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Scootypuff Sr.
Posted: Wed May 06, 2009 2:40 pm
Post subject: Riding and Operation
Owners Manuals
New rider jitters and advice to overcome them.
Which Octane Fuel To Use? (The Great Debate)
Genuine-Recommended Octane for All Models
"The Weeble Effect" and Riding in the Wind
Steering and Countersteering
Speedometer Accuracy
What to Do if You Lock Your Keys in Your Scooter
What's That Squeak Coming from the Front Tire?
Tips On Transporting Your Scooter
Crash Reports
Securing Your Scooter
Blindspots explained
External Link (Thanks Scooterdave!)
Triggering Traffic Lights and Signals
Long Distance Riding
(Thanks Corsair!)
Scenic Route Resources
Being Noticed in Traffic
(Thanks Nickie McNichols!)
Part 1 Shortcut (External Link)
Part 2 Shortcut (External Link)
(Thanks David L. Hough)
Touring Tips (Coming Soon!)
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Scoot Richmond's new site
: My awesome local shop.
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Scootypuff Sr.
Posted: Thu May 07, 2009 1:00 pm
Post subject: Fuel and Octane
Which Octane Fuel To Use? (The Great Debate)
POC Phil's recommendation
on Fuel as well as an explanation as to why the owners manuals sometimes recommends 92 grade fuel. The main point is that 87 works just fine and is the preferred octane for use in the Buddy engines.
There will always be people that argue for one grade or another, but 87 grade has a solid history of causing
absolutely no problems ever on the 4-stroke Buddies
With the 2-strokes, I've heard very experienced mechanics and 2-stroke riders tell me that 93 octane helps it run smoother, but I'm still in need of an explanation (I only half paid attention). Input gladly accepted.
Check out
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: My awesome local shop.
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Scootypuff Sr.
Posted: Thu May 07, 2009 1:08 pm
Post subject: "The Weeble Effect" and Windy Riding
"The Weeble Effect" and Windy Riding
From the
"The Weeble Effect"
: noun 1. Term used to describe the ease of leaning a Buddy due to its low center or gravity and lightness on top. Also used to describe the effect of high winds on the Buddy. Origin is the advertising slogan for the popular egg-shaped 1970s Weeble toys: "Weebles wobble but the don't fall down."
Buddys do, in fact, fall down.
Here's some good advice from Ericalm
and by proxy, VitaminC:
The ones to watch out for are the sudden cross winds at intersections when you clear buildings that may have been blocking them. These can seem like a sudden blast from the side.
vitaminC's advice was right on: Stay loose and don't stiffen up as soon as wind hits. Give yourself as much room on the sides as you can. And, really, if you go out and are having a hard time fighting it, turn around and seek alternate transportation. You don't want to get caught miles out in conditions you can't handle or which are causing massive anxiety.
Here's an excellent and concise list by
summing up some great advice for riding in the wind
Relax, loosen up your arms, go with the flow
Expect gusts at intersections
Watch the leaves (both on the ground and on the bushes) to see other places where to expect gusts
Leave extra space in front of you
Don't ride right next to another vehicle (so if you get blown out of your lane...)
If the wind is coming from one direction, ride on that side of the lane.
Slow down (Ride in the right lane and turn on your hazards if necessary)
Add weight under the seat
Know your limits, watch wind advisories, and know when NOT to ride
There's some other good points (especially one by
"I Don't") in that thread.
Just follow the basic advice of not riding above your comfort threshold and you should be fine.
Other advice similarly applicable:
Use your Noodle
Look Before You Leap
; and of course
Don't Pee Into The Wind
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Scoot Richmond's new site
: My awesome local shop.
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Scootypuff Sr.
Posted: Fri May 08, 2009 2:52 am
Post subject: Steering and Countersteering
Steering and Countersteering
OK, here's a little nuance that some folks might not be aware of.
There's the basics: turning the handlebars left turns left. Hopefully we all know that. Here's the true secret to maneuverability... it called countersteering.
If you've not done this before it's going to be tricky. Actually it doesn't make a lick of sense if you've not tried it before... actively. Chances are you've done this before, but haven't realized. Countersteering is what happens when you turn the handlebars
in the opposite direction that you want the bike to move in. Counter-intuitive, isn't it? This generally only works above 10-15 mph.
Got all that? OK, here's how it works. Say you're doing 35mph and you're in the right lane. You want to be in the left lane. You can turn the handlebars left and you'll ease into the left lane gradually, or you can countersteer and get there a lot faster. How do I countersteer you ask? Push the side of the handlebar in the direction that you want to go.
Wait, what?!
That's right. Say you want to countersteer left (like the example above). To do so, you push the left side of the handlebar forward. It's not like turning right - what you're doing is shifting the weight of the bike and forcing it into a lean state. When you push the left side of the handlebars forward, the wheel turns to the right, but it shifts the weight of the bike and it "flicks" towards the left. You don't hold this by any means (unless you're making a spirited left turn). Well that doesn't make any sense at all, does it?!
This method is so counter-intuitive that it's best practiced in an open parking lot.
Find a vacant lot, preferably one without a collection of gravel or other surface blemishes. Get a nice straight path lined up and get going to about 20mph or so. To flick left, push the left side of the handlebars forward slightly but firmly. You'll notice that the bike shifts it's weight towards the left and suddenly you're moving in that direction swiftly. Try it a couple of times until it starts making sense. You're not turning so much as you're shifting the momentum and the balance of the bike.
Lane changing only takes a flick in the direction to set the weight of the bike towards the direction you want to aim. You don't want to hold the countersteer- it's a starting mechanism. Your body will react naturally to turn the handlebars once the countersteering sets the momentum. Practice this extensively in a vacant lot until the motion makes sense. Be aware that it's completely counter-intuitive (hence the name of it) so you should be comfortable with the action before you try it in traffic.
That's counter-steering in a nut shell. It's an essential riding skill and probably one that you unintentionally do already... but it's best understood by practicing it to a point where you can move 10 feet laterally in about 20 feet of space at 45mph (please practice this in a lot before attempting at these speeds!).
Once it makes sense in an empty parking lot, it'll start becoming second nature. You'll gain a new appreciation for your Buddy. The Buddy, if countersteered correctly, can be the absolute most nimble vehicle on the roads.
Check out
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: My awesome local shop.
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Scootypuff Sr.
Posted: Fri May 08, 2009 3:11 am
Post subject: Speedometer Accuracy
Speedometer Accuracy
(Thanks Ericalm!)
It's widely acknowledged that speedometers for most scooters and motorcycles are inaccurate. The average for the Genuine line is about 10% optimistic (faster than actual speed), though there are many variables involved including type of tire, tire inflation, and riding style. It doesn't get any better from other manufacturers: SYM, Honda, Yamaha, hell, even Harley Davidson and BMWthey're all optimistic.
The accepted standard for "real" speed is by using a GPS, though there have been studies which claim this isn't 100% accurate either (see
this paper
When stating speeds, many riders will use "indicated speed" (what the speedometer reads) or "actual speed" (measured by GPS). This is also sometimes referred to as "Buddy Miles per Hour" or "Blur Miles per Hour," abbreviated as BMPH.
There's really no solution for this that anyone has found; most riders just accept it and ride "fast" or calculate approximate speeds in their head on the fly. In reality, most riders don't even bother to look at the speedometer. Just keep up with traffic so you don't get run over and all should be well. Scooterists are rarely ticketed for speeding in traffic. Unless you're flying by surrounding vehicles, riding recklessly, or obviously hauling ass on the open road, most police officers won't even bother paying attention to you on your scooter. Though we don't advise trying this, we've read stories of motorcycle or scooter riders beating tickets by claiming their speedometers are too inaccurate to be trusted and that they were just riding with traffic.
Speedometer accuracy is one of the most discussed and contentious topics on forums for all types of scooters and motorcycles (Google it). While we don't have all the information, we may be able to clear some of the hot air and make some sense of it all.
Regulation, Legality, Conspiracy!
As with many topics in the 2-wheeled world, there's a ton of misinformation and hearsay floating around about speedometer inaccuracy. The most frequently repeated tidbit is that the US DOT allows speedometers to be up to 15% optimistic, but that they cannot read too slow. There are also those who claim that motorcycle and scooter speedometer optimism is some sort of ploy by the DOT or manufacturers to get riders to ride slower than they think they're going.
After exhaustive searches of online sources, here's what we've been able to verify as well as some commonly stated info that's currently unverified. Anyone with additional information is welcome to provide it, but please include some type of citation or reference.
As far as a US federal standard for speedometer accuracy, I've found many mentions of it, but only one actual citation in federal regs that doesn't seem to apply to motorcycles, just commercial vehicles and trucks.
Many sites have references to a quote from a long out of print article ("Auto Tutor", American Automobile Association of California magazine, Oct. 17, 1997) that states: "As of 1997, Federal standards in the United States allowed a maximum 5% error on speedometer readings " This is completely unverified. We're looking for the source material and will see if we can track this down. Searches of current federal codes and standards have not found any such regulation.
What we have found specific citations for, though, are EU and ECE regulations:
The Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations 1986, as amended, allows the use of speedometers that meet the requirements of EC Community Directive 75/443(97/39) or ECE Regulations 39. Both the EC Directive and the ECE Regulation lay down accuracy requirements to be applied at the time of vehicle approval for speedometers. These requirements are that the indicated speed must not be more than 10 per cent of the true speed plus 4km/h (2.5 mph).
While this may partially explain why the inaccuracy is permitted, many vehicles are as much as 15% optimistic when compared to GPS. This deviation may be due to some of the variables mentioned above.
Causes of Speedometer Inaccuracy
There are technical, mechanical reasons for speedometer inaccuracy. Here's an explanation of how speedometers work
But, from the next page, the salient part (bold added for emphasis):
All speedometers must be calibrated to make sure the torque created by the magnetic field accurately reflects the speed of the car. This calibration must take into account several factors, including the ratios of the gears in the drive cable, the final drive ratio in the differential and
the diameter of the tires.
All of these factors affect the overall speed of the vehicle. Take tire size, for example. When an axle makes one complete turn, the tire it's connected to makes one complete revolution.
But a tire with a larger diameter will travel farther than a wheel with a smaller diameter. That's because the distance a tire covers in one revolution is equal to its circumference. So a tire with a diameter of 20 inches will cover about 62.8 inches of ground in one revolution. A tire with a diameter of 30 inches will cover more ground -- about 94.2 inches.
While car tires are essentially flat, motorcycle tires are curved. When you lean the scooter, you're altering the circumference of the tire as calibrated.
I doubt this is the source of all speedometer error (again, there are a number of additional factors), but it helps explain why precise readings are unlikely.
Calibration, Solutions ?
There are places that do speedometer calibration as well as some devices which claim to fix errant speedos. We have no information on whether any of this is effective or whether it would work on a scooter.
Here's one obsessed man's DIY solution:
(It's for a BMW motorcycle, but I think the same principle should apply. Also, this method of calibration doesn't account for lean and curvature so is still imprecise.)
Best DIY solution for those who are determined to have an accurate reading:
Get your hands on a GPS. Go for a ride and take numerous speedometer vs. GPS readings and different speeds. If you're really anal (instead of just kind of anal), try it at different times of day, in different settings, at different temperatures and on various road surfaces. Create a table with your findings. Average the discrepancies in readings at various speeds.
Create an overlay for your speedometer with average "actual" speeds for each 10 or 5mph marker. This can be anything from a custom die-cut vinyl decal to go inside your headset on top of the stock speedometer to a few pieces of masking tape scrawled on with a Sharpie.
Now go out and ride!
This topic has been discussed many times on the site, particularly in General Discussions and the Blur forums. To locate some of those threads, go to the
search page
and use "speedometer AND accuracy" as your search terms.
Check out
Scoot Richmond's new site
: My awesome local shop.
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STELLA FOUR STROKE FURY! + Vespa LX 150/190 + '87 Honda Helix CN250
Posted: Thu Jun 25, 2009 6:56 pm
Post subject: What's That Squeak Coming From the Front Tire?
What's That Squeak Coming From the Front Tire?
Many owners report hearing a squeaking noise from the front tire, particularly when walking the scoot or backing up. This is usually caused by dirt or small debris in the brakes. Unless you notice a change in braking power or performance, you don't need to be concerned about it.
The squeak can be fixed by going into the brake and cleaning it or blowing it out, but there's a good chance it'll just come back.
*A Note on cleaning the front disk brake*
Use of any chemical cleaners can cause anything from stripping the thin layer of brake pad material that's lining the brake disc to putting a layer of the solvent (often cleaners are made to make water "slipperier"). Both of these can cause the brakes to partially fail or behave unexpectedly.
For more info, read the following:
Brake Pad Bed-in process
If you
clean your brakes, use brake specific compounds for it. Be careful not to get any on your skin, and also pay very careful attention to the instructions - I've gotten this material on my Nylon gloves before and it caused the nylon to warp excessively... take a peak at your tires, some of the Maxxis are Nylon. Just an FYI.
Eric //
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Scootypuff Sr.
Posted: Sat Jul 04, 2009 3:20 am
Post subject: Crash Reports / Motorcycle Safety
Crash Reports & Motorcycle Safety
*Special note: PDF's and separate documents made to open in a separate window/tab to make it easier to download a personal copy.
"Who's Crashed?" Thread
: Modernbuddy's own voluntary accident reports. Learn from others mistakes, let others learn from your mistakes. An excellent source for recognizing possible situations much closer related to riding a scoot. NOT Buddy specific!
Hurt Report
: Although this is from Jan 1981, David L. Hough (See Below), has described the Hurt Report as "the most comprehensive motorcycle safety study of the 20th century."
US D.O.T. Fatal Single Vehicle Motorcycle Crashes
: Published in October of 2001, this report focuses on single vehicle crashes and takes into account more modern models of bikes and newer safety factors.
MSF Scooter riding tips
You and Your Scooter
: Excellent beginner's guide to scootering, scootering safety considerations, basic maintenance/inspections, and well... Take 5 minutes to read it, really!
Motorcycle Safety Foundation's main website
: (External Site) Here's the place to go to find local testing facilities and course fees. Also a good source of tips and suggestions.
MSF's Pre-ride inspection list
: (External Site) Thorough AND Concise!
American Motorcyclists State-By-State Laws Page
: (External Site) Questions about your local laws? Go here!
Recommended Reading:
Proficient Motorcycling: The Ultimate Guide to Riding Well
David L. Hough
More Proficient Motorcycling: Mastering the Ride
David L. Hough
Total Control: High Performance Street Riding Techniques
Lee Parks
Check out
Scoot Richmond's new site
: My awesome local shop.
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Scootypuff Sr.
Posted: Tue Jul 21, 2009 2:30 am
Post subject: Securing Your Scooter
Made a very well put together post on locking up a scooter that also addressed some other concerns. This was in direct response to the spike in recent scooter thefts in Richmond, VA - but the advice is applicable to most anywhere.
It's definitely worth a read through, she bring up good points on locking a scooter, things that thieves look for as well as some reasoning behind insuring a 50cc scooter.
Click here to read it
I think this will make an excellent start to a sub-topic on theft, recovery, locking and alarming and do's and don't. But for now, this is an excellent start!
Along the same line of thought is this posting on locks and alarms
. There's a lot of raw information there which I hope to organize and make easy on the eyes. Till then, you'll have to tough through it.
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Scootypuff Sr.
Posted: Tue Aug 25, 2009 2:40 am
Post subject: Scenic Route Resources
Here's a collection of sites that cater to touring on a motorcycle. Most give good enough references to road quality, speed an amenities and the like that with the help of a GPS or Google/Yahoo/Etc maps (using an avoid highway filter) you can plan out a nice scenic route.
More to come! If you've got a site you can recommend, post it to the original thread
Scenic Route Resources
For a list of routes picked by your fellow Scooterteers, see the
Favorite Rides Thread
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: My awesome local shop.
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Location: Los Angeles, CA
STELLA FOUR STROKE FURY! + Vespa LX 150/190 + '87 Honda Helix CN250
Posted: Wed Dec 22, 2010 8:10 pm
Post subject: Owners Manuals
Buddy 50, 125, 150 Owners Manual (8MB PDF)
Stella 2T Owners Manual (2.6MB PDF)
LML Star (Stella) 4T Owners Manual (UK version,1.36MB PDF)
G Max 150 (Blur) Owners Manual (1.51MB PDF)
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STELLA FOUR STROKE FURY! + Vespa LX 150/190 + '87 Honda Helix CN250
Posted: Wed Aug 17, 2011 9:26 pm
Post subject: Triggering Traffic Lights and Signals
Many traffic signals in the United States are triggered by various types of sensors in the ground. There are varying designs and types of these sensors, but almost universally they have difficulty sensing anything smaller than a car. Scooterists, bicyclists and motorcyclists often find themselves waiting through several cycles of a light without getting a green.
Fortunately, there are steps you can take to help trigger the lights. And, in some states, it's even legal to run them in some circumstances.
How Triggers Work
Sensors that detect vehicles in order to maximize the efficiency of traffic lights are called "demand-actuated" triggers. These take a number of forms including lasers, video cameras and various rollover sensors in the street. The most common ones are inductive loop sensors. Without getting into too much of the science behind this, inductive loops are essentially metal coils (wrapped around a metal core) under the street with inductance meters that detect changes in the loops' electromagnetic fields. Positioning a mass of conductive (usually metal) material over the loops or passing a similar mass over the loops alters the inductance. This change is measured by the meter and used to trigger a change in the light.
This is essentially the same technology as most metal detectors, just widened.
Note that what the inductive loops detect is metal, not electromagnetic fields. This is important for the discussion of magnets, below.
If you want to read up on the science behind these, see the Links section below.
Triggering the Sensors
1. Positioning
The easiest way to trigger sensors is to adjust the position of your scooter on the sensors. You'll have to check out the cutouts in the road and try to determine which type of sensor you're dealing with.
The most common are Dipole and Quadropole Loops. These will usually look like circles or rectangles. A Quadropole Loop will usually be bisected by another cut or look like a side-by-side pair of cuts.
Dipole Loops:
Quadropole Loop:
Best positions
To maximize the likelihood that an inductive loop sensor will detect your bicycle, it is important to position your bike over the most sensitive portion of the loop. There are several common shapes of inductive loop sensors, each with a different "sweet spot" for bicycles as shown in Figure 1. The two most common shapes are the dipole loop (Figure 1(a)) and the quadrupole loop (Figure 1(b)). For either of these two loop patterns, position both wheels directly over the sawcut for the wire, choosing either side for the dipole loop and using the center sawcut for the quadrupole loop. (The center sawcut of the quadrupole has twice as many wires in it as the outer sawcuts and is a more sensitive location.) If the signal does not detect you, you may wish to try leaning the bike over toward the center of the dipole loop, or to either side for the quadrupole loop. Newer traffic signal installations usually feature quadrupole loops, which are better at detecting bicycles than the older dipole loops. The third type of sensor loop, the diagonal quadrupole (Figure 1(c)), is designed to provide better detection of small vehicles such as bicycles positioned anywhere over the sensor.
2. Tap the Stand
In addition to positioning, you may have some success by placing your scooter in the recommended position then tapping your center stand on the asphalt. This basically moves a mass of metal closer to the inductive loop, which may be enough to trigger the meter.
3. Scoot Up
If you're unable to trigger a light and there's a car waiting behind you, sometimes the best thing to do is scoot up and let the car trigger the light. Watch out for pedestrians and (of course) don't ride out too far into the intersection.
4. (Legally) Run the Light
The following states have laws which permit 2-wheelers to run a light if they're not being detected and if passage is safe (no cross traffic):
North Carolina
Illinois (as of Jan. 2012)
The circumstances in which you can run the light varies from state to state, so please consult each states vehicle codes.
In some, you have to wait for a certain number of "full cycles"; others have time limits, etc.
5. California
Because CA has to do everything differently, the state has a law (California AB 1581, signed into law in 2008) requiring cities to make their triggers sensitive enough to detect all vehicles. Each city has their own means for reporting lights that won't trigger, and the city is required to send someone out to to make the adjustment. (This program is state funded by AB1581.)
AB 1581 (excerpt): Traffic-actuated signals: bicycles: motorcycles.
(1) Existing law provides for official traffic control devices.
This bill would include as an official traffic control device a traffic-actuated signal that displays one or more of its indications in response to the presence of traffic detected by mechanical, visual, electrical, or other means. Upon the first placement of a traffic-actuated signal or replacement of the loop detector of a traffic-actuated signal, the signal would have to be installed and maintained, to the extent feasible and in conformance with professional engineering practices, so as to detect lawful bicycle or motorcycle traffic on the roadway. Cities and counties would not be required to comply with those requirements until the Department of Transportation has established uniform standards, specifications, and guidelines for the detection of bicycles and motorcycles by traffic-actuated signals and related signal timing. The Commission on State Mandates would be required to consult with the Department of Transportation regarding mandate claims relating to these provisions. This bill would provide that its provisions would remain in effect until January 1, 2018, and would be repealed on that date.
6. Oldest Trick in the Book
Place your scooter on the center stand. Hop off. Run over to the pedestrian crosswalk button. Hit it. Run back to scooter.
Unsurprisingly, there's a lot of debate over whether crosswalk buttons work. We'll set that aside for our purposes.
The Magnet Debate
There are a number of magnets on the market which claim to assist in triggering lights. These are usually neodynium or "rare earth" magnets that can be purchased for as much as $40. The problem with the magnet debate is that these may work, but not because they're magnets.
If you'll recall, induction loops detect metal, not other electromagnetic fields. The traffic light magnets are big, often heavy masses of metal that you affix to the bottom of your scooter. If they work at triggering lights,
it has nothing to do with the fact that they're magnetized
. Any similarly conductive mass of metal would have the same result.
There are a number of patent applications for devices to trigger inductive loops (links below).
of these use magnets as primary trigger. (Some use magnets or electromagnetism as part of a larger apparatus.)
So do magnets help trip lights? Not really.
Will placing a large mass of metal under your scooter help? Maybe.
It may be best to try some of the other solutions before going out and buying something that may or may not work. (Caveat: All this may differ with electromagnetic sensors, but those are rare in the US and have largely been replaced by inductive loops.)
Something to keep in mind when gauging the efficacy of these solutions is that just because a sensor is triggered it may not change the light immediately. Even cars and trucks have to wait at lights.
Also, further confusing things, in some intersections, in-road triggers may not be working at all. Cities are constantly changing and upgrading their traffic technology and in some places, triggers may have been replaced by timers, optical devices, etc. Find out if there's a city department to handle questions and concerns about lights and try to contact them, alerting them to problematic intersections.
How to position a bike (or scooter):
Snopes.com discussion:
Further reading:
Eric //
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STELLA FOUR STROKE FURY! + Vespa LX 150/190 + '87 Honda Helix CN250
Posted: Thu Oct 18, 2012 4:51 am
Post subject: What to Do if You Lock Your Keys in Your Genuine Scooter
For reasons that should be obvious, we don't post this information on the forum but we can help!
Send a Moderator a PM
or email Eric at eric(at)modernbuddy.com. We'll try to get back to you ASAP but can't always respond immediately.
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Want to be one?
That's understandable, we know there are many questions to answer.
Sometimes it helps to talk with someone experienced at working with people getting started in voice-over. We're always glad to share our knowledge with you!
If you'd prefer to speak with us, call 888-321-EDGE (3343) 10am - 6pm ET.
And we'll call you back with an answer.
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This Edge Studio website will tell you almost everything voice artists need to know, including the various genres and many, many tips. And the rest, the budding voice over artist will learn in our workshops and private coaching sessions.
So let's focus here on the "artist" part.
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As you probably realize, any voice over performer is politely referred to as a "voice over artist." It's flattering, and that in itself can give you a certain level of confidence that helps your performance.
But let's take it beyond that -- to actual artistry.
As with a painter, designer or other "art" training, if you are interested in this field at all, you probably have some aptitude. But any painter, even a house painter, also needs significant training in the profession -- particularly if they want to stand out from the crowd.
No, we're not touting our classes and private coaching. Not just, anyway.
Our point here is that there is a certain "joy" in discovering what more you can do with your inherent ability. How far you can take it. And how many people in the casting community, business world, and the world in general, will respect your ability to interpret text and make it meaningful to them.
The end result may surprise you. If you're a female voice over artist, you may have a great future as a little kid or teenager. A male voice over artist with a golden throat might even need to tone it down. After all, you'll often (even usually) be asked to portray real characters. And most real people don't have a voice like that.
Transforming yourself is an enlightening experience. And points the way to more. Your chosen voice over genre is the palette. You are the canvas.
Call us 888-321-3343
Email us email@example.com

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Harrisburg considers drink tax on alcohol
City looking for revenue to reverse debt
Harrisburg Mayor Linda Thompson wants the city to consider paying a drink tax that could raise much-needed revenue.
Thompson, along with mayors from across the state, wants lawmakers to pass a bill to allow cities and municipalities to impose a 10 percent tax to alcoholic drinks.
The plan was first proposed by a task force looking at ways to help cities with declining revenues and shrinking tax bases, but it's a long way from law.
Having been turned down for a commuter tax and a sales tax, Harrisburg is looking for revenue to help ease its crushing debt.
Thompson said a 10 percent tax on drinks, if approved, would help fund its department of police.
"Our police officers are often called out for DUI's and disturbances after night clubs let out. And that can wrack up a police budget that way into overtime we normally don't anticipate," Thompson said.
While Thompson said she doesn't believe visitors to the city's night spots would oppose the tax, others did not share her opinion.
"Take a look around, this place has been dead lately. If they drive up the price of drinks, fewer people are going to come out," said Elizabeth Statler of Mechanicsburg.
"I understand the city needs money but I think it would make me think twice about coming over," said Brenda Beland of Camp Hill.
Although a bill to allow cities and municipalities to tax alcohol has not even been introduced, lawmakers are expected to see one in the coming months.
Thompson said public safety needs to be kept strong
"I think citizens would rather have a sense of security and peace," Thompson said.
"Maybe on something else like clothes but not on alcohol its expensive enough," one Harrisburg patron said.
Harrisburg and other struggling cities want lawmakers to give them the ability to impose the tax and hope it will get done when the legislature convenes in the new year.


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Blue-green algae (one of eleven groups of algae) are microscopic plants that grow mainly in brackish ponds and lakes throughout the world. Of the more than 1500 known species, some are useful as food, while others have been reported to cause gastroenteritis and hepatitis. Spirulina entered the limelight in 1981 when The National Enquirer promoted it as an "all natural," "safe diet pill" that contains phenylalanine (an amino acid), which "acts directly on the appetite center." The article also said it was "an incredible 65% protein, making it the most protein-packed food in the world."
These claims are bunkum. The FDA has concluded that there is no evidence that spirulina (or phenylalanine) is effective as an appetite suppressant. The FDA has also noted that the "65% protein" claim is meaningless because, taken according to their label, spirulina products provide only negligible amounts of protein.
MISCORP and Light Force
In 1982, Microalgae International Sales Corp. (MISCORP) and its founder, Christopher Hills, agreed to pay $225,000 to settle charges that they had made false claims about spirulina. The company had claimed that its spirulina products were effective for weight control and had therapeutic value against diabetes, anemia, liver disease, and ulcers.
Light Force, also founded by Hills, marketed spirulina products with claims that they can suppress appetite, boost immunity, and increase energy. Company sales materials claimed that spirulina is a "superfood" and "works to cleanse and detoxify the body." In a 1987 issue of Light Force's magazine, The Enlightener, vice president and corporate attorney Steve Kochen spells out the company's "legal guidelines." These include:
- Current regulations . . . prohibit both the company and its Distributors from using any medical research to promote, advertise or sell the products.
- You are free to provide any responsible medical research for the sole purpose of education and information . . . . as long as no mention is made to any specific products, and no attempt is made to sell products at the time the information is made available.
- When using the mail to send research information . . . . any sales information must be provided separately and may not be linked to the medical research.
- You are free to share your personal experience with any of our products, even if that experience involves the alleviation of some health problems or symptoms. However, it is also imperative that you qualify your personal testimonial by saying, "Of course, we cannot make any medical claim for our products or guarantee you will have the same experience."
Despite all this, The Enlightener carried reports about users who lost weight or recovered from arthritis, cancer, multiple sclerosis, and serious injuries while taking Light Force products. None of these reports is accompanied by significant documentation. In 1996, Light Force merged into Royal BodyCare, a multilevel company with a much larger product line.
K.C. Laboratories and Cell Tech
In 1982, K.C. Laboratories of Klamath Falls, Oregon, and its president, Victor H. Kollman, began selling Blue Green Manna products (derived from another type of alga) with claims that they were effective against a wide range of health problems. In 1983, the FDA began legal action to stop the scheme, but marketing of the products did not stop. Finally, in 1986, at the agency's request, a U.S. District Court judge issued a permanent injunction ordering all parties involved to stop manufacturing, distributing, and selling blue-green algae harvested from Klamath Lake, Oregon. Explaining his decision, the judge said:
At the trial on January 9, 1986, the government introduced additional evidence of the widespread use of blue-green algae Manna products, and of the therapeutic claims that were made for these products. Victor Kollman denied that he had made therapeutic claims. . . . Nevertheless he continued to claim his product has a beneficial effect on the human body . . . as a food, and not a drug. The government showed that taken at the recommended dosage of 1.5 grams, its value as a nutrient is negligible. Further, the cost of the defendant's products, which exceeds $300 per pound, is so high as compared to other sources of the same nutrients that it is apparent that these products are not intended to be used as a food.
In 1985, the judge had ruled that the products were misbranded and unapproved new drugs, and had issued a preliminary injunction against their sale. His 1986 order cited evidence that more than 2,500 people had been distributing Manna products with therapeutic claims that defied the injunction. He also reported that since the injunction was issued, hundreds of distributors had written or telephoned with claims that Manna products had cured them or members of their families of such problems as Alzheimer's disease, heart trouble, skin disturbances, allergies, prostate problems, lack of sex drive, emotional problems, and alcoholism.
At the 1986 trial, the defendants argued that because other algal products are sold as foods or food supplements, they too should be allowed to sell blue-green algae as food-changing the packaging, trade name, and distribution system if necessary. But the judge ruled that "the demand can no longer be controlled, even if the defendants have a desire to do it." Stating that Kollman had attempted to mislead not only the court but also purchasers of the products, the judge concluded that a permanent injunction was necessary to prevent the defendants from "benefiting from their past violations by meeting the demand they had created for their products." In other words, even if questionable claims were stopped, people who believed the previously made claims would still buy the products [1,2].
Although the judge's ruling appears to have ended the sale of Manna products, a similar line called Super Blue Green Algae is still marketed by Cell Tech Inc., a company headed by Kollman's brother Daryl. According to a company promotional tape, "By detoxifying your systems and balancing your nutritional levels, Super Blue Green provides your body and spirit with ingredients that result in experiences of increased energy, mental clarity, dietary control and feelings of overall well-being. This can enable people to deal with the many stresses of this modern world."
Cell Tech's literature states that the products do not provide "cures" for diseases and are not intended as a substitute for medical care. Despite this disclaimer, many distributors have made dubious therapeutic claims in advertisements, at health expositions, and in private sales pitches to prospective customers. In 2003, a California judge ruled that 30 of Cell Tech's claims has been deceptive and ordered the company to stop making them [3].
Possible Toxicity
On May 5, 1999, the Canadian Health Protection Branch warned that products containing blue-green algae may contain toxins harmful to the liver and some species of blue-green algae naturally produce toxins known as microcystins. To determine the extent of this problem, Health Canada, through the Office of Natural Health Products, Therapeutic Products Program, and the Food Directorate of the Health Protection Branch, surveyed products to determine how many are on the market, in what forms they are, and the levels of microcystins they contain. On September 27, 1999, the survey results were announced in a news release:
Results of Health Canada's market survey testing of blue-green algal products show that no microcystins were detected in products made from only one type of blue-green algae, Spirulina blue-green algae, which is generally harvested from controlled ponds.
However, testing indicates that for many non-Spirulina blue-green algal products, harvested from natural lakes, consumption according to manufacturers directions results in a daily intake of microcystins above that considered acceptable by Health Canada and the World Health Organization. Microcystins are toxins which accumulate in the liver and can cause liver damage. They are naturally produced by some kinds of blue-green algae. Blue-green algal products are sold in tablet, capsule, or powder forms as food supplements, often as a natural source of minerals.
Health Canada began its broad sampling of blue-green algal products available on the Canadian market in May 1999, after several blue-green algal products were found to contain unacceptable levels of microcystins. Analytical testing was then performed to measure the levels of microcystins in the blue-green algal products, and the level of risk to Canadian consumers was determined. Based on the results, products made only from Spirulina blue-green algae are no longer considered a microcystin-related health risk.
For non-Spirulina blue-green algal products, follow-up will be done on a case by case basis. Health Canada's Food Directorate has communicated the test results and their health significance to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, and has indicated that products on the Canadian market, when consumed according to manufacturers directions, should not exceed the daily intake of microcystins considered acceptable by the World Health Organization and Health Canada. Subsequent compliance measures are the responsibility of the CFIA.
Health Canada recommends that children not be given products containing the non-Spirulina blue-green algae until measures to address any risk have been implemented. Because of their lower body weight, children are at greater risk of developing serious illness from blue-green algal products containing elevated levels of microcystins, especially if these products are ingested for an extended period of time.
Despite recent reports that blue-green algal products can be used as a treatment for Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD), Health Canada has not received any evidence to support such claims, and has not authorized the marketing of any blue-green algal products for any therapeutic purpose. In Canada, the blue-green algal products examined to date are sold as foods, and Health Canada does not allow therapeutic claims for substances sold as foods.
Adult consumers who choose to use products containing non-Spirulina blue-green algae should do so for short periods of time only. Adverse symptoms from long-term use of these products (weeks to months) may not be obvious but could range from a feeling of general malaise or gastrointestinal discomfort, to jaundice. Concerned consumers should contact their health care professionals for advice [4].
In May 2000, the Oregon Department of Health released data from a survey which found that 63 out of 87 samples contained microcystin levels above its regulatory limit of 1 microgram/gram. The published abstract states:
The presence of blue-green algae (BGA) toxins in surface waters used for drinking water sources and recreation is receiving increasing attention around the world as a public health concern. . . . BGA products are commonly consumed in the United States, Canada, and Europe for their putative beneficial effects, including increased energy and elevated mood. Many of these products contain Aphanizomenon flos-aquae, a BGA that is harvested from Upper Klamath Lake (UKL) in southern Oregon, where the growth of a toxic BGA, Microcystis aeruginosa, is a regular occurrence. M. aeruginosa produces compounds called microcystins, which are potent hepatotoxins and probable tumor promoters. Because M. aeruginosa coexists with A. flos-aquae, it can be collected inadvertently during the harvesting process, resulting in microcystin contamination of BGA products. In fall 1996, the Oregon Health Division learned that UKL was experiencing an extensive M. aeruginosa bloom, and an advisory was issued recommending against water contact. The advisory prompted calls from consumers of BGA products, who expressed concern about possible contamination of these products with microcystins. In response, the Oregon Health Division and the Oregon Department of Agriculture established a regulatory limit of 1 µg/g for microcystins in BGA-containing products and tested BGA products for the presence of microcystins. Microcystins were detected in 85 of 87 samples tested, with 63 samples (72%) containing concentrations > 1 µg/g. HPLC and ELISA tentatively identified microcystin-LR, the most toxic microcystin variant, as the predominant congener [5].
The Bottom Line
Algae products contain no nutrients that are not readily available from food or ordinary dietary supplements that cost much less. Studies performed in countries where malnutrition is common have shown that administering spirulina (as food or tablets) can correct deficiencies of the few nutrients that spirulina contains. However, the commercially marketed algae products have no proven value for treating obesity or other human health problem, and some may contain potent toxins.
For Additional Information
- Health Canada Online. Information sheet on blue-green algae (May 1999)
- Health Canada Online. Information: Blue-Green Algal Products (September 1999)
- Health Canada Online. Testing methodology for blue green algal products (September 1999)
- Health Canada Online. Blue-green algae (cyanobacteria) and their toxins (June 2003)
- Barrett S, Herbert V. The Vitamin Pushers: How the "Health Food" Industry Is Selling Americans a Bill of Goods. Amherst NY: Prometheus Books, 1994.
- Ballantine C. The trial of the blue-green algae eaters. FDA Consumer 20(6):33-34, 1986.
- Barrett S. Cell Tech loses false advertising suit. Quackwatch, July 25, 2003.
- Health Canada announces results of blue-green algal products testing—only Spirulina found Microcystin-free. Health Canada news release, Sept 17, 1999.
- Gilroy GJ and others. Assessing potential health risks from microcystin toxins in blue-green algae dietary supplements. Environmental Health Perspectives 108:435-439, 2000.
This article was revised on January 14, 2007.


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Inmate Labor for Construction of Animal Shelters
WHEREAS, R.S. 15:832.1(A)(1) provides that the governor, upon determining that it is appropriate and in furtherance of the rehabilitation and training of inmates, may, by executive order, authorize the use of inmates of a penal or correctional facility owned by the state of Louisiana for necessary labor in connection with a particular capital construction project on the grounds of the facility;
WHEREAS, the Department of Public Safety and Corrections, Corrections Services, seeks to utilize inmate labor to assist in the construction of a permanent animal holding facility and an emergency animal shelter on the grounds of Dixon Correctional Institute in Jackson, Louisiana; and
WHEREAS, the Department of Public Safety and Corrections has advised that the estimated cost of construction is below the maximum specified in R.S. 15:832.1(A)(1).
NOW THEREFORE I, KATHLEEN BABINEAUX BLANCO, Governor of the state of Louisiana, by virtue of the authority vested by the Constitution and laws of the state of Louisiana, do hereby order and direct as follows:
SECTION 1: In furtherance of the goals of the state of Louisiana of rehabilitating inmates, reducing recidivism, and reintegrating inmates into society, inmate labor is hereby authorized to build a permanent animal holding facility and an emergency animal shelter on the grounds of Dixon Correctional Institute in Jackson, Louisiana.
SECTION 2: This Order is effective upon signature and shall continue in effect until amended, modified, terminated, or rescinded by the governor, or terminated by operation of law.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have set my hand officially and caused to be affixed the Great Seal of Louisiana, at the Capitol, in the city of Baton Rouge, on this 21st day of December, 2006.
Kathleen Babineaux Blanco
Jay Dardenne
Secretary of State


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After 13 years, countless relationships forged and the establishment of a nationally recognized charitable foundation, Jim Carr is leaving the Rutgers men's basketball program to become a full assistant at the University of Rhode Island.
Carr's tenure at Rutgers began in 1997 and spanned four head coaching regimes, with a two-year assistantship at Fairleigh Dickinson in the middle. He held a variety of positions for the Scarlet Knights, including five years as an assistant, and most recently served as director of basketball operations.
Gregarious, witty and unfailingly polite, with an unmatched institutional knowledge and a thick rolodex of metropolitan-area contacts, Carr was a behind-the-scenes mover and shaker for the Scarlet Knights. As an assistant he spearheaded the recruitment of Hamady N'Diaye, Greg Echenique, Dane Miller and Gilvydas Biruta and in his current role helped open doors for Mike Rice's blockbuster seven-man class of 2011.
"Jim Carr has been a great asset to me and my staff for his experience and knowledge of not only Rutgers University, but the Big East as well," Rice said. "We are not only losing a great coach but a great person as well."
Carr's profile went national last spring when his 2-year-old son Brayden died after a much-publicized battle with epilepsy. He and his wife Natalie, a longtime South Plainfield resident and former tennis coach at the high school there, formed "In Brayden's Eyes." The nonprofit foundation aims "to provide athletic, social, rehabilitative, and academic opportunities to children with seizure conditions and their related physical needs, as well as provide humanitarian support/relief to their parents."
The foundation got off to a flying start in September with a coaches clinic featuring Kansas' Bill Self, Kentucky's John Calipari, former Knicks coach Jeff Van Gundy, St. Anthony coach Bob Hurley and Naismith Hall of Famer Larry Brown. More than 500 coaches attended and $75,000 was raised for the charity.
All indications are that Carr plans to continue the foundation from his new base in South Kingston, R.I. There he will work under newly appointed head coach Dan Hurley, a former Rutgers assistant and longtime friend who was a guest in his wedding party.
"In a cutthroat, dog-eat-dog, no-honor-amongst-thieves business, he's the guy I trust the most," Hurley told the Home News Tribune last year. "He's a selfless guy and he's got a giant heart."
Hurley tried to lure Carr from Rutgers two years ago when he took over Wagner. This time, after some reflection and a dose of encouragement from Rice, he decided to make the leap.
For more information about the Brayden Carr Foundation, visit http://braydencarrfoundation.com/site/
SCUTTLEBUTT SAYS: Congrats to Jimmy, one of the best people in college basketball. From the outside it might seem remarkable that he survived three messy regime changes—is that some kind of record?—but those who know Carr understand why. In addition to being a super guy, he is ultra-connected and does a lot behind the scenes. He will be missed at Rutgers and is a strong asset for Dan Hurley at URI. The foundation will continue so please maintain your support for this worthy cause.


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This is a compatible Konica Minolta A070330 / TN611M magenta laser toner cartridge is guaranteed to perform with your Konica Minolta Bizhub C451, C550 or C650 laser printer. It replaces the original Konica Minolta A070330 toner cartridge. The compatible replacement A070330 laser toner cartridges and supplies (also known as generic) are specially engineered to meet the highest standards of quality, reliability and exceptional yields that meet or exceed OEM Konica-Minolta (Original Equipment Manufacturer) standards for the A070330 and offer high-quality printing results. Manufactured in an ISO-9001 certified factory, they are an economical and sensible alternative to expensive OEM A070330 Konica Minolta laser toner cartridges and supplies. The use of compatible replacement laser toner cartridges and supplies does not void your printer's warranty.
We offer a 100% Quality Satisfaction Guarantee on our compatible A070330 laser toner and supplies.
We offer a 100% Quality Satisfaction Guarantee on our compatible A070330 laser toner and supplies.
|Toner Cartridge
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Keeping Your Cool – Staying Healthy During a Heat Wave
Severe heat waves are not merely a nuisance and a boon for the power company. Extreme heat can cause heat stroke—a serious medical condition that can be deadly, especially for the very young and the elderly. Some summers, such as the summer of 2006, bring on extremely severe temperature highs that can damage buildings and roads and even kill.
The old adage: "It's the heat, not the humidity" proves to be very true in a heat wave. Humidity is debilitating because sweat doesn't readily evaporate from skin since the surrounding air already contains so much moisture. This is a big reason why air conditioning feels so good…because it reduces the level of humidity.
To manage a heat wave, it's important to help your body stay cool. One of the best ways to do this is to limit outdoor activities.
Tips for keeping cool in the summer sun:
- Wear sunscreen, even on overcast days. If your skin gets red from too much heat, you are suffering from sunburn, which will leave you feeling hot and uncomfortable and can lead to permanent damage to the skin.
- Drink plenty of cold liquids, avoiding alcohol and caffeinated beverages, which can actually dehydrate instead of hydrate you.
- Shade is your friend. Shady areas can be up to 15 degrees cooler than their sunny counterparts, and will help regulate your body temperature.
- Take it easy! The middle of a heat wave is the not the ideal time to take up jogging or another form of strenuous outdoor activity.
- Wear light, loose-fitting clothing to allow your body to expel excess heat. Some people have a difficult time monitoring their own body temperature and might tend to overdress for the conditions.
- Eat small meals. It's necessary for your core temperature to rises in order to digest big meals. Focus on frequency instead of quantity.
Identify and manage heat stroke:
- Body temperatures measure over 105.1 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Dry skin, rapid pulse and disorientation are all symptoms.
- For severe cases, immersion in cool (but not cold) water is recommended.
- Hydration is very important, including use of either cool water or intravenous fluids if the victim is unable to drink.
- To stave off heat stroke, drink before you start to feel thirsty.
- Administer first aid to heat stroke victims until their temperature falls in a safe range (101-102 degrees).
Help your family to beat the heat:
- Get out of the city! Urban areas are heat islands, where the temperatures remain warm even throughout the night. Cities also trap pollutants during heat waves. So plan a trip to a more rural area to escape summer crowds and heat.
- If you travel to a warm climate, make sure your accommodations and vehicle feature air conditioning.
- If your home does not have an air conditioning unit, consider going somewhere during the hottest part of the afternoon. Shopping malls, movie theaters and public libraries are all cool summer destinations.
- Ceiling fans and standing fans don't technically lower the temperature of a room, but they do create a "wind chill" effect where the body cools itself with a nice breeze.
If you are a building owner:
- Test your air conditioning system to be sure it can handle the strain of prolonged usage. Clean filters will help the system run at optimal efficiency.
- Implement the use of compact fluorescent bulbs instead of the heat-producing incandescent variety.
- Consider adding inexpensive shade structure or fabric to cool outdoor patio areas.
- When it's time for new windows, install the tinted variety, which can drastically reduce the heat coming into a building.
Unlike other disasters, you can't see the heat wave—you can just feel it. However, as with other disasters, preparation and common sense are your best tools for safely managing a heat wave. Keep a close eye on children and other loved ones to be sure they have ready access to resources and helpful information.
When a disaster strikes, prior planning and clear decisive action can help save lives. For the latest emergency management training for facility/building managers, contact Allied Universal, Inc. Our new Version 2.0 e-based training system offers the best emergency training system with automated and integrated features. Visit rjwestmore.com for more information and remember to BE SAFE.
Tags: air conditioning in high heat, BE SAFE, excess heat, extreme heat, heat islands, heat stroke, heat-producing light bulbs, humidity, hydration in high heat, managing heat waves, medical conditions, outdoor activities, severe heat waves, strenuous outdoor activity, summer of 2006, summer sun, sunburn


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Syrian rebels fight at air base; missile detected
Rebels trying to topple Syrian President Bashar Assad's regime battled army troops inside an air base in the north on Thursday as government forces fought opposition strongholds near the seat of his government in Damascus.
In Brussels, a NATO official said the alliance on Wednesday detected the launch of an unguided, short-range ballistic missile in the country, which is embroiled in a civil war that has killed more than 60,000 people in nearly 22 months.
The official, who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity in line with the alliance's rules, also said Assad's forces fired ballistic missiles at opposition-held areas twice earlier this month. The official said all the missiles were fired from inside Syria at unconfirmed targets in the north.
The alliance has condemned the use of such missiles, saying it disregards the lives of the Syrian people.
Syrian state-run SANA news agency said army troops were battling rebel units in several provinces around the country and in the suburbs of Damascus. The agency claimed troops were "inflicting heavy losses on the terrorists and destroying their weapons and ammunition."
The Syrian government refers to rebels as terrorists out to destroy the country and claims they are supported by Arab Gulf countries and the West.
In recent weeks, rebels have captured large areas in the north along Syria's border with Turkey and in towns and villages around Damascus. Opposition fighters also have overrun several military bases, seizing weapons and ammunition from government forces, which outgun rebels with their fighter jets and helicopter gunships.
The Britain-based opposition activist group Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said the rebels entered the Taftanaz air base in northern Idlib province late Wednesday and the two sides were still fighting on Thursday. Rebels have battled army troops for weeks for control of the Taftanaz base, where helicopters and war planes take off on missions to bomb rebel-held areas around the country.
The Observatory said the rebel assault was led by fighters from Jabhat al-Nusra, an Islamist extremist group which fights among the Syrian rebels.
The U.S. has designated the group as a terrorist organization and says it is affiliated to al-Qaida.
The Syrian opposition and fighters on the ground have repeatedly asked their backers in the West for anti-aircraft missiles to fight Assad's deadly airpower.
On Thursday, government jets struck rebel positions within Taftanaz base, the Observatory said. Airstrikes also hit eastern Ghouta district, an opposition stronghold near Damascus where rebels have been staging an offensive on the capital.
Also Thursday, nearly 50 Iranians were heading home after being freed by Syrian rebels in a prisoner swap.
Iranian officials told reporters at Tehran's Mehrabad Airport that the flight carrying 48 former Iranian prisoners had left Damascus en route to the Iranian capital. They spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not allowed to brief the media on the issue.
They did not say when the plane is expected to land in Tehran.
The rebels freed 48 Iranian captives on Wednesday in exchange for more than 2,000 prisoners held by Syrian authorities. It was the first major prisoner swap since the uprising began.
A Syrian official said the Iranians left the Damascus Sheraton hotel early in the morning. They were then stranded for hours at the Damascus airport by bad weather that has swept the Middle East.
Rebels claimed the captives were linked to Iran's powerful Revolutionary Guard, but Tehran has denied that, saying the men were pilgrims visiting Shiite religious sites in Syria. U.S. State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland described most of the Iranians as "members of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard," calling it "just another example of how Iran continues to provide guidance, expertise, personnel, technical capabilities to the Syrian regime."
Iran is one of Assad's main allies, and the Iranians, who were seized outside Damascus in August, were a major bargaining chip for factions trying to bring down his regime
Surk reported from Beirut. Associated Press writer Slobodan Lekic in Brussels contributed to this report.


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Highlights / General details
Whitewater Ski Resort has a well-deserved reputation for epic powder snowfalls with 40ft of the good stuff falling each year on average. Powder Magazine calls Whitewater, "One of the best powder mountains on the continent." And, Ski Canada has rated Whitewater to have the Best Deeps, Best Bowls and Best Glades. Don't just take their word for it, come experience it for yourself.
Lift ticket.
Hours of operation
Available: Season runs December 2015 - April 2016 (weather dependent).
Lift & Trail hours:
Silverking - 9:00am-3:30pm (Spring hours March-April: 9:15am-4:00pm).
Summit Chair - 9:00am-3:30pm (Spring hours March-April: 9:15am-3:30pm).
Glory Ridge Chair - 9:15am-3:00pm (Spring hours March-April: 9:30am-3:15pm).
Hummer - 9:00am-3:30pm (Spring hours March-April: 9:15am-4:00pm).
Christmas hours are 11:00am-3:00pm.
Whitewater Ski Resort is located at 1 Whitewater Road, Nelson, BC V1L 5P7. Guest Services desk is on the lower level of the lodge.
Complete information, including local telephone numbers at your destination, will be included on your Confirmation Voucher.
**All information requested must be supplied or booking is subject to automatic cancellation**


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Friday evening. I do love a Friday evening. Well, if I am honest, I love certain Friday evenings. The ones where I am sat in queues on the M25, M3 and A303 as we head West are not that thrilling; it is the thought of what lies ahead the following day that keeps me going. Waking up in that dinky little thatched cottage, Gertrude Jekyll roses blooming round the eyebrow window, the promise of a day vintage treasure seeking in Bridders. That's what it is.
Friday evenings like todays, I'm rather fond of: a lazy slide into the weekend, maybe Mr HenHouse will get home on time, gentle sunshine on the lawn outside, the birds singing in the trees and the promise of a glass of something chilled. Monty Don on BBC 2 and I'm happy.
It's been a busy old time of late. Splitting our time between life in the city and life in the country. One is filled with crafty times, lots of lovely fabric, rippling yarn and Liberty lawn on tiles or on patchwork bags. I'm glossing over all the mundane chores that tend to get in the way from time to time. The rooms are large, the ceilings high. The stairs with their 140 year old treads exposed while waiting new carpet a lot more vertiginous than their country counterparts which wind their way up, hidden behind a centuries old oak-planked door with its iron latch. One hundred and forty miles away, there are country pubs high on hills in country parks to be discovered, beautiful old china and textiles to be rescued and rooms with centuries old wooden beams and doorways of decidedly dinky proportions to navigate. Not forgetting lots and lots of delicious clean fresh air to breathe deeply in.
Life is not always that clear cut though, and I am very glad of it. There's a definite cross-over between the two rather different styles of our lives. Here in the city, I have surrounded myself with constant reminders of the country: my roses are blooming oh so early and I am happy to bring little bouquets indoors where I watch their petals open then fall. They might grace the table I set for a quaint afternoon tea with friends met through the marvellous world of t'internet. How very old meets modern. My city sitting room is home to two stunning wing chairs; bought at a West Country car boot sale for ten pounds and reupholstered by a clever lady in Dorset. From Somerset to Dorset to London, they have a tale to tell.
In my crafting, I am reminded of my Somerset cottage garden: in the vintage-inspired fabrics that make up my patchwork quilts strewn with daisies and roses; the Liberty Tana lawn tiles I make for my bathroom, a riot of 1930's flowers; and my beloved posies crafted from felt just like they did in the 1940s. Charlie Boy reclines on cushions made with fabric bursting with blooms, squirrelled away on foraging trips in the West. I think he's dreaming of all those green fields, of doormice and birds in the trees. I think I'll join him, along with my glass of something chilled.


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Tanzanian civil society and private sector organizations have come together to express their concern about the impact of GM technology on smallholder farmers and the environment.
Tanzania Alliance for Biodiversity is a coalition of civil society and private sector organizations concerned with the conservation of agricultural biodiversity for livelihood security and food sovereignty. The members of the alliance share the aims of conserving biodiversity and supporting sustainable development, promoting farmers' self-determination and food sovereignty, facilitating exchange of information and experiences concerning sustainable and healthy agriculture policies and practices, ensuring public awareness on issues of concern to the environment, agriculture and biodiversity, and promoting citizen involvement in the decision-making processes which guide the development of biotechnology particularly GMO.
Previously officially GM free, Tanzania has now opened the door to GM biotechnology. Research on GM cassava and field trials of WEMA maize have already started and Tanzania Cotton Board has announced their decision to introduce Bt cotton. Biosafety legislation is in place and regulators are under industry pressure to relax the strict liability clause, one of the last barriers to widespread introduction of GM crops. Alliance members believe that Biosafety regulations should be based on the precautionary principle and are convinced that introduction of GM crops or animals is not the right solution to fight poverty and hunger.
Organic farmers in Tanzania – around 100,000 of them, mostly smallholder cocoa and cotton farmers with a few acres each - are waking up to the threat of GM contamination, which would render their products unmarketable and destroy their main source of income. Tanzanian farmers and decision makers need to fully understand the potential impact of GM biotechnology, and ensure that the views of civil society are being taken on board in developing GM plans.
Just a few weeks old, the alliance has already brought together campaigners, organic exporters and NGOs including African Centre for Biodiversity, ActionAid International Tanzania, Biolands, BioRe, BioSustain, Envirocare, PELUM Tanzania, Swissaid, and Tanzania Organic Agriculture Movement. The alliance joins similar movements in South Africa, Zambia, Kenya, and Uganda, to resist the Africa-wide pressure from the US-driven biotech industry.
It is perhaps predictable that agribusiness corporations are selling a top-down technical fix for African food insecurity and poverty. But it is clear that the problems of African farmers are multi-faceted, including poor access to land, water, credit and investment, tried-and-tested technology, farm machinery, training, markets, roads, energy, and services. Rather than be seduced by the promise of high-tech miracle seeds, it is surely these issues that should be the focus of development efforts and resources.


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I just released my first mobile app - aABC for Android devices.
It's written from scratch and does everything on the device, no third-party software or servers used. The initial version only handles melody files (but does try to handle lyrics), later versions will support multiple voices. I know that it would be easy to contrive ABC files that fail to load: at the moment I am simply trying to handle straightforward real-world cases.
aABC is the first piece of software I've not released as open source (cf. GENPO and EWItool), but now that I'm a 'struggling musician' I do need a little return on all the effort.


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Unlikely Spring Training Questions From A Waiting Room
These have been bouncing around my head all off-season; some are tempests in teapots, some a little more substantial – I just havent heard many of them asked…DID the Yankees actually upgrade? Acknowledging that a healthy Nick Johnson, freed of all defensive worries, could win a batting championship (or at least the On Base crown), is a trade-off of Johnny Damon, Hideki Matsui, and Melky Cabrera for Curtis Granderson, Johnson, Randy Winn and Brett Gardner really a win? Has Cabreras clutch late-inning hitting been forgotten, or merely written off as a statistical fluke?…ON the other end of the Granderson trade, do the Tigers know Phil Coke wasnt that great against lefties during the first half of last year, and basically stopped getting them out at all after September 1 and in the post-season?…HAS Roy Halladay ever been tested in a pennant race? Does it matter? I seem to recall several clubs drooling over the various Javier Vazquezes who pitched in obscurity in Montreal and Arizona and even Chicago…DID the Angels look at Joel Pinieros last months worth of work in 2009? Did they break out his fly-ball to ground-ball ratio? Did they note that a sinkerball pitcher who cant get the ball down will probably end up in mopup relief?…WHY hasnt anybody else written that if Milton Bradley doesnt sink the Mariners, theyll be the first?…lastly IF you are the Nats and you have as exciting a prospect as Ian Desmond and you havent unloaded Cristian Guzman, why do you go ahead and sign Adam Kennedy?
6 Comments
Hi Keith. I hope the Mariners aren't sunk by Milton Bradley… sometimes people never fit in anywhere, and then suddenly… they do. Life can be odd that way – let's hope it can be that kind of odd for Bradley and the Mariners. Speaking of the Seattle team, I was at one of the Disney parks today, and ran across a man wearing a Mariners jersey. It was so nice to see, especially considering I haven't been to one of their games in quite a while. He was of the opinion that they're going to have a great year… I hope he's right. We chatted briefly, and I asked him if he would enjoy their games a little extra for me. He laughed, and told me he would do his best. While we're on the subject, I hope the Yankees have a great season this year as well, for your sake. Thanks for everything you do… and hugs to you and your father. I imagine you could use a hug tonight… take care, and be well.
Speaking of baseball in February, I have something of a dilemma?
I?ve been running a fantasy baseball league of some kind since I was 12 years old. In its heyday, (circa 2000) the (Yahoo!) league fielded 20 teams, with huge rosters (A full infield plus additional MI, CI, and IF spots, five outfielders, two util slots and a six-man bench) making it a league so deep that players like Ben Petrick and Jeff D?Amico could be huge assets.
But some of my core participants have ?matured? over the years. They have wives, and mortgages, and student loan payoffs, and some have stopped obsessing about baseball enough to make it fun for everyone else.
So, I was wondering if I could put out an open invitation to you and your brilliant readers, to see if anyone wanted to add a super-deep competitive league to their usual rotation of fantasy leagues.
We?ve got a very interesting group, including a number of writers who excel at artful message board tauntings. But frankly, we need new blood. I really do not want to run one of those ersatz mini-fantasy leagues where everyone fields an all-star team. That is no fun.
If anyone is interested in joining, feel free to e-mail me at firstname.lastname@example.com.
The Lonely Commish
It all comes down to the fact that teams need to provide the appearance of improvement (ie. roster turnover) rather than actually improve. Any move that doesn't work out gets explained away as an attempt to get better, and can't be criticized as harshly as it should be. For the Phillies, the Halladay deal gave them an excuse if they fail to win the World Series again this year. They can say they tried, rather than trot the same team on the field one more time. For the Yankees, they were playing into the New York mentality. Winners or not, fans wouldn't accept putting the same team back on the field with everyone being a year older. There would have been unrest in putting faith in Matsui and Damon to recreate the seasons they just had as they get closer to the end of their careers. Whether the move works or not, they can say they didn't take it for granted that they were good enough to win another title. As we have learned from recent politics, covering your *** is more important as actually getting something down.
The Nats are so bad that they are desperate to sign any potentially quality player. When a team has multiple 100-loss seasons in a row, perhaps it will sign virtually anyone who wants to sign.
If Kennedy can keep up what he did in Oakland last year (in a pitchers' park), he is certainly an upgrade over Guzman in every way.
As for Mr. Bradley, I would be thrilled to see him succeed. I have hope that he and Mr. Wakamatsu are compatible. The M's manager seems like the kind of no-nonsense baseball guy Milton could respect. Not only that, Seattle is a much more charitable baseball town than Chicago. Milton is not going to be looked on (unrealistically) as a savior the way he was on the North Side. Chone Figgins and Cliff Lee are going to absorb the majority of that kind of pressure.
Keith, thanks for your work here and on Countdown!
The Yankees moves still FEEL like fantasy baseball trading.
Letting go the guys who in no small part got them to a World Series win, despite a nervous over manager, FEELS crummy.
That's all.
Teams live and die on chemistry.
If the Yankees haven't learned that, after all their years of losing behind 'all star' level teams on paper, then they haven't learned anything.
And they haven't.
You don't replace Ringo right after Sgt. Pepper because he "might not have it in him again".
It's a TEAM. It worked. Leave it.
I realize I'm posting a little late for this, but I'm just catching up on my reading during a slow Thursday morning. So…
The Nats, yeah. Good comment about the Kennedy signing, and being a Nats fan I was a bit perplexed about it as well, considering that Orlando Hudson was waiting for a decision on this one as well before finally going with the Twins. But Desmond is still a young player and last season was his first picking up a couple games. The commentary has consistantly been that he has trouble fielding, which may or may not come in time. But considering he's shown he can be fairly handy with a bat, his fielding might actually catch up. Still, he's young and Guzman has had some injury issues so getting a solid pro at middle infielder isn't a bad bet for a team that clearly needs to build.
Roy Halladay and the Phils? Wow. That's all I want to say about that. I think Philly is just showing that they could finally get the pitcher they were trying to woo through the middle of last season when they had to settle for a "second-best" Cliff Lee. Ha! I'm with you about the questions concerning Halladay's post season experience, especially when Lee dominated for them in a line-up that wasn't showing Fall Classic quality (Hamels and Lidge, anybody?) –where's the loyalty these days?
And Milton Bradley and the Mariners. You know, there's always somebody who's going to take a risk on the bad boy with the good record (read: all the news about Terrell Owens). I don't know if this is going to sink their chances in the AL West, but I think they have more flexibility when it comes to contending for the title with their ace pitchers and quality moves at other positions. Should be a closer game between them and the Angels, for sure.
BTW, love your blog. Keep up the work!


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Apple's iWatch Could Make Sure You Never Lose Your iPhone Again (AAPL)
If Apple comes out with an iWatch, it likely won't replace the iPhone, but rather serve as a complement to it.
As former Apple employee Bruce Tognazzini recently wrote on his blog AskTog, its main role will be to carry out tasks and other functions "that extend the capabilities of your other devices."
One of the most exciting possibilities is that the iWatch could ensure you never lose your iPhone again.
Granted, Apple already offers Find My iPhone, but that really only comes in handy after you've already lost your phone. And it's a pretty stressful experience when you're looking at iCloud's map, just watching your iPhone move farther and farther away from you.
But with the iWatch, as soon as you start to move out of range from your phone, the iWatch will detect that and immediately alert you.
Crisis averted.
SEE ALSO: Here Are Some Reasons To Get Really Excited About Apple Making An 'iWatch'
Please follow SAI on Twitter and Facebook.
Join the conversation about this story »


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Polished and playful, opposites meet to create an eclectic mix of strong versus feminine elements.
Snakeskin jacquard, wild flowers, whimsical hearts, lips and matchstick patterns are combined in a palette of pale chamomile, rose pink, lipstick red and monochrome tones.
A woven python print jacquard coat in golden tan is worn with wild flower duchesse shorts. An oversized bomber jacket with two way metal zip over a matte knit bandeau and mini shorts with sporty side slits.
A print of scattered lips and hearts in lipstick red and white or monochrome is framed with natural canvas. Enlarged in scale, the patterns become embossed lace thread work in pops of color on cotton duchesse for a bold graphic effect. A rose dress is embroidered with diamond and threadwork motifs in a gentle nod to surrealism.
Cocktail is playful in a matchstick print top and athletic shorts. Soft duchesse is gently gathered by hand creating exaggerated volume in a black strapless bustier or a rose mini dress. Minimal eveningwear columns are enhanced with shaped hemlines. Necklines are graphic with a curved frame motif tracing the outline of the shoulders.
Accessories continue to play on the hard and soft theme. Slip on ballerinas flattened at the back or high with a mirrored half cylinder heel inlayed with sustainable veneer and are also worked as sandals in colors of cement, tank, rose, silver and snake. The Beckett bag is offered this season in new shapes and sizes including a slouchy backpack. Color combinations to compliment the collection include rose with hot pink made of an eco-faux nappa with either linen or leopard print raffia and in striking silver metallic.
Sustainability is featured across the collection including sustainable wool and wood, organic fabrics, biodegradable rubber soles and eco-faux nappa, with the coating made of over 50% vegetable oil.Download pdf


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Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg will defend against copyright-infringement allegations on Wednesday, when his lawyers ask a judge to dismiss a complaint filed by three former classmates of Zuckerberg who say he stole the idea for the social-networking site while they attended Harvard University.
Brothers Cameron and Tyler Winklevoss, and Divya Narendra say Facebook was their idea and are asking a judge to give them all of the assets and ownership rights to the site, which could be worth several billion dollars.
In 2002, they say, they began developing a business plan for a Web site originally called the Harvard Connection and later renamed ConnectU. The next year they engaged Mark Zuckerberg to complete the computer program software and other work for the Web site. But they accuse Zuckerberg of using their ideas and code to launch Facebook before finishing the work he promised to do for ConnectU and claiming the idea as his own.
"Zuckerberg knowingly made false statement of intention when he agreed to create, complete, and/or provide source code to . . . the Harvard Connection website," the complaint states. "Zuckerberg never intended to provide the code and instead intended to breach his promise . . . and intended to steal the idea for the Harvard Connection website, and in fact he did so."
The court battle began in 2004, but the original complaint was dismissed -- reportedly because of a technicality -- on March 28. The legal merits of the case were never ruled upon, and Zuckerberg's former classmates refiled their complaint in U.S. District Court in Boston, where tomorrow's hearing will be held to consider Zuckerberg's motions to dismiss.
"Only one of [the students] had an idea significant enough to build a great company. That one person was Mark Zuckerberg, the founder of the popular website, www.facebook.com," Zuckerberg's lawyers state in one of the motions.
Four of Zuckerberg's business partners are also listed as defendants, along with Facebook itself.
This story, "Facebook Tries to Fend Off Copyright-Infringement Claim" was originally published by Network World.


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How to survive your first 30 days of house-hunting in Paris
You remember, don't you?
That time you were trying to find a place to rent after you graduated from college, or moved to the nearby city after high school. Though you had grown up in the area, it was your first time doing this, and you were overwhelmed.
Multiply that by a thousand, and you'll start to understand what it can be like to do something similar in another country, especially if you don't speak the language.
It's as if you're thrown in the ocean and told to swim for your life…but you can't swim.
Being in Paris can be a heady feeling, but the beauty and all the lovely things that it represents don't make it any easier to navigate finding a place to stay that you like and is located in your preferred arrondissement. And if it's your first time in Paris, you might not even know what an arrondissement is. Those first thirty days may be difficult as you try to adjust to a new environment and the local culture.
But don't give up. You can do this.
Deep breath
First of all, take a deep breath and have a glass of wine, or go for a stroll. Remind yourself why you are in France. Why did you come here in the first place? Was it a dare? A chance for adventure? School? Marriage? Think of all the wonderful reasons you are here and let them ground you. When you have found your center, take out a sheet of paper—or tap your iPad--and write down what it is you're looking for—your dream place.
Use that list
There are many places that can help you with home-hunting in Paris. Agencies like Paris Attitude are lifesavers. They will do everything for you, once you give them that list you just made. Whatever your specifications, they will assist you in finding what you want, and suddenly, life is perfect.
Make some friends
Trust me, you're not the first expat to deal with trying to find a place to live in Paris. Join an expat community and make some friends. They will be invaluable, not just for your sanity, but for tips as to what to do in your situation. They can tell you what they went through, what to look out for, and they'll give you a hug after you've found the perfect place, only to find someone else got there first.
Educate yourself
There's nothing worse than going blindly into a situation. Learn the definition of furnished and unfurnished rentals, according to the French; the length of the leases for each type; how utilities work, you get the idea. Get those brand new friends of yours to help you, especially if they speak the language because they can help you understand the law and what's expected so you don't get into trouble or slow down the process. It wouldn't hurt for you to learn a bit of the language, too, just to be polite. It can smooth things over with your prospective landlord to say "Bonjour" at the very least. Learn about illegal clauses. How should you behave when you meet your landlord? Is there some form of etiquette? Doing your research ahead of time will only help you in the long run.
Get to know Paris
Remember that list you made earlier to give to the agency? It would be helpful if you had a good idea of where you want to live, how much you want to spend, and so forth. Make the time, perhaps on the weekends, to do a personal tour of Paris. Perhaps take a friend or two with you. Make it fun! Ride your bicycle or take the bus and investigate the arrondissements. What do you like? What turns you off? How easy would it be to get from home to your job or the university? Is your favorite food nearby? What about the grocery store? Movies? There is also a lot of information and articles online about the arrondissements that would be helpful in your research. All these things will not only help you learn more about Paris but also give you a feel for the city and how best to direct the agency to help you find that dream home.
Get your documents in order
Before you even think of approaching a landlord or agency regarding a rental—furnished or otherwise—you will need to have your papers in order. Trust me, you don't want to forget this part. And it will help you with other legal procedures in Paris, as well. It's all about paperwork. That means you have a job (and perhaps a copy of your contract), bank account, pay slips, previous year's tax filings, receipts for your previous rental, whether or not it was in France, your visa, and carte de séjour.
What rentals should you choose?
It's always nice, if you have the money, to be able to move all your beloved pieces of furniture and the things that remind you of home to the country where you'll be staying for an extended period. Choosing an unfurnished rental would better accommodate all your items, and you can have practically the best of both worlds. The leases for unfurnished rentals are for three years minimum, so bear that in mind.
But not everyone can do this, and it might not be practical for most budgets. It might suit your situation better to get a furnished rental, for which the lease is only one year (nine months if you're a student), giving you time to acclimate to France and the reasons you're here in the first place, instead of worrying about shipping costs. This works, too, if you're working for a branch of your company in Paris and just need some place to call your own for a relatively short period of time.
Why a furnished rental?
Well, Pourquoi pas? It can be costly to ship things from one country to another. That's one less headache in a sea of getting a visa, carte vitale, and other paperwork. This works especially well if you're a short timer, meaning you're only staying for up to a year. You won't have to worry about moving furniture out when you leave, again saving costs and back pain. It's one less thing to have on your mind.
Who can help?
Agencies such as Paris Attitude, as mentioned above, have a wide variety of listings all over Paris to suit every budget. They specialize in long and short term rentals and have a listing of over 6,000 furnished apartments.
You can buy an apartment as well, or sell it, too. In this article, they list the following steps for renting an apartment through them:
- Browse their listings, then select up to 5 that you think are just right for your stay in Paris.
- After confirmation as to availability, you will be sent quotes and a reservation form within 24 hours.
- Confirm your final choice of apartment via the reservation form and within 24 hours a valid lease will be drawn up by the apartment's owner. They will tell you which documents are needed, and all you need to do is gather them and send them to Paris Attitude by email.
- Once your application has been approved you'll receive a booking confirmation and your copy of the lease signed by the apartment's owner.
- Pay your rent and let the owner know your arrival date, fixing an appointment time for the handover of keys.
- On the day you arrive at your apartment, don't forget to check the inventory of household fixtures. Then the only things you have left to do are unpack your bags and head out to discover the charm, dynamism, and secrets of Paris.
It's nice to have someone else do the work for you, isn't it? This gives you more time to get comfortable in Paris, with your new job or educational goals. As mentioned above, they will take all the information you provide and do the searching for you. All you have to do is be ready to jump when they've found what you want.
Not just for Newbies
Furnished rentals are not just for newcomers to Paris, but veteran expats, as well. It's all about the convenience of having a home already filled with furniture and other necessities so all you have to worry about is finding food and wine for the refrigerator. There are many expats who go back and forth to France, often, and it might be a lot cheaper for them to just have a place they can stay, without too much hassle so they can move on to more important things.
While you're waiting
Options like Airbnb, Roomarama, Wimdu, Rentalo, Flipkey, Homestay, Homeaway and 9flats are good choices for finding places to stay on the cheap while you're waiting for your new rental. There may be a tent or tree house in your future…
Don't forget to treat yourself
Do like the French do. Take things in stride, eat out with friends and pace yourself. Go to a party, see a movie, check out a museum. Have a fling; take a French class; learn something new. Buy yourself something definitively French to keep your spirits up. The perfect rental will present itself before you know it. You've done everything possible to make sure you get what you want. So relax and enjoy getting to know your new city.
Really, what's the point of all this?
So many expats have had a stressful time when they start out in Paris, just because of all that's involved with paperwork, and then, on top of that, finding suitable accommodation. It makes the fact that you're away from what's familiar, especially if it's your first time away from home, that much harder to tolerate.
Those first thirty days of house-hunting while adapting to a new environment are crucial to your sanity. Don't let it beat you. Take the tips given up above to heart; it will make your life easier. Don't be too hard on yourself, either. You're in a foreign country, facing the unknown. Pat yourself on the back for even taken such brave step. There are many who haven't.
Remember to pace yourself; get your paperwork together; make friends; do your research; make a list of what you'd like; find an agency; enjoy the good life, which will only get better once you're in your furnished rental. Can you see it yet?
You're hanging out the window of the perfect apartment, a patisserie, and café below which is your favorite place to spend time with friends. There's a huge smile on your face because that guy or girl you've had your eye on is walking down the street below, and just happens to look up and see you before waving.
In about half an hour, you'll be showered and out the door to catch the train for work, a mere fifteen minutes away. At the end of a fruitful day, you return home to change quickly and join friends for the music festival they told you about, with some of your new favorite French musicians.
This will be your life; in fact, you already have it in your mind, and soon it will be a reality. Just be sure to have everything in order. It makes a difference to be prepared for every eventuality. Very shortly, you will be able to send pictures of your new, fabulous life in Paris, along with images of your très chic apartment. People will be jealous, I assure you.
Just hang in there. The end is in sight. My own experience with Paris when I arrived is not for the faint of heart. If I can survive, so can you. Talk to your expat friends, attend events and keep your spirits up. Soon, you'll be one of the people helping newbies acclimate to Paris, and helping them avoid the pitfalls. Won't that be wonderful? You'll know you've arrived, then.
Over to you.
Did you enjoy this article? I hope so! Have you rented a furnished apartment in Paris? What was your experience? Do you agree with the points of this article? Please leave a comment below.
Image Sources: Paris Attitude, Pixabay
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Avoid alcohol, mums-to-be warned
Women who drink as little as one small glass of wine a week while pregnant could risk reducing their child's IQ, a study has suggested.
The effect is only felt by children who have genes that make them vulnerable to alcohol, scientists found.
For these children, even being exposed to relatively small amounts of alcohol before birth could have a significant impact on intelligence at age eight.
It is already well known that heavy drinking in pregnancy can severely harm an unborn baby. But the picture is less clear with regard to light or moderate alcohol consumption. Some guidelines urge mothers-to-be to avoid alcohol completely, while others suggest a moderate intake is safe.
The new findings, published online in the journal Public Library of Science ONE, suggest that genes have a strong bearing on the effect of alcohol in the womb. The research forms part of the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (Alspac), which enrolled more than 14,000 pregnant women in 1991 and 1992.
Scientists studied four genetic variants in more than 4,000 children that influence the body's ability to metabolise, or break down, alcohol. They also questioned mothers about their drinking habits while they were pregnant.
Test results showed a lowering of IQ for genetically susceptible children whose mothers consumed between one and six units of alcohol per week. A unit of alcohol is roughly equivalent to one small glass of wine, a pint of beer, or a single measure of spirits.
At eight-years-old, IQ was reduced by almost two points on average for each of the genetic variants a child possessed - but only if his or her mother drank while pregnant. Children whose mothers avoided alcohol completely were not affected, even if they had alcohol-sensitising genes.
Lead researcher Dr Ron Gray, from Oxford University, said: "This is a complex study but the message is simple: even moderate amounts of alcohol during pregnancy can have an effect on future child intelligence. So women have a good reason to choose to avoid alcohol when pregnant."
Colleague Dr Sarah Lewis, from the University of Bristol, said the research showed that levels of alcohol that are normally considered harmless can have an impact on childhood IQ. She added: "This is evidence that even at these moderate levels, alcohol is influencing foetal brain development."