 2001.
I got it from a Ralwings rep a few years ago, but after 3 years of signatures I retired it to the collection.
I love those oversize bats, they would make a great conversation piece, or something I would grab if someone tried to rob my house….Hopefully I would not wipe a signature of it…
Rays Renegade


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WASHINGTON, May 8 (UPI) -- At a hearing on Capitol Hill Thursday, critics of a recent National Labor Relations Board decision to allow Northwestern University's football players to vote to form a union cautioned that allowing student-athletes to be identified as employees could touch off a domino effect of unintended consequences.
While agreeing with the need to protect the educational opportunities of student-athletes in the event of injury, House Education and Workforce Committee Chair John Klein, R-Minn., slammed the regional NLRB decision and bemoaned the "rubber stamp" he suspects is coming from the national board.
Following the regional NRLB's decision to identify Northwestern's athletes as "employees," members of the university's football program voted on whether to unionize. The results of that vote were impounded, pending a decision by the national NLRB, after Northwestern appealed the ruling.
"No student athlete injured while representing their school on the field should be left behind because of the misplaced priorities of a college or university," Klein said. "Does that mean unionizing student athletes is the answer? Absolutely not."
Collective bargaining, he warned, would throw into chaos practices and game schedules, put schools at risk for tangled negotiations, or even open up the possibility of player strikes.
But Ranking Member George Miller, D-Calif., said the days of ignoring the pressures on student-athletes are over.
"During the last four decades, colleges and universities -- through the NCAA -- have perfected the art of monetizing the athletic play of their best football and basketball players and teams -- while steadily encroaching on the players' academic opportunities," he said.
"In the end, this is a classic labor dispute," Miller said. "The NCAA empire is holding all the cards, making all the rules, and capturing all the profits."
Testifying before the committee, Baylor University President Ken Starr imagined a "hornet's nest" of problems in which low-income athletes would be forced to pay taxes on the scholarship for the "sticker price" of their education, throw Title IX regulations out of balance, and raise legal issues with regards to fair labor, occupational safety, and immigration laws.
Instead, he contended, student-athletes were far better positioned to succeed as both students and athletes as they are.
"For decades, the term 'student-athlete' has been widely employed to describe the primary relationship of the student to the institution of higher learning -- at bottom, an academic relationship which provides a college education during the students' formative years," Starr said.
Andy Schwarz, an economist who specializes in antitrust economics, challenged Starr's analysis.
"The NCAA's former Executive Director Walter Byers has acknowledged that the NCAA coined the term 'student-athlete"' to specifically to dodge legal responsibilities for athlete safety and medical expenses," he said.
There was general agreement that, union or no, student-athletes require better, fairer treatment.
Patrick Ellers, a former Notre Dame football student-athlete, who also holds a masters degree from Northwestern, suggested a minimum of a guarantee of a 4-year scholarship that could not be revoked in the event of injury; full coverage of medical costs, including lifetime benefits for permanent injuries; and stipends for out-of-pocket expenses.
Rep. Joe Courtney, D-Conn., warned change would have to come by force.
The "only thing that changes the NCAA is external pressure," he said.


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Bally Discusses Future Growth at Annual Meeting
Jun 08, 2001, Fitness Business Pro
Speaking at today's Annual Meeting of Shareholders in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, Lee Hillman, Chairman of the Board of Directors, CEO and President, of Bally Total Fitness Holding Corporation (NYSE: BFT - news) told shareholders that the Company exceeded all of its financial benchmarks during the past fiscal year and achieved revenues of over $1 billion for the first time in Company history
Bally ache Will the accounting pains ever end?
Sep 01, 2004, Fitness Business Pro, by Pamela Kufahl, senior editor
CHICAGO Bally Total Fitness is facing more turmoil in a year in which the company has already seen its share. The latest chapter involves postponement of the release of Bally's second quarter 2004 financial results, filing of its Form 10Q quarterly report with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and a possible restatement of financials. The company is already facing an investigation by the
Bally Actively Seeks Buyer
Apr 01, 2006, Fitness Business Pro
CHICAGO An ongoing Securities and Exchange Commission investigation, hundreds of millions of dollars in debt and a wave of missed financial reporting deadlines are swirling around Bally Total Fitness as the health club operator actively seeks a buyer for its nearly 390 health clubs. While walking the show floor at the International Health Racquet and Sportsclub Association convention (IHRSA), CEO
Bally Plans Quick Emergence From Bankruptcy
Sep 01, 2007, Fitness Business Pro, Stuart Goldman
CHICAGO The amount of time Bally Total Fitness spends in bankruptcy may be less than the amount of time industry observers spent speculating about when the Chicago-based company would file for bankruptcy. A hearing was scheduled for Sept. 17 in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York to confirm Bally's amended plan of reorganization. After confirmation, Bally expected to implement
Bally Closes One Club After Court Approves Its Plan
Oct 01, 2007, Fitness Business Pro, Stuart Goldman
CHICAGO After all the dust has settled, it appears that Bally Total Fitness, Chicago, will not only emerge from bankruptcy faster than analysts predicted, but it also appears the number of Bally casualties as a result of bankruptcy has been greatly exaggerated. A bankruptcy court ruled on Sept. 17 that Bally had met all the requirements to confirm its Chapter 11 plan of reorganization. With this ruling
Balancing Bally
Sep 01, 2006, Fitness Business Pro, By Amy Florence Fischbach, managing editor
When Bally Total Fitness tabled plans to find a buyer, lowered its cash flow projections by 10 to 20 percent and dismissed Paul Toback, chairman and CEO, the fitness chain's top two shareholders jumped into action. Pardus Capital Management, which owns 14.8 percent of Bally's shares, and Liberation Investment Group, which has an 11.2 percent stake in Bally, both signed confidentiality agreements with
Bally Denies Negligence in AED Lawsuit | In a court filing last month, Bally Total Fitness, Chicago, denied allegations that it was negligent in the death of a Maryland man who collapsed and died in a Bally club.
Apr 01, 2008, Fitness Business Pro, Stuart Goldman
Chicago In a court filing last month, Bally Total Fitness, Chicago, denied allegations that it was negligent in the death of a Maryland man who collapsed and died in a Bally club. Bally responded to written questions regarding the fourth count of a complaint in a lawsuit filed by plaintiff Lois M. Fowler, the mother of Gary Fowler, who died in 2005. Fowler died of sudden cardiac arrest while exercising


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Due to the COVID-19 crisis our showroom is closed until further notice.
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Phone lines open Monday to Friday 9:30am to 5:00pm
Eagle Music Shop is based in the tranquil setting of Armitage Bridge, Huddersfield. We are a family business headed by seasoned musician Steve Noon. You will be made most welcome if you visit our shop & showrooms.
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A Set of five 'Silver Plated' loop ended banjo strings Made in The USA with a Silver Plated wound 4th String: .0095, 11, 12, 18, .0095
View a detailed description here
The silver plating design of this Black Diamond set gives you a lower tension.
Corrosion Proof Packaging: This highest-quality set of 'Silver Plated' banjo strings comes in its own sealed polythen envelope. Within the package are five highest quality strings individually sealed in their own polythene packets. This corrosion inhibiting packaging is produced with a special lining of molecules that protect each string from premature oxidisation. In short, every Black Diamond string you open is as fresh as the day it was made, regardless of when it was made.
Celebrating 100 Years of tradition Made in The USA ' Unequalled in Tone and Strength'. Here is Black Diamond's mission Statement:-
Black Diamond is a small custom shop located in Sarasota, Florida. We are musicians making strings for musicians.
The strings we make are of the highest quality and are unlike any other brand on the market. Try a set today and you too will discover that our strings are unequalled in both tone and strength.
Just like people, the integrity of a quality string is found on the inside -- at the core! In our small custom shop in Sarasota, Florida, we produce high-end boutique strings for every fretted instrument that are unequalled in both tone and strength. Our secret is in the core. We pull our high-carbon steel core to the optimum playing tension, producing a string that opens up smoother and holds its tone longer. The core is the pulse of the string. It's the heartbeat.
We also make a series of black coated strings whose coated winding protects the strings from hand oils and environmental decay. Combine that protection with the integrity of our core and you have the longest lasting string available.
Black Diamond Strings has a rich heritage. Since 1890, Black Diamond has been making instruments sound their very best. Just ask your older brother, your uncle, your father, or even your grandparents. Chances are they played Black Diamond and can tell you some great stories about our strings. It's a fact, if there's music in the roots of your family tree, chances are there's a Black Diamond story resting in the branches. We get calls weekly from folks who discovered a vintage set in their dad's old guitar case. They're looking for that same set. They want to carry on the tradition.
A lot has changed in string manufacturing since then. Today, we have sophisticated winders, stronger materials, and greater technology to utilize. But yes, we are the same brand that played a big part in the lives of prior generations, and we are glad to be a big part of yours. You should keep a couple of sets in your case so your family will know you only use the best.
Royal Mail announce changes to Special Delivery and Customer Service Points.
In light of the recent advice given by the government regarding COVID-19, please be aware of the following announcement from Royal Mail advising of changes to their services.
Special Deliveries.
Due to increased absence levels, we've reviewed our timed guarantees for Special Delivery Guaranteed by 9am and 1pm services and will make the following changes.
For items posted from Tuesday 31 March 2020 onwards, our guarantee delivery for Special Delivery Guaranteed by 9.00am the next working day will change to by 12.00pm the next working day*. Our guaranteed delivery for Special Delivery Guaranteed by 1.00pm will change to by 9.00pm the next working day*.
We will endeavor to ensure that orders are speedily processed and despatched the same day if at all possible.
Ordered items requiring setting up in the workshop will be despatched within 1-2 days using DPD Local Next Day Delivery (next day being the day after it leaves Eagle Music Shop). On the day of delivery you will receive a text message with your hours delivery time slot
You will be informed immediately if there is a problem with any part of your order or if any item is 'out of stock'.
NB : Orders processed on a Saturday but will not leave us until the Monday as Royal Mail and DPD Local do not collect from us at the Weekend.
You can read our full deliveries policy here.
Should you not be entirely happy with your purchase, or you have ordered an incorrect item, Eagle Music is happy to refund your purchase (excluding postage) within 28 days providing the goods are in a fully resaleable condition (including the original undamaged packaging) and not featured within the Exclusion Policy. (Exclusions apply to selected products).
Please note the following exclusions:
DVD's and CD's cannot be returned unless they are faulty
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Harmonica's have a 7 day guarantee and can be returned within this time if they are found to be faulty
Goods must be returned to Eagle Music together with a covering letter and contact details so that the matter can be dealt with efficiently and promptly.
You can read our full returns policy here.
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