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The young mutants of X-Men: First Class explain why the movie focuses on more obscure characters. Martin Sheen is amazed with the new Spider-Man Andrew Garfield. Plus a new Prometheus love interest, a massive Doctor Who roundup, and much more!
Spoilers from here on out!
Top image from Sucker Punch.
X-Men: First Class
An inside source says that stunt coordinator Chris Struthers, who is best known for his work on The Dark Knight and Inception, is working on something that will supposedly be on par, or perhaps even bigger than what we've seen in Christopher Nolan's movies, which might tie into Matthew Vaughn's comments a while back that they had to reconfigure some action setpieces because they inadvertently ripped off Inception. Anyway, here's a description of what Struthers is supposedly up to:
"They used some of the most high tech equipment I have ever seen. Computerized flying rigs connected to five or six giant cranes that were able to smoothly glide an actor 60 feet in the air...up and down, side to side and even turn them. The fact that they are literally flying (obviously from a wire) takes away the cheesy green screen effect. These guys were able to fly around sections of the beach the size of a football field; any direction under full control... There is an intense action sequence taking place in the ocean where nine Black Ops team members in three small tactical boats approach and attempt to board the other ship carrying Kevin Bacon as Sebastian Shaw and other members of the Hellfire Club. This all happens in the cover of night, and as the team tries to climb aboard the target ship at a high rate of speed they are one by one flipped violently out of the boats by Erik Lenssher."
As always, we advise taking reports from inside sources with a grain of salt, but it's not exactly hard to believe that this movie will feature some insane action sequences. [The Daily Blam via Comic Book Resources]
Havok portrayer Lucas Till confirms that the relationship between his character Alex Summers and Cyclops - who are brothers in the comics - will be left ambiguous. He also explains why more obscure characters like Havok have a place in this new movie:
You know, I can watch 'X-Men' all the time. I can watch those movies over and over again, I can watch the animated series, but I want to see a new film, completely new characters. You've got Beast and Mystique and they're just solid. They have to be in the storyline. But you bring in Alex Summers, you bring in Angel Salvadore - which is a brand new character I've never even heard of - you know, Banshee, those are fan favorites so it's going to be neat."
Zoe Kravitz, who plays Angel Salvadore, also weighed in on her character:
"My character flies and I'll be wearing a harness and I'd be wearing wires all the time. Then I'd have to stand in strange ways, pretending there are not wires and pretending that I'm flying and floating, like it's the most normal thing in the world. Also, Matthew Vaughn cares about the drama, it's not like he's trying to make things explode all the time, so you want to look the other actors in the eye and connect and connect. But it's kind of hard when all this other crazy stuff is going on."
Captain America
Marvel has released the first official synopsis:
Captain America: The First Avenger" will focus on the early days of the Marvel Universe when Steve Rogers (Chris Evans) volunteers to participate in an experimental program that turns him into the Super Soldier known as Captain America. As Captain America, Rogers joins forces with Bucky Barnes (Sebastian Stan) and Peggy Carter (Hayley Atwell) to wage war on the evil HYDRA organization, led by the villainous Red Skull (Hugo Weaving.)
The Amazing Spider-Man
Martin Sheen, who plays the new Uncle Ben, raves about star Andrew Garfield:
He's very athletic, he's in great shape. He plays basketball and he works out every day. He's fit. Very wiry, thin, tall, very physically focused. ... He works in a very organic way - he loves accidents, when something happens in a scene that causes him to do something else. I went through a couple of very emotional scenes and he was right there, focused. ... And he was the same off camera. He didn't slack off. No, sir! He was equally emotional off camera. Very impressive. He's going to be a huge star.
The movie reportedly begins film in New York City around April 30. [Superhero Hype]
Green Lantern
Here's some various new images, including a bunch of Green Lantern action figures that reveal possible constructs we'll see in the movie, a rather impressive (and expensive) Power Battery prop replica, and a new movie promo image that likely depicts either the Green Lantern headquarters of Oa or the sentient planet and Corps member Mogo. [Wizard World Digital and Ubergizmo]
The Avengers
Slither and Super director James Gunn offers this glowing appraisal of Joss Whedon's script:
"Everybody I know who's read it says it's by far the best script for a Marvel movie ever. I'm very, very excited about it. Nobody loves superheroes more than Joss. He's really got his heart in the right place."
24 and Devil actor Logan Marshall-Green has reportedly been cast as Holloway, a crew member on the ship who is also a love interest for star Noomi Rapace's Elizabeth Shaw. [Deadline]
The Hunger Games
Although most of the rumors are currently swirling around Jennifer Lawrence for the lead role of Katniss Everdeen, the current scuttlebutt is that I Am Number Four's Alex Pettyfer and The Kids Are All Right costar Josh Hutcherson are the main contenders for her love interest Peeta. Both have confirmed some level of involvement in the casting process, although it's still anybody's guess which has the best shot, or who else is in contention for the part. [FirstShowing.net]
Pacific Rim
Here's an alleged plot description for Guillermo del Toro's next project, which admittedly sounds a lot less rousing now in light of recent events:
This project will give the Hellboy filmmaker the opportunity to create two worlds. The first is an alternate version of Earth in the near future, decades after a historic date in November 2012 when the first kaiju, a towering Godzilla-like beast, emerged from a hole in the Pacific Ocean and attacked the city of Osaka, Japan. The second is "The Anteverse," another universe on the other side of that gaping portal, 5 miles below our ocean's surface.
Since the first attack, the rim has been "spitting out" a variety of gigantic monsters at an increasing rate, which then stride out of the ocean and begin destroying sea-bordering cities, like Tokyo and Los Angeles. In order to combat these monstrous, otherworldly menaces, the military developed the "Jaeger" program, which trains teams of two pilots to jointly operate massive, building-sized mechanized suits of armor and high-tech weaponry.
The protagonist is reportedly Raleigh Antrobus, a 23-year-old Jaeger pilot who is haunted by the death of his copilot and brother who is reluctantly paired with 22-year-old Japanese pilot Mako Mori. There's also a subplot where journalist Felicity "Flick" Kincaid, the one-time fiance of Raleigh's brother, travels the world in search of answers about the mysterious rift.
None of this is confirmed, and there's every chance that key elements of the film will be changed in light of the recent tragedy in Japan - in particular, it's possible the monsters might no longer be attacking Japanese cities. Anyway, take this all with a grain of salt for now. [News In Film]
Slither director James Gunn explains the appeal of superhero movies, and that Super was made on a low budget because that was the only way to maintain the creative control he wanted, and he isn't trying to make a film that will be a huge breakout success with general audiences:
Superhero movies are just an incredibly fun space to play in. People like me love reading comics because we get to see these guys fly around in space and blow shit up, and technology has finally reached a point where what exists on the page looks good on the big screen. From the beginning, I saw the script as an arthouse/grindhouse film," said Gunn. "To start to think that we're going to turn this into the next My Big Fat Greek Wedding is unrealistic. It's not an independent movie that gets big, it's actually an independent movie.
Here's another poster. [SpoilerTV]
Sucker Punch
Choreographer Paul Becker, who designed the various dances that each of the main characters performs in the movie, explains how he got involved and what purposes these dances serve:
My brief for the film was very short because it was hush hush. Once I got in the room with Zack I learned that he is a genius. This movie had so many crazy concepts that everyone had a hard time grasping it. Once we fleshed out the ideas it became clear. I spent hours with Zack during the concept phase.
How do the dance routines fit into the film?
Each female lead in the film has persona and objective. We meshed the objective and persona of each character to the tone and concept of each dance. Because the film takes place in a brothel it calls for these huge production numbers.
Cabin in the Woods
Becker also worked on Joss Whedon's eternally delayed horror movie. He teased a little info on the project, which we may or may not see before the end of this millennium:
You can expect a crazy twist at the end!!! I can't say much about this film otherwise I will be killed. But….I did create movement for creatures and a crazy deadly family.
7th Day
Shane Abbess, the Australian director behind the purgatory-set action movie Gabriel, is directing the movie 7th Day, which is
a sequel to the Arnold Schwarzenegger cloning movie about "a voyage to establish a new colony in outer space." The movie is written by Source Code's Ben Ripley, and he came up with the original idea with Abbess. [Variety]
Underworld: New Dawn
The fourth Underworld movie has reportedly added Californication and Takers actor Michael Ealy as a detective who is first hunting Selene, then teams up with her to defeat the real enemy. [Deadline]
Agent OX
Fresh off the mild success of Battle: Los Angeles, the film's producer Neil Moritz has signed on for Agent OX, written by 12 Rounds's Daniel Kunka and concerning "a human spy living on an alien planet who must stop an invasion of Earth." [Variety]
Untitled McG Project
Ah, "Untitled McG Project." Is there any phrase more thrilling to the human soul? The Terminator Salvation and Charlie's Angels director is reportedly working on a new science fiction film for 20th Century Fox, working from a script from The Expendables writer David Callaham. McG is reportedly definitely in line to produce and might direct as well. [Deadline]
Doctor Who
BBC entertainment reporter Lizo Mzimba has revealed the titles for the opening two-parter: "The Impossible Astronaut" and "Day of the Moon." These might still be working titles, although Doctor Who Magazine has announced they will reveal the first five episode titles in their next issue, so we should know either way soon enough. [@lizo_mzimba]
Time for another filming roundup for Gareth Roberts's episode twelve. James Corden's "The Lodger" costar Daisy Haggard has been spotted on the set, meaning Craig's best friend (and eventual lover) Sophie will be back. However, based on overheard dialogue from the opening scene between Craig and the Doctor, all is not well for the lovebirds:
*Doctor knocks, Craig opens door whilst saying*
Craig: I'm coping on my own!
*stunned at seeing the Doctor*
The Doctor: Hello Craig, I'm back!
Craig: She didn't!? How could she phone you!?
The Doctor: How could who phone me? Nobody phoned me, I'm just here. Oh, you've redecorated. I don't like it.
Craig: Its a different house, we moved!… Doctor, what are you doing here?
The Doctor: Social call! How are you?
Craig: I'm fine.
The Doctor: I'm fine too, love to Sophie, bye!
So, the Doctor is his regular oblivious self. Although, interesting enough, a later scene reportedly has him wondering whether there's actually a point to noticing unimportant things, because they might not be so unimportant after all, at which point he points his sonic screwdriver upwards and realizes a teleportation beam has been in operation.
Perhaps most excitingly for fans of this Doctor's offbeat sartorial choices, the Doctor will be taking his newfound cowboy look from the vistas of Utah to the streets of Penarth, as his apparent farewell scene with Craig Owens finds him walking back to the TARDIS in a Setson and long coat. [Doctor Who Spoilers]
We still haven't seen much of how Rory or Amy might fit into all this, but some clues might come from recent filming at Cardiff, as a store's signs were changed to say "Sanderson and Grainger." This could well tie in with the teaser from The Brilliant Book of Doctor Who 2011, which asked, "12 years on and Rory's still terrified of Granny Grainger?" One possibility is that rumored cast member Lynda Baron might well be playing this granny, while another theory (which seems a bit less likely) is that Amy gets unnaturally aged during the episode. Other recent filming in Cardiff has included the Millennium Centre, which according to one poster is serving as the location for a Cybership, and the episode will even feature a chase through the ship's tunnels. You should probably take all this with a bit more of a grain of salt than everything else, as these are all based on inside reports and speculation, rather than set photos and videos. [Doctor Who Spoilers]
On the casting front, Neve McIntosh's CV says she will be playing a Silurian warrior in episode seven, the mid-series cliffhanger episode. She previously played the Silurians Alaya and Restac in last year's "The Hungry Earth"/"Cold Blood" two-parter, and the obvious (but not necessarily correct) conclusion is we will see the return of the alliance first seen in "The Pandorica Opens", which included Silurians - and Sontarans and Cybermen, who have also been seen during the filming of the episode - among its ranks. This also ties in with recent rumors that a lone Silurian would appear in this episode. [Spotlight]
Meanwhile, Spencer Wilding, who played werewolves in both Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban and The Wolfman, will be playing a character called "The Creature" in Toby Whithouse's "The God Complex", which also guest stars David Walliams as the alien Gibbis. [Spotlight]
Here's a casting call for a new character in episode 22:
[EMILY] Caucasian. This 23 year old FBI agent is on her first day of the job. She's wide eyed and ready to face all of the challenges in front of her. Guest Star. Possibly recurring next season.
Here's a new poster that shows the team straddling the two universes. [SpoilerTV]
Fox's Fringe website has released another fake news article written from an Over There in-universe perspective. This time, it's about the advanced technology of that world's Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency:
DARPA again requests help from all citizens. Any information regarding the misplaced experimental invisibility cloak should be directed to the Department of Defense citizen's hotline. The agency is offering a reward for any information leading to the cloak's recovery.
The Walking Dead
Hot Fuzz and Scott Pilgrim director Edgar Wright says he was offered the opportunity to direct an episode in the second season, but apparently he's turned it down. He explained it in the most self-deprecating terms possible, although it was probably because schedules didn't work:
Frank [Darabont] asked me to do a Walking Dead, actually. But I feel that there's some subject matter that, like, even though it'd be great - and I love that show: I actually watched four of the six episodes uninterrupted in one run; it was like zombie Pringles - I think that with something like that, with some TV shows, you wanna be in on the ground floor. Well, I really enjoyed the first season, and I wouldn't wanna be the guy that comes in and fucks it up.
Game of Thrones
Series author George R.R. Martin says one of the things that most excites him about the series is the cast:
"When we started talking about this before it was even greenlit, Sean Bean was always our first choice for Eddard 'Ned' Stark and Peter Dinklage as Tyrion Lannister. Those were the two characters that we knew we had to get [those actors], and we were delighted when we got both for the parts. Some of the other actors I hadn't heard of, but I've been watching their tapes and have seen some of their work and mostly have been blown away by the performances that I've seen. But one of the biggest triumphs is the three kids we got. Maisie Williams [as Arya Star], Sophie Turner [as Sansa Stark] and Isaac Hempstead-Wright [as Bran Stark] are just amazing talents. It was very hard, and we looked at hundreds of kids," the author says of the audition process. "The truth is that it's hard to find good kid actors. Mostly kids are used in sitcoms, which means they are good at being cute, but these are serious dramatic roles for children. They have to do grief and fear and capture three very distinct characters. We really lucked out, and Nina Gold, our casting director, deserves all kinds of credit for finding them, because these kids had hardly done anything before."
He also explains what he wanted to include in episode eight, which he is writing, but there was no way to afford everything he had in mind:
"Well, as usual I put in a montage that would have cost 10 times the budget of the entire episode. I wanted all the Lords Bannerman of the North assembling and going to eight different castles, with the Lords arming up and riding out. It read beautifully, but to produce it would have bankrupted them, so I knew writing it my poor montage would be done. I always write my first draft for me to be read, and then later I make the cuts for the more producible cut."
There's more at the link. [Blastr]
No Ordinary Family
Anyone who's still holding out hope for a second season might want to sit down, because yet another of the show's stars has signed on for a new TV pilot. This time, Julie Benz has signed on for a currently untitled CBS pilot. As with Michael Chiklis, Benz has the pilot in "second position" to No Ordinary Family, meaning she would stay with the show if it gets renewed. But yeah... the writing is pretty much on the wall. [Deadline]
The Event
Here's some more photos for next week's episode, "A Message Back." [Daemon's TV]
In a turn of events that really shouldn't surprise anyone, Supernatural creator and prospective series showrunner Eric Kripke says the latest attempt to adapt Neil Gaiman's Sandman for television has fallen apart, at least for now:
"Unfortunately, for a lot of varying reasons, Sandman is not in the works, at least for this season."
Wonder Woman
The pilot episode is reportedly filming in Los Angeles today, so yes...this thing really is happening. [Superhero Hype]
There's some casting news for NBC's Inception-style drama, in which Harry Potter's Jason Isaacs plays Detective Mark Britten, who has an accident and
wakes up in 1973 finds himself living in two separate realities. That 70s Show actor and one-time obnoxious reality show star Wilmer Valderrama has been cast as his new partner, Detective Richard Vega. The series, created by Lone Star's Kyle Killen, has also cast SVU's B.D. Wong and Terriers's Laura Allen. [TV Line]
Being Human (US)
Here are some photos, a sneak peek, and a short synopsis for episode 9, "I Want You Back (From The Dead)." Here's the description: "Nora and Josh continue to grow closer; Sally tracks down Nicholas Fenn; Aidan checks in with Cindy." [Daemon's TV]
Sam Witwer promises plenty more flashbacks to Aidan's past adventures:
Yes, we do go into some flashbacks. We spend a good deal of time there. The colonial America thing was very brief and we end up spending more time in other time periods. We learn different things about the character and that his viewpoints weren't always as benevolent.
He also offered his take on Aidan's vampire nature:
I view him as a man battling addiction. That's my take on him and that's always the way I try to play him.
What about Bishop and the other vampires?
I look at those guys as my old drug buddies who I can't hang out with. I know Mark [Pellegrino] looks at Aidan as a wayward son. When you're working with metaphors, doesn't have to be entirely consistent to one metaphor. For example, the vampire thing we play is a cross between heroin addiction, or some other substance abuse, and sex addiction. There's a little bit of both in there. That's definitely always my aim.
He says a second season pick-up seems like a reasonable bet at this point, and that the final episodes will provide some unexpected twists for those familiar with the original series. [Poptimal]
Secret Circle
The upcoming CW pilot from Scream's Kevin Williamson about a coven of witches has picked up some genre cred with the reported casting of Sarah Connor Chronicles costar Thomas Dekker. He reportedly plays Adam, the love interest of the main character Cassies, and he's also the oldest member of the coven. [TV Line]
And here's a link to a not terribly flattering review of the pilot script, although the reviewer does point out that the series could overcome these flaws in much the same way its spiritual predecessor The Vampire Diaries did.
Here's a whopping eight promos to get you ready for the season - and, honestly, if there's any justice in this world, series - finale, "Mother's Day." Here we go... [The V-Files]
Additional reporting by Gordon Jackson and Charlie Jane Anders.


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Aromatherapy for Self-LoveIt is a well known fact that individuals who make for great lovers are ones who are brimming with positivity, passion and self-confidence. Essential oils work in multiple ways to affect your mood and heighten desire – they may stimulate, sedate or help with physical and emotional factors such as vaginal dryness, body image issues and stress that hamper sexual desire. Wearing certain scents can help people feel more self-assured and cheerful, which reflects in their stance and draws people towards them. If you are the kind that needs a little push to shed inhibitions and express yourself, the sensuous and euphoric scent of Patchouli Essential Oil can help you come out of your shell and release pent-up emotions. Ylang Ylang, on the other hand, can help warm up your mood when you feel frigid or insecure. The oil also helps dispel negative emotions like jealousy and envy.
Aromatherapy for Relationships
If you feel that a lack of communication and clarity is coming in the way of your romance, the intoxicating scent of Clary Sage can help relieve the buildup of tensions and foster a deeper connection between partners. The oil is also an effective tonic for the female reproductive system as it helps balance out feminine hormones. Similarly, the warm and spicy nature of Cardamom helps clear thoughts and stimulates sexual appetite.
Setting the Stage for RomanceWhen it comes to love and romance, it helps to invest a little effort in setting up a conducive ambience. "Warming" scents such as Ginger, Cardamom and Cedarwood work perfectly when you want to make your space cozy and inviting. Ginger is especially helpful during cold winter months when depression and lethargy are more likely to set in. The invigorating aroma of this oil works at a physiological level to improve circulation, relieve aches and boost energy levels. To introduce an element of fun and playfulness to your lovemaking, try out light, citrusy scents like Mandarin, Grapefruit and Lemon – these are known to enhance emotional wellbeing and infuse positivity in relationships.
Aromatherapy as a Natural AphrodisiacEssential oils are believed to balance the body's chakras (energy centers) and activate the sacral chakra, and is responsible for sexual function. Jasmine Essential Oil is a rare and exotic oil that is also revered as a powerful aphrodisiac. The sharp flowery scent helps fight feelings of listlessness, frigidity and inadequacy while freeing the mind of anxiety and nervousness. Women often experience a significant dip in sexual drive during and after pregnancy. Jasmine is effective in reviving the lost confidence and helps new mothers feel better about themselves and their bodies. Any talk of love and romance is rather incomplete without a mention of Rose, which has come to symbolize the emotion and everything associated with it. The gentle, comforting scent of Rose essential oil invokes feelings of sensuousness and makes women feel more self-assured about their feminine beauty.
How to Use Essential Oils?There are several ways in which you can use aromatic oils to add spice to your romantic interludes:
- Use a traditional aromatherapy burner or plug in an electric diffuser for an instant pick-me-up.
- If you wish to take things a notch higher, spice up your evening by offering your partner a sensual aromatherapy massage with a blend of essential oils. The intimate body contact will not only facilitate the flow of sexual energy but will also relieve stress, boost circulation and induce a state of relaxation. Mix 1 drop of Patchouli essential oil, 3 drops of Ylang Ylang essential oil and 2 drops of Orange essential oil in any carrier oil to concoct your own love potion. Be sure to massage the ankles, feet and hands as these are sensitive areas that can heighten sexual arousal. If a massage sounds like too much work, slip into a warm aromatic bath infused with sea salts and a blend of essential oils with your partner.
- You may also sprinkle a few drops of your chosen essential oil on your bed linen and soak in the fragrance as you revel in your special moments.

subset: commoncrawl


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Presidential daughter Malia Obama turne 18 on July 4, 2016. Here's a look at the first daughter over the years as she grows up on the world's stage.
President Barack Obama congratulates his daughter Malia on her birthday during the Independence Day celebration at the White House in Washington D.C., July 4, 2016.
Credit: Yuri Gripas/REUTERS
President Barack Obama and his daughter Malia walk in the rain from Marine One to board Air Force One upon their departure from Los Angeles, April 8, 2016.
Credit: Kevin Lamarque/REUTERS
Malia Obama pushes back her hair as she and the Obama family attend the National Christmas Tree Lighting and Pageant of Peace ceremony on the Ellipse in Washington, D.C., December 3, 2015.
Malia Obama, the eldest daughter of President Barack Obama, works on a literacy project with children during a day of service at the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Washington, D.C. in celebration of the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday, January 19, 2015.
Credit: Jonathan Ernst/REUTERS
Malia Obama leaves the North Portico of the White House to attend Easter services at the Nineteenth Street Baptist Church, April 20 2014.
Credit: Olivier Douliery-Pool/Getty Images
First Lady Michelle Obama (Center) with her daughters Malia Obama (Left) and Sasha Obama (Right), mother Marian Robinson visit the Xi'an City Wall in Xi'an, China, March 24, 2014.
Credit: Feng Li/Getty Images
President Barack Obama and daughter Malia Obama, 15, share a moment as the president pardons the 2013 National Thanksgiving Turkey, 'Popcorn' on the North Portico of the White House, November 27, 2013.
Credit: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images
Malia and younger sister Sasha (R) hand out Thanksgiving food at the Capital Area Food Bank in Washington, D.C., November 27, 2013.
Credit: Larry Downing/Reuters
Malia Obama visits the Berlin Wall memorial at Bernauer Strasse in Berlin, Germany, June 19, 2013.
Credit: Miriam May - Pool/Getty Images
President Barack Obama and his daughter Malia embrace on stage during the final session of the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, North Carolina, September 6, 2012.
President Barack Obama kisses daughter Malia as first lady Michelle Obama looks up as they attend the Olympic men's exhibition basketball game between Team USA and Brazil in Washington, D.C., July 16, 2012.
U.S. First Daughter Malia Obama arrives at Andrews Air Force Base in Md., June 15, 2012.
Credit: Jewel Samad/AFP/Getty Images
U.S. President Barack Obama and his daughter Malia ride bikes in Manuel F. Correllus State Forest in West Tisbury, Mass., on Martha's Vineyard, August 23, 2011.
Credit: Jim Watson/AFP/Getty Images
U.S. President Barack Obama speaks to a child as his daughters Malia (L) and Sasha (2nd L) look on as they shop for books at Kramerbooks and Afterwords in Washington, November 26, 2011.
Malia Obama watches Willow Smith perform during the White House Easter Egg Roll on the South Lawn of the White House on April 25, 2011.
Credit: Roger L. Wollenberg-Pool/Getty Images
Malia Obama reacts to seeing something offstage as U.S. President Barack Obama prepares to make remarks after a Christmas In Washington celebration at the Building Museum in Washington, D.C., December 12, 2010.
Credit: Mike Theiler-Pool/Getty Images
Malia Obama yawns as she listens to her mother U.S. first lady Michelle Obama read a Dr. Seuss book at the annual Easter Egg Roll on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, D.C., April 5, 2010.
Credit: Larry Downing/REUTERS
Malia Obama, runs with her new dog, a Portuguese water dog named Bo, as the first family introduce it to the White House press corps on the South Lawn of the White House, April 14, 2009.
Credit: Alex Wong/Getty Images
First lady Michelle Obama sleds with daughters Malia (L) and Sasha (R) in the snow on the South Lawn of the White House in this handout photo taken in Washington, D.C., March 2, 2009.
Credit: Pete Souza/The White House/Handout/Reuters
President elect Barack Obama embraces his daughter Malia after giving his victory speech during an election night gathering in Grant Park in Chicago, Ill., November 4, 2008.
Credit: Joe Raedle/Getty Images
Democratic Presidential Candidate Senator Barack Obama rides a carnival ride with his daughter Malia at the Iowa State Fair, August 16, 2007 in Des Moines, Iowa.
Credit: Scott Olson/Getty Images
Senator Barack Obama poses for with his wife Michelle, Vice President Dick Cheney (R), daughters (C) Malia and Sasha during the reenactment of a swearing-in ceremony on Capitol Hill, January 4, 2005.
Barack Obama blows out candles on his birthday cake at his 43rd birthday celebration with his wife Michelle, who is holding the cake, and daughters Sasha and Malia (R) during a fundraiser in Matteson, Ill., August 4, 2004.
Credit: Tim Boyle/Getty Images


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Residents say a project to raise the Bayonne Bridge 60 feet has caused vibrating windows, noise, poor air quality and cracks in their homes.
About 50 people outlined their problems with the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey project during a meeting with local officials Monday night.
Some residents say the Port Authority has ignored their complaints.
George Lavelle, who lives blocks away from the bridge, held up an air conditioner filter that was stained black. He says air pollution from the construction work caused it.
The Jersey Journal reports that Mayor Jimmy Davis says his administration will allow the Port Authority to close up to three streets in the area at once for construction work. He says this will help speed up the work.


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The Central Connecticut swimming and diving team was picked to finish fourth in the Northeast Conference by the league's head coaches, the conference announced Wednesday. The Blue Devils have finished in the top-two at the championships in the last five years and have not finished below the third spot in 13 out of 14 years - since Central became a member of the NEC in 1999.
After leading the rankings in the first two days of the 2012 NEC Championships, Saint Francis (PA) edged the Blue Devils by one point to take the win. In the last three championships, Saint Francis (PA) and CCSU have taken the one and two spots.
Led by Head Coach Bill Ball, Central returns two NEC Swimmers of the Week in senior Taylor Friedmann and junior Helene Neuhaus. Friedmann earned top-three finishes in all seven of her events at the 2012 NEC Championships and set the NEC record in the 500 yard freestyle in 2011. She has earned gold in the event the past three years in a row. Neuhaus also had an impressive showing at the NEC Championships, taking top-five spots in each of her seven events. In June, Neuhaus qualified for the USA Winter Nationals in Austin, TX, a meet that will include a number of Olympic athletes who competed at the London Games this past summer.
Central also returns seven All-NEC team members from last year including senior Katie Lang who finished in the top four in each of her six events at the championships.
After losing diver Madison Vestergaard to graduation, CCSU returns only one diver, sophomore Kaitlyn Dwyer, and brings on three newcomers to fill the team. Central has won the NEC Diver of the Meet accolade nine times since 1999.
Saint Francis (PA) finished first in the poll, receiving five first-place votes, followed by Bryant and Wagner who tied for second with one first-place vote each. Following Central was Mount St. Mary's, St. Francis (NY) and Sacred Heart.
The Blue Devils kick into action later this month with the Central Connecticut Diving Invitational on Oct. 20 and against Duquesne and St. Francis on Oct. 27.


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Many of the invasive plant issues we experience in the urban ecosystem is due to improper plant selection when landscaping our homes and businesses. Often times, nurseries and garden centers stock trees and shrubs that create major issues in nearby natural areas. Landscapers everywhere seek beautiful, unusual, exceptionally hardy, drought-tolerant, or fast-growing plants. Unfortunately, plants selected for their resilience may be invasive because of their adaptable nature. Plants selected for their aesthetic value may be hard to banish from garden centers even after their invasive tendencies are revealed. These plants are typically prolific seed-producers which birds deposit everywhere creating competition for native plants.
Invasive species are damaging because they:
- produce large numbers of new plants each season.
- tolerate many soil types and weather conditions.
- spread easily and efficiently, usually by wind, water, or animals.
- grow rapidly, allowing them to displace slower growing plants.
- spread rampantly when they are free of the natural checks and balances found in their native range.
One of the worst offenders for invasive qualities is the Callery Pear. This ornamental pear, famous for its prolific white flowers in spring, creates a beautiful display in many landscapes. However, it is a poor choice for two major reasons. It is highly invasive and can take over entire natural areas with its heavy seed production. In addition, it is a very weak-wooded tree with poor branch structure, leaving it susceptible to splitting and breaking under heavy winds. Check out this publication for more information on the Callery Pear. See Invasive Plant Species: Callery Pear video for more information.
To help prevent the spread of invasive species, choose plants wisely. Use the following publication as a guide for alternatives for invasive landscape plants, Commercial Greenhouse and Nursery Production: Alternative Options for Invasive Landscape Plants.
Invasive Plant Species: Callery Pear – The Education Store, Purdue Extension Resource Center
Invasive Plant Species: Oriental Bittersweet – The Education Store
Invasive Plant Species: Wintercreeper – The Education Store
Invasive Plant Species Fact Sheets: Poison Hemlock – The Education Store
Mile-a-minute Vine – The Education Store
Commercial Greenhouse and Nursery Production: Alternative Options for Invasive Landscape Plants, The Education Store
Invasive Species – Purdue Extension
Indiana's "Most Unwanted" Invasive Plant Pest List – Indiana Cooperative Agricultural Pest Survey (CAPS) Program
Indiana Invasive Species Council – Includes: IDNR, Purdue Department of Entomology and Professional Partners
Invasive Species – Indiana Department of Natural Resources (IDNR)
National Invasive Species Awareness Week: February 27-March 3, 2017
Lindsey Purcell, Urban Forestry Specialist
Purdue University, Department of Forestry and Natural Resources


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As Microsoft continues to roll out its redesigned Windows Live Hotmail, angry users are pushing back by complaining online that the new interface is a step backward and the Web-based e-mail service runs slower than before.
Most of the complaints stem from the revamped look and feel of Windows Live Hotmail, which Microsoft started to unveil September 22. The new interface does away with what had been two options: the years-old "classic" interface and a newer "full" interface that was first offered in 2006. Instead, Microsoft tossed those choices in favor of an interface that merged elements of both, and that the company claimed was much faster to render in a browser.
Users weren't amused.
"It's a big step backwards," said a user identified as "Dave the Red" in a message from late October on a Microsoft support newsgroup. "I want my old Hotmail back!!"
"Don't like it!!! Don't like it!!! Don't like it!!!" added an anonymous user in a comment posted Thursday to a short Microsoft FAQ on the new interface. "Everything seems to take up more space on the page. I feel like I'm looking at a book in large print for old folks! Please put it back the way it was!"
Others commenting on the same blog were a lot more blunt. "The new version is the biggest bunch of s**t, ever. I can't do anything, I mean anything at all," said another unidentified user.
Although there were some positive comments on the Microsoft FAQ, they were greatly outnumbered by gripes. By Computerworld's count, only three of the 100 most-recent comments applauded the change. The FAQ has collected more than 850 comments so far.
Some users reported more serious problems than an awkward interface, claiming that they weren't able to read, delete or print messages; couldn't access some of their folders; and were unable to compose and send new messages. "Come on Microsoft! First Vista, now this!" ranted a user labeled as "Joey" in a message Thursday. "I've used Hotmail for 8 years and never experienced any problems till now," he added, then ticked off nine problems, ranging from fuzzy fonts and missing contacts.


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Your Signature Work: Play Your Position
- Dianna Booher Author
- 2004 31 Aug
When your team loses, it's easy to place blame. The opposing team was taller, bigger, stronger, more experienced. Their coaching staff had a better track record. They had the top draft choice. The officials made too many bad calls. They had the hometown advantage. Your star player suffered an injury and left the game in the first quarter.
If those explanations aren't accepted, you can start on your own teammates. They didn't get open under the basket. They didn't rebound. They took too many low-percentage shots. The zone defense wasn't working. The guards fouled too often.
But when you're standing at the free-throw line all alone – no defenders blocking your view, no ticking clock to add pressure – and you miss the basket, you're fully acceptable. There's no one else to blame.
Playing your position at work means being accountable for what happens and accepting responsibility for results -- with now one else to blame. Individual accountability has been a struggle for us ever since Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden: "Who me?" Adam might have said. "I'm not responsible for keeping records about which trees are off limits. It was the woman, Eve, you gave me – she's the one who told me to eat the forbidden fruit. She sent up the paperwork, I just signed off on it. I don't have time to read everything that crosses my desk."
Then Eve took her turn, hedging: "Who me? I wasn't the final decision maker on this deal. Besides, we had a temp in the Garden that day. He was a real snake."
But the Bible clears up the accountability issue rather pointedly: "Each of us will have to give a personal account to God."1
Again, in the Gospels, the Parable of the Talents sets forth the idea that responsible people are accountable for what they've been given in life.2 The master divides the talents among his servants according to their abilities and tells them to invest the money and manage it until he returns. The talents represent any resources someone receives – talents, skills, money, time, gifts, or wisdom. Two servants invest the money and are rewarded for their faithfulness. One does not, fearing to be accountable for results. The master returns and expresses great displeasure at this last servant, who refused to accept responsibility.
Many people in the workplace are like the third worker in this parable, burying their talent in the ground and refusing to play their position. They blame everybody and everything when things aren't going right on the job. Like a basketball player, they are standing at the free-throw line, shooting at the basket, missing right and left, and blaming someone else.
Reasoning Gone Awry
When employees reject responsibility, they reason backward. Their comments sound like these:
- I don't have $20,000 in my budget. Therefore, I can't schedule training for my staff. So there's no way we're going to be a quality team.
- I don't have a mentor. Therefore, I can't get good feedback on my performance. So I'll never be a great salesperson.
- I don't have talented people working for me. Therefore, we aren't going to finish our projects on time, within budget, to the quality standards specified in the contract. So I'll never become a leader with opportunities to influence my division in ethical matters.
These people have abdicated accountability in their lives. Notice that someone has "taken" something from them. Therefore, they can't "do" something, which limits their ability to "be" someone. A responsible person would flip all the previous situations and comments and reason as follows:
- We plan to be a quality team. Therefore, I need to schedule a training class for my staff. I need to find a way to generate, save, or negotiate for $20,000 in my budget.
- I want to be a great salesperson. Therefore, I'll need to find a coach so I can get good feedback on my performance.
- I want to become a leader with opportunities to influence my division in ethical matters. Therefore, I'll have to earn respect from others with a team that finishes projects on time, within budget, and meets quality standards. So I'm going to need to recruit, hire, train and retain talented people to work for me.
Accountability is about holding the ball in your hands, looking at the positions of your teammates, glancing at the game clock, and deciding for yourself whether to pass, dribble or shoot. It takes courage to call your own plays.
Those who shrink from responsibilities keep on shrinking in other ways too.
A director of operations talks about one of the highlights of his twenty-five year career: "We needed to buy or lease a new facility for an acquisition we were about to make. It was bleeding about $3 to 4 million a month, and we needed to get the expenses under control. So that was in my realm of responsibility. My team studied the problem, and then I went to the president and said, 'I can fix the problem in about four months if you'll give us the money.'
"The president asked, 'How much?'"
"Two million.'"
"You got it," he said, "but you better deliver.'"
"And we did. We looked like heroes. We took full accountability for our plan. We told him we'd use our experience from previous acquisitions to hire consultants and make all the related decisions. Sure enough, we stopped the financial blood flow in four months. This division is now our most profitable. But he would never have let us have the money if we had not accepted full responsibility for the results."
In the current work culture with teams driving almost every initiative, it's difficult to find an individual or department who accepts full responsibility for a situation. Rather, it's far too easy to shrug your shoulders and pass the ball of blame to the next team or individual on the list.
In recent years individuals have attempted to take responsibility for their personal development – character traits, attitude, and career development – with performance tools and peer feedback systems. Some have been successful in making significant changes in their personality and performance, based on how others perceive them. Others have shrugged off peers' perceptions as unwarranted and plunged ahead, persisting in old habits.
Accountability can be tough or rewarding, depending on your purpose and ego strength.
Articles of Accountability
You may want to consider adopting the following Articles of Accountability as a way to paint a key on the court at your workplace and force yourself to stand behind the free-throw line on occasion, just as other people have to do.
Expect As Much from Yourself As You Do from Those above You
People in positions of authority are human beings struggling with the same weaknesses, worries, and warts that we all have. Why hold them to some super standard that you yourself do not model and criticize them for infractions that you would not want to be criticized for? They fail just like everyone else. Continually complaining about what the "powers that be" or politicians or the government should do is pointless.
The thing I like about baseball is that it's one on one. You stand up there alone, and if you make a mistake, it's your mistake. If you hit a home run, it's your home run.
Commit to the Success of Your Organization
Why should your organization have to earn your loyalty? Did your parents have to earn your love? Did your school have to earn your respect? Does your favorite charity have to win your favor every year for a donation? Does your country have to earn your devotion? You commit to some organizations, causes, and purposes just because you believe in them – their services, their products, their customers, their mission.
Motivate and Mentor Yourself
You hear it often, in tones of either dejection or astonishment: "My company doesn't even offer a mentoring program." Or, "This company doesn't even offer a mentoring program." Or, "This company doesn't even have a tuition-reimbursement plan." Being accountable means accepting responsibility for your own morale, motivation, and mobility. Identify what you don't know. Find out who can teach it to you. Ask others to let you observe and learn from them. Plan your educational road map, and be willing to pick up the tab. After all, you'll be reaping the benefits for the rest of your life.
Become Financially Savvy
Understand how a business works and how your own organization makes money. What are its expenses, and what generates its profits? How do you and your job alter the picture? Move around the organization and learn the same thing about every department in the organization – do the people there cost money or make money for the team? How?
Focus on Your Own Deliverables and Forget about Others' To-Do Lists
Build your own integrity by delivering on your promises. Do what you say you will. Then stop grousing about others who don't meet deadlines or pull their own weight. They must live with the consequences of their lost clarity, diminished credibility, and damaged relationships.
Accept the Fact that Some Predicaments Don't Have Perfect Solutions
Instead of striving for perfection, settle for progress. Progress happens on our watch – if only because it transforms and teaches us how to cope in an imperfect situation.
Vow to Do Your Best with What You Have
Anyone can succeed with the right people, ample resources, appropriate support, and adequate time. Remove one of the legs from the stool, and you have a challenge worthy of your best talents. Measure your results by how well you accept and meet the challenge before you.
Live with Uncertainty
Stop expecting your leaders – organizational leaders, national leaders, world leaders – to read a crystal ball. Plan for tomorrow, but work within the parameters of today.
Signature Stars play their positions by being fully accountable for what happens on their watch and by assuming responsibility for results. Playing the blame game does not interest them. They prefer to take on the challenge of unpredictable situations under less-than-desirable circumstances and work to deliver dynamic results.
What have you not yet accepted full accountability for in your imperfect world?
No individual raindrop ever considers itself responsible for the flood.
*As a Signature Star, Your Autograph Says You … Accept responsibility for results.
Excerpted from "Your Signature Work: Pursuing God's Best at Work." Copyright 2004 by Dianna Booher. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers.
Dianna Booher is an internationally recognized business communication expert and the author of 42 books and numerous videos, audios, and Web-based e-learning products for improving communication and productivity. She holds a master's degree in English from the University of Houston. Dianna and her husband, Vernon, have two grown, married children. They live in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex.


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Our goal: Give people better ways to get where they need to go.
SPUR's transportation agenda:
• Make our streets safe and inviting for pedestrians.
• Complete our bicycle networks.
• Increase capacity and speed on key bus and light-rail lines.
• Increase rail service in the region's urban core.
• Build out the state's plan for high-speed rail.
• Integrate the region's many transit operators to make a seamless experience for riders.
• Control transit costs.
• Use pricing to manage traffic congestion.
The Bay Area
SPUR Report
Caltrain Corridor Vision Plan
The Caltrain Corridor — the string of cities stretching between San Jose and San Francisco — is home to the world's innovation economy. But its transportation system is falling short. How can we keep Silicon Valley moving?Read More
White Paper
Designing a Second Transbay Rail Crossing
Since the BART Transbay Tube opened in 1974, the Bay Area has grown from 4.3 million to 7.6 million people, yet we have added no new capacity for crossing the Bay. It's time to start planning a second transbay rail crossing.Read More
SPUR Report
Seamless Transit
Bay Area transit riders contend with more than two dozen different operators. By integrating our many transit services so they function more like one easy-to-use network, we can increase ridership and make better planning decisions.Read More
SPUR Report
A Better Future for Bay Area Transit
Capital and operating deficits are putting the viability of Bay Area transit at risk. MTC has launched the Transit Sustainability Project to identify policy solutions. SPUR recommends nine strategies to reach the project's goals.Read More
SPUR Report
Saving Caltrain for the Long Term
Caltrain is one of the most important transit systems in the Bay Area, and yet recurring budget shortfalls and a complex three-county governing structure have made its future uncertain. SPUR looks at long-term solutions.Read More
San Francisco
SPUR Report
Reversing Muni's Downward Spiral
Muni faces an urgent financial crisis. SPUR proposes to boost revenues by increasing the speed of boarding, reducing waits at lights, improving transit stop spacing and favoring primary transit corridors.Read More
SPUR Report
Taking Down a Freeway to Reconnect a Neighborhood
Highway 280 and the Caltrain railyards create barriers between SoMa, Potrero Hill and Mission Bay. But San Francisco has the opportunity to advance bold new ideas that can enhance the transportation system and the public realm.Read More
White Paper
Connecting San Francisco's Northeast Neighborhoods
North Beach, Telegraph Hill, Russian Hill, Fisherman's Wharf and northern Chinatown have high densities of residents, workers and tourists — yet no major plans to increase transit. How can transit better serve these neighborhoods?Read More
San José
SPUR Report
Freedom to Move
Santa Clara County grew up around the car. Now traffic is stalling economic growth, social equity and quality of life. How can we get the South Bay, its people and its economy moving in a more sustainable way?Read More
White Paper
Improving Access for Santana Row and Valley Fair
Two major San Jose destinations — Santana Row and Valley Fair — are both planning to expand. SPUR offers 20 ideas for improving access and circulation for this already-congested area.Read More
SPUR Report
A Downtown for Everyone
Downtown Oakland, one of the most transit-accessible places in the Bay Area, is poised to take on a more important role in the region. But the future is not guaranteed. How can downtown grow while providing benefits to all?Read More


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These two challenges will test your time-keeping!
Liitle Millennium Man was born on Saturday 1st January 2000 and he will retire on the first Saturday 1st January that occurs after his 60th birthday. How old will he be when he retires?
The pages of my calendar have got mixed up. Can you sort them out?
The number $2002$ is palindromic because it is the same read from left to right as it is read from right to left.
There was one date in February of the year $2002$ where the eight digits are palindromic if the date is written in the British way (dd/mm/yyyy).
This is not palindromic written the American way (mm/dd/yyyy).
Is there any palindromic date written the American way that year?
Find the next occasions when palindromic dates occur written in each way and the number of days between them.


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Fitbit Goes Fashion Forward With Tory Burch Partnership
Wearable computing devices are definitely one of the standout categories of this year's International CES. But not all wearables are as fashion forward as we'd like them to be, a problem Fitbit hopes to address via a new partnership with fashion label Tory Burch.
In partnership with Fitbit, Tory Burch will develop a fashionable line of necklace and wristband accessories designed to hold the Fitbit Flex.
See also: CES 2014: 5 Tech Trends to Watch
On its website, Tory Burch describes the pairing as something that will "[T]ransform your tracker into a super-chic accessory for work or weekend, day or evening. Our signature colors, prints and designs meet the technology of Fitbit Flex."
No stranger to harnessing technology to meet the needs of fashion enthusiasts, Tory Burch has distinguished itself in recent years through aggressive ecommerce strategies and clever use of social media.
Announced in the summer of 2013, the water-resistant Fitbit Flex showed off the company's commitment to offering a more stylish version of its highly lauded fitness tracker device. According to its website, the line of Fitbit Flex accessories will hit stores sometime in the spring.
Fitbit has also announced a new feature on its free Fitbit app called MobileTrack that uses the M7 motion co-processor in the iPhone 5S, in place of Fitbit's hardware device, to track your daily activity. The updated version of the app is available on Apple's App Store here.
CES 2014: Wearable Tech
Image: Paul Morigi/Getty Images for FORTUNE


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I can't wait to see if SWS gets those wave7 cases, or gets shafted too. I'd love to see the chaos the cancellation there would cause for those baboons.
. I think I have too many cases ordered now, but still not enough Dagobah Luke. Gah.
Some lucky people who got in early enough got wave 9 headed their way too...Jeff
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Maplestory, an online game that's been running since 2003 (2005 in North America), lets players get married. It also lets them get divorced. And that's where it gets interesting.
In 2011, the divorce rate in Maplestory for North American players was 46%. That's...pretty terrible, but it's actually less terrible than the divorce rate for American human beings, which stands at 50% for the first marriage and only goes up from there for subsequent unions.
That's about where the good news ends for Maplestory players, though. According to this report on VentureBeat, once divorced, crazy exes are just as batshit crazy in a video game as they are in real life, with one woman scorned taking control of her former lover's account and flinging his virtual belongings all over the place.
Your odds of staying married in Maplestory may be better than in real life [VentureBeat]


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New Audi Prototype
TeyDarCy: that's kick ass!
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7.9 Earthquake Rattles Mexico, Malia Obama's Spring Break
An earthquake registering 7.9 on the Richter scale struck outside of Acapulco, Mexico, and was felt throughout nearby Mexico City. The epicenter is also not far from Oaxaca, where Malia Obama is allegedly spring breaking.
News of Malia's visit to Oaxaca, along with 12 friends and an army of 25 body guards in tow, was virtually washed from the Internet yesterday after the White House requested that all articles be taken down.
Fortunately, man of few words and Mexico City Mayor Marcello Ebrard quickly tweeted, "We have an earthquake." Gotcha, confirmed. But where is Malia, Mayor? We hope she- and everyone else involved- are alright. DM us when you know.
[Image via AP]


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- Address: Arenas, 1,Pinto, Spain, 28320
- Telephone: 91 608 68 68
- Fax: 91 608 68 69
- Latitude: 40.267678
- Longitude: -3.689671
- E-mail: firstname.lastname@example.com
Address: Arenas, 1,Pinto, Spain, 28320
- Telephone:
Fax: 91 608 68 69
latitude: 40.267678
longitude: -3.689671
- Email:
The Eurostars Arenas de Pinto is located within the township of Pinto in the Community of Madrid, right next to the Motorway of Andalusia (A-4), which links Madrid with Castilla La Mancha and Andalusia.
This is a privileged location in the area south of Madrid, near the towns of Getafe and Pinto and very close to the Warner Bros. Theme Park, which is just a 15 minute drive away.
Arenas de Pinto is located near the famous Cerro de Los Ángeles monument, renowned for being considered the geographic epicentre of the Iberian Peninsula. The hotel is remarkably easy to reach since we are right next to the intersection of the M-50 and the Motorway of Andalusia.
The Eurostars Arenas de Pinto is also a great choice for business travellers who have to work in the numerous business estates in the region just south of Madrid, such as the Polígono Empresarial Andalucía, the Polígono Arroyo Culebro, the Polígono Industrial Los Ángeles, the Polígono Industrial El Lomo, the Polígono Industrial Los Olivos, the Polígono Industrial San Marcos and the logistics headquarters of El Corte Inglés located in Valdemoro.


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Now that my old friend Steve Winks has written comments to last two blogs (April 10 and April 17), both about the Finke/Langdon study of the costs of a broker fiduciary standard, I feel somewhat compelled to respond. Steve's comments seem largely to be captured by this statement: "Thus the research is fundamentally flawed as in general there are no brokers who are acting in a fiduciary capacity, regardless of whether the state they work in requires fiduciary standing or not. At best only a very few brokers in a firm of thousands are allowed to act in a fiduciary capacity and then only on an exception basis because the broker-dealer assumes fiduciary liability on every recommendation the broker makes."
Perhaps Steve, and some of our other readers, may have knowledge on this subject beyond my own humble understanding, but I find the phrase "there are no brokers who are acting in a fiduciary capacity…" most curious. Again, maybe I'm missing something here, but it seems to me there are a few facts that suggest just the opposite. For instance, virtually all broker-dealers also have affiliated RIA firms, and many brokers get their Series 66 licenses to affiliate with those RIA firms specifically so they can provide investment advice and charge a fee for doing so.
What's more, when FINRA through the SEC tried to exempt brokers who collected a fee for investment advice from registering under an RIA, in FPA v. SEC, the Federal Court clearly established that when acting like RIAs, brokers fell under all the requirements of an RIA, including a fiduciary duty. So, to my non-legal mind, brokers doing what most brokers do these days—which is to say, manage investment portfolios for a fee—clearly makes them fiduciaries, at least for some portion of their client engagements. So, it's not clear to me how their BDs don't "allow them to act in a fiduciary capacity."
But also to my mind, that's not the most curious part of Steve's comment. Let's say that he's right: regardless of whether various state laws (and presumably federal laws, for that matter) confer a fiduciary standard on brokers, their firms just won't let them "act" as fiduciaries. What Finke/Langdon found was no difference in client services or brokerage businesses in states with high fiduciary standards and those with no fiduciary standards. So what are SIFMA, the BDs, and Mr. Winks caterwauling about? If BDs can simply ignore a broker fiduciary duty by conducting business as usual—with no effect on their business or client service—why waste all this time and effort opposing Section 913 of Dodd-Frank? If they're not acting like investment advisors now, why would that change if the law changed?
I haven't run into anyone who wants to confer a fiduciary standard on brokers when they are acting as salespeople—and clearly disclosing that fact. The problem arises when brokers want to give investment advice (because it sells more product), without assuming the responsibilities of an investment advisor.
A law that effectively removes the "broker exemption" to the '40 Act, and thereby forces brokers to choose between being advisors or salespeople, would clear up a great deal of client confusion—and if Steve's right—not cost BDs a dime. So, where's the beef?


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Three things I know about the nonprofit annual report: it takes a ton of time to put together beautifully, few people actually read it, but funders require it. The annual report is one of those pieces of communication and collateral that executive directors and development directors dread putting together because it is such a costly endeavor with relatively little return and short shelf life. It doesn't have to be that way in the age of social. We've socialized constituent communication, websites, fundraising, and events…why not rethink the annual report into a social communication? Several nonprofit organizations have done just that, transforming the paper annual report into a video report, and reinvigorating it in the process.
Video is a natural medium for storytelling, and that's what the annual report should be.
There are some significant benefits to a video report: lasting content on the web, video footage for re-use, and changing a report into a discussion. Four organizations have done just that. I was lucky enough to correspond with Nathan Hand of School on Wheels and Derek Weidl of THEMUSEUM, who offer editorial comments about their organizations' video reports as well.
THE MUSEUM: THEMUSEUM's Report to the Community
THEMUSEUM, a children's "unmuseum" in Kitchener, Ontario, has a mission "to scan the globe for fresh cultural content and use it to stage experiences that stimulate transformative connections for our audiences." As such, it isn't surprising that they created a video annual report that expresses the creativity of what happened at the museum in 2011. It's a lot of fun to watch, too.
Beth Kanter posted THEMUSEUM's video annual report to her Google Plus stream, and quite a conversation ensued. Beth commented that the video seemed a bit long, with a lot of insider information. Derek Weidl, the video creator, agreed that "scope creep" played a role in length. One solution might be two versions of the report: a shorter video for external use and longer video for internal use with more insider jokes and insider news.
Derek Weidl adds that the video has succeeded in a number of ways: "It inspired some donations that we weren't expecting. It provided a great engagement point online (especially twitter) where people relived some of the great moments and events we've had over the past year. It's been already used in some important meetings with potential sponsors/partners to great effect as it really captures what we're all about. Also, an underrated part has been the reaction by staff members. Since it involves every staff member, it has reinforced their love of our organization. After we first screened it at our AGM, the staff insisted upon multiple viewings – we all watched it 5 times without a break (not kidding)!"
The Sunlight Foundation: Sunlight 2010: The Year in Review
A snappy mix of text, images from the year's work, and video footage from the Sunlight Foundation's political advocacy work. Conveys achievements and Foundation highlights in 2:24. Conveys a lot of information in a short amount of time, and keeps your attention.
The Greater Chicago Food Depository annual video report: It Starts With Food: 2010-2011 Annual Report
The Greater Chicago Food Depository's executive director gives the voiceover highlighting the successes of the past year. The video is embedded within the website and accompanied by a fundraising appeal, short blog post, sample tweet, and a thank you.
I really like how they package the video within their own web page, and explain the report to donors. The web page announces, "This year, the Greater Chicago Food Depository has taken its Annual Report online, providing our donors, volunteers, partners and supporters a glimpse of the day-to-day work your support makes possible. The 2010-2011 Annual Report's online format saves paper and the cost of printing the report, while offering visitors an opportunity to experience the Food Depository's work in a new way. "
School on Wheels: School on Wheels 2010 Annual Report
A combination of the traditional annual report (the Executive Director's note, the CFO's report), footage of programs, and stakeholder testimony. A bit long at six minutes, but certainly more engaging than a written report. A list of donors runs through the last three minutes of the video.
Nathan Hand, VP of Development and Marketing for School on Wheels, reports that the organization reverted back to a PDF report for 2011. When I asked why, he wrote: "The work was donated last year. We had a lot of supporters who didn't/wouldn't go online to see it but wanted to see their name in print. Orgs spend tons of time/$ on them and they have the shortest life ever – people skim the pretty pictures, look for their name and toss it. We designed (this year's PDF report) internally, didn't spend a ton of time pouring over details, mailed it out and then posted it online."
Nathan adds "there are tons of other benefits to the video version but for us, the cost/time factor won out. Plus, we just had a great video done (donated again) for a big event which basically served the same purpose. We now have a ton of great digital b-roll of our kids that we've already used in videos we've created since then."
Two takeaways from the School on Wheels experience: budget for the video report or find a talented videographer, and know how your donors want to be thanked.
Bonus: Ideas and opportunities for further socializing the annual video report
- Ask volunteers/members/constituents/stakeholders to submit video content for the annual report
- Crowdsourced ideas for what should be featured in the report
- Run a contest around sharing the report to the most people and places
- Include a question during the video report that you'd like viewers to respond to in the comments
- Ask for video responses to the report
- Run a contest for fans to create their own annual report of what they think the organization has done best over the past year


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Ez az oldal az Ön nyelvén jelenleg nem elérhető. Az automatikus fordítás a megtekinthető a Google Fordító segítségével.
A szolgáltatás biztosításáért nem vállalunk felelősséget, a fordított szöveget nem ellenőrizzük.
Ha további segítségre van szüksége, lépjen kapcsolatba velünk.
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Confidence in the reliability of our own machines, and the quality of product they produce is such that we manufacture short run production parts for other high quality engineering products in the Renishaw portfolio, for example Dynascan and Quarryman.
Renishaw's engineering expertise
Our vacuum casting machines are designed and built in-house, by Renishaw expert engineers. Time served experts with over 25 years of vacuum casting experience are on hand for advice on machines and material selection - all Renishaw products are fully supported by our wholly-owned network of over 70 offices in 32 countries.
Brochure: Vacuum casting systems
Renishaw vacuum casting systems are ideal for small batch production. A single silicon mould can be used up to 50 times before retooling is required.


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In an article published on June 9, 2011, by Brenda Redfern, employers were reminded that effective July 1, 2011, the Mississippi Employment Protection Act requires all Mississippi businesses to E-Verify all new employees. In conjunction with this statutory mandate, the Mississippi Department of Employment Security ("MDES") has announced it will E-Verify any prospective employees for employers who are looking to retain workers through MDES. Click here to see the article published regarding this e-verify service in the Mississippi Business Journal on July 18, 2011. An employer simply has to place a job order with MDES by calling 888-844-3511 or contacting a WIN Job Center. MDES will send a list of prospective employees, all of whom will be E-Verified. When an individual is hired, the employer simply notifies MDES and it will send an official "Certification of I-9 Completion" to the employer. This service can assist contractors in identifying potential employees and save many administrative hours and headaches.
In addition, MDES has also agreed to implement a process it calls "reversal referrals". This is where an employer identifies a prospective employee and can send him/her to a WIN Job Center where the individual is E-Verified. The name of the individual is sent back to the prospective employer by MDES and, if hired, MDES will send the required certification. Employees that use MDES for E-Verification may relieve themselves from potential liability under the Mississippi Employment Protection Act.
Contractors should consider taking advantage of this free service by MDES in these difficult economic times.