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Oh man, did anyone else catch that blurb on JTA this morning about the whole street date snafu?Apparently someone talked to a Hasbro rep and they confirmed that this is in fact a HARD street date and TRU is not supposed to be putting these out now. They somehow mis-coded these wrong in their system and did not put a hold on them, allowing them to be sold "early". The writer seems to think any remaining Vintage product will be yanked soon.I don't even know what to believe anymore. Does TRU over-ride Hasbro? Pete's post below seems to indicate this, if the rep backed down after reading the TRU email. What a mess. I don't know whether we have any true leverage to request these anymore or not.
I stopped in to one more of the TRUs where I was denied new product last week to see if I could find out any information regarding the e-mail/memo sent around. There is a dept. manager at this store who is VERY helpful to the collectors so I knew he would give me the straight scoop.Here's what I found out...This store received an e-mail on Friday. In the e-mail they were told that TRU was permitted to sell the new Star Wars products as they arrived in-store and they could ignore the street date notifications that were printed on the box.On Monday, the regional Hasbro rep who comes to all of the stores came by this TRU and told the employees that they had to pack up all of the new SW product and get it back into the stockroom. They proceeded to show the Hasbro rep the e-mail, the Hasbro rep then made some calls and verified that Toys R Us could indeed sell the new Star Wars products.So if you can get the employees to listen to you, I would definitely see if you could get them to find that memo/e-mail.I'm gonna bring it up at the TRU near where I work when they open tomorrow morning.
Hasbro's being dumb.
JTA has an interesting report from a run-in with a Hasbro rep and discussion about the broken street date. Hasbro's being dumb.
Anways, I hope this leads to Hasbro ending the whole street date thing. I understand the intent, but if a company has the stuff and people want to buy it, then sell it.
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Unfortunately, it looks like I'll need to implement syncstorage myself, with my own back-end. In PR2, an application which works well with localstorage randomly breaks with syncstorage.
Data is lost, the amount of records returned and available after the 'load' event randomly varies, and random errors are thrown within sencha-io.js. Given a store with 4 entries, I would receive 4 entries on the second load, 1 on the third, 5 on the second, and then at some point, all records would double during a load, and then return normally on the next.
The experience was extremely inconsistent, and my attempt at simple cloud data sync was a complete failure.

subset: commoncrawl


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A common complaint I hear from my development team is, "Why can't T-SQL do that?" As a member of a small development shop for a sizable healthcare company, the line is often blurred between my official role as DBA and my ad-hoc role as database developer. I bridge the gap between our web/report developers' skill set and the latest offerings from SQL Server's ever-increasing tool set, demonstrating how a new feature lets you approach a problem differently and more efficiently. One such SQL Server 2005 feature is the SQL Common Language Runtime (CLR) in which SQL objects can be developed in the .NET Framework, utilizing robust languages such as C# and VB.NET. I've gravitated to C#, which I believe is the more intuitive language.
The C# language augments T-SQL's set-based strengths by providing procedural efficiencies and expanded data structures such as multi-dimensional arrays. How many times have you found yourself creating temp tables with cursors in T-SQL to mimic the utility of an array? This article demonstrates how leveraging the CLR and C# arrays can easily provide a solution to a common report requirement which is otherwise cumbersome to develop in T-SQL: query result-set transposition.
The Need to Transpose Data
The company I work for provides healthcare to the elderly. The financial/clinical data and subsequent enterprise reports are not only critical to the well being of the company but are necessary to ensure the high-quality care our patients deserve. Often, this data is date-driven, meaning the query displays the dates in a column; however, the report layout requires that the dates be displayed in the first row as the column header, as Figure 1 shows. It's quickly apparent that the report simply needs the data from the source query to be flipped so that the rows become the columns and the columns become the rows. In other words, we need to transpose the data.
In Microsoft Excel, this process is simple: Either use the Transpose function or paste-transpose the data. However, in T-SQL, there isn't an easy method using built-in objects to accomplish a transposition. Like many database shops, we eagerly tried out SQL Server 2005's new T-SQL PIVOT and UNPIVOT features, and although we found great utility with their use, the PIVOT/UNPIVOT process doesn't solve the transpose question: We aren't pivoting data into aggregation buckets. Herein lies our developers' complaint: "Why can't we simply transpose data in T-SQL, just switching rows and columns, as we can do in Excel?"
The process seems simple enough, but I can understand why Microsoft doesn't have a transpose function in T-SQL. Because row data will mostly not be of the same data type, the transposed column data type can't be determined without some assumptions of the output. So, rather than wait for Microsoft to provide a solution, why not use the tools we have to create our own transpose solution? If the data could be stored in an array, where manipulation is granular, the transposition would be straightforward. The CLR and C# offers flexibility not found in T-SQL.
Using the SQL CLR and C# to Transpose Data
Our goal is to create a general solution that takes any query the caller has permission context to execute and transpose the result set. Our solution will be a CLR stored procedure written in C# which accepts a single string parameter of the caller's query and returns a transposed result set. The overall strategy for solving this problem can be used as a template to attack general CLR data problems:
- Obtain the data set by executing a T-SQL query within the CLR environment
- Manipulate your data
- Generate a result set, scalar value, and report messages back to the caller
- Handle errors
After you've mastered this basic use of the CLR, you have the basis and subsequent confidence to tackle a whole new world of complex data questions. When faced with a problem, your solution environment is no longer confined to T-SQL but is expanded to the CLR toolsets.
Examining a Simple Transpose
Figure 2 shows a simple query and a transposition of its result set. When considering the result set of a query, we typically don't consider the column header as a row. However, in this example, we observe that the column names are also involved in the transpose and are therefore, for our purposes, considered a row. As a consequence, our 3-by-4 result set is transposed to a 4-by-3 result set.
The data from the query is stored in the two-dimensional array, queryData\[i, j\], where the i index references the row location and the j index references the column location. Note that array-elements are zero-based referenced: The first position is referenced by 0, the second position by 1, the third by 2, and so on. Therefore, the expression queryData\[1,5\] refers to the data value located at the intersection of the second row (1) and the sixth column (5).
With the data stored in the queryData array, we can now follow the transpose of a single element using the array notation, as you see in Figure 3. The data element 10.78 is contained in dataArray\[1,2\]. When the element is transposed, it moves to the zero-based location of \[2,1\]. If the transposed data is stored in a new array transposedData\[i, j\], we have the relationship that Figure 4 shows. Notice that the indices are simply switched. To generalize this, tranposedData\[i, j\] = queryData\[j, i\], which is the basis of our solution
Assumptions Made for the Solution
Often, assumptions are made in the problem to narrow the scope of a solution. In this case, two assumptions are made:
- Limit number of queried rows to 2048—When an array is constructed, the size must be declared; the size of the queryData\[i, j\] array is the number of rows and columns in our result set. We do know the number of columns of the result set but not the number of rows at the time the array is constructed. Hence, this value is arbitrary and configurable in the variable declaration section. In practice, I've never had a business need to transpose more than 180 rows; in esting, I've transposed 5,000 rows by 784 columns of clinical data—which is over 3.9 million data elements.
- The transposed result set columns' data type will be character-string—The 100-character limit is configurable in the declaration section and can be as large as 8,000. This limit has met our reporting requirements. But this limitation begs the question, Is this character-string assumption reasonable? Consider this transpose that Figure 5 shows. What is the data type of the transposed column? DATETIME, VARCHAR, NUMERIC, or INT? To address this dilemma, we choose the safe route of constructing the transposed result set columns with the data type of VARCHAR(100) and casting the data appropriately. Moreover, the motivation of the transpose functionality is to fulfill a data-reporting requirement in which the presentation is text-based; any required aggregation can be performed in the input query itself.
The CLR/C# Transpose Stored Procedure
Using the general strategy that I've described, the diagram in Figure 6 outlines the program workflow. The code is divided in to five sections:
- Declare variables
- Execute caller's query and store data
- Transpose the data
- Output the data back to caller
- Handle errors
Listing 1 (below) provides the C# code in its entirety. We bypass the variable declarations and focus on the remaining sections.
Section 2: Executing Caller's Query and Storing the Data
In this section, the caller's query is executed and the result set is stored in an array. The first order of business is to open a connection to the SQL service: First create a SqlConnection object, then create a SqlCommand object using the caller's query and the connection object, as you see in Callout A. The connection then opens. Take note of the connection string context connection=true. With this connection, the query is executed in the same context of the caller, in both location and security.
Next, the query is executed and is assigned to a SqlDataReader object. When the ExecuteReader method is called, the query execution begins, but data isn't read. Before we begin reading the data rows, column metadata such as count, names, and data type can be obtained; the FieldCount method is used to determine the column count, and the GetName method is used for the column names, as you see in Callout B.
Using the Read method of the reader object, the queryData array is filled with the result set, as you see in Callout C. To maintain the total number of rows, the rowCount variable increments each time a row is read.
Once the outer loop is finished reading the rows, the queryData array is now populated with the query's result set. To recap what is known, the first row of the queryData array contains the column names, the remaining array rows contain the queried data, rowCount holds row count (plus 1 to account for the column-header row), and columnCount holds the column count of the result set.
Section 3: Transposing the Data
The next order of business is to transpose the data into the new array transposedData. To help with readability, new row and column count variables are created and used to size the new transposedData array, as you see in Callout D. The new row count is the old column count, and the new column count is the old row count.
Loop through the queryData array, transposing the data into tranposedData. The outer loop transverses the rows and the inner loop transverses the columns, as you see in Callout E.
The transpose is achieved with the tranposedQueryData\[i, j\] = queryData\[j, i\] statement that was gleaned from the "Examining a Simple Transpose" section. The transposedData array now contains the transposed data.
Section 4: Outputting the Transposed Result Set Back to the Caller
We're now ready to output, or pipe, the result set back to the caller. The basic strategy for constructing a result set back to the caller is as follows:
- Construct a SqlMetaData array, filling each column element with a column name, data type, and data size.
- Construct a SqlDataRecord object, using the SqlMetaData array.
- Begin the result set output by calling the SqlContext.Pipe.SendResultsStart method, passing in the SqlDataRecord.
- Output the rows of the result set, one row at a time. Fill each element of the SqlDataRecord one column at a time and pipe the record to the caller with the SqlContext.Pipe.SendResultsRow method.
- Finish the result set ,calling the SqlContext.Pipe.SendResultsEnd method.
Utilizing this strategy, construct the SqlMetaData array and define each column, looping through the column names, as you see in Callout F. This is where the VARCHAR(100) assumption is used in the SqlDbType.VarChar, maxDataSize reference . Remember, the first row of the transposedData\[0,j\] array contains the transposed column names.
Now, construct the SqlDataRecord and start the output, as you see in Callout G. Loop through the row and columns of the transposedData array, and send the row to the caller, as you see in Callout H. Finally, end the result set and send the caller the message Transpose complete. Messages are sent to the caller using the SqlContext.Pipe.Send method, as you see in Callout I.
Section 5: Handle Errors
With CLR programming, it's important to handle errors gracefully and meaningfully. Errors from this procedure typically stem from a malformed input query. In the example that Figure 7 shows, the s is missing from the sys.objects table reference.
The Try/Catch construction handles any errors that might occur during the entire transpose process, as you see in Callout J. The CLR Transpose procedure is now complete, and control is returned to the Caller.
Compile and Deploy the Transpose CLR Stored Procedure
Deploying the Transpose CLR stored procedure to your database can be summarized by three steps: Compile the C# code to a DLL library file, create an assembly in the database using the DLL, and create the CLR stored procedure referencing the assembly. The Visual Studio 2005/2008 Professional edition makes life easy for you by performing all three steps within the Visual Studio environment. However, if you don't own the Professional edition, you can use the free Microsoft C# Visual Studio Express edition to compile your code; the remaining two steps are T-SQL commands executed on your database. The download files associated with this article will guide you through the exercise.
Using the Transpose Stored Procedure
The syntax for the Transpose stored procedure is
EXEC Transpose @query = \[query to be transformed\]
If the query contains single quotes to denote strings, substitute the single quotes with two single quotes, as Figure 8 shows.
Experiment with the various types of queries: simple, relational, and distributed. Also, intentionally create mistakes in the query syntax to view how the Try/Catch handles errors.
Extend Your T-SQL Environment
This Transpose procedure provides a simple exercise in using the SQL CLR to extend your T-SQL environment to solve a common problem that's otherwise cumbersome to solve in traditional T-SQL. Once you've mastered executing queries, processing data, and generating result sets within the CLR/C# environment, you'll gain the confidence to tackle more complex problems.
Listing 1: The CLR/C# Transpose Stored Procedure
using System; using System.Data; using System.Data.SqlClient; using System.Data.SqlTypes; using Microsoft.SqlServer.Server; public partial class MyStoredProcedureClass \{ \[Microsoft.SqlServer.Server.SqlProcedure\] public static void Transpose(SqlString queryParameter) \{ // SECTION 1: Variable declarations //integers int maxNumberofRows = 2048; int rowCount = 1; int columnCount = 0; int transposedRowCount = 0; int transposedColumnCount = 0; int maxDataSize =100; //strings string callersQuery = queryParameter.ToString(); string\[,\] queryData; string\[,\] transposedData; // .NET SQL objects. These objects will get instantiated later in the code. SqlConnection conn; SqlCommand comm; SqlDataReader dataReader; SqlMetaData\[\] transposedColumns; SqlDataRecord rowRecord; try \{ // SECTION 2 : Execute Caller's query and store data BEGIN CALLOUT A conn = new SqlConnection("context connection=true;"); comm = new SqlCommand(callersQuery, conn); conn.Open(); END CALLOUT A BEGIN CALLOUT B dataReader = comm.ExecuteReader(); columnCount = dataReader.FieldCount; queryData = new string\[maxNumberofRows, columnCount\]; for (int j = 0; j < columnCount; j++) \{ queryData\[0,j\] = dataReader.GetName(j); \} END CALLOUT B BEGIN CALLOUT C while (dataReader.Read()) \{ for (int j= 0;j < columnCount; j++) \{ queryData\[rowCount,j\] = dataReader\[j\].ToString(); \} rowCount++; \} dataReader.Close(); conn.Close(); END CALLOUT C // SECTION 3: Transpose the data BEGIN CALLOUT D transposedRowCount = columnCount; transposedColumnCount = rowCount; transposedData = new string\[transposedRowCount, transposedColumnCount\]; END CALLOUT D BEGIN CALLOUT E for (int i = 0; i < transposedRowCount; i++) \{ for (int j = 0; j < transposedColumnCount; j++) \{ transposedData\[i, j\] = queryData\[j,i\]; \} \} END CALLOUT E // SECTION 4: Ouput the data back to Caller BEGIN CALLOUT F transposedColumns = new SqlMetaData\[transposedColumnCount\]; for (int j = 0; j < transposedColumnCount; j++) \{ transposedColumns\[j\] = new SqlMetaData(transposedData\[0, j\], SqlDbType.VarChar, maxDataSize); \} END CALLOUT F BEGIN CALLOUT G rowRecord = new SqlDataRecord(transposedColumns); SqlContext.Pipe.SendResultsStart(rowRecord); END CALLOUT G BEGIN CALLOUT H for (int i = 1; i < transposedRowCount; i++) \{ for (int j = 0; j < transposedColumnCount; j++) \{ rowRecord.SetSqlString(j, transposedData\[i, j\]); \} SqlContext.Pipe.SendResultsRow(rowRecord); \} END CALLOUT H BEGIN CALLOUT I SqlContext.Pipe.SendResultsEnd(); SqlContext.Pipe.Send("Transpose complete."); END CALLOUT I \} // SECTION 5: Handle errors BEGIN CALLOUT J catch (Exception e) \{ SqlContext.Pipe.Send("There was a problem. \n\nException Report: "); SqlContext.Pipe.Send(e.Message.ToString()); END CALLOUT J \} return; \} \};


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How Social Media Is Shaping Us
By Kara Miller
Social media is altering the way we communicate, purchase products — even how we define ourselves.
This week, we look at how social media is changing us — and the world we live in.
How are people choosing to define themselves online? What do they want others to know about them? And what do they want to keep secret?
Then, we look at how Twitter, Facebook, Google Plus, and a host of new platforms are forcing companies to change how they view customers. Gone are the days when TV advertisements ran the show. Now restaurants want you to recommend them to your friends. Pop icons like Madonna want to be liked on Facebook more than they want to be on talk shows.
Social media is changing the landscape and putting YOU at the center.
Fox Harrell, associate professor of digital media, MIT
John Della Volpe, managing partner, SocialSphere; director of polling, Institute of Politics at Harvard University
Christina Dorobek, vice president of sales, SCVNGR and LevelUp
Josh Bernoff, senior vice president, idea development, Forrester Research
And don't forget: We're media sponsors for the MassDigi Game Challenge. Check it out!
About Innovation HubEach week, Kara Miller talks to Boston's most innovative thinkers, examining new ideas and potential solutions to today's many challenges. Topics range from education to health care to green energy. Join us on Saturdays at 7 a.m. and Sundays at 10 p.m.
As a radio host, Kara Miller has interviewed thinkers from E.J. Dionne to Howard Gardner, Deepak Chopra to Lani Guinier. She is a panelist on WGBH-TV's "Beat the Press," as well as an Assistant Professor at the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth. Her writing has appeared in The Boston Globe, The National Journal, The Boston Herald, Boston Magazine, and The International Herald Tribune.
Sign-up for WGBH News updates, WGBH promotions, and previews of what's coming up on WGBH TV.


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JCRobert needed a new web page design and created a contest on 99designs.
A winner was selected from 39 designs submitted by 10 freelance designers.
Looking for a home page web design for JobKatch.com JobKatch is a job search management tool and organizer that can keep track of all the jobs a jobseeker applies to on the internet. Today, job seekers apply for literally hundreds of jobs on many job boards, but there is no way for them to keep track, organize, and manage the job search process.
I've been involved in the online recruitment business for a while. The idea for jobkatch came to me after I was introduced to tripit.com. A great way to manage and organize travel itineraries by simply forwarding confirmation e-mails can also be used to manage and organize your job search. see google doc for layout: http://docs.google.com/Presentation…92g28drxfv
logo can be found at:http://sites.google.com/site/jobkatch/
and downloaded here:http://www.sendspace.com/file/6mg391
web 2.0 look, clean and crisp.
too many pictures


text: Milbrett to lead 'Caps April 21, 200812:00AM PDT Previous Next By BOB MACKIN, 24 HOURS The Vancouver Whitecaps will announce this week that American soccer legend Tiffeny Milbrett will lead the W-League squad again in 2008. The 34-year-old striker from Portland joined Vancouver in 2006 after reaching the centennial mark in goals and bicentennial for appearances. She has gold medals from the 1996 Summer Olympics and 1999 Women's World Cup. "She's a wonderful person and a talented player," said Whitecaps' head coach Bob Birarda. "It's nice to have that around for the younger players." The roster is expected to be comprised mainly of players vying for spots on Canada's under-20 Women's World Cup team. Veterans attached to Canada's national team will be occupied with Olympic training. Previous Next


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Epokukdo KDU-651TP75
Epokukdo KDU-651TP75 diluted with 10wt.% MEK is a UV curable acrylate epoxy oligomer of Bisphenol-A type. UV/EB cured products based on KDU-651TP75 give good adhesion, excellent hardness, chemical resistance, good flexibility, improved water resistance and good cure-speed. KDU-651TP75 is generally used for UV curing top coating for wood, clear coating for paper. Curing-speed and viscosity of KDU-651TP75 depend on diluents, photo initiators, and additives.
- Datasheet (英语)
Kukdo Chemical Co. was established in 1972 and has since grown to become one of the world's largest producers of epoxy resin and curing agents as well as thermosetting resins, inorganic chemicals, polyols and polyureas. Their products are well suited for use in the production of primers and maintenance coatings, cured epoxies and floorings and resin produce films accompanied with outstanding flexibility and adhesion as well as exceptional resistance to chemicals and solvents.


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meet the team
Yale Fan
Portland, OR
Catlin Gabel School
Grade: Junior
Learning, tennis, listening to and playing classical music, sketching with pencil, browsing the arXiv
Go club, math club, robotics team, Oregon ARML team, CTY Study of Exceptional Talent
AMC/AIME, USA Mathematical Talent Search (gold), National Latin Exam ("Summa cum laude"), Intel ISEF, Davidson Fellow Laureate
Existential questions afflicted me from a very early age. To me, the straightforward biological motive of self-perpetuation achieves no apparent end: it is not teleological. I thought philosophy would tell me the true purpose of existence, but I eventually grew bored of imprecise systems of ethical or aesthetic thought entirely independent of quantitative reasoning. This want of structure drew me into physics. Why physics rather than the platonic ideals of mathematics? As much as I enjoy and respect mathematics, only physics gave me a sense of existential resolution. I'd like to pursue physics because in the end, the only philosophies that satisfy me are those corroborated by natural law.
On a less abstract note, I recently read "The Two Cultures," an article by Timothy Gowers, in which he discusses problem-solving versus theory-building in mathematics. However, his discussion applies equally well to physics. I believe that the merit of problem-solving lies in developing techniques applicable to building theory and general understanding. Consequently, one of my defining pursuits is scientific research, particularly in quantum computation. I've seen the collaborative nature of the scientific community through contact with various professors and research groups over the past several years. In addition, delving into the literature has taught me quite a bit about quantum mechanics. My work ended up as two publications on quantum algorithms (one singly-authored), and I am currently pondering relativistic generalizations of methods for molecular dynamics simulation with quantum computers.
I'd like to acknowledge the physicists who have indirectly lent me their help through their books, including Irodov, Feynman, and Penrose. Because I've engaged in independent learning throughout my life, I also highly value free Internet resources such as MIT OpenCourseWare, Wikipedia, and Gerardus 't Hooft's page on "How to Become a Good Theoretical Physicist." I'm fortunate to live near David Griffiths, and though I've never read his textbooks, he was so kind as to send me a copy of his paper on "The charge distribution on a conductor for non-Coulombic potentials" when I asked about it. Lastly, I thank my teachers, who were flexible so that I could explore many opportunities.
Disclaimer: Information in Physics Team profiles is provided by the Team members and is in no way a reflection of AAPT's opinions or views.


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'The Sopranos': Fade to black
It was an ending that, if nothing else, had millions on their feet. In what may be the first case of finalus interruptus, David Chase, faced with deciding between a bang and a whimper, chose neither. Instead the creator of "The Sopranos" decided to fool millions of Americans into believing their cable had gone out for possibly the most important moment in the history of televised drama.
The final scene of the final episode of "The Sopranos" had all the elements of traditional climax down to the benign plate of onion rings Tony "ordered for the table." As the Soprano family gathered in a diner, the light was mellow, the talk was mundane and Tony (James Gandolfini) kept one eye on the door, watching any number of possible assassins or smug federal agents as they poured sugar in their coffee or visited the men's room (possibly to retrieve, à la "The Godfather," their weapons cache). Then, just as Meadow (Jamie-Lynn Sigler) joined the group, and the tension became virtually unbearable — szzzz. Blank screen.
For several agonizing moments, America was united ... in uttering every profanity known to man as millions of hands reached for millions of remotes, while partners and friends yelled, "No, no, don't touch it!"
Then, silently, the credits began to roll and somewhere Chase was, no doubt, having a pretty good laugh.
Not a predictable way to end what is now constantly referred to as the most significant television show ever, but then Chase has reveled in his unpredictability from the start. Certainly the show's setup — a depressed mob boss seeks solace in psychotherapy — was a bit off-template. And through the eight years the show has ruled cable, Chase has consistently refused to bend for dramatic convention; the creation of characters and situations that rose to shuddering heights only to disappear two beats before climax has become one of his hallmarks. The Russian mobster simply disappeared into the snow; this season Little Vito seemed primed to "go Columbine" only to vanish from the scene. In the previous episode, Chase summarily dispensed with the beloved Dr. Melfi (Lorraine Bracco) through a rat-a-tat series of ridiculous events that had the psychiatric community in an uproar last week — no self-respecting shrink would allow herself to be conned, at a stupid dinner party, into believing that all those years were worthless. And fans wondered whether Chase and his writers had forgotten what it was they had loved about the show in the first place.
So after the initial heart palpitations have slowed, the surprise ending does not seem quite so surprising. The episode that led up to it, that alleged final episode ever, was workaday "Sopranos." Or as workaday as it could be with Bobby dead, Sil almost dead, and the Feds apparently working a turncoat. and Rapt viewers analyzed every detail, from the look on Paulie's (Tony Sirico) face after Tony asked him to take over Carlo's operation, to the songs on the jukebox in the final scene.
Chase wrote the episode alone, and he was clearly enjoying himself, playing on the fact that people had their own expectations — odds were Tony would get whacked — and would bring to these details what they wanted to bring. He even managed to insert a little lecture about the downtrodden scriptwriter through an old "Twilight Zone" episode playing in the background of one scene.
Much of the narrative dealt with the state of that interminable whiner A.J. (Robert Iler). As he prepared to commit statutory rape (his girlfriend is a junior in high school), his car caught fire and he experienced, he told his therapist, the thrill of destruction. Tony, of course, was furious because he had already told A.J. the danger of parking the SUV in leaves — "you could grill a steak on that convertor." The things that haunted Tony for the last eight episodes were suddenly nonexistent. Christopher's death had improved his gambling luck (though he had picked up a stray cat that did nothing but stare at Chris' picture). He even came to some sort of terms with Uncle Junior (Dominic Chianese), a man bitter even without his memories. "The two of you ran north Jersey," Tony told Junior. "Did we? That's nice," Junior answered before gazing blankly out the window.
With the exception of that scene, and the fact that Tony's operatives were finally able to locate and whack Phil Leotardo (Frank Vincent), it was as if none of these people realized this was the final episode of "The Sopranos." (Except the cat. The cat seems to realize.) In one scene, as Tony managed to turn a conversation with A.J.'s therapist into a conversation about him — "My mother was a very difficult woman. I didn't have a very happy family life" — the look on Carmela's (Edie Falco) face was priceless. And for a moment it was as if Tony's years in therapy, his entire character arc, the entire show for that matter, had never happened. People were trying to kill him, his son had just attempted suicide and was now joining the Army, and again it was all about him and his mother. All that hard work for nothing.
Which may be exactly what many people were feeling as Journey sang "Don't Stop Believin'." while the Sopranos sat in a diner, and it was then that the television went dead.
Chase is possibly the only man in America who could get away with such a thing, and maybe he shouldn't. While it is one thing to flout the conventions of television, it's another to flip dramatic tradition, not to mention your audience, the bird. No, he didn't owe us any neat endings, nor some sort of final word on the nature of good and evil. But after eight years, he did owe us catharsis, some sort of emotional experience that would, if not sum up the entire eight years, leave us with something more meaningful than instant panic and lingering irritation. In the end, the art of writing is the art of making choices. Ending a series with the social weight of "The Sopranos" is not an enviable task, but end it must, and not with the sophomoric gesture of a blank screen.
Yes, people will be talking about the show tomorrow and tomorrow and tomorrow, but they probably won't be talking about Tony Soprano or any of the work the very fine cast of actors and writers has done over the years. They'll be talking about how frustrating the blank screen was. In fear of tainting the legacy of "The Sopranos" — if Tony really was just one more truly bad man, some viewers would feel betrayed; if he went from antihero to hero, others would feel the same — Chase has offered us instead an epic novel with a do-it-yourself ending.
And, of course, the distinct possibility of "The Sopranos: The Movie."
-- Mary McNamara
Update from Mary:
The blank screen.
In less than 24 hours, it has become the obelisk from "2001," the Rorschach blot, Stonehenge and "Ulysses" all rolled into one. The sudden blank screen that marked the final moments of the final episode of "The Sopranos" is the new dark mirror in which viewers see the reflections of their own dreams and desires. In hundreds of responses, to my personal mailbox and in the comment area here, readers have deconstructed that image with the passion and alacrity of literary theory post-grads on an espresso bender.
The blank screen signified Tony's death (exactly as he described it to Bobby on their fateful fishing trip), it was David Chase literally "pulling the plug" on his creation. It represented the paranoia in which Tony lived his life, Uncle Junior's descent into Alzheimer's, the repressed panic of the female characters. The sudden darkness symbolized the demise of the Italian community, the corruption of the American soul, of American television or (my personal favorite) Chase's commentary on the country's dependence on cable TV.
The theories are bountiful and boundless and reveal a level of sophistication that, while not surprising among fans of such a multi-layered and literate show, seems to contradict the conventional wisdom that television kills creative thought, if not actual brain cells, among viewers.
Nobody would call these "Sopranos" fans couch potatoes.
Obsessive, perhaps—here's to the one reader who looked up the entire "Twilight Zone" episode and the other who matched the songs Tony passed over on the jukebox to the stages of his life—but then isn't obsession one requirement of intelligent analysis?
But there is an overall awareness of how television, and the writing process, works, of what the show stood for, both philosophically and within the entertainment industry.
It all goes to prove one point: that it didn't really matter how Chase chose to end his legendary series. Whacked or not, arrested or not, somehow suddenly heroic or not, some people would have loved it, some people would have hated it. In today's world, it turns out, one does not go out with either a bang or a whimper, but with a thousand e-mails.
(Photo courtesy HBO)


text: The Tecweigh QC10 single-drive feeder couples a Flex-Feed polyurethane hopper with an opening in the bottom and the ability to agitate the hopper without driving the auger. When the user needs to change material, he simply stops the feeder and places a reclaim container underneath. He then opens the bottom discharge slide gate (or removes the plug) and runs the drive motor in reverse. Tecnetics Industries Inc., St. Paul, MN 800-536-4880 www.tecweigh.com


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WORCESTER — Plans to solicit proposals for the redevelopment of the former Brown Square fire station are on hold because of disagreement among city councilors over what should be its selling price.
City Manager Michael V. O'Brien had sought authorization from the City Council Tuesday night to set the minimum selling price for the fire station property at $1.
He suggested that price because of the investment a potential buyer will have to put into the property to make needed improvements and bring it up to code.
But District 3 Councilor George J. Russell questioned why the city would consider selling the fire station property for as low as $1 when it assesses the property at $501,800.
He pointed out that a former fire station in Quinsigamond Village recently sold for $100,000 through a private sale, and that property was in worst condition when the city sold it to a private party several years ago.
He added that the Brown Square building, located at Franklin and Plantation streets, is 25 percent larger than the one in Quinsigamond Village station, and its lot is 20 percent to 25 percent bigger as well.
Mr. Russell suggested the minimum selling price for the Brown Square station should be at least $50,000.
"This building is an important part of the (Brown Square) neighborhood," Mr. Russell said of the former fire station that closed in 2008. "If no bidders come in at that ($50,000) asking price we can always reduce it. My fear is that if we go along with what the manager has recommended and the city only receives a couple of bids for this property we could end up selling it for just $1."
The councilor added that the city's assessed valuation of the Brown Square property could be more of a deterrent to its sale and redevelopment than a $50,000 asking price. He said even if the city sells it for just $1 the new owner would be responsible for paying property taxes based on its $501,800 valuation.
But District 2 Councilor Philip P. Palmieri countered that the new owner would likely have to invest at least $250,000, and possibly even more, for needed upgrades and improvements to the building, which is 118 years old.
"Whoever buys this will have to make a substantial investment in it," Mr. Palmieri said. "This is an iconic building and the community wants to make sure the right use goes in there."
The council voted 8-2 in favor of Mr. Russell's amendment calling for a minimum selling price of $50,000, with Mr. Palmieri and Mayor Joseph M. Petty voting in opposition.
But when the council voted on the city manager's recommendation to declare the fire station surplus and have it transferred to under his jurisdiction, along with Mr. Russell's amendment added to it, it only received six votes. This time Mr. Palmieri and Mr. Petty were joined by District 4 Councilor Sarai Rivera and Councilor-at-Large Kathleen M. Toomey in voting in opposition.
Although a majority of councilors supported the item, it did not win approval because a two-thirds vote (eight votes) was needed to transfer the jurisdiction of the station from the Fire Department to the city manager so the city can then develop a request for proposals for it.
The council then voted to reconsider the item, at which point Councilor-at-Large Konstantina B. Lukes exercised her right under the council's rules to hold the item.
Meanwhile, Councilor-at-Large Frederick C. Rushton requested the city administration provide the council with cost estimates to renovate the property for various allowed uses in that area.
He said those estimates would give the council a much better idea of what the selling price for the property should be.
The Brown Square station was closed in November 2008 when the new Franklin Street fire station opened. Since the closing, the building has been used to store fire equipment but the property has been largely vacant.
Contact Nick Kotsopoulos at email@example.com


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This truck was made in the early 1940s by Leon Greenman for his son Barney. Leon was born in 1910 in East London. His family had close links with the Netherlands and he spent much of his early life in Rotterdam.
Following his marriage to Else in 1935, the couple settled in the city. In March 1940 their son Barney was born and just two months later the German army invaded the Netherlands. Leon enjoyed woodwork and made this wooden toy for Barney during the war. LMS stands for London Midland & Scottish Railway, chosen deliberately by Leon to show his support for Britain.
Leon was unable to prove his British nationality and in October 1942 the family were arrested and deported to the Dutch transit camp Westerbork. In early 1943 they were sent to Auschwitz where Else and Barney were killed on arrival. Leon survived, and returning to Britain after the war he devoted the rest of his life to Holocaust education and anti-racist activism.


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The importance of tourism to the state's economy is a key reason why the federal government must maintain funding for protecting beaches, U.S. Sen. Frank Lautenberg (D-Cliffside Park) and Rep. Frank Pallone (D-Long Branch) said today.
"People have to be satisfied that the beaches are clean and the water is safe for them to swim," said Pallone, a sponsor of a federal law enacted in 2000 that sets national water quality standards and provides states with funding to test water quality and notify the public when conditions are unsafe.
Pallone said he and Lautenberg are seeking to maintain $10 million in federal appropriations for the fiscal year starting Oct. 1. He said it is likely the funding will be including in a "continuing resolution," used to fund the government.
However, the legislators are seeking more funding, as well as a mandate that officials use new water tests that assess the results within six hours. They are seeking $30 million for additional grants to communities to locate and address sources of water pollution.
He pointed to state statistics that tourism-related activity generated $38 billion for the state's economy in 2011, a 7 percent increase, and that 312,000 tourism-related jobs account for 10 percent of all jobs in the state.
Lautenberg said in a statement that the beaches shouldn't be taken for granted.
"New Jersey's shoreline is a major driver of our economy, an environmental treasure and a proud recreational resource for people in our state," he said.
Lautenberg and Pallone spoke at an event in Asbury Park in support of the beach funding. Asbury Park Mayor Ed Johnson also supported the funding.
"Extending these programs is not just an environmental issue, it's also an economic issue, because our beaches support thousands of New Jersey jobs," Johnson said in a statement.


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Sept. 24, 2012
ALPHARETTA, Ga. – Sophomore Daniel Berger leads the Florida State men's golf team after two rounds played at the PING/Golfweek Preview at the Capital City Club Crabtree in Alpharetta, Ga. The Seminoles sit in 14th place with a 22-over 582 score. FSU is just 4 strokes out of the top ten. The team teed off the back nine this morning and will close out the tournament tomorrow at 8:50 a.m. off the back nine again.
"We came here knowing we were going to play in a field of teams that will play in the National Championship this year with only having two guys on our team that played in the Championship last year," head coach Trey Jones said. "The guys have played this year's National Championship course now, while we're not playing what we want to be playing, we are getting valuable experience and hope to leave here tomorrow on a positive note."
Berger, a native of Jupiter, Fla., has shot a 2-over 72 the past two rounds and leads the team with a 4-over 144 on the 7,248 yard, par-70 course. He is currently tied for 29th after making 13 pars and three birdies today.
"Daniel's playing good golf for the most part of the round, his execution just isn't consistent with a double and triple bogey today," said Jones. "He's got to do a better job of after hitting in a position that's not good to come back and not compound one error with another."
Freshman Collin Engelhardt (Orlando, Fla.) had the best score of the day with a 1-over 71. He also made the biggest improvement after shooting a 7-over 77 yesterday. After making eight bogeys Sunday he only had three today to go along with his consecutive birdies on holes no. 2 and 3.
"Collin continues to improve," Jones said. "One of the things we look for the guys to do is bounce back after a bad round and it takes a lot of personal pride to do that and that's what he did. Unfortunately we have several guys who can do that tomorrow."
Tied for 46th at the tournament is Rowin Caron (Terhejiden, The Netherlands) with a two day 7-over 147 total. The freshman had a strong outing in the front nine where he carded a 1-over. Just behind him in a tie for 53rd is junior Bjorn Hellgren at 8-over 148 for the two rounds. The Vasteras, Sweden native made three birdies on the front nine this afternoon.
The Seminoles are part of a 15-team field that features 14 top 25 teams. Joining No. 18 Florida State are No. 1 Alabama, No. 2 Texas, No. 3 UCLA, No. 6 Cal, No. 8 Georgia Tech, No. 10 Washington, No. 11 Texas A&M, No. 12 Arkansas, No. 14 San Diego, No. 15 Kent State, No. 16 UNLV, No. 20 New Mexico, No. 24 Georgia and No. 32 Chattanooga.
Live stats can be viewed here: http://www.golfstatresults.com/public/index.cfm?tournament_id=3807. Check back to Seminoles.com for all your information on the golf team and follow the team at twitter.com/fsugolf.


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The Second Circuit Court of Appeals has upheld the conviction of Roderick Crossley on two counts of second degree murder.
Crossley was sentenced to serve concurrent terms of life without the benefit of parole, probation or suspension of sentence in February 2012. His motion for a new trial was denied in August, 2012 and the appeal to the Court of Appeals followed.
Crossley was accused of entering the home of Tracy Edmonds and Clinton Long on Sept. 23, 2007, shooting both of them while Edmond's children were in the residence.
Testimony by the witnesses revealed that Crossley was recognized as the shooter, as he was recognized as Edmonds' ex-boyfriend. Crossley was located and questioned and after a search of the residence where Crossley was staying, a bag containing clothing that later tested positive for gunshot residue was located. The murder weapon was found approximately one week later.
Crossley was indicted in October 2007 on two counts of first degree murder. The indictment was later amended to the charge of two counts of second degree murder.
The Court of Appeals rendered their judgement on June 26.


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September 25. 2017 11:50PM
Joe Duball's H.S. Soccer: Windham boys learn from losing
By JOE DUBALL
New Hampshire Union Leader
It's common for playoff losses to become fuel for a team's fire the following year. As an example, look at this year's Windham High boys' soccer team.
The Jaguars fell to Lebanon in the semifinals of last year's Division II tournament, ending a run inspired by a setback in the 2015 semifinals against Portsmouth. Doubling the motivation has served Windham well this season, though, as the Jags have outscored opponents 41-2 while running out to an 8-0 record.
"You don't know what the league is like or what everyone else is losing or returning, but I was confident we were bringing a solid team back," Windham coach
Mike Hachey
said. "There's a large group of seniors that have been through all the heartache (from the last two seasons). Their focus is why we're seeing this success and that focus stems from really not believing we've played our best ball yet."
The Jaguars have seen solid results despite integrating new faces into their system and finding the right combinations with the new and old personnel, according to Hachey. Leaning on the likes of senior striker
Kyle Cocciardi
and back line stalwarts
Brian Sheahan, Vinnie Marino
Noah Rust
have helped mask the few deficiencies the team has shown.
Cocciardi is the feature player in Windham's offense, leading the team in goals (14) and assists (eight). The senior may well be the difference in Windham's title hopes this season, as he missed parts of the last two seasons with a nagging foot injury that never allowed him to play at full strength upon his return in either season.
"He's just a beast now," Hachey said. "Kyle is a blend of someone who is opportunistic but really creates things, including a lot out of nothing. When there is a lull in the game, he'll show a moment of brilliance, put one away and then it becomes demoralizing for a team."
A healthy Cocciardi is one factor in Windham's multi-faceted offense. Senior forward
Jake Morgan
returned from the Seacoast United's Academy Soccer program, which consists of Division I college-bound talent, after last playing with Windham as a sophomore. Other reliable pieces to Windham's offense include seniors
Cam Chrissis
, who has started every game since his freshman year, and
Zac Colvin
The options and varying styles of Windham's offense have shown in lopsided scoring efforts. The Jaguars' whopping goal total features a stretch of five consecutive games in which they scored at least five goals, including three games with seven strikes.
"We've been in some closer games for a bit, but then the goals start to come in bunches," Hachey said. "Teams have done a nice job of holding us back to a certain extent and then we've won the other 20 minutes in each half. You'll see us get two goals over the last 20 in the first half and then go without one a bit before putting up three more over the final 20 again."
The elite play up front suggests the Jaguars control possession and rarely need their defense, but Hachey said that is hardly the case. Sheahan, Marino and Rust have shown they can play one-on-one, clean up attacks through the midfield and rebuild possession from the back. Goalie
Ben Wentworth
has made saves when he needed to, but the defensive trio has shielded him from seeing many shots.
"They're fantastic as individuals and then you bring them together as a core to get something special," said Hachey of the fullbacks. "You wouldn't know how in-tune they are because they're all very quiet and the communication isn't them yelling at each other. They've played together since they were very young, so they each know what type of player is around them, which leaves them knowing when to help or when one has everything under control."
Hachey said that he waits until eight to 10 games into a season before really gauging his club against the rest of the league. Now being at that point, Hachey sees plenty of challenge left in his schedule, including Wednesday's match against Oyster River of Durham. However, the opponent Windham is most focused on going forward is itself.
"My approach is that I won't be satisfied until we play what I consider is our best and play to our potential," Hachey said. "These guys know we haven't done that yet. We've had several conversations about giving up a goal and letting down when you're up 6-0, and they know that's not acceptable because it can't happen in the playoffs.
"It's a team mindset now that we don't want to allow goals or be down in games and we will not accept anything but the best from each other. That demand doesn't mean we're at each other's throats when things go wrong, but instead we try to rise to the expectation."
- - - - - - - - -
THOSE UPDATING their list of Division II girls' soccer contenders can safely add 7-1 Milford to the mix. Except for a 1-0 loss to Souhegan, which scored on a corner kick five minutes into that win, Milford would be undefeated. Regardless, the strong start for Milford is notable.
"It's kind of been building here," Milford coach
Russ Matthews
said. "We've always played good soccer, but the final-third has always been our problem area. There are people here now that are putting the ball in the back of the net."
The Spartans have scored 31 goals this season and have spread that scoring up and down the roster. Matthews cited depth as a strength, which is evidenced by the spread scoring, but it goes deeper.
"We have a lot of soccer players, whereas in the past we had good athletes that just play," Matthews said. "The trend now is soccer comes first for the athletes we have. The focus gives us better skill sets and soccer IQs to work with."
Among the most valued players on Milford's roster are seniors
Breanna deGroot, Emma Gray, Riley Matthews
Avery Martin.
That quartet and the rest of the Spartans are looking forward to playoff previews over the rest of their schedule, which includes a rematch with Souhegan on Oct. 10.
- - - - - - - - -
THE DIVISION I boys' soccer ranks has no perfect records left after a couple of surprise setbacks over the last week. Salem, Timberlane of Plaistow and Londonderry each suffered a first loss while Manchester Central's perfect season is over after a tie against rival Manchester Memorial.
Central is one team taking the high road after being held out of the win column for the first time this season. Blowing a 2-0 to Memorial certainly isn't something Central coach
Chris LaBerge
wants to make a habit of, but LaBerge couldn't deny that his team probably needed to go through that.
"It hits home for us that we really just can't make mistakes," said LaBerge after Friday's tie. "We're good on the ball and teams just want to counter-attack us so they sit and wait for that mistake. We're trying to learn how to play together and pressing for goals all the time while we try to play playoff-caliber soccer. These are the games you need in order to get there."
The Little Green will indeed continue to force the issue up top with playmakers like
Joshue Assantha
Max Kalampalikis
shining and others like
Nidal Almaree
beginning to raise their game.
On the other end of the spectrum, Londonderry was disappointed with Saturday's loss to Pinkerton of Derry. Lancers coach
Todd Ellis
wasn't necessarily down on his club's play in the loss, but he realized the team needed the win before embarking on its toughest stretch of the season. Londonderry's next four games are against Salem, Timberlane, Bedford and Central.
"The results that we have gotten so far this year have been better than we expected in some ways," Ellis said. "We're coming up against a stretch that is going to give us a better judge of what we're going to do. The kids have been working hard and we have a group of 14 seniors that know what we need to do. Sometimes they need to be reminded that our talent doesn't mean we can just step on the field. It means the effort has to be there as well."
High School Soccer appears Tuesdays in the New Hampshire Union Leader during the season. To reach Joe Duball, e-mail email@example.com.


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After celebrating with abandon during the holidays, the Hometown Pasadena "girls" spent the month of January recovering by spa-ing around town. We each did a treatment or two — yes, it's a tough job, but as the saying goes, someone's gotta do it — and here are our finds, some more worthy than others.
Amadeus Spa
799 E. Green St., Pasadena, 626.578.3404
For many years I viewed facials as the ultimate in decadence, the sort of thing that shallow, social x-ray women do when they're bored. Then one day I looked in the mirror and my Bonnie Bell skin had vanished (having been reincarnated on my teenage daughters). So when I was given an Amadeus "Signature Facial" for my 50th birthday, I accepted it with gratitude and humility. And I loved it so much that the next Mother's Day, I got another one. Ah, the neck massage! Oh, that soothing steam! My, how my skin felt wonderful for days afterward, maybe even weeks. Decadent, yes, but only in the most essential way. One caveat: During my second one, the technician casually asked if she could "clean up" my eyebrows for me. Being the clueless-about-girl-things woman that I am, I said sure. But when I checked out I found I'd been charged $26 for an eyebrow wax. I made a fuss and they removed the charge, but word to the wise. Price: $120
— Colleen Dunn Bates
Body Healing Center
187 N. Hill Ave., Pasadena, 626.795.6670
10 E. California Blvd., Pasadena, 626.795.9896
I visited the Hill location for a one-hour massage. Desk clerk/masseuse Jennifer suggested a combination Shiatsu, deep tissue and hot oil. Swell. I got the room with two massage tables (popular for bringing your best friend, I was told). On each table, a folded sheet and a pair of men's boxer shorts. I went back to ask if I was to wear the boxers. No, women can wear their underpants. Which table should I take? You choose, said Jennifer. Okay, I'll take the one with the ceiling rack, assuming she would walk on my back a la Lucy Liu in Charlie's Angels. After all, I was all in knots from a stressful work week and couldn't wait for an invigorating Chinese massage! Jennifer started a methodical massage, asking if I wanted firm or gentle; I requested very firm but I suppose that's too subjective a term — the massage was distracted at best. But I'm to blame, too. I instigated lots of conversation: about massage (yes, many male customers expect a massage plus), about China (this girl should be a travel agent) and about cultural differences. The hour flew by… with chatter. Rats! This is an example of needing an older masseuse who can prioritize, or a completely non-English speaker who won't chitchat. Jennifer offered a complimentary private sauna and I thought, "Yay! Maybe that will work out the knots!" I sat in the big shower while it choked out thin steam. After a few minutes she came back to tell me the sauna was out of order. She gave me a complimentary cup of water and I was on my way. Price: $60
— Sandy Gillis
Burke Williams
39 Mills Pl., Old Pasadena, 866.239.6635
After my fellow Hometowner Mel Malmberg described her favorite treatment here as getting beat with a grass skirt, I had to try it. I arrived to find the amenities up to the usual Burke Williams standards: a great big waiting room with a wall of water, plush robes, slippers that actually fit, water with just a touch of fruit, bowls of apples and bananas, sauna, steam room and Jacuzzi. I'd booked Hunter's Retreat, the wet-room treatment Mel had described, and no, it has nothing to do with hunting — my therapist, Margie, explained that each signature treatment is named for a child of the person who developed it. Margie had me lie on a table in what seemed like large shower, with water jets coming from the ceiling (ironically, it had been pouring outside for days, so the idea of more water didn't seem terribly appealing). But relax I did, as Margie first scrubbed me all over with exfoliating gloves, then rubbed me with wheat stalks (Mel's grass skirts) soaked in exotic essential oils. Afterward she kneaded a light moisturizing oil into my skin. It was very relaxing, and my skin – usually dry this time of year – has been soft ever since. Price: $105
— Mary Jane Horton
Côte d'Azure Spa
74 N. Fair Oaks Ave., Old Pasadena, 626.396.3030
I'd seen the sign for this upstairs spa many times in passing, so I finally checked it out. It turned out to be a little jewel hidden in the heart of Old Town, with a wide selection of massages and body treatments. It was another rainy day, but the moment I entered, I felt warm and relaxed… the incense burning, the natural-wood surroundings, the Native American artifacts, the nice people. The treatment I choose, Artist's Indigo, was supposed to help me regain clarity. My therapist, Toni, said it opens the chakras (energy points on the body) and clears out the bad stuff. I don't know about that, but the massage – which worked acupressure points from head to toe – was pure heaven. It included aromatherapy with frankinsence, myrhh and sandalwood, as well as hot stones and warmed bags of rice. The one downside: It is my pet peeve when a massage therapist discovers a place in my body and points out how tight it is (maybe I never would have known), which Toni did. But I overlooked that one negative for how totally relaxed this treatment made me feel. Price: $130
Heart and Sole
163 W. Green St., Old Pasadena, 626.578.9933
This small space in prime Old Town has had quite the buzz lately. For $25 you get a foot soak and rub, head massage and full-body (through your clothes) massage. Masseuses range from tentative to competent to fantastic, and it takes an hour. You are in a large, comfy reclining chair (reminiscent, I imagine, of Gold Class Cinemas, though I have yet to go) in a darkened, hushed room, with soothing music — about ten chairs in the room. You start the treatment face up, then turn over (there's a cutout for your face). You can't talk, but you can murmur, and drooling and snoozing is allowed. There is a loyalty card for cost saving, but even so, this place is more expensive than similar Chinese establishments all over the SGV — except there is no Chinese television, no tea (bottled water) no talking, so if you want the hushed experience right in Old Town, this is the ticket. Price: $25
— Mel Malmberg
Pattaya Healing Massage
1525 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena, 626.568.9570 or 568.9574
This no-frills, inexpensive, coed massage and hair salon sits in the rear parking lot of Pattaya Café, across from PCC. Look for the motel out back and you are there. Thai-style massage, a combination of deep tissue with some stretching, is what you get if you don't specify a preference. And even if you do specify. The ladies here are sweet and homey, with a command of beginner's English. Which is fine. I've been twice and love masseuse Jane. The place is whistle-clean, with four-inch-thick, firm mats set on raised linoleum flooring (no dirty carpet smells). The double-mat room, which is good for girlfriends or husband-and-wife massage time, isn't for the über modest. You will change into prison-style PJ bottoms and remove all other garments. Modern country music and twangy Asian folk music accompanies the loud ticking clock in my room, and I feel like a puppy being weaned from her mother, especially when Jane begins my massage with a warm-washcloth foot rub. Ah. I love this place! Jane uses open palm, thumb, elbow, her ulna arm bone, and socked feet to rub, push, apply pressure and glide deeply along muscle groups to relieve tension. I ask for hard pressure and she complies until I whimper. Stretching at the end feels like working with a personal trainer, but patrons can opt out if they like. Price: $35
Serenity Day Spa
82 N. Hill Ave., Pasadena, 626.395.9787
1043 E. Green St., Pasadena 626.396.1848
I wanted a quickie — a foot massage, that is — so I called Serenity Day Spa on Green Street. From its swank website I chose the Eucalyptus Retreat body and foot massage ($65), for my sinuses. The Green Street location had nothing available that afternoon, so I was referred to the Hill location. I called and booked a Eucalyptus Retreat, or so I thought. I arrived at a building that could double as an off-track betting parlor, complete with closed shades and windows not cleaned since J. Edgar Hoover sashayed through Washington. Clutch my pearls, they were set up for a foot massage only. I went along for the ride, and what I got was a plastic tub lined with even more plastic (their Double Double?). A slippery plastic bag was at the bottom of my bin, and so was nice warm water, so all right already. Ah, an overstuffed chair to sink into. An overstuffed chair that was slipcovered in stained and threadbare upholstery, resting atop stained and threadbare wall to wall carpet. The place was just plain tired, right down to its silk flowers, "classy" perfumed candles, loud New Age music and cheap ginormous furniture. I was surprised I didn't sneeze. Perhaps it's because I didn't inhale for the hour. The foot massage was tepidly pleasant, and my technician was perfectly average, explaining, "We soak, scrub, rub." At least it wasn't too expensive: $25 for a one-hour foot massage.
Spa Girl Day Spa & Wellness Center
2769 W. Broadway St., Eagle Rock, 323.256.6443
It is all about the black white, pink and the water feature that stage-whispers, You can leave fab, funky Eagle Rock at the door… it's all about girl time now. And not the gossipy, loud "Hey Girl!" we've come to expect when we go to the salon for a cut and some color: Spa Girl is hushed but not too hushed, sweet but not precious, there for your comfort but not overly solicitous. It is an indulgence, but it won't cost you the moon. As a newbie I was asked to fill out a basic health form before my esthetician, Wendy, ushered me into a treatment room, and my mud body mask was underway in no time. As she slathered on the light, silky mud, we gabbed a bit. She was kind enough to laugh at my little jokes, skillful and knowledgeable about her work, and before I knew it, I was covered with this savory scented mud, for my Spa Girl Body Mask (purported to stimulate your metabolic system, and speed up its ability to carry away waste products), layered with thermal blankets, and left to my drowsy repose. Time to arise came just as I was getting a little restless. I scrubbed off in the treatment-room shower, covered myself with Epicuren Rosemary moisturizer, one of several Wendy offered, and was on my way to Trader Joe's, feeling (and smelling) great. Next time, I think I'll try the hot stone massage. Price: $85
— Jill Ganon
Our pal Debbie Deems also recommends these two finds in San Gabriel for bargain foot treatments:
Lucky Foot Spa
1039 E. Valley Blvd., #B113, San Gabriel, 626.572.0588
A cut above the traditional foot spa, this one has a tacky Chinese décor, but it is dimly lit and relaxing music fills the air. The woman who runs the front desk, Susan, is great. Price: $15
Sole So Good
801 E. Valley Blvd., #102, San Gabriel, 626.307.1788
A fabulous and clean spot for a foot massage; a downside for some women is that most of the massage therapists are men. Price: $20


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Just Ask the Expert: Inappropriate urination: Why only at the neighbors'?
Dr. Tynes welcomes behavior questions from veterinarians and veterinary technicians.
One of my clients has a 6-year-old spayed female pug. When the client visits other people's houses, the dog lifts its leg to urinate in the house. The owner has to keep the dog right by her side to prevent this from happening. The dog has had no accidents at home since it was a puppy. This sounds like a marking behavior. Do you have any ideas on other causes or suggestions for retraining?
A. You are correct that this is likely a marking behavior. However, knowing if the dog squats or lifts its leg in other circumstances either to urinate or mark may also be useful. For example, if the dog squats to urinate in its own yard but lifts its leg to deposit urine when on walks, then the leg lifting in a friend's house is likely to be marking behavior.Many dogs will mark when confronted with new objects. Urine marking might also occur because of anxiety. The anxiety could be associated with a novel place, the presence of other dogs in the home, or even anxiety associated with the people in the home.
Thus, leg position does not always clearly differentiate marking from elimination behavior until that information is combined with a detailed description of the entire behavior sequence as well as a complete behavioral history. Other associated information such as whether the dog sniffs a lot before and, possibly, after depositing urine or whether or not there is scratching of the ground afterward may help to differentiate marking from elimination. Scratching the ground after eliminating is another form of marking behavior. When combined with a lot of olfactory investigation, it suggests that the event has a purpose other than just responding to the need to empty the bladder. Another criteria that might help to differentiate urine marking from elimination is the fact that smaller quantities of urine are typically produced when urine marking. If the dog were eliminating, then a larger quantity would be expected, as the dog is likely to completely empty its bladder.
We are assuming that the dog is not exhibiting any polydipsia or polyuria and that urinary tract disease has been ruled out. If this were a completely new behavior in a 6-year-old dog, I would be cautious about assuming it is strictly behavioral with no medical underpinnings. Even some medical conditions and medications can increase a dog's level of irritability or agitation, making it more anxious and likely to perform an anxiety-related behavior that it may never have performed before. An increased degree of anxiety can also lead to an increased sensitivity to stimuli and, thus, an increase in behaviors such as urine marking.


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(Toledo News Now) - The Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force is offering a reward for information which would lead to the capture of fugitive Christopher Johnson.
Johnson is wanted by the U.S. Marshals and Cleveland Division of Police for domestic violence, after an alleged brutal attack against his pregnant girlfriend. It is alleged that in mid-August, Johnson attacked his girlfriend by beating her face with his fist and then retrieving a large pair of pliers and continuing the assault. When the victim tried to flee, she was slammed into the wall and thrown to the floor. Johnson fled the scene on foot after police arrived.
Johnson is described as a 21-year-old black male standing approximately 6 feet tall and weighing 190 pounds. He has black hair and brown eyes.
He is believed to be hiding somewhere in the Cleveland area and has a previous address near the 15200 block of Maple Park Drive in Maple Heights.
Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of Christopher Johnson is encouraged to contact the U.S. Marshals Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force at 1-866-4-WANTED or text keyword "WANTED" with the tip to TIP411. Tipsters may remain anonymous. A cash reward may be available.
Copyright 2013 Toledo News Now. All rights reserved.


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The Reds confirmed the capture of Inter Milan midfielder Philippe Coutinho on a long-term contract just before their 2-2 draw at Arsenal, after which Rodgers conceded a move for Blackpool winger Tom Ince is unlikely to happen before Thursday night's deadline. The Northern Irishman has long been an admirer of the 20-year-old who Liverpool actually released to join Blackpool and has acknowledged what he would add to his squad. That is not to say he is unhappy with what he already has at his disposal, though, with a number of players catching the eye at the Emirates on Wednesday night. Luis Suarez was his usual industrial self, scoring yet another goal in a typically all-action display, while at the other end of the spectrum, veteran Jamie Carragher produced a performance akin to the majority of his 700 for the club. It was midfielder Jordan Henderson who really shone, however, scoring the second after teeing up the first, offering further signs that he is starting to justify the £20million price tag that has been a millstone around his neck since he joined from Sunderland.
"Jordan is improving all the time and has a great appetite for the game," Rodgers said.
"I was talking to him afterwards. It's just that final ball, the final pass. Technically he is getting better all the time and he's got great athleticism. I believe he will be a great signing for Liverpool, it just takes time.
"Players used to come to Liverpool and go into the reserves for two years. These kids are having to go straight into the team."
Like Henderson, Ince is an England Under-21 international and, along with Wilfried Zaha, has been the standout player in the npower Championship this campaign. Reading have also registered their interest in Paul Ince's son, but with Blackpool determined to keep hold of their prized asset, a move does not look like it is on the cards at the moment.
"We could still do the deal it but it looks like that one is a bit too complicated at this stage," said Rodgers.
"It's about affordability as well. If Tom stays at Blackpool it doesn't mean he won't join Liverpool at a later stage. Maybe in this window it might be a difficult one for us."
They can boast the signature of Coutinho, though, a player of some repute and one who Inter Milan did not want to sell. He was linked with a number of clubs, including Southampton, whose manager, Mauricio Pochettino coached Coutinho at Espanyol, but Rodgers believes Liverpool's standing in the game won the day.
"There was a big interest from there (Southampton), but a club like Liverpool will always attract top players," he said.
"Even though we are not where we want to be, the history of this club will always get top players interested and once he found out Liverpool were interested he wanted to come. It was a real coup for us because Inter Milan didn't want to sell him."
Source: team_talk


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One of the most haunting images in David Riker's film La Ciudad is of the New York City skyline seen from a work site miles away from midtown. There, a group of Hispanic dayworkers scrape off bricks, carry them to a designated area and pile them neatly on top of one another. No one, including the film viewer, seems to know where he or she is. The images evoke a vivid sense of place/ no-place that reflects the condition of multitudes of Hispanic immigrants to this country–not as much the ones like my parents, whose sense of place had as much to do with their schooling as with their new geography, but immigrants who enter the global Norte in search of a way out of strife and into life itself–improvement, fulfillment of dreams, a future that will be better than now. Like many Latin American renderings of reality, the reality of La Ciudad is informed by the imaginary.
While Juan Gonzalez's Harvest of Empire deals with reality in a conventional sense–it is filled with charts, numbers and facts–his book cannot help conjuring up a series of past and present constructions of what it is to be Latino (or Hispanic, or Latin American, or Spanish-American, or Spanish-speaking, all identities modified by residence, however brief, in the Coloso del Norte). Indeed, a more diverse group is difficult to fathom, as Gonzalez makes clear not only through his facts but by the very structure of the book. He covers more than 500 years of history; the internal politics (historical and actual) of scores of countries; racial, gender and class conflicts within the multifarious national groups; varying US government immigration policies and practices; and all this in an attempt–a welcome one in my opinion–to create a sense of unity among all the ethnicities calling themselves Hispanic and living in America (capital: Washington). Imagine the difficulty: What could a Kanjobal indigenous-language-speaking peasant fleeing Guatemalan repression in 1980, who might later work in the tomato fields of South Florida, possibly have in common with a black Panamanian ex-cop (son of a West Indian) who left his country for New York out of guilt for having participated in quelling an anti-US demonstration and now is in the Air Force living in Alaska? These are two real people whose cases are discussed in Gonzalez's Harvest, or better yet, harvests. Yet in light of all the peaches and pairs, Gonzalez has made a compelling case for unity.
A veteran of sixties left politics–co-founder of the Young Lords–and now co-host with Amy Goodman of Pacifica Radio's Democracy Now!, Juan Gonzalez lays out those figures and charts in the service of what some in cultural studies might call his "subject-position," a position he never disguises in a voice of academic objectivity. His subject reads as follows: "I was born in 1947 to working-class parents in Ponce, Puerto Rico. My family brought me to New York City's El Barrio the following year and I have lived in this country ever since. As a journalist, and before that as a Puerto Rican community activist… I have spent decades living in, traveling to and reporting on scores of Latino communities…devouring in the process every study or account of the Latino experience I could find." And his position: "Mine is the perspective of a Latino who has grown tired of having our story told, often one-sidedly, without the passion or the pain, by 'experts' who have not lived it." Indeed, we hear the voice of a hard-hitting social critic from the inside.


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The Euro Bistro offers Old World style comfort food in an elegant setting. Try some French bistro cuisine like perfectly cooked steaks, succulent seafood, wood fired pizzas and stacked lunch sandwiches.More information and Specs
Limit one certificate per table. Not valid on New Year's Eve. Valid 90 days from date of purchase.
Standard terms and conditions apply. Please visit our Terms of Service Page for more details.
Seize the Deal® offers hundreds of discounts daily from local businesses – from restaurants, theaters and spas to golf courses, family fun and much, much more. The Value Vault opens twice a week with exciting new products. Click the bright blue ADD TO CART button to Seize the Deal®. Hurry, before they're gone.
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It has never been a secret that by the time dinner rolls around each day, any creativity or ideas that I may have had have usually disappeared. Pasta, again? When did we last have tacos? Who's up for pizza? This month, however, it's even easier to come up with another option, as September is National Breakfast Month! Are there people out there that don't perk up when they see things like eggs, bacon, pancakes and toast on their plate... whether it is in the morning or not?
Around here, "breakfast for dinner" is a night that we always look forward to and I love the way that the kids get extra-curious to see exactly what ends up on the menu. Will there be waffles? Sausages? Bagels and PHILADELPHIA Cream Cheese? It doesn't ever seem to matter, they like it all!
Plus, isn't there just something about breakfast that puts everyone in a relaxed mood? I'm always excited when I can pull together nearly any combination of foods that my family deems as "breakfast," stick them on the table...and everyone ends up happy.
Most recently, we had a variety of fruit, yogurt and eggs — with a little custom touch, as they were scrambled for the kids and omelets for the adults.
But there was also a special treat that showed up on the table in celebration of the arrival of September: Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins.
Yum! My love of sweets pretty much insists on some sort of treat after a meal and, as much as I could eat brownies any day, any season, there's just something about anticipating the start of autumn with the delicious taste of pumpkin.
Plus, these muffins are so simple to make and end up fluffy and sweet (hello, chocolate!); we have definitely deemed them a fall favorite. As an added bonus, this recipe makes approximately 3 dozen muffins (depending on the size that you make them), so it's perfect if you're making a back-to-school treat to bring into a classroom!
Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins
Prep Time: 10 minutes • Cook Time: 16-20 minutes • Serves: 36 muffins
4 eggs
2 cups sugar
16 oz. can pumpkin
1½ cups oil
3 cups flour
2 tsp. baking soda
2 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. cinnamon
1 tsp. salt
2 cups BAKER'S Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chunks
PREHEAT oven to 350°F.
BEAT eggs, sugar, pumpkin and oil until smooth in a large bowl. In a second bowl, combine flour, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon and salt. Add dry mixture to pumpkin mixture and mix well. Fold in chocolate chips.
FILL greased or paper-lined muffin cups ¾ full.
BAKE for 16 - 20 minutes or until muffins test done.
COOL in pan 10 minutes before removing to a wire rack.
Whether you're looking for a special addition to your "breakfast for dinner" night or simply a way to give nod to one of the stars of fall recipes, these Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins are sure to be a hit with adults as well as kids.
The next time you're in a dinnertime rut, don't forget breakfast! Plus, for a little inspiration and some tasty ideas, be sure to browse the large number of recipes available at KraftRecipes.com to find a huge selection of delectable options your family will enjoy!
For more recipes and ideas, visit my blog at www.thanksmailcarrier.com.
Enjoy the flavors of fall year-round with these Chocolate-Chip Pumpkin Muffins! Pumpkin muffins are better when they're studded with chocolate chunks.
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Article by Kraft TasteMaker Xenia Sundell. For more recipes and ideas, visit her blog at Thanks, Mail Carrier.
Please keep in mind that the bloggers opinions, advice and recipes are their own and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of Kraft Foods.
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text: The Ruched Tank Dress is one wardrobe essential you can't afford to be without. Combining the ease of a tank top with the simple lines of a dress it boasts our signature ruching for that all–important maternity versatility and comfort. Designed using our beautiful jersey for maximum fit and wearability it's great worn simply with pumps for cool off–duty dressing. Alternatively, layer under jackets and coats in the cooler months.


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Just wash your hands to fight MRSA: Everyone, wash your hands thoroughly � at least 30 seconds � and frequently, and trust your ... immune system.
Editor's Note: Featured comments are the most thoughtful or eloquently stated comments from our Facebook page and crestviewbulletin.com and do not necessarily reflect the newspaper management's views.
Just wash your hands to fight MRSA
Everyone, wash your hands thoroughly � at least 30 seconds � and frequently, and trust your ... immune system. We don't need all these darn hand sanitizers, anti-microbial/bacterial soaps, and Lysol spray that are crippling our immunity and mutating viruses and bacteria.
Kat Welty
Why didn't Nixle report lockdown?
I want to know why this did not come across Nixle. I was out in the area that day, too. I also did not get (a Nixle alert) when there was a lockdown at CHS recently. Some alerts are not making it onto Nixle and they should be. Why is that?
Elizabeth Brawley
Proposed animal control ordinance raises concerns
You are going to limit the number and kinds of pets I can own? You will allow animal control onto my property without a warrant n in non-emergency issues?
Daria Holshouser Knapp
Safety presentation's content was for fifth-graders?
When my son was in the fifth grade, I had him wiring engines with me, and he knew how to use a multimeter. Don't you think we're (lowering expectations) for fifth-graders with "Chester the Squirrel"?
Jon Bell
Gratitude for breaking news of former sheriff's death
Thank you, News Bulletin, for putting the story up so quick. The family feels so blessed at the outpouring of love, compassion and friendship. Thank you, everybody.
Scott Wilson
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I made this in Sketch Up, then printed in two parts (roof was separate).
I used superglue to join the pieces together.
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Previous version Spotify Music 22.214.171.1249 apk for Android will help you to downgrade or install older app easily. This is one of the best Music & Audio apps.
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However, people maybe will also be able to find some drawbacks form this music streaming app compared to other services. They will not find the optional informative DJ's by Slacker Radio. There is no way people can enjoy the live radio from this app. There is no lyric support which can be found from this app as well. Nevertheless, people can still find that this mobile music streaming option can be the best option which people can download and install on their smart phone. The free download support can be one of the biggest reasons for sure.Features of Spotify Music APK 220.127.116.119
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Developer: Spotify Ltd. Version: 188.8.131.529 Requirement: Varies with device Price: Free


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The WindForce dual-slot uses three 7.5cm fans and they cool a heatsink which stretches across the entire length of the card, but it's actually a three-piece design.
The fans are placed inside the large plastic shroud that can be partly removed after undoing a few screws, which means there's no need to remove the whole cooler once it's time to do a bit of spring cleaning.
All three fans share the same 3-pin power connector. Setting the RPM manually is a breeze using AMD's Overdrive or other utilities like Gigabyte OC Guru II, MSI Afterburner or PrecisionX.
Gigabyte also applied Triangle Cool technology, which is supposed to minimize turbulence between fans and provide the system with more efficient air flow. This is how it's all supposed to work.
Three 8mm heatpipes pass through the entire heatsink and they are flattened right over the GPU, where they need to suck up as much heat as possible.
Memory chips are cooled as well, but the thermal pads that cover the memory are located at the aluminium base of the heatsink.
Gigabyte is using Elpida memory chips, model number W2032BBBG-6A-F. They are specified to run at 1500 MHz (6000 MHz GDDR5 effective). There's a total of 12 GDDR5 for a total of 3GB and they are all installed on the top side of the PCB.
The small heatsink used to cool the voltage regulation circuit is not part of the WindForce cooler. It's held in place by a vertical brace located at the back of the PCB.
Voltage regulation is handled by an ADP4100 voltage controller. This solution does not provide voltage control or advanced monitoring via I2C. For example, GPUZ detected fewer parameters than it did with a similar XFX card that uses a Chill voltage controller.


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The New Distribution Landscape- Part 1
By Gerry Khermouch
At a time when so many Americans make their livelihoods by moving electrons around, dragging heavy cases of liquid from a warehouse to store shelves might seem to be an anachronism. Certainly, it's not an easy way to make a living, especially since some of us consider a trip from our desk to the coffee machine to be exerting. After decades of wholesale and retail consolidation, the odds of failure are high, too. Yet in the past couple of years, the direct-store delivery options available to new beverage brands seem to have been growing again, albeit in halting steps and with occasional reversals. If you believe – as I do – that DSD remains crucial to building early-stage brands, this would have to rank as a heartening development.
Certainly for those who aren't that close to the innovation side of the business, the trend would seem to be going in one direction only. The moves by Coca-Cola and PepsiCo to acquire their biggest independent bottling operations in North America, coupled with Dr Pepper Snapple Group's continued expansion of the footprint of its company-owned bottlers, would seem to leave no question about that. But increasingly those systems are highly tuned machines for getting mass brands to retail chains and major foodservice accounts. In that sense they're irrelevant to the task of getting low-velocity brands started.
At the more granular level, however, where nascent brands are trying to get their first foothold in "influencer" accounts like delis, independent grocers, natural food stores and cafes, the number of new entrants on the non-alcoholic side has been growing. Just as I preach to entrepreneurs that the range of strategic partners they should consider extends well beyond Coke and Pepsi, so should they take a broad view of the available DSD options.
How broad? How about broad enough that we're going to have to split our survey into two columns, this month looking at some of the more mainstream options who have garnered momentum, and next month checking out a few of the more esoteric choices out there. Ready? Here we go:
Startups. It's so astonishing, given the stiff odds, that anyone would even want to give running a startup direct store delivery option a go. But they're out there and they're actually showing promising signs. In Pittsburgh, long starved for good DSD options for NAs, Jones Soda vet Mark Slepak has teamed with local copacker Castle to open Full Circle. In San Diego, an entrepreneur from the technology sector, Satwant Gill, launched a standalone NA operation, added specialty beer and now has pooled resources with venerable LA shop Haralambos. In the costly and complicated New York market, there have been a flurry of new entrants. Several years ago Exclusive Beverage was launched by former Big Geyser employees, and they were joined more recently by the likes of High Five, launched as a self-distribution effort by the marketer of Powerball energy drinks, and Harney, similarly launched to move that company's bottled teas. In a class of its own is Green Shoots, formed by Nat Noone and former Odwalla colleagues who're determined to build a national DSD network – one truck at a time. They're in half a dozen metros by now and early reviews are encouraging.
Beer wholesalers. Sure, some beer houses have played successfully in NAs for years, helping build the Snapple, SoBe and Vitaminwater brands. Most – particularly the insular Budweiser network – haven't. They've had good reasons for their reticence: different retail dynamics, novelties such as slotting fees, and the need to call on non-licensed accounts that do nothing to build their beer business. Most of all, beer houses accustomed to receiving fair market value at the rare times that a brand leaves their house find it galling to see NA brands skip off into the arms of a Coke or Nestle for a pittance. But those negatives began to fade in the face of an unnerving notion: that premium beer brands may be entering the twilight of their life cycles. While specialty imports, craft beers and malternatives are picking up some of the slack, NAs are starting to look more enticing. Some, like Coors house Crescent in New Jersey and Bud houses Hensley and Spike in Arizona, seem to be really running with NAs. A few – Hensley and Spike included – are even taking their NA show statewide, facing off against each other. It's confusing all right – but makes for more doors.
Refrigerated players. Another intriguing development has been the foray of refrigerated distribution operations – dairies and ice cream vendors – into shelf-stable beverages. After all, they call on the same accounts and, facing saturation in their core businesses, have been looking for other items to carry. In New York, for instance, dairy distributors Dora's Naturals and Tuscan Farms have both thrown their hat into the shelf-stable ring. Ice cream distributor Jack & Jill likewise is in the game, picking up brands like Jones Soda in mid-Atlantic markets.
That's a pretty good mix of new options, right? But wait – there's more! as the hucksters say on late-night TV. In next month's column, I'll run down a few less-conventional options.
Longtime beverage-watcher Gerry Khermouch is executive editor of Beverage Business Insights, a twice-weekly e-newsletter covering the nonalcoholic beverage sector.


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Pets, Pets, Pets
Baseball isn't for dogs. Your dog doesn't even know about this year's possibility of a Subway Series; but sure as shootin', Fido will stay by you to root for your favorite team. You can count on pooch support. Your cat, on the other hand, could care less. That is, unless, the pennant race delays Fluffy's meal time. Rest assured- Fluffy will file a formal feline complaint.
Flyball is for dogs. Started in California in 1967 with Beth Weatherwax, the daughter of Lassie's trainer as one of the founders, flyball was originally a scent discrimination hurdle race where breed teams dressed in satin jackets performed on TV during the intermission of major sporting events. Someone tossed a tennis ball to the dogs as they finished the jump line. Now flyball is high tech, and one of the fastest growing canine sports in the world. It's popular in the US, Canada, Australia, and Europe. Locally, Doggie U K9 Academy in Bay Shore has flyball classes.
Flyball is a 4 dog relay race between competing teams. The course is 51 feet long and consists of 4 hurdles leading to the flyball box- a machine with a spring-loaded front. The dog triggers the release of the ball by stepping on the springy contraption. Each dog athlete must jump the 4 hurdles, retrieve a high flying ball from the box, return over the same hurdles, and cross the finish line. The world record for a 4 dog team (a Border Collie, Whippet, Dutch Shepherd, and Border Collie mix) is 15.22 seconds, set in Niagara Falls in 2005. Competitive canines must be trained to work as a team and stay focused despite distractions- just like our Mets and Yankees.
Herbert Wagner is credited with developing the mechanical flyball launcher. He did a dog demo on the Tonight Show with Johnny Carson which got a lot of attention. Subsequently, training clubs became interested, and the first flyball tournament was held in Detroit/ Toronto in 1983. The next year a dozen teams in that area formed the North American Flyball Association (NAFA), still the governing body of the sport. Now NAFA has over 700 registered clubs with more than 16,000 registered dogs. The rulebook allows both purebreds and mixed breeds to enter and earn points toward titles. NAFA tournaments are separated into divisions so dogs of equal ability run against each other. The judges use a starting light system similar to those at a drag strip.
Jump height is determined by the smallest dog on the team- called "the height dog" who is measured at the withers, then the number is rounded to the nearest inch, and 4 inches are subtracted for the hurdle height (with a minimum of 8" and maximum of 16'). A racquetball is sometimes used instead of a tennis ball for tiny dogs. If a dog misses a jump or drops a ball before returning over the line, the dog must rerun the course until he finishes or his team forfeits. The handler must stay behind the line (unlike the manager who storms up to the pitcher's mound), and dogs that interfere with the other team, automatically lose the race for their team.
NAFA has a Hall of Fame. Each year up to 2 dogs may be inducted. NAFA members nominate canine candidates based on 3 criteria: longevity (dog must be racing in sanctioned events at least 4 years), notoriety (dog must be well known in his region), and team value. Indy Anna, another Border Collie, was the 2005 Flyball Hall of Famer. There are also Regional MVPs with selections coming from each flyball club in the 16 regions.
A Flyball World Series? Certainly, but it's only one of the fast paced events to delight spectators in the canine Olympics, actually called the World CynosportGames, which also includes championships for agility, dock jumping, and the Ashley Whippet Invitational (Frisbee). This year the Games will be held Nov. 3-5 in Scottsdale, Arizona. These canine competitors are incredible athletes. They are also great role models. To date, no dog has ever bet on flyball or lied before Congress about taking steroids.
The adoptable cats at Oyster Bay Town Shelter (677-5784) Miller Pl. Syosset have gotten into the swing of
Baseball Fever". "Addie" #452 a sweet tabby in the lobby is a fan of both teams. Meanwhile "Lady" #911, a 6 year old purebred black & tan Cocker Spaniel is too upset to think about sports. She lost her home when her owners moved.
Lady" is very sweet but afraid of the noise in the kennel. See more photos on the Oyster Bay Petfinder site. Presently the shelter has many small dogs.
Females: "Fiona" #906 and "Daisy" #511- 2 purebred Beagles; "Jewel" #891- the Cockerpoo; "Oreo" #905- a Beagle/ Pointer; "Gwen" #860- the sweet gold Shepherd mix.
Male: a scruffy Chihuahua #935. Reminder:
Enter the Post's "How Cute is Your Pet?" Photo Contest and possibly win tickets to the Pet Expo at the Nassau Coliseum.


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During an interview with Liz Cheney on Fox yesterday, Charles Krauthammer reiterated his view that Republicans need much more effectively to court the Hispanic vote, and should do so by supporting amnesty for illegal aliens. The approach Krauthammer recommends would entail full legal normalization, just short of citizenship, in return for full border enforcement.
I have no strong objection to such a resolution of the immigration reform debate. But as a practical matter, it would not constitute a resolution. The Democrats would still insist on a path to citizenship for illegal immigrants now in the country. Even if Republicans agreed to everything short of such a path, the Democrats would still be able to tar them as the anti-immigrant Party.
This illustrates the broader problem Republicans face in courting the Hispanic vote. There will always be something else — some extra benefit — that the Democrats seek on behalf of Hispanics and that conservatives are loath to grant. If Republicans resist the demand, they will stay on the wrong side of Hispanics; if they agree, they will become less and less of a conservative Party.
However, as a way of marginally improving the Republican position with Hispanics, Krauthammer's approach makes good sense. Given the new political reality, Republicans are well-advised not to say "hell no" to amnesty. Rather, they should agree to normalization of the status of illegal immigrants, short of a path to citizenship, in return for full border enforcement.
But Republicans should also understand that, if they stick to their insistence of no parth to citizenship, there probably will be no immigration reform, and Hispanics will blame Republicans for its absence.