text:
by Mike Masnick
Fri, Feb 22nd 2008 12:33am
Filed Under:
ed felten, encryption, hard drives, security
Ed Felten, and the various grad students who work for him at Princeton, have done plenty to contribute to the computer security field (and make quite a name for themselves), from breaking the old SDMI encryption that the recording industry insisted was unbeatable (which nearly got Felten sued) to showing just how vulnerable e-voting machines are. However, he may have just broken his biggest story yet. Felten and a group of colleagues have now shown that hard disk encryption is incredibly easy to beat. This should be a huge concern, considering how many people and organizations rely on data encryption to protect important data. In fact, with many of the "lost" hard drive stories over the past few years, many organizations have insisted the risk was minimal, since the data was all encrypted. Yet, as Felten's team shows in this video below, not only is it quite easy to defeat the encryption using a simple can of compressed air, in some cases, there isn't much that can be done to protect against this. As the video notes, this won't work on some systems if the computer is turned completely off and the encryption package opens up before the operating system boots -- but otherwise, most systems are vulnerable.
Basically, they've figured out that, despite what many believe, data held in RAM does not disappear immediately when the power is cut. And, if you freeze the chip, you can make the data last a very long time. This is important, because for disk encryption, the key to unlocking the data resides in the RAM. If someone can access that key in the RAM and make a copy of it, then they can unencrypt all of the data without knowing your password.
If you liked this post, you may also be interested in...
- Australian Government Passes Law Forcing Tech Companies To Break Encryption
- GCHQ Propose A 'Going Dark' Workaround That Creates The Same User Trust Problem Encryption Backdoors Do
- Deputy AG Claims There's No Market For Better Security While Complaining About Encryption At A Cybercrime Conference
- EFF, ACLU Petition Court To Unseal Documents From DOJ's Latest Anti-Encryption Efforts
- Kid Tracking 'Smart' Watches, Like Most IOT Devices, Prove Not So Smart, Easy To Hack
Reader Comments
Subscribe: RSS
Charming Charlie, 22 Feb 2008 @ 1:56amI know only a bit more about computer hardware than the normal person, but isn't it quite possible to create a hardware solution to the slow powering off of RAM bits? As in, the OS shutdown initiates a power cut off to the circuits supplying power, so that they immediately 0 out? I'm imagining a capacitor or something that draws the power out of the RAM. Alternatively, couldn't the OS just manually replace all the bits the OS itself isn't using to kind of cover (mostly) it's tracks during a shutdown? In the video, they didn't show a technique which used a sleeping computer that didn't involve temporarily powering it off.
This, combined with the password entry before the OS starts running, would cover all the bases, wouldn't it?
Dr.A, 22 Feb 2008 @ 2:37amIf the key is in the memory then a trojan is by far way better for the job.
Paul`, 22 Feb 2008 @ 3:14am
Re:Its not about whats better, its showing that it's also possible this way.
Liquid, 22 Feb 2008 @ 5:03am
Re: Re:I agree with you on that Paul. Plus with a trojan it would most likely be picked up by virus software anyways... I think that if I had physical access to a computer like that I would just snag it and do it this way... if you think about it you wont leave tracks on the hard drive when you happen to "Find it", and return it...
lrobbo (profile), 23 May 2012 @ 8:01am
Re: Re:Exactly
Jollygreengiant, 22 Feb 2008 @ 3:18amCharlie, you could have lines that would short out the memory,and drain the charge but it would mean a complete redesign of memory systems, and would add quite a bit to shutdown/reboot times. Better maybe to have a routine that overwrites the data at shutdown.
All of which is a bit moot as the memory doesn't even need to be in the original PC! A quick spray of liquid CO2 or N2, and just whip them out and into your own device which copies the content for later perusal...
Anonymous Coward, 22 Feb 2008 @ 4:50am
Re:Nevermind the fact that you don't need to actually shut down the OS. Pull the plug, pop out the chips, and anything your software was supposed to do on a graceful close is avoided.
Chronno S. Trigger, 22 Feb 2008 @ 5:28am
Re:I have an easier way to avoid this. Don't leave your computer in standby and walk away. Always shut down the PC and wait 30sec before walking away. That way the memory chips have time to discharge. I don't know if hibernate would open a risk since the data in the memory is written to the drive during shutdown.
Johann, 22 Feb 2008 @ 3:26pm
Re: Re:Yes it will solve the problem but people rather leave the PC on when they go to the bathroom, grab a cup of coffee, etc. And if your laptop is stolen during such time frame then your data still gets stolen.
me, 22 Feb 2008 @ 5:07am
Ed Felten Defeats Hard Drive Encryptionuh-oh
matt, 22 Feb 2008 @ 5:32am
not what it seemsalthough they ar5e correct there are easy methods to crack hard drives these are methods involving physical access. If you have physical access to the hard drive there are many many easier methods to get into the encryption due to human exploitation, such as software situations within the target's pc, video cameras, physical keyloggers, audio keyloggers.
So if you can get to the hard drive or not is irrelevant, there''s plenty of methods This isn't like they magically figured out the encryption key, and also isn't the ram situation "within 1-30 minutes" or something? I mean seriously it may take half of the minute just to get access to what you're looking for.
I salute the method, but there are just too many for this to be truly noteworthy.
Overcast, 22 Feb 2008 @ 5:55amI agree with you on that Paul. Plus with a trojan it would most likely be picked up by virus software anyways...
Only if the AV scanner you are running is familiar with it. If you wrote one for the task, there's only a slim chance it might be detected by the heuristics - which, of course, could easily be tested on another PC, running the same AV software prior to 'delivering' the code.
Or you could, I don't know, just turn off your computer when you're not using? Why would any computer that needed this level of security be left on all the time, anyway?
delphidude, 22 Feb 2008 @ 6:34am
More scare headlinesThis story is being ballyhooed far beyond what it is worth. Has anybody tried this outside of that lab? The answer is yes. Me. I have a pair of useless older PCs that are perfect for experimenting. And a box of cans of cool spray left over from my career job of fixing mainframes. These have real Freon and can freeze your katookies off if used upside down.
I loaded a huge text file with a repeating, easy to recognize pattern of data (i.e abcdefg...) into memory on one. Hosed it down with Freon. That didn't work - it blew the memory, an experience that I have had in the past when trying to cool down components in troubleshooting. Apparently the small lands on a PC board will shrink from the cold and pull apart.
Started again with another simm. Not so cold this time.
Yanked it hot (as in with power on, not referring to temperature), plugged it into another old junker with a copy of Win 3.1 and powered up. Started scanning memory (that took a while, since my last experience with 3.1 must be about 15 years old.) but...
There was nothing. And since most memory was all zeros, I couldn't be sure that the hardware/bios was not clearing memory on boot. Turned off everything in the bios, tried again, but still got nothing.
Tried not only pulling it hot, but swapping it hot. Problem was that the receiving machine would lock solid instantly. But finally one try got it in and the receiver stayed up. Time that the memory was without power was less than 3 seconds.
Great. Looked all over but no trace of that pattern could be found.
So. This isn't quite as easy as the articles are making out. I am sure that the researchers did what they say, but nobody needs to panic that some DHS cop is going to whip out a spray can and a screwdriver and suddenly look through a persons surfing history. Heck, most government agents that I have run across have trouble opening the lid of the laptop.
Chuck Norris' Enemy (deceased), 22 Feb 2008 @ 7:28am
Re: More scare headlinesAre you a Mythbuster?
I would like to see an uncut video of a single, or even group, of people trying to pull this off. I mean, it is all described in theory with a bunch of cuts but can you physically do it the way it was shown in time to save the data.
Rick Sarvas, 22 Feb 2008 @ 10:17am
Re: More scare headlinesIt has been many years since I've done any electronics work, but I think I see the problem here with delphidude's experiment with the older laptops...
It seems to me that exploit makes use of the fact DRAM chips are powered by pulses and not a continuous supply of power as required by the Static RAM used in much older computers. In a way, it's like keeping a bucket that has a small hole in the bottom filled with water. If you top off the bucket at regular intervals as dictated by the size of the hole in the bottom, the supply of water out of the bottom of the bucket should remain the same. If you fail to fill the bucket, the supply of water will eventually run out, but not immediately. With static RAM, the bucket is more like a pipe, so an interruption of water from one end would quickly be noticed at the other.
In short, it might be that the failure of the experiment to work (other than the RAM chips pulling away from the circuit traces when chilled) may simply be due to the fact the the memory used in the target laptops was of the wrong type for this specific type of attack to work (SRAM vs. DRAM).
If so, the results are still interesting.
Some background info...
Then again, I could be completely wrong too.
Kevin, 22 Feb 2008 @ 7:39am
ClarificationsCharlie, it's not a matter of power stored in the RAM. A bit is set in the memory cell as either on or off. Left to it's own with no power the state of the bits will drift or alter over time. Because of this, power is applied to the cells via a refresh strobe. This refresh current helps ensure that the bit state of the cell doesn't change.
Felten's exploit is based on discovering that the bit state doesn't deteriorate very rapidly, and deterioration can be slowed even further by use of a refrigerant to chill/freeze the memory cells.
Michael S. Williamson, 22 Feb 2008 @ 8:21am
Wipe the DRAM!Disk-encryption utilities should use a routine that overwrites the part of RAM holding the keys when unmounting a volume as this may be the best defense against this sort of attack. This would also require users to unmount their encrypted volumes before leaving them unattended.
Dale, 22 Feb 2008 @ 8:26am
Yes, I am an idiotersonallypay Iway encryptway everythingway onway ymay ardhay riveday inway igpay atinlay.
interval, 22 Feb 2008 @ 8:30am
Ok, SO - WHAT?Ok, Felton has shown the possible. Lets look at the reality; the comprisor has to come in fairly soon after the user has powered down the machine. The code breaker then has to take the pc apart, freeze the ram modules and then analyze the latent charge in the modules, and how you do that I'm not sure. For some reason I still feel fairly well protected and will continue to encrypt my data. Thanks for the warning though.
Ben, 22 Feb 2008 @ 8:36am
if you get the computer while it's on...can't you just burn everything to a CD anyway? I don't really see why this is significant. I guess it would allow you to have access to the computer any time you wanted, after turning it off or whatever, but if it requires having access to the computer after someone has already entered the password, couldn't you just get all the data you needed in that session? I suppose if there's some less barrier to access, like a screen saver password, but it just seems like this would be helpful in very few situations.
smarmy, 22 Feb 2008 @ 8:47am
Its a comprimise1) There's no way to program a laptop to not get stolen, so it comes right down to vigilance on the user's part, which should be security step one. Probably any laptop that will be carrying sensitive data should have sleep mode disabled, and part of the power-down process should be a memory overwrite. But other than that, I'm not too sure how much more secure you can make things anyway, even without this vulnerability.
DRM Suxx, 22 Feb 2008 @ 8:51am
sleep modeYou are forgetting that they were able to do this when the PC was left in sleep or hibernate. I typically hibernate mine to make it faster by skipping the whole boot process. Most people I work with do the same, just setting it to open to the password prompt. The video claims the machine is vulnerable at this point.
Chuck, 22 Feb 2008 @ 9:32am
Re: sleep modeIf you hibernate the machine, you just saved them a lot of trouble. Hibernate copies the entire contents of RAM to disk for resume, you just gave them the copy they were looking for.
xtrasico, 22 Feb 2008 @ 10:27am
Need sleep modeI am an Auditor and Fraud Investigator. The Agency I work for gives me a laptop to do my work. Last year there was something wrong with it and the boot process use to be like 25 minutes one day and 1 minute the next. That happened everyday. I got used to leaving that laptop on sleep mode because when I needed it to boot fast to take a sworn statement or something important it was really frustrating to wait for it to boot up. All the work I do is confidential so we use encryption. This is going to change my preferences... just in case.
Sleep mode:
When referring to speed up the booting process of a PC I have always read everywhere on the net that hibernate is slower comparing it to the boot or sleep process. Hibernate just saves everything to hard drive so you can access it exactly as you had it when leaving the PC. In my PC the booting process is faster than waking it from hibernating, which sometimes hangs. Maybe something is wrong with my PC. I don't know...
Steve, 22 Feb 2008 @ 11:31am
Hibernation is Probably Safe with most productsHibernation and waiting a few minutes should thwart this attack as long as you use a product that encrypts the hibernation file. I know the product I use automatically does that.
I hate to shut down, and hibernating takes too long (even longer now that it's being encrypted) so I just stand by. Looks like I'll have to get used to shutting down.
dorion, 22 Feb 2008 @ 1:09pm
Off TopicI don't know what the big deal is with data security anyway. All of our information is spread across the world anyway thanks to outsourcing IT to foreign countries. My identity was stolen when I was 19 from my local college. Someone snagged my personal info from my school records. Good thing I was too young to have any real credit. Too bad LE did not think it was important enough to pursue the crook.
I have worked with several law enforcement companies that have sophisticated ways of dismantling a drive and pulling data off. Whom are you trying to keep the data away from anyway? If they are good enough to crack this stuff then most likely they have a job paying them more then what this data is worth.
Nicko, 22 Feb 2008 @ 5:22pm
The classic methodWell you can always go back to tamper-proofing your machine with a battery driven thermite charge. Nothing quite stops a thief quite like a 4500 degree blast.
Tony, 2 Jul 2008 @ 6:20pm
this is not something newthis type of attack is nothing new,
I'm a computer scientist and work for Novell who make SuSe Linux.
if you use something like these products the chances are that your password is only a very small one - as most people will not make the password overly long (aka >20 characters) and even sometimes it is something obvious!
so the vulnerability due to a brute force attack is still about 50-100x more likely to break your encryption than this method is :| due to physical acess needed shortly after a powerdown.
Mike, 26 Feb 2009 @ 9:38pm
This article is misleading...Hard drive encryption is alive and well and living embedded in hard drives from Seagate, Hitachi, etc.. and it is NOT circumventable via the description in this article.
So a grave disservice is done with the headline "Ed Felten Defeats Hard Drive Encryption". He has done nothing of the kind. He has only circumvented one form of it. If he can defeat the encryption in the hard drive from Seagate I will then be MOST IMPRESSED.
Mikey, 22 Feb 2010 @ 12:37pmI think people like Ed are absolutely invaluable to the encryption software industry. Without guys like him, his team and his peers pushing the tech forward, we may just be attacked more often. Think about it, if the good guys aren't cracking this code, who does that leave the job to?
fodder99 (profile), 30 Jun 2012 @ 10:09amEd Felten is an e security wizard !


text:
Sweet Debbie's Organic Treats: Allergy-Free & Vegan Recipes by Debbie Adler
Debbie Adler had been running Sweet Debbie's Organic Cupcakes, a successful organic, sugar-free bakery, for several years when she found out that her son was allergic to "almost every food in the USDA pyramid." So, she went back to the kitchen and revamped her recipes to be gluten-free, allergy-friendly, and as nutritious as possible. Her cookbook Sweet Debbie's Organic Treats includes recipes for kids and adults, fans of the bakery, and anyone who wants to bake without gluten, eggs, dairy, soy, sugar, and nuts.
Quick Facts
• Who wrote it: Debbie Adler
• Who published it: Harlequin
• Number of recipes: 50
• Recipes for right now: Salted Caramel Apple Muffins, Gourmet Dark Chocolate Mesquite Brownies, Oatmeal Fudge Chocolate Chip Cookies, Irresistible Red Velvet Cupcakes, Sweet Cranberry Hemp Bars, Pumpkin Spice Donut Holes,Yam Jam Soda Bread
• Other highlights: Sweet Debbie's Organic Treats includes everyday snacks and special occasion sweets, allergy-friendly versions of classics, and inspired new creations. One of the first recipes in the book is for Debbie's all-purpose gluten-free flour mix, which contains tapioca, sorghum, millet, teff, and quinoa flours. This forms the basis for all the baked goods from energy-boosting breakfast muffins to brownies accented with superfoods and spices, kid-friendly cookies, irresistible cupcakes, high-protein energy bars, baked donut holes, and savory breads.
Most of the recipes call for the same basic set of ingredients, so once you stock your pantry, you should be set. The primary sweeteners used are stevia and/or coconut nectar. Other frequently used ingredients include grapeseed oil, coconut oil, rice milk, and guar gum (can substitute xanthan gum).
• Who would enjoy this book? vegans, diabetics, people with celiac disease or food allergies and intolerances
Find the book at your local library, independent bookstore, or Amazon: Sweet Debbie's Organic Treats: Allergy-Free & Vegan Recipes from the Famous Los Angeles Bakery by Debbie Adler
• Visit the author's website: Sweet Debbie's Organic Cupcakes
Apartment Therapy Media makes every effort to test and review products fairly and transparently. The views expressed in this review are the personal views of the reviewer and this particular product review was not sponsored or paid for in any way by the manufacturer or an agent working on their behalf. However, the manufacturer did give us the product for testing and review purposes.

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Morsi supporters protest outside Cabinet in Cairo
Several hundred supporters of Egypt's deposed president massed outside the Cabinet building on Wednesday in Cairo, expanding their protests denouncing the country's new government and demanding the reinstatement of Islamist leader Mohammed Morsi.world Updated: Jul 17, 2013 21:23 IST
Several hundred supporters of Egypt's deposed president massed outside the Cabinet building on Wednesday in Cairo, expanding their protests denouncing the country's new government and demanding the reinstatement of Islamist leader Mohammed Morsi.
The rally came as the European Union's top foreign policy official met with the interim leaders, the second senior Western official to visit Egypt this week.
Carrying posters of Morsi and chanting slogans against the military, the demonstrators said the new leadership was illegitimate and accused the military of staging a coup against the country's first democratically elected leader.
Security forces barred them from reaching the Cabinet building, but protesters painted graffiti on the walls calling military chief Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi a killer and traitor.
Islamist protesters have been camped out in two areas of Cairo since shortly before Morsi was ousted by the military on July 3, but organisers called for a massive march Wednesday to the government center a day after interim President Adly Mansour swore in a new 34-member Cabinet.
The new ministers include several prominent figures from liberal and secular factions, as well as three women and three Christians, but none from Morsi's Muslim Brotherhood and other Islamist groups.
The protest caused major traffic congestion in a usually busy part of the city of 18 million people.
EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton met with Mansour and Mohamed El Baradei, a prominent reform advocate who has been named vice president for international relations.
The international community has been trying to contain the chaos that erupted after Morsi's ouster and return Egypt back on the road to democratic rule.
He was freely elected last year by a narrow majority, but many Egyptians accused him of developing authoritarian tendencies, giving undue influence to his Muslim Brotherhood and failing to effectively tackle any of the country's pressing problems, from a free falling economy to tenuous security and high unemployment.
For most of the two years since the overthrow of autocrat Hosni Mubarak, Egypt has been split into two camps - one led by Morsi, his Muslim Brotherhood and its Islamist allies, and another led by secular Egyptians, liberals, Christians and moderate Muslims.
The fault lines remain after Morsi's departure, except that the Islamists are no longer in power and growing increasingly entrenched as the opposition
Morsi and his supporters maintain that Islamist rule has been sabotaged by Mubarak loyalists eager to bounce back to power, an opposition that had no genuine interest in reconciliation and a seemingly endless series of strikes, protests and street violence.
US deputy secretary of state William Burns was in Cairo on Monday to meet with Mansour and el-Sissi. He later said that Washington was committed to helping Egypt succeed in its "second chance" at democracy, a comment that signaled that Washington, while calling for an inclusive transition that would include the Morsi's Muslim Brotherhood and other Islamists.
First Published: Jul 17, 2013 21:21 IST


text:
|Thread Tools
|Display Modes
Yolo Sportsman Association NRA/CMP Match 07/13/2013
Yolo Sportsman Association CMP Match
24189 Aviation Avenue, Davis, California 95616
07/13/2013, 8am - 12 noon on the 100 yard line
This match is a lot of fun and in a laid back atmosphere. This is a great way to get introduced to the high-power rifle hobby. John Ryan puts the course on and he is a really great person to learn from and run this program. Come on out and have a blast.
Yes the bullet button works for this event just fine I use one myself and have no issues with magazine changes.
Any safe center-fire rifle, .22 or larger, equipment with iron sights (no optical sights). Your rifle must be capable of rapid fire and rapid reloading via clip loading or magazine change. Enfields, M1 Garands, M1As, M1 Carbines, AR-15s, Ruger mini-14s, Remington 740, 742, 760, etc. Bolt Action and Lever Action acceptable. The rifle must be a rifle shooting a rifle cartridge. You must reload during the rapid fire courses.
This match is for fun, experience and qualification.
Certificate of Achievement will be given to ALL shooters.
Recognition of high score will be awarded. (There is Recognition for the beginner class also!!!!!)
Those who have done this event chime in and let everyone know how much fun it is. Feel free to post pics of those Garands that you have gotten from CMP also!!!!!!!!!
|Thread Tools
|Display Modes
Threaded Mode


text:
MILLEDGEVILLE, Ga. - In the waning seconds of the first overtime period, the Georgia College & State University soccer team (9-5-4, 5-1-3 PBC) took advantage of possibly their last chance in the frame, as sophomore Megan McAlpin (Newnan, Ga.) scored the game-winner with a header in a 2-1 win over USC Aiken tonight (Oct. 28) at Bobcat Field.
A foul and yellow card had given Georgia College a free kick opportunity near the center of the field, about 40 yards out. Senior Daria Owen (Snellville, Ga.) put a charge into one, finding the underside of the crossbar. An alert McAlpin capitalized on the rebound, heading it into the left side for the win with just 38 seconds left.
After a scoreless first half, the Bobcats struck first with 5:56 left in the second stanza. The USC Aiken defense attempted to clear the ball up the middle, but Owen picked off the pass from her midfield spot, and rocketed a 35-yarder for her third goal of the season and a 1-0 lead.
Catching the Bobcat defense off guard after their score, the Pacers worked down the field quickly, netting the tying strike on a botched Bobcat clear just 1:11 later. The two teams went into overtime at 1-1.
It was in overtime that McAlpin's heroics came into play, her fourth goal of the year. Owen was credited with the assist, her first on the season. The Bobcats remain undefeated in overtime (3-0-4) and when they score (9-0-1) this year. They also can't be beat when McAlpin has points, as in her two-year career the 'Cats are 14-0.
Defending Peach Belt Conference (PBC) Goalkeeper of the Week Mary Rob Plunkett (Augusta, Ga.) made six stops in seven tries in the win. The Pacer goal ended a scoreless stretch of a whopping 536:26 for Plunkett this season, dating back to Oct. 7. Nicole Westphal made seven saves in the losing effort.
The win was also the 55th in program history, a 55-36-21 mark all-time. GCSU has never lost to USCA, going 5-0-1.
A victory gives the Bobcats 18 points in the PBC standings, leapfrogging Lander University into fourth place. The No. 4 slot is crucial, as the top four teams host PBC Quarterfinal match-ups Tuesday, Nov. 3. With one game left, Georgia College could finish as high as tied for second, or as low as sixth.
The Bobcats are back in action Saturday, Oct. 31 at 4 p.m., hosting the University of Montevallo for Senior Day.
The GCSU Department of Athletics, winners of the 2008-09 PBC Commissioner's Cup, sponsors 10 varsity athletic programs at the NCAA Division II level. As a Division II program, Georgia College prides itself on balancing the life of the student-athlete, evidenced by the Bobcats' multiple appearances in post-season competition as well as Twitter.com username GCSUSID for up-to-the-minute reports, and visit documented academic success and community-service involvement. Sign up at www.GCSUBobcats.com to nominate your favorite former Bobcats and Colonials to the GCSU Athletics Hall of Fame.


text:
Warrant: Man assaulted wife, attacked wife's brother
New London — A man accused of assaulting his wife and then hitting one of her brothers with a tire iron last month appeared in court Wednesday on several charges related to that incident.
Gerson Ortiz, 34, of 19 Jay St. was ordered to stay away from his wife and had his case continued until Dec. 10. He is being held in lieu of a $50,000 bond.
According to witness reports, an intoxicated Ortiz shook, strangled and threw his wife to the floor during an argument Oct. 27. Three of the couple's children, ages 11, 9 and 8, looked on, according to court documents.
Following the assault, Ortiz's wife left her Buchanan Road home with the children and went to her brother's Third Street residence. Ortiz followed her there, but one of the woman's two brothers went outside the home to tell Ortiz to leave. Ortiz tried to start a fight, the report says, and took a tire iron out of his Honda Accord. He approached one brother and took a swing at his head, but the man blocked the wrench with his arm. That brother was taken to the hospital with a left arm injury.
After the attack, Ortiz tried to run down one brother with his car as he left the scene.
Following his arrest Tuesday, police charged Ortiz with second-degree assault, second-degree reckless endangerment, three counts of risk of injury to a minor, second-degree breach of peace and disorderly conduct.
Meet the future farmers, scientists and artisans of Ledyard High School


text:
Ambassador Cam, #33
Ambassador Hotel site; April 18, 2006; 7:02 p.m.
Things have been relatively quiet over the last month at the Ambassador Hotel site. As you can see, the hollowed shell of the Cocoanut Grove still remains, some of it now covered up by siding. We'll continue to periodically check in on the impending school construction.


text:
SOURCE: BIOLASE Technology, Inc.
April 30, 2012 09:00 ET
ezlase® Sales Move Forward Worldwide
ezlase® Sales Move Forward Worldwide
IRVINE, CA--(Marketwire - Apr 30, 2012) - BIOLASE Technology, Inc. (NASDAQ: BLTI), the World's leading dental laser company, today announced that West Jordan, UT-based CAO Group, Inc. has filed a lawsuit against BIOLASE in the United States District Court for the District of Utah, Central Division, alleging patent infringement involving BIOLASE's ezlase® diode laser. The only claimed novelty of the single asserted patent pertains to how excessive fiber is stored, and does not relate to the actual advanced design, features and functions of the ezlase. The lawsuit was filed by the plaintiff without first contacting BIOLASE, and as of today, the plaintiff has not served the complaint on BIOLASE.
Federico Pignatelli, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of BIOLASE, stated, "With close to 300 issued and pending patents, we are very confident in the breadth of our intellectual property portfolio, and in the strength of our laser technology. We are quite intrigued by this attack on BIOLASE, and we will fully and vigorously defend BIOLASE against any allegations levied by CAO which are without merit."
BIOLASE's ezlase is perhaps the most versatile diode laser available on the market today, and with more than 5,000 units sold, ezlase has become the trusted choice of dentists and hygienists around the world. In early 2007, BIOLASE received 510(k) clearance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to market ezlase. In December 2008, the Company received an additional FDA 510(k) clearance for tooth whitening, and in April 2009, the Company received a third FDA 510(k) clearance for pain relief and therapy with application in sports medicine, orthopedics, physical therapy and chiropractic medicine.
Pignatelli continued, "BIOLASE is an early pioneer in the field and this year proudly celebrates its 25-year anniversary. Its intellectual property portfolio is the cornerstone of laser technology in dentistry. Indeed, some of our competitors license our IP in their own laser products. CAO, an upstart newcomer to our esteemed industry, contends that the ezlase, which has been on the market for more than five years, infringes on what appears to be a narrow patent that received minimal scrutiny from the patent office. CAO and its director Densen Cao abandoned this patent in early 2008 and waited more than five months before claiming the abandonment was 'unintentional,' in an effort to revive it.
"CAO's diode is an inferior product manufactured in China," added Pignatelli. "It is costly, has less laser power and fewer features when compared to ezlase, and it also has a large physical footprint and unpleasant design. We believe CAO, who clearly cannot fairly compete with BIOLASE among the dental community, has instead turned to the court system with this lawsuit, which we strongly believe to be frivolous, in an attempt to exploit us and to try and achieve what it clearly cannot accomplish in the marketplace.
"We look forward to our day in court," continued Pignatelli, "and we are carefully exploring all options available to us, as our IP portfolio is quite comprehensive."
About BIOLASE Technology, Inc.
BIOLASE Technology, Inc., the World's leading Dental Laser Company, is a medical technology company that develops, manufactures and markets dental lasers and also distributes and markets dental imaging equipment, products that are focused on technologies that advance the practice of dentistry and medicine. The Company's laser products incorporate approximately 285 patented and patent pending technologies designed to provide clinically superior performance with less pain and faster recovery times. Its imaging products provide cutting-edge technology at competitive prices to deliver the best results for dentists and patients. BIOLASE's principal products are dental laser systems that perform a broad range of dental procedures, including cosmetic and complex surgical applications, and a full line of dental imaging equipment. BIOLASE has sold more than 19,000 lasers among 16,000 customers. Other products under development address ophthalmology and other medical and consumer markets.
For updates and information on laser and Waterlase dentistry, find BIOLASE at http://www.biolase.com, Twitter at http://twitter.com/GoWaterlase, and YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/user/Rossca08.
This press release may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of safe harbor provided by the Securities Reform Act of 1995 that are based on the current expectations and estimates by BIOLASE management. These forward-looking statements can be identified through the use of words such as "anticipates," "expects," "intends," "plans," "believes," "seeks," "estimates," "may," "will," and variations of these words or similar expressions. Forward-looking statements are based on management's current, preliminary expectations and are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the Company's actual results to differ materially from the statements contained herein, and are described in the Company's reports it files with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including its annual and quarterly reports. No undue reliance should be placed on forward-looking statements. Such information is subject to change, and BIOLASE undertakes no obligation to update such statements.
For further information, please contact:
Jill Bertotti
Allen & Caron
For further information, please contact:
Jill Bertotti
Allen & Caron
See all RSS Newsfeeds


text:
Fyi, i used to own a Vireo. It really doesnt work well. In theory, the idea sounds cool (use your down jacket for upper, and Viero for bottom). The reality is that too much head loss at open end of bag. Also, wind hitting upper half is source of major heat loss too. I sold it and bought this bag (see below) with the same overall fill weight/size. My lesson learned: having an overall enclosure of body within one bag kept the body heat inside one space (plus other clothes and down can fit inside too. Good luck and kind regards!
http://www.westernmountaineering.com/in ... e%20Series


text:
Offering a restaurant, Ehlathini Lodge is perched on a hill in Marken overlooking the bushveld and distant Waterberg mountains. Guests can relax in the tranquil setting and enjoy a refreshing swim in the rock-styled pool.
Each room here will provide you with a minibar. There is also an electric kettle. Featuring a shower, private bathroom also comes with a hairdryer and free toiletries. Extras include bed linen and a fan.
The African-themed Ehlathini Lodge features barbecue facilities and a te...rrace. An array of activities can be enjoyed on site or in the surroundings, including game drives, nature walks, birdwatching and golfing.
|Sandnek Gedeelte 1 Plaas Leerdam
South Africa


text:
have an ear to the ground
have an ear to the ground = keep an ear to the ground
be well informed about events and trends
The idea behind this phrase is that by putting your ear against the ground you would be able to hear approaching footsteps.
be all ears
be listening eagerly and attentively – informal
bring something about your ears = bring something down about your ears
bring something, especially misfortune on yourself.
dry behind the ears
mature or experienced
fall on deaf ears
(of a statement or request) be ignored by others
1990 - Ellen Kuzwayo - Sit Down and Listen – All efforts by her husband to dissuade her from wishing to leave fell on deaf ears
have his ear
have access to and influence with someone
1993 - Olympian - About 50 of the freshman congressman's constituents had his ear for more than two hours.
have something by the ears
keep or obtain a secure hold on
1949 - Dylan Thomas – Letter - I am tangled in hack-work. Depression has me by the ears.
have something coming out of your ears
have a substantial or excessive amount of something – informal
1997 - Daily Express - In terms of advice, Jill's had suggestions coming out of her ears.
in one ear and out the other
heard but disregarded or quickly forgotten
lend an ear = lend your ears
listen to someone sympathetically or attentively
listen with half an ear
not give your full attention to someone or something.
make a pig's ear of
make a mess of - British informal
This probably developed with humorous reference to the phrase make a silk purse out of a sow's ear.
make a silk purse out of a sow's ear
make a silk purse out of a sow's ear
turn something inferior into something of top quality
The observation that you can't make a silk purse out of a sow's ear has been proverbial since the late 16th century. There was an earlier version which featured a goat's fleece instead of a sow's ear.
out on your ear
dismissed or ejected ignominiously – informal
1997 - Accountancy - At the age of 47, he found himself out on his ear, victim of Lord Hanson's policy of taking over companies and replacing senior management.
set by the ears
cause people to quarrel
his ears are flapping
someone is listening intently in order to overhear something not intended for them – informal
turn a deaf ear
not pay attention to
pretend not hearing
up to your ears in
very busy with or deeply involved in – informal
wet behind the ears
immature or inexperienced
his ears are burning
someone is subconsciously aware of being talked about, especially in their absence
The superstition that your ears tingle when you are being talked about is recorded from the mid 16th century. Originally it was the left ear only that was supposed to do so.
have an ear to the ground :
have an ear to the ground To HOME PAGE
Idioms Index – Previous Page
Confused Words
What is NEW?
Search THIS Site
Nursery Rhymes
Beauties of English
Intermediate Level
Advanced English
Plain English
Your English Teacher
Business Letters
Difficult Words
Social Letters
Short Stories
English Poems
Poem Topics
TOP 100 Poems
English Songs
Famous Quotations
Business Dictionary
Related Links : have an ear to the ground


text:
Since a few of you asked about the G2's camera performance, I thought we would give you guys a quick sample of the images and videos that the phone produced for us. The T-Mobile G2 does not have the highest megapixel camera we have seen on an Android phone, but it does produced some pretty decent shots. Though if you've seen image samples from the Galaxy S, DROID Incredible, and DROID X, the image below might appear to be subpar.
We wouldn't recommend leaving your point-and-shoot camera at home when going on your next vacation, but the G2 should be able to do the job when you're in a pinch. So do the images live up to your expectations or will you pass on the G2 and wait for another Android phone that might have a better camera?


text:
A win in the Kentucky Oaks on Friday has Todd Pletcher halfway toward a milestone last achieved 61 years ago.
The trainer can accomplish the rare feat by winning the Kentucky Derby on Saturday, a goal that has required a lot of hours at Churchill Downs.
Pletcher will saddle a record-tying five entries in the 139th Run for the Roses — including Revolutionary, the early co-favorite at 5-1 with Goldencents after betting opened Friday. Pletcher had four fillies in the Oaks and saw his bid for history begin with 38-1 long shot Princess of Sylmar rallying down the stretch to win the $1 million race.
The trainer now aims to become only the fourth to pull off the Oaks-Derby double and the first since Ben Jones, who won the 1952 Oaks with Real Delight and Derby with Hill Gail. Jones also did it in 1949.
Asked after the Oaks if he's thinking about history, Pletcher said: "We're the only ones with a chance anyways."
Hall of Fame jockey Mike Smith is definitely pondering it, for Pletcher and himself. Smith rode Princess of Sylmar and will mount Palace Malice, trying to become the first rider to double since Calvin Borel won the 2009 Oaks aboard Rachel Alexandra and the Derby with Mine That Bird.
The scenario has crossed Smith's mind.
"We've done the first part," he said.
Borel will be trying to thwart the second part of that attempt aboard Revolutionary.
Whether the weekend ends happily for Pletcher or leaves him ready to move on to the Preakness in Baltimore in two weeks, the numbers give him a good chance to make history. But then, he's always had quantity at the Derby, where he's saddled 31 starters and won in 2010 with Super Saver.
Pletcher also has quality in Revolutionary, unbeaten Verrazano, Overanalyze, Charming Kitten and Palace Malice. The first three figure to make the biggest noise in the 19-horse field.
"We laid out a plan to get here with them, and it's all come down pretty much like we hoped," Pletcher said.
But as Friday's Kentucky Oaks showed, things work out for Pletcher even when the plans change.
Princess of Sylmar was expected to be a distant finisher behind 8-5 favorite Dreaming of Julia, in the race with 9-2 choice Unlimited Budget and 48-1 shot Silsita. Instead, she and Unlimited Budget helped Pletcher claim win and show in the Oaks thanks to a wicked stretch run from fourth to chase down Beholder.
Dreaming of Julia had a troubled start but recovered to finish fourth.
Princess of Sylmar earned the Oaks' second-highest payout at $79.60 behind Lemons Forever's return of $96.20 in 2006. Pletcher earned his third Oaks win after Ashado in 2004 and Rags to Riches in 2007. Both fillies went on to earn year-end championships.
"We're pleasantly surprised with her effort and her win," said Pletcher, who had considered not running Princess of Sylmar after a subpar early workout.
"She's a good filly — we knew that all along. We took her out of her natural running style last time. This time, she made that good run and got it done."
Pletcher now moves on to the Derby and a chance to achieve something that hasn't been done in more than half a century. That a long shot put him on the brink could be considered an omen, but he's worked hard to create some luck.
"I know Todd has a lot of the bigger players in the game," Princess of Sylmar owner and breeder Ed Stanco said. "I've been with Todd for 10 years, just one at a time. It's been a very well-planned approach to how to go to the races.
"We took our time with some smaller, not so successful (horses). To me, there's no better trainer that he can do this with this kind of filly."


text:
However, Milwaukee GM Doug Melvin said today in a conference call that the Brewers will try to retain the lefty who put them in the playoffs.
Sabathia, who was 17-10 with a 2.70 ERA, will command big bucks which lead to the conclusion the Brewers wouldn't challenge the market.
"At least we have a chance, whereas before, we wouldn't have any chance with a pitcher of CC's caliber," Melvin said. "I do feel we will make him an offer, and at that point, it will be in his court."


text:
Report published Nov. 21, 2012 in The Mexico Ledger
The North Callaway Ladybirds opened their season at home Monday night against a first-time varsity team from Father Tolton High School from Columbia.
The Ladybirds took a commanding lead from the beginning scoring 16 points against their opponent's 3 in the first quarter. In the final quarter they scored 20 points and were victorious by a score of 48-18.
Maddie Sorell was the only player from either team to reached double figures with 18 points, 10 of them coming in the fourth quarter. Jaida Gray and Tara Oberlag scored 9 points each for North Callaway. For Father Tolton, River Remis led the team with 9 points.
"We were very ragged at the start, but the girls started to put it together in the fourth quarter and came out with the win," said coach Jack Peace. He added the team knows what they need to work on for future games.
Next action for the Ladybirds will be Tuesday at Centralia.
North Callaway's junior varsity team also won 21-17, after trailing at the half 11-3. Taylor Biseman scored 14 points for North Callaway.


text:
10 Geeky Stocking Stuffers from The Container Store
We're not big fans of getting catalogs in the mail. It's a huge waste of resources, but occasionally, we have to admit, we discover new products we normally wouldn't find out about thanks to one of these paper bundles. Case in point, last week we received a mini catalog from The Container Store filled with inexpensive gifts for the holidays. To our surprise we found a lot of useful gadgets that could make a few people on our Christmas list very happy.
- For those of us who continuously knock our phones and digital cameras off our desks, the SmartGrip Pad ($10) originally made to be used in cars, could save a few LCD screens and camera lenses from being replaced.
- You know you have a friend whose keyboard is a petri dish of grossness. The biodegradable Cyber Clean ($8) is like magic Silly Putty that lifts dirt and grime from between keys and sucks dirts out of small crevices on trackpads. Plus it kills bacteria.
- Now for your friends on the opposite end of the spectrum, the Safety Touch is for germaphobes who can't even bear touching the ATM screen without gagging. Just don't mention all the dead skin cells that will probably collect within the silicone finger condom.
- Got crafty friends that often set up booths at craft fairs? During seasons when it gets dark early they need a way to keep the spotlight on their wares. The Tool Pro Work Light ($13) gives booths a glow without crowding craft tables.
- For anal pals who hate seeing a tangle of wires, even during those brief charging moments, the Plug-In Charging Shelf ($15) keeps cords wrapped up and phones easy to find.
- Sure, we make fun of our parents when they take out their reading glasses and flashlights to read menus at mood lit dinners, but we're totally sympathetic. We're thinking they would totally dig the Touch Lighted Magnifier ($8).
- For those who love to shoot in dark, dark places, the Personal Media Tripod ($20) lets them get a steady shot without using that darn flash!
- For kids who get scared of the dark, or those single ladies whose imaginations can get the better of them, the Mini Eco-i-Lite ($13) plays double duty as a nightlight and an emergency flashlight for when Jason shuts down the power before creeping into your house.
- For teenagers who'd rather plug in their earphones than listen to holiday family squabbles, the bobino Cord Wrap ($3-5) keeps oversized wires from getting tangled.
- Everyone fell in love with the Flip Clock, but the only way to appreciate it to its fullest is to make sure your smartphone is angled just so on your nightstand. The iStand ($5) props up smartphones, either vertically or horizontally, so you can peep the time while still snuggled in bed. Also great for iPhone FaceTime video calls.
Apartment Therapy supports our readers with carefully chosen product recommendations to improve life at home. You support us through our independently chosen links, many of which earn us a commission.


text:
Published at Sunday, February 04th, 2018 - 00:27:28 AM. Bathroom Interior. By Tiphanie Priscilla.
Hit to Read More
Choosing lighting is a crucial part of modern design style especially in the bathroom. There are plenty of lighting choices available to you. Modern design is all about lines and geometric shapes, so keep that in mind when shopping for light fixtures, windows, and placement of lighting. However, make sure to remember that the quality of the light is further more important than the actual light fixture. Skylights are great idea for modern bathrooms, because they add more natural light and interest to your bathroom.
When it comes to ceiling-mounted lighting, try not to skip it, as visibility means the world to your bathroom. If you prefer it to be more stylish than the regular, you can always add your favorite chandelier, a couple of scented candles, vapor-proof down-light paths, or focused shower cabin lights. However, not that the bathroom is usually small, so don't put too many fixtures. It is always better to pick the right one, and give it the attention it deserves.
Recent Post
Monthly Archives
Static Pages
About ⋅ Contact ⋅ Privacy Policy ⋅ Terms of Service ⋅ Copyright/IP Policy
Any content, trademark's, or other material that might be found on the Bean-leaf website that is not Bean-leaf's property remains the copyright of its respective owner/s. In no way does Bean-leaf claim ownership or responsibility for such items, and you should seek legal consent for any use of such materials from its owner.
© Copyright 2018 Bean-leaf. All Rights Reserved.


text:
Part of a position-by-position preview of where the Bears stand entering free agency on Tuesday.
Signed for 2015: Jared Allen, Lamarr Houston, Willie Young, David Bass, Cornelius Washington, Austen Lane, Jamil Merrell.
Expiring contracts: Trevor Scott.
Top-shelf free agents: Jerry Hughes, Jason Pierre-Paul, Greg Hardy.
Possible bargains: Adrian Clayborn, Darryl Tapp, Alan Branch, Jabaal Sheard, Cory Redding.
Position synopsis: After spending big at the position in free agency a year ago to land Allen, Houston and Young, the Bears...


text:
I got my Kestrel tattoo colored in a couple weeks ago by the mysterious R.G. I'm really happy with it, and though we are going to eventually add in some background- fall leaves and whatever, it feels like it's finished. R.G. is the best. I don't know why he's mysterious, he's not very mysterious actually, we just used to call him "the mysterious R.G." a long time ago. I like watching him work, I don't know a lot about tattooing, but to me he works like a painter, mixing colors on the fly, and working the needles like a brush.
We talked about what makes a piece of art timeless, be it a tattoo or a painting, but that's a tough question, and we didn't really find an answer. I like that about RG. He has a lot of integrity and is not afraid to question his own work. But you know you're going to get a good tattoo. I couldn't be happier with mine, I feel that nature tattoos done in a non gimicky way have a certain timelessness to them, but of course that's just one guy's opinion. As tattoo trends come and go maybe it's impossible to have a design that is timeless. Or maybe it doesn't matter in the grand scheme of things. In any case, it's one of the reasons I don't like designing tattoos. People ask all the time but it's just not in me.
I only have a couple of tattoos myself, so this was only the third time I've been needled. In the past I always thought I was a wuss, because both times I got all light headed and felt like I was going to pass out. The pain was never really bad, so I didn't understand why I'd feel like that. But now I know what was up. It was my blood sugar and the adrenaline rush you get when you're about to get tattooed. This time I tried drinking some soda and eating a bunch of cookies and I didn't have any problems. It was really nice talking to RG and his girl Gill, rapping about art and New York and Mead Valley. Good times.
Thanks RG...
So I got a new computer and while transferring over all the files I found about 30 images of my work tattooed onto people. I knew I had these but forgot about them. These are all images that were sent to me or I found on message boards. It's flattering but sorta weird at the same time. The robot stuff I was doing a few years back is the most popular theme, I don't know how timeless they will be but maybe by the time we start worrying about that we will all have blurry colored blobs on our arms anyway. All I know is my fans are awesome, and it's an honor to have my work permanently etched into their skin. Take a look...
|< Prev
|Next >


text:
Gatorland is flying high with its Screamin' Gator Zip Line, an aerial cable course that skirts the edges — and flies over animal habitats — of the theme park. Before the park's official opening Thursday, I was part of a preview group that dangled over alligators and crocodiles and zoomed through the treetops of the park, an Orlando mainstay on South Orange Blossom Trail since 1949.
I had burning questions and concerns — I mean, how high can a jumping Cuban croc jump anyway? Here's what I learned … and how the scariest part of the course doesn't even involve a cold-blooded animal.
But is it safe?
Several friends have said they aren't afraid of heights so much as the leapin' lizards, falling into the animal enclosures or the big breeding marsh. I can tell you that I felt secure in the harness, which is tethered twice to the pulley that glides along a cable, which is designed to hold more than 14,000 pounds. At every tower's jumping-off point, every zipper is checked by Gatorland's trained guides for "10 points of safety," which includes leg and shoulder straps, helmets and other key safety elements.
But is it secure?
The harness felt snug without cutting off circulation to the extremities. The staff helped us into our get-ups (and double-checked for security) before we made our way to the first of six towers Gatorland added for the course. They are in the style of the park's longstanding observation tower, which stands along the edge of the breeding marsh and isn't involved with the zip line.
The towers' stairwells are built wide and sturdy. You could have a small cocktail party on each one with room to spare. Color coding alerts riders to the points where they must be tethered before moving forward or upward. The towers do sway a smidge as folks zip to the next stop, but that's supposed to happen. It's a physics thing. Honest.
Most common mistake?
It's not getting turned upside down or getting stuck in the middle.
"People forget to look around. They get so fixated on the tower that's ahead of them." says Trevor Hildebrand, the chief operating officer of Montana-based Global Highline Adventures. "We built the course so that the guest doesn't have to come out and have any prior skills. They can come out and just enjoy themselves. They don't have to slow themselves down; the guides do that for you … All you have to do is look around and enjoy the scenery."
It's true. On the first zip line of the course, named the Gator Grunt Run, I stared toward my group members waiting on the next tower — and for the guide who catches zippers and unhooks them from the wire.
Lesson: Gravity is your friend
There's no engine or brake on the zip line. Your weight alone propels you toward the next tower. Upon exit, the group moves en masse up the tower stairs for a higher lift-off point. If, for some reason, zippers don't quite make it to the other side, the catcher is trained to scoot out and pull the stranded guest to safety.
No nipping at your heels
Let's face it, if the jumping Cuban crocs could achieve the air time to snap at you more than 30 feet above their heads, Gatorland would have a whole other show to compete with its longtime Jumparoo. When you look straight down at them, they appear quite unconcerned. Likewise when riding the 500-foot stretch that goes over the alligator breeding marsh.
You can look for gators in wait, but I suggest taking in the panoramic view of nature that's so, so Old Florida (try to ignore the strip center across the way). It's just Gatorland humor that this part of the course is referred to as "The Widow Maker."
The scariest part
The next-to-last segment doesn't go over water or reptiles or vast gulleys or muck. Nope, it's a swinging bridge, about 160 feet long, and it's over dry land and sidewalk and possibly other Gatorland guests. You're under your own foot power here, none of that just picking up your feet and gliding to the next destination. Let's just say it's wackily wobbly.
You are still tethered, of course, and there are wires acting as rails, and intellectually, you know that you'd sink maybe 6 inches if you lost your balance … but … still … yikes.
My group insisted that was a peacock to look at below, but honestly I was way too focused on putting one foot in front of the other and keeping a death grip on the wire — as did eight of our nine zippers. (Not counting the guide who brought up the rear and essentially sprinted across. Did I say "Yikes!"?)
Race to the finish
The final leg features side-by-side zip lines with the idea of racing back down to Earth. It's over water and called "Deliverance." These lines are at the front of the park and run parallel to the trail, so they serve double duty as an advertisement to passers-by. (Bonus hint: For more speed — or a competitive advantage — go for the line on the right.)
Screamin' Gator Zip Line
Where: Gatorland, 14501 S. Orange Blossom Trail, Orlando
When: Park hours are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Cost: $69.99 for Screamin' Gator, which includes admission to Gatorland. Reservations required.
Restrictions: Zippers must be at least 37 inches tall; zippers cannot weigh more than 275 pounds.
Phone: 800-393-5297
Online: Gatorland.com


text:
Zebra Z-Select 2000T. Colour of product: White, Print technology: Thermal transfer. Label size: 57 x 32 mm, Core diameter: 2.5 cm
Zebra offers labels in both direct and thermal transfer. Zebra's thermal transfer labels offer more durable, long-lasting results with resistance to abrasion, moisture, and chemicals. Zebra's direct thermal labels offer an inexpensive way to print paper labels, providing excellent print quality and use in a multitude of general-purpose applications.Zebra's thermal transfer labels are available in paper or synthetic formats.Zebra's thermal transfer labels are available in paper or synthetic formats. Paper labels are inexpensive, yet offer excellent print quality and can be used in a multitude of general-purpose applications. Synthetic thermal transfer labels are durable, long lasting, and resistant to abrasion, moisture, heat, tearing, and chemicals.Thermal transfer technology utilizes a ribbon and matching tag stock material to transfer an image onto the label material. For the best solution with long life requirements or harsh environments, use with a Zebra ribbon.Z-Select 2000TA thermal transfer premium, top-coated, white, ultra smooth paper label, with a permanent acrylic adhesive.Designed to provide optimal image quality; ideal for high-speed printing applications where premium print quality is importantRecommended for a wide range of applications including shipping, document tracking and healthcare.


text:
Have an account?
Need an account?Create an account
• Managed firewalls-Firewalls protect internal and external network borders by restricting the types of network protocols and traffic allowed across the network border. Firewall appliances, which the service provider manages remotely, include dedicated hardware and software platforms located on your business premises.
• Managed intrusion detection systems (IDSs)-Intrusion detection determines when inappropriate access to your network, systems, services, applications, or data has occurred or is underway. Intrusion detection services rely on network-based or host-based monitors, and often match monitored traffic or activity against profiles of known attacks.
• Managed IP-VPNs-VPNs are secure, end-to-end, private network connections over third-party networks, such as the Internet or extranets.
• Managed antivirus protection-This service most often involves checking for viruses at the gateway or firewall as well as in e-mail messages and attachments, and in file transfers. Automatic updates may be included in the service provision.
• Managed endpoint threat protection-This service detects and prevents anomalies from occurring on endpoint devices, such as desktops and servers.
• Managed authentication-Authentication monitors and directs processes and technologies to verify the identity of a user attempting to gain access to systems or applications.
• Managed content filtering-Filtering is used to isolate and block content deemed inappropriate by internal policies or regulatory policies.
• Vulnerability assessment-Involves security risk assessments, network scanning, and probing to reveal network, operating system, or application vulnerabilities in Internet-facing systems.
• Increased security threats-High-profile feats of hackers and intruders have heightened awareness of network security breaches and security risks. Managed security service providers have the manpower for 24-hour monitoring of the changing security landscape.
• "Day Zero" damage-Rapidly spreading attacks occur too fast for reactive products to halt them immediately. Managed security service providers have automated security systems with warning mechanisms and proactive capabilities.
• Growing use of Internet and remote access-As businesses increase their investment in the Internet, intranets, extranets, and remote access connectivity, they concurrently increase their exposure to network security threats. Managed security service providers can secure the full range of business connectivity options.
• Dynamic technology-Managed security service providers can acquire and keep pace with the latest network security technology. Small and midsize businesses often do not have these in-house capabilities, while enterprises can reduce the cycle of continually investing in new security technologies and training.
• Growing complexity of e-business models-Complex e-business models require complex network security solutions. Businesses are finding initial investment costs high for implementing security in house and costly maintenance requirements for adapting existing solutions. Out-tasking security services is one potential avenue for controlling and reducing IT costs.
• Lack of customer confidence-Business customers and partners understand the risks, and they are raising network security concerns. Managed security offerings can bolster perceived security of business extranets.
• Regulatory issues-Regulatory agencies have begun to require industries to improve network security postures by specific timeframes. Examples include the e-signature law, which makes online contracts with electronic signatures as binding as hard-copy versions, requiring comprehensive authentication capabilities; the Safe Harbor Agreement for compliance with data privacy requirements in the European Union; and the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) for healthcare organizations. Managed security service providers have experience meeting regulatory requirements.
• Reliability-The most important benefit of network security is reliability-businesses in today's marketplace cannot afford to take chances with their security coverage. A managed security service provider's reputation depends on delivering reliability day in and day out. Organizations require the 24-hour support and state-of-the-art expertise provided by out-tasking security services.
• Focus-Out-tasking security services allows an organization to focus its workforce, infrastructure, and IT resources on core business capabilities and strategic initiatives, while using the expertise and advanced technologies of a reliable managed service provider.
• Lower costs through economies of scale-Out-tasking security products and software, which can be costly and complicated to implement and manage, can decrease the total cost of network ownership. For this reason, managed security providers can deliver the latest technologies and expertise to their customers at a lower cost.
• Faster deployment-Managed security service providers are in the business of implementing network security solutions quickly and efficiently.
• Reduced IT costs-Managed security service providers can cut expenditures by offering financial and network performance guarantees through service-level agreements (SLAs).
Providing Network Security to a Global Nutritional Health Company
Decision Tree
• Organizational structure-Evaluate the types of offices and network infrastructure that your organization possesses. Consider your headquarters, branch, and remote offices-locally, nationally, and globally-LAN, MAN, or WAN networks; and mobile and offsite workforce, and the number of workers supported.
• Network access and availability-Inventory your bandwidth, application, and usage requirements for both internal and remote workers.
• Information assets-List your computer and server hardware, applications, and critical data.
• Industry requirement-Assess the industry-specific needs of your organization. For example, financial institutions and banks often incur greater network security risks.
Table 1 Assessing Your Network Security Profile
Small Business
Midsize Business
Enterprise Business
Figure 1 Decision Tree for Evaluating Networking Requirements and Managed Security Services
Table 2 Assessing Your Managed Service Provider
Access to network security expertise and the latest technological security advances
Excellent customer service
Compatibility with existing equipment
Protection of broadband Internet connection
Comprehensive managed security offerings
Consulting services
Processes and procedures to manage threats and incidents effectively and quickly
Flexible, individual offerings and security service bundles
Table 3 Out-Tasking Strategies
Business Strategy
Managed Security Services
Enterprise business
Enhance current security operations to effectively mitigate potential security risks and attacks
Protect information flowing in and out of organization
Proactively safeguard network
Small to midsize business
Extending Internet usage as a way of replacing or expanding existing WAN connectivity
Financial Analysis
• VPN services
• Business voice services
• Metro Ethernet services


text:
Expert Reviews
2011 Lincoln MKS
The Lincoln MKS is the marque's flagship luxury sedan. The MKS is a serious performer in the luxury sedan segment following upgrades for 2010 that included a new turbocharged engine and a brilliantly retuned suspension. A full-size sedan, the Lincoln MKS offers a choice of V6 engines and front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive.
The EcoBoost engine, a 3.5-liter V6 with two relatively small turbochargers that build boost very quickly, delivers 355 horsepower and 350 pound-feet of torque, and returns EPA-estimated fuel economy numbers of 17 mpg City and a highly commendable 25 mpg Highway. We discovered pressing down on the throttle moves the MKS with V8-like authority, with plenty of get-up-and-go from any reasonable speed, while still delivering fuel economy more in line with what would be expected of a V6.
The standard engine is a 3.7-liter V6 of 273 horsepower and EPA fuel economy figures of 17/24 mpg with front-wheel drive and 16/23 mpg with all-wheel drive. Each engine is matched with a 6-speed automatic with paddle shifters. The 3.7-liter engine is available with front drive or all-wheel drive, and the EcoBoost engine is available only with the all-wheel drive.
We found the Lincoln MKS a vigorous, big luxury car with a sporting heart. It will devour twisting country roads with poise and enthusiasm, delivering accurate, lively road feel that keeps the driver alert and thoroughly engaged.
The Lincoln MKS cuts a handsome profile. Its muscular, long body is trimmed with chrome highlights, giving it the flash of a thoroughbred American.
Inside is a roomy cabin, most notably in the rear compartment. The cabin design and quality materials, typified by elegant leather upholstery, confirm that this is an automobile for those accustomed to fine surroundings. The MKS offers the latest in technology.
The 2011 Lincoln MKS carries over largely unchanged, with only a few changes that involve technology. The available voice-activated navigation system now offers HD RadioTM technology; if a selected station is broadcasting with HD Radio technology, the system automatically picks up the signal and transitions to digital audio. And the Lincoln SYNC connectivity system, standard on the MKS, now integrates Traffic, Directions & Information with the voice-activated navigation system, giving hands-free access to personalized traffic reports, turn-by-turn driving directions, and up-to-date information on business, news, sports, and weather.
We found the big eight-inch display excellent and its systems easy to operate, which can't be said for some much more expensive German luxury cars. Personal CD photos can be loaded on the in-dash monitor. Local gas stations can be searched, arranged by nearness or price per gallon. During our time in the car, we followed the progress of a violent storm on an in-dash Doppler radar monitor, and pressing a couple of buttons displayed the five-day forecast. The system will play DVD movies with rich Surround Sound, and the touch-screen monitor takes running your iPod to new levels. Its voice-command system indicates this technology has moved beyond the gimmick stage.
Model LineupLincoln MKS ($41,270), AWD ($43,160); EcoBoost AWD ($48,160)
Walk Around
The presence of the MKS is pure Lincoln: bold, sturdy, impressive. This luxury marque has been busily searching its past design DNA for usable yesteryear styling symbols that will play well in the present. According to company stylists, the aggressive boat prow-like MKS grille recalls the classic pre-war Lincoln Continental; yet in the same gesture, they say, this stands as a symbol of the new Lincoln's aggressive thrust forward into the 21st century.
While appearing rock steady in profile, the Lincoln MKS has a dynamic stance that seems ready to pounce. And viewed from the rear on the interstate, this car has the imposing presence, in scaled-down form, of an ultra-luxury sedan. It makes generous use of chrome highlighting, supported by understated side sculpting in profile view.
The Lincoln MKS, with an overall length of 204.1 inches and dignified height of 61.6 inches, is a fully found luxury sedan that will earn its place in the rivalries of valet parking. However, as with many luxury sedans that aspire to sleekness (Jaguar sedans come to mind) its handsomely rounded forms leave the impression that it is smaller than it really is.
On the plus side, the air passing over the MKS at 70 mph flows smoothly and silently, contributing to both a quiet, peaceful commute and good highway fuel efficiency. When it's time to refuel, the Lincoln MKS features a refueling receptacle that eliminates the messiness of a gas cap.
Seated in the cockpit of the Lincoln MKS, its wide expanse of dashboard receding toward the windshield creates a sensation of lavish roominess. Our test car had a gleaming swath of dark wood running from one end of the dash to the other, its finish so bright indeed that we weren't sure it was real wood. It was.
The instruments were laid out handsomely, with softly cushioned surfaces and hand-stitched leather seams everywhere on the dashboard, as befits a luxury car. The steering wheel was wrapped in leather, with wood highlights, and its girth and grip felt perfect.
Big buttons on the center stack made operating the HVAC (heating/air conditioning) and audio systems easy. What felt less perfect was the switchgear, which lacked the tactile elegance and sturdiness one might have hoped for in this car. The buttons and switches and A/C ducting adjusters felt generic, as if they might be found on any Ford. Otherwise, the appearance and materials in the cabin were swank.
The Lincoln MKS benefits from the luxury of fine leather seating. The front seat cushion and particularly the backrest provide steadying lateral support. Both front seats have 12-way and lumbar power adjustments. The twin front seats are both heated and cooled, and the rear seats are heated. Long-range driving comfort is good and the fit and quality of the leather is excellent throughout. Visibility is similarly excellent from the driving position. The forward-leaning proximity of the headrest to the back of the head was a minor annoyance, but it is placed there for improved safety and cannot be adjusted.
The stepped gearshift controlling the SelectShift 6-speed automatic is simple and straightforward, and the paddle shifters, standard in the EcoBoost, are located on each side of the steering wheel, allowing full manual shifting. Fully automatic shifting is provided normally, but for curvier roads where engine braking will heighten control, the paddle shifts are invaluable.
The HVAC system provided generous torrents of cooling or warming air.
The navigation system features a bright, eight-inch screen. We found the navigation system a good companion to our test drive through tortuous, ever-changing two-lane backcountry blacktop. Industry-leading Lincoln connectivity allowed us to monitor the local weather in real time and stay in touch with the outside world. Returning to the traffic-challenged environment of urban Washington, D.C., we were easily able to sort out the traffic jams ahead and find the least annoying route to our destination. Touching the screen on a traffic jam revealed the cause. The navigation screen operated in both three-dimensional mode and map view. The three-dimensional view is fun for impressing friends (and prospective buyers), but not particularly useful and somewhat confusing.
The premium-quality THX II sound system and satellite-radio accessibility delivers superb concert Surround Sound. And using Ford's voice-activated Sync system, we were able to order changes in programming without moving our hands from the wheel. While parked, we watched clips from Star Wars crisply displayed on the screen and the fly-bys of the small, fighter ships were incredible over the 5.1 Surround Sound with crisp base and crystal highs. Likewise, the acoustical guitar and percussion on a live recording of the Eagles playing Hotel California was amazingly crisp and clear. These are benefits of the high quality of the system and the well sound-deadened cabin.
Second-row riders will enjoy the Lincoln MKS as much as those in the front row. The rear seats offer capacious ease of entry and segment-leading spaciousness. The rear-seat cushions, while soft and comfortable, are not terribly supportive, but the rear seatbacks more than make up for this lax support. The concave, radiused seatbacks are nicely sculpted, providing plenty of lateral support. We found them very comfortable for two adults. The center position is suitable only for a child.
Cargo space is generous. The actual volume is a respectable 18.7 cubic feet, but trunk access is via a tight entryway. When fully loaded with luggage, however, the Lincoln MKS should make an excellent grand-touring machine. A pass-through is provided for skis.
Driving Impressions
With the notable exception of the spirited Lincoln LS, which the MKS replaces, Lincolns have not been valued for their sporting character. But the Lincoln MKS, particularly with the EcoBoost powertrain, changes this dramatically. While delivering better highway fuel mileage than its non-turbocharged stablemate, the EcoBoost delivers 355 horsepower, and accelerating from any engine speed, the 350 pound-feet of torque on hand ensures immediate, vigorous response.
Ford's EcoBoost system eliminates the least hint of turbo lag, that annoying hesitation in many turbocharged engines before they begin generating power. In the EcoBoost, small water-cooled turbochargers that can respond extremely quickly are combined with a high-pressure fuel pump to ensure immediate power delivery. These turbochargers are designed for a life cycle of 150,000 miles.
With the EcoBoost engine, paddle shifters on the steering wheel allow the same degree of engine-speed control as would an old-style stick shift. However, operating the paddle shifters requires no exotic downshifting skills. Using the paddles well brings the Lincoln MKS platform fully to life.
Another exemplary quality of the front-wheel-drive Lincoln MKS is that it feels more like a well-balanced rear-wheel-drive sedan, with all four wheels planted and contributing firm directional guidance. The car exhibits no torque-steer, that unsettling sensation that occurs when strong acceleration causes the steering to pull left or right. The Lincoln MKS suspension delivers terrific agility and road feel. Combined with EcoBoost's standard all-wheel drive, standard, the Lincoln MKS is a comfortable, confidence-inspiring all-weather sedan with truly impressive performance.
The 2011 Lincoln MKS delivers first-rate interstate-cruising ability. It's a touring sedan that is hungry for the horizon, with the added benefit of sporty, enthusiastic feel on curvy roads. Add its first-rate creature comforts, and the 2011 Lincoln MKS is a genuinely enviable luxury vehicle.
The Lincoln MKS is a fine performance luxury car, and venturing deep into the realm of onboard connectivity gives it an interesting mix of strengths. With the EcoBoost V6 and great driving dynamics, the 2011 Lincoln MKS is a fine solution for discriminating luxury buyers.
Ted West filed this report to NewCarTestDrive.com after a test drive of the MKS near Washington.


text:
[Look for the podcast play button below.]
Porn is a hot button issue for most people. Everyone seems to have an opinion, but very few of those opinions come from more than gut reactions. To remedy this I've been bringing you periodic interviews with porn performers of note as part of this the Sex EDGE-U-cation podcast series. Because I think it's important to hear from real people in the business before we decide where we stand on adult entertainment.
Today I add to the list of porn luminaries who have already appeared on this show — Robert Black, Chris Yosef, Tony Buff, Luc Wilder, Madison Young, Bruno Bond and Lance Navarro. I have the pleasure of welcoming the oh so charming and refreshingly philosophical, Conner Habib.
If you know anything about gay smut, then I'm gonna guess that you already know our guest and his body of work. And if you don't you have a treat in store for you, because Conner is way more than what you see in his movies. He is here to add his unique voice to the ever-growing chorus of prominent educators, practitioners and advocates of unconventional sexual expressions and lifestyles that is this podcast series.
Conner and I discuss:
- Busting the porn star lifestyle myth;
- His website and companion blog;
- His studies in creative writing and organismic and evolutionary biology;
- Philosopher and performer;
- Sex and spirituality, the big disconnect;
- Being a gay porn star in academia;
- Making the world a better place;
- Radical acts of understanding;
- How he got his start in porn;
- Becoming Conner Habib;
- The "guy next door" persona.
Be sure to visit Conner on his kick-ass site HERE! Look for his brilliant blog HERE! And follow him on Twitter HERE!
Check out The Lick-A-Dee-Split Connection. That's Dr Dick's toll free podcast voicemail HOTLINE. Don't worry people; no one will personally answer the phone. Your message goes directly to voicemail.
Got a question or a comment? Wanna rant or rave? Or maybe you'd just like to talk dirty for a minute or two. Why not get it off your chest! Give Dr Dick a call at (866) 422-5680.
Look for all my podcasts on iTunes. You'll find me in the podcast section, obviously. Just search for Dr Dick Sex Advice. And don't forget to subscribe. I wouldn't want you to miss even one episode.
Today's Podcast is bought to you by: Fleshlight & FleshJack.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download


text: I fell in love with B.O.B with songs such as "Haterz Everywhere," "Generation Lost," And "Little Rascal," but now it seems that he's taken a more mainstream approach with songs such as "Nothin' On You". I still think that his rapping great on the songs he making but the cahvy beats and choruses are attracting a pop/pop rap audience.I convinced myself that it was just a few bad songs or he was trying something different but i think this song "She Can Get It" really sums up my point. http://www.xxlmag.com/online/?p=82613 . When i was told that he had a new song i was excited, but that really disappointing, it's really sad to see when i've supported him from day one.


text:
Mass. police: Bomb suspects didn't have gun permit
CAMBRIDGE, Mass. (AP) — A Massachusetts police official say the brothers suspected of bombing the Boston Marathon before having shootouts with authorities didn't have gun permits.
Cambridge Police Commissioner Robert Haas tells The Associated Press in an interview Sunday that neither Tamerlan Tsarnaev (tsahr-NEYE'-ehv) nor his brother Dzhokhar had permission to carry firearms.
He says it's unclear whether either ever applied and the applications aren't considered public records.
But he says the 19-year-old Dzhokhar (joh-KHAR') would have been denied a permit because of his age. Only people 21 or older are allowed gun licenses in Massachusetts.
The suspects were also accused of hijacking a Mercedes on Thursday night.
Haas says the pair didn't release the driver, but he escaped when he was left alone while the two men entered a convenience store.


text:
"The childhood obesity epidemic is clearly related to the extra calories kids are consuming today during snacktime," says Barry Popkin, Ph.D., professor of nutrition at the University of North Carolina School of Public Health. Even worse, experts say, this trend spans the ages -- from toddlers to teenagers.
Trouble is, these days kids aren't only snacking more often, but when they do, they also take in much bigger portions and more fattening foods and drinks. As a result, American children are consuming more calories between meals than they ever have.
Take a typical snack for a toddler: A small box of animal crackers and a 6.75-ounce juice box have some 350 calories -- about a third of the calories a 2-year-old needs in an entire day. Which adds up. On average, the typical American 2-year-old consumes about 1,250 calories a day. But he needs only 1,000.
A generation ago, says Popkin, kids got less than 20 percent of their daily calories from snacks. Today, it's about 25 percent -- and rising.
And when toddlers and preschoolers snack too often -- and on the wrong foods -- they're setting the stage for a lifetime struggle with their weight, and their health. "The roots of childhood obesity take hold between the ages of one and five," says William Klish, M.D., a pediatric gastroenterologist at Texas Children's Hospital in Houston.
Of course, babies are naturally chubby. But once a child starts toddling, by about his first birthday, he should slowly lose body fat and gain lean body tissue (mostly muscle) over the course of the next several years. When that doesn't happen, a dangerous cycle is set in motion. If a preschooler is allowed to become overweight, he'll develop too much body fat and won't accumulate as much lean body mass as he needs.
Without enough lean body mass, his metabolism will stall, and he won't burn as many calories, and as much fat, as he should. That, in turn, makes it physiologically easier for him to gain even more weight. The result? "In grade school he'll put on body fat more rapidly than other kids," says Dr. Klish. "If we let toddlers and preschoolers become overweight, on the whole we're condemning them to obesity in grade school and beyond."
Because here's the reality: Overweight kids tend to grow up to be overweight adults.
Robert A. Barnett, Parenting's health editor, is the dad of a 9-year-old girl and the author of several books on food and nutrition.
Changing bad habitsMany parents realize that their children should be snacking on more nutritious foods. It's just that with our busy lives, we don't know how, or where, to start.
Charlotte Bush, mom of Fiona, 16 months, of Williamsburg, Virginia, notices many kids downing fries and soda at the playground come snacktime. "I hear a lot of my mom friends say, 'I wish she would drink something other than soda.' And I think, 'Why did you give her soda in the first place?'" Tamara Zappa is also perplexed by other parents' food choices -- including her husband's: "He just introduced our two-year-old, Henry, to snack chips," says the mom from Phoenix. "But I think that's too young."
The problem is, once a child's unhealthy snacking habits are set, they can be very difficult to break. "We know that kids'eating patterns, tastes, and preferences form in the first two years of life," explains Margaret Bentley, Ph.D., a professor of nutrition at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill.
And snacking can become almost continuous, says Dr. Klish. "The minute a child is upset, bored, or tired, out comes that snack bag," he says. And so we parents succumb because, more often than not, we're just trying to survive that car ride or grocery-store run.
Kids' between-meal eating habits weren't always this bad. A generation ago, when a mom wanted to give her child a snack, she most likely had to prepare something -- spread peanut butter on bread or peel a banana. And a snack used to be a discreet event, usually consumed at the kitchen table. Not these days. "I feel like I can't leave the house without a stash of snacks," says Megan Gorman, a mom of two girls, ages 4 and 3, in Melrose Park, Pennsylvania. "I carry them in my purse, in the car, wherever I go. Like most moms I know, I've conditioned my kids to expect them whenever the first hunger pang hits."
And they do.
It's in the packagingDo kids even need to nibble between meals? Absolutely. Snacks are essential for children, say experts, because they have small stomachs. And since kids can't eat much at one time, they need to nibble more frequently. But whatever snacking your child does in the course of a day should provide only about 20 percent of her total calories.
Nutritionists recommend that toddlers get three snacks a day; preschoolers and school-age kids up to age 8, two; kids 9 and older, one. But even more important than how much children nibble on between meals is what they nibble on.
The first step, say experts: Stop thinking about snacks as something that's always prepackaged. That's because, in most cases, a prepackaged snack is sweet or salty -- in other words, calorie-packed. That should be called a treat.
And a treat should be a once-in-a-while sort of thing -- an ice cream after a Saturday-afternoon soccer game or a few cookies during a visit to Grandma's house, not something that your child expects every day after school. Says Zappa of her son, Henry: "His grandpa lets him have soda," she says. "And he gets to have some at restaurants on special occasions." But it's not every day.
Snacking how-to'sBecause between-meal munching often adds up to a substantial portion of young kids' diets, even small changes in what snacks you serve -- and when and how you serve them -- can make a big difference. In fact, you can alter a child's entire day's nutrients. Try to:
Serve more fruits and veggies. Kids don't get near the daily two to three cups of fruits and vegetables they should. "By replacing calorically dense snacks like chips and cookies with fruits and vegetables, you'll decrease the amount of empty calories your child takes in," says Dr. Klish. And you'll replace them with lots of vitamins and nutrients.
Children learn to love fruits and veggies when they're exposed to them early and often -- and they're a part of the whole family's diet. Make a habit of buying fresh fruits and vegetables in season, and taking a few minutes every day to wash and cut them up so they're easily accessible in your refrigerator. Add low-calorie dip for variety.When Theresa Andrikanich of Perry, Ohio, gives her 2-year-old daughter, Lauren, a snack, it's often fruit that's fun. "We'll create a smiley face with peach slices on the plate and grape quarters in the middle," she says.
"I cut up oranges, apples, carrots, and red and yellow peppers, and I put them out for my girls while I'm making dinner and they're having some downtime with a puzzle or video," says Maureen Boland, a mom of two, ages 7 and 1, in Cranford, New Jersey. "You'd be amazed how many fruits and veggies kids will eat when they're really hungry and the food's right in front of them."
Make him drink his milk... and he'll get much-needed protein, vitamins D and A, calcium, and magnesium. Fruit juices and sweetened beverages like soda -- which often replace the milk a child should drink -- are a major source of calories for young kids these days. Calories they don't need. Even 100 percent fruit juice should be limited to 4 to 6 ounces a day until your child is 7 years old, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics. For kids 7 and up, keep it to no more than 8 to 12 ounces a day.
Children between 2 and 5 should drink about 16 ounces of low-fat milk (1 percent or skim) a day -- that's four half-cup (or 4-ounce) servings. Kids over 6 should take in three cups daily. Encourage yours to drink it at mealtimes -- and have a glass with an afternoon snack (and water in between).
If you can't get him to drink as much milk as he should, be creative. Chocolate is fine. Try strawberry syrup. Or add fresh or frozen fruit in a blender to make a smoothie. Low-fat yogurt is another option: "My son loves the drinkable kind," says Linda Abraham, a mom of four in Great Falls, Virginia. "It's as good as any treat to him."
Low-fat cheese slices are a healthy dairy option as well. Pair them with apple slices for an apple-cheese sandwich.
Start a routine. To create some structure to eating habits, serve snacks at the table, at around the same time each day, and have your child sit down when she eats.
Kathy Feusse, a mom of three in Clearwater, Nebraska, gives her kids a snack every day at about 3 p.m. Many days, she'll do it while they're coloring. "I tell them, 'These are the choices you have now,'" says Feusse, "'and if they aren't good enough, then you can wait until supper.'"
Resist the urge to let your child spend the morning with a bagel in one hand and a sippy cup of juice in the other. Instead say, "Play now, and then you'll have your snack when you're ready to sit and take a break."
Let him get hungry. It's okay to teach your child that he can't be fed at a moment's notice or on every ten-minute trip. "Too often, parents expect that their children should never complain of hunger," says Dr. Klish. "But hunger is a normal thing. Your child can certainly wait an hour to eat."
Of course, he might gripe. But then he'll have a good dinner because he's hungry. And he just might be thirsty. So encourage him to drink water often between meals.
Serve kid-size snack portions. Most children under 12 need smaller amounts of food in between -- and during -- meals. But usually if you put a large amount in front of them, they'll eat it.
Offer your child small amounts, and if she's still hungry when she's done eating, then you can give her seconds. The key is, she's getting good nutrition -- and not empty, fat-packed calories -- when she does fill up.
Some sample servings for a child between the ages of 2 and 6: three or four crackers with a slice of cheese, or a sliced orange half with a four-ounce cup of low-fat yogurt.
Encourage him to eat right when you're not around. Of course, you can't control everything your child snacks on once you send him to preschool, for instance. But you can fill his lunch box with healthy snacks every day.
If you have a regular babysitter, talk about what's appropriate for daytime snacking. And make sure you have plenty of good-for-you options, such as raw baby carrots and mini-fruit cocktails, at the ready.
Think of the snacks your child nibbles on in a new way: as mini-meals; an opportunity to round out her diet with a variety of healthy foods she missed during mealtime. After all, the only time you'll have a lot of influence over what she eats is when she's little. So make it nutritious. And it just might get her snacking smart for a lifetime.
Kid-friendly snacksBesides apples and raw baby carrots, here are some nutritious options:
If your child needs more fruit, try giving him...
¨ö cup dried raisins, dates, or apricots*
¨ö cup fruit cocktail (packed in fruit juice)**
¨ö cup applesauce (no added sugar)
¨ö cup mashed bananas or berries with low-fat yogurt
1 baked apple
one 8-ounce fruit smoothie
If your child needs more vegetables, try giving him...
¨ö cup sliced sweet peppers, broccoli, or cucumber*
¨ö 1 cup raw snow peas**
¨ö 1 small sweet potato, microwaved
¨÷ cup avocado, sliced or mashed
¨ù cup tomato sauce with ¨ö cup whole-wheat pasta
If your child needs more protein, try giving him...
3 thin turkey slices**
2 to 3 tablespoons of hummus on 1 slice whole-grain bread
2 tablespoons peanut butter (thinly spread) on sliced ¨ö apple**
2 to 3 tablespoons white-bean spread on whole-wheat mini bagel
If your child needs more dairy, try giving him...
one 8-ounce glass of 1 percent milk (or whole for a child under 2)
¨÷ cup low-fat cheddar cheese
1 part-skim mozzarella stick (1 ounce)**
1 cup low-fat fruit yogurt
1 cup milk shake made with low-fat frozen yogurt
If your child needs more whole grains, try giving him...
1 slice whole-wheat toast with a pat of peanut butter or jam
1 slice whole-grain cinnamon toast
1 cup whole-grain cereal (dry) such as Cheerios, Kashi, or Wheat Chex
1 small whole-cornmeal muffin
1 cup whole-grain pretzels*
3 cups air-popped popcorn*
*For kids age 4 and up; **For kids under 4, cut up into pea-sized pieces


text:
Let's admit it ... kids love dirt, especially most boys. Getting a chance to get those little hands dirty during a family planting project can be pure heaven for some kids. Even if you haven't started a small garden yet this year, there is still time. For a very manageable little garden, try a patio herb garden where everyone can keep an eye on the growth and the need for watering.
It is best to buy organic seeds when possible, as there will not be any inbred pesticides in your plants. Let the kids help choose some of the plants or seeds and also the actual planting part. Explain that some plants need more sun than others, so that will affect your choices of what to plant.
Most children are not aware of the many herbs that are added to favorite food dishes, like thyme and oregano in their favorite spaghetti sauce. Try to let them know what the herbs you are planting will be used for and in what dishes perhaps.
Above is a photo of the chives planted last year that are blooming profusely. Aren't they beautiful?


text:
An exhibit of artwork from the faculty of the New England School of Art & Design
The theme "Imaginal" refers to the imaginary, to the image, and also to certain cells in butterflies that allow for metamorphosis and transformation.
The Adams Gallery is free and open to the public.
Reception: 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 20, 2014.


text:
The eclipse ez-lock gadget looks simple - how well does it work? I was thinking about making one - it seems to be made from the standard CL211 MK2 clamcleat with an extra bit bolted on the back. What diameter line is eclipse using (the cleat takes anything from 4-6mm I guess)?
Not sure is this is as good as a two-line stopper ball, but would work well on older bars which do not have a big enough hole for two lines.
Do any of the companies sell their movable stopper gadgets on their own?