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What first appears as a victory for banks in their battle to dilute draconian rules on liquidity will still mean they have to find trillions of dollars to protect themselves against their funds running out.
Heavy lobbying by banks over the past two years has bought them time but they will still have to lock up big new cash buffers globally from 2015.
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The Basel Committee of banking supervisors, representing most of the world's capital markets, surprised banks on Sunday with concessions on a planned new liquidity rule so they can withstand market squeezes.
Banks and some regulators said the original draft, the first of its kind, was too draconian, tying up vast pools of liquidity at a time when credit is needed to aid struggling economies.
Most analysts saw the changes as a reflection of economic reality though one former Fed official said delaying and diluting the rule will increase risks from banks.
"Per usual, it will be the taxpayers picking up the tab when a wrong-way bet by a 'too big to fail' bank turns sour," said Cornelius Hurley, a director at Boston University's centre for finance and former counsel to the Fed.
Basel is giving banks an extra four years to comply with the rule by 2019 and include a wider range of risky assets in the buffer but Bank of England Governor Mervyn King said on Sunday a strong disincentive will be built into the changes.
Banks will have to set aside more capital if they choose to pad out their liquidity buffer with the riskier assets such as bonds backed by home loans, or shares.
The rule was first drafted amid a mood of public anger when taxpayers were forced to shore up banks in response to the financial crisis of 2007-2009.
Economists had also expected growth to rebound by now so banks would find the cash and capital needed to comply with new rules. But they and the regulators did not expect a massive euro zone debt crisis that also cast doubt on the solidity of government bonds.
"The draft rule was written in the immediate aftermath of a crisis when there can always be a risk of regulatory overshoot," said David Green, a former Bank of England and UK Financial Services Authority official.
"As circumstances surrounding you change, such as the increasingly visible consequences of constraints on private sector growth or risks related to sovereign debt, then you would be wrong not to adjust," Green said.
The liquidity rule is experimental in some ways, seeking to plug a gap that left banks such as Northern Rock in Britain with too little cash as a result of the credit crunch that emerged in 2007, forcing taxpayers to foot the bill.
It is part of the Basel III framework approved by world leaders in 2010 that also forces banks from this month to hold up to three times more basic capital than before the crisis.
Only 11 of the G20 countries met this month's deadline for implementing Basel III, with the United States and European Union failing to get their rules in place.
Negotiations on an EU law to implement Basel III resume on Thursday and some lawmakers want to dilute the liquidity rule further than Basel has done by allowing banks to include any asset central banks accept as collateral.
Sharon Bowles, the UK Liberal Democrat chair of the European Parliament's economic affairs committee, welcomed a wider range of assets in the buffer - up to a point.
"With regard to assets that qualify as central bank eligible assets it would clearly be wrong to frame that so widely that we ended up with 'anything goes' under emergency or special treatment rules," Bowles said.
The G20 and Basel Committee have no powers to enforce regulatory rules beyond public naming and shaming.
G20 regulation has faced setbacks elsewhere too with the starting date for reforms to make derivatives markets safer passing in December with few changes in force.
There is still no cross-border system for winding down an international bank like Lehman Brothers without taxpayer aid, another core G20 aim of several years standing.
But analysts question whether the delays and concessions matter that much as investors become pickier and financial firms move early to exploit tougher derivatives rules.
Banks lobbied hard against the Basel rules that will force them to hold more capital, up to 9.5 percent in the core mandatory buffers for the world's top 28 lenders by 2019.
But market and supervisory pressure has meant that most big banks meet or exceed the Basel levels they must reach by 2019.
"It will be the same for liquidity and banks will want to be able to advertise that they are stronger than the regulators need them to be, which leaves those who can't looking like the weaker brethren," said Graham Bishop, a former banker who advises the EU on regulation.
A European regulatory source welcomed Basel's more holistic approach to the liquidity rule given that banks must comply with many other costly rules as well.
"We really need to assess the global constraints related to all the new requirements before adding any layer on top and until now, that was done segment by segment in a piecemeal manner," the regulatory source said.
There is also a worry among regulators, learning on the hoof with new types of rules, that piling many rules on banks too quickly could push risky activities into the hands of "shadow banks" which have yet to be supervised properly.
"You can see all this as a matter of judgment and testing of a new rule as you go along," Green said.
Rethinking the liquidity rule may not be the last time that regulators will have to make concessions.
A raft of changes to make derivatives safer relies heavily on there being several trillion dollars of extra top quality collateral to back trades, a quantity experts say is simply not readily available.
(Reporting by Huw Jones; Editing by Giles Elgood)


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Congratulations to Jen and Chase Utley. The Phillies slugger and his animal activist bride welcomed a son, Benjamin Cooper Utley on Friday afternoon. Cooper is Jen's maiden name. He's their first child.
The sports site Crossing Broad, which first reported on the birth, had posted a baby photo without the Utleys consent, but has since removed the picture.
This post has been updated/edited.

subset: commoncrawl


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Texans tap Londonderry's Griffin in NFL DraftBy ROGER BROWN
New Hampshire Union Leader
April 27. 2013 8:32PM
Londonderry's Ryan Griffin visited Kansas City, Buffalo, Green Bay and Houston in the weeks leading up to this year's NFL Draft, and said he came away from those trips feeling like Houston would be a good fit for him. The Texans obviously felt the same way.
Houston chose Griffin, who played tight end at the University of Connecticut, in the sixth round Saturday. He was the 201st overall selection.
"I'm just so excited right now," Griffin said shortly after he was drafted. "I heard a lot of different things about the draft and you never know what to believe. I'm happy to be taken where I was, because my trip to Houston went really well. It felt like the right place for me. It almost felt like a second home."
Although he grew up in Londonderry, Griffin played three years of football at the New Hampton School before he transferred to Londonderry High School for his senior season. Tom Sawyer, Londonderry's head coach at the time, used Griffin as the fullback in a single-wing offense.
"We put him in a position where he could do a lot of things," Sawyer said. "He could run, pass and catch the ball. I knew he was going to get a shot in college because of his size - and he could run."
Griffin, who measured in at 6-foot-6 and 242 pounds at his pro day, received two scholarship offers while in high school. One was from Connecticut, and the other was from the University of New Hampshire.
He was a four-year starter at Connecticut, and caught at least 23 passes each season. He had 29 receptions for 484 yards and six touchdowns as a senior, but was not invited to the NFL Combine.
"You don't earn anything there," Griffin said. "You get a spot and you show what you can do. In a way that motivated me."
Griffin said the Patriots worked him out during his pro day, but he wasn't invited to Foxborough, Mass., for a pre-draft workout.
"The Texans like to use their tight ends in different spots in different formations," Griffin said. "I'll do whatever they ask me to do. I'm ready to contribute."
Griffin became the second New Hampshire resident selected in the NFL Draft in the last two years. San Diego chose Nashua's Kendall Reyes out of the University of Connecticut in the second round of last year's draft.
Reyes tweeted the following: "Words can't even describe how proud of my former teammate Ryan Griffin on getting drafted being from NH."
Griffin said Houston general manager Rick Smith was the one who called to notify him he had been drafted. He then handed the phone to Houston head coach Gary Kubiak.
"I told (Kubiak) I'd work hard for the team," Griffen said. "I'm glad the Texans realized what kind of guy I am and what kind of player I am. I know I'm not going to just show up and get a spot. I have to earn everything I get and I'm ready to do that."


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The Tech Collections of Team Unplggd
As borderline OCD types, we find something deeply satisfying going through the pages of thoughtfully organized arrangements of random items over at Things Organized Neatly. Inspired by the these collections of similar items in large groupings, I asked each of the Unplggd team to share their own tech gear organized in similar fashion to share and reveal what they use on an everyday basis.
We'd love for you, our readers, to share your tech gear arrangements also. If you're so inclined, please send your photo and a short description to Unplggd with the subject "My Tech Gear" and we might follow up in the near future with a roundup of our readers' best.


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Portugal's PM won't quit despite resignations
LISBON, Portugal (AP) — Portugal's prime minister says he "won't resign" despite the resignations of two key members of his Cabinet in a spat over austerity policies.
Pedro Passos Coelho said in a televised address to the nation late Tuesday that his government will continue its battle to restore the bailed-out country's financial health:
"I won't give up on my country," he said.
But the government's future is hanging in the balance after the resignation earlier Tuesday of Foreign Minister Paulo Portas, the leader of the junior party in the governing center-right coalition, in protest against austerity measures.
Passos Coelho said he wouldn't accept Portas's resignation and would seek to heal the rift between the coalition partners.
Finance Minister Vitor Gaspar quit Monday, complaining he lacked political support for his austerity program.


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NH College Notebook: Butcher's retirement will mark the end of an era at KCS
October 26. 2013 7:44PM
IT IS the end of an era in Keene.
On Saturday, Keene State College men's soccer coach Dr. Ron Butcher coached his final regular season home game at Owl Athletic Complex.
The Owls earned a win for Butcher, defeating Western Conn. 3-1 thanks to a pair of goals from Scotty Douglas.
Over his 43 years at Keene State, Butcher has posted a 586-246-71 record and an overall mark of 595-26-72. He announced Thursday that he will retire following this season.
With many of his former players in attendance, KSC honored Butcher with a celebration of his career during pre-and post-game ceremonies Saturday.
"I used to say in my class that the journey is better than the end. And the same thing holds true in coaching," said Butcher earlier this week. "I've been to some amazing places, I've worked with some amazing coaches, and most said to me, I can't believe you won't be on the sidelines. What are you going to do? Some of the guys even asked me if I wanted to be their assistant coach. At least people know who I am and appreciate what I accomplished during my coaching career."
Since arriving at Keene State in 1970, Butcher has been the chief architect in building an Owl soccer program that has flourished at every level of college competition from NAIA to NCAA Division II and Division III.
His win total places him fifth on the all-time list for men's college soccer coaches and third among active coaches in Division III.
The dean of men's soccer coaches in New England, Butcher has not only led the Owls to 31 post-season tournament appearances, but has developed numerous All-America, All-New England and All-Conference players, as well as some who have gone on to play in the professional ranks.
Butcher honed his soccer coaching skills at Pittsfield High and later at Wisconsin-Platteville. Butcher, a goalie by trade, was encouraged to look into the Keene State job by then-athletic director Ted Kehr and basketball coach Glenn Theulen.
"I was brought here to build a program and that's what I did," Butcher said. "They wanted a team that students could rally around."
Moving to Division III in the fall of 1997, KSC earned an NCAA berth in eight of its first 10 seasons in the Little East Conference.
"I can only speak for myself. Keene State soccer over 43 years has had a pretty good run when you look at the record and the number of athletes who have graduated from the program and experienced the thrill of competing in post-season tournaments," Butcher said.
Butcher was inducted into the KSC Alumni Athletic Hall of Fame in 2005.
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Emily Cousens of Hopkinton and the New York University women's cross country team was named University Athletic Association Athlete of the Week for her winning-performance at the Oberlin Inter-Regional Rumble at Oberlin (Ohio) College last Saturday.
Cousens bested the 284-person field, covering the 6k course in a time of 21:54.5. Running in wet and muddy conditions, she was able to move up throughout the race and eventually take the lead for good.
"Emily ran a great strategic race," said NYU head coach Nick McDonough. "She ran with the front pack most of the way and took off in the last 400 meters."
This is Cousens' first UAA Athlete of the Week honor of the season and third of her career. Earlier this season she was named ECAC Runner of the Week for her second-place finish at the Dickinson Long and Short Invitational on Sept. 28.
- - - - - -
Jed Magnusson of Sanborn is having another strong season as a junior captain on the Endicott College men's soccer team.
A four-year starter at Sanborn Regional under his dad Al, Magnusson is an outside defender who has been a starter all three years at Endicott, which entered the weekend with a record of 8-8.
College Notebook appears every Sunday and is compiled by the New Hampshire Union Leader and Sunday News sports staff. Email firstname.lastname@example.com.


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The Neosho Area Clergy Coalition again marked Good Friday with a cross walk down the Neosho Boulevard, as approximately 50 people walked alongside the large wooden cross late Friday morning.
James Keezer, pastor at the Neosho Church of the Nazarene, said the Easter weekend event has been going for at least seven years now.
"The Easter season, or Lent, is really the most important aspect of what it means to be a Christian," Keezer said. "If it weren't for the resurrection then everything that we believe in and stand for would be for nothing."
As the crowd of worshipers made their from the Neosho Church of the Nazarene, at 1045 Fair Hill Drive, on down Johnson Drive and then north onto Neosho Boulevard, some cars honked, while other motorists stuck their hands out to wave to the crowd.
Though much of the feedback seemed to be supportive, Keezer said the group has not been without the negative reactions in past years.
However, no matter what the response of the passers by, Keezer said the mission is accomplished in bringing their attention to the cross and the message behind it.
"The way I look at it is either way it's good because, the Bible says the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing but to those who are redeemed it is life," Keezer said. "And so, for those who see the cross and there's an anger, it is still accomplishing its purpose, it's forcing people to think about the gospel and to think about what that means for them. So whether cars drive by and they honk and wave in agreement or they yell obscenities and shake their fists, it's accomplishing what it is intended to accomplish."
The event kicked off at 11 a.m. and included not only members of the church, but also clergy coalition members and members of the general public.
The group made their way down the boulevard, with a participant pulling the large wooden cross in the lead, and could be seen stopping at times for scripture readings.
Keezer said the Cross walk used to be held on the Neosho Square, though it was moved to the Neosho Boulevard because of more traffic and the ability to reach more people.
He said the event serves as a reminder of what Easter weekend is all about.
"We get wrapped up in our lives, in our day to day routine of going to work, having occupations and building families and all of these things and it is amazing that the very creator of the universe, who stepped into humanity, revealed himself to us, is someone that in the 2,000 year time period we easily forget," Keezer said. "So, in something so simple as putting together a small wooden cross, walking up and down the boulevard, it, in many ways, is just a reminder of a bigger picture, something so small yet says so much."


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Rangers make Day 3 of the Draft a brother act
David and Ryan Ledbetter couldn't have asked for a better situation in the 2013 First-Year Player Draft. The twin brothers and right-handed pitchers both got drafted by the Rangers this weekend.
"It's a dream come true, literally," Ryan said. "That's funny. What are the chances? That's crazy."View Full Game Coverage
David and Ryan Ledbetter couldn't have asked for a better situation in the 2013 First-Year Player Draft. The twin brothers and right-handed pitchers both got drafted by the Rangers this weekend.
"It's a dream come true, literally," Ryan said. "That's funny. What are the chances? That's crazy."View Full Game Coverage
Ryan was selected in the 19th round on Day 3 of the Draft on Saturday, while David was drafted in the third round on Friday. They were two of 41 selections made by the Rangers during the three-day Draft.
"We're very tired after three days of the long, grueling process we've been through up to this point," Rangers' director of amateur scouting Kip Fagg said. "We got a lot of guys we identified early. All our scouts and cross-checkers knew the makeup, knew the ability, and we felt pretty good about the guys they identified and the guys we acquired."
The Ledbetter brothers still have college eligibility left at Cedarville University in Ohio, but their agent, Jonathan Maurer, said they plan to sign with the Rangers.
"There will be no challenges to signing, whatsoever," Maurer said. "We've discussed it. While things aren't official, we're excited to be Rangers. We've agreed in conversation, and both boys are ready to be in Texas."
David and Ryan came to Arlington for the Rangers' pre-Draft workout in May. Maurer said the organization "felt like a family" and the Rangers treated them as "what I felt like was royalty." They got an extensive tour of the ballpark and met with the Rangers' front office.
They also threw well during their workouts in Arlington. Fagg said they both showed the ability to manipulate the ball from both sides and the ability to spin a breaking ball.
"We were impressed with them," Fagg said. "I got around the kids a little bit and liked the makeup."
David expects to be used as a starting pitcher, while Ryan likely as a reliever. They both signed with Cedarville during their junior year of high school, despite interest from bigger programs like Butler and Indiana. David said they enjoyed their visit and loved the people on campus.
Ryan had to redshirt his first year due to Tommy John surgery, and called it a "patience builder."
"It felt like I got electrocuted in my elbow," Ryan said. "I thought it was just, 'Oh maybe I just threw that pitch weird.' So I threw another one and it hurt really bad. I just walked out and said I'm done."
Ryan went 10-4 with a 3.16 ERA in two years at Cedarville. He went 4-1 with a 3.34 ERA and six saves as the team's closer during his redshirt freshman season. Ryan was a Great Midwest Athletic Conference first-team selection as a redshirt sophomore with a 6-3 record in 13 appearances (nine starts) and a 3.05 ERA. He allowed 24 runs (19 earned) on 54 hits in 56 innings pitched. He had 59 strikeouts, 28 walks and a .257 opponents' batting average.
"I wouldn't be where I am today if it weren't for him, and he wouldn't be where he is if it weren't for me," David said. "We're believers in Christ, and we think that God has a plan from the very beginning. It's just very funny to see it playing out and for us to be a part of that."
Ryan felt he didn't get to hone his skills as a pitcher this season because he mainly played second base. He said he's more aggressive than David on the mound, but he doesn't have David's command. Ryan said David hit 97 mph during his pre-Draft workouts with the Rangers. Ryan said his fastball sits around 93-95 mph.
"My stuff is a little more raw," Ryan said. "It's not as polished, but I'm excited to be able to just pitch with the program I'm on and have a routine."
In the Pipeline
The Rangers have drafted heavy on position players the last few years, but they've stocked up on arms this year. MLB.com has nine pitchers in the Rangers' top 20 prospects, including Martin Perez, Justin Grimm and Nick Tepesch.
Master Tesfatsionis an associate reporter for MLB.com.


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We gathered a group of the industry's most experienced professionals and used their input to come up with a unique result: intelligently designed and quality products that they want. We provide AV racks, rack accessories and connection boxes that combine contemporary design, easy assembly and adaptability to any installation. Installer's Choice is better built by design.


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Advocates of sustainable farming and regional food systems are applauding the Local Farm, Food and Jobs Act, a federal bill they say has the potential to expand markets for farmers and get more healthy food in the hands of consumers.
Sen. Sherrod Brown, an Ohio Democrat, and Rep. Chellie Pingree, a Democrat from Maine, introduced the twin bills in the Senate and House early this week, hoping their provisions will make it into a five-year farm bill later this year.
The lawmakers originally introduced their act in 2011. However, Congress failed to agree on a new farm bill last year, extending the previous bill instead.
"Sen. Brown's bill will boost income and market opportunities for Ohio farmers, secure funding for critically important programs that support family farms, expand new farming opportunities, and invest in the local agriculture economy," said MacKenzie Bailey, policy program coordinator for the Ohio Ecological Food and Farm Association, in a written statement.
The act has 33 co-sponsors — all Democrats — including Sen. Jon Tester from Montana, the Senate's sole working farmer. More than 280 organizations have endorsed the bill, including Local Matters, Ohio Environmental Council, Slow Food Columbus and OEFFA.
"Local and regional agriculture is a major driver in the farm economy, yet producers face significant infrastructure, marketing and information barriers," said Ferd Hoefner, policy director of the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition, in a statement.
"The bill addresses those barriers and makes smart investments that expand economic opportunities for farmers, increase jobs, and improve healthy food access in rural and urban America," Hoefner said.
The act offers something for each of the seven titles in the farm bill, including proposals addressing crop insurance, farm credit, nutrition, rural development, research and extension, horticulture, and livestock, the sustainable-agriculture coalition said.
It would create an insurance program for diversified and organic farmers who grow crops that are not covered by traditional crop insurance. It also would enable schools to purchase local food, and food-stamp recipients to spend their money at farmers markets more easily, Local Matters said.
In addition, the act invests in sustainable agriculture programs, such as the Farmers Market Promotion Program, that were stranded without funding when the 2008 farm bill was extended, the sustainable agriculture coalition said.
"For an investment of just over $100 million a year, the Local Farms, Food and Jobs Act can help a growing sector of the food system flourish," Hoefner said. That figure compares with $40 million for local food systems in the 2008 farm bill, he said.


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Dean's Message: Fall 2005
Found in Fall 2005 issue of UF Law magazine.
No doubt, those first law students in 1909 would have smiled upon the recent celebration that brought together U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor, students, faculty, alumni and friends to commemorate one of the most important events in our college's history — completion of a major construction project that transforms virtually all of our academic space. What had become an antiquated environment is now greatly expanded and updated, and it makes statement about what is most important to us — our academic mission.
The two new education towers and two existing buildings frame the courtyard to provide a cohesive design. The newly configured Marcia Whitney Schott Courtyard promotes interaction among students, faculty and staff and becomes the school's physical and spiritual center. Architectural accommodations beyond those federally mandated sustain the dignity of all who use our facilities. Sophisticated technologies at the desks of students and podiums of teachers advance the actual process of learning. Our library, now named the Lawton Chiles Legal Information Center, is the largest in the Southeast.
Most of all, this well-designed physical space will make a profound difference in the quality of learning, and will enable future generations of Florida lawyers to increase their productivity, creativity and accomplishments.
Just as the trust of those original students was well placed, we will do our utmost to ensure that future generations will say that the generous financial support and the faith from the university, the state of Florida, and our alumni and friends, all of whom made our new facilities a reality, was well placed. To all those who have contributed so generously to our college in so many different ways, we are profoundly grateful, and we promise to do our utmost to be worthy of your continued support.
– Robert H. Jerry, II
Dean; Levin, Mabie and Levin Professor


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Did you read today's front page stories & breaking news?
From the Wires
Alcatel-Lucent showcases a dozen new cloud-based service concepts involving 26 ng Connect Program members at CES 2013
-- ng Connect Program now numbers more than 190 member companies, including Sprint as first North America service provider to join
By: PR Newswire
Jan. 3, 2013 09:15 AM
PARIS, Jan. 3, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Alcatel-Lucent (Euronext Paris and NYSE: ALU) will be demonstrating 12 new cloud-based service concepts created by its ng Connect Program aimed at igniting innovation and sparking the new connected user experience.
The ng Connect Program, founded by Alcatel-Lucent, is a multi-industry ecosystem dedicated to the creation of the next generation connected user experience. ng Connect is comprised of more than 190 Contributing and Associate member companies including leading network, consumer electronics, application and content providers. Among the most recent members to join the ng Connect ecosystem is Sprint, the first North America service provider to become part of the program.
Service concepts demonstrated at CES 2013 include:
Alcatel-Lucent products featured in the demos include: CloudBand™, Digital Media Store, Ggigabit Passive Optical Network (GPON), IMS, 4G LTE, New Conversation APIs, self-healing networks, Velocix, Wi-Fi offload.
New members to the ng Connect ecosystem represent a wide range of industries and business, including a major North America service provider, a utility and a host of applications developers, including:
Commenting on ng Connect overall:
Jason Collins, VP, Emerging Technology & Innovation for Alcatel-Lucent, said: "The next generation ecosystem goes beyond traditional players—it also includes innovators in media, entertainment, consumer electronics and other sectors. The ng Connect Program brings together all these kinds of companies to overcome the technical and business barriers preventing service providers from mass deployment of the services their customers want."
Commenting on Sprint joining the ecosystem:
Von McConnell, Director, Innovation and Advanced Labs, Sprint said: "Sprint has demonstrated a strong commitment to collaboration with start-ups, venture capitalists, trade organizations and wireless business partners to drive innovation. In 2012, we announced the Sprint Technology Development & Strategy team that is dedicated to seeking out and directly engaging start-ups and innovators working on emerging products, services and technology from around the globe. We see our involvement with the ng Connect program as another way to collaborate with start-ups to help them to not only develop, but also extend the reach of their products."
Additional information can be found on the Alcatel-Lucent 2013 CES Virtual Press Page.
With operations in more than 130 countries and one of the most experienced global services organizations in the industry, Alcatel-Lucent is a local partner with global reach. The Company achieved revenues of Euro 15.3 billion in 2011 and is incorporated in France and headquartered in Paris.
For more information, visit Alcatel-Lucent on: http://www.alcatel-lucent.com, read the latest posts on the Alcatel-Lucent blog http://www.alcatel-lucent.com/blog and follow the Company on Twitter: http://twitter.com/Alcatel_Lucent.
SOURCE Alcatel-Lucent
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One chef, one truck and a whole heap of new ideas on how to tackle our addiction to junk food. The Food Truck is open for business!
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A person with polyphagia eats excessive amounts of food. In uncontrolled diabetes, some of the excess sugar that builds up in the blood passes out of the body in the urine. The calories (energy) that the sugar contains are also lost from the body when this happens. This causes the person to get very hungry and eat large amounts of food to make up for the lost calories.
Note: All information is for educational purposes only. For specific medical advice, diagnoses, and treatment, consult your doctor.
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Images provided by The Nemours Foundation, iStock, Getty Images, Veer, Shutterstock, and Clipart.com.
Copyright Cook Children's Health Care System, Fort Worth, Texas


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A 52-year-old Follette Street man who was found with several allegedly illegal high-capacity firearms in his home after he allegedly beat his son in the head with a claw hammer was ordered held on $25,000 cash bail today in Westboro District Court.
Steven K. Woskie, 52, of 77 Follette St., is charged with assault with a dangerous weapon (two counts), assault and battery, selling or possessing an assault weapon (four counts), carrying a firearm without a license (seven counts); improper storage of large capacity firearm (eight counts), and possessing ammunition without a firearm identification card.
At Mr. Woskie's arraignment in Westboro District Court, Judge David Locke set bail at $25,000 cash or $250,000 with surety. The judge also ordered Mr. Woskie to surrender all his firearms to the Grafton Police Department, refrain from any drug or alcohol use and submit to random screenings. If Mr. Woskie is able to make bail, he will be required to wear a GPS monitor.
Police said Mr. Woskie's ex-wife, Donna Vabulas, called 911 Saturday about 10:20 p.m. after the couple's son, Jakob Woskie, came to her home at 53 Upton St. with a serious head wound that was bleeding profusely. The son told police that when he and his girlfriend went to his father's home, the father came out wielding a bat and began yelling at them for no apparent reason.
"An altercation ensued and during the struggle, his father dropped the bat but grabbed a claw hammer and struck Jacob in the head several times," according to police.
Jakob Woskie was able to get away, and after he and his girlfriend went to Ms. Vabulas' home, he was taken to UMass Memorial Medical Center in Worcester for treatment.
During the investigation, police were told that Steven Woskie had several loaded, unsecured and possibly stolen weapons in his home. Police said Mr. Woskie did not have a license to have weapons or ammunition.
With a search warrant and assistance from the Central Massachusetts Law Enforcement Council SWAT team, police took Steven Woskie into custody at 2:22 a.m. Sunday, police said.
Police said they seized 10 rifles and shotguns, including a loaded shotgun within arm's reach of Mr. Woskie's bed, and a large amount of ammunition. Among the weapons was an AK-47 assault style rifle with three 30-round magazines. Police also confiscated evidence related to the assault on Mr. Woskie's son.
Police said the son told them his father abuses alcohol and the prescription drug Percocet. He was allegedly under the influence of these substances at the time of the assault.
The ex-wife also allegedly told police that Mr. Woskie had stolen some of the weapons. She said she and her husband had been victims of a home invasion 13 or 14 years ago and she believed the suspects had broken into the house to take back the stolen firearms.
In a news release yesterday, Police Chief Normand A. Crepeau Jr. said the investigation is continuing to determine ownership of the weapons. He said additional charges will be filed if any of the weapons are determined to be stolen. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms will be contacted to assist, he said.


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Summer in Music City
When the weather heats up, so does the entertainment in Music
Nashville kicks off its summer vacation with CMA
Music Festival, four full days of country music stars
performing their hits
on stages throughout downtown Nashville.
The party continues on July 4th as the city celebrates Music
City July 4th:
Let Freedom Sing with star-studded
performances and a spectacular fireworks display accompanied by the
award-winning Nashville Symphony.
There are also plenty of activities to entertain the whole family. Hit the water slides at Nashville Shores, check out the changing exhibits at Cheekwood's 55-acre property, wander through the human body at the Adventure Science Center, stroll through the Nashville Zoo at Grassmere, or cheer on the Nashville Sounds baseball team at Greer Stadium just to name a few.
Of course, music is the main act every season in Nashville. Enjoy a concert under the stars at the Woods at Fontanel concert series, or head to the Grand Ole Opry, Bluebird Cafe or any of the live music venues around town for a unique Nashville experience.
There's no better place to soak up the summer than in Music City!


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Height right: To stand under your man
DRAWING BY DEBORAH DERR McCLINTOCK
Q. Romantics say that "Love is blind." How about height-blind? –K. Bryant A. The short answer is No. Tall teenage girls still worry over standing head and shoulders above the boys, who no doubt dream of being tall, dark, and handsome. Even if they haven't heard the old story about Alan Ladd standing on a box so his lips would meet Sophia Loren's in more manly fashion on the silver screen, they live by it in spirit. So strong is society's male-taller norm that in one sampling of 720 married couples, researchers John Gillis and Walter Avis found only one couple daring to flout the rule. Men average 4 inches taller but still, assuming random matches, the sample should have included more like 20 woman-taller couples. One theory is that if men and women paired off at roughly equal heights, this would leave many very short women and very tall men unmatched. So by having males stand taller than their mates by about the average height difference between the sexes, society ensures fewer will get left out biologically. Obviously, in a totally height-blind society, there'd be no need for the norm in the first place. Another theory points to the male desire for dominance: "Taller is bigger, better, more powerful." This ancient sentiment, evident in business and politics, may rear its head in romance as well. Q. Got any bright ideas on how to make a fast million? Here's one: Just prove you've got ESP. What's the deal? –J. Quigley A. Contact the James Randi Educational Foundation (JREF) at randi.org and arrange to do a demo for them "of any paranormal, supernatural, or occult power or event" of any kind under "proper observing conditions." The guy's for real. A professional magician and well- known author and skeptic, he doubts you can fill the bill. But if you can, he's got $1,000,000 (US) to make it worth your while. So far, many have tried, none has collected. Noting that several claimants have "suffered great personal embarrassment," Randi cautions: "I strongly advise you to conduct proper double-blind tests of any ability you believe you can demonstrate, before undergoing a testing for this prize." Q. Legend has it the King of Persia asked the inventor of the game of chess what he wanted as a reward. "A grain of wheat on the 1st board square, 2 grains on the 2nd square, 4 grains on the 3rd, 8 on the 4th, etc." was his answer. Did the king comply? –B. Spasky A. Sounds reasonable. But if you run 2 to the 63rd power through a calculator, you'll see the 64th square alone would have needed 9,223,372,036,854,775,808 grains– more than the world's annual wheat production, says Richard Phillips in Numbers: Facts, Figures & Fictions. This is like trying to fold a sheet of paper in half 63 times, thus doubling the thickness with each fold. The betting is you won't make it to 10. Q. A fantasy wrestling match pits Neanderthals of 50,000 years ago against contemporary humans with our modern diets, body building, etc. And the winner is...? –J. Irving A. Human populations back then were less homogeneous globally, so the outcome might depend on where you did your sampling, says Washington State University anthropologist Tim Kohler. Let's assume you matched up two male Europeans, both young and healthy. "I'd put my money and as much of anyone else's as I could find on the Neanderthal. They were incredibly strong in their upper bodies and heavily built." But if you changed the contest from a one-on-one to a situation calling for cooperation and teamwork rather than brute strength, then the betting would have to go with modern populations. That's probably the factor where moderns had a slight advantage over the Neanderthals, so we're here today to wrestle with life and they're not. Send strange questions to brothers Bill and Rich at email@example.com. #


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The Dish
All the News That's Fit to Eat
Greetings, fellow foodies. I'm filling in for the beautiful, talented and much adored Laura Marrich while she's in South America. (Yes, I would like a raise.) Here are the latest culinary happenings in our fair city.
Keep Your Meat to Yourself—March 20 is the Great American Meatout, just in time for spring. The world's largest grassroots diet education campaign will take place with events, lectures and information disbursement in all 50 states. Huh? No meat? Yep. Supporters can follow their veggie-esque brothers and sisters in abstaining from flesh foods while simultaneously getting the lowdown on how to kick out the steaks and load up on the fruits, vegetables and whole grains. This year's theme is alternative fast foods, so demonstrations outside of fast food venues are encouraged. Heck, if you choose to sample out Boca Burgers outside a local KFC, P.E.T.A. will send you free literature to distribute. For more information on how to join the festivities, check out www.meatout.org.
Restaurant Review
Juliani's Italian Bistro
Sauces with meatsa—sorry kids, no pizza
Being a grownup has its benefits. You no longer have a bedtime, you don't have to wear those itchy little jackets for pictures and, best of all, mac and cheese, chicken fingers and pizza are not your only choices of tummy filler.
It's Just Grape Juice
Divalicious Cabs
I have to come clean about an obsession I've had for many years now: I am a cab lover. No, not the yellow kind: the yummy, red wine kind—Cabernet Sauvignon. As the backbone of all French Bordeaux and the grape upon which Napa Valley built its fame, what's not to love? It is so well known you can call it "cab" for short and sound like you know what you're talking about. Cabernet Sauvignon is one of the oldest varietals on the block.
I-Pick, U-Pick, We All-Pick Chiles
U-Pick Green Chiles and Farmers' Market
An Apple a Day
The Magnificent Cider Fest
Chowtown Restaurant Guide
Whether you're more familiar with the French Riviera or the French Quarter, there are plenty of places in Albuquerque to get a taste of authentic French cuisine. Read Hosho McCreesh's review of Le Quiche Parisienne in this issue, and check out these other restaurants in the city that will cater to your wanderlust and make you feel, if only for the evening, that you're dining in the City of Lights. Bon appetit, mes amis.


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If you have a question, Jim Cramer has an answer.
Should the "Mad Money" host not have an opinion on a stock when asked by a viewer, he always does his homework and will address the stock at a future date. On Thursday, Cramer commented on a few outstanding questions.
Earlier this week, viewer Jeff in Nebraska asked about Ironwood Pharmaceuticals. In August, the Cambridge, Ma.-based company gained approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for a drug used to treat chronic constipation and irritable bowel syndrome with constipation for use in adults. The drug, linaclotide, will be sold under the brand name Linzess.
"Ultimately, I think this drug could have a lot of potential, as tens of millions of Americans suffer from irritable bowel syndrome," Cramer said. "However, at this point I think it's just too early to tell how well it will do in the marketplace."
Over the last two weeks, IRWD has rallied sharply, so Cramer thinks it's probably "too hot to handle" for the time being. For those interested in pharma, he recommends rival Pfizer, which sports strong prospects and a juicy dividend yield.
Speaking of health care, Bill in Wisconsin wanted to know about biopharmaceutical Santarus. Although it has a tiny market capitalization of just $780 million, the San Diego-based company has two drugs on the market for controlling blood sugar in patients with type 2 diabetes, as well as a diet compound for controlling cholesterol. Earlier this week, the stock popped after the FDA OK'd its oral drug to treat a type of inflammatory bowel disease.
"Now even though Santarus is up 169 percent in the last 12 months, it only trades at a slight premium to its growth rate, so I'm willing to give the stock my blessing, but only for speculation," Cramer said. "I think Santarus can still run ahead of its colitis drug launch in March, and this product looks exciting because unlike the competition, you can take it orally."
Call Cramer: 1-800-743-CNBC
Questions for Cramer? firstname.lastname@example.com
Questions, comments, suggestions for the "Mad Money" website? firstname.lastname@example.com
Reuters contributed to this report


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Call Your Representative!
(letter from HSUS)
Let's Make 2009 the Year of the Horse
Call your U.S. Representative Today
The 111th Congress just began last week, and the Conyers-Burton Prevention of Equine Cruelty Act, H.R. 503, has already been introduced. With thousands of horses a month being shipped over the border to Mexico and Canada where they are shot and stabbed to death for their meat, we can't waste any time. Like past legislation (the American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act), the Conyers-Burton Prevention of Equine Cruelty Act (H.R. 503) will prohibit the sale and transport of horses for slaughter for human consumption, including horses being shipped over the border for slaughter.
We're off to an amazing start with this bill -- there were 61 co-sponsors already signed on to the bill the moment it was introduced! We need your help to ensure that your U.S. Representative, Chellie Pingree, is added to this list of co-sponsors.
Please make a brief, polite phone call to your representative and ask for support for the Conyers-Burton Prevention of Equine Cruelty Act.
When you call, you will speak to a staff member who can pass your message along to your legislator. Please be polite and professional, and leave your name and address so it is clear that you are a constituent. You can say:
"Hello, my name is [your name] and I live in [your town]. As a constituent, I'm calling to urge Representative Pingree to co-sponsor H.R. 503, the Conyers-Burton Prevention of Equine Cruelty Act, a bill that was just reintroduced to prevent horses from being cruelly slaughtered for human consumption. Thank you."
We're tracking the impact of your calls, so please let us know you called your Representative. Finally, please tell your friends and family to make the call, too.
Thank you for continuing to fight to protect horses from slaughter.
Wayne Pacelle
President & CEO
The Humane Society of the United States


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Leon DurhamDetroit Tigers
Team Official | Ht: | Wt:
|Mariners | Considering several coaches
Mon, 01 Nov 2010 15:37:47 -0700
The Seattle Mariners are considering Detroit Tigers minor league hitting coach Leon Durham and Baltimore Orioles bench coach Jeff Datz for their coaching staff, according to The Seattle Times' Geoff Baker. Durham will be considered for the hitting coach and Datz could become the team's next third base coach.
|Comment (0)
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|| Source: The Seattle Times - Geoff Baker


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In an about-face, the city offers to buy the springs, but the latest move may ensure the springs will close next month and remain in limbo.
Warm Mineral Springs is more likely than ever to close next month and remain in limbo indefinitely, as North Port city leaders reversed course and decided to try to buy out Sarasota County's half-interest in the tourist attraction.
The City Commission also said it would seek to keep the springs open beyond June 30 by trying to unilaterally negotiate a new lease with the concessionaire that runs the popular swimming destination and spa.
But county commissioners say any such agreement would need the county's consent as co-owner — and agreement of any kind has been elusive between the two governments locked in a standoff over the natural resource for the past six months.
The city cast its moves as an effort to end the feud with the county, but may only prolong it.
The County Commission intends to discuss the city's latest intentions next Tuesday. County Commissioner Joe Barbetta said he is frustrated with the majority of city commissioners, whom he claims keep changing their minds.
"One minute they want to do this, one minute they want to do that," Barbetta said.
County Commissioner Nora Patterson called it "the saga that never ends" and indicated she may be willing to favor a city buyout offer depending on the terms.
But County Commissioner Christine Robinson said she would not consider it, saying North Port's "irresponsible behavior over the past six months" shows the City Commission would not be reliable stewards of the property.
At issue is control of the only warm spring in the state and an archaeological treasure.
In December 2010, the city and county jointly purchased the financially distressed springs from Cypress Lending for $5.5 million.
They retained Cypress Lending as manager while they worked on an "invitation to negotiate" with developers interested in a public-private partnership to enhance the property as a resort destination.
After last fall's election, newly elected city commissioners Cheryl Cook and Rhonda DiFranco joined Mayor Linda Yates in rejecting the "invitation to negotiate" process. They expressed concerns about the county's intent to allow commercial enterprises, such as a hotel, on the 81-acre site to make it a greater magnet for economic development.
The relationship has deteriorated since, with the expiration of the current management contract looming next month. A mediation effort earlier this year made little headway.
No neutral territory
Yates, Cook and DiFranco insist that public acquisition of the springs should be to preserve the site and its archaeological finds, not to allow a for-profit business to build there. They want to preserve the springs as a park.
"It is clear the county and the city cannot cooperate on this project because the city wants to preserve the springs and the county wants to develop it," Commissioner Cook said during a lengthy discussion Tuesday night that led to that commission's putting new terms on the negotiation table.
"To me, development is not a friend of preservation," DiFranco said.
Cook said the city and county cannot reconcile their differences. "There doesn't seem to be any neutral territory."
City Commissioner Jim Blucher continued to disagree with other city commissioners' perception that the city-county purchase was for environmental protection only.
"We were always talking about the economic development side of it and tourism," Blucher said. "Always."
North Port's decision to offer to buy out the county's share of the spring is an about-face. In December, citing their differences with the county, most city commissioners offered to sell the city's half-interest in the springs.
The county offered $2 million, less than the $2.75 million the city paid, with the condition that the city deannex the property so it would have no say over future land use decisions there.
The city considered those terms unacceptable and did not make a counteroffer.
On Tuesday night, the City Commission unanimously rescinded its previous decision to sell its half-interest and, in a 4-1 vote, with Commissioner Tom Jones dissenting, decided to make the county a buyout offer.
The city commissioners have not decided on the specifics of their buyout offer or how they could come up with the money.
Yates suggested the city fully reimburse the county for $2.75 million and do what the county suggested in its buyout offer, make the payments in installments from the revenue the attraction brings in.
Cook said the city's sole ownership would not only preserve the springs but also ensure continuing public access, give the city additional revenue and keep more than 40 workers at the springs from losing their jobs.
Cook, who made the motion to give the county a buyout offer, also made the motion for the city to quickly negotiate a short-term lease with Cypress Lending so the springs do not close as of June 30.
Yates cast the dissenting vote in that 4-1 decision.
"There's no reason why we cannot take this property over," Yates said, referring to the city. Yates said she dislikes the idea of a for-profit business operating a public asset even on a short-term basis.
So far, the County Commission has stuck with a previous decision to have the county and city put out a proposed short-term lease for competitive bids.
Robinson and other county commissioners expressed doubts that the city can legally negotiate a new lease on its own while the county still has a half-interest in the property.
"Can you imagine their reaction if we put a lease out without their permission?" Robinson said.


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The Damariscotta River Steamboat Company fleet, South Bristol, 1902Item 81723 info
South Bristol Historical Society
Signs of a new "industry" began to appear in the South Bristol area of the Town of Bristol in the late 1880's.
Better transportation throughout New England, including numerous steamship lines along the coast and up and down the rivers, helped give birth to the "summer business" – what is now called tourism.
Local families quickly realized that much-needed income could be earned by renting rooms to summer visitors and providing them with meals and other services.
The Summit House Hotel in South Bristol Village, ca. 1910Item 79563 info
South Bristol Historical Society
It was not long before hotels began to appear to supplement the offerings of the local boarding houses.
In the village of South Bristol, Nelson Gamage built the Summit House in 1892. Perched atop the rise on Rutherford Island south of the Gut, the hotel had expansive views of the Damariscotta River to the west, the busy South Bristol harbor to the north, and the eastern Gut and Johns Bay on the East.
The Thompson Inn in South Bristol Village ca. 1924Item 79561 info
South Bristol Historical Society
By the early 1890's, Ada Thompson McFarland and her husband Eliphalet had been taking in summer boarders for several years.
Several times, they expanded the home that Ada's father built in 1840 on the mainland near the harbor.
By 1924, known as the Thompson Inn, it had a large two-story wing and a veranda, making it a major attraction to the summer folk.
First Holly Inn, Christmas Cove, 1906Item 79551 info
South Bristol Historical Society
At Christmas Cove a mile or so south of South Bristol village, the same scenario was taking place.
Several families began to take in boarders during the summer; then came the hotels.
Edward Thorpe built the forty-room Holly Inn in 1904. His family home next door was enlarged as the Rutherford House and used as an annex.
Three years later, this Holly Inn burned to the ground.
Clubhouse and tennis courts, Christmas Cove, ca. 1910Item 79552 info
South Bristol Historical Society
Meanwhile, in 1900 a number of regular summer visitors, several now cottage-owners themselves, decided that a gathering place was needed for religious observances and for social events and athletics such as tennis and boating.
The Christmas Cove Improvement Association was formed and the "CCIA" purchased land near the steamboat dock where in 1904 the casino was built, followed soon after by tennis courts.
Formal incorporation documents state the purposes of the CCIA to be "to promote the material, social, and moral welfare of Christmas Cove."
Christmas Cove, the Holly Inn and the Boston Yacht Club, ca 1917Item 79553 info
South Bristol Historical Society
Edward Thorpe and his son Albert did not waste any time after the original Holly Inn was destroyed by fire.
By the summer of 1908 building the "New" Holly Inn was up and running with 90 rooms.
The Second Holly Inn Fire, Christmas Cove, 1923Item 79555 info
South Bristol Historical Society
As was the case with so many New England summer hotels, however, the second Holly Inn also fell victim to fire and was destroyed August 10, 1923.
With financial backing from some wealthy members of the now vibrant summer community, Albert Thorpe built the slightly larger third Holly Inn.
This version of the Holly Inn lasted just a few years longer than its predecessor; it burned to the ground on September 12, 1940.
Russell House and cottages, Christmas Cove, ca.1936Item 79559 info
South Bristol Historical Society
Meanwhile on the west side of Christmas Cove, Albion P. and Hannah Gamage had begun taking in boarders in 1890.
They enlarged their home around 1900, added an annex and moved another house next to it to be used as a dormitory for the staff. They named the complex the "Russell House."
Coveside Inn, Christmas Cove, ca. 1980Item 79560 info
South Bristol Historical Society
The Russell House was sold in 1940 and renamed the "Coveside Inn."
The restaurant and lounge at Coveside were popular gathering places during the summer months, for year-round residents of Rutherford Island as well as the summer visitors.
In 1960 a small motel was constructed near the shore and a restaurant was built on pilings over the water.
In 1978 a vicious winter storm destroyed the restaurant, but it was rebuilt by then owners Mike and Barbara Mitchell.
The Coveside Inn demolition, Christmas Cove, 2006Item 81710 info
South Bristol Historical Society
The Inn continued to receive summer visitors, though this aspect of the business was declining.
Finally the entire property was sold to a developer in 2006. The new owner arranged with the local fire department to burn the building in a training exercise.
So ended the last of the summer hotels in Christmas Cove.


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In 2011, we interviewed 26 South Florida celebrities regarding their fitness regimens. Just in time for New Year's resolutions, we've selected some of their best answers to our questions.
Read what they're doing to keep their bodies healthy and looking good. Maybe you'll get some new exercise or diet ideas from Anna Kournikova, who weight trains to maintain her curves and eats five meals a day. Or you'll get motivated by Jennifer Nicole Lee, who lost more than 70 pounds after the birth of her second child and now is one of the country's top fitness models. You might laugh with radio legend John "Footy" Kross, who says he's always in motion, "until I sit down and start having beer."
Among others, we profiled hall-of-fame golfer Beth Daniel, "All My Children" star Alicia Minshew, "Burn Notice" actor Coby Bell, Miss Florida Lissette Garcia and Mrs. United States Shannon Ford.
According to Ford, getting fit is "80 percent diet and 20 percent working out."
Most of these people exercise several days a week, eat lots of vegetables and lean meats, and snack often. They drink lots of water and virtually no soda, although many drink wine and other alcohol.
To see the full series, go to sunsent.nl/tjdXtk. Here are some highlights.
Anna Kournikova
City of residence: Miami Beach
Height/weight: 5 feet, 9 inches; 130 pounds
Occupation: Personal trainer; coach on TV's "The Biggest Loser;" retired tennis pro
Why do you keep fit?
I crave exercise, crave sweating, crave stretching. Like a little baby stretches and yawns after waking up, it feels good. All your joints are lubricated.
For me, exercise is definitely about health. But it's also a great stress-reliever. I get on the treadmill and read a magazine, or listen to music, and feel like I'm releasing that energy, that stress.
Exercise gives me great energy. It's about being healthy, having energy, [parents] spending quality time with children. Looking good is literally a bonus …
I'm a typical slender Russian. I'm not a big girl, not a strong girl, so for me to have curves or maintain muscle mass I have to do weight training. Cardio just burns the calories.
What exercises do you do?
I mix it up. I play tennis three or four times a week, go to the gym, do StairMaster, swimming, planks, yoga, which didn't go so well last year because I injured my knee.
Yesterday I did treadmill and weight training. Today I did elliptical and weight training. I change up the weight training. Low reps (repetitions) and high weight yesterday, today high reps and low weight. I mainly do lower body and core. Core is crucial because I have a back problem. At least three times a week, I do core.
I do lower body mainly, but upper body a little. My arms tend to bulk up pretty fast. I focus on the girl parts, like the butt and legs.
If I don't want to think at the gym, I'll go through every machine. I'll space out. When I have energy and want to be creative, I'll create a routine.
What's your typical daily diet?
I believe in eating five small meals. It's hard to sustain, but the key is planning and preparing. Most of the time we make bad food decisions when stressed or in a rush.
I love eating two, three days really clean — veggies, chicken, fish, lean meat — then splurge with pizza or cheeseburgers or ice cream …
First thing when I wake up is freshly squeezed grapefruit with lemon inside. Twenty minutes later, granola cereal, yogurt with berries, maybe eggs.
Five meals are really difficult. I walk around with … snacks in my purse: carrots, almonds. Ten almonds have 100 calories and are a great, healthy snack. Sometimes I eat a power bar or berries. Or banana.
What do you drink typically?
I know you're supposed to drink eight, eight-ounce glasses of water each day. Sometimes I get it, sometimes I don't.
I drink soda, water, Champagne, whatever. I don't drink a lot, a glass of Champagne or a cocktail occasionally. I do realize soda is not that great for you supposedly, but I'll have a Diet Coke.
Helio Castroneves
City of residence: Fort Lauderdale
Height/weight: 5 feet, 8 inches; 149 pounds
Occupation: Race car driver
What's your workout routine?
I just moved to Fort Lauderdale … I come out of the elevator, go across the street to the beach and start working out on my own, on the equipment near the basketball course. You'll see me in the mornings…
I do CrossFit, which is incredible, twice a week; twice a week I lift weights; and once I do a long run. My trainer is always inventing something. When you get in a groove, it's awesome …
Do you feel pressure to look good due to the whole People magazine "Sexiest Race Car Driver" thing?
I'm not a vain person, but I certainly like to look good. I wish I was 6-foot-2 with broad shoulders and big biceps, but I know my limits. For a race car driver, my stature is good.
Beth Daniel
City of residence: Delray Beach
Height/weight: 5 feet, 11 inches; 150 pounds
Occupation: professional golfer
What exercises do you do?
I do Pilates two days a week for an hour. Anyone who has lower back problems, I highly recommend Pilates … With Pilates, you're stretching and strengthening at the same time. It's really good for your abdominal area, so it takes pressure off your lower back.
Three days a week, I'll do a three-mile walk around my neighborhood in 40 minutes. I walk usually with a friend or friends, and sometimes by myself.
I do stretches every night. I feel better if I stretch everything out before going to bed rather than in the morning when my muscles are already tight…
I play golf, but in Florida you're in a cart so it's not like you're getting a lot of exercise. I feel lazy.
What's your typical diet?
I try to eat a balanced diet of proteins, carbohydrates, lean meat with vegetables and brown rice or whole-wheat pasta. I stay away from fatty foods and eat organic when I can. I try not to eat the same thing more than twice a week.
I eat three meals a day. Sometimes I have a snack in the afternoon — usually nuts or mixed nuts: almonds, cashews, pistachios, walnuts. When I go out to restaurants, I'll eat fish.
I haven't had soda in years. I drink water and hot tea. Usually in the mornings, I have hot tea, and at night green tea. I also like iced tea. I brew decaf iced tea at home. I don't drink juice because it has too much sugar.
Mireya Mayor
City of residence: Kendall
Height/weight: 5 feet, 8 inches; 116 pounds (before pregnancy)
Occupation: National Geographic scientist, TV host and author
Why do you keep fit?
I've always been athletic. Danced ballet for 12 years, was a cheerleader in junior high, and played basketball and ran track in high school — I didn't make the cheerleading squad in high school. And then I was a Dolphins cheerleader for four years. Now when I'm on expeditions, I need to hike up mountains and through impenetrable bushes, and be quick on my feet to run from elephants.
Do you work out when you're on expeditions?
If I'm in Madagascar's capital, I'll run. When I'm in the field, exercise takes the form of hiking with gear on my back.
Sometimes we have to capture animals for genetic tests. Once we dart the lemurs, for example, they bolt and the chase begins! After getting close, four of us will pull a net open, but if the lemur doesn't fall, we'll have to climb the tree. Lemurs cling to trees even if darted with tranquilizers.
Does your diet differ when you're on an expedition?
Yes. It might be rice and beans in Madagascar, or grubs and cow brains. With the Maasai [of East Africa] a lot of goat liver, which is high in iron and nutrient-rich … In the field, you don't always know where your next meal is, so I carry Clif Bars in my backpack. We'll pause to eat while hiking …
John "Footy" Kross
City of residence: Pembroke Pines
Height/weight: 6 feet; 168 pounds
Occupation: Host of the "South Florida Sportsman Show" on WINZ, AM 940; CEO of Here's Help Inc.
Why do you keep fit?
Fear of dying!
How would you summarize your fitness regimen?
I'm anything but a health nut! I am active — that's why I'm thin. I'm not eating bananas and nuts all day. Dietary success for staying skinny and healthy includes beer.
What's your workout routine?
I'm the kind of person who is always in motion, until I sit down and start having beer.
I don't think I would be any good in a gym. I play golf with [my former radio co-host] Froggy two or three afternoons a week, and I like to get on a bike and swim around. I start the summer doing 20 laps, and by the end of summer, I do 50 laps pretty much every day.
In the winter, I ride a bike three or four times a week. I have a route around my neighborhood. Not sure how far it is, but it takes 45 minutes.
Do you have a personal fitness motto or philosophy, like Nike's "Just Do It"?
I was always taught that if you're not sweating, you're not exercising. I like sweating. I'm a sweat fiend.
Nicole Henry
City of residence: Miami Beach
Height/weight: 5 feet, 11 inches; 150 pounds
Occupation: Entertainer
Why do you keep fit?
To look healthy and stay healthy, to have a better presence onstage. I feel my voice is stronger when my cardiovascular system is stronger. Also to enjoy life better. I love the outdoors, love physical activity, and when you're in shape you can enjoy life at the highest level.
Do you have a personal fitness motto or philosophy?
If I'm not drenched in sweat, it's not a workout.
What's your typical diet?
I try eating organic when I can, because what the FDA allows [in non-organic food] frightens me. I love vegetables, fish, but also a good burger, red meat from time to time. I can feel a craving for salad when I haven't had enough vegetables. If I need steak, my body tells me.
Cake and chocolate cookies are my weakness. I get my sugar fix in coffee with raw sugar. I drink water, coffee and alcohol, everything in moderation.
Do you have any advice for people wanting to lose weight?
Don't eat a lot of bread at night.
Coby Bell
City of residence: Coconut Grove and Long Beach, Calif.
Height/weight: 6 feet, 3 inches; 215 pounds
Occupation: Actor
Why do you keep fit?
When I was starting out in show business, I learned you gotta stay in shape. And then I started having kids and realized I need to stay in shape to keep up with them and have energy to do my job as a parent. Then you reach a point in life where you realize exercising and eating right make you feel good and keep your energy up, and make your life happier.
I'm not trying to win a posedown and get all oiled up and win a muscle contest. Even being on TV, when they give me the scenes with my shirt off, it's not my favorite. But you don't want to look like a fluffy mess.
What's your Miami workout routine?
In Miami, my apartment has a [private] gym on the top floor so I'll go there. And I'll go on long-a-- bike rides with Bruce Campbell, who plays Sam on "Burn Notice." Usually we ride from Coconut Grove to Black Point. Bruce rode from the Grove to Homestead one weekend when I wasn't there.
What's your typical daily diet?
When I'm "on it," I'm really into making green smoothies with kale and carrots and apples, bananas, blueberries, a little broccoli thrown in. I have a Vita-Mix blender that mixes it all up with water and ice.
A smoothie is breakfast sometimes. Sometimes I have quinoa for breakfast. It's really good for you … Or I'll do oatmeal for breakfast. Quinoa can be for any time of the day, but generally the rest of the day is some forms of salad, with maybe a little chicken in one.
Every once in a while, you got to have a burger or pizza or pancakes with the kids.
Miss Florida Lissette Garcia
City of residence: Coral Gables
Height/weight: 5 feet, 10 inches; 125 pounds
Occupation: Miss Florida USA; student at Miami Dade College
What's your workout routine?
It varies from month to month. A lot of walking on the treadmill — I don't do the StairMaster — plyometric exercises on the mat. Vinyasa yoga — it's yoga but keeping the heart rate up by constantly moving. I do Pilates. I do circuit training and swimming.
I work out five days per week for an hour and 20 minutes each time, and a week out of a month, I go twice a day. Sometimes up to six days a week if I want to do some extra yoga.
I do have a pageant trainer that's helping me. I used to do a lot of weight training with heavy weights and my body was muscular. But the trainer did a complete 180 on my routine, and now I do more plyometrics and Pilates to keep long, lean muscle.
Have you ever considered cosmetic surgery?
Yeah, later when gravity hits!
Do you have any advice for South Florida residents looking to get fit?
You got to look into the future, and what you put into your body will be there for the rest of your life. How you treat your life doesn't take willpower, just a lifestyle change. It's not about picking away food, getting rid of your foods, it's about moderation. I still eat chocolate every day.
Erika Huerta
City of residence: Miami
Height/weight: 5 feet, 7 inches; 130 pounds
Occupation: Broward Sheriff's Office deputy sheriff, featured on TLC's "Police Women of Broward County"
What's your workout routine?
It depends what race I'm training for. Now I'm training for the ING New York [City] Marathon in November, so I run five or six times a week. I do a combo of long and medium runs and track work, which involves 2 or 3 easy miles and a lot of sprints of 100 meters.
I'll do sprints on the Key Biscayne bridge. That's by far the most difficult bridge I've run. It's so steep, and a mile long. Not so dangerous for running because it has a concrete barrier for pedestrians.
Today, I did track work for an hour. Couple days ago, my long run was two hours. My medium run is an hour to hour and a half.
How long have you been a runner?
I was never an athlete until I started running in college. That's when I was my heaviest, 200 pounds. I started dieting with Weight Watchers and running every day. I lost 70 pounds. My pace at first was 14 minutes per mile, which is slow.
Fitness for me now is not so much about looking good but feeling good. For me, it's a lifestyle. No going back to what I used to be.
What's your typical daily diet?
I'm a vegetarian. No chicken, no dairy whatsoever. My diet consists of fruits, vegetables and nuts.
I work the night shift 12 hours, 6 p.m. to 6 a.m., so it's challenging for my diet. My typical breakfast is at 1 or 2 in the afternoon, after my workout. I'll have a super shake of bananas, berries, any kind of berry I like, with spirulina and chlorella and maca. That'll hold me for about three hours.
I'll snack on apples with organic peanut butter, or carrots with organic hummus. I'm big into bananas because of the training and needing potassium.
For lunch — dinner really, around 8 or 9 p.m. — I'll eat salad with fish like tilapia or salmon. I love salmon. I don't do dressings.
All throughout the night, I'll snack — raw broccoli, I love a handful of raw sweet peppers.
Katina Taylor
City of residence: Weston
Height/weight: 5 feet, 9 inches; 133 pounds
Occupation: Vice president and co-founder of Jason Taylor Foundation, director of cheer and dance camps for ProCamps Worldwide
What's your workout routine?
Four to five times a week, but I'm active with our kids seven days a week!
I love to change it up and keep it fun and keep my body guessing. I go to Midtown Athletic Club, give myself one hour, put on headphones and work out hard.
I do weight training with light weights, added with plyometrics and 30- to 60-second cardio drills in between the light weights, like sprints or mountain climbers or hopping over a bench to get that calorie burn and build muscle. For the light weights, I'll do arm curls, shoulders. I try not to go heavy. I like that lean muscle.
I like to change up and go run hills with my brother at Vista View [park in Davie]. Zach and I will run four to five miles on these hills. And we run pretty quick. I work hard …
You mentioned that your brother, Zach (Thomas), runs with you. Do you ever exercise with your husband, Jason?
Yes, we like to ride bikes with the kids. He has to work so hard in camps and football, but in the off season he's golfing and he'll Rollerblade and play football in the yard. He's [our sons'] coach for flag football and basketball for the Y in Weston.
Every day is an off day in the off season so we're playing, going to the beach, Rollerblading, whatever as much as we can.
Do you have any physical problems that hinder exercise?
Blew out my knee in high school. Had ACL surgery, nine months of rehab. But it's OK now.
I hurt my lower back around Easter, which hindered me from running or jumping for a few weeks. I used to bend myself like Gumby. I could grab my legs, put my head between my legs and stretch, but now I need more time to warm up.
What foods do you prepare for your kids?
I encourage them to drink water and limit their sugar. They're kids and I let them have fun, but healthy food can be good food. We have desserts, but I limit the soda and juice. It's all about a happy balance.
We can't expect a child to say no to juice, juice, juice, soda, soda, soda, because they're yummy. But they have to be taught by a parent who is knowledgeable that, yes, you can have a Sprite at the birthday party, but tonight we're having water. The sugar can make you wild and crazy and isn't healthy. If you can teach this to your children young, they'll continue with it.
Do you have any advice for South Florida residents looking to get fit?
We live in sunny South Florida, so it's beautiful here. Get outside and get active.
If you haven't worked out for a while, start easy with walks. There are too many overweight Americans. If we think of average Americans, they're going to get intimidated starting with boot camp. It's going to hurt and be hard. So start easy with walks, get outside and enjoy that fresh air. Then, when that becomes easier, add some squats, pushups, dips on a park bench.
Shannon Ford
City of residence: Miami
Height/weight: 5 feet, 8 inches; 130 pounds
Occupation: Mrs. United States 2011; human resources manager with RBC Wealth Management
Why do you keep fit?
I feel better when I work out, and obviously looking good is part of it. When I was preparing for the pageant, my workouts increased.
Exercise has almost become an addiction and anchors my day. I start off the day working out, and if I miss a day, I feel something is missing. Even on our recent cruise, [my husband and I] worked out every day.
Do your exercises change before a pageant?
The four to six weeks before one, I'll focus more on cardio. I don't typically do a lot of cardio, except running to and from the gym and the occasional dance class. But before a competition, I'll increase.
You can tailor CrossFit to what your needs are. For the pageant, a lean model look was beneficial for me, so I wasn't focused on building muscle. It was more toning. I didn't necessarily increase my weights but stayed at what I hit. Now I've resumed trying to get stronger.
Any health vices?
No, but I love chocolate. That's it. And I'm a sucker for chips and salsa, which isn't paleo … [Paleo involves] eating organic foods as much as possible and doing exercises that mimic the caveman's lifestyle … I eat what our ancestors ate: lean meats, vegetables, some fruits, some nuts, and no dairy, grains or legumes …
Any advice for South Florida residents looking to get fit?
I learned that it's 80 percent diet and 20 percent working out to keep fit.
Alicia Minshew
City of residence: Los Angeles
Height/weight: 5 feet, 6 inches; 106 pounds
Occupation: Actress
Why do you keep fit?
No. 1, I was raised with it. My mom is a Pilates instructor today in her 60s in Stuart. Exercise makes me feel good and centered, makes me feel healthy. Exercise is a way to relieve stress and feel good. And being a woman, you want to keep your butt tight, arms lean. You want to look good.
As I got older, [I realized] the health reasons: to maintain a healthy heart. My grandmother in Stuart is 100 years old and she does her recumbent bike every day.
I've always been a skinny kid — I remember my mom giving me milkshakes [to gain weight]. I still struggle to keep weight on. I do weight training to give muscle on top of my small frame, so I don't look too skinny and unhealthy.
How soon did you start exercising after the birth?
I had a natural birth — no complications, a blessing—so recovery was quick. I put on jeans the next day and went home. But … breastfeeding was my workout for four to six weeks. Then slowly I began doing light weights and cardio, working myself up to what I had done.
Do you have a personal fitness motto or philosophy?
"Just breathe …"
Peggy Exume
City of residence: Miami
Height/weight: 5 feet, 4 inches; 125 pounds
Occupation: Florida Panthers Ice Dancer and office assistant for a law firm
Why do you keep fit?
In order to stay healthy and also to maintain my figure. Being a Panther Ice Dancer, sometimes you have a calendar photo shoot, and for games we wear a short top and a really short skirt…
What's your workout routine?
We audition in August and after auditions begin practices immediately …
Ice Dance practice is very rigorous. We start at 7 p.m. and end at 10, after working a full-time job or [being] a student for some girls.
We practice Tuesday through Thursday and sometimes Mondays. We start with sit-ups and stretching and some toning like push-ups and squats. Maybe 15 or 20 minutes. Then we start with dancing. We try to go through maybe 50 dances, each a minute. I would say it's 50 percent memorizing and 50 percent pushing yourself as hard as you can. When you perform the one-minute dance, it's like sprinting for one minute straight, kicking legs as high and with as much force as you can to get it up to your face. We have a lot of dances with kick lines.
What's your typical daily diet?
I know it's really bad, but I'm not a breakfast person, although sometimes I'll snack on almonds or have scrambled eggs or boiled eggs.
For lunch, I love chicken salad. I love anything with chicken in it. And sushi. I love veggie and broccoli soups and all that. I love steak. It's not that healthy, but I like it.
Dinner is the same as lunch: mainly veggies and chicken. I love Subway sandwiches. And once in a while, I'll indulge in their raspberry cheesecake cookie.
I love popcorn …
Steve Martorano
City of residence: Fort Lauderdale
Height/weight: 6 feet, 0 inches; 240 pounds
Occupation: Restaurateur, author
Is preventing another bypass operation a factor [for keeping fit]? What happened?
Yeah. If you look at my old pictures, now I'm a different person. Most of my life I was always heavy.
I went to the doctor for a stress test and the doctor said, "I'll go in, probably put a camera and stent in there." When I woke up, he said I had three major clogged arteries, including one called a widow-maker. He said, "You might go to sleep one night and not wake up, like your father and aunt."
So they gave me the triple bypass.
Can you keep up your intense workouts for the long term?
How long am I going to do this? Forever. Maybe not lift 450 f------ pounds, but I'll do something. Some people got it, some don't. It can be a curse. But when you see yourself on TV and people say you look good — "You're 54? You look 44!" — that makes all the difference in the world.
Does your family keep fit?
My son, Joey, trains with me. My other son, Steven, is into martial arts.
My aunts were obese, my dad, my whole family [in that generation] was obese.
Do you have a personal fitness motto or philosophy?
I have it tattooed on my hand: "It's not how hard you hit, it's how hard you get hit and keep moving forward."
You have a massive physique, particularly for a 54-year-old. Do you take any supplements?
Some people ask what steroids I'm on. But I'm at that [gym] seven days a week.
I really only got to take an aspirin for my heart. And a daily multivitamin. And a lot of glutamine for my muscles.
Yara Martinez
City of residence: Los Angeles/visits family in South Miami
Height: 5 feet, 5 inches
Occupation: Actor
What's your workout routine?
It varies. When I'm in the zone, I go five times a week: spinning, shadowboxing and doing The Bar Method, which is for strength based on ballet and yoga. Spinning is my most common [activity], and I do it for 45 minutes. Boxing is for an hour, and Bar Method is an hour. I don't do weightlifting. Bar Method is what I go to for my muscles.
Are you physically active on your TV shows?
I did a role on [NBC's] "Chase," where I played a fugitive on the run. I did a lot of running through the woods, a stunt jumping off a cliff, shooting people. It was definitely physically active.
Did you play any sports in school?
I did ballet for 10 years, was a cheerleader and was on the dance team. Cheerleading is definitely a sport. I joined cheerleading for fun in high school, and it was way more intense than I'd realized. I went to Our Lady of Lourdes Academy and was a cheerleader for [Christopher Columbus High School in Miami].
What do you drink typically?
A lot of water. I don't have a problem with water. I try for 3 liters a day, room temperature. I don't drink soda or juices. Every once in a while I'll have a fresh-squeezed juice. And red wine. I keep it very biblical.
Do you take any vitamins or sports nutrition products?
A women's multivitamin, and I take a tablespoon of flaxseed oil because it's good for your skin. And I recently discovered an acidophilus probiotics thing for your stomach.


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Style # 214422
Amp your spring wardrobe with an exotic punch of prints in this pair of bebe leggings, featuring a hot white and black zebra print and comfy lightweight stretch. Try yours with a solid tunic and a pair of neutral sandals to give them a chic balance.
- 95% polyester, 5% spandex
- Rise: 8" (20 cm)
- Inseam: 27" (69 cm)
- Leg opening: 9" (23 cm)
- Machine wash
- Made in USA with imported materials
- Model is 5'9" and is wearing a US size S
Zebra Print Leggings is rated out of 5 by 2.
Rated 5 out of 5 by emily3334555432 from zebra leggings these leggings are really cute and fit well, went back to buy giraffe print also
Date published: 2013-06-28
Rated 5 out of 5 by ellen13 from cute and excellent fit The legging is super cute and body hugging. Great shape and super comfy.
Date published: 2013-06-10


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House: NuDisco
Listen to the newest NuDisco music and sounds.
Listen to all tracks and mixes. You have the choice: Deep House, Tech House, Soulful House, House, Progressive House, Funky House, Vocal House, TECHNO, Tribal House, Disco House, Jackin House, Dance, Nu Disco, Classic House, House Classics, Disco, Electro House, House Music, Underground House, EDM are the most common styles where artists uploaded their music and sounds.


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|Valtrex for recurring outbreaks with comprimised immune system
Sep 26, 2004
Dr. Bob,
I know this is a little out of your area but I need hel pthat my GP isn't well qualified to answer. I need to wait until I move to another company and change health care providers before fianal confirmation of my status but I have experienced enough classical systoms that I'm convinced that I have let enough time pass and need to address head on. Having said that I have been experiencing recurrent and severe herpes outbreaks that have now moved to almost a continous stream of outbreaks that come and go often changing in appearance. I have just been prescribed Valtresx twice daily to get under control and have discussed getting futher tests done next month when my job status changes. My concern is that it clearly states not to use Valtrx if your immune system is comprimised and or if you have advanced HIV. Knowing that I'm a month away from confirming my health status what are your thoughts with me continuing to use Valtrex and what are the risks?
Thanks for all you do on this forum as it is much appreciated by all who read and participate.
Response from Dr. Frascino
Hello G,
My thoughts are fairly straightforward:
1. If you have recurrent herpes simplex and require suppressive therapy, Valtrex is a good option for you.
2. If you have placed yourself at risk for HIV, you should be tested.
3. HIV symptoms cannot and should not be used to diagnose (particularly self-diagnose) HIV disease.
4. Valtrex should not be used if you have advanced HIV disease. I have no way of knowing if you have HIV disease, advanced HIV disease, or just a variety of "classical systoms" that have you convinced you are HIV positive.
The next step is up to you. If you are concerned about changing healthcare insurance providers, I would suggest an anonymous testing site.
Good luck.
Dr. Bob
insatiable curiosity
Is 1800 mg of Sustiva too much?
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January 02. 2013 11:47PM
A whole new look at rest areas on I-93 in Hooksett
By BRENDAN CLOGSTON
Union Leader Correspondent
HOOKSETT - The rest areas off Interstate 93 in Hooksett are set to undergo a major redesign in coming years, with the Department of Transportation soliciting bids from companies to design, construct and maintain brand new "full-service" facilities.
"It's a big project," said Hooksett Town Administrator Dean Shankle, a member of the project committee. "They're trying to make it a more positive experience for people traveling on the highway. It's supposed to have a nice visitor center. There's going to be food, there's going to be gasoline, they're expanding the size of the liquor store. I think it'll be a good project, not only for Hooksett but for the state, having a nice-looking facility."
The Hooksett Rest Area Redevelopment Project will be a private/public partnership, with a contracting developer/operator signing a 35-year ground lease with the state "to construct and operate for and on behalf of the state" new facilities and service areas at the northbound and southbound rest areas on I-93 in Hooksett.
Built in early 1970s
The current facilities were constructed in the early 1970s, making them approximately 40 years old. The new site will provide fuel services, restrooms, car/truck/bus parking, a visitor information center, Wi-Fi, telephones, and take-out and sit-down food concessions providing "major branded or locally recognized food concepts." New, larger, 20,000-square-foot liquor stores will also be constructed, to be operated by the New Hampshire Liquor Commission under a sublease agreement to the developer/operator. The current liquor stores are 8,700 square feet.
Shankle said a key part of the project is to create a "distinctly New Hampshire" feeling for commuters and visitors alike.
"When I was on the committee before, one of the things they were very concerned about was getting something that looked New Hampshire, not New Jersey, and not New York, and not Massachusetts," said Shankle. "They want the entire feel of the visitors center to feel like they're in New Hampshire, and not anywhere else in the country. It's going to be distinct, and that can only be a good thing for Hooksett and New Hampshire."
The state of New Hampshire, through the New Hampshire Department of Transportation, is currently accepting bids for the project.
Three firms have passed the qualification process and been invited to submit proposals and designs. Of the three, only one - The Common Man, Inc - is a New Hampshire business. The other bidders are Host International, Inc. (formerly a part of the Marriott Corporation), headquartered in Maryland, and First Equity Group, LLC out of Chicago.
When asked if he felt The Common Man's status as a local business would help their bid, Alex Ray, founder and owner of the family restaurant and hospitality chain, said that he "hopes so."
"It's very important to us, personally, that it is contributing to that New Hampshire feeling, branding, and image," he said.
Ray said he was hoping to "build something that would be more than just services, but would be contributing to New Hampshire's branding and imaging ... using our major gateway through New Hampshire."
"I really don't want it to be average," he said. "I don't like average. We going to try our best to make it exhibit itself as energy-saving and also interesting, not pedestrian or boring," he said. "That I'm really looking forward to. I'm very excited about that."
Jan. 29 deadline
Proposals are due by Jan. 29. Once the contract is finalized, it will have to be approved by the governor and the Executive Council.
Each bidder will include their own time lines in the proposals. Bureau of Turnpikes Administrator Chris Waszczuk said that DOT believes "that sometime in either late 2013 or early 2014 is when construction would start, and that would last for 12 to 18 months."
During demolition and construction, the rest areas will remain open, with temporary heated bathrooms and at least approximately 75 parking spaces to be maintained. The liquor store will also remain open during the work, with the current stores only being closed and demolished upon completion of the new facilities.
Twice before the state has attempted to find a developer for the project. According to Waszczuk, "the first two tries were quite restrictive and rigid in their requirements."
In this third attempt, he said DOT has attempted to be less "prescriptive" in their requests.
"We wanted to allow more flexibility to let the developer/operators provide us with what they felt was reasonable for these sites and what they could accommodate," Waszczuk said.
Developers had expressed concerns with the initial requirement of relocating utility lines in the area. The state will now take that responsibility. There were additional concerns about a lack of information on the building conditions at the site. Geo-technical studies have since been prepared and provided by the state.
State gets its share
A share of the revenue generated by the new rest areas will return to the New Hampshire Turnpike system, which operates just under 89 miles of state highway, including the New Hampshire portion of I-93. The specific contribution percentages will be a part of the proposals and negotiated. Revenue from the liquor store will go to the state's general fund.
The state will still own the land, but the winning bidder will provide the cost for the designs, demolish the current sites, construct the new facilities, and operate and maintain the site.
Shankle noted that the town of Hooksett did have concerns about ensuring that the facilities meet the town's building requirements, but otherwise noted that he "couldn't see any way this could be a bad thing for the town."
"The state does what it wants in terms of local rules and regulations, or not," said Shankle. "Though most of the state's requirements for fire and protection and things like that are as stringent as ours or more so."
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Brendan Clogston may be reached at


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Content is king again. Social media has taught us that you can build networks of people, but content is what engages them. Some of the best examples I've seen lately aren't of the bite-size variety, but much more robust. Suprisingly, some of the most engaging are new ways of looking at the written word. Here are two of them:
If you follow me on Twitter, you've heard me rave about Longreads. The premise of the site is simple, to aggregate the best long-form content on the web. Visitors to the site can sort content by the time it takes to read, from less than 15 minutes to more than an hour. New content is added daily from many of the best publishers of long-form content, like The New Yorker, The Atlantic, Business Week and many, many more.
This most recent entry into the long-form content space provides an intriguing challenge to the traditional news publisher business model. It also has a simple premise, original long form content from notable authors. The first original to launch on Byliner is by Jon Krakauer, for the price of $2.99.
While newspapers are still focused on subscription models, Byliner provides an interesting micropayment model into the mix. The site has not fully launched yet, but those who question the business model should ask themselves: if you'll pay $0.99 for an iPhone app that makes fart noises, and $5.99 for a magazine, why wouldn't you pay $2.99 for a really in-depth, engaging piece on something you're actually interested in. Don't like the topic? You don't have to pay.
I think both of these sites are an indication of how important the production and curation of great content have become. As the web grows, so does the need for both.
Update: Thanks to Evan for a couple additional suggestions worth checking out - Longform and Essayist.


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After Monday night's seventh successive Eagles loss, Todd Bowles vowed that players who weren't doing the job would be replaced.
Tuesday, the Birds parted ways with defensive end Jason Babin, but there have been no further defensive lineup changes. D-coordinator Bowles said Thursday that was because, well, he doesn't have anybody better to put in there.
"You show in practice every week from training camp to now, we have possible lineup changes, people compete every day ... we're playing our best guys," Bowles said. "If there was somebody that definitely could play better, they'd be playing."
Asked what his role was in the Babin release, Bowles said: "Not much. That's something handled by management and the head coach. Jason was a great player for us."
Bowles was asked specifically about his safeties, Kurt Coleman and Nate Allen, who seem to guess wrong on coverage quite often.
"They're tough and they play smart," Bowles said, then paused. "They play smart most of the time. They've made their mistakes, as has everybody else. It's not just the safeties."
Offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg said several players will rotate into DeSean Jackson's role this week. (Psst! Damaris Johnson).
Monrhinweg talked about how rewarding the spoiler role could be. (Yes, it has come to this.)
Mornhinweg lauded Dallas Reynolds for getting through the Carolina game on a sprained ankle, but said he thinks Reynolds will miss Sunday's game, which leaves Evan Mathis at center for the first time in a regular season NFL game, and Danny Watkins at left guard.
Mornhinweg said Watkins is "real close" to being completely recovered from his ankle problem.