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Shifting wind postpones Race 14 of America's Cup
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — The attempt to modernize the stodgy old America's Cup is slowing the regatta's momentum and keeping a boatload of Kiwis holding on match point.
Trying to fit racing into a nice, neat two-hour TV window doesn't quite work in a sport that relies on wind and tides that keep their own schedule and don't always cooperate.
Race 14 was postponed on Saturday because the wind hadn't settled in from the desired direction by the 2:40 p.m. cutoff time. That forced Emirates Team New Zealand and defending champion Oracle Team USA back to shore to await perhaps better conditions on Sunday.
Regatta director Iain Murray said organizers hadn't seen wind from that direction all summer and didn't want to send the high-performance, 72-foot catamarans into skewed conditions with so much at stake.
"It wasn't the right day today," Murray said.
"There's an awful lot at stake here for these teams and I understand that they don't want to have anything less than a quality race," Murray added. "The America's Cup deserves quality races. The boats are quality. The crews are certainly quality. This is representing hundreds of millions of dollars and years of people's lives here on the line. The implication for getting the right result is super important."
A front that drenched San Francisco with late-morning rain brought wind from the south. It never swung back to the west-southwest breeze the course is set up for.
The Kiwis have been sitting on match point since Wednesday, leading 8-3 and needing one more win to wrest the oldest trophy in international sports away from software tycoon Larry Ellison.
The stakes are high for Oracle Team USA, as well, since one more loss will see the America's Cup sail away from American shores for the third time since 1983. Docked two points in a cheating scandal, the well-funded powerhouse has won four of the last six races. Still, it needs six wins to keep the Auld Mug.
On Friday, Race 13 was abandoned due to a 40-minute time limit with the Kiwis well ahead on the fourth leg of the five-leg course in light wind. Oracle won the re-sail of Race 13 to stay alive for the second straight day.
It was the seventh time organizers had to abandon or postpone a race since Sept. 14. Both races on Tuesday were blown out.
The regatta has been plagued by the convergence of rules set more than a year ago and changes made following the death of British double Olympic medalist Andrew "Bart" Simpson when Artemis Racing's catamaran capsized on May 9.
This is the first time in its 162-year history that the America's Cup has been contested inshore. Besides taking advantage of racing on spectacular San Francisco Bay, organizers have tried to make the regatta more TV friendly with shorter races on a five-leg course between the Golden Gate Bridge and America's Cup Park on Pier 27-29.
Oracle Team USA and the challengers decided on most details in 2012, including having two races a day and a time limit for the races in order to fit into a two-hour TV window.
"The rules are the rules," said Murray, an Australian who lost the America's Cup in 1987 to Dennis Conner. "We didn't make them. They were made by the teams, and the teams have to abide by them."
The first five postponements and abandonments were due to wind exceeding the limit. Race 9 was postponed with the Kiwis ahead on the windward third leg.
Perhaps the most painful moment of the regatta for the Kiwis, other than their near-capsize on Sept. 14, came on Friday when the 40-minute clock ran out in Race 13 with Team New Zealand far ahead of the American boat. When Race 13 was re-sailed, Oracle won to stay alive.
The original wind limit was 33 knots. After Simpson was trapped under the twisted wreckage of Artemis Racing's catamaran on May 9, the limit was reduced to 23 knots as one of 37 safety recommendations Murray made.
The wind limit is offset by the tide. When an ebb tide is flowing out of San Francisco Bay, it reduces the wind limit.
Some have wondered why races don't start earlier in the day. But the decision to set the start times at 1:15 p.m. and 2:15 p.m. for TV was among those made more than a year ago. At the time, the wind limit was still 33 knots and no one thought that would be a factor.
Oracle offered to increase the wind limit earlier in the week but the Kiwis declined, saying they would have done so before the regatta but not well into it.
Follow Bernie Wilson on Twitter at http://twitter.com/berniewilson


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SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) — Teachers across Puerto Rico walked off their jobs Tuesday in a noisy two-day strike over cuts to their pensions that the island's government says are needed to avert financial disaster but educators say will force many of them into poverty.
Strikers gathered with tambourines, cowbells and bullhorns outside public schools on what was supposed to be the first day of classes after winter break in the U.S. territory. Dozens of schools didn't open.
Legislators of the main opposition party supported the strike and some principals and parents joined in, demanding that changes to the teacher retirement system be revoked. Rene Perez of the Grammy-winning Puerto Rican hip-hop duo Calle 13 joined protesters at one school.
Aida Diaz, president of Puerto Rico's Teachers' Association, condemned the pension overhaul that was approved Christmas Eve and calls for switching from a defined benefit plan to a defined contribution system, among other changes. She noted teachers in Puerto Rico do not get U.S. Social Security and said many would see a decrease in their pension.
"This is the most important fight in our history," she said. "It's about protecting and defending the only source of income we have upon retirement."
Just hours after the walkout started, the island's Supreme Court temporarily halted any changes to the retirement system while a panel of judges hears arguments in a lawsuit filed by teachers seeking to have the pension law declared unconstitutional. A decision is expected next month.
Jaime Perello, president of the island's House of Representatives, said he believes the court will uphold the law.
"It's an essential measure to address the fiscal crisis that the island faces," he said.
Only 12 percent of teachers employed at public schools went to work Tuesday, Education Secretary Rafael Roman said. Less than 200 students out of 425,000 attended classes, he added.
At one high school in the southern town of Coamo, all teachers went on strike, including Rolando Cartagena Ramos, who teaches history and social studies.
He said he has been a teacher for 14 years and is considering joining the tens of thousands of Puerto Ricans who have left for the U.S. mainland during a now seven-year-long recession in search of better jobs and a more affordable life.
"This law is going to be devastating to our future," he said in a phone interview. "It will practically leave us destitute once we retire."
Gov. Alejandro Garcia Padilla urged teachers to end the strike and meet with him. He has said he would consider amending the law but not revoking it, saying changes are needed because the pension system has a $10 billion deficit and will run out of money by 2020 if nothing is done.
He said that the law seeks only a 1 percent increase in teacher contributions and that teachers would see a $300-a-year raise for the next decade, among other changes.
"For decades, it was known that your retirement system would collapse," he said in an open letter to teachers. "Despite knowing this, no one did anything until now."


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Financial Giving
"We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give."Winston Churchill
Support for Henry Ford Allegiance Health from residents and businesses means a lot. It tells us that you value our high-quality health care and that you care about helping others.
"The true meaning of life is to plant trees, under whose shade you do not expect to sit."Nelson Henderson
What better way to honor or remember a loved one, special friend or community member than with a gift that improves the lives of others. If you would like to make a memorial or honorary contribution, please user our secure online donor form or complete a donor card.
"I have never encountered a team of professionals so dedicated to their mission. They made a difference in my care and recovery."Lee Hladki, Henry Ford Allegiance Health Patient
Many patients have asked us how they can give back to Henry Ford Allegiance Health in honor of the exceptional care received. The Henry Ford Allegiance Health Foundation has established the Grateful Patient Program to provide a special opportunity for patients and family members to express their thanks.
With the generosity of people like you, the Grateful Patient Program supports the purchase of the latest technology to ensure state-of-the-art care for our patients.
Gifts made to the Grateful Patient Program help us care for patients in a compassionate, healing environment. It is possible you or your family have benefited from the generosity of past patients during your recent visit.
Grateful Patient gifts can be made in honor of a caregiver, nurse or nursing team, physician, pastoral care chaplain or other staff.
Your gift will help to support essential services such as:
- Hospice
- Pediatrics
- Emergency Department
- Critical Care
- Cancer Care
- Heart and Vascular Care
- Physical Rehabilitation
- Nursing programs
- Charity Care
The Appreciation Fund recognizes the tremendous contributions physicians and health professional make to their patients and their community. Gifts to the fund from colleagues, patients and loved ones express their highest regard and create a lasting testament to the physicians and health professionals they admire and appreciate, and whose presence has made a difference.
Gifts to the Appreciation Fund directly support the technological advances that have, and will, transform health care. Your contribution enables Henry Ford Allegiance Health to purchase new medical equipment and technology that will keep Henry Ford Allegiance Health at the forefront of modern medicine.
The Appreciation Fund's Inspiration
The Henry Ford Allegiance Health Foundation has established the Physician and Health Professional Appreciation Fund in the spirit of a dedicated Jackson area physician, J. Gil O'Rourke, MD.
Dr. O'Rourke practiced obstetrics and gynecology in the Jackson area for nearly three decades. As he reflected on his career shortly before his death from esophageal cancer in 2009, Dr. O'Rourke commented on the amazing impact technology has had not only on his practice, but on the entire medical field. He expressed his hope that Jackson area residents would always have access to advanced equipment and treatment.
"Dr. O'Rourke had an enormous respect for humanity," said Richard Ambs, president of Ambs Call Center. "He understood that the only way to keep up with medical advancements was through the pursuit of better technology. He believed that technology would put us in a better position to serve our community."
Making a lasting and positive impact on the lives of others provides a deep sense of satisfaction few other investments can match. Major Gifts and Planned Giving offer our donors the opportunity to make a significant investment in Henry Ford Allegiance Health while supporting your financial goals, desires and needs.
If you would like more information on Major Gifts and Planned Giving and how they can generate income through estate planning, please call the Foundation at (517) 205-7508.
Making Gifts of Stock
Planned gifts of appreciated stock have two significant tax advantages—you can deduct their full market value and avoid tax due on their capital gains.
The process for making this gift is different for securities in your possession and securities in your broker's possession.
- If the securities are in your possession, send us unendorsed certificates by certified mail. In a separate mailing, provide a stock power for each certificate you have sent. Each stock power should be signed and signature guaranteed exactly as your name appears on the certificate.
- If the securities are in your broker's possession, please instruct that they be transferred into our name before they are sold. The securities must not be sold until the transfer is made.
Two additional activities will assure your own benefit from the transaction:
- Communicate the exact date of the transfer. This will establish the gift's value in accordance with IRS regulations.
- For your income tax deduction, calculate the value of the gift as the mean between the high and low market value on the transfer date.
For more information about planned gifts, please call the Foundation at (517) 205-7508 or contact your broker or financial advisor.
Lights of Love, sponsored by the Henry Ford Allegiance Health Foundation, is a way to honor and celebrate family and friends we hold dear. Each tree's green and yellow lights represent a loved one, friend, care giver or community leader, and the name of each person represented and the donor are listed on a scroll in the hospital lobby and online.
The annual Employee Giving campaign invites Henry Ford Allegiance Health staff members to demonstrate that "charity begins at home." These generous contributions reach out to staff members, neighbors and community members who need a helping hand in difficult times, and help to ensure that assistance is available to everyone who needs it.
2016 Employee Giving donations benefit:
- Area of Greatest Need
- Charity Care for Patients
- CareLink-Whiteboard Project
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- Henry Ford Allegiance Hospice Home
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- HFA Substance Abuse Services
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Vemont pair killed, Sunapee man hurt in crash on I-89 in Lebanon
December 08. 2013 9:39AM
A fatal accident on Interstate 89 Saturday afternoon that took the lives of two Vermont residents is under investigation by state police and the New Hampshire Attorney General's Office.
The accident at 1:18 p.m. on I-89 took the lives of Amanda Murphy, 24, and Jason Timmons, 29, of Wilder, Vt.
Police said their 2005 Ford Escape was hit by a 2005 Chevrolet pickup truck driven by Robert Dellinger, 53, of Sunapee
Autopsies on Murphy and Timmons will be performed Monday. Delinger is hospitalized at Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center with what are described as minor injuries.
State Police have asked for help from the public in determining what happened. Anyone with information is asked to call (603) 271-3636 or (603) 223-4381.


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Two Pockets Full of Rye From Woodford
- November 23, 2011 |
- By Jack Bettridge
You named your latest release well, Woodford Reserve. Your Rare Rye Selection manages rarity on many levels.
The first rye whisky from the Woodford Distillery comes in a dual-bottle package that showcases two different maturation methods to go with its unusual 100 percent rye recipe.
The latest plot twist in Woodford Reserve's six-year Master's Collection compares whisky made in previously used barrels to a product aged in new oak. Master distiller Chris Morris considers the approaches "Old World and New World," respectively, and calls them the globe's "two distinct types, or families, of whiskey flavor.
The side-by-side comparison is a fun exercise for those of us who ponder deeply the Great Whiskey Question: What effect does new oak (or used oak, for that matter) have on a whiskey? The answer is fascinating. However, be prepared to shake out your pockets a bit to find out. These two pockets full of rye come in a single package with one 375-milliliter bottle of Aged Cask Rye and another 375 of New Cask Rye for $99.99.
Morris further distinguishes the two aging methods as "grain forward" (Old World) and "wood forward" (New World). Reused casks are the norm in Scotland and Ireland. The standard for what is called straight whiskey—using new charred oak vessels every fill—was born in the United States. Bourbon, American straight rye and Tennessee Sour Mash Whiskey are all made this way. Rather than discarding casks, whiskey-makers typically sell used barrels to those "Old World" producers who reuse them.
What's prevented us in the past from making direct comparisons of the two maturation methods is that whiskies of different nationalities also use different mashbills—or grain recipes. Single-malt Scotch, for instance, uses only barley. Bourbon is mostly a corn mixture. Rye whiskey, of course, is based on rye grain, but typically only about 70 percent (with corn and barley taking up the slack).
Both Rare Rye Selection quaffs are made solely from rye, which is notable since the three pots stills at Woodford Reserve distillery in Versailles, Kentucky, had been used solely to make Bourbon since the facility was refurbished in 1993. (The use of "Old World" pot stills is also unusual in Kentucky, where "New World" column stills are the norm.)
This new rye release keeps with the Master Collection tradition of offering refreshing takes on whiskey each year. Earlier limited releases have included a four-grain Bourbon, one finished in barrels used for Sonoma-Cutrer (a California Chardonnay owned by the parent company, Brown-Forman), a seasoned-oak whiskey, a Bourbon finished in maple oak and a sweet-mash Bourbon.
The latter one is a particular anomaly since the Woodford distillery was once run by James Crow, who pioneered the now-industry-standard, sour-mash method that makes for more consistent whiskey. In that method, some of the spent mash from a previous fermentation is backset to start the next batch, because it controls bacteria and pH balance. The team of the then-owner, Oscar Pepper, and Crow also implemented a rule of using only new, charred oak barrels, another distillery norm that was side-stepped in the case of the Aged Cask Rye half of the latest Rare Rye Selection.
Our summation: It would be hard to argue that the two approaches have distinct effects. The aged cask produced makes a lighter, fruitier, almost floral whiskey and the new cask offers spirits with more savory flavors and gravitas. Savor the chance to tell the difference while it lasts (the limited release is now available in 47 U.S. markets in major metro areas). But we think Woodford should consider a straight rye as a permanent addition to its lineup.
Woodford Reserve Master's Collection—Rare Rye Selection (92.4 proof, 46.2 percent alcohol by volume, $99.99 for two 375-milliliter bottle package)
Aged Cask Rye
The used casks show a distinctly lighter color: Champagne yellow.
However, its thin legs give themselves up very slowly.
NOSE: As advertised it has an "Old World" nose—very honey- and fruit-like. There is also apple, tropical fruit and some spice, mainly in the form of cinnamon.
PALATE: In place of the pop of a new-cask whiskey, you get nuanced hard candy on the tongue with honey, butter rum, slight caramel and the cinnamon of a red candy apple.
FINISH: The expected rye tang comes at the end and is joined with toast and fleshy pear.
New Cask Rye
The deep amber color with hints of copper will identify the New Cask
Rye, even if you wash off the labels. The legs are thicker and also
quite slow to release.
NOSE: You could also tell the difference blindfolded from the nose. Huge caramel, vanilla, and toffee aromas greet you and are followed by licorice, pears, cinnamon, and honey.
PALATE: In the mouth it's very Bourbon-like despite the all-rye mashbill. Caramel, toffee, licorice, and cinnamon all follow from the nose. Then come toast, honey, hard candy, butterscotch and red berries.
FINISH: Once again, the rye grain announces itself more on the finish with rich, not sharp, spice flavors, as well as fruit, buttered toast and raspberry jam that go for ages.


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Wednesday, December 25, 2013
Happy Holiday!
I'm late again!
Dear PBers,
Do have a wonderful holiday
Sending lots of good cheer your way.
And many, many bisous/kisses from Paris.
15 comments:
Joyeux NoelReplyDelete
Merry Christmas!ReplyDelete
Si ton coeur est rempli de désirs et de rêvesReplyDelete
qui colorent la vie,
que cette nouvelle année accomplisse tes plus beaux souhaits
se remplisse des couleurs du bonheur ♥♥♥
♫ Bisous ♫
The card is a poster in the Meteo ;))
- Karryll1:24 PM
Congratulations on your first full year in Paris!ReplyDelete
Do tell us what you've discovered and how you're feeling about it.
Do you plan to stay on indefinitely?
Whatever your plans, I wish you a wonderful nouvelle année!
All good questions
You will have to wait for New Years Day Karryll
- Laurie3:18 PM
Joyeux Noel and thank you so very much for giving me a much needed daily dose of French life in all its variationsReplyDeleteReplies
PB is a big dose of fun for me to put it out thereDelete
Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)


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PC Workstations
When you want the highest-quality, highest-performing tools for all your programs and applications, PC workstations are at the top of their class when it comes to system power and potential. The power that these systems offer is unmatched by many home desktop computers, but that isn't the only reason to consider a workstation. Processing power is perhaps the greatest advantage workstations hold over traditional PCs. These powerhouses can take advantage of high-powered processors such as the Intel Xeon or AMD Operton-processors you won't find in your everyday PC. These high-end processors will surely help increase your productivity and enhance your multitasking abilities. Additionally, these PC workstations are also designed for higher performance; the higher processing power, the higher the performance. One key performance advantage that workstations hold over PCs comes from their hard drives. System reliability is another huge advantage of workstations. They typically contain what is called error checking and correcting memory, which is, as its name implies checks for memory for errors and corrects it on the fly. Workstations are also equipped with much larger power supplies, ensuring they won't be bottlenecked due to a low power supply to the high-powered peripherals connected. Even more, PC workstations are capable of supporting a large number of connected devices, and often contain high-bandwidth buses for maximum data transfer rates. They also tend to have a high number of PCI slots, allowing for high-performance video cards. If you're serious about video editing, graphic design, engineering, or you're just the market for a computer that will outperform any run-of-the-mill PC, consider a workstation as your next major upgrade. You'll definitely dig the performance boost. Be more productive, creative, and satisfied using a workstation. Be sure to check out MacMall's selection of workstation computers for all your personal and professional needs!
Best Sellers: PC Workstations
HP Inc. Z238 Microtower Workstation Bundle - Intel Core i5-7500 3.4GHz, 8GB RAM, 1TB HDD, Intel HD Graphics 630, DVD-RW, Win 10 Pro 64-bit, includes Onsite Desktop Installation
HP Z238 Microtower Workstation Bundle - Intel Core i5-7500 3.4GHz, 8GB RAM, 1TB HDD, Intel HD Graphics 630, DVD-RW, Win 10 Pro 64-bit, includes Onsite Desktop Installation


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This is where I've chosen to put some images that might frighten away some of my less adventurous Bent Objects visitors. For those who wish I would keep all my work together on one blog, it's my blog, so I get to do whatever I want with it. So there! ;)
Friday, February 26, 2010
Wrenched Nuts
I saw this cheap adjustable wrench on sale, and I got an idea using nuts and bolts that didn't seem too obvious. Yes, I know I could do more with nuts and bolts, and screws, etc. No thanks, but feel free to try it yourself.
Posted by Terry Border at 11:17 AM
6 comments:
- Nikoli said...
So wrong. Funny. But wrong.
- February 26, 2010 at 11:37 AM
- nycdesigner said...
Cheap wench?
- February 26, 2010 at 12:00 PM
- Moonshadow said...
So classically bent!
- February 26, 2010 at 2:38 PM
- peahen said...
superb work as always!
- February 26, 2010 at 2:41 PM
- Tatman said...
Bad dog! Down boy!
My trips to the hardware store will never be the same.
- February 26, 2010 at 4:37 PM
in what way is this not 'too' obvious...
- March 12, 2011 at 8:19 PM
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Obituary: Dennis McKeown
On Thursday, April 4, 2013, Dennis McKeown, 53, finished his life's journey, at home with his family in Moberly.
He entered this world on May 13, 1959, one of three sons born to Don and Bonnie Lewis McKeown. His early years were spent on the family farm where he was a partner in the McKeown Brothers land and cattle operation. He attended the Moberly Public Schools and after graduation, went on to pursue a Bachelor's Degree in Business Management. He married Mary Kelly in 1980 at Trinity United Methodist Church and they shared more than 30 years together.
Dennis obtained his auctioneers license in 1982 and in the early 80's he obtained his broker's license. He bought the Century21 Franchise in 1986 and became a fulltime broker. Throughout his lifetime, Dennis gave of his time and talent to many organizations. He was a member of the Randolph County Board of Realtors and had served as President, the Moberly Rotary Club where he also served as President, MACC Alumni Association and the Moberly Chamber of Commerce where he served as president as well as in other various capacities for over 20 years. In addition, he served on the board of the Moberly-Randolph County Economic Development Corporation, the Moberly Regional Health Foundation, Moberly Public School Foundation, MACC Foundation, Excel, Missouri Professional Auctioneers Association, Randolph County Farm Bureau and the American Cancer Society. He was a graduate of the EXCEL program in Moberly and in 2010 was the recipient of the Chamber of Commerce Hall of Fame Award. He was a member of Carpenter Street Baptist Church.
Dennis is survived by his wife, Mary; his son, Chuck McKeown and fiancée Sandy Davidson; daughter, Katie and son-in-law, David Allen; one granddaughter, Avery Allen; his mother, Bonnie McKeown; two brothers, Mike and wife Rusann, and Eddie and wife Robyn all of Moberly; several nieces, nephews and many friends.
He was preceded in death by his father; his mother-in-law and father-in-law, Pat and Hugh Kelly.
As his final gift of generosity, Dennis donated his body to Medical Research so that others might be helped. A memorial celebration of his life and achievements will be held Saturday, April 13, 2013, at Carpenter Baptist Church in Moberly at 10:00 a.m. Visitation will be Friday, April 12, 2013, from 4:00-7:00 p.m., at Pathway Memorial Funeral Home in Moberly.
If you wish to honor Dennis with a memorial contribution, you may donate to: The Carpenter Street Baptist Church, 501 East Carpenter, Moberly, Missouri 65270 or the Moberly Public School Foundation - Athletic Fund, 1625 Gratz Brown, Moberly, MO 65270.
Pathway Memorial Funeral Home has been entrusted with the arrangements.


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AG rules Durham police justified in December shooting in Lee
April 03. 2013 4:16PM
LEE - Attorney General Michael A. Delaney has found that Durham Police Sgt. Jack Dalton and Durham Police Officer John Lavoie were both legally justified in using deadly force against a distraught Lee man back in December.
Steven Amazeen was shot in the legs and shoulder after confronting police who were responding to a 911 call at his Lee Hook Road home on Dec. 3. Amazeen survived his injuries and awaits trial in Strafford County Superior Court.
According to the report issued Wednesday by Delaney, Amazeen had just been told by his wife that she wanted a divorce, and after firing a shot from his handgun inside their bedroom, he went outside where he met up with police.
The report states that "when the officers encountered Mr. Amazeen on Lee Hook Road, he was armed with a deadly weapon, he made threats to use his gun on himself and the police, and he failed to comply with police commands to drop his gun and surrender as he moved aggressively towards police officers. Finally, Mr. Amazeen raised his arm and pointed his gun directly at one of the Durham officers."
The investigation determined that five cartridges were fired from Dalton's service weapon and four from Lavoie's. Amazeen's wounds included a bullet wound in his left thigh, crossing into his right thigh and lodging near his hip. The bullet was not removed during surgery. The bullet in his shoulder exited his back and was not located at the scene.
Police also located a bullet hole in the floor of the Amazeens' bedroom.
The report indicates "Amazeen begged for the police to shoot him and threatened several times to shoot the officers if they did not shoot him. At one point, Mr. Amazeen pointed his weapon in close proximity to several officers in an effort to insight them to shoot him. When this failed, Mr. Amazeen's attention was directed at the arriving Durham officers. He immediately raised his weapon as he approached the officers, while begging them to shoot him. He approached in an aggressive manner and pointed his weapon at (Durham Police Officer David) Carpenter, refusing to comply with orders to stop and drop his weapon. When Mr. Amazeen reached the front of the Durham police cruiser, and failed to drop his weapon or stop advancing, he left the officers no choice but to fire their weapons to protect Officer Carpenter's life and themselves from deadly force."


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Blackhawks put Wild on brink
The Chicago Blackhawks were beaten the last game in the corners, along the boards and by an overtime goal for the Minnesota Wild.
By hurling their bodies in front of puck after puck, the Blackhawks stopped the Wild's momentum right where it started.
Patrick Sharp scored two goals and the Blackhawks ratcheted up their defense to put the Wild on the brink of elimination with a 3-0 victory on Tuesday.
"It's just been a calm, collected confidence we've had all year. I think we definitely showed that tonight," said goalie Corey Crawford, who made 25 saves for his second career playoff shutout.
"So many power play situations for them, and we just kept our cool. We didn't freak out on the refs or lose it on each other. We just stuck with it."
Bryan Bickell also scored for the Blackhawks, who built a 3-1 lead in this best-of-seven matchup. Game 5 is back in Chicago on Thursday night.
"People want to make a big deal of the hits. That's fine. We've won physical games before," Sharp said. "We've won games with our speed and playmaking ability. So whatever the type of game is out there, I feel confident in our guys."
The Wild had another goalie get hurt when Josh Harding's injury forced Darcy Kuemper into action after the first intermission. Sharp scored on Chicago's first shot at the rookie 62 seconds into the second period.
Minnesota, the only one of the 16 NHL playoff teams without a power-play goal this postseason, went scoreless in six such situations (including one 66 seconds into the game and a back-to-back set in the third period) and is 0 for 15 in the series.
"Just being smart in lanes and battling for pucks. That's been a positive for our team all year," said Blackhawks defenseman Duncan Keith, who joined the team right before the game after being with his wife earlier in the day for the birth of their first child.
When Niklas Backstrom was injured warming up before Game 1, Harding was sent in. This time, Harding was hurt after Jonathan Toews landed on top of him during a collision in the crease. Harding's legs were straddled around the left post. He got up gingerly, staying in to finish the opening period after shaking his left leg back and forth several times and testing it with a slow skate behind the net. But Harding didn't return to the bench, and Kuemper was in.
Kuemper, who made only three starts this season, had a tough initiation to the playoffs. Sharp stole an off-target pass by Zach Parise at the Wild blue line, skated the other way with a one-on-one and sent a wrist shot between Kuemper's pads for a 2-0 lead that deflated the energy in the arena.
"I was going to shoot that puck. It didn't matter who was in net," Sharp said.
Harding stopped five of six shots; Kuemper made 16 saves. He also gave up Bickell's third goal of the series, in the third period on a shot that scraped the top of the net. Blackhawks coach Joel Quenneville had little sympathy, and Wild coach Mike Yeo declined to ask for any.
"I've seen a lot of crazy things in the playoffs. You've got to predict the unpredictable," Quenneville said.
Ultimately, though, the guy between the pipes wasn't going to matter much for the Wild the way this game went.
The Blackhawks haven't been themselves as an offense in this series, save for the 5-2 victory in Game 2, but that's another testament to their dominance. They've got the depth everywhere on the roster to sustain a lagging top line. Marian Hossa, Toews and Brandon Saad have combined for only one goal, and Toews and Saad don't even have an assist yet.
But the Wild have had the same problem, and they're not nearly as equipped to withstand it. Parise, Mikko Koivu and Charlie Coyle have combined for only one goal themselves, and together they've posted a minus-14 rating over four games.
"It probably wasn't the greatest of nights. But I'll say this: If you know them the way that I do, you'd be really excited to watch them play the next game," Yeo said.
Even with Jason Pominville's sharp shot back on the point with the first power play unit, the home team kept misfiring. Whether a one-timer that zipped wide of the net or a slap shot blocked by one of the self-sacrificing Blackhawks, Chicago blocked 20 shots over the first two periods and finished with 26 for the game.
Minnesota attempted 68 shots to Chicago's 46.
And the Wild, in addition to their struggles with shooting accuracy, paid for a couple of sloppy plays. There was Parise's intercepted pass in the second period. And midway through the opening period, Hossa picked off a pass from Koivu to Parise in the Wild zone. Hossa sent the puck to Handzus, whose slap shot was tipped in by a perfectly positioned Sharp at the edge of the crease.
Notes: Keith came right to the arena from the airport. "I might sleep until the next game. I haven't slept yet, so it will be nice to close my eyes," he said. … Pominville returned from a two-week absence after taking an elbow to the chin from Dustin Brown in a game against Los Angeles. … Sharp has 27 goals in 68 career playoff games, behind only Hossa (37 in 134) on the Blackhawks. … Backstrom appeared on the bench in full gear for the third period. Yeo said he'd update the goalie situation Wednesday.


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Obama's riddle: How to strike Syria without spurring retaliationBy Kevin G. Hall
McClatchy Washington Bureau
September 07. 2013 7:02PM
WASHINGTON - With President Barack Obama lobbying Congress to agree to the United States' punishing Syria for alleged use of chemical weapons, he must persuade wary lawmakers that Syria's response won't lead to tit-for-tat retaliation that escalates the conflict.
Obama has repeatedly vowed a targeted attack won't seek to oust President Bashar al-Assad or aid the rebels. But the use of force often brings unintended consequences.
"Anyone who claims to have a crystal ball here doesn't," warned Paul R. Pillar, a former senior CIA official with responsibilities in the Middle East. "This does stir the pot in ways that increase the risk or chance of certain things happening, even though one can't place specific odds on it or make a specific prediction."
Pillar and other experts scoff at the notion of a surgical hit, noting that military forays into Iraq, Libya and Afghanistan have all brought consequences of a second and third order.
"This ought to remind people that it is very unlikely that anything we do in a limited way is going to be limited in the way we prefer,'' said Pillar, who now teaches at Georgetown University, in the nation's capital.
Obama was asked about the potential for escalation at a news conference Friday in the Russian city of St. Petersburg. He attempted to downplay the chances but seemed to be making the point that anything can happen.
"Is it possible that Assad doubles down in the face of our action and uses chemical weapons more widely? I suppose anything is possible, but it would not be wise," Obama said. "At that point, mobilizing the international community would be easier, not harder.''
Syria has many ways to respond to a U.S. attack. The Assad regime could strike back directly or through proxies, inside Syria and outside.
Assad's most immediate way to punish American attacks could be to retaliate in a way that drives up oil prices, squeezing the already soft U.S. and European economies.
As tensions with Syria rose two weeks ago, the price of U.S. crude oil soared past $112 a barrel before edging back to a range between $107 and $109 a barrel. Traders justify the high prices as a "security'' premium; U.S. oil remained above $107 a barrel at the end of trading Friday.
"What I'm concerned about is the retaliation to the retaliation. Mostly, we're concerned about it spilling over into attacks on Israel,'' said John Kilduff, an oil trader and partner in the hedge fund Again Capital.
Seeking to spike oil prices, Syria could strike at the pipeline in northern Iraq that connects with Turkey and the outside world.
"There are some real vulnerabilities on Syria's border that hang in the balance,'' said Kilduff, noting a sympathetic bomber in Saudi Arabia could send oil prices soaring. "Any kind of perceived threat to the (Saudi) royal family is just going to raise the security premium mightily.''
Much depends on how threatened the Assad regime feels. If a strike does little to threaten Assad, it emboldens him. If Assad is threatened, it raises the stakes for retaliation because the very existence of the regime would then be at stake.
"I think that some of these scenarios for 'unforeseen consequences' are a bit alarmist. I think the threats emanating from Damascus and Tehran are meant to unsettle nervous populations in western countries," said Wayne White, a scholar at the Middle East Institute and a former deputy director of the State Department's office in charge of Middle East intelligence.
By retaliating, Assad would invite even more foreign intervention in Syria's conflict, White said.
If there is a strike, both Assad and Obama must calibrate their responses with an eye toward an end goal. For Assad, it's a basic one: outlasting the insurgents and surviving. For Obama, the matter is more complicated.
"You do ultimately want a negotiated outcome to this conflict because we certainly don't want to see the regime win - but we don't want to see a straight-up victory for the opposition,'' said Michael Singh, a former top national security adviser during the administration of President George W. Bush.
A collapse of the Assad regime could leave parts of Syria ungovernable and strengthen jihadists who make up part of the opposition, he cautioned.


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BtownSean needed a new logo design and created a contest on 99designs.
A winner was selected from 609 designs submitted by 72 freelance designers.
Put simply: ThoughtFlows helps and motivates students to ask more questions during class.
Thoughtflows aims to redefine the learning experience by promoting thought and engaging students in active participation.
The site has other features and benefits, but our core focus is closing the (currently open) loop between teachers and students by using a computer medium for student feedback.
ThoughtFlows long term goal is enabling humans to become more intelligent.
The site is currently just a wire frame. The site's graphical design and interface will be similar to Facebook. The domain will be http://www.thoughtflows.com.
At this point we are open to logos that interpret the name as one word or two words and we do not have a preference for capitalization (i.e. ThoughtFlows, thoughtflows, Thoughtflows, Thought Flows, thought flows, THOUGHTflows, or any other variation, are all acceptable)
There are three different user groups for this web application.
First, students (primarily college students).
Second, teachers (primarily college professors).
Third, school administration.
It is critical that the students accept and enjoy the web app. However, student accounts are free, so the paying customers are teachers/administration.
Simple Simple Simple
Web 2.0 look/style (We realize this is vague. See http://appuseful.com/ and http://www.tradevibes.com/ for inspiration/clarification)
Look at facebook, digg, and twitter logos. This logo should look like it could hang out with those guys.
At the same time, as this is a classroom product, we would like to see elements/effects pulled in from a traditional classroom. In other words, think of how a student's notes or a teacher's blackboard (or white board) writing looks. We would like to see some logos that look like they were drawn by a pencil/chalk/marker or on a paper/blackboard material
An icon should be included as part of, or along with, the logo. Something that will make sense on a small browser tab (16x16 pixels, known as a "favicon") or as an iphone app icon. See facebook, twitter, linkedin, and Pandora for examples.
The icon should have square proportions, no rectangles please.
If you are going to use letters in your icon, please ensure that their font matches the font used in the full name.
For more information about favicons please see: http://www.photoshopsupport.com/tut…vicon.html
Open to all colors at this point.
If you have ANY questions, please ask.
Please do not use any photos, clipart or fonts which may carry licences with them.
Find out how a design contest works or learn more about our logo design services.


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Men's Basketball: Youthful SNHU cagers edged in OT by AdelphiBy ERIC EMMERLING
New Hampshire Union Leader
January 26. 2013 9:25PM
MANCHESTER - The Southern New Hampshire University men's basketball team is coming of age while competing in nail-biting close Northeast-10 Conference contests.
On Saturday, the Penmen dropped a close one to Adelphi University, 65-64, in overtime. With 461 fans holding their collective breath inside the SNHU Fieldhouse, junior co-captain Mike Stys missed a last-gasp shot just outside the paint with two Panthers clinging to his jersey.
Stys, a junior from Hooksett hit the game-winning shot in the closing seconds of a road win at Pace University last Wednesday.
The game featured 24 lead changes and 13 ties. SNHU held a three-point lead with 68 seconds left in regulation, but couldn't maintain the advantage.
"For a young team we're doing OK,'' said Stys, who led the Penmen with 16 points, dropping the club's record to 11-6 (7-6 NE-10). "Obviously we're not satisfied. We've got a lot of things to improve coming down the stretch."
SNHU is young. Pelham senior Billy Marsden is the lone senior on the Penmen roster, a club coaches ranked 12th in the 16-team NE-10 Conference's preseason poll. But they've more than held their own, entering Saturday's game having won six of the last eight games.
Freshman Rodney Sanders scored 14 points and hit two clutch free throws, giving his club a one-point lead with 14 seconds left in overtime. Sophomore B.J. Carderelli netted 14 points and kept the club in OT with an offensive rebound and two free throws.
Sophomore Elijah Bonsignore had 12 points, nine rebounds and blocked four shots against a bigger, more experienced club. Senior-dominated Alelphi (10-9, 7-6 NE-10) came to the SNHU Fieldhouse having won six of seven.
Coach Stan Spiriou believes this club may be one of the youngest he's coached in his 28 seasons at SNHU
"We do some good things and then we do things that show we still have some growing up to do," said Spirou who started a freshman, two sophomores and two juniors. "We couldn't control the paint in the closing minutes of regulation and overtime. Good defense doesn't count until you secure the defensive rebound."
Adelphi's John Calarco, a senior guard, hit the game-winning shot, a fall away corner jumper with 6.3 seconds left on a second possession opportunity.
Adelphi tied the game with 1:08 left on a traditional three-point play, an offensive rebound basket and foul shot. The Panthers point guard's potential game-winning shot with 6 seconds left was nullified. The ball caromed off a rim guy wire before dropping into the cylinder.
Sanders chance for a last-second game winner fell short, sending the game to overtime.
"This group has a lot of passion and heart. They just need a little more maturity. I like these kids' effort," said Spirou.
"We're good character guys. We stick together. No finger pointing. We work together right up to the end. I think we're only going to improve," said Stys.


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I promised you some comparison tables to help inform your decision on these three excellent email marketing tools.
But first, I wanted to cover the topic of list building, as this is a common factor for whichever solution you select.
List Building is a crucial part of email marketing. And most marketers realize the importance of placing opt-in forms in strategic places to capture new email subscribers.
AWeber, GetResponse, and MailChimp all have their own signup forms that you can use on your website to capture email addresses for your list(s).
The built-in signup forms are OK to get you started. And each service provider has a few templates that will probably fit in with your website design.
However, in the long-run, you'll want to consider investing in a separate lead generation tool to build your email list. As says:
The old solutions of just using any old opt-in form that came with our email provider aren't enough.
Tools like Thrive Leads , Optin Monster , and Leadpages all have far greater lead capture features, and integrate with all the major email marketing service providers.Thrive Leads , Optin Monster , and Leadpages
OK, so as promised, we've put together some handy comparison tables on features and pricing.
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Next, we have a pricing comparison table to give you an overview of how each platform compares. Note that MailChimp offers more options with their smaller intervals:
AWeber and GetResponse offer a free 30-day trial, whereas MailChimp offers a 'Free Forever' plan which supports up to 2000 email subscribers and 12000 emails per month but with limited features.
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October 21, 2010
This is part of a series of articles summarizing presentations from the 1st International Workshop on HIV & Aging, which took place in Baltimore, Md., from Oct. 4 to Oct. 5, 2010. Jump to the table of contents to see the other articles in this series.
The program was kicked off by Luigi Ferrucci, M.D., Ph.D., who gave the first presentation on frailty. He works in geriatrics and presented general data from previous studies in the aging HIV-negative population. He presented compelling data that showed people lose lean body mass (via a syndrome called "age-related sarcopenia") and strength as they age, and those decreases are correlated to higher mortality. Also, inflammation markers such as interleukin-6 increase with age, and levels of over 2.5 pg/ml in the blood have been linked to disability due to loss of muscle strength and mass. He also added that aging-related inflammation can decrease brain volume and may be implicated in depression and other health issues.
Margolick and his team attempted to determine whether frailty was more common among HIV-positive gay men than HIV-negative gay men. They defined frailty by creating a "frailty-related phenotype" (FRP) -- i.e., a measurement of the physical characteristics of frailty. The FRP was based on a brief survey that assessed four components of frailty: weight loss ("Since your last visit, have you had unintentional weight loss of at least 10 pounds?"), exhaustion ("During the past four weeks, as a result of your physical health, have you had difficulty performing your work or other activities [for example, it took extra effort]?"), slowness ("Does your health now limit you in walking several blocks?"), and low physical activity level ("Does your health now limit you in vigorous activities, such as running, lifting heavy objects, participating in strenuous sports?"). A participant was considered as having FRP at the visit if the answer to at least three of the four questions was "yes." (The assessment of weakness [e.g., grip strength] was not incorporated into the MACS protocol until October 2005 and therefore could not be used in defining the FRP.)
The FRP thus defined had a prevalence of 4.4 percent among MACS HIV-negative MSM aged 65 years and older, which was similar to the prevalence of frailty observed in the Cardiovascular Health Study for men of similar ages. After adjusting for most important factors, frailty was still higher in HIV-positive men compared to HIV-negative men. In fact, Margolick reported that the frailty of a 55-year-old HIV-positive man may be similar to that of a 65-year-old HIV-negative man. History of unintentional weight loss before the initiation of HAART was strongly associated with frailty.
I caution that the HIV-positive people involved in the MACS study population include many men who were exposed to the more "toxic" antiretroviral drugs of the past, and who were also more prone to have wasting syndrome in the past than we experience nowadays, so the data may not be easily extrapolated to the current era. Also, it would have been nice to have measures of testosterone levels in these men, since low testosterone has been associated with frailty in HIV-negative men, and we see testosterone deficiency rates of 20 percent to 30 percent in aging HIV-positive men even after the introduction of HAART. Basal metabolic rate has also been found to be higher in HIV-positive men compared to HIV-negative men, which means that our bodies are not as efficient at burning food for energy as HIV-negative, healthy people.
No therapeutic intervention data was presented to review the effect of exercise, testosterone replacement, or other factors that may improve frailty in HIV-positive men. I always tell people in my lectures to prevent frailty in their older years by exercising and keeping their testosterone at normal levels now, while they are younger. This will help them build muscle and bone mass that will enable them to prevent disability due to fractures or weakness.
As HIV-negative and HIV-positive people age, their bone density decreases. Post-menopausal women are more prone to have bone loss, but men also have this problem. In HIV, there is bone loss at earlier ages than what is expected in the general population. It seems that the virus itself can cause this problem, which seems to get worse among people who are taking HIV medications. The questions are 1) whether or not bone loss stabilizes with time after someone reaches undetectable viral load and 2) when -- and who -- to test for bone loss.
Todd Brown, M.D., Ph.D., reviewed available data on bone loss in HIV that show increased incidence of osteopenia and osteoporosis. Bone loss seems to be associated with inflammatory responses due to HIV infection and/or by the lack of balance between bone cells that build bone compared to cells that help them be reabsorbed. The SMART study showed that people on HIV medications lose more bone than those who are not being treated. Past history of unintentional weight loss, low body mass index, smoking, low testosterone and other well-known bone loss inducers are also common in HIV-positive people -- just as they are in the general population. It is yet unclear if those who started HIV medications with lower baseline CD4 cells, who have been infected the longest, or who were exposed to the more toxic antiretroviral drugs of the past are at higher risk of bone loss.
There are several cohorts that are starting to show an increasing trend of fractures in people living with HIV. Brown reminded us that the latest bone guidelines recommend doing bone scans on HIV-positive people in they have a fracture; if they have traditional risk factors; or if they are 50 years of age or older. To assess who should be prescribed bone density-enhancing drugs, it is also recommended to calculate risk of fractures using the FRAX equation after measuring bone density with DEXA. (To learn more about bone density and screening in people with HIV, read or listen to this January 2010 interview with Brown and Ben Young, M.D., Ph.D.)
It is unfortunate that Brown did not have time to discuss different interventions to increase bone density. As far as I know, there is only one small study that has studied an intervention in HIV-positive people with bone loss. It provided all 44 volunteers 500 mg of calcium plus 400 IU of vitamin D per day, and also gave some volunteers one weekly dose of alendronate (Fosamax) for 96 weeks. Both arms had mild increases of bone density, with the Fosamax + calcium + vitamin D arm having the highest improvement.
But increases, when they occur, are slow, so it is always better to prevent bone loss than to try to reverse it once it has progressed to critical levels. Resistance exercise, calcium, vitamin D and several medications can help increase bone strength. But it seems that HIV-positive people also have vitamin D deficiencies that may prevent proper calcium absorption to build stronger bones.
Judith Currier, M.D., is a good friend of the HIV community and a top clinician in Los Angeles. She reviewed the data on vitamin D deficiencies, which have been linked to bone loss and other health-related issues. This is probably the hottest vitamin in HIV research in the present. It is made by the body after our skin is exposed to sufficient amounts of sunshine, but the liver and kidneys need to transform it into the "active" form, known as 25-OH vitamin D, which is the form that helps our bones and immune system.
Vitamin D may be involved in increasing the ability of immune cells to kill invaders in our bodies. It also seems to help those with tuberculosis have less severe disease symptoms and progression. It can also mediate inflammation by decreasing tumor necrosis alpha levels. In addition, a review of seven past studies in HIV-negative people, five of them found a correlation between low vitamin D levels and higher cardiovascular risk (although the studies were not very similar, so it is difficult to compare apples and oranges).
The general population commonly suffers from vitamin D deficiencies, especially now that most of us try to avoid the sun to minimize skin cancer. People with darker skin, those who live in northern latitudes, those in winter time and the elderly tend to have more vitamin D deficiency. And HIV in itself, as well as the medications used to treat it, seem to also be risk factors.
It is not completely clear if low vitamin D in HIV -positive people is due to inflammatory responses caused by HIV. Emerging data point to the likelihood that HIV-positive people using Sustiva (Stocrin, efavirenz) may have lower vitamin D levels due to this drug's acceleration of the degradation of the vitamin in the liver (it lowered vitamin D levels by 4.5 percent in 26 weeks). Other small studies have shown than Viread (tenofovir) may also affect the metabolism of vitamin D into its active metabolite in the kidneys.
Dr. Robinson from Ontario, Canada, presented some data that may indicate those with lipoatrophy have more vitamin D deficiencies due to changes in skin thickness. I am not convinced about this, however; I think that longer HIV infection was probably the most important factor in those who had lipoatrophy and vitamin D deficiency.
No one has really determined what "vitamin D deficiency" really means, but most clinicians agree that keeping blood levels of 25-OH vitamin D over 30 nanograms/ml may be appropriate to ensure proper amounts of vitamin D. No one knows what the optimum dose of a vitamin supplement should be, nor do we know for sure who should be tested for vitamin D deficiencies. In light of emerging data, however, a growing number of doctors are ordering vitamin D blood level tests in their patients, and are also recommending vitamin D supplements for those who are deficient -- typically 1,000 to 2,000 IU of vitamin D per day, although retesting is needed to determine if a dose adjustment is needed over time. It is a cheap supplement and one that may not harm people even at higher doses, although a recent study in HIV-negative women who were prescribed megadoses of vitamin D in on-again, off-again cycles suffered more fractures than HIV-negative women who were not.
There is a large study looking at the long-term effects of vitamin D plus fish oils in 20,000 HIV-negative people to see if fractures and other health issues are improved by these supplements. However, results will not be available until five years from now.
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CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa — A federal judge says defense lawyers working for imprisoned former kosher slaughterhouse manager Sholom Rubashkin violated a court rule by contacting jurors who convicted him of bank fraud in 2009.
U.S. District Judge Linda Reade ruled Monday that Des Moines attorney Guy Cook and Kansas City attorney James Wyrsch violated a rule that bars attorneys and their investigators from contacting jurors without court permission.
Reade says she will decide how to punish them at a future hearing.
Reade called Monday's hearing after jurors reported being contacted by private investigators working for Rubashkin as he prepares an appeal of his 27-year prison term.
In one case, Rubashkin's daughter made an emotional appeal at a juror's home.
An inquiry into the contacts revealed Cook's law firm also contacted jurors in December 2009.


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Mike Cote's Business Editor's Notebook: Honeywell 'CEO of the Year' has NH factory town rootsMIKE COTE
July 06. 2013 1:11AM
Most people in New England named Cote can trace their lineage to Jean Cote, a French immigrant who arrived in Quebec in 1634, a couple of centuries before some of his descendants crossed the border to the United States. They were likely lured by the promise of work in the textile mills that transformed so many communities into factory towns dominated by French Canadians.
Honeywell International CEO David Cote and I talked briefly about our common ancestry during a phone interview last week when we were supposed to be focusing on his recognition by Chief Executive magazine as its 2013 CEO of the Year. But our discussion was more than idle chatter. The Suncook native embraces his factory town heritage and the time he spent as a night-shift laborer at a General Electric jet engine plant while working his way through the University of New Hampshire. He knows what it's like to get your hands dirty and how people at the top often have no idea of what is going on down below.
"My dad always used to say, 'Start from the very bottom because you will understand the system and everything else.' He was right," Cote said. "It gave me a real appreciation for how the people who are actually getting the work done feel about things."
Cote, 60, was lured by Honeywell in 2002 to become its CEO from TRW, an auto, aerospace and information technology supplier he joined in 1999. Cote had arrived there after two decades as an executive at GE, where he was once a possible candidate to succeed Jack Welch.
He's been credited with turning Honeywell from a struggling industrial giant that lost $220 million on $22.3 billion in revenue in 2002 to a powerhouse that reported record earnings of $3.5 billion on revenue of $37.5 billion in 2012. The Morris Township, N.J.-based industrial manufacturer, which has a presence in Manchester, makes everything from consumer thermostats to jet engines, with major operations in aerospace, automation and controls, performance materials and transportation. The Fortune 100 company employs 132,000 people worldwide.
Since Cote's arrival, Honeywell has increased sales by 71 percent to $37.7 billion and delivered a total shareowner return of 240 percent, consistently outperforming the Standard & Poor's 500. Since 2003, Honeywell has acquired more than 75 companies and shed 50.
When Cote arrived, Honeywell had three warring factions, the result of acquisitions, that were not speaking to one another. Creating a unified company culture was his first priority, he says. He remembers an early meeting during which a staff member questioned why he was focusing on that when there were strategic issues to consider.
"I said I can make all the strategic decisions you want, but it doesn't matter if nobody does them," said Cote, who figures he must have talked to 10,000 people in the first two months he was at the company, stressing that push for solidarity. He sought to bring the company together through 12 behaviors and five initiatives that became known as the Honeywell Operating System, which was gleaned in part by a similar program at Toyota.
Having had experience as a laborer at GE - where a quality control program was virtually ignored on the factory floor - Cote knew he couldn't and shouldn't expect change overnight.
"You don't go to somebody who has been working in an 80-year-old factory for the last 26 years, and say, 'Hey, on Friday just keep doing what you're doing. On Monday were starting the Honeywell Operating System,'" Cote said. "You have to build trust."
During his initial tenure, he also set about getting Honeywell's books "in pristine condition," improving the company's product pipeline and expanding its global reach. The company generates about 54 percent of its revenue from outside the U.S., compared to 41 percent a decade ago, which means Cote and his executive team spend a lot of time traveling the globe.
"It sounds counterintuitive, but I bought two Gulfstream 550s so none of my staff members could complain about how difficult it was to get to any of these countries," said Cote, who figures he's traveled to 100 countries in his work to make Honeywell more global.
That perspective also informs Cote's work with the Fix the Debt coalition, an organization made up of 140 corporate leaders who are working to press Congress to take action to tackle the nation's $16.7 trillion deficit.
"The problem is so big that I really feel as an American you can't be aware of the problem and not try to do something about it," said Cote, who visited Manchester in February to speak at St. Anselm College about the issue. "If you understand it, you can't stop talking about it. ... We have to get our financial house in order or we will never be able to compete globally.'"
Cote remembers how folks in his native Suncook would frown upon people who lived beyond their means and could not pay their bills.
"You were always expected to take care of yourself and your family," he said. "You didn't want to put yourself or your family in that kind of position."
Mike Cote is business editor at the Union Leader. Contact him at 668-4321, ext. 324 or firstname.lastname@example.com.
NH People Technology Photo Feature Mike Cote's Business Editor's Notebook