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After two years of piloting the Springside Chestnut Hill Academy girls basketball team, Steve Purcell has resigned in order to accept a college coaching position. (Photo by Tom Utescher)

by Tom Utescher

Springside Chestnut Hill Academy is seeking a new head coach for its varsity girls basketball team this summer, due to the unexpected resignation of Steve Purcell.

The Blue Devils were 27-28 overall against challenging competition during Purcell’s two seasons with the team. SCH went 7-5 within the Girls’ Inter-Ac League each year, and last January Purcell became the first coach to lead the Devils to a victory against longtime league power Germantown Academy.

Just prior to coming to Springside, Purcell was an assistant coach for the successful Archbishop Ryan High School program under head coach Jackie Hartzell. On June 26, Hartzell was announced as the new head coach at the University of the Sciences in Philadelphia (USP), and she asked Purcell to rejoin her as she took the helm of the West Philadelphia franchise.

UPS is a member of the Division II Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference, along with Chestnut Hill College and Philadelphia University.

The SCH Blue Devils graduated only two players from their 2012-13 roster, and among the new additions will be a 6’1” freshman out of Norwood Fontbonne Academy, Chloe Burns.

Anyone interested in the coaching position should contact SCH’s director of girls athletics, Tina O’Malley, at 215-247-8015 or O’Malley noted that there are also two coaching vacancies for the upcoming fall season; upper school JV field hockey coach and upper school volleyball assistant coach.


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< Previous
  • 2012 COPO Camaros: Where are They Now

    Photo Credit: Bob Johnson

Next >

With the sales of the 2013 COPO Camaros on the books, Chevrolet Performance is bringing you an exclusive look at three of last year’s models in action. The 2012 COPOs have obviously made quite the name for themselves. And if you’ve had the rare opportunity to see just how well a COPO can perform in person, it’s easy to see why we decided to unleash another 69 for 2013.

COPO Camaros are tearing up drag strips all over the country, with the blower engines making it into the high 8s with minimal modification, and even 427s running in the mid 9s straight off the lot. They’re running up and down the East Coast in places like Englishtown, Maple Grove, and Charlotte; screaming up and down the West Coast in Pomona, Seattle, and Las Vegas; and of course racing at Indy for the NHRA U.S. Nationals and the Chevrolet Performance LSX Shootout.

With that in mind, Chevrolet Performance wants to give you an update on three high-profile COPOs on the circuit. We gave Dave Bridgewater and the Jimmy Vasser team a call to see what they’ve done with their respective COPOs, and how the cars have lived up to their expectations.

Dave Bridgewater (Devore, CA)

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  • Dave Bridgewater (Devore, CA)
    Dave Bridgewater (Devore, CA)
Next >

Photo Credit: Bob Johnson

Dave Bridgewater’s fate seemed sealed the moment the COPO was given the production green light. Bridgewater has a knack for collecting Stock Eliminator cars, especially Camaros. “I seem to keep acquiring cars,” he says with a chuckle. At any given time he’ll have four or five cars at his disposal for his campaign in the Stock Eliminator class. “I currently have five cars running, three ’69 Camaros, a ‘99 Firebird, and, of course, the 2012 COPO,” he explains. When the COPO was announced, it seemed like the perfect chance to expand his arsenal. “I signed up for it right away,” he says. “But I got a call later on letting me know that they were all sold out."

“When I went to the SEMA show last year and saw they were selling them again for 2013, I signed back up,” he continues. “Well, on December 18, I got a call from [Chevrolet Performance], and they said, ‘Christmas has come early here in Michigan.’” Bridgewater was informed that a prospective buyer of a 2012 COPO had backed out of the sale, and he was next on the list. He was, as you can imagine, ecstatic. “I told them to put it on a truck and go west,” he recalls.

Even though he didn’t originally order the car and wasn’t able to check the option boxes himself, he said the loved the car from the start. “It came with the 427 [cu. in.] engine in it, which is exactly what I would’ve ordered,” he says.

When it got off the truck in Bridgewater’s home state of California, it immediately went to testing. With the help of master engine builder, tuner, driver, and crew chief Paul Cannan, Bridgewater started getting the car ready for the strip. And on its first time on the track, the car proved its mettle, running a 9.81 at 142 mph, and covering 50 feet in 1.28 seconds. But after some tuning, adding a weight box, and adding a two-step launch control, he started seeing some real speed come out of it. “We ran a 9.69, 9.71, and 9.72,” he says. “Then we started getting into the chassis tuning.”

He also says that the addition of a new torque converter and a 3-speed automatic really woke the car up. “It’ll run one second under index real easy,” he adds.

All the tuning and modifications ended up paying off, with the car taking home its first Wally in Vegas. “The COPOs really are awesome cars,” says Bridgewater. “They’re deadly consistent. They put incredible power to the track. They’re extremely well built.” He says the most impressive part is the difference between the COPO and his ’69 Camaros. “This car traps at 145 mph, and the old cars will do 125,” he says. “that may not sound like much, but it’s an absolute thrill.”

With a #8 finish in the points in his old car last year, and the COPO already propelling him to #10 this year, Bridgewater has big expectations for this year. Other than the previously mentioned Wall-worthy appearance in Vegas, Bridgewater plans to run in Phoenix at the Winter National and divisional races, then back to Vegas where he took the class win last time to run in the nationals and divisional, and will be at Sonoma next for the divisional and national rounds. And, of course, he’s hoping to run in the world finals.

“This is looking to be the best year ever,” says Bridgewater. “The car is perfect, the driver just needs some work.”

Jimmy Vasser Jr. and Jim Vasser Sr. (Napa, CA)

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  • Jimmy Vassar Jr. and Jim Vassar, Sr. (Napa, CA)
    Jimmy Vassar Jr. and Jim Vassar, Sr. (Napa, CA)
Next >

If their last name rings a bell, it should. Jimmy Vasser Jr. made his name in IndyCar racing, winning the championship in 1996. Today, he owns a Chevrolet dealership in Napa, California, with his dad, Jim Vasser Sr. “My dad’s always been a hot-rodder,” says Jimmy Jr., adding his father is the reason he got into racing in the first place. “So when I saw the COPO, I said, ‘That’s a pretty cool car’ and told him about it.”

“He called me up and said, ‘Hey, Dad, you’ve got to check this thing out,’” adds Jim Sr. “I quit drag racing in 1970, but when I saw the car I thought this was the car to get me back into it.”

Since Jimmy Jr. only runs Chevrolet engines in his IndyCars, he knew he had to get himself on the list. Fortunately for Jim Sr., he did, and the Vassers were soon in possession of their very own COPO.

Jim Sr. wouldn’t do anything with the car if it wasn’t full-bore, though. So he ordered the car with the Collectors’ Package, an option that shipped one of each of the three engines available for the car — all with matching serial numbers — that allowed the drag racing team to fine tune each one. “Our goal is to represent the family out there,” says Jim Sr. “We’re not here to play around. So if we’re going to race it, we’re going to make it fast.”

The car was delivered just a few days before last year’s U.S. Nationals. “We ended up renting out a strip in Indianapolis a couple times so we could get a couple test runs in to see what it could do,” says Jim Sr. Then it was time to get it on the track. “The car ran pretty good in Indy,” adds Jimmy Jr. “It won a couple rounds, but didn’t win the whole thing.” No one expected it to straight from the Oxford factory, but it wasn’t expected to run so well either. With the capability of the car realized, it was time to start really exploring the limits of the speeds the COPO can reach.

The team started honing in on the 327 cu. in. with the 2.9L supercharger to take on the BB/SA NHRA class. “It ran 9.50 right out of the box, which we liked, so we started building it out.” With the help of engine builder Rick Waters, the team put a 3-speed automatic in, and built the engine three times over, exploring everything possible within the Stock division rules. “We haven’t run this last [engine setup] yet, but it’s going to be fast,” says Jim Sr.

It must be, because the Vassers say that the latest engine combination has managed to run a 9.03 at Sonoma, covering 50 feet in 1.23 seconds, and passing the traps at 149 mph. “The car is absolutely amazing,” says Jim Sr., saying that team driver Eric Reyes comments on how straight and true the car runs. “I can’t believe how well it handles,” Jim Sr. adds.

If you want to see the King Kong COPO yourself, the Jimmy Vasser Chevrolet Racing team will give you plenty of opportunity. The team plans to run in Sonoma, California; Woodburn, Oregon; Seattle in both the national and divisional rounds; Las Vegas in the national round; Pomona; and back to Vegas for the divisionals. Of course, the plan is then to make it to the nationals in Indianapolis. But the Vassers know that a lot of work will be the only way to realize that goal.

“For an old guy, I’m intense,” says Jim Sr. “And I believe talk is cheap.”

“We got to make it happen,” concludes Jimmy Jr.

Since we love our FUEL readers so much, we figured we’d give you some bonus content, free of charge. So we put together a downloadable wallpaper showing just where next year’s class of COPOs ended up, and how they were specced out.

< Previous
  • 2013 COPO Camaro
    Download the desktop wallpaper
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2014 Silverado

Tow Anything Efficiently: The 2014 Chevrolet Silverado

An LSX for Anything: Check out the Portfolio

427 COPO Engine

JR Hildebrand Goes Drifting with a 427 COPO Engine

2013 Hot Rod Power Tour

2013 Hot Rod Power Tour Image Gallery

Chevrolet Performance Catalog

Download the Latest Chevrolet Performance Catalog

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Join the Most Octane-Infused Community on the Web

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Destination Freight Charges

To allow you to do an accurate price comparison with prices featured on other Internet sites, GM provides Internet pricing both with and without the Destination Freight Charge (see prices including Destination Freight Charge below). To get full pricing details, go to our Build Your Own section.

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Wednesday, July 20, 2016

This Week's Crain's - January 27, 2014

  • The revolution in Chicago's ad industry

    Chicago's advertising industry exploded in the last century. But the next ad revolution is upon us, and these six executives are putting a new face on an old business.

  • PrivateBank's new customer: Other banks

    Six years after the financial crisis dried up credit for community banks, PrivateBank & Trust is stepping into the breach, aiming to claim the crown once worn by LaSalle Bank.

  • Graphic
    Moving day

    Spurred by several high-profile office moves to downtown Chicago from the suburbs, Studley studied four years of migration patterns. The results may surprise you.

  • How Google is pushing beyond search ads

    After four years in the upper echelon of DraftFCB, one of Chicago's most venerable old ad firms, Karen Sauder jumped ship for Google, a company with roots dating to . . . 1998.

  • How social media made PR relevant

    Early in Paul Rand's career, PR struggled to be taken seriously. But as social media gained influence, PR has ascended, putting Mr. Rand's young agency, Zocalo Group, in high demand.

  • How 'real life' marketing avoids the spam filter

    When Scott Moller and Julie Guida launched their firm 25 years ago, they didn't think they were ahead of their time. Today, they're top dogs in the world of experiential marketing, the tactic du jour for megabrands.

  • The fundraising scare that turned into a business

    Brian Lauterbach almost lost his consulting job, when he spent $210,000 on a donations campaign that raised all of $1,700. That near miss led to DonorPath, a for-profit firm he launched in December 2012 to help nonprofits spend less to raise more.

Business of Life

  • Correction

    Jim Rice is interim president of Jewel-Osco. The company's top executive was misreported in Crain's Jan. 20 list of Chicago's largest employers.


text: The famed and former Pump Room Saturday night was the end of an era and the last night at the Pump Room as we’ve known it.  Nan Mason performed with her husband, Terry Higgins, to an appreciative and nostalgic crowd.  Everyone was sharing memories and stories of this historic spot.  It’s future is uncertain.  The... Read more »


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Inspired by a few amazing people in recent months, I am committed to writing about local and global individuals who are dedicating their lives to change the lives of others. From nonprofit organizations to super parents, a ripple effect of kindness is making a significant change to the whole world. But what can we do... Read more »


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Timothy Christian HS Cheerleaders – IHSA Sectional Champions

The Timothy Christian High School Competitive Cheerleading squad recently won the IHSA Small School Sectional championship at Riverside-Brookfield High School. The girls, coached by Cheryl Jokich and Aaron Armstrong, edged out Wilmington High School by earning a score of 84.33 from the IHSA judges. They will now compete for the IHSA championship at Cellular One Arena in Bloomington.

Copyright © 2016, Chicago Tribune


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Call us now ! Send us an email Reigel St Lake Charles United States

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Call Us Today!
(337) 562-1200
Call Us Today!
(337) 562-1200

Child Development Training Center

child development center
As your training mentor, I will guide you in the CDA process. Get your 120 hours that are needed for your CDA certification now! Graduate within five months!
Welcome to the best steps to changing and advancing your life while moving your career forward.
Once you receive your CDA, you will get $1,500.00 each year on your Louisiana tax return, possibly receive more money on your job, get a promotion or become a director of a child care center.

You may work at the following places or positions:

  • Lead Teacher at Child Care Center
  • Head Start Program
  • Summer Camps
  • Own Your Own Center
  • Teacher Assistant in the Public School System
Most important, receiving your CDA will make you feel good and have confidence in yourself as a trained early childhood educator. We will have classes every other weekend on Saturday and Sunday.
  • Saturday: 1:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
  • Sunday: 2:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
  • Total cost of training center: $400.00 each student and a $18.00 binder fee (you may pay $80.00 a month or $40.00 every two weeks)
  • You will graduate in five months.
  • Classes will start every spring, summer and fall. Call for dates.

You will receive 120 clock hours of training on formal child care education, covering the growth and development of children from birth to three years of age. We will complete your CDA binder that’s needed to move forward in the CDA process.

“As your training mentor, I will guide you in the CDA process.”

A little information about your mentor:

  • Certified CDA Development Specialist #P42161594.
  • Louisiana Pathways Class Trainer #I-6061320 Trainer, Level II.
  • Started as a CDA Advisor in 2011.
  • Owner and Director of a childcare center for over 13 years.
  • CDA in Infant/Toddler
  • Graduate of Northwestern State University–Bachelor of Science Degree in Child Development and Family Relations.

Call Us Today At (337) 562-1200

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Screening for maternal depression as part of comprehensive asthma care for homeless pediatric patients

R Grant, S Bowen, L Lynch, A Shapiro, I Redlener. Third International Conference on Urban Health, Oct 2004 Poster. Abstract published in, Journal of Urban Health. 2005. Volume 82, page ii47.

Identifying food insecurity in homeless families

P Darby, E Fassberg, P Sherman, R Grant, I Redlener. American Public Health Association, Oct 2001 Poster

Homeless street youth: The foster care connection

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Children's Health Fund - Health Care and Advocacy for America's Most Vulnerable Children - investments en Stocks & Securities

If you own stocks, bonds, mutual funds or other assets, it may be advantageous to make your gift directly in the form of securities rather than cash. An outright gift of long-term, appreciated securities is exempt from capital gains taxes, and you receive a charitable tax deduction at the fair market value of the securities.

For more information or to make a gift, call Tatjana Richardson at 212-452-3340.
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And now the real wedding was held, and held in such a way that it was heard of and spoken about all over seven kingdoms. The King and his bride drove to church, and Little Snow was in the carriage too. When the blessing was given they went home again, and after that I saw no more of them.1
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China Daily Website

Outbound investment strategy needs to be revamped

Updated: 2013-01-07 13:17
By Zhang Huanbo ( China Daily)

Outbound investment strategy needs to be revamped

Approval process is complicated, inefficient

Since the global financial crisis broke out in 2008, China's outbound direct investment has grown rapidly. The country now has the fifth-largest volume of outbound capital flow.

From January to November last year Chinese domestic investors pumped direct investment worth $62.53 billion (48 billion euros) into 3,596 foreign companies in 130 countries and regions. The amount invested grew 25 percent over the course of a year.

Compared with developed economies, China's outbound direct investment is still relatively low, and there is great scope to develop. Till 2010 the country's outbound direct investment was only 6.5 percent of that of the US, 18.8 percent of UK's, 20.8 percent of France's and 22.3 percent of Germany's.

Chinese outbound investment covers a wide range, mainly focusing on industries such as manufacturing, wholesale and retail, rental and commercial services, construction and mining. That makeup is unlikely to change greatly this year.

Manufacturing will still be the main force of investment. China's manufacturing industry is faced with limitations caused by resources, markets and environment. Acquiring foreign companies to gain new technology and high-tech products, and to link up with well-known brands to have greater market share, is a practical way of nurturing new competitiveness in these industries. Acquisitions are a practical way for Chinese manufacturers to go global.

The energy resources industry will continue to be the choice of many outbound Chinese companies. Since China joined the World Trade Organization, most Chinese companies' overseas investment and acquisition has been in energy and natural resources industries. That is a result of China's rapid economic development, which needs a stable raw material supply. The expansion of Chinese resources companies internationally has also brought employment opportunities to the target markets.

Chinese energy companies need to do extensive research on target markets before they act, getting to know the local investment environment, laws and regulations. In some derdeveloping countries, political risks need to be considered, too.

This year retail companies will pick up pace in going overseas. Consumer goods markets and catering chains are two of the main categories of Chinese retail companies' that could expand overseas. After establishing themselves, such companies will do business in both wholesale and retail.

The big opportunities for Chinese retail companies are in developing countries, where commercial business remains relatively undeveloped and where demand outstrips supply.

The Ministry of Commerce, in its guidelines on promoting the development of retail industry over the 12th Five-Year Plan (2011-15), said it will support the development of overseas commercial facilities to promote retail companies expanding overseas.

In doing so, consumer goods and services exports will be stimulated, and Chinese brands will be able to build their brand images.

Of course, Chinese retail companies will need to choose the most suitable overseas markets to enter. The government should support big retail companies to set up retail terminals and logistics centers in overseas markets so they can build up an integrated overseas sales network. Small and medium-sized companies may choose to stick together to form retail groups, drawing on the advantages that such an approach brings.

As for service industries, breakthroughs are on the cards this year. There is huge demand in the international services industry because of the large gap between developed and developing countries in people's income and purchasing power.

Compared with manufacturing, the threshold for service industries in entering a foreign market is much lower, and with less government intervention. In addition, both the level of investment and the risks involved are low.

The competitiveness of the services industry and its products lies in low prices and specialties, which are exactly what Chinese companies are good at. That means that as a business proposition, going international is highly realistic for Chinese service industries.

The experience of developed countries suggests that if service industries go into overseas markets before other industries, they can provide information and financial services to many other industries - the key to success of any overseas investment.

Industries such as finance, real estate, transport and telecommunications should redouble their outbound investment efforts. It is especially urgent for associations, think tanks and consulting organizations to go global first so they can provide information services for companies from other industries.

As globalization continues apace, capital, resources and technology are being distributed on a huge scale, meaning China's economic development will be increasingly reliant on the global environment and its resources.

There is great investment potential in Africa and South America. Countries there are mostly developing ones, but with great potential. Natural resources and labor are abundant, too, providing great investment opportunities.

The development potential of Africa provides particular scope for investment for Chinese companies. A long history of cooperation between China and Africa together with government policies provide good incentive for Chinese companies to invest in the continent.

Africa is rich in mining resources, and large quantities of land, forestry and water resources are yet to be developed. Land prices are relatively low, and labor is abundant. Tourism resources are there to be explored, and infrastructure needs to be built on a wide scale.

On top of all of that, the Sino-African dialogue has provided immense opportunities on both sides.

In South America, resources and energy investment potential is also large. Most of these countries are developing rapidly and have stable governments. Natural resources including oil, natural gas, minerals and woods are in abundant supply, yet the economies are still relatively undeveloped.

In addition, Africa and South America have great investment opportunities in industries such as electricity generation and infrastructure, transport, telecommunications, ports, resources and mining.

Meanwhile, ASEAN countries are becoming increasingly important for Chinese investors. As emerging economies, the ASEAN countries are enjoying a higher economic status worldwide.

Finance, mining, electricity, gas, manufacturing, construction, wholesale and retail, rental and commercial services, transport, logistics and postal services are all industries in ASEAN countries that are worth investing in.

Developed countries in Europe and North American are the ideal markets in which advanced technology can be absorbed. Chinese companies can take themselves into such developed markets through holding stakes. They can then nurture their companies with advanced management and company cultures, absorb technology and arm themselves with innovative know-how.

In recent years China has made great efforts in supporting companies that want to go overseas. Most of these efforts are paying off, with an increasing number of domestic companies making their presence felt abroad.

However, Chinese companies still face some problems while trying to expand overseas.

For example, China's approval process of outbound investment projects is unnecessarily complicated and inefficient. And Chinese companies mostly go it alone in overseas markets. The lack of support systems for Chinese companies overseas has made it more difficult for them to survive in a foreign environment. On the other hand, think tanks and industry associations, which ought to have been going global before companies, have failed to do so.

With an increasing number of companies going out, it is essential that the overall outbound investment strategy is changed. The government, companies and intermediary organizations should live up to their responsibilities, and a coordinated, well-structured, transparent and efficient outbound investment framework should be established.

The author is a researcher with the China Center for International Economic Exchanges. The views do not necessarily reflect those of China Daily.


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Home China Guide Beijing Tips & Articles Best of Beijing Visiting Beijing Parks on a Budget

Visiting Beijing Parks on a Budget

Praised as one of the hottest tourist destinations in China, Beijing is of great historic, cultural and natural value. Apart from the imperial palaces, ancient temples and comprehensive museums, some parks at low prices (lower than 50 yuan) are great places for strolling, relaxing, and also sightseeing.

China Highlights has listed the best 10 parks requiring a low entry fee, so that you can make a selection based on your itinerary. The information for each park includes a brief introduction, ticket price, transportation details and opening hours. The parks are listed according to the ticket prices from the lowest to the highest.

Any specific interests while you are touring in Beijing? Contact us for customizable tours of Beijing or see our popular Beijing tours with top tour guides by China Highlights.

1. Jingshan Park

jingshan park

You can overlook the city of Beijing on the summit of Jingshan in the park, because it is located on the central point of the south-north axis of Beijing, facing the north gate of the Forbidden City.

Vigorous cypresses are planted widely in the park, creating a quiet and solemn atmosphere with the golden-glazed ancient pavilions.

Activities: In May each year, more than 20,000 peony roses are displayed in the park. You can be overwhelmed by the flower blossoms' ocean and have a unique tour in Jingshan Park.

  • Ticket price: 2 yuan (this does not include the exhibition entrance fee)
  • Bus: Take bus 5 and get off at Jingshan Houjie Station (景山后街); bus 111 and get off at Jingshan Dongmen (Jingshan South Gate 景山南门); 101, 103, 109 or 814 and get off at Gugong (the Forbidden City 故宫).
  • Subway: Take Subway Line 5 to Dongsi Station (东四), get out at Exit C; and then take bus 101, 103, 109 or 814 to Gugong (the Forbidden City 故宫).
  • Open: around 6am–7pm

2. Ditan Park (Altar of the Earth)

temple of the earth

Similar to other parks in China, the natural scenery in Ditan Park is beautiful. Together with a number of ancient buildings, the park looks peaceful. Verdant trees in spring, sparkling lakes in summer, golden foliage in autumn, and dreamlike snow scenery and a busy temple fair in winter, make Ditan Park suitable for sightseeing, but also for experiencing culture.

Activities: The temple fair is held in Ditan Park during the Spring Festival every year, from 9am to 5pm. You can witness a series of Chinese traditional activities (including Chinese operas) and taste Beijing's traditional snacks (like sugar-coated haws) here. The entrance fee for the temple fair is 10 yuan.

  • Ticket price: 2 yuan
  • Bus: Take bus 18, 75, 104, 108, 113, 119, 201, 328, 407, 426, 430, 558 or Te2 (特2) to Ditan Ximen (West Gate of the park) Stop (地坛西门); 117 or 125 to Ditan Dongmen (East Gate of the park) Stop (地坛东门).
  • Subway: Take Subway Line 2 or Subway Line 5 to Yonghegong Station (雍和宫), and take Exit A.
  • Open: 6am––9pm

3. Taoranting Park (Joyful Park)

Situated in Xuanwu District and occupying a large area and water surface, Taoranting Park, also named Joyful Park, is a historical and cultural park combined with ancient-style and modern designed buildings.

Taoran Ting, the best attraction in the park, is listed as one of China's famous historical pavilions, along with Aiwan Pavilion in Changsha, Zuiweng Pavilion in Chuzhou, and Huxin Pavilion in Hangzhou. The China Garden of Famous Pavilions, which contains 36 ancient pavilions, is a must-visit attraction in the park.

Activities: The Taoranting Park Temple Fair is one of the busiest and most popular temple fairs in Beijing and is held during the Spring Festival every year. Lots of Beijing snacks, traditional performances and other interesting gadgets can be found there.

  • Ticket price: 2 yuan
  • Buses: 14, 40, 59, 66, 70, 102, 106, 603 or 613 to Tai Ping Jie (太平街) or Taoranqiao Bei (陶然桥北); 53, 63, 72, 84, 122, 458, 800, 927(区), 958, 997 or 特3 to Taoranting Gongyuan Nanmen (陶然亭公园南门); or 40, 59, 213 or 613 to Taoranting Gongyuan Beimen (陶然亭公园北门).
  • Open: 6am - 9:30pm (China Garden of Famous Pavilions: 9am - 5pm)

4. Yuyuantan Park (Jade Lake Park)

Yuyuantan Park covers a large area and water surface in the Haidian District, beside China Central Radio and Television Center and Chinese Century Altar. Cherry Garden, Liuchun Garden, Zhongshan Garden and Ancient Pine Forest are the main attractions in the park, which paint a great natural landscape picture in the park.

It is one of the docks of popular water tour routes in Beijing. Visitors can start from Kunyu Dock located at the northern bank of Bayi Lake in Yuyuantan Park, passing through China Central Radio and Television Tower, Beijing Water Park and China Century Monument to the Summer Palace.

Activities: The Cherry Blossom Festival is celebrated in Yuyuantan Park in spring (from late March to the end of April) every year. Yuyuantan Park is one of the best places to see flowers in Beijing.

  • Ticket price: 2 yuan; 10 yuan during the Cherry Blossom Exhibitions
  • Bus: Take bus 114, 320, 717 or 727, and get off at Yuyuantan Station (玉渊潭); 13, 21, 37 or 65 to Xicheng Sanlihe Station (三里河); 300, 323, 374 or Te8 (特8) to Bayihu Bei Station (八一湖北) or Fucheng Lu Station (阜成路).
  • Subway: Take Subway Line 1 to Military Museum Station (军事博物馆).
  • Open: December–March: 6.30am–7pm; April–May, September–November: 6am–8.30pm; June–August: 6am–9.30pm

5. Zhongshan Park

Zhongshan Park was built in honor of the great revolutionist Sun Yat-sen, who is considered as the "father of modern China". It is located in the south of the Forbidden City and west of Tian'anmen Square with convenient transport conditions. Many ancient buildings can be found in the park, including the 'Altar to Land and Grain' and the 'Peace Safeguarding Arch'.

The beautiful natural landscapes in the park, consisting of small lakes and ancient pavilions, greatly interpret the concept of a classic Chinese garden.

Activities: The Spring Flower and Tulip Blossom Festival is held from early April to early May. Visiting Zhongshan Park in this period is best due to the gorgeous flower blossoms and comfortable weather.

  • Ticket price: 3 yuan; 5 yuan (including Tanghuawu and Etiquette Rehearsal Pavilion); 10 yuan during the Spring Flower and Tulip Blossom Festival (from April 10th to May 10th)
  • Bus: Take bus 4, 5, 10, 22, 37, 52, 726, 802 or Te1 (特1) to Zhongshan Gongyuan (Zhongshan Park 中山公园).
  • Subway: Take Subway Line 1, and get off at Tiananmen West Station; take Exit B.
  • Open: 6am–9pm

6. Chaoyang Park (Sun Park)

Possessing more than 20 scenic spots and being the venue for some beach volleyball, Chaoyang Park is one of the most comprehensive parks in Beijing. This park not only has a large collection of beautiful natural landscapes, but is also a big modern business area.

Blue Harbor, the first lifestyle shopping center in China, consists of shopping malls, exhibition halls, restaurants and funny rides for children.

Activities: A number of festivals (like the 'Europe Cultural Exhibition') and exhibitions are held in Chaoyang Park every year, which attract thousands of visitors.

  • Ticket price: 5 yuan
  • Bus: Take bus 31, 117, 302, 350, 406, 419, 431, 729, 731, 750, 758, 973, 976, 984 or 988 to Chao Yang Gong Yuan Qiao Xi (朝阳公园桥西); 419, 852 or 985 to Chao Yang Gong Yuan Xi Men (朝阳公园西门); 628, 740, 973, 976, 988, 991 or Yun Tong 111 (运通111), and get off at Chao Yang Gong Yuan Dong Men (朝阳公园东门); 402, 418, 420, 757, 852, 909 or Yun Tong 107 (运通107), and get off at Chao Yang Gong Yuan Bei Men (朝阳公园北门).
  • Subway: Take Subway Line 10 to Tuanjiehu (团结湖), and take Exit C.
  • Open: March 15th – November 14th: 6am–10pm; November 15th – March 14th: 6am–9pm

7. Fragrant Hills Park (Xiangshan Park)

Fragrant Hills Park is a large-scale park with a huge covering of mountains and forests. Lakes and ancient buildings are interspersed between the mountains.

Best time to go: Autumn! You can be shocked and overwhelmed by the strenuous mountains blanketed by foliage. Numerous travelers come to Beijing with the main purpose to appreciate the golden leaves as Fragrant Hills Park is one of the most famous and best places to see foliage.

Top things to do: Photography and hiking.

  • Ticket price: November 16th to March 31st: 5 yuan; April 1st to November 15th: 10 yuan; 10 yuan for the Biyun Temple
  • Bus: Take bus 318, 331, 360, 696, 698 or 714 to Xiang Shan (香山).
  • Subway: Take Subway Line 4 to Beigongmen (北宫门), and take Exit A. Then transfer to bus 331 or 696 to Xiangshan (香山).
  • Open: 6am to 6.30pm (April 1st–June 30th); 6am to 7pm (June 1st–August 31st); 6am to 6.30pm (September 1st–November 15th); 6am to 6pm (November 16th–March 31st)

8. Beihai Park

beihai park

Located to the west of the Forbidden City and Jingshan Park, Beihai Park is one of the best-preserved imperial parks in the center of Beijing.

More than half of the area is taken up by a large lake, where lots of travelers go boating in the summer and skating in the winter. The White Pagoda on the mountain beside the lake is the symbol of this park, which offers a vantage point with a beautiful view of the whole park. Other ancient buildings, such as Hao Pu Creek Garden, Quiet Heart Studio, Nine-dragon Screen, Five Dragon Pavilions and Circular City, show different effects of mountain-water combinations in ancient Chinese architectures.

  • Ticket price: April–October: 20 yuan; November–March: 15 yuan
  • Bus: Take bus 5, 109, 124, 685, 814, 846 or trolley bus 101 or 103 to Beihai Park (北海公园); 13, 42, 612, 701, 810, 823 or trolley bus 107, 111 or 118 to Beihai Beimen (North Gate of Beihai Park 北海北门).
  • Subway: Take Subway Line 4 and get off at Ping'anli (平安里). Get out at the South-east Exit.
  • Open: April–October: 6.30am–9pm; November–March: 6.30am–8pm

9. Temple of Heaven Park

Temple of Heaven Park

The Temple of Heaven, which used to be a holy place for ancient Chinese royal families to offer sacrifices to heaven, is a large park in the east of Beijing. The main buildings in the park from the south to the north are the Circular Mound Altar, the Imperial Vault of Heaven, and the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvest. They interpret the features of ancient Chinese architecture well.

Performance: Performance – the Heaven Worship Ceremony is played on the square in front of the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvest on the 2nd of the second month in the Chinese Lunar Calendar. Hundreds of actors wearing ancient Chinese royal-style clothing imitate the process of the Heaven Worship Ceremony by ancient Chinese emperors with civil and military officials.

Activities: flying kites, learning tai chi

  • Ticket price (combo ticket): November–March: 30 yuan; April to October: 35 yuan
  • Bus: Take bus 6, 34, 35, 36, 39, 41, 43, 60, 116, 610, 707, 723, 743, 957 or 958 to Tiantan Dongmen (East Gate 天坛东门); 36 (Huan 环), 53, 120, 122, 525, 610, 800 (Nei 内), 803 or 958 to Tiantan Nanmen (South Gate 天坛南门); 2, 7, 15, 17, 20, 69, 105, 707, 729 or 826 to Tiantan Ximen (West Gate 天坛西门); 6, 34, 35, 36 (Huan 环), 106, 110, 687, 707 or 743 to Tiantan Beimen (North Gate 天坛北门).
  • Subway: Take Subway Line 5 to Tiantan Dongmen (天坛东门), and then take Exit A.
  • Open: March–June: 8am–5.30pm; July–October: 8am–6pm; November–February: 8am–5pm

10. Beijing Botanical Garden

beijing botanical garden

Consisting of the Plant Exhibition Area, the Scenic Spot and the Historical Resorts, the Scientific Research Area and the Nature Reserve, Beijing Botanical Garden covers a large open area between Fragrance Hill and Yu Quan Mountain. It is without any doubt that you can see hundreds of plants there, even some rare species.

Activities: Lots of flower festivals are held in Beijing Botanical Garden every year. Going for an outing in spring in Beijing Botanical Garden to enjoy the fresh air and appreciate the colorful flowers can be very worthwhile.

  • Ticket price (combo ticket): 45 yuan
  • Bus: Take bus 318, 360, 696, 714 or Yuntong 112 (运通112), and get off at Zhiwuyuan (植物园); 331, 563 or 696 to Zhiwuyuan South Gate (植物园南门).
  • Subway: Take Subway Line 2 to Xizhimen (西直门) and get out at Exit D. Then transfer to bus 563; Subway Line 4 to Beigongmen (北宫门), and then transfer to bus 331, 563 or 696.
  • Open: Botanical Garden: 6am–7pm (summer), 7am–5pm (winter); Wofo Temple: 8am–4pm (summer); 8.30am–4pm (winter); Greenhouse: 8am–4.30pm (summer); 8.30am–4pm (winter); The Memorial of Cao Xueqin: 8.30am–4.30pm (summer); 9am - 4pm (winter)


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Restaurants & Bars 1

Baltimore and DC trip report

Joanie | Nov 16, 2011 06:08 AM

Thanks for your suggestions on my quick trip to DC and Baltimore. Didn't have the most successful eating but okay overall. Stopped by B&O in the Hotel Monaco for their happy hour where the special cocktail was a ginger margarita ($5). I love all things ginger so got that but giner wasn't so noticeable. Got an app of clam and poblano fritters ($8), large order of decently fried balls but again, not overly flavorful. After regrouping at the Marriott Inner Harbor, I had a hard time finding a place with the right combination of food, price, vibe and TV on Thurs. nite. Henninger's looked cool if I lived in the hood, wanted something nicer than Duda's, Kali's Court looked great and I should have just gotten a couple apps at the bar (with no TV) but where do I end up: Oceannaire for an obscenely huge dessert of choc banana bread pudding. Server was very nice, dessert was fair. Didn't have good luck w/ breakfast either cuz Blue Moon Café had a 45 min wait (I assume Veteran's Day had lots of folks out for breakfast) so just got an okay homemade Boston creme donut at Café Latte'da on Aliceanna St. Nice guy working there.

My friend picked me up at Union Station in DC and we immediately went to Ben's Chili Bowl where the line moved quickly and we lucked out w/ two seats at the counter where we ordered a couple of decent chili dogs w/ chips. Nice people, tried to fill up the jukebox with tunes but it didn’t cooperate. After walking around, we stopped in Firefly for happy hour (we're not allowed discounted drinks in Boston so I always like to find some HH spots) where I got the special white wine ($5) and J paid full price for a blue cheese olive martini that he thoroughly enjoyed. Snacks of fried oysters and grilled octopus were very tasty and a deal at $5 each. Our server was nice and knowledgeable. We had a late dinner at Meridian Pint in Columbia Heights, they've got a trillion beers if you care about that. I care about great burgers and the one we split w/ cheddar cheese and caramelized onions was very good. Onion rings were tempura style which isn't my fave but fine. Brownie a la mode was above average too, a fun reasonably priced place. Ended the nite at the funky Red Palace on H Street which has a wild circus type décor.

Sat. I grabbed a good scone from Atwater Bakery at the Mt. Pleasant farmer's market then saw some sites then met J for breakfast/lunch at Ooh's and Ah's on U St. I thought they'd be jammed at 12:30 but there were only 2 other people there and no breakfast options. People were very nice but it was way more expensive than I thought it'd be and I just had a side of mac & cheese which I didn't love (overly cheesy, no crunchy top). J enjoyed his baked chicken with a side sampler except for the sweet potato being like pumpkin pie. After more walking, we came back up to the Dupont Circle Area and got a cookie and drinks at Java House on Q St to hold us over until we met friends at Off the Record for my classic DC cocktail. It was very quiet there on a Sat. which was just as well. They reworked their grapefruit mojito into a martini for me, sidecars and a mojito for the guys while we ate the chips and pickles they serve. It hurts a little paying $15 for a drink but we knew that going in. Walked the short way down to Bibiana, bustling on a Sat. Wish we'd been seated in the larger room instead of the slightly cramped smaller room. J felt like they had attitude but I didn't see that. The small plates of fried mussels and pumpkin arancini were excellent. Unfortunately, my gnocchi w/ venison ragu was just okay, gnocchi a little heavy. One friend thought his black truffle risotto was too salty, the guys who got trout and chestnut soup thought it was fine. I think we were expecting more but it was okay overall. A quick drink at the Round Robin ended the nite.

Sun. got a great donut from Heller's Bakery then hopped on the train back to Baltimore. Saw Geppi's Museum then walked into the Federal Hill section for my first time (out of all 2 visits) as everyone was filing in for the Ravens game. Just wanted something small and ended up with a lemon lime cupcake from Midnight Confections. Then went to La Tasca in that mall space by the water for happy hour and totally ordered wrong. Got a regular sangria (all happy hour items $3) before noticing they had other flavors and ordered too quickly from the menu. The fried potatoes were very good, esp. the garlicky sauce, but the fried calamari (why am I getting two fried things) were all uniform rubbery rings. Nice space esp. on a warm day on the deck but I'd think things thru a little more next time. That filled me up pretty much for a while but since I had time to kill before going to Sonar and wanted to watch the Pats game, I ended up at Mick O'Shea's for a crabcake sandwich that was all right, surrounded by two Pats and two Jets fans which was amusing.

Mon. I headed out to Hampden and unfortunately Golden West Café wasn't open yet so I went across the street to the Lunch Box for breakfast. Man, that was lame. I saw home fries on someone's plate and looked pretty mushy so I opted for a breakfast sandwich w/ scrapple on the most generic of generic English muffins. Was not worth the calories or the $4 since they tacked on another $1 for cheese. Grabbed an iced coffee at Spro's (should I have gone to Common Ground?), had a nice time at Celebrated Summer Records then back to town (riding public transportation with yet more nodding out junkies) for the Lexington Market. Went back to Faidley's for the lump crab cake which was very good, but served by some of the most personality-less people ever, except to tell me I'd ruin the cake if I put tartar sauce on it. I don't use much but do like some, thank you very much. Wish I was more hungry to really sample things, I should have at least brought back a deli sandwich. Also thought about bringing back Pollack Johnny's but it was too much of a hassle. I did buy some cookies at Berger's and tried my first Berger style which I enjoyed. Also got an apple fritter from Harbor City bakery. Bakery prices were great, can't believe you can get 3 fritters for $1.

So there you have a not so quick review of a quick trip. Baltimore has some really cool stuff but I came across more drug addicts in 42 hrs there than 42 weeks in Boston. Was glad to see some different neighborhoods in both cities, check out the interesting architecture and hit some famous and not so famous places.

La Tasca
722 7th Street NW, Washington, DC 20001

Ben's Chili Bowl
1213 U St NW, Washington, DC 20009

Golden West Cafe
1105 W 36th St, Baltimore, MD

Lexington Market
400 W Lexington St, Baltimore, MD 21201

Blue Moon Cafe
1621 Aliceanna St, Baltimore, MD 21231

Kali's Court
1606 Thames Street, Baltimore, MD 22231

Hampden Cafe
4800 Hampden Ln Ste 103, Bethesda, MD 20814

Lunch Box
Bryans Rd, Oxon Hill, MD 20745

Java House
1645 Q St NW, Washington, DC 20009

Common Ground
819 W 36th St, Baltimore, MD 21211

1100 New York Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20005

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Restaurants & Bars

Manhattan Dinner Picky Eaters

Dinner for sheltered picky eater in the village?

Restaurants & Bars 9

Dinner for sheltered picky eater in the village?

aes03 | Apr 30, 2009 11:11 AM

My cousin is coming to visit this weekend, and I'd like to take her to dinner to celebrate her birthday (nothing too fancy). She's 20 years old, but comes from a small town and is very sheltered, with almost no exposure to different foods. She's an extremely picky eater. I asked where she usually likes to eat and she said she usually goes to Chili's or Ruby Tuesday. I'm looking for something mid-range to slightly upscale in the village, that would still serve fairly plain American food. Something to spoil her a little but not make her feel too uncomfortable. Any suggestions would be most welcome!!

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Restaurants & Bars

Boston Area

Will I get Lucky @ Lucky's Lounge

Restaurants & Bars 7

Will I get Lucky @ Lucky's Lounge

Buddernut | Oct 9, 2007 08:32 AM

Looking for a spot where a few friends can meet for pizza and drinks.
Some have cars (as myself) and we need a place where we can get some
street parking for a few hours without getting tagged. (Calling Mayor Menino... Let us park on the street after 5 or 6 p.m. during the week so we can patronize establishments !!!)

I've managed to play roulette with the meters and 2 hour free spots in the north end.... but of late I'm getting bagged with tickets. The last lot I pulled in ... for $20 bucks, the attendant was nowhere to be found for an hour when I wanted to leave.

So, long story long here..... how's Lucky's Lounge on Congress for some pizza.. pickeys... drinks ???

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Restaurants & Bars

Worcester Lunch

Lunch in Worcester

Restaurants & Bars 6

Lunch in Worcester

mike62 | Apr 1, 2008 06:31 PM

My friend has a meeting in Worcester that ends around noon (Monday). We are then heading to Boston to do the touristy thang. Looking for an interesting place in Worcester to get lunch. We are both open minded, but would prefer something moderatly priced but cool/memorable (in a good way). Have about two weeks, so I can give more details to anyone if necessary.

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Restaurants & Bars 1

Pastry help needed

GenevieveCa | May 10, 2010 10:44 PM

i am looking for a specific patisserie that i ate when i was younger. i am 35 so not that long but i've only ever seen it in the east part of Montreal.

I don't know the name of it, but here is a description:
almond tartelette base with the jam in the middle, over it a super fluffy white butter cream in some animal shape, usually frog, pig, mouse. the whole thing draped in a royal icing that hardens into a shell, decorated with piped icing for eyes and details.

Is there any place i can find this again? i have been away in the US for a long time and miss it terribly, want some as soon as the plane touches down.

If you know the name of it as well, that would be helpful.

Merci beaucoup.

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Restaurants & Bars

Northern New England Dinner Casual

Quick Casual Dinner in Burlington

Restaurants & Bars 4

Quick Casual Dinner in Burlington

Shann | Feb 26, 2010 07:42 AM

My Mom is in the Hospital up there and I'm visiting her this afternoon. I'm sneaking out for a quick dinner when my sister takes over. I'd like something relatively quick, tasty and reasonably priced.

The usual suspects (L'Amante, Trattoria Delia, Single Pebble) are just too formal and with Mom in the Hospital I'm not in the mood for a real upscale dinner with my wife but I can't help but want to get something better than the cafeteria at Fletcher Allen.

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Restaurants & Bars 11

Sports bar with decent food?

chephy | Apr 16, 2007 07:46 PM

I generally hate TV and therefore don't have cable, but I really do like to see an occasional Raptors game. So I'm always on the lookout for places where I can watch their games (preferably with sound on) while having a pint and some decent food. Unfortunately, most places I know of that do show basketball have far from great food. One place I used to go to is on St. Clair West, a few steps west of Yonge, called something like "The Sports Cafe" and all I can say about it is AVOID LIKE THE PLAGUE. The first couple of times I went there I actually ordered food which was a HUGE mistake since there is literally nothing on the menu that they do not screw up really badly. It's quite funny really. I would sit there and drool when a Macdonalds ad came up on TV because I'd really love to have a Big Mac instead of whatever awful thing I had in front of me. So I stopped getting food there and just starting ordereing beers... but then several times in a row I was served beer that has obviously been sitting around and was completely flat, or a beer that's meant to be cold served at room temperature, or beer in a sticky dirty-looking glass. Lemme tell you - never again...

So, does anyone know of a place with decent grub that shows basketball? I am not expecting anything spectacular, just something reasonably edible. I know Madison Pub has a sports lounge and they do have Raptors TV and do show games, albeit without sound (at least when blasted hockey is on... which is all the bloody time...). That's good to know, but anyone has any other favourites?

I am sorry if this is not quite on topic. This thread may be too much about sports and too little about food... but it does relate to food. :-) I hope the fellow Chowhounds forgive me.

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By Amanda Gigliotti , Christian Post Correspondent
August 15, 2013|8:19 am

The iPhone 5 has been described as "extraordinary" since it was launched last year. Meanwhile, its main competitor, the Samsung Galaxy S4, released on the market in April this year, and has been considered the best-selling Android smartphone ever.

Here is a comparison of some of the specs and the prices of the iPhone 5 and the Samsung Galaxy S4.

The Samsung Galaxy S4 boasts a 5-inch display with Super AMOLED technology, a resolution of 1080 x 1920 pixels, a pixel density of 441 ppi, and Gorilla Glass 3 protection.

The iPhone 5 features a smaller 4-inch IPS screen, 640 x 1136 pixel resolution at 326 PPI, with more natural-looking colours, while the Galaxy S4 has better contrast in low-light conditions.

Samsung Galaxy S4 Active Picture: Samsung

Samsung Galaxy S4 Active

The Galaxy S4's exterior is made of a high-level plastic, while the iPhone 5 is made of more expensive anodized aluminum.

The S4 has removable battery and microSD card slot, allowing users to swap batteries on the go, or expand media storage without buying a new phone. However, the iPhone 5 does not offer those perks.

The Samsung handset measures 136.6 x 69.8 x 7.9 mm, while having a weight of 130 grams.

On the other hand, the iPhone 5 (4.87 x 2.31 x 0.30 inches) is smaller, thinner and about 14 percent lighter than the Galaxy S4, with 112 grams.

iPhone 5 from Front and Back Photo courtesy of Apple

A picture of the new iPhone 5

The Galaxy S4 offers 16, 32 or 64 GB and is able to store up to 128 GB of data. Meanwhile, the iPhone 5 has 16GB baseline, 32GB and 64GB models available, which are non-expandable.

The Samsung Galaxy S4 comes with a feature-packed 13 megapixel camera sensor with autofocus, LED flash, Dual Shot, Simultaneous HD video and image recording. It also features geo-tagging, touch focus, face and smile detection, image stabilization, HDR, and support for recording 1080p@30fps videos.

The front facing camera of the SGS4 is a 2 megapixel unit, also capable of recording 1080p videos.

The iPhone 5 has an 8-Megapixel camera sensor and f/2.4 aperture, a dynamic low light mode to benefit night-time snapping with a new more durable sapphire crystal lens.

New camera modes for the iPhone include the Panorama, which allows user to take panoramic photos; and the Share Photo Streams feature to share pictures with friends and family. The front-facing camera is now capable of 720p video.

Processor and Operating System

The Galaxy S4 has Android OS, v4.2.2 (Jelly Bean) operating system, Exynos 5 Octa 5410, Quad-core 1.6 GHz Cortex-A15 & quad-core 1.2 GHz Cortex-A7.

The iPhone 5 features a processor called the Apple A6, an update to Apple's mobile operating system known as iOS 6, and support for LTE. It has a Dual core, 1300 MHz, Apple Swift, 1016 MB RAM, and 16GB of storage.

Samsung Galaxy S4 is available for $99.99 (16 GB models) at Sprint and T-Mobile, while the iPhone 5 can be found for $99.99 at AT&T.

Here is a video showing the comparison between the two devices:


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Sunday, Aug 28, 2016

Students Challenged to Study Evolution, Think for Themselves

  • (Photo: AP / Mike Fuentes)
    Students walk the campus of Texas Christian University in Fort Worth, Texas, on Tuesday, Aug. 25, 2009.
By Nathan Black , Christian Post Reporter
August 26, 2009|10:45 am

As students step foot on campus for another school year, an intelligent design proponent has offered a few tips for the millions who will face the teaching of evolution in their science classrooms.

Tip number one, "never opt out of learning evolution," says Casey Luskin, co-founder of the Intelligent Design and Evolution Awareness (IDEA) Center, according to the Discovery Institute.

"In fact, learn about evolution every chance you get."

Having attended public schools from kindergarten through his master’s degree at the University of California, San Diego, Luskin was taught a "biased and one-sided origins" curriculum – basically, the neo-Darwinian theory.

There was virtually no debate or dialogue on the theory when he was learning it and "neo-Darwinian evolution was always taken as a given."

But Luskin does not regret having studied evolution as much as he did. He says the more evolutionary biology he took, the more he became convinced that the theory "was based upon unproven assumptions, contradictory methodologies, and supported weakly by the data."

So he encourages students not to be afraid to study evolution.

His advice comes as a new report reveals that the treatment of biological evolution in state science standards improved dramatically over the last decade. According to the National Center for Science Education, which defends the teaching of evolution in public schools, 40 U.S. states – including the District of Columbia – received satisfactory grades for the treatment of evolution in their state science standards. Only 31 states had received such grades in Lawrence S. Lerner's 2000 study Good Science, Bad Science, conducted for the Fordham Foundation.

Meanwhile, five states – Alabama, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Texas, and West Virginia – received an "F" and another six states received the grade of "D."

Texas was recently in the national spotlight when the state board of education revised science standards in March to encourage students to "critique" and examine "all sides" of scientific theories.

Denouncing the inclusion of "creationist jargon" – language to justify the use of teaching material that casts doubt on the theory of evolution – in science standards, the NCSE report's authors, Louise S. Mead and Anton Mates, believe creationists have strategized to insert more "innocuous language" such as "critical analysis" and "strengths and weaknesses" into the standards.

Mead and Mates contend in their report, "It is simply not true that there are credible scientific alternatives to evolution, nor that evolutionary theory has 'weaknesses' that make it unlikely to be true, nor that scientific work has been done that casts doubt upon it. Students should be left in no doubt on this score."

Luskin thinks otherwise.

He challenges students to be critical in their thinking when approaching evolution and be proactive in learning about other credible scientific viewpoints that are likely censored by teachers.

"[Y]ou must be careful to always think for yourself," he cautions. "Everyone wants to be 'scientifically literate,' but the Darwin lobby pressures people by redefining 'scientific literacy' to mean 'acceptance of evolution' rather than 'an independent mind who understands science and forms its own informed opinions.'"

For Luskin, critical thinking and his own independent study led him to conclude that neo-Darwinian evolution was a set of questionable assumptions, and not facts.

He also discovered that there were "credible scientific views that dissent from neo-Darwinism" that were never disclosed to him.

"Yes, take courses advocating evolution. But also read material from credible Darwin skeptics to learn about other viewpoints. Only then can you truly make up your mind in an informed fashion."

Source URL : http://www.christianpost.com/news/students-challenged-to-study-evolution-think-for-themselves-40511/


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By Vincent Funaro, Christian Post Reporter
September 7, 2011|9:54 pm

Tropical Storm Maria has emerged from what once was Tropical Depression 14 after it reached storm strength in the eastern Atlantic on Wednesday.

Maria is the 13th named storm of the 2011 hurricane season.

“We’ve got the 13th named storm of the season and it’s in an environment that isn’t conducive to explosive strengthening,” said Dennis Feltgen, a spokesman for the National Hurricane Center, to Bloomberg. “In fact, we have it as a tropical storm through the end of the five-day forecast period.”

Maria developed east of Lesser Antilles as Hurricane Katia weakened further on its path around Bermuda. The maximum winds of the storm are moving at approximately 50 mph, according an advisory from the NHC.

According to the latest forecast, the storm should move to just north of Lesser Antilles on Saturday, north of Puerto Rico on Sunday and near the southern Bahamas on Monday. It is too early to state if the storm will hit the United States and pose a serious threat to coastal regions.

Maria is no longer being predicted to turn into a hurricane since it is being attacked by a wind shear.

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Another low-pressure system which is located in the southwestern area of the Gulf of Mexico is on its way to becoming a tropical depression, according to NHC. The system will be investigated by an Air Force Reserve aircraft on Wednesday.

That system could cause a great near-term threat to oil and gas interests in the Gulf, according to Travis Hartman, a meteorologist at the commercial forecaster MDA EarthSat Weather in Gaithersburg, Md.

The hurricane center is giving the system a 60 percent chance of developing into a hurricane over the next two days.

Forecasters said that Hurricane Katia should steer clear of the United States as well as Bermuda.

The hurricane is expected to pass between Bermuda and the East Coast of the United States Wednesday night and Thursday morning as it continues to lose strength.


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The Nativity explained: The Wise Men

In the second piece in our series going deeper into the depths of the most important story ever told, we take a look at the Three Wise Men, otherwise known as the Three Kings of Orient or The Magi.

(Photo: Vanessa Fitzgerald)

Description: An indeterminate number (but definitely more than one) of scholars/learned men who originate from a land far to the East of Bethlehem. They are likely to have possessed substantial wealth and some significant importance in their home lands. Astrology and astronomy were most likely some of their main focuses, but they also clearly knew a lot about history and at least some knowledge of Jewish tradition.

Significance: Their arrival tells us that the child they've come to visit is far from ordinary, and the gifts they bring with them tell us important facts about the boy they are being given to. Their inclusion in the incident makes an important point, that Jesus is not merely a figure of significance for Israel. His calling of figures as important as these tells us that he is a gift to the whole world.

First Sighting: They emerge only once, in Matthew 2 between verses 1-12, but it is very clear that their arrival was noteworthy.

"After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, 'Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.' When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him."
(Matthew 2, Verse 1-3)

Their generosity is recorded later, as is their faithfulness to God's plan in protecting Jesus from Herod.

"On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshipped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route."
(Matthew 2, Verses 11-12)

Earlier prophecies about them are believed to be found in three separate occasions.

"Nations will come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your dawn."
(Isaiah 60, Verse 3)

"May the kings of Tarshish and of distant shores bring tribute to him. May the kings of Sheba and Seba present him gifts."
(Psalm 72, Verse 10)

"Because of your temple at Jerusalem, kings will bring you gifts."
(Psalm 68, Verse 29)

Explanation: The word Magi that we see in our Bibles today comes from the Greek word Magos. This in turn is derived from a language originating in modern day eastern Iran, Avestan. That language only remains known to this day because of its use in the Holy Texts of the Zoroastrian faith.

It is this that gives us our first clue as to who these people were. They were members of the Zoroastrian priestly caste. As the 'astria' part of their name suggests, they were concerned with constellations, stars and the movement of planets. Hence their extreme interest when they first sighted the star of Bethlehem. Their knowledge of astrology, and their understanding of the sacred texts of other cultures, told them this was something to investigate.

Although the songs say that there were three kings of orient, the truth is the Bible never specifies how many there were, nor that they were kings. We can infer however that they were individuals of substantial wealth and standing, as they managed to not only gather together the resources to go on an expedition, but also the money to buy very expensive gifts for a king that they only had their academic learning to fall back on to prove that he even existed. In order to gather this much money and command this much loyalty from everyone, from servants to security guards (the road they would be travelling on would have been notorious for banditry), they must have had some substantial degree of authority.

Kingship is perhaps the most obvious, but they could have also been deans or chancellors of royally funded universities or other scholarly institutions. They either possessed great influence among the powerful and wealthy, or it was they themselves who were in possession of great power and wealth.

In term of their numbers, we know that it was more than one, because of the plural often used, but beyond that we can only speculate. Later traditions of the three kings can be traced to two places. Firstly, there's the fact that there are three gifts, thus forever immortalising the giving of gifts at Christmas. Lots of people would have seemed to have inferred a "one gift per king" theory, which looking through the lens of contemporary culture, makes a level of sense (giving more than one gift in a Secret Santa kind of misses the point).

Secondly, there are traditional writings of many early church traditions that don't just tell us how many magi there were, but also their names and where they were from. Melchior, Caspar, and Balthazar are their names in the western tradition, and they were kings of provinces in Arabia, Persia, and India respectively. This originates from a document written in Greek, most likely in the city of Alexandria in around 500 AD, far later than anything else considered biblically canonical.

Exactly where they came from is unclear. While Matthew tells us they are "from the east" this doesn't narrow it down significantly. The traditional view has linked them to many different places, with one 14th century historian, John of Hildesheim, pointing out that there is a traditional story from the ancient silk road city of Taxila (near modern day Islamabad) that one of the Magi passed through there on their way to Bethlehem.

However, evidence of this, and of other details about them, is unclear. There are some modern traditions in China that suggest that one of the Magi hailed from their country. The Zoroastrian connection means that the strongest likely link is to the Persian region, or any other area with substantial Zoroastrian influence at the time. Beyond that however, we cannot be sure.

More News in Church


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More than two decades after his arrest in a 1987 rape, a Houston man walked out of the Harris County Jail on Thursday and into the tangled embrace of waiting family — free, at least for now, but not clear of the conviction that sent him to prison.

His family erupted in applause as Gary Alvin Richard, 53, emerged into the afternoon sunlight, greeting a brother he had not seen in more than 22 years.

Through tear-filled eyes, he smiled at his grandchildren and hugged his ex-wife, wearing a new shirt and jeans that hung loose on his small frame.

“I am pleased with the way this turned out,” Richard told a crowd of reporters and lawyers that gathered to watch his release. “I never gave up hope.”

Although Richard has been released, the case against him remains. A jury sentenced Richard to life in prison in the kidnapping, rape and robbery of a 22-year-old nursing student in a case built with evidence from the Houston Police Department crime lab. Last week, as part of a review of 160 cases with HPD blood typing evidence, new forensic tests confirmed that incriminating testimony a crime lab supervisor offered at Richard’s trial was false.

Those new tests, however, are less definitive than DNA analysis, which cannot be performed because the physical evidence from the attack has been destroyed.

Investigation ‘beginning’

Richard’s attorney, Bob Wicoff, is arguing his client clearly could not have committed the crime. The Harris County District Attorney’s Office agreed to Richard’s release but stopped short of saying he is innocent.

“Basically, our investigation is beginning,” Assistant District Attorney Alicia O’Neill said. “The District Attorney’s Office is committed to fully investigating all claims of actual innocence.”

Prosecutors could decide to retry Richard or drop the case because of insufficient evidence or because they determine he is innocent. Ultimately, O’Neill said, the decision will belong to District Attorney Pat Lykos.

For his part, Richard is confident he will be cleared and said after he left jail that he plans never to spend another night in prison.

“I am trusting in my attorney,” he said.

Richard has said he is not angry about the years he spent in prison. He said he may have ended up in trouble anyway, pointing to his previous convictions for dealing drugs and theft.

If cleared, Richard would be the fourth Houston man with a conviction overturned because of flawed work from the HPD crime lab.

Will still have to report in

Richard’s path to freedom Thursday was cleared during a hearing before Judge Mary Bacon, a retired state district judge overseeing the review of the 160 cases with evidence from HPD blood typing, or serology.

About 15 family members watched eagerly as Richard entered the courtroom.

Bacon granted Wicoff’s request that Richard be set free on a personal recognizance bond, ordering him to report to authorities every week and to have no contact with the victim.

After the hearing, Wicoff thanked O’Neill for her work on the case. He also expressed regret that the physical evidence from the case has been destroyed, eliminating the possibility of DNA testing that could clear Richard.

“This is a lab problem, not a DA problem,” Wicoff said. “We were able to get justice for Mr. Richard, but there are a lot of other cases where innocent men were in prison but there is no evidence to left to test.”

Richard said he will live with one of his sisters but has made few other plans for resuming his life.

His priorities, he said, are spending time with family. He plans to reconnect with his siblings and get to know his grandchildren.

His family has been planning for his homecoming since last week. His younger sister, Velda Noel, spent Wednesday shopping and cooking, preparing a turkey, brisket and greens for Richard’s first meal.

“I got everything ready so he can have anything he wants when he gets home,” Noel said. “He has been denied enough. Now is his time to enjoy.”


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Mustang club born, thrives in Citrus County

-A A +A

Car Corner, Ken McNally, 12/14/12

One of my show cars is a 2007 Mustang GT California Special, which I purchased in 2007 and promptly searched for a local Mustang club to join. I found a great club started recently by a young couple, Perry and Jackie Unger, who are true Mustang enthusiasts and wanted to share their enthusiasm with other Mustang owners. They established the Nature Coast Mustang club in Citrus County and solicited a local dealer, Nick Nicholas Ford in Inverness, to sponsor the club. Membership in the club has grown throughout the years and exceeds 50 members.

Since the club is recognized by the Mustang Club of America and is part of the organization, formal elections for club officers were held and directors were appointed earlier this year. Perry and Jackie declined to run for office this year, although both have remained very active — Perry as a director and Jackie as club photographer and in other support roles.

The club holds membership meetings at 7 p.m. the third Wednesday of the month at the sponsor’s dealership and runs an annual Mustang and Ford car show at the location. Funds from the shows are contributed to local charities. Club members also meet during the year to caravan to various car events and shows.

As with any car club, only a small number of members regularly participate in cruise-ins and other events, but Perry and Jackie usually coordinate the activities. To have more participation at local cruise-ins, the Mustang club officers have been coordinating with other clubs to attend monthly events since all of the clubs have one thing in common — the cars. One recent effort was to organize a cruise-in named “All American Muscle Night” at 6 p.m. the fourth Friday of the month at Arby’s on U.S. 19 in Crystal River. All years, makes and models of American cars and trucks are invited to participate. Many Mustang club members also meet at this Arby’s at 6 p.m. every Friday for a cruise-in and invite all cars to attend.

The Mustang club also coordinated with a local MOPAR car club to provide judges for annual car shows to maintain independence in the judging process. This exchange has worked well for both clubs.

There are lots of great Mustangs in the club — some vintage, some Fox bodies and some newer ones. The club is all about the cars, having fun and socializing with other owners.

Perry and Jackie did a great job in establishing this club. They never imagined it would grow into the successful organization it is today.  If you are interested in joining the Mustang club, contact me for more information.

Upcoming Cruise-Ins:

* Dec. 15, 22 and 29 — Cruise-in hosted by Citrus County Cruisers at 6 p.m. at Wendy’s on U.S. 19 in Crystal River.

* Dec. 20 — Cruise-in from 6 to 9 p.m. at Beef O’Brady’s on U.S. 41 in Inverness with door prizes and food specials for car owners.

* Dec. 21 — Friday Night Thunder cruise-in from 5 to 7:30 p.m. in Inverness.

* Dec. 28 — All American Muscle Night cruise-in as described above.

Ken McNally is the Chronicle’s new car enthusiast columnist. McNally may be reached via email at kenmcnally@tampabay.rr.com or call 352-341-1165.


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Health Department

Childcare Provider Classes

Childcare Centers & Pre-schools Classes

  • Hand Washing
  • My Plate: nutrition education
  • Organ Wise Guys; Healthy Habits
  • Show Me Your Smile: Oral Health
  • Spike's Poison Prevention Adventure

CPR & First Aid Classes for Childcare Providers

All classes are Saturday from 9:00 AM - 2:00 PM at the Independence Health Department. Classes are $15 per person and require pre-registration. Class dates for 2016 are March 5, June 18, August 20, and November 5.

To register for CPR classes, contact Suzanne Meyer at 816-325-7320 or

Childcare Provider Clock Hour Trainings

Classes for 2016 will be held on:

September 24  -  Effective communication in Childcare (8-9 a.m.), Wellness Challenge snacks and extras (9-10 a.m.), Things that go creep: Bed bugs, Head lice, and Scabies (10-11 a.m.), and SIDS "Safe Sleep" training (11 a.m.-12 p.m.)

For all Childcare Provider Classes, you must register online through the MO Workshop, Calendar, flier can be seen here. For more information, please contact Suzanne Meyer at 816-325-7320 or

Spot the Tot

spot the tot

Every week in America there are an average of four children killed in back-over accidents. Many more are injured. Back-over accidents occur because SUVs and vans have blind zones (bigger than blind spots) that make it impossible to see small children behind the vehicle.

Therefore, it is important to follow these steps in order to keep kids safe:

  • Be sure to firmly hold the hand of children when in driveways, parking lots, and sidewalks.
  • All drivers should do a safety look to check for children walking or playing around cars.
  • All drivers should walk all the way around a parked vehicle to check for kids, toys, and pets before entering, starting, or moving the car.
  • Make sure young children are always accompanied by an adult when getting in or out of your vehicle.
  • Have children stand on the porch or somewhere you can see them before backing up.

For more information, visit Safe Kids Worldwide.

Not Even for a Minute

Everyone is in a hurry. You may be tempted to leave your child in the car for "just a minute" while you run into the store. DON'T DO IT!  There are very real dangers for children left alone in a vehicle including:

  • Abduction.
  • Temperature inside a car can quickly reach deadly levels.
  • Children can accidentally set the car in motion.
  • Children can become trapped and even killed by a power window.
  • Items in the glove compartment or first aid kit could be harmful or toxic to children.

For more information, visit Children's Trust Fund of Missouri.


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Rolling Las Vegas

(continued from page 3)
The auto paint supplier from Ohio has only a few hundred riding on the next roll; the real-estate broker to his left is gambling several thousand. But you can't tell who has the most at stake by looking at their faces--everyone at this Caesar's Palace craps table has put on the familiar visage of a dice player awaiting the next fling of the ivory: expectant, slightly pained, aroused. Oblivious to the centurions and Roman goddesses strolling past with trays of cocktails, thoroughly uninterested in the horse races and baseball games being beamed into the adjacent sports book by satellite, these people are fixated on the right hand at the far end of the table, the guy holding the dice.
Some bettors slump on their forearms, feigning nonchalance; some fiddle with their chips, compulsively rearranging them into color-coordinated stacks; some look as if they're praying.
The croupiers try not to appear bored. The box man, sitting at the center of the table, surveys the felt like human radar. The pit boss, vaguely interested, stands in the background with his arms crossed around his ill-fitting suit. For a moment--a moment that will last two seconds--the assembled players will feel as though the entire universe revolves around this slab of wood, this plane of felt in the Nevada desert.
And, a moment later, all the denizens of Caesar's Palace, entranced by their own private dramas, will look up and smile. Because an instant after the dice are flung a startling, joyous yell will be heard--the sound of someone beating the odds. Someone at the craps table will have made his point.
Of all the games of chance, craps holds a special place in the hierarchy of American gambling. Before Ed Thorp wrote Beat the Dealer in 1962, making blackjack the most popular pit game in the world, craps easily held that distinction. From Damon Runyon's dice-shooting hoods to Atlantic City's odds-laying tycoons, craps has always attracted the most interesting gamblers in the casino, the most knowledgeable, the most superstitious, the most courageous. And the noisiest.
Blackjack boasts its studious card counters, baccarat its James Bond pretenders and roulette its wheel-obsessed number watchers. Those that roll the "bones," however, are an altogether different breed, an amalgam of the bookish scholar and the degenerate gambler, thoughtful yet aggressive, cautious yet headstrong, a winner and a loser. Give a linebacker a bankroll and an advanced degree in statistics and you might have the perfect Diceman.
At the craps table you'll recognize everyone from the vaunted "high roller" (the dice game is where this generic term came from) to the tightfisted mathematician with a proven "system." With its low minimum bet--a buck or two at most Las Vegas joints--craps is the most democratic of gambles, attracting both ends of the monetary spectrum. No matter their finances, players at the craps table are there for more or less the same reason: it is the only game in the casino where, if played absolutely correctly, the patron can reduce the house edge to almost zero. And it is the game in which miracles can happen. Very quickly.
Still, the surest way to win at the craps table is not to play. But what fun is that? To novice players the game looks hopelessly complicated and too daunting to learn. In some ways, it is. But for those who have never "rolled the bones," the game can be reduced to its essentials, and a beginner armed with these few basic facts can take on the house with the best possible advantage.
The sequence of each "game" begins with the Come Out Roll. Players bet that the person rolling the dice (the shooter) will roll either a seven or an eleven (called a "pass," a winner) or a two or three (a "don't pass," a loser). This is an even-money bet. If any other number is rolled, except for twelve, which is also a loser, that number becomes the point. According to Howard Schwartz of the Gambler's Book Club in Las Vegas, the casino's edge on those who are betting on a pass roll is a mere 1.414 percent, and with full odds or up to ten times' odds it is a minuscule .18 percent or $1.80 for every $1,000 bet.
If a point is established on the shooter's first roll--dubbed Making the Point in craps jargon--players may make an "odds" bet in addition to their original bet; it is often called a "behind the line" bet, and there is a physical line on the table behind which your odds money is placed. This bet is as low as twice the original bet or as high as ten times. (The more odds the player may take, the better. You want to find a casino that will allow the smallest bet on the pass line and the largest bet behind the line. If a casino lets you bet ten dollars on the pass line and $100 behind the line, you're getting full odds.) Then, if the shooter rolls a seven before he rerolls his established point number, he loses, and must pass the dice. If he rolls his point before he makes a seven, he and the pass/odds bettors win.
The original "pass" bet pays even-money, while the odds bet pays true odds: 2-to-1 on the four and ten, 3-to-2 on the five and nine, and 6-to-5 on the six and eight. Players may also elect to bet the "don't pass" and lay odds, wagering with the house. Maybe one out of ten players do this, and they are generally not appreciated by the other players because they usually go against the majority at the table who are playing the pass line, while the don't-pass bettors are clamoring for a loser seven. (Nonetheless, there is a slight advantage on the don't-pass line.)
In addition to wagering that the shooter will make his point number, players can also bet On The Come. Seven or eleven is an instant winner, otherwise the bet gets placed on the number rolled much like the point. Then if the shooter rolls that number again before he makes a seven, the "come" player wins. This way, a player can conceivably cover all the numbers and reap handsome profits if the shooter rolls a long succession of numbers before a loser seven. But if he's trying to cover all the numbers and a shooter rolls a four, five, six, eight, nine, and ten followed by a seven, the bettor loses everything.
Then, of course, there is the category most easily labeled as All Other Bets or "proposition bets." Here's what Jack Binion, whose casino, Binion's Horseshoe, takes the biggest craps bets in the world, has to say about proposition bets: "The best way to play is to bet the pass line and take all the odds, or the come line and all the odds. If everybody took full odds on every bet, we wouldn't meet our overhead. Basically, forget about all the other bets, the Field [betting the shooter won't roll a five, six, seven, or eight], Hardways [betting the shooter will roll doubles], all the one-roll bets, [betting that the next roll will bring, say, an eleven]--those are all bullshit."
But in craps, as in life, no one at the table is ready to accept that not playing is the best choice or that a wide array of betting possibilities and gambits isn't worth the trouble. In fact, for every cynic watching the action at the table, there's someone with the dice in his hand recalling a story about the lucky sap who won the house--and the car and the boat and everything else.
Anyone who spends more time in a casino than he ought can tell you a craps story or two. A handful of them won't be apocryphal. The fanciful ones are legion: "I saw a guy once. He turned five bucks into $50,000 in 20 minutes. I'm serious"; "There was this rich guy, right? He's betting, like, close to $100,000 a roll..."; "I didn't see it, but I heard there was this guy who bet $250,000 on one roll and had a heart attack while the dice were in the air."
Some of the best (i.e., true) stories emanate from Binion's Horseshoe in downtown Las Vegas. During three weeks in the spring the Horseshoe is home to the World Series of poker, the planet's premier card-playing tournament. For those weeks in May, Binion's becomes the center of the poker universe. But during the rest of the year, Binion's Horseshoe flourishes on the strength of one remarkable distinction: It has the world's highest limits.
In the Hollywood hit, Indecent Proposal, Robert Redford bets $1 million on the pass line, rolls a winner seven and invests the proceeds in a night of fun with Demi Moore. Impossible, right? Yes and no. In the movie, the gambling sequences take place at the Las Vegas Hilton. "It could never happen here," according to Jerry, one of the Hilton's pit bosses. "We'd let him bet maybe $10,000. We don't need to take any more action than that."
Indeed, at Las Vegas's swanky uptown resorts--Ceasar's Palace, the Mirage, Bally's--all owned and operated by large corporations, relatively low betting limits ($100,000 a roll) reduce the house's exposure to inordinate risk. But down on Fremont Street, the famed Glitter Gulch of countless television shows and tourism commercials, the game is altogether different. At Binion's Horseshoe, not only could the $1 million bet happen, it did.
In 1983, a man named Robert Bergstrom from Austin, Texas, called the Horseshoe's owner, Jack Binion, on the telephone. Bergstrom, who apparently possessed more money than sense, had recently lost $50,000 at the craps table. Thanks to a lucrative real-estate business, his plunge was not going to keep him awake at nights. In fact, Bergstrom was calling Binion to ask whether he could return soon and bet a "significant amount." Binion, adhering to his casino's policy of your first bet is your limit, no matter how high, naturally said yes.
And that was the last he heard of the mysterious Texan ... until three months later.
"The guy calls up," recalls Binion, "and says he's going to be here soon to make a very large bet. One night he shows up with two little suitcases, filled with exactly $777,000. And he says he wants to bet it all."
Binion approved the bet: $777,000 on the pass line.
"I think it was a little old lady who was shooting the dice at the time," Binion remembers. "She made a point of nine, rolled maybe one or two numbers, a six and an eight, I think. And then another nine." Bergstrom was a $777,000 winner.
He promptly collected his plunder, jumped into a beat-up old car and left. "I wanted to win that bet, sure," Binion says. "But we accept our losses. It's all part of the business. The losses definitely happen sometimes, especially when you're talking about a single bet, where we have very little edge. It's like flipping a coin. But, no, I didn't really mind losing that bet. Besides, I want to meet a guy who is capable of betting half a million or more on one roll."
Bergstrom, in fact, came back a few weeks later and bet $548,000 on the pass line. Again, an elderly woman shot the dice. Seconds later, this highest of rollers had 548 more $1,000 chips stacked before him. Shortly thereafter, Bergstrom made his final trip to the Horseshoe. "I'm going to double it or dump it," Binion recalls him saying, just before Bergstrom bet exactly $1 million on the pass line.
Once more, a geriatric lady shot the dice while an enormous audience vied to witness the results. Her first roll established the point--a nine again, a 3-to-2 underdog--and her second roll came up a "six-ace." A loser seven. Bergstrom was never seen again.
While extraordinary, such prodigious bets are not entirely uncommon at Binion's Horseshoe. An octogenarian former jockey, known throughout downtown Las Vegas as Fast Eddie, has on four separate occasions run $100 up to more than $250,000. The poker manager at the Horseshoe, Jim Albrecht says, "Eddie normally plays in the smallest game we offer: $1 to $4 seven-card stud. He is basically a pensioner, living off social security. But that's the game of craps for you--in a very short time, a few hours, Eddie has parlayed a handful of chips from his poker winnings into over $1 million." One time, Fast Eddie set aside enough of his profits to purchase a new condo. The other three times he gave it all back ... to the casino.
"The game goes so damned fast," Binion comments. "It's like a pyramid, the way the money piles up. There's no other game where so much money can be won so fast. It's nothing unusual to take ten dollars and multiply it into $500, $1,000 in a few minutes. And that's very exciting."
The way most accomplished players make their fortunes is by catching what math mavens call "an abnormal deviation." This means that in an infinite string of random numbers, a certain preordained quantity of sevens, elevens and other numbers will be rolled, approximately as many losers as winners. If you are fortunate enough to make your bets during a period of heavy clustering of winning numbers--otherwise known as a "hot streak"--the result can be sublimely gratifying. If you have the heart--some would say ignorance--to press your bets, i.e., increase them with each winning roll, the results can be staggering. And if you happen to be playing during a once-or-twice-in-a-lifetime situation--an hourlong roll without a loser--your retirement will be quite comfortable.
Schwartz, who runs Gambler's Book Club, says, "As the years go on and long stories grow longer, the money won and the number of passes the shooter made seem to grow as memories fade." Indeed, nobody is sure of the longest string of passes--Binion seems to remember someone rolling 37 winners in a row at his casino--but, according to Frank Scoblete, author of Beat the Craps Out of the Casinos, a Hawaiian man, Stanley Fujitake, known as the Golden Arm, made close to 50 passes at the California Casino in Las Vegas. "He held the dice for over three-and-a-quarter hours. It was a magnificent, epic roll."
Scoblete also recalls a woman in Atlantic City who would regularly hold the dice for 40 minutes. A gang of high rollers called the Crew would hire her to shoot the numbers. "I believe some people, whether consciously or unconsciously, can control the dice," Scoblete says. "They develop a certain rhythm, a feel." Find someone with the "feel," and you'll find a crowd of cheering people around the table.
While there's no substitute for dumb luck, some eccentric crap shooters believe in "PK," or psychokinesis, mind over matter. Of course, the surest way to roll a predetermined number is to use "loaded" or doctored dice. Working with a confederate dealer, gangs of cheaters used to introduce phony dice into the game, dice that, for instance, would consistently turn up the number twelve, a 30-to-1 payoff. Modern surveillance and security techniques, though, have made the game of craps impeccably clean. Beating the house requires something more than chicanery.
Regular players employ a wide range of betting "systems," all of which, thanks to the immutable laws of nature, fail to overcome the house advantage. Played long enough, craps will gobble up all the money. Even "professional gamblers"--an oxymoron if there ever was one--cannot beat the game. After winning a six-figure payoff in a preliminary event at the World Series of poker, "Cowboy" Roy Dudley, a full-time card player, said, "All the money I win at poker I lose at the dice table. I just love to gamble." Even games of chance, though, can be approached analytically or superstitiously. While both methods will likely leave the player a loser, the latter is sure to encourage the dice shooter's demise a lot faster.
For instance, many players call off their bets when one of the dice bounces off the table. They imagine that somehow the cubes have "cooled off." Others increase their wager when a woman is rolling the bones, luck being a lady and all. And then there are the utter fools.
There was an Arab gentleman at the Riviera on the strip. He was betting $1,000 at a time on the "Big Six," a proposition bet that pays even money on a 6-to-5 shot. In effect, on every roll of the dice this fellow was handing the casino $166. (If he was absolutely committed to betting the number six, he could have "placed" the bet with the croupier, who would have charged him the standard 5 percent commission, $50 per $1,000.) Anyone who has played craps for more than ten minutes knows that of all the things you mustn't do, playing the Big Six is foremost. You never play the Big Six; it's the classic sucker bet.
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Discussion in 'The CP Saloon' started by CBoukal, Dec 13, 2011.

  1. CBoukal

    CBoukal Long time Newbie

    My wife and I like to have Moscato, and we found a bottle of Voga Moscato and its amazing. I can't find it anywhere in Omaha, NE but I did just order a case online. Does anyone else have an absolute favorite Moscato we could try. We are not big on d'asti just because my wife doesn't like all the bubbles.... yeah...

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Books, Music & Movies · The Rising

cover image of The Rising

The Rising

Kelley Armstrong

The race for survival comes to a thrilling conclusion when Maya and her friends turn and fight in this final volume of the Darkness Rising trilogy. Hunted by the powerful St. Clouds and now a rival Cabal as well, the teens are quickly running out of places to hide. With the whole world thinking they died in a helicopter crash, Maya and her friends are separated from their families and the small Canadian town that sheltered them for years. Maya is unprepared for the truths that await her and she'll have to face down the demons from her past if she ever hopes to stop running and move on with her life.