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Fifth round goes to a fullback

Posted by Darren Urban on April 30, 2011 – 11:19 am

The Cards went with UConn fullback Anthony Sherman in the fifth round. It’s a position they’ve been looking for since losing Terrelle Smith after the Super Bowl season. He’s considered a good blocker, even in pass protection, and a good special-teams player (important given the probable loss of Jason Wright). Sherman is 5-10 and 240. His Pro Football Weekly summary (which listed him as a fourth- or fifth-round pick): “A hardworking, assignment-sound fullback with starting-caliber toughness, physicality and blocking ability.” He’s also a guy who can catch passes.

Sherman called himself a “lunchpail player.” With Nehemiah Broughton coming off a third major knee surgery and the team looking to upgrade over Reagan Maui’a, it’s not a shocking choice.

“You gotta have a couple screws loose to be a fullback,” Sherman said. “I don’t know if everyone can do it, but there are a few of us doing it every day out here.”

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43 Responses to “Fifth round goes to a fullback”

  1. By Pheenic Skii on Apr 30, 2011 | Reply

    He was the number 1 ranked FB. This was a good pick.

  2. By Bill on Apr 30, 2011 | Reply

    Good pick – still waiting OLine help. He stonewalled a few Oklahoma players during the Fiesta Bowl.

    Wonder if the Cards could’ve gone Oline here and pick Sherman or Pitt FB Hypnoski in the next round????

  3. By Whizzie189 on Apr 30, 2011 | Reply

    great pick all of the rb’s better be smiling cause they just got 2 to 12 more yards a carry thanks to this guy he is a bowling ball going down hill

  4. By T Richards on Apr 30, 2011 | Reply

    Never heard of this guy! Did he rate out over Marecic from Stanford who was an absolute bulldog? I guess we’ll see.

  5. By Mark in Chandler on Apr 30, 2011 | Reply

    Maybe a little conspiracy theory, could there be a possible trade with the Cards moving a RB? Williams is a starting RB and better than both Hightower and Wells. Peterson brings a kick returning and Whiz has made it clear that Peterson is ready to start as a kick returner. Now add Sherman who is a FB but more like a tweener FB/RB. You could go forward with 3 active RB. I am wondering if Bengals/Eagles/ Denver are interested in a RB and LSH/Hightower/Wells could be part of a QB trade. bengals may not cut Palmer but they made trade for a couple of RB. Just a thought to stew on. It seems clear that the Cards were seeing RB as a position of need when they came into the draft, something none of us considered.

  6. By 949Cardsfan on Apr 30, 2011 | Reply

    I don’t mind bringing guys like this and housler in, but I disagree when they were picked. Probably couldve gotten both of them as undradted free agents. Come on guys! These are complimentary players. Guys a Superbowl team would take to fill subtle needs. What the hell are you guys doing!!!!!!!

    We need impact players at key positions. Not fringe players who have major flaws. You’ve got to be kidding me. It looks like the FO is more interested in fielding the leagues top special teams team than they are offense or defense.

  7. By cardsalltheway on Apr 30, 2011 | Reply

    All-Time Blocker,
    He ought to play every down, all he has to do is sneak up and into where the front line would play – if we had one.

  8. By Brian on Apr 30, 2011 | Reply

    wowwww are you serious whiz?….come one we need a solid pass rusher…how often we going to use this fullback?…how often do we need a consistent pass rusher?…i know we got the kid from texas and he a smart pick but follow it up with another LB/DE or even go tackle seriously this cards draft is really starting to bother me…that 3rd round pick should of been a solid pass rusher/or OT….I hope whiz has a plan about our O line and linebackers…lets hope schofield is what he was a few years ago before blowing out his knee….wish we didnt pass up brooks…kid is an animal!

  9. By AndyStandsUp on Apr 30, 2011 | Reply

    Seems to be different philosophies within the NFC West as far as drafting BPA vs need:
    Rams need interior defense and pass catchers for Sam Bradford. Robert Quinn, a TE and 2 WRs.
    49ers yearn pass rusher and QB. Aldon Smith and Colin Kaepernick.
    Seahawks desperately want to plug aging OL line and select a G and a T.

    Cards need QB, OLB,OL,ILB and they pick CB, RB, TE, DT and FB.
    This is kinda like Sesame Street. “One of these things don’t belong here, can you tell me, can you tell me which one?”

  10. By PWalker on Apr 30, 2011 | Reply

    NIce Pick again.

  11. By Mark in Chandler on Apr 30, 2011 | Reply

    UPDATE: Ok, now Eagles picked up a LSH-guy from Pitt. Maybe that dismissed my theory.

  12. By 98CardsFan on Apr 30, 2011 | Reply

    “Sherman is a stout fullback that does not have the strength to be a lead blocker at the next level. He is a fierce competitor that flashes a mean streak and looks to punish opponents. However, he is not explosive at the point of attack and does not generate a consistent push in the running game. He is not a natural runner that lacks the vision to find space and the speed to exploit seams. He is a capable blocker in pass protection, but not a weapon in the passing game. Sherman looks to be a rookie free agent.” NFL.com

    such a wasted pick, other than QB the LB unit is the weakest of the team, i say throw a bone to Greg Lloyd Jr. from Connecticut if they insist on reaching. Who knows, with the right coaching maybe his bloodlines will kick in…

  13. By 949Cardsfan on Apr 30, 2011 | Reply

    Ahh-hah!!!! I see what’s going on here. Whiz is completly revamping our offense. This offense will look nothing like the offense of the Warner years. We are going Ground n’Pound! Expect the next three pics to be nasty lineman. I see you workin Whiz, I hope you know what your doing!

  14. By James Sancto (English Cardinal) on Apr 30, 2011 | Reply

    Obvious nickname: “The TANK” ?

  15. By Jeff Gollin on Apr 30, 2011 | Reply

    He can catch too.

    Consider this pick within the context of our drafting a pass-catching TE in Housler.

    The selection of Sherman could signal the willingness of Wiz to sacrifice blocking at TE in favor of using the traditional FB in a two-back set instead of going to a one-back multi receiver set quite as much.

  16. By AndyStandsUp on Apr 30, 2011 | Reply

    Wasn’t Cody Brown from Connecticut?

  17. By Darren Urban on Apr 30, 2011 | Reply

    AndyStands —

    RE: Cody

    Yes he was.

  18. By Phoenixraven1 on Apr 30, 2011 | Reply

    Once again Wiz scores in the 5th! This guy is an absolute stud.

  19. By Bill L on Apr 30, 2011 | Reply

    I look at the Cards draft so far……..other than being incompetent enough last year to get #5…..it seems to me a chimp could have done as well. Anyone think this team is better than the 5-11 team last year? Anyone think adding Bulger to this mess will make it much better? Are the Owner, Mgmt, Coaches actually trying to get better, or just holding the status quo of incompetence so the CASH keeps rolling in………Fans get what they will settle for……when fans demand better they will get better.

  20. By run the balllllllllll on Apr 30, 2011 | Reply

    an average cardinal fan wouldn’t understand this pick but one who knows football does… Whiz stated several times he wants to run the ball play defense.. so he drafted another RB a FB to block and a TE to keep the safeties back and open up the running game.. beanie and LSH are all we have on our roster (timmy is a FA, and wright will probably retire).. if we go with Skelton or any other QB we wont ask him to do too much.. hand the ball off 30 times a game and make a play once in a while.. he wants players who can contribute now and every pick so far can step right in and play.. if you look at our stats when we run with a FB we almost double our average as compared to when we don’t..

  21. By run the balllllllllll on Apr 30, 2011 | Reply

    this guy helped jordan todman run 1700 yards last season.. btw jordan todman still isnt drafted yet.. also not one unconn line player was drafted.. so it wasn’t the line, wasn’t the RB who got those yards it was the FB.. This guy is mean.. hes a stud

  22. By Doug B on Apr 30, 2011 | Reply

    Just look at all the pieces we’ll have in place for when Andrew Luck gets here next year…..

    Sadly all the guys we have drafted have a chance to start from Day one. And in that respect what other team can say they have drafted 5 starters????? It sucks to say that as a fan of 25 years, but this is where we at. Lets hope Housler and Sherman pan out and we have long time starters at hose two positions so we don’t have to draft those Positions again for ten years. We are in the middle of a re-building project, might as well get on board.

  23. By cardsfan007 on Apr 30, 2011 | Reply

    This guy looks like solid blocker, if we can resign my favorite halfback Timmy Hightower, Beanie Wells, LSH, and keeps Ryan Williams, that could be a deadly 1,2,3,4 Halfback Punch and it could help Beanie stay healthy.

  24. By Travis Stiegler on Apr 30, 2011 | Reply

    real surprised about the lack of an earlier OLB pick, could have had Ayers or Reed? looks like they are taking best available which is actually smart since free agency hasn’t started yet. they can fill holes then and make trades to get positions of need. taking this route makes the competition more fierce and the TEAM gets better. just expect some significant changes on the roster and anticipate one of our RBs to be part of a trade for Palmer/McNabb/Kolb/Bulger. I cant stand Bulger but Boldin said the other day that Bulger’s accuracy is the closest thing he has seen next to Warner’s. Something about the guy rubs me the wrong way – he doesn’t look like much and he doesn’t appear to be passionate about the game. It’s like he is just content being a backup and making money. Maybe I’m wrong but it appears the Cards have faith in Skelton for the future. I do too actually, he just needs some time.

  25. By Joel Soderburg on Apr 30, 2011 | Reply

    A fullback?!?!? It sems the Cards have lost their collective minds.

  26. By Joel Soderburg on Apr 30, 2011 | Reply

    you can’t run the ball withan o line that is leaking oil all over the place

  27. By MikeFlorio on Apr 30, 2011 | Reply

    Without a QB, to stretch the field making passes to Ftizgerald then the opposing defense has to sinch down on stopping the run, and were gonna trust running the ball with a couple of rookies????

    I truly hope whiz has a good FA otherwise another dismal season. Same ole cards.
    Last year he wanted to throw it all over the place with rookie QBS and a lousy FA QB.
    This year Run and Run with rookies and no QBS

  28. By MikeFlorio on Apr 30, 2011 | Reply

    Darren when are we gonna release, MAX Hall and Errant Andereson???

  29. By Darren Urban on Apr 30, 2011 | Reply

    MikeFlorio —

    RE: Roster moves

    No roster moves until the labor situation is settled.

  30. By AndyStandsUp on Apr 30, 2011 | Reply

    That was a sarcastic rhetorical question about Brown, in case you didn’t notice.
    A more direct question would be is FB a need position at this juncture, IYO?

  31. By Darren Urban on Apr 30, 2011 | Reply

    AndyStands —

    RE: FB

    Yes, it is. More need than, say, OL or LB? I say no. But yes, it’s a need. They wanted to upgrade, and the position remains important in the offense, and, more importantly, with Jason Wright retiring, they needed a good special teams player.

  32. By AndyStandsUp on Apr 30, 2011 | Reply

    So that’s official? Wright is retiring?
    How about Bryan Robinson?

  33. By Darren Urban on Apr 30, 2011 | Reply

    AndyStands —

    RE: Wright/BRob

    Nothing is official on Wright, but I think he was leaning that way. Have not heard about Robinson.

  34. By Andy M on Apr 30, 2011 | Reply

    Darren, I don’t know; it seems like a lot of folks commenting are looking at the draft in isolation. It is clear that the cognoscenti are angling toward an overhaul of the team. If they thought there was a quicker impact or the odds of finding a keeper by drafting a QB or pass rusher early-on, they would, but probably think free agency and young player development provide better odds in these areas of need. It would seem that the players selected thus far have a reasonable chance of stepping in quickly and contributing.

    Bottom line: you can’t have it all. Drafting for need yields a lower probability of success than “best available”. Everyone hates draft “busts” because they are expensive lost opportunities, so my feeling is give the front office the benefit of doubt until we see how their overall strategy including free agency comes together.

  35. By EDijkstra on Apr 30, 2011 | Reply

    Sherman is Phil Steele’s second-ranked FB (#1 was Charles Clay of Tulsa). Comments: “Tough hard-nosed runner with great hands and is rising on a lot of draft boards.”. He had the most reps among RB’s with 32.

  36. By drummer-1 on Apr 30, 2011 | Reply

    Whiz is transitioning the team to what he want it to be a running team,last year all i read was crying, we need to run more, we need to run more, they are getting the players to do so and you guys are still crying, what a bunch of babys…I’m loving it though, you guys make me laugh and i love comedy..

    Like i always say, if you don’t like it don’t watch..Guess they know what they’re doing,because they are making the picks and you guys are not, just on here crying…now enjoy your day…

  37. By Mike Ellingboe on Apr 30, 2011 | Reply

    @Bill L,

    I do think this team is better than last year for a couple of reasons; the major one being the change of DC’s. Davis was as good an OC as this league has seen in awhile.

    The other is many of our young guys now have some playing experience and even with the lockout it should help them feel more comfortable going into what we hope will be the 2011 season. Even the painfully mediocre group we had at QB have a year of the offensive system to go on, but our refusal to address the situation in the draft does leaves me thinking that Horton will need to field the most improved defense in the league if we’re going to have a shot at the division this year. The idea that a veteran FA will play better than a rookie is backed up by very little of anything we’ve seen over the last couple of seasons throughout the league.

  38. By Chuck 1 on Apr 30, 2011 | Reply

    Sweetness, Jim Brown and Sayers could be in the Cards’ backfield and without a much improved O-Line, they would be dog meat!!!

  39. By Dre on May 1, 2011 | Reply

    I’m confused really…aren’t we trying to get good players no matter what round. What is up with these comments from NFL.com combine player

    OVERVIEW: Sherman is a stout fullback that does not have the strength to be a lead blocker at the next level. He is a fierce competitor that flashes a mean streak and looks to punish opponents. However, he is not explosive at the point of attack and does not generate a consistent push in the running game. He is not a natural runner that lacks the vision to find space and the speed to exploit seams. He is a capable blocker in pass protection, but not a weapon in the passing game. Sherman looks to be a rookie free agent.

    STRENGHTHS: Sherman has a very thick compact build. Keeps his head up and quickly locates who to hit. Plays with good leverage and delivers a powerful initial punch. Fights to the whistle and always finishes his blocks. High effort kid that is effective on special teams.

    WEEKNESSES: Does not have the lower body strength to always push defenders out of the hole. Dips head and misses blocks at times. Lacks good vision and struggles to find running lanes. Does not consistently push the pile and will not always get yards after contact. Drops too many catchable passes.

    C’mom man….don’t believe me than look for yourself.

  40. By Mass coach on May 1, 2011 | Reply

    hey, this kid is a hard worker and a tough football player, he will be successfull at this level, i coached against him in High school where he dominated at FB and Linebacker, and went on to be a very good player at UCONN . Good pick for the Cardinals , play him on special teams and see how tough he is ….Cardinals fans will like this guy.

    Patriots Fan

  41. By Mike Ellingboe on May 2, 2011 | Reply

    On the other hand, Gil Brandt, former VP of player personnel for the Cowboys for about 30 years, had this to say about him:

    “…the rare fullback who also possesses very good hands. Though players at his position don’t tend to go high on draft days, Sherman’s unique skills should lead to him coming off the draft board in the fourth or fifth round…”

  42. By DRC #1 FAN on May 2, 2011 | Reply

    Dre and other doubters.

    first off to dre. nfl .com is kind of lame with new and comments. “he keeps his head up and locates blockers” yet he ” ducks his head and misses blocks’? make up your mind whoever wrote that.

    secondly. if you want our FO to be stupid and pick off of what we need and not best player available than go be a bengals fan. seriously. or a panthers fan. they picked players to fill needs and left the best players to everyone else.

    FB is very important in our rung game. watch our blocks. if the FB does not seal that back end then our G and T pulls are not effective. the FB in our run scheme is almost our most important blocker.

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Tag Archives: Fun Ideas

5 Easy To Make Valentine’s Day Desserts

Filed under: DIY & Crafts, Food, Fun Ideas, Seasonal Celebrations - Angelina
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Serena Piper BookRenter Blogger Biography

Amidst the romance, celebratory pink and purple hearts, and love stuff – the best part of Valentine’s Day is probably the desserts. Rich chocolate cakes drizzled with yummy sauces, crunchy cookies with colorful frosting, and lots and lots of sprinkles! If you’re planning on a sweet (literally) Valentine’s Day, there are plenty of super easy desserts that can be quickly pulled together if you’re short on time this coming Love Day.

Check out these mouth-watering treats for some baking inspiration:

1. Rice Krispies Hearts

The age-old favorite hasn’t lost its appeal! Combine butter, marshmallows, and Rice Krispies together to make the typical Rice Krispies Treat. For different colored treats, have a separate bowl for each color to mix ingredients in. You can then use your favorite cookie cutters (I suggest hearts or letters to spell out a sweet message) to add some flair. Give them to your special someone, your best friends, or enjoy them yourself!

2. Muddy Buddies

Who doesn’t love this guilty pleasure?! It might be directed more towards the kids, but who are we kidding: this treat knows no age limit. Combine Chex rice cereal, confectioner sugar, shortening, sprinkles, and pink candies to make yet another tasty treat made of cereal.

3. Classic Cherry Bread

If you like Maraschino cherries as much as I do, you’ll love this recipe for cherry bread. Combine things you probably already have in your kitchen (sugar, flour, salt, eggs, etc.) along with one 10-oz. jar of maraschino cherries. Bake and then drizzle it with a cream cheese icing. I think I know what I’ll be making for Valentine’s Day!

4. White Chocolate Popcorn

If you “heart” popcorn more than any other snack, this recipe is for you. Melt 12 ounces of white chocolate in a double boiler (or microwave) and then drizzle it over your popped popcorn. Use a spoon to toss it and then spread it out on a baking sheet. Sprinkle with salt, your favorite sprinkles (hopefully pink and red), and feel free to add some conversation hearts for cuteness! Once it’s all cooled, start snacking!

5. Fruit Roll-Up Fortune Cookies

We all remember Fruit Roll-Ups as the most coveted snack at the lunch table when we were kids. Some of our parents were nice and stuck one in there for our mid-day treat, while others had to beg and plead with their parents to buy them. Turns out, they’re perfect material for making fortune cookies. Buy a box of fruit roll-ups (one roll-up equals one cookie), use a circle cookie cutter, and fold! Don’t forget to tuck in sweet “fortune” messages! Super easy, and super sweet!

Whatever you make, you can’t go overboard with red and pink colors, a smooth frosting, or anything classic. Other hits include chocolate-covered strawberries, pink and white M&M cookies, or the infamous heart cake topped with your favorite frosting.

Do you have a favorite dessert you’ll be making for Valentine’s Day? Share it with us in the comments below!

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10 Winter Break Activities That Won’t Break The Bank

Filed under: Fun Ideas, Seasonal Celebrations - Angelina
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Sylwia Baran

Winter break is about half-way through! If you haven’t taken advantage of your time off from school yet, it’s time to start getting serious about having some fun! Here are some suggestions to make sure your winter break is all you could ask for before starting the new semester.

1. Snow Tubing

This doesn’t have to cost a single penny. All you need is snow, a hill, and a garbage lid. Grab some family members and/or some friends and you’ve got a great day ahead of you!

2. Netflix

Winter break is the time to lounge on the couch and binge on your favorite shows and movies. Make some hot chocolate, put on your fuzzy socks, and really get into it – this is the time!

3. Baking

Take this time out of college to try out a few new recipes. The internet is filled with some great ideas, some are even winter festive! If you already know how to bake, try baking something new, if you don’t know how to bake, this is your chance to learn! Once you are done, you will have some delicious snacks to munch on later.

4. Museums

Many museums have “free days” on which you do not have to pay an entrance fee. Take advantage of these! If you go with a couple of friends, it is actually a lot of fun!

5. Re-Organize Your Closet

After four months of piling your laundry all over the place, take a day out of your winter break to clean up a bit. Organize your closet. Go through clothes that no longer fit or you will not longer wear and donate them. Do some laundry and get everything back into place. Doing this always gives me the feeling of a fresh start, which is great for the upcoming Spring semester.

6. Read

Even though you’re probably sick of books by the end of each semester, use your winter break to do something you may not get the chance to do during the semester: read for pleasure.

7. Re-connect With Friends

While classes are in session, it’s hard to keep up with all of our friends in between midterms, finals, and papers. This is the perfect time to re-connect with some of those friends and make some lasting memories.

8. Rent A Cabin

Gather a larger group of your friends and rent a cabin for a couple of days. When you split the cost between all of you, it is not that expensive. If you really want a challenge, do this without the iPads, laptops, and cell phones. Sometimes it is nice to get back in tune with nature.

9. Earn Some Extra Cash

Use the few weeks you have off to earn some extra spending money for the upcoming semester. Find a temporary gig, work in the catering hall, or pick up some extra shifts at your current job while you have the time off.

10. Relax

Whether that means taking a bubble bath or going out dancing, remember to relax this winter break! You deserve to relax before the upcoming semester.

What have you been doing for your winter break? Share with us in the comments!

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Summer Fun Never Felt So Cool

Filed under: College Life, Seasonal Celebrations - Angelina
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Blogger Bio

Summer is about having fun and relaxing. Sometimes that can be hard in serious heat. If you’ve been watching the news lately, you know that half the U.S. is under a nasty heat wave. Arizona has been experiencing temperatures up to 109 degrees, and it’s estimated that 30 people have died from heat-related causes. This is a great reminder that it’s important to keep cool in the summer. Not all college students have air conditioning, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t plenty of ways to still keep cool, and have fun doing it.

Ice Ice Baby

Admit it. You still drink Kool-Aid, right? Luckily, this is one thing it’s okay to never outgrow because in the summertime, Kool-Aid ice cubes can be your best friend. Pick your favorite flavor, mix it up in a pitcher, then pour some in one or two ice cube trays to suck on later. You can even add the ice cubes to a glass of water for a kick of flavor. Or you can try this recipe from Food Network for delicious margarita pops.

Catch Up on Some Flicks

If it’s 90+ degrees outside, try catching a double feature at your local movie theater. Close your blinds, lock up the house, and go see two or three movies back to back. Their air conditioning will definitely cool you down while you enjoy summer flicks!

Get Soaked

Invite a bunch of friends over to have a water balloon fight outside or at a nearby park. Make teams and dress the part with team colors! Bonus points if someone brings water guns. This would be perfect to do when you get back on campus with some college friends in a wide open area, just don’t hit someone that is not in on the fun.

Go Ice-Skating

Some indoor rinks are open year round, so grab a friend or a date and hit the ice! If you’re with friends, play a game of Red Light, Green Light, or Freeze Tag (just try not to hit anyone else not playing).

Make sure you enjoy the summer sun and have some fun before heading back to school, just keep hydrated and wear loose, light-colored clothing. Just because it’s hot out, doesn’t mean you have to miss out on all the fun!

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Tag Archives: New Moon

Kristen Stewart’s Birthday

Kristen Jaymes Stewart was born in Los Angeles, California on April 9, 1990. Both of her parents were in show business – her father a producer/director and her mother a scriptwriter – and they propelled Kristen into the scene.

Kristen Stewart was discovered by a talent scout at the age of 8 while acting in a school play. Soon after in 1999, she had landed a small role in the Disney Channel movie The Thirteenth Year. However, her big break didn’t come until 2002 when she starred in Panic Room with A-listers Jodie Foster and Forrest Whitaker.

Stewart scored subsequent roles in Speak (2005) and Into the Wild (2007), before gaining colossal fame acting as Bella Swan in The Twilight Saga. The vampire series, modeled after novels by Stephanie Meyer, includes five films and follows the love affair between hunky vampire Edward Cullen (Robert Pattinson) and a seemingly “normal”, misunderstood teenager, Bella Swan. Now that the saga has ended, Kristen has begun to separate herself from her immensely popular character in the Twilight movies by starring as Snow White in Snow White and the Huntsman and its sequel, just announced.

Happy Birthday Kristen!

Sources: Biography, Wikipedia

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Victoria has a secret, and lists lists lists

1. Hilarious or appalling or both? Here’s a tech-savvy dissection of an innocuous-looking Victoria’s Secret photo. Really, for all the work they did they might as well have put John Hodgman in the dress and taken it from there. (thanks, matty b!)

2. Don’t pretend you’re sick of lists! You’re so not. Herewith, divorces of the decade. I just personally want to say a big honkin’ thank you to Brad Pitt. Imagine all the magazine covers we’d been deprived of if you had stuck it out with Jen.

3. And here’s a list of the worst people of 2009! But I call incomplete on any list that fails to incorporate Whinin’ Joe Lieberman. I say this with love, Joe. We go back a long way, not that you remember.

4. And cuz this is Texas, a list of things that can be deep-fried. Everything, it turns out.

Kyrie O'Connor


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Linkpost | 5.13.2013

ABC to Let App Users Live Stream Local Programming – Initially it will only be available in the areas around New York and Philadelphia, and only to people who have cable or satellite subscriptions. It will roll out in other cities later this year.

New Android Boss Finally Reveals Plans for World’s Most Popular Mobile OS – Actually, not much new is revealed, but Sundar Pichai does talk about Android updates, Samsung’s dominance, Amazon’s Kindle fork and balancing Chrome and Android.

Google shuts down SMS Search – Did you even know you could search the Web through Google using SMS? Well, you can’t do it anymore.

Analysis: Google+ struggles to attract brands, some neglect to update – You can lead a brand to Google+, but can you sustain its interest if activity is minimal?

With Windows Blue, Microsoft may (finally) do the right thing – Listening to users’ complaints and acting on them is a good thing, right?

Samsung wants to bring 5G online by 2020 – Samsung says it has developed technologies that could allow for wireless data transfers of up to 10 Gbps. The company has achieved 1 Gbps speeds in tests.

Samsung Galaxy S4 Zoom and S4 Mini in new leaks and pictures – The S4 family is expected to grow soon.

Tail wagging – Matt Gemmell muses on “tail wagging”, when design tries to show off and becomes a distraction. The context: The rumored simplification of design coming in iOS 7.

iTunes users spending at the rate of $40/yr. – That amount strikes me as low, particularly if you’re a music lover.

The Evolution of the Web, in a Blink – An interesting essay on Blink, the new Web rendering engine coming from Google, and the <blink> tag, which Blink will not support.

Nokia’s next Lumia teased on TV with a metal body and big camera lens – It was teased in an ad on British television.

Facebook’s iPhone Culture Builds An Overzealous Home On Android – Facebook Home doesn’t have certain features common to Android apps because its developers likely run iOS.

Five Woot Execs Check Out, As Daily Deals Site Feels The Strain Under Owner Amazon – Amazon acquired Woot some time back, and the strains of that relationship may be starting to show.

Bill Gates on Steve Jobs: We grew up together – Bill Gates gets emotional as he talks about his last visit with Steve Jobs in this 60 Minutes excerpt.

Dwight Silverman | Techblogger, social media manager


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Monthly Archive for May, 2014

: May, 2014

Why I support Houston’s Equal Rights Ordinance & Our LGBTQ Community

The Houston city council has loudly heard opposition from conservative Christians about the proposed non-discrimination ordinance (NDO) to be voted on today (May 28). As a supporter of LGBT rights,
story telling

God’s Story is Our Story

The Christian education in many churches and homes teaches the stories found in scripture. We are introduced to individual stories, or lots of them anyway (there are hundreds of individual stories and

How do you live out Anti-Oppression Values?

People watching can be profoundly spiritual. On Thursday I found myself in several airports watching throngs of life rush past me. I often put on pastoral lenses to observe: seeing pain and beauty in
strike zone

Pitching the perfect sermon

Pitching to the boys on my son’s coach-pitch baseball team in Houston is nerve wracking. There’s little in my week I concentrate more on or expect perfection at: I want them all to get a hit! And it


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Rick Perry promises to announce “exciting future plans” this afternoon in San Antonio. So what’s the Texas governor going to tell us?

Predicting Rick Perry’s future is more risky than wearing burnt orange to an Aggie bonfire.

But that won’t deter your bold team at Texas on the Potomac.

After consulting with academics and political consultants from both parties, here are our odds for Perry’s potential announcements:

Chooses not to run for re-election as governor, says he’s contemplating a presidential run (3:2 odds, 40 percent probability)

Most Austin pundits believe Perry, the longest-serving governor in Texas history, won’t run for another term. (What more can he accomplish?) But his high-profile embrace of the abortion issue has ’em thinking he has his eye on the White House.

Announces he will run for a fourth full term as governor (4:1 odds, 20 percent probability)

He’s said it many times: Rick Perry loves serving as governor. Some prominent Republicans have seen their political careers wither as they’ve waited for Perry to move on (or tried to dislodge him). Running for re-election wouldn’t foreclose a future presidential campaign. In fact, it might help Perry with fundraising.

Says he won’t run for governor or president (5:1 odds, 16 percent probability)

Y’all remember how his 2012 presidential campaign went. And he could face a tough GOP primary for governor in 2014. Perry’s not likely to hang up his political spurs today, but you can’t count it out.

Chooses not to run for re-election, doesn’t comment on a presidential run (7:1 odds, 12 percent probability)

Perry can play coy. You’ve all seen that. He’s more likely to say he’s thinking about a presidential run. But he might just quote Scarlett O’Hara and declare that “tomorrow is another day.”

Makes an announcement completely unrelated to seeking political office (9:1 odds, 10 percent probability)

The gov does like to confound all of us. Now that he’s managed to get the state’s (and nation’s) attention, he can say anything he wants. It might not have anything to do with running for office.

Chooses not to run for re-election, announces his presidential candidacy (50:1 odds, 2 percent probability)

Why shouldn’t Perry be the first Republican to announce his 2016 candidacy? After all, he admitted that he waited way too long in 2011 before announcing. On the other hand, this might be a little bit too early.

Announces his resignation (1000:1 odds, infinitesimal probability)

Who knows? Perry could be offered a lucrative CEO job, the directorship of a major conservative think tank, boss of the Boy Scouts or some other opportunity he just can’t turn down. Highly, highly unlikely, but we leave this option open for folks who like to bet on real longshots.

Rick Perry says he'll announce "exciting future plans" on Monday. What would you like him to announce?

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Richard Dunham


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Texans notes: Gronkowski back, the ‘secret weapon’ and more

Brooks Reed will be looking to disrupt the timing of Tom Brady and the Patriots. ( Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle )

Being underdog a ‘secret weapon’
The Texans have been favored in most of their games this season, but they’re a 9½-point underdog at New England.

“I love being the underdog,” defensive end Antonio Smith said. “It’s my claim to fame. I’ve just been an underdog all my life. I grew to love it, feels good.”

Smith likes it when he hears people say the Texans have no chance against the Patriots.

“That’s the secret weapon of the underdog,” he said. “Yeah, it bothers us, and you just sit there, and you take it, and you let it harbor, and you let it fester and grow into what you need it to grow into.”

CB Harris ready for second shot
Cornerback Brandon Harris, who replaced the injured Brice McCain covering slot receivers, has a lot more experience than he did when the Texans lost to New England 42-14 in December.

Harris spent most of that game covering Wes Welker, who caught three passes and dropped two or three.

“I think Brandon has come along real well at that position, and he actually played pretty well in that game,” defensive coordinator Wade Phillips said. “Welker wasn’t the guy that hurt us, and he played on Welker most of the game. Welker had one nice play, but that wasn’t in a third-down situation.”

Gronkowski not only one back
Much is being made about the Patriots’ getting tight end Rob Gronkowski back after he missed the regular-season game against the Texans, but the Texans will have linebacker Brooks Reed, who didn’t play that night either, and cornerback Johnathan Joseph is back to full speed after battling hamstring and groin issues.

Asked how much better he feels now, Joseph said it’s like “night and day. I was able to play, but I wasn’t at my best. … I’m 100 percent right now.”

Defensive coordinator Wade Phillips admitted “it’s scary” to contemplate the Patriots with Gronkowski, considering how effective they were without him. “He’s a great player. Having him gives them another threat on the field all the time.”

Although Phillips stopped short of saying Reed’s return cancels out Gronkowski’s, he said the Texans will present a more formidable challenge for Tom Brady with Reed in the mix.

“Brooks is a force on the field,” Phillips said. “He’s a physical force, and that helps our mental toughness overall as a defense.”

John McClain


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Eagle Forum Legislative Alerts

Saturday, March 01, 2014

Interview: Stephen Meyer — Darwin's Doubt: The Case for Intelligent Design

Even as he sketched out his theory of evolution, one great doubt nagged Charles Darwin. Even now, the mystery remains unsolved. Could Darwin's secret weakness be the trump card for intelligent design?

Listen to Eagle Forum Live Radio Program aired on 3-01-14

Listen every Saturday (11-Noon CST): Bott Radio Network

Archived Eagle Forum Live Radio Programs

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Archive for category Product Reviews

Eli’s Cheesecake on the Menu at the Safari Grill at the Brookfield Zoo

brookfield zoo

eli menu brookfield zoo

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Eli’s “Chicago Baked” Cheesecake on the Menu at the Exchange Bar & Grill in England

exchangedesserts. Exchangedesserts

For over 20 years, the Exchange Bar and Grill restaurants have been providing a first-class American dining and food experience to customers in the United Kingdom. The Exchange Bar & Grills have a distinctively American atmosphere and menu selection from burgers and cocktails to shakes.
Eli’s Cheesecake is very proud to be on the Menu at the Exchange Bar and Grill. The menu describes our cheesecake as “Eli’s Chicago Baked Cheesecake”—“A smooth and creamy cheesecake baked on top of an all-butter cookie crust straight from Eli’s Schulman’s in Chicago. Topped with blueberry compote and served with cream or vanilla ice cream.”

The Exchange Bar and Grills are located in Manchester, Greater Manchester, West Yorkshire, Nottingham and Rochester in England. We are honored to be part of the Exchange’s brand promise “to deliver the same great experience in all Exchanges – the all American way.”

Send us a photo of you at one of the Exchanges with a slice of Eli’s and the Men and we will send you an Eli’s Cheesecake T-shirt.

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Thank you Mark Edwards of St. Louis for your comments

“I’d give anything to be there. Hopefully I can find a little Eli’s cheesecake here in St. Louis. My late grandfather and Eli were friends, and I spent many a day in the old Eli’s restaurant in downtown Chicago both with my Grandfather and later in life with the legendary Howard Bedno.

But back to the cheesecake. Eli’s is perhaps the best on the planet.”

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Eli’s Original Cheesecake on the Menu at Herbie’s Pizza in the UK

We are delighted that customers in the United Kingdom can find Eli’s Original Cheesecake at Herbie’s Pizza.

Herbie’s has locations throughout England in Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Greater London, Hampshire, Surrey and Wiltshire.

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Eli’s Cheesecake at Henry J. Beans Manchester at The Printworks—described as “Heavenly”

henry beans

If you have the room…

Eli’s Vanilla Cheesecake
Authentic baked vanilla cheesecake from Chicago served with fruit compote

Henry J Beans Manchester – Hen and Stag Dining at the Printworks

Last Friday saw me head into Henry J Beans in the Printworks in the selfless gesture to make sure that the high quality of the food offered to Hens and Stags coming to Manchester was as good as ever. I can happily say that it most definitely is!!

Now I didn’t push the boat out too much as the Manchester Stag and Hen packages start with sharing platters so I opted to head straight into the main course with “The Classic Burger” and go for the mark of a good restaurant in my and Stag and Hen Manchester‘s mind a good burger.

Now I had serious plans after my burger to get some of Eli’s vanilla cheesecake but I had been watching the Wimbledon tennis and dawdling so unfortunately i had to scarper but don’t worry I got the following description from a table next door to mine which had opted for it ” Heavenly – End of” so hang fire as you see me shamelessly find another excuse to head back all in the name of Stag and Hen Manchester to try it for myself.

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Huffington Post reports “Eli’s Cheesecake is based in Chicago. And totally delicious” A Chicago Food Icon at the Fourth of July Picnic hosted at the American Embassy in Canada!

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Eli’s Cheesecake Featured on the Menu at the US Ambassador to Canada 4th of July Celebration in Ottawa

Eli's Cheesecake on the Menu at the US Ambassadors to Canada

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Eli’s Cheesecake Featured Dessert at “A Taste of Illinois”–4th of July Celebration hosted by the US Ambassador to Canada in Ottawa

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Two Great Taste of Chicago Institutions–Robinson’s Ribs and Eli’s Cheesecake!

marccharlie (Medium)

For almost all of the 30 year history of Taste of Chicago, Robinson’s Ribs and Eli’s Cheesecake have been neighbors at the corner of Columbus and Jackson. As we celebrate the start of the 2010 Taste, we want to congratulate our dear friend, Charlie Robinson and his team at Robinson’s Ribs for their outstanding friendship, service and quality.

During Taste of 2010, come to Robinson’s for your ribs and continue on to Eli’s for dessert!

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Eli’s Cheesecake Delighted to be on the Menu for Wetherspoon Pubs in the UK starting Today-April 28th

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ColdFusion, Why Development Company should go for it?

13 Aug

With everything getting digitizing, there has been rise in considerably good number of development companies. So many languages are available in the market which confuses both the company – which language/s to go for, so that it can give them good profit and the developer – which one will provide them with good career. There are so many debates in the same but still it is very difficult to come to final conclusion as if which one is the best. This is because every language has its own potential and weaknesses. I have seen quite good popularity of ColdFusion now days and that made me plunge into the research of the same. Through the research I was really surprised with some of the features provided by it and many good products from the ColdFusion Development Companies. Let me share some of the points I came across during my research.

ColdFusion Development

Robust: The development with ColdFusion is indeed sturdy as it is developed in Java- J2ee platform. Of course many other platforms are there, but through ColdFusion you can make many complex applications. Apart we get many other advantages: ColdFusion also provides an application server.

Newbie?: I have heard people discussing that you should not get into the ColdFusion development, if you are a fresher in the same. But here I would cross question that at some point anybody would have done an inception for it, no one would have come learning and implementing ColdFusion from the womb. So if you as a company want to go for the ColdFusion development just go for it, without paying attention to the rumors. But don’t be miser while hiring the ColdFusion developers because they are the one who will help you a lot especially because you are a startup company.

Some technical stuff: All application are not similar and hence the need to develop the ColdFusion apps differs. This is taken into consideration by the ColdFusion. They provide various editions as per the requirement of the application. Similarly, as far as the developing company is concerned, you can be small scaled, medium or large scaled businesses and hence the requirement of each can differ. ColdFusion comes with three editions.

  1. Enterprise Edition: This edition lets you deliver multiple applications on more than one server. Hence as a big size company you can go for it as it provides the provision for big applications.

  2. Standard Edition: This is ideal for medium and small scaled business. Through this edition you can establish single applications very nicely.

  3. Developer Edition:  As the name implies this edition is just for the development purpose. The best thing about it is that this edition is available free of charge.

Apart there are many other considerations about the ColdFusion development, but it is not feasible to write it out in just a single blog. Still I would like to give a suggestion that as almost the entire development of the application is to be done by the developers, hire the ColdFusion developers wisely.

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Tuesday, April 24, 2012

Girl Scouts of Eastern Missouri on a Mission to Set a Guinness World Record

In St. Louis, FOX 2 News reports that Girl Scouts of Eastern Missouri is adding an exciting new dimension to their annual personal care item drive for families in need this weekend. In an effort to collect more personal care items than ever before and as a way to honor the organization’s centennial, Girl Scouts of Eastern Missouri is on a mission to set a Guinness World Record.

To accomplish this, girls will continue their tradition of going door-to-door in the eastern Missouri region to distribute personal care item bags, but they will also host a “Showering the Community” event. The event takes place April 21 at every Wal-Mart in the eastern Missouri region. Girl Scouts will stand in front of the store in raincoats and galoshes passing out raindrops that list needed items. Customers are encouraged to purchase some of these items as they complete their shopping. There will be barrels available at the store’s exit for drop-off.

Launched in 1998, this community wide event continues to be a cornerstone for local shelters and families in need of donated items. According to Operation Food Search, April Showers provides 99 percent of all personal care items distributed in the region. GSEM attributes this major accomplishment to the generosity of residents within the community.

“Personal care items are not a luxury, they are a necessity,” said Donna K. Martin, CEO of Girl Scouts of Eastern Missouri. “Having good hygiene and maintaining good health are important for a positive self-image and a sense of well-being.”

Girl Scouts will be distributing bags door-to-door throughout the Council’s jurisdiction April 20, 21 and 22. Residents have until April 28 to fill their bags with the listed items. Residents who do not receive a bag on their door have the option to attend the Showering the Community event on April 21 or to purchase pre-packaged bags from Schnucks and Dierbergs during the week of the event. Those who are unable to participate or forget to donate during the week of the event may drop off items to any Dierbergs market through May 6.


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Celebrated charities that we don’t recommend

Normally, we focus on identifying outstanding charities, and minimize the time spent on opaque or otherwise lackluster ones. But lately, we’ve gone into a bit more detail about our take on several of the best-known and most appealing charities out … [CLICK TO READ MORE]

Village Phone: Another great story under the microscope

Ever since I heard about the Grameen Foundation’s Village Phone program, I’ve been optimistic. The program involves helping people in remote villages run pay-for-use cellphone services: they get their cellphone, and a loan to buy it, via Grameen, then charge … [CLICK TO READ MORE]


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Archive for the ‘Pontiac Ram Air IV’ tag

Hemmings Find of the Day – Pontiac Ram Air IV heads

Oct 3rd, 2012   |   39 comments

Unlike, say, vintage toys, NOS parts aren’t necessarily worth less if their original packaging isn’t in pristine condition. That’s because the real value of the parts lies in their usefulness; parts like these Pontiac Ram Air IV heads for sale on certainly perform bet ... Read more

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Tuesday, 22 December 2009

Tropical Thomas Browne

It is dark. I sat down with Sir Thomas Browne's Religio Medici and in the preface I found these words:

There are many things delivered Rhetorically, many expressions therein meerly Tropical, and as they best illustrate my intention; and therefore also there are many things to be taken in soft and flexible sense, and not to be called unto the rigid test of Reason.

Tropical, I confess, threw me. I vaguely imagined that some of the opinions in Religio Medici were fit only for a sunny beach. I pictured Browne dancing in a lei while pronouncing on matters reasonable and religious. Perhaps the intense cold had paralysed my deductive faculties for, falling from this airy reverie to the frosty fields of reason, I realised that Tropical meant relating to rhetorical tropes.

The connection is turning. The earth tilts upon its axis. For six months the Northern Hemisphere is tilted towards the sun and this I call summer. For the other six months it is the turn of my anitscian to don a shirt of many colours and loll around on the shores of Bouvet Island. The extent of this turn is 23 degrees both ways. Even as I sullenly type the sun (from our point of view) appears to be hovering at noon over those who are 23 degrees South of the Equator. Then it turns back northward. The Greek for turn is tropos hence tropic.

So the tropics, cancerous and capricious, are the latitudes at which the sun turns. The Greeks, it would appear, used a direct translation of our expression turn of phrase, they called it a rhetorical trope, because a word was being turned to something other than its normal use. So if you use tropes, your prose is tropical.

My prophetic soul tells me there will be more posts on Browne before advent is out. Mrs Malaprop is on holiday. She like Browne is "oft-times fain to wander in the America and untravelled parts of truth."

Sir Thomas Browne's stolen skull resting on a copy of Religio Medici

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Google Search

Friday, August 7, 2009

Writing Quality Software - Code

Coding is bringing the architecture and design to life. Making the idea work. Correct coding is more than just writing code that runs and do what it supposed to do. Correct coding is about making sure the architectural principles are applied, the code is readable and maintainable, self explanatory and self debuggable. Keep in mind that code is meant to be read much more than it is meant to be written.

Debuggable Code

What exactly is “debuggable code”? Well, I would say a debuggable code is a code that helps you find where the errors are as you run into them. This can be done by:
  • Emitting enough logs where applicable.
  • Not “swallowing” exceptions.
  • Placing a method result in a local variable and returning it, rather than return a computation.
  • Preferring a full if/else when needed for populating a variable over the shorter form of x?a:b.
  • Breaking lines between different statements, such as
    if (something) return;
    which is not debuggable, since you can’t place a breakpoint on the ‘return’.
Generally, if you try to debug a section in your code and think it is too hard to debug because the debugger is not enough feature rich, think again how you can change your code to fit the debugger limitations.

Correct Casting

Scott Peterson posted this post about casting best practices. There are several things I would like to add upon.
First, when you expect a specific object type, prefer static cast, even in the case of a publicly visible method. The reason is that you would like the CLR to check the type for you and throw the relevant exception. Why? The alternative is you doing it yourself and responding correctly. Most people would simply “swallow” that error, which will yield bizarre errors elsewhere (most common ones are a null reference exception much deeper in the code, and it would be a very tedious work figuring out what went wrong).

Readable Code

For each project, select a standard and stick with it. Keep in mind that in some cases you might need to read the code you’ve written outside the IDE. This means you won’t have all the cool features like tooltips specifying a member type, go to member, find member references, etc. You want to write code that will be easier to understand without jumping up and down the file.
While it sounds like the Hungarian Notation might sound like a good idea (you can know the type and scope just by looking at the member name), it is a very unreadable notation. I like the naming that adds “m_” and “s_” prefixes to class members and static members respectively, but I hate the addition of “p_” prefix to parameters as I’ve seen in several places. So basically, it is all about readability. Whatever you choose, make sure it is easy to read outside an IDE (using notepad is a good test case), and stick with it.
Another aspect of readable code relates to indentation. Indentation is not an option, my friends. It’s a must, and its better be done right. Select your favorite method of indentation (most common methods include 4 characters wide, 8 characters wide and “smart”), and make sure all indentations are using the same method (spaces or tabs). I personally believe that spaces are the best way to go (along with monospaced font), since the overall code “design” is kept in all editors. Liran Chen has a post about an indentation issue in Visual Studio (in Hebrew).

Don’t underestimate correct spelling. And prefer English in your code and comments over any other language. This will be used as a standard that will ease the process of joining new developers to the project. Minimize the use abbreviations and slang. It doesn’t come out nice, and tend to look unprofessional.

These are my two cents of how to write better code, and there’s much more to write on that subject. Maybe in one of my next posts.

kick it on

Just found this post regarding programming:

I find it true, helpful and funny.

1 comment:

  1. Very helpful tips Itai. I plan to take your advice for my future projects. Thank you for taking the time to write this post.


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Posts Tagged ‘TASPO’

Two tales of tobacco sales

Thursday, August 5th, 2010

Get 'em while they're cheap

Get 'em while they're cheap

1. Like a smoker trying to quit, Japan’s tobacco companies are having a tough time sticking to one plan of action following the Finance Ministry’s decision to raise the tobacco tax ¥3.5 per cigarette starting Oct. 1. In March, British American Tobacco Japan, No. 3 in sales after JT and Philip Morris, announced it would raise prices in conjunction with the tax hike, and then almost immediately withdrew its application from the FM, saying it needed to study the changing market environment further. Philip Morris did the same thing, only in their case they had already gained approval from the FM for a price increase.

Now BATJ has reapplied. On July 26, it submitted a new request to increase prices on all of its 62 brands on Oct. 1 from ¥110 to ¥130 per pack, including the ¥70 tax. A pack of Kools, for instance, which now costs ¥320, will go up to ¥440. Apparently, BATJ studied the situation and decided that instead of biting the bullet and trying to absorb the estimated 20 percent drop in sales that experts say will occur when the tax hike goes into effect, it will try to cover the loss with a price hike; except that they aren’t putting it in such clear, obvious terms.

According to media that have reported the price increase, BATJ said that the estimated loss in sales from the tax hike will mean higher per-unit production costs and so they have boosted the price to make up for it. The way I understand it, that means BATJ isn’t increasing the price in order to cover the loss of revenue caused by all those smokers who will finally decide to quit, but rather to pass on production costs, which, I suppose, sounds more acceptable. Whatever. The cigarettes will still be considerably more expensive.

2. In 2008, the Tobacco Institute of Japan introduced the TASPO card system to help prevent minors from buying cigarettes from vending machines. Smokers had to apply for and receive the card, which was needed to operate cigarette vending machines. However, for cigarette merchants the system is expensive and inconvenient, and a lot of smokers have just given up and buy their cigarettes over the counter.

Continue reading about tobacco sales in Japan →

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Wednesday Music News

photo by Autumn Andel

  • Washed Out shined brightly on Late Show with David Letterman last night, stopping by the show to perform the track “All I Know,” from their most recent release Paracosm. They’ll be returning to Seattle on Friday, January 31st to play Little Big Show #8 with Kingdom Crumbs and Kisses. 100% of ticket sales benefit Reel Grrls. [Spin]

  • With the future of Sonic Youth up in the air, band members Lee Ranaldo and Steve Shelly are full-speed-ahead with Lee Ranaldo & the Dust. Check out the video for “Late Descent #2″ below, off the Matador Records release Last Night On Earth. [Stereogum]

  • Brooklyn band Hospitality are releasing their sophomore album Trouble on Merge Records on January 28th. Stream the track “Rockets And Jets” below. They’ll be playing Saturday, February 8th at Barboza. [Stereogum]

  • Well, that didn’t last long: although NYC-band The Walkmen announced last month they’d be taking a “pretty extreme hiatus.” Today, it’s been announced the band will reunite for an NBA All-Star Weekend Benefit Concert in New Orleans on February 15. The event is being thrown by the San Antonio Spurs’ Matt Bonner. In a press statement, frontman Hamilton Leithauser said, “We thought it might take a lifetime to get us back together, ’til the Alt-Star Party gave us the nod. How could we stay on the bench? We’re coming 110%. Full-court press. Man to man. Rock n Roll, Pick n Roll.” [Pitchfork]

  • Hopefully you haven’t invested your inheritance yet: turns out rapper Kanye West is not thrilled about the new digital currency startup, “Coinye West.” West’s lawyers have sent a cease-and-desist to the crypto-currency company, who have since changed their URL from to, and changed their logo to something a bit more “fishy.” (NSFW link) [Pitchfork]
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"Springfield"... Coming soon to a seat pocket near you

dpaine By dpaine masslive.com
on October 31, 2007 at 3:01 PM, updated October 31, 2007 at 3:40 PM

Many of the region's most famed people and places were put in print this month when U.S. Airway's (in-flight) Magazine profiled Springfield.

No, it's not the front page of the New York Times. It is literally that magazine tucked into the seat pocket in front of you that no one really intends to read - but everyone does.

Nevertheless, their 20+ page profile on our city and the surrounding towns is both positive and entertaining while painting a very enticing portrait of life, leisure and vacationing in the valley.

My personal favorite section: the coverage and photo of Chef Wayne's famed venue that came out so good, you can almost taste the Chicken Ya-Ya.

Those of you who aren't racking up the frequent flyer miles this month can still check out the story here:


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5    Mar 20072 comments

The child I once was came to visit me once

I found a work of video art on the Internet, so moving that it brought a tear to my eye.
It is the work of Alon Chitayat, a talented video artist from Israel.
It is within the realm of nostalgia, the sister of genealogy, so I think it's a perfect fit for the MyHeritage blog.

Like Alon, I also have a mystery box at home packed with treasured souvenirs from my childhood. And from time to time, I look through them, and remember what I once was and all that I could have been.

Click below to play the movie.

Be sure to turn on the speakers to enjoy the unforgettable music by Dori Adar.
It's in Hebrew but there isn't much to not understand. Movers clear out an apartment, but do not touch a box that the owner said he'll pick up on his own. As the memories and childhood objects unfold, the scrabble letters spell out "The child that I once was, came to visit me once".
The rest is universal, I think.

I hope you'll enjoy it as much as I did.

5    Mar 20071 comment

Purim 2007

Purim is a great Jewish holiday, so good in fact that when someone's having too much fun, or a lucky streak, and you just have to cool them down, use the Hebrew expression "Not every day is Purim". Hint hint, tomorrow you're going down, pal.

So, what's the essence of this holiday: I'll spare you the historical background. These days, we celebrate Purim by dressing up - a masquerade - similar to Halloween, but without the trick-or-treat-junk-chocolate-bar-collect activities. But there certainly are special holiday foods to be devoured and the atmosphere is as joyous as can be. One of my favorite pastimes in the past few years has been to visit the Bnei Atarot school, right next to MyHeritage, on the morning of Purim, every year, with a video camera. It's great fun and I also feel as if I'm on an important anthropological quest: to document the generation. For you can tell a lot about the generation from the dresses and costumes that kids dress up each year. When I was a kid, not that many decades ago, but still in prehistory as far as Internet Time is concerned, those were naive times indeed. It was quite simple then, boys were cowboys, Indians or Popeyes, and girls were princesses or Queen Esthers. But it all went downhill in recent years. Mutant Ninja Turtles, industrial costumes from China, punks, hippies and drop-outs. But occasionally you can spot a unique, home-made, totally original costume that makes it all worthwhile. Years from now as I grow older I will prepare a 50-year research on this topic. But for now, enjoy the pictures below from our own celebration of Purim at MyHeritage, yesterday.

Click to view photo in full size
PHOTO: Purim 2007 at MyHeritage - click to enlarge.
Guy "Venetian Phantom" and Jaiel "Pippi Longstocking"

Click to view photo in full size
PHOTO: Purim 2007 at MyHeritage - click to enlarge.
Guy and Jaiel again, with Nir "Taekwondo (Take & Undo) Master",
Shmulik "Ross Parrot", myself ("how did I get that small hat over my horns?") and Ran "Don Corleone"

5    Mar 20071 comment

MyHeritage celebrates its 10 millionth member!

I remember meeting Yossi Vardi a few years ago. A well known entrepreneur, he's considered the father of the Internet scene in Israel. On his jam-packed desk was a printout of an old presentation he gave after selling his company Mirabilis/ICQ to AOL. Its smug title was along the lines of "Getting the first 100 million users is always the hardest". The achievement seemed impossible for me to grasp at the time. But, here we are at MyHeritage, on a much more modest scale, celebrating the addition of our 10 millionth subscribed member today, hardly a year since our Web site went live.

What does it mean to be a member of MyHeritage? I'll start with what it doesn't mean: receiving spam. We abhor spam and do not abuse the trust that our members have placed in us. Our members enjoy our cool face recognition features, and many of them use our genealogy products: the free Family Tree Builder, the free genealogy search engine MyHeritage Research, and our family network - Family Pages. We are hard at work to add new products and features for the benefit of our members.

Our 10 million members come from all over the world. To celebrate the diversity of our member base, we are about to launch a unique Member Map to allow you to explore the MyHeritage community geographically. Here's a sneak preview of it, the screenshot shows only Europe, Asia and the Middle East, but every corner of the globe is covered, and you'll be able to meet members from each country, and in the future see how family trees from different countries connect on the map.The size of each figure represents the relative number of members from that country. Nope, we don't have that many members from Afghanistan - it's one of the remaining bugs we still need to fix!

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PHOTO: MyHeritage Member Map (preview) - click to enlarge

We've got great stuff in store for you for 2007. Stay tuned!

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The Wired Weigh-in for April 5, 2007

Chess /

Culled from the four corners of the globe — which is hard to do since it’s a globe and doesn’t have any corners, per se — here is the news of the world:

A noetic beat-down for the ages

Sometimes, contests turn into chess matches, with opposing coaches trying to outflank and out-think each other. Last night, Clark High School throttled Antonian College Preparatory High School 3-0 in a chess match that was, well, a chess match.

It’s as if this whole town is an historic treasure trove!

Workers working on a sewer line in Main Plaza found an old trench and several artifacts that might date back to the siege of the Alamo. Somewhere, there is a trench with cheap coonskin caps.

Memo to claustrophobics: Stay out of Medina

The tiny town is expected to explode in population in the next 10 years, with the school district’s enrollment of 3,000 expected to quadruple in that time. School trustees are trying to prepare for it with construction and say they need a $48.4 million bond issue to pay for it. As cramped as it’s going to get, they might want to spring for roll-on deodorant in that bond package.

Tags returned; humanity confirmed

The dog tags of a U.S. Marine killed in Vietnam were given to his Philadelphia family, thanks to the heartfelt and complicated efforts of a San Antonio man.

Governance by dummy

Whack job/Senator Dan Patrick, R-Houston — a onetime sportscaster and former talk show loon — boycotted the first prayer delivered in the Texas Senate by a muslim cleric. Sen. Florence Shapiro, R-Dallas, who is a Jewish, sponsored the cleric’s appearance.

Hold onto that booster seat

The State Senate approved a bill Wednesday that would require parents to secure kids up to age 8 in a booster seat in a moving car. The bill now goes to the House. Forty other states already have these rules. Parental use of a booster seat to look taller, meanwhile, remains optional.

That Woods guy is a flash in the pan

Buck Harvey writes about the 10-year anniversary of the weekend Tiger Woods first exploded on the national scene, forever changing golf — making it more popular than ever for fans and less popular with the guys who can’t beat him

Things we know about Doug Supernaw

He is a moderately successful country singer. He has recorded a a No. 1 hit in “Don’t Call Him Daddy.” He has been nominated for several awards.

And, judging from a recent court hearing in his hometown, we now know that he’s not “strumming with a full set of strings,” if you know what I mean. He told a judge he was “held in terrorist detention center in France and that he might be the secret love child of Marilyn Monroe and John F. Kennedy.” And then, the story gets weird. (From the Bryan-College Station Eagle, sent in by reader Kirk)

New life for an old metaphor

Until recently, falling into a pile of you-know-what was considered bad. The consequences could be, in a cosmic sense, a possible life of woe. No more. Here is clear proof that falling in a pile of it saved a Chinese woman’s life. (From the Sydney Morning Herald, sent in by reader Elliot)


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Galaxy at War miniatures preview - Ahsoka & Obi-Wan

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And so another "Star Wars" Miniatures set offers pieces I simply must have.

Wizards of the Coast announced Oct. 27 as the release date for the set Galaxy at War. Now WotC has the first Galaxy at War preview and it looks like the Republic faction just got even stronger. We're talking an Obi-Wan with Flight AND Soresu Style Mastery (!) and an Ahsoka (pictured) with Rolling Cleave and 70 hit points for less than a quarter. Believe it.

Hit the jump for those lovely stat cards.

Here are the stat cards for GaW's Commander Ahsoka and Obi-Wan Kenobi, Jedi General. Click 'em for a bigger view.

galaxyatwarahsokacard.jpg galaxyatwarkenobicard.jpg

Nice, huh? You get an Obi-Wan who grants an extra attack, has Mettle for reroll, Soresu Style Mastery to avoid damage and Flight to zip over enemies and obstacles. About the only thing that doesn't make this as broken a piece as General Obi-Wan Kenobi is the lack of Force Renewal 1 and Master of the Force 2. The high cost of 66 also helps keep this otherwise ridiculous piece somewhat grounded.

As for Commander Ahsoka, a cost of 24 for 70 hit points and a decent commander effect to make an attack after a kill make this one mighty fine little squad addition. Like the WotC site says, throw in Mas Amedda or some Mouse Droids to extend the CE range and you could do some serious damage with this affordable piece.

More to come, I'm sure.

My Twitter page uses Booming Voice to order tacos at the drive thru.
Got geek news, events, insights, outrage or other manna you want to share? E-mail me.

You can tell the new Obi-Wan is a mea culpa of sorts to the one from Clone Wars. And notice her has Soresu but not Force Renewal.

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About this Entry

This page contains a single entry by René A. Guzman published on September 16, 2009 10:57 AM.

'Spider-Man 4' hits IMAX May 5, 2011 was the previous entry in this blog.

Dungeons & Dragons sodas get +9 for coolness, quenching thirst is the next entry in this blog.

Find recent content on the main index or look in the archives to find all content.


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Plan your outdoor exercise; find a trainer; become a yoga expert

Some online exercise resources worth checking out:

If you like to exercise outdoors, you can plan your day with the Fitness and Exercise section on You can find the local weather forecast, of course, but also information about air quality and pollen, plus an hourly mosquito forecast. The section also includes a Fitness Comfort Index, exercise calculators and a daylight countdown.

If you’re looking for someone to help you get in shape, you can find in-home personal trainers at Launched this month, the site connects clients across the country with certified, insured trainers based on the clients’ fitness goals, location and other factors. The rates are $65-$75 for each trainer, depending on the number of sessions purchased.

If you want to start a yoga practice, check out Women’s Health’s huge yoga section, which launched last month. You can find yoga videos, an encyclopedia of poses, slide shows, expert advice, a glossary of terms and a tool to find the right kind of yoga to treat specific body and mind issues.

Jessica Belasco


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Who is Lang Lang?, Part V

Norman Lebrecht is England’s most noted Classical music critic. Two years ago, he wrote about Lang Lang in the Evening Standard. Lang Lang plays Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto No. 2 with the San Antonio Symphony on January 12. Here are a few excerpts from that article:

“There is no question who is today’s number one in classical music, measured in terms of world fame.

A decade ago it would have been Luciano Pavarotti, before him Maria Callas. The storm-tossed diva was preceded by Arturo Toscanini, who had 40 percent name-check recognition among adult Americans, and before him there was Enrico Caruso, the first best-seller on record. These four dominated the first century in human history when music was industrialised and reputation manufactured.

Pavarotti’s death in 2007 left music without a luminary – but not for long. Opening last summer’s Olympic Games in Beijing, resplendent in a rock-star white suit with a fairy-child accompanist amid a sea of green elves, the Chinese pianist Lang Lang launched himself into a stratosphere of celebrity. Five billion people watched, and remembered.

In China, Lang Lang, 26, was already the yes-we-can symbol of future world power. His picture is blazoned eight storeys high up the side of buildings from Hong Kong to Harbin. Some 30 million children are being taught to play the piano in the vain parental hope of emulating his achievement. Concert halls are being built in the expectation that he will play in them.

He began piano lessons at three years old, made his public debut at five. At nine, he failed an audition to the Beijing Conservatory and was ordered by his father to swallow a bottle of pills and kill himself. Failure, after all the family’s efforts on his behalf, was not to be tolerated. Lang Lang told me this story two years ago in a BBC studio and the air froze. He could not see why I found it strange that he should remain devoted to his tyrannical parent and he was unable to offer any resolution to their collision, beyond saying that they did not speak for a month after the incident. When he played his first recital at Carnegie Hall, he brought his austere father on stage for an encore.

The lower slopes of musical life in China are a scramble for competition victories. Lang Lang won his first at age 10. The next year, on his way to Germany, he was told by his teacher ‘don’t expect to be Number One’ because the government was sending two superior pianists. I must be Number One became Lang Lang’s motto. Nothing mattered, then or now, so long as he is number one.

He was lucky to be educated at the Curtis Institute in Philadephia by the grandfatherly Gary Graffman, both in musical knowledge and in the richness of cultures – including his own, of which he knew little. When he started giving concerts, the technique was perfect and the showmanship paramount.”

Lang Lang’s concert in the Majestic Theatre on January 12 to be the Number One Concert in 2011. In addition to the concert, a lucky few will have the opportunity to dine with Lang Lang in a post-concert dinner. This fund raiser for the Symphony will include:

6:00 p.m.—pre-concert reception at Club Giraud
7:15 p.m.—bus transportation to the Majestic Theatre
7:30 p.m.—VIP seating for the two-hour concert
9:30 p.m.—bus transportation to the Coates Chapel
9:45 p.m.—dinner with Lang Lang

The dinner with Lang Lang will include a reception photo, gift and elegant dinner. VIP tickets are $500 per person. For more information call Emily at (210) 554-1052. Tickets to just the concert begin at $26.75.

Jack Fishman

For more blogs by Jack Fishman visit:

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‘NBC Nightly News’ covers S.A. area’s aid to Haitian soccer team

haitiansoccerteam.jpgQuick, get to your TVs and turn to NBC!

I just got word that “NBC Nightly News” has been shooting a story in San Antonio and New Braunfels this week about the area’s warm welcome of the Haitian National Soccer Team.

Soccer means everything to these guys and the Alamo City and New Braunfels have provided the players everything from a place to train away from the ravages of the earthquake to goods and services to make their stay a pleasant one.

Mary Ullmann Japhet, spokeswoman for San Antonio Sports, the umbrella organization coordinating the effort, said the feature by correspondent Janet Shamlian is scheduled to run at 5:30 p.m. on NBC, barring the possibility of it getting bumped by a big breaking news story.

“The focus of the story is how our community has rallied to support the Haitian team. The outpouring of generosity has been remarkable,” said Ullmann Japhet.

Among the helping hands: T Bar M Resort in New Braunfels has drastically reduced its costs so the team can be housed there economically and donations from individuals and businesses also have been indicative, she said, of the lovely hospitality of San Antonio and South Texas.

Photo courtesy of San Antonio Sports

Jeanne Jakle


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Marquez tops qualifying for Sunday’s MotoGP race at Circuit of the Americas

Mike Haag covers motorsports for the San Antonio Express-News. His column appears weekly during the racing season. Email: Twitter: @MikeHaag

AUSTIN – Competing in only his second MotoGP race, 20-year old Marc Marquez of Spain earned the pole for Sunday’s Red Bull Grand Prix of the Americas.

Marquez, riding for the Respol Honda Team, led his teammate Dani Pedrosa and defending series champion Jorge Lorenzo in qualifying Saturday afternoon at the Circuit of the Americas.

Marquez, who was the fasted during a three-day test session last month at the 3.4-mile track, posted the quickest ever MotoGP lap time clocked at 2’03.21 and became the youngest ever pole-sitter in the class. Last year he won the Moto2 championship.

“The bike was good but you never know when you come here because the tires are not the same,” Marquez said. “You also never know because guys are pushing hard, but with that I got my first pole and I’m happy.”

On the final run, Pedroza missed the pole by two and a half tenths after posting a 2’03.275. He laid down some impressive lap times throughout the earlier practice sessions.

Marc Marquez took the pole for Sunday's MotoGP race at Austin's Circuit of the Americas. (Photo courtesy of

Marc Marquez took the pole for Sunday’s MotoGP race at Austin’s Circuit of the Americas. (Photo courtesy of

“Today we did some improvement on the bike,” Pedroza said. “The bike really improved a lot. I am just hoping that we can pass a little bit during the race. I think the bike is a little tighter in the back. We have to be focus and have a good start.”

Lorenzo, who won the season opener in Qatar earlier this month, crossed the line in 2’04.100. Lorenzo was forced to avoid traffic on the final circuit and had to drive through pit lane where he later rejoined the field, but it was too late for him to post a faster time.

“We still have to compete tomorrow and it’s going to be a long race,” Lorenzo said. “The feel is not perfect yet. Tomorrow during the race I am going to try my best and see what happens.”

Cal Crutchlow, aboard a Monster Yamaha Tech 3, was fourth fastest at 2’04.267 and LCR Honda rider Stefan Bradl was fifth fastest at 2’04.445.

Rounding out the top 10 in qualifying were Andrea Dovizioso, Alvaro Bautista, Valentino Rossi, Aleix Espargaro and Nicky Hayden.

A field of 24 riders will start Sunday’s race. The inaugural Red Bull Grand Prix of the Americas begins at 2pm local time and all of the action can be followed live on

In other racing action, Scott Redding of Great Britain took the pole in the Moto2 class after posting a 2’10.577 lap time. Takaaki Nakagami of Japan was second at 2’11.266 and Nicolas Terol of Spain was third at 2’11.287.

Rounding out the top 10 were Esteve Rabat, Dominique Aegerter, Simone Corsi, Pol Espargaro, Xavier Simeon, Mika Kallio and Julian Simon.

In the Moto3 class, Alex Rins of Spain was the fastest qualifier and earned the pole with time of 2’16.396. Luis Salom and Maverick Vinales, also from Spain, will fill out the front row after qualifying second and third respectively. Salom posted a 2’16.879 lap while Vinales was clocked at 2’17.100.

Rounding out the top 10 in qualifying were Jack Miller, Jonas Folger, Alex Marquez, Niklas Ajo, Danny Webb, Alexis Masbou and Arthur Sissis.

The action on Sunday begins at 8:20 a.m. with the E3 MotoX Jumping Show. Two other shows are planned for 9:20 a.m. and 10:10 a.m. The Red Bull aerial display will be held at 10:05 a.m. in skies above the Circuit, followed by the MotoGP riders parade on the track at 10:20 a.m.

Red Bull stunt rider Aaron Colton performs: 10:25 a.m. on the track and the Red Bull Air Force skydive will take place over the Circuit at 1:30 p.m. The National Anthem will be held at 1:50 p.m. and will be followed by the Central Texas Wing Commemorative Air Force flyover, featuring vintage World War II aircraft. The Moto3 and Moto2 races will follow.

Mike Haag


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Thursday, 19 February 2009

Pope to visit UK?

Dear reader, our blog has moved to a new address.

Do come on over (and change your bookmarks accordingly):

Well, Gordon Brown's just been to see him and invited him over. Please, please, please let it happen. It'll be the best thing to happen to this blog since Sarah Palin.

Then again, he might just get turned back by immigration for being too intolerant...

Joe Hayhurst said...

I wonder if he'll use the old PopeMobile from the British Commercial Vehicle Museum in Leyland? 24 tons, bulletproof glass and a round seat that goes up and down so he can stick his head out of the top while giving the royal wave.
I can't help thinking he'll be a bit lonely on his visit here, the only catholics I know of are now pretty much bed-bound due to old-age, or Poles who are off home.

Caspar said...

lucky I wasn't drinking tea when i read that joke as this computer isn't tea-proof.

Christopher Geiser said...

You guys are so disrespectful. Stop breaking the 10 commandments because when you do you sin against God not man. repent and believe on the Lord Jesus Christ.


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Ocean Currents

Donate Today

Ocean Currents

News, opinions, photos and facts from Ocean Conservancy

About Ellen Bolen

Ellen Bolen is the Director of the Fish Conservation Program at Ocean Conservancy. She grew up in the great coastal state of Oklahoma but didn’t let that deter her love of the Ocean. After spending time in Florida studying manatees, she now focuses on all things fish. Ellen loves the warm waters of the gulf, the beaches of the Outer Banks, and the tide pools of the Pacific. She also loves fish puns. A lot. You can follow her @ellenbolen.

Ocean Conservancy Welcomes Eileen Sobeck to NOAA Fisheries

Posted On January 16, 2014 by

Granite Point, Point Lobos, California

© Feo Pitcairn

Yesterday, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) named Eileen Sobeck as the new assistant administrator for NOAA Fisheries, better known as the National Marine Fisheries Service. As assistant administrator, she will oversee the management and conservation of all marine life within the U.S. exclusive economic zone, from coastal habitat to bluefin tuna and everything in between. Given the breadth of her job, it’s a good thing that Ms. Sobeck is no stranger to NOAA or ocean issues. She worked in the NOAA Office of the General Counsel from 1979 to 1984, and she currently serves as the acting assistant secretary of the Department of the Interior’s Office of Insular Affairs.

Continue reading »

U.S. Is Successfully Ending Overfishing and We Can’t Afford to Stop Now

Posted On September 9, 2013 by

A fisherman catches red snapper

Photo: Tom McCann / Ocean Conservancy

Together Americans are solving a problem—overfishing—and we can’t afford to stop now. Ending overfishing means sustainable fishing for generations to come. It means healthy seafood on our dinner plates and sustained livelihoods across the country.

Our nation’s vital fisheries law, the Magnuson-Stevens Fisheries Conservation & Management Act, has already helped rebuild fish populations like New England scallops, Mid-Atlantic bluefish, Pacific lingcod and Gulf red snapper. A new report by the National Research Council says 43 percent of overfished populations have been rebuilt already or will be rebuilt within a decade. And if we continue to allow the Magnuson-Stevens Act to work, another 31 percent of these populations are on track toward rebuilding as well.

The report also highlights the challenges and complexities of trying to evaluate fisheries science and make decisions about catch limits and other management measures. In the face of those challenges, however, we are seeing success and must continue on this path for the long haul.

Continue reading »

Don’t Mess With Success

Posted On July 23, 2013 by

fishermen load scallops onto a boatThanks to the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, our nation now benefits from dozens of rebuilt fish populations. But even as we have seen remarkable progress made, we have also seen an increase in political challenges that threaten this crucial law.

This vital US. fishing law is due to be reauthorized this year, and this morning the Senate will hold a hearing to discuss the progress made under the law and next steps for U.S. fisheries management.

Lawmakers should strengthen the law to ensure continued progress in transitioning our fisheries to long term sustainability. Just one example of recent efforts: last week’s historic decision to increase red snapper catch limits in the Gulf due to success in restoring the population back to healthy levels.

Continue reading »

10 Key Facts About Red Snapper

Posted On May 20, 2013 by

Red snapper (Lutjanus campechanus) are one of the Gulf of Mexico’s signature fish.  They are extremely popular among recreational fishermen and a prized offering at restaurants and seafood markets, as well as a top predator in the Gulf ecosystem. Recently there has been a great deal of debate about the health and management of this important fish. Ocean Conservancy, along with Pew Charitable Trusts, has released a report about the law that is saving American fisheries, including red snapper. Here are few handy facts about this iconic fish:

  1. Red snapper can grow to about 40 inches, weigh up to 50 pounds and live more than 50 years.
  2. Red snapper begin to reproduce when they are about two years old, spawning from May to October along rocky ledges or coral reefs.
  3. Fertilized eggs float on the surface and hatch within a day. Only a month later, the young fish settle out of the water column in shallow waters, and as they get older, they move to structured habitat where they will mature and eventually move to the deeper waters of the Gulf. Continue reading »

Trash Talk on Capitol Hill

Posted On December 17, 2012 by

That’s not an oil slick — it’s debris from last year’s Japanese tsunami that washed into the ocean. Credit: U.S. Pacific Fleet flickr stream

There’s plenty of trash talk on Capitol Hill these days – but probably not the kind you are thinking about. It’s not talk about the fiscal cliff or the elections, it’s all the recent talk on the Hill about ocean trash. Recently we heard that the government of Japan gave the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration $5 million to address the ongoing problem of marine debris that resulted from the 2011 tsunami, the President’s disaster request for Superstorm Sandy included a request for funds to assess marine debris and, perhaps the trashiest conversation of all, the House and Senate passed the Marine Debris Reauthorization Act.

Last Wednesday night, after months of hard work by staff in both chambers – and on both sides of the aisle – the Senate passed the Marine Debris Reauthorization Act as part of the Coast Guard Reauthorization bill.  The House passed the bill last week.  Perhaps you are wondering what reauthorization even means. (I’m not sure schoolhouse Rock covered this portion of lawmaking.)

Continue reading »

Pirate Fishing Bill Could Help U.S. Fishermen Protect Their Booty

Posted On June 20, 2012 by

See below to learn how to make your own pirate fish. Credit: Digitprop.

A hearing was held yesterday on a bill being considered by the House Natural Resources Committee that could improve protections for fish across the globe and for fishermen here in the United States.

The bill, HR 4100, would strengthen enforcement mechanisms to stop illegal, unregulated and unreported fishing – also known as pirate fishing. While this term may conjure up an image of Captain Hook or Treasure Island, pirate fishing poses a serious threat to global fisheries and could jeopardize the successes we have made in U.S. fisheries.

You may be surprised to learn that up to 20 percent of all fish caught worldwide are taken illegally or in unregulated waters – that’s one in every five fish caught. This bill would strengthen the ability of the United States to combat this problem. Continue reading »

Fish Populations Making Comeback, NOAA Report Says

Posted On May 22, 2012 by

Coho salmon are one of six populations of fish that NOAA has officially declared rebuilt in 2011. Credit: Soggydan Flickr stream

With a lot of hard work, a new trend is beginning to emerge for America’s fisheries: Good news.

A new report from NOAA shows that six populations of fish have been officially declared rebuilt in 2011, bringing that total number to 27. Fifty-one others are in process of rebuilding, while six are having plans put together now.

Of the 258 marine fish populations managed by the National Marine Fisheries Service, only 36 are currently subject to overfishing. Forty-five are overfished, but due to the precise (read: weird) nature of fishery science, a fish population can be considered overfished while recovering.

Continue reading »


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Ocean Currents

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Ocean Currents

News, opinions, photos and facts from Ocean Conservancy

Wallpaper Wednesday – Facebook Cover Photos

Posted On May 2, 2012 by

Show your friends how much you love our ocean with a free Ocean Conservancy cover photo for your Facebook Timeline. Click your favorite image to grab one of our three new ones below, and check out the whole collection here. Leave us a comment and let us know what animals or places you’d like to see next week!

Get Involved on the Issues

Interested in learning more?  Subscribe to our RSS feed or give us your email using the simple form below and we’ll make sure you get the latest on ocean wildlife and all the important ways you can fight for a healthy ocean.

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Gregoire signs paid family leave law

Washington Gov. Chris Gregoire made it official today, signing a bill that creates the nation's second paid-family leave program, spokeswoman Holly Armstrong said. The law takes effect Oct. 1, 2009 and provides $250 a week for up to five weeks for most workers to take time off to care for a newborn or adopted child, according to the Economic Opportunity Institute, a Seattle-based advocacy group that pushed for the measure.

The stipend will be prorated for parttime workers. The law also protects the jobs of workers at employers with 25 or more employees who take the leave and have been on the job at least one year. Lawmakers still have to figure out how to finance the program.

The bill covers new and adoptive parents only, but not workers taking family leave to care for a sick family member or a serious illness, as California's program does.

"Certainly it's not the bill we originally proposed," said Marilyn Watkins, the institute's policy director. "But it's still a really important step."

Watkins speaks on a podcast about the implications of the bill. Read background info here and our previous post and story about the matter here.

Oregon, New York and New Jersey are considering similar measures, Watkins said. The Oregon bill recently passed the House Human Services and Women's Wellness Committee on a 4-3 vote. The bill creates a Family Leave Benefits Insurance program and is now awaiting hearing in the House Ways & Means Committee, which approves bills requiring new revenue.

In its current form, Oregon House Bill 2575 would provide $250 a week for up to six weeks for workers caring for a newborn, adopted child, sick family member or their own serious illnesses. The program would be financed by a penny-per-hour tax on worker earnings.


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Hidden Medicare drug costs drawing ire

I mentioned this in Sunday's column, but now the Wall Street Journal is noting the growing opposition to these hidden Medicare "product-selection penalties" or "reference-based pricing" on drug plans. The AARP today warned seniors to "beware of extra charges."

Writes the Journal's Jane Zhang and Vanessa Fuhrmans:

The system, known as reference-based pricing, is used by dozens of plans offering coverage through Medicare's Part D drug-insurance program. Under reference-based pricing, patients who insist on certain brand-name drugs when a cheaper generic version is available are charged a much higher price -- typically representing the difference between the cost of the two drugs, plus a copayment. By contrast, people buying a brand-name drug when there is no generic equivalent are charged just a copayment.

Patients in some cases might be responsible for paying nearly the full cost of their brand-name medications under reference-based pricing. But sorting out which drugs are subject to the extra charges and calculating how big the penalties might be are difficult because the information isn't clearly spelled out by Medicare or many of the insurers, say lawmakers and consumer advocates, who are stepping up demands for greater transparency from insurers....

...AARP, the advocacy group for older Americans, plans Tuesday to issue a warning to seniors and send a letter to (the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services) to complain about the lack of disclosure of reference-based pricing. Other groups, including the National Senior Citizens Law Center, also have written recently asking CMS to require that plans more clearly disclose the true cost consumers will have to pay for drugs.


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Tag: left

What Katy wrote: terms for left-handed people

As my fellow mollydookers will know, the world is a tough place. From can openers (talk about can’t openers) to scissors, and hockey sticks to spiral-bound notepads, some things are just plain awkward. Left itself comes from the Old English lyft, ‘weak’ (the left-hand side being regarded as the weaker side of the body) and, […]

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‘Left’: a reliable U.S. political term

The word ‘left’ has invited learned commentary, not least in Anatoly Liberman’s blog ‘The Sinister Influence of the Left Hand’. As Liberman shows, by reputation the word suffers in comparison with the ‘dexterous’ word ‘right’. Origin of the term ‘left’ Those on the political right are happy with this, and contribute to the process. The […]

Read more »
North and South

When south is north and right is left

Last week I drove north from Oxford for two whole days and arrived at the beautiful south. This is not because I’d done a Francis Drake but because one of the very most northerly parts of the island where I live is called ‘south land’ or ‘Sutherland’. I’d have called it something less confusing but […]

Read more »


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Lupita Nyong’o Originally Rejected Her MET Gala Dress, Ed Sheeran And Hilary Duff Announce A Collaboration, And More

Photo Credit: George Pimentel/WireImage
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Extra, extra read all about it! What celebrity news do we have in store for you today? Glad you asked! Ed Sheeran and Hillary Duff announce a collaboration, Matt Damon talks Jason Bourne, and Sara Bareilles’ new music video will have you in tears. Those stories and more in today’s celebrity headlines!

Here are the 6 stories you need to read today:

1. Lupita Nyong’o originally rejected her divisive Prada flapper-style Met Gala dress. Eventually, the actress changed her mind. “When I saw it hanging there, of course, I was deeply attracted to it,” Nyong’o admitted. “I call it the taxi dress.” [ABC News]

2. The king of collaboration Ed Sheeran has found another partner:  Hilary Duff. The two stars are working together on a new tune that Duff describes as having an “earthy, indie-pop vibe.” [Seventeen]

3. Bourne again? Would Matt Damon reprise his role as Jason Bourne? The actor isn’t ruling it out. “I’ve always been open to if, if Paul Greengrass is the director,” Damon said. “We’ve just never been able to come up with a story.”[EW]

4. Sometimes you just gotta dance, ya know? Selena Gomez posted a video on Instagram of an impromptu dance session with Taylor Swift as the two friends danced in their ballgowns at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. [US Magazine]

And during.. sometimes you wanna just be you with someone who knows all your secrets

A video posted by Selena Gomez (@selenagomez) on

5. Sara Bareilles helped two couples propose for her new music video “I Choose You.” Watch now or forever hold your peace. [MTV]

6. Is there a new Adele album in the works? The British singer, whose albums “19” and “21” were named after her age at the time of production, posted a selfie celebrating her 26th birthday that read, “Bye bye 25… See you again later in the year x.” [LA Times]

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